Great High Burn

Or greatest high burn?

-- Posted from my iPodPhone

Virgin Wins Again

While Delta surprised me on the way out to SF, I have to say that nothing tops Virgin America. Today, boarding my return flight, they impressed me yet again. After boarding first class, they boarded everyone without roller suitcases. This seems very obvious to me, but I've never seen it before. Boarding without a rollerboard is much quicker (don't have people jamming up the aisle, trying to stuff their so-big-it-needs-to-be-checked suitcase in the overhead. The boarding process was insanely quick.

Thank you Virgin. Let's hope everyone else copies you.

Early Departure

Amazingly, Delta has decided to schedule my flight to depart 5 minutes early (which I discovered upon reaching my gate). I realize it's only a small time period, but I feel like this is some kind of victory for all humankind.


-- Posted from my iPodPhone

Wizards or Huskies?

We could really use him for the stretch run. Seriously, isn't this the argument for some kind of idiot clause? I get that Thabeet is making gobs of money, even when he gets sent to North Dakota (how many Tanzanians are in ND?), but can't they come up with some escape/return/ejection/undrafting clause that let's guys, who were never ready in the first place, go back to college for the tourney? It's like expanded rosters for the playoffs!

Maybe I'm biased because UConn has so many of these guys: Rudy Gay, Donyell Marshall, Thabeet, etc. I'm shocked Stanley Robinson stuck around after last year. Despite his terrible year, I'm sure someone was telling him he had the right "length" and "ability."

Hey Cabbie

You know what's coming next, right? I mean seriously, do not complain to me about my using the credit card system installed in your cab. It's in there exactly so I can use it. I get that it takes days to process, that's why I gave you a bigger tip than normal (and than you ephing deserved (taking the extra long way, thinking I wasn't paying attention)). Don't wait until after I give you said tip to sigh and say, "oh jeez, what the hell? It takes ten days to process, man!" I know this isn't unique to Boston cabs either. Cab drivers everywhere seem to hate it. I get it, you want cash. When I have it, I'm happy to pay with cash. But when I don't, just relax and deal with it, I'm sure I'm not the first (or last) person to pay with credit card.

And, by the way, you work in a service industry. So be happy that I don't take your crappy ass service as an excuse not to reward you for crappy as service. If you want to complain, GFY. I'm swiping.

Bocce!

Not just for Latin class anymore.

0-2. Not a strong performance so far. You would think that I didn't play once a week for four years during Latin class in high school.

-- Posted from my iPodPhone

Knickerbockers Warchest

I put the odds of LeBron coming to NYC this offseason at about 1%. While I think it would do amazing things for the franchise (in terms of fan interest and valuation), I don't think LeBron is interested in going from a championship caliber team to a rebuilding Knicks franchise. Wouldn't they be better off going after both Wade and Bosh? Assuming they offer them their two max contract slots, they get the best hybrid guard (and an absolute gamer) and one of the best forward/centers in the league. If McGrady shows any signs of life (he's only 30!), they are good to go for next year.

Then, assuming LeBron rumors are true (that he only wants a three year deal), they can pitch LeBron on NYC in '13/'14 coming to play with two other studs and win as many championships as they want. I don't know what Donnie Walsh is thinking, but he has truly done an excellent job making room to spend some money. I'm hopeful.

In other, more distressing news, I just read the following: The Knicks have not been below the salary cap since 1996, when they signed free agents Allan Houston and Chris Childs. Yikes.

Update (10:10pm): My mistake, McGrady's $23mm comes off the books this summer, not next summer. Either way, the Knicks could spend enough for Bosh and Wade.

Right Choices

With mgp's shot across my bow, I figured this is a good time to point out something in my life about which I made the right choice: college. This video reminds me why I refused to consider attending a certain University in CT, despite it's quality reputation and its crew coach's pursuit of my (once upon a time) rowing abilities:

To be honest, when I first saw the video, I thought it was made by The Lampoon or The Onion. Or maybe even some kind of weird response to this prank:



But then I read the accompanying New Yorker article. Man, oh man. Yale really does suck.

Also, Brian Williams...I'm just shaking my head.