McDowell Meltdown 2012 Race Re-Cap

I don't post here very often, but I'm pretty excited about a post at my other blog. So head over there and check out my McDowell Mountain Race Re-cap. Lest you think the world is about to end, relax - I still am slower than a gila monster stuck in an ice chest.

The post isn't so much about results - it's more about what's on my mind after my first regular-season Mountain Bike Association of Arizona in quite a long time.

And thanks to Robert Body for taking the photo of me!

Pump tracks are up-and-coming mountain bike trend - Phoenix mountain biking

Pump tracks are up-and-coming mountain bike trend - Phoenix mountain biking

Beware of flying Hockey Cliches

The Phoenix Coyotes and the National Hockey League are headed to court - that means we can count on lots of "legal face-off" puns, I'm certain.

The crux of the issue is a team that's financially strapped, tired of the Valley of the Fickle Fan (um, I mean, Sun), tired of never having home games because Valley residents from other places root for their old teams, tired of playing in an inconveniently located venue and eager to move to Canada.

Frankly, the franchise belongs in Canada. Remember, it used to be the Winnipeg Jets.

As much as I love hockey, the Coyotes have never captivated me. The Coyotes, like the Jets before then, always seemed like a chintzy, low-ball organization. I'd have rather waited a few more years and gotten an expansion franchise with no baggage and dirt laundry.

Adding to the already formidable burdens, the Coyotes ticket prices were never all that great a value. Of course, I say the same about all major-league pro sports. I wouldn't mind a total collapse of the sports-industrial complex, frankly. Let them charge reasonable ticket prices and pay players reasonable salaries, thanks.

I can slake my hockey thirst by watching the minor-league Phoenix Roadrunners. They just happen to have a convenient downtown venue, and I can take the light rail there. And tickets are affordable! I'll take that, thanks.

Back to the court battle, I suppose it would be Murphy's Luck if the Coyotes pick now to start a winning streak they couldn't manage on the ice ...

Virgin America Gets Absinthe-Minded

I wrote a post for my travel blog about my reactions to Virgin America's announcement that it will start serving absinthe aloft. Check it out!

Fancy firehouses?

Over the last 10 years or so, I've noticed a trend: Firehouses are getting more opulent.

The one on Tatum Boulevard in Paradise Valley looks like a resort. And Phoenix is no stranger to fancy firehouses: Just drive by the fairly new stations on 32nd south of Indian School, and Indian School near 20th Street.

I am definitely in favor of providing good equipment to our firefighters. What I don't like is excessive funds being devoted to make "pretty" fire stations. Really, they should all be standardized as possible to reduce design costs.

It would be really interesting to see the going rate for a fire station these days.

What Happens When Political Parties Die?

Right now, there's plenty of speculation about whether the Republican Party is dying. Arlen Spector's defection is the latest talking point.

Rather than such speculation, I'd rather see a non-partisan analysis of the last time a major American political party ceased to exist, or changed to the point of requiring a new name. This has happened before, and will happen again. But will it be the Republicans any time soon?

I'm honestly not equipped for this task, but someone who is should seriously consider it.

5 Observations on the News

1. Newspapers need to stop using the word "probe" in headlines, unless they're deliberately trying to be funny.

2. Bats are cool. Why would anyone want to shoot dozens of them?

A. John D'Anna used to be pretty high up on the newsroom food chain at The Arizona Republic - and a pretty decent character. Odd to see him doing quicky stories like this.

3. I usually agree with Robrt Pela, and often enjoy his opinions on local architecture. But not this time. SkySong is pretty cool and futuristic, especially at night.

4. Octomom wants to trademark her nickname. Well, she doesn't have right of first use. She didn't coin the phrase. I hope whoever did concoct it snares it out from under her.

5. You wouldn't like him when he's angry. FC Porto attacker Hulk carries on the Brazilan tradition of awesome nicknames. I am hoping for one named Bruce Campbell Suarez de la Sousa.