Maybe we need a little less ESPN

Remember when ESPN filled up most of its broadcast day with Australian Rules Football?

Back when cable TV was almost a luxury, and unless you lived far away from a metro area you had to wait for your street to be torn up to get 57 channels from a big ugly box, ESPN delivered sports without a whole lot of BS.

Maybe it’s because Disney owns the place now, but somewhere along the way, ESPN became – to turn a phrase from the NBA playoffs – “Hollywood as Hell.”

It’s not enough to show a game. Now the game needs a storyline. Is Vince McMahon consulting or something? I suppose we’ll know for sure if next season some guy ends up in tights named “Mr. Ass.”

The hours between the games are filled with shows where self-professed experts gaze into their navels and speculate over things that haven’t happened yet. Last week over lunch, the discussion was over what would LeBron James’ legacy in the NBA be if Dwayne Wade were named MVP. Seriously?

I suppose this is what is to be expected out of the network that gave us “The Decision.” America loves itself a good trainwreck, and we haven’t had a good narcissist to point and stare at since Michael Jackson left this earth. The boys in Bristol are more than happy to give King James an audience. How else could someone be declared the greatest player ever in the game, without ever showing the mental tenacity (or for that matter, the desire) to carry his team to a championship?

Strip away the fog and lights and Miami has three skilled players. But until they can actually play as a team, it’s a little premature to run a “Heat Meter” and compare them to a Jordan-led Bulls team. You actually have to play the games, a fact that’s frequently glossed over while watching SportsCenter.

But just as I’m finding myself to be happier with how I view the state of our nation by not watching cable news, I’m beginning to think that I’ll be happier about the teams that I care about if I ignore all umpteen ESPN networks unless a game is actually on. Then, if I turn the center channel down on the surround sound I won’t have to listen to the announcers.

It might work.

Every Picture Tells A Story

The road goes on forever, and the party never ends

I took this not that far out of La Grange on day 2 of the MS 150. I liked the sight of everyone going up the hill, so when I saw a flat point where I could get some momentum going after stopping, I pulled over and got the shot. It was a peaceful morning, and I thought this captured the moment.

This was my first take and the better of the two composition-wise, except in this shot I got my finger in front of the edge of the lens. The other shot I took in this location was posted the day of the ride. Today I finally had a chance to crop out my finger and post the shot I really liked.

If you’d like to donate to the ride, you can do so before May 17th.

You mean it’s April already?

Kimbo kept asking people last night at jersey pickup how our riding is going.

Um, you mean we’re supposed to be riding?

April really snuck up on me, and it sounds like I’m not alone. Most of us last night had only been out once or twice. Life’s been pretty zippy the past few months, and I haven’t been on the bike very much.

So all we can do is mash the pedals and do the best we can. Tuesday I leave for Vegas to run the gauntlet that is NAB and then immediately upon my return I’m off to the MS150. I don’t know how far I’ll ride this year, but I’ll give it everything I’ve got.

To those who have donated, thank you. If you’d like to donate, there’s still time.

MS150 Training Season is Open

2 years ago, on the Lynchberg Ferry during a training ride.

Last weekend I got my butt back on the bicycle for the first time since October.

I ended up leading a group of new PCC riders to Froberg’s Farm and back – about 28 miles.

I was a bit rusty after all of that time off, and my hamstrings were speaking quite loudly when I got back to the car, but it’s good to be back and good that the weather is cooperating. Plus I got to teach a newbie how to change a tire and teach him the importance of riding with spare tubes & tools. I’ll bet he’ll have a saddle bag with a tool kit on his bike this weekend – it would have been much worse if he got that flat while riding alone.

I’m $200 away from hitting the minimum fundraising requirement for this ride, and I’d really like to blow past the minimum before April. Special thanks go out to Comrex Corporation for stepping up with $100 a few weeks back. Can you spare $25 or $50 for MS? Okay, can you spare $5 or $10? Every donation is appreciated, and every donation makes a difference in someone’s life.

ProFlowers #Fail

Laura’s back from vacation, and what do you know, she finally got her flowers. They might have looked better if they weren’t delivered after business hours on Wednesday… you know, the last day she was in her office this week.

Next time, I'm going to deliver flowers myself.

While yes, I did get my money back, this photo really makes me angry.

She deserves better.

I can feel date night coming on…