Where to Vote - Fire House is no more

This new fire station opened here in Savage in summer 2013.  It has all the amenities that fire stations of today have to have here in the county of Howard in Central Maryland.  It's located in the Savage jurisdiction, but is no longer in the center of Savage as the old one used to be.  I think that's a good thing as it's adjacent to main roads and a major intersection.  Plus I no longer get to hear the sirens every time they have a call.

This is the old fire station up on Lincoln Street that's been decommissioned with the property now under someone else's control.  It was a good ol' station since I was a youth.

The lower rear area of the fire station was used as a social hall and more importantly to me, it served as my voting location for all these years.  It was only a block up the hill from my house; a nice short walk.  Just a great place to vote and catch up with a few locals I don't regularly see.

My previous blog post indicated that I had taken advantage of the 'Early Voting' for the June 24, 2014 Primary here in Maryland.  I did that because of a schedule conflict for tomorrow, Primary Election day.  As I mentioned it was a pleasant experience, but not at all like the jaunt to the local fire house to vote.

The new Savage Fire Station evidently isn't going to be used as a voting location.  My new voting spot is at a school over on Gorman Rd, a couple of miles away.  As much as I need the exercise, I doubt I'll be walking to the new polling location.  I'll have to drive over there and muddle along with the rest of the folks over that way. 

And it ain't even in the Big Town of Savage!

JD, here in the BToS wondering what happened to the world I once knew.

Email Video Link -- No Description - Delete

Seems every day I'll get emails with a link to a video that's described as "must watch" or "important".  I'm sure you get similar.  Typically if I receive an email with that type link and no description of the video, I'll ignore the email and move on to the next.

Back in the old days, the organization I worked for was tasked with supporting software systems at sites around the world.  Network communication was just coming of age and bandwidth was limited.  Our network use was limited to work-related communications, some of those communications were via email.

The organization had standards for email content.  One of the standards was that the 'Subject' line specified the purpose of the message and a description of  the email.

Just looking at the 'From:' and the 'Subject' content allowed you to determine whether it was an important action item, a less urgent information item, or something else.

People, I think they're people, today send emails that provide no indication of message content and provide links to web sites or videos without providing any kind of description of the item.  Typically, it'll just say "you gotta see this one" or ... ...  I'm sure you know exactly what I mean.

My point is that if you're going to go to the trouble of sending an email to someone you know, take time to include some kind of description of the content in the 'Subject' header and descriptions for any links to websites and/or videos.

JD, here in the BToS scratching my head over some of my morning emails with nothing in the Subject header or description of the video link.

PS - That's my rant for an overcast Saturday morning.  Looks like a fairly slow weekend, so possibly another rant tomorrow.  :-)

NASCAR Chase - ESPN Killing Weekly Race TV

This is a repeat of a post from this blog back in 2010.  My thots today are stronger than they were when I wrote the original post.  Watching Chase races on ESPN consists of watching cars with drivers that are in the Chase.  Granted those 12 drivers are the best of the year and qualified for the Chase, but the TV coverage of the race should focus on action on the track, not necessarily a single car focus detailing the performance of the current leader of the Chase, or other Chase members.  There are 43 drivers on the track each week and the racing should be the focus of NASCAR race TV, not the final champion for the year.  I'll guarantee you that if I'm sitting in the stands for the race, my last thot is of a Chase contender; my thots are about my favorite driver, who may not even be in the CHASE for the SPRINT CUP!

JD, here in the BToS ranting about TV coverage of weekly racing.

Below is Post from 2010:

Sounds a bit stupid to use that line as a subject, doesn't it. NASCAR made a decision a few years back that in order to give the NASCAR CUP racing season a bit of fizz, it would glamorize the points championship. Thus; they created a 10 race Chase.

Originally 10, and now 12, drivers qualified for the Chase based on their point standings at the close of the first 26 races. That group of Chase drivers are isolated on points from the other NASCAR race drivers for the remaining 10 races of the season and have their own points subset to determine the winner of the NASCAR (your favorite sponsor goes here) CUP Championship.

The goal in glamorizing the end of season Chase was to enhance TV ratings and NASCAR Inc. profit margins by focusing the public's interest on 'The Chase'.

NASCAR has been successful in directing TV coverage from weekly races on to The Chase. Any time you look for some NASCAR news, the focus is on 'The Chase' and remaining challengers for the NASCAR CUP trophy.

Now the opinion from the Big Town of Savage begins. Tailoring publicity to The Chase leaves little emphasis on the race of the week and the track that's hosting the event. It's 'ALL CHASE ALL THE TIME'.

Unfortunately, the NASCAR fan base wasn't built on 'racing for the chase'. The NASCAR fan base was built on weekly races and race venues. Any true NASCAR fan loves to visit their favorite track to be part of the race. NASCAR's inherent excitement is on the track on raceday; not TV hoopla about a contrived competition for points to win a points trophy at the end of the year.

There's a wonderful trophy and payoff for each of the 36 races on the NASCAR CUP schedule. There is nothing more exciting than the Winner's Circle after a grueling Sunday afternoon race with the driver, owner and team excited beyond belief at their victory. This is the ultimate NASCAR Race experience; winning this week's race at Richmond, Bristol or Charlotte in front of great fans.

If you're watching TV coverage of the race the first thing you hear out of the announcer's mouth isn't necessarily excitement over the race winner, who gets little TV time, it's the point standings for The Chase.

NASCAR needs to eliminate 'The Chase' and return weekly focus to the race and the race winner's family of team members. True NASCAR fans love racing; they don't love 'The Chase'.

Contrary to NASCAR's original intent of adding fizz to the NASCAR season, what NASCAR has actually done with The Chase is remove emphasis from weekly racing; thus diminishing the importance of their core product, RACING. The Chase is a loser...

Ponder it and let NASCAR know what you think of 'The Chase',

JD

PS - Weekly racing is the backbone of NASCAR. Over the many, many years I've followed auto racing of all types, it's always been the racing that was exciting. The reason I tune in each week is to see rubbin' and racin' and the post race excitement as the drivers get in each other's face to let 'em know they'll be the one wrecked next time...

Friday Lunch 1:30 - Famous Dave's BBQ Nachos

I found this image on Famous Dave's website.  It made me hungry for some BBQ Nachos, especially since I'd sampled an order of the Pulled Pork BBQ Nachos during a dinner visit to Famous Dave's in Columbia, Maryland a couple of months ago.

After the clouds cleared late morning it was just a beautiful day here in the Big Town of Savage.  I got all my work done around the house and thot it was time for some lunch.  I'd been craving some BBQ Nachos for about 2 weeks.  One of the bad things about living alone is meal time if you're looking for some company.  Most folks I know have their own life and need a bit of coordinating to join me for lunch, which typically takes a week or so.

I thot it was a bad idea to head out on a Friday for lunch, especially at Famous Dave's, a place that draws groups on Fridays, especially on a beautiful day.  Nevertheless, I jumped in the ol' truck a little after 1 pm and headed out for the 20 minute drive to Dave's in Columbia.  By the time I entered the restaurant foyer it was 1:30.

With the bright sun outside, the first thing I  noticed was the lack of light in the entrance foyer where the 'take you to your table' folks await behind their podium (well it looks like a podium).  In this case the only person to be seen close by was a young lady talking on the phone in the background.  I guess it wasn't too obvious that I wanted some lunch since it was Friday and I was standing by myself; NOBODY does that on a beautiful Friday.

After I waited much longer than a minute, the lady on the phone finally looked up and asked if she could help me with something.  By this time, I'd become a bit irritated and lost my craving for BBQ Nachos.  I said something to the effect that I was there for some lunch, but had changed my mind.  She seemed pleased to get back to the phone as I turned and walked out the door.

The Columbia Famous Dave's had full tables in the dining room and in the bar, so I guess I just picked a bad time to get some of Famous Dave's BBQ Nachos.

JD, just finishing my sausage cheese burger, salsa and chips here at the home computer in the BToS

PS - Given the lack of attention I received while awaiting a table at the Columbia Famous Dave's, I'll likely do without the BBQ Nachos until I'm with a large group that can't be ignored as we come in thru the front door.  That may never happen, so Famous Dave's in Columbia may not get ANY of my money for a long, long time.

PPS - A reader of this post reminded me that today is Friday the 13th, I shouldn't expect anything normal.  For Famous Dave's sake, I sure hope this isn't normal service at their restaurant.

Hole in Front Yard from ICBN Construction

Click image for larger version

ICBN (Inter County Broadband Network) construction in my front yard was evidently completed last autumn.  They dug a deep hole and stuck this concrete container down in it.  It may be four foot deep from what little notice I took of it during install.  The top can be removed to access underground cables and other crapola that may be in there.

I wasn't too excited about it being installed to begin with but I at least thought they would come back and complete the landscaping of the hole in the ground.  Spring has finally arrived and there is basically a hole about 4" deep all around the edges of the container.  You can imagine just how excited my lawn mower gets when it has to work around it; not to mention my back from tugging and hauling on it to cut the wild grass they threw in the hole with the little dirt they had.

I now need to contact the Howard County Government here in Central Maryland and find out what is in the contract about landscaping around installed hardware in/on private property.

Didja ever try to contact Howard County, it ain't easy.  Tomorrow morning I'll make an effort to find someone.  In the mean time I will use their website email tool and point them to this blog with the fotos.

JD, looking at the pictures of my ICBN hole in the ground here in Howard County of Central Maryland 'The Free State'

PS - I can see where this will end.  I'll have to procure dirt and grass seed and repair their crappy work myself.
PPS - Didja notice the container top is considerably below ground level.  Maybe I can just cover the whole thing and let them find it next time they need it!!!

Behind A Distracted Driver - Left Turn Lane

Did you ever get in one of those situations where you are 4th or 5th in a line of cars waiting at a red left turn signal.  The left turn arrow switches to green, 2 cars go thru right away, but the third one sits there like the driver doesn't know what's happening, then the light changes and the one in front of you zooms out thru the yellow/red turn signal to leave you and 2 other cars behind you waiting for another light cycle.

Seems that happens to me quite often here in Central Maryland where the BToS is located.  Ten years ago I would figure two people in the car were so wrapped up in a conversation that the driver didn't notice the light change, looked up, saw the yellow and put the throttle down to get thru before the red arrow caught 'em.

Today, the driver in front of me typically seems to be looking at their lap or to their dashboard where my radio is located.  Not knowing any better, I can only assume the the driver is engrossed in some electronic enigma with the dashboard computer screen or in the midst of an exciting discussion with an acquaintance on their mobile device.

In either case, it's all I can do to keep from getting pissed off about it.  Light signals today respond to vehicle triggers and when no vehicle is triggering it, they switch to their next mode to allow other lanes to flow.  The traffic signal doesn't know I'm still sitting there because some inattentive driver was ignorant of the traffic signal's change.

We all get completely focused on an event when we're driving from time to time for various reasons.  If the worst example that you and I ever experience is to be caught at a stop light for another cycle then we're very fortunate.  Others end up permanently damaged or dead from accidents caused by distracted drivers.

I guess I should be giving thanks this Easter Sunday morning that I've not been in one of those accidents causing me serious physical or fiscal damage.  If the worst thing I ever have to endure is waiting a couple of minutes for another traffic light cycle, then I consider myself lucky.

Having said all that, I still do get pissed at distracted drivers that cause me to miss a traffic light left turn cycle.

JD, here in the BToS vowing to NOT get too irritated at distracted drivers.

Season to "DONATE" -- Political Requests

Seems over half the emails I receive are from PACs, candidates or other organizations searching for donations of money.

Occasionally I'll get one that will actually have some good information about a candidate but it's loaded with 'Donate Buttons'.  Above is a small sample of these donate buttons that surfaced when I performed a Google image search on 'donate button'.  If I want to forward the decent info included in the email, I'll delete the donate buttons in my forwarded email.

The worst part of all these emails is that typically I have no idea who these PACs are run by and what they're going to do with any money I should be daft enough to send along to them.  How can you possibly keep track of all these folks unless you're a full-time monitor; even then it would be difficult.

I decided a couple of months ago that I would contribute no more money to any of these folks.  I'm sure that between really rich folks, organizations, labor unions or whatever, they have much more money than they know what to do with.  It most cases it's used to demean the reputation of a candidate, not promote their guy.

I have to be honest, this is the first year that I am truly worn out from the constant bombarding of my inbox, TV screen, newspaper and media in general.  I've decided to turn it all off until after the election.  I already know who I'm voting for and I'm sure you do too.  Most of us just go with our gut feeling...you either vote FOR a candidate or AGAINST the other one.  It sure ain't rocket science.

JD, just waitin' for Nov 7 to come along here in the BToS

Didja Ever Get The Lunchtime Blues?

Didja ever get the lunchtime blues. You've had one of those mornings where things just don't go the right way; not that you did anything wrong...things beyond your control just didn't happen the way you'd have preferred.

I suffer the lunchtime blues today. Disagreements can occur in the wrong place or with the wrong people; even if you're trying to guard against it and accomplish a much more important goal than the disagreement pertained to. I'll just let you think about your own small disagreements that may have had a negative effect on your larger, more important goals.

Maybe it was at work, maybe it was among your family or maybe it was just something that happened when you walked across the street. No matter what caused it, the important thing is not to dwell on the issue.

It's good to be that way at work and within family and friends. Carrying a grudge accomplishes nothing and just raises your blood pressure. And if you're an old fart like me, you don't need your blood pressure peaking higher than it should.

In my case I'm venting my anguish right here in this blog post. I'm also sitting here at the computer eating a tasty sandwich made from a leftover fried chicken thigh. The chicken has just a little of that fried chicken flavor in it and is going well with my small portion of Doritos Cool Ranch tortilla chips and a large glass of sweet tea.

The lunchtime blues will be gone and my blood pressure back to normal by the time I finish this blog post and my lunch.

Here's hoping you don't suffer the lunchtime blues any time soon.

JD, here in the BToS

Newspaper Thrown in the Wet Grass

Do ya think it's true that the older you get the more you complain? Of course it's true. The older we get the more we know (or think we know).

I complain about things at 70 that wouldn't have even tickled my interest when younger. With tall grass from all the rain, I'm gonna pick on the newspaper delivery fella again. Why does he insist on throwing the newspaper in the yard instead of throwing it in the driveway.

I have to traipse thru the early morning wet grass to fetch the thing. Even with my trusty Birks on, it ain't no fun to get your feet wet and covered with who knows what kind of little critters.

In honesty I have 2 newspaper delivery folks. One delivers the Baltimore Sun daily the other delivers the Washington Post and the Washington Times daily. I'm not gonna say who throws it in the grass, but the Washington Post guy leaves it in the driveway 99% of the time. Maybe you can figger it out.

You're probably thinking, "Who the hell reads newspapers in today's online media world!!!" I do...I read 3 papers each day and 2 on Sundays. It's just an old habit I have had since I was first old enough to read. I'll sit in front of a bright window and read the paper in the sunny morning light.

If you haven't fetched your paper this morning, I hope it's not over in the high wet grass!

Another rant from here in the Big Town of Savage,
JD

Late Night NASCAR and Old Farts Like Me

I'm sure I've vented about this subject before on this blog, but a NASCAR race that doesn't end until after 11PM just isn't in my wheelhouse. Last nite's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway was about as good as an Atlanta race can be; especially since it was under the lights.

But starting a 500 mile race at almost 8 PM makes no sense whatsoever!!! 500-milers last a minimum of 3.5 hours. This race was completed around 11:40PM just about 4 hours after it started (a fairly quick 500-miler).

This race should have started 2 hours earlier, around 6PM. Typically a 500 miler will take 4+ hours to run. NASCAR was fortunate that the Atlanta race had a whole lot of green-flag laps and finished in a decent amount of time. It could have easily have stretched until after midnight.

NASCAR and TV networks are all about TV program ratings. What NASCAR is NOT about is the NASCAR RACE FAN. NASCAR panders publicly to the race fan, but they make business decisions based on their pocket book (spelled $$). TV scheduling is a $$ type decision.

I don't think I'm alone in this complaint either. NASCAR fans don't want to be up after 11 PM watching a race and hoping it'll finish and also have time for some post-race interviews before midnight.

Consider rant/vent complete,
JD

PS - NASCAR isn't the only sport with 3+ hour TV products to adhere to this TV paradigm for scheduling. Basically it sucks. Something to do with getting folks in Southern California to watch the program. Like those folks actually care about NASCAR races...catch the attendance at the California Speedway race sometime...more folks visit the local county fair.

PPS - If you've read this blog at all, you also know that I never watch TV live, I TiVo all TV shows, including NASCAR races. In the case of NASCAR races, I delay watching until it's far enough into the race that I can skip most commercials. Last nite I had caught up to real time and it was 11PM...my bedtime. I caught Tony Stewart's victory while having a bagel this morning.

PPPS - This is fodder for a separate rant, but I still prefer FOX and TNT NASCAR coverage to the formulaic ESPN coverage. No show's good enough for ESPN..."We can make it better."

Interminable NBA Season - Let it be GONE!!!

I'm not even going to ask why it lasts so long. I know that it's all about the money. Never in my life have I been so tired of hearing the evening sports media here in the Baltimore/DC area ramble on about 'single name' basketball STARS.

I have to assume that these NBA stars have last names, but I never hear them on sports shows nor read them in the paper. These guys have each become a brand...a brand for selling themselves and merchandise. I guess I'm just toooooooooooo old to relate to this sports media crapola.

After this final game, it's over, thankfully; over until the pre-season hype begins.

Today's short rant,
JD

Cousin Carl Went Too Far

Cousin Carl overstepped his bounds. You don't come back on to the race track when you're over 150 laps down just to wreck a competitor. Nothing justifies that behavior.

NASCAR should throw a strong penalty at Cousin Carl and either put him in the penalty box for a week with no racing or charge him enough driver/owner points to make it effective, at least 100, more like 150 points. Monetary fines would be a waste.

Just my opinion,
JD

PS - Tuesday afternoon. Obviously, NASCAR didn't agree with my opinion. They gave Cousin Carl a 'slap on the wrist'; a 3-race probation (basically nothing). They spent the time talking about the car going airborne and researching the same issue they've been researching since Cousin Carl took flight last year at Talladega...

Draconian Budget Cuts Indicate Poor Management

Recent reports by many Maryland area news outlets are detailing some draconian budget cuts, especially education, that are needed in Prince George's County for this year's budget.

It's been my experience that any enterprise that's faced with this type budget cut has suffered poor, short-sighted budget planning in its history. I think Prince George's County fits that description.

The State of Maryland's legislature and leaders have a history of throwing money at education. It matters little if the funds are being spent wisely, it's one of those "Hey we're a well off state financially and here's some more money. Find a place to spend it!"

Well run local governments tend to use some proper perspective when added funds become available. They look into the future a bit to determine if it's an ongoing source or a short-term deal. Governments like Prince George's County evidently don't take time to do that.
Prince George's County government is kind of like an obese person with an uncontrollable appetite. They're going to eat everything placed in front of them. When the time comes that the food is no longer available, they are going to have severe pains.

Unfortunately, in the case of Prince George's County, this lack of intelligent government fiscal responsibility is going to cost an inordinate number of jobs. Likely these are jobs that were created and/or maintained with short term funding under the assumption that future funds would be available. The funding evidently no longer exists!

The sad part of this is that the media always tries to hype the plight of the folks losing the jobs, which I guess is the normal first media reaction, given their ratings mania. In reality, they should be taking the local jurisdiction to task for their obviously inferior fiscal management practices that produced this extreme situation.

We all have to deal with cuts at times, smart managers prepare for that possibility.

Ponder it,
JD

PS - This is just one more example of political leaders that are always looking to take the 'feel good' approach and coddle voters rather than focusing on their true job, which is not reelection, but prudent management of their jurisdiction.

Gazette Newspaper - Snow Covered Front Yard = Ignorance - Follow-up Report Final

Papers are no longer in front yard. I was able to step into the green front yard from the street and fetch them without going thru the snow. Of course later today or tomorrow will be delivery of this week's paper.

However, after 2 weeks, I will let the issue die a natural death, since the Gazette folks do nothing about it anyway.

Here's a picture of a strange formation left from the street ice that was dumped in my front yard when they cleaned the streets to the curbs Sunday night. I took this shot from just outside my front door by zooming in a bit. Sidewalk in the background is in front of the school.
This is a view from the street showing neighbor Chris's driveway in the background.
And life goes on,
JD

Gazette Newspaper - Snow Covered Front Yard = Ignorance - Follow-up Report 2

The Prince George's County Gazette newspaper, last week's edition, now has company. Instead of a single orphan bagged newspaper in my front yard, Wednesday afternoon it gained a sibling.
Oh and guess what. These siblings also have a cousin that showed up Wednesday afternoon resting over in another section of my front yard. Notice the nice clear driveways. The Washington Post delivery guy has found my driveway every morning since it snowed; but then I pay for the Washington Post to be delivered; and can cancel if I'm dissatisfied...with the paper or delivery...
Now there are three Prince George's County Gazette newspapers looking back at me thru my front window.
Not only did the ignorant delivery person miss my open driveway again yesterday, they also missed neighbor lady's open driveway, which is 2 lanes wide compared to my single lane. Her paper, the cousin, has joined my family spot.

I must admit that this behavior by the delivery person is nothing new, it's habit. They always throw my paper in the middle of the grass. They just don't care where it goes, as long as they get rid of another copy. But, do they get no delivery guidance from the Gazette publishers? Do they not notice the yard is completely covered with what appears to still be over 20" of snow? Am I expecting more from free newspapers than I should. I don't think so!

If there was a way to gain retribution against the Gazette Newspaper folks, that would be wonderful...but they're protected by laws...I am not! Anti-litter statutes don't hold up against freedom of speech/press.

Ponder it the next time you get an unwanted paper in the middle of your front yard,
JD

PS - We had high winds today, Thursday. The cousin paper was a casualty, blowing out into the street.
I fetched it so it could say goodbye to its cousins prior to visiting my newspaper recycle bin.

Gazette Newspaper - Snow Covered Front Yard = Ignorance - Follow-up Report 1

Monday morning fotos show the Gazette Newspaper is still in my snow-covered front yard here in the BToS. Just in case there may be some worthy story in this issue, I wonder just how timely it will be when I get around to perusing it?

JD - pondering it!

PS - Snow is S-L-O-W-L-Y melting with yesterday's sunny day temp topping at around 40 here in the BToS.

PPS - Here's a shot of Ma's Kettle with the really large hanging icicles at the intersection of Savage-Guilford Rd/Baltimore St here in the BToS. Click image for bigger picture.

Gazette Newspaper - Snow Covered Front Yard = Ignorance

The Gazette produces Maryland Community Newspapers. The Prince George's County Gazette distribution group believes that residents of the Big Town of Savage, located in Howard County, want to read their newspaper each week.

To be honest, there's little of interest in the Prince George's County Gazette for this resident of the BToS. This week's edition of the Gazette was delivered this afternoon. As a bit of background, my front yard has over 30 inches of snow cover.

These two fotos show the location of today's delivery. There is no way I will be able to retrieve this copy of the Prince George's County Gazette any time in the near future. Basically, as they do every week, the Gazette distribution folks have once again littered my yard with their little plastic bag of wasted paper. I normally take it in the house and recycle the paper and the bag...not this week.
What possesses an ignorant delivery person to throw a newspaper in a snow covered yard when there's a relatively clear driveway available for newspapers. The guy that delivers my daily copy of the Washington Post manages to find the driveway every day...he's a great delivery guy.
I have to believe that since this newspaper is 'free', they pay this delivery person X amount of dollars to deliver a certain number of newspapers each week and all the delivery person wants to do is eject them from the vehicle, caring little where they land. Safe delivery of a newspaper obviously isn't in his contract as a delivery requirement.

I've attempted to have the Gazette refrain from delivering their newspaper to my house each week. But, they refused to control delivery locations and the waste continues and continues and continues...

On my walks around the BToS, there are two primary types of litter:
1) Cigarette butt filters (the worst litter of all time), and
2) Rotting, FREE newspapers

If you didn't get your Prince George's County Gazette delivery today, you can peruse it on their website.

If you get the impression I'm just a bit pissed this afternoon...

Ponder it,
JD

Playing Baseball in November 2009 -- Asinine

Here's the schedule of the 1954 World Series. Notice the first game was played on September 29, 1954.
Here's the schedule for the 2009 world series. Notice the first game is to be played on October 28, 2009.
I picked the 1954 World Series schedule to contrast with the 2009 World Series schedule because I was a really big fan of the Cleveland Indians back in 1954 when I was every bit of 13 years old.

This question occurred to me recently when I stumbled across a baseball playoff game being played on TV. I took a quick look at the weather (horrible) and the calendar and thought to myself, "Why the hell are they still playing baseball this late in the year?"

I don't have the best memory, but my recollection is that in 1954 baseball had two leagues, the American and the National. Each league had eight teams. At the end of the regular season, the winner of each league met in the World Series to determine the champion. I also recall that back then, the world series was always played in beautiful autumn temperatures, sometimes very warm and sometimes a bit crisp. The games were all played in the afternoon, typically in warm sunshine.

I don't have to tell you what the World Series is in 2009. Here we are on October 17, 2009 and teams are having playoff games in just horrible weather with games at night with cold, chilly temps. And we're still eleven days away from the first game of the 2009 World Series, which begins Oct 28 and at the earliest will end the first week of November; with all games being played at night!

The World Series used to be a fitting climax to a long 154-game baseball season. Excitement built quickly for the World Series and provided a wonderful climax for each baseball season. Two teams fighting it out to the end.

Today's world series is somewhat anti-climactic. At the end of a 162-game regular season there are eight teams eligible for playoff series which drag on interminably, boring at best. By the time the World Series begins, fans are tired of the baseball season which was so promising back in April.

Sadly, Major League Baseball isn't the only major sport with this affliction. Folks, today, wear out on a sport due to interminably long seasons and interminably long playoff series before the finals occur. Is it any wonder that no one knows who's actually playing in the World Series once it does get around to starting???

Baseball and other sports have it wrong. To them, it's all about the money ($$), not the product. Just ask TV producers, it's all about the SHOW...TV has essentially ruined all sports in the US, dragging them out into playoffs for more and more sponsor $$.

Just my opinion,
JD

PS - I'm a NASCAR fan and there are times when I think their season is too long. But, at least with NASCAR the season climaxes when the last race is run...there's no winter playoff series to muddle through.

NASCAR - Joe Gibbs - Kyle Busch - Guitar

Kyle Bush destroyed this Nashville Speedway Trophy after winning Saturday's race.

Initially I was really pissed that any NASCAR Nationwide driver could be, would be so childish as to destroy a trophy that other drivers would cherish. I didn't want to be rash in my opinions, and decided to wait until I had the whole story before crossing Kyle Bush off my list of NASCAR drivers.

I've reviewed his explanations and apologies and I'm still dismayed that he can perform so well on the track and be such a unique, immature idiot in the winner's circle. I honestly thought that with Kyle Bush driving for Joe Gibbs he might actually mature a bit in dealing with the public. But it's obvious that Joe has had little effect on Kyle Bush's immature behavior.

It's on Joe Gibb's shoulders now to make things right. Joe Gibbs always seemed to know how to handle football players, many of which were still immature in their NFL days. It appears Joe sees no real need to do that with his NASCAR drivers. I sure hope Joe can work some magic, because Joe Gibbs is responsible for Kyle Bush's conduct. NASCAR is responsible for Kyle Bush's conduct.

I won't be wasting my time admiring Kyle Bush's superb driving skills in the near future.

JD

PS - If you're wondering why I spelled Kyle Busch's last name Bush; initially is was a subconscious act on my part. The more I thought about it, I decided it was a good idea and left it that way. Because he's in reality an immature, BUSH league ass.

PPS - If you'd like to see Kyle Busch be the bush league ass that he can be at times, click.

Boring - Coca Cola 600; REALLY BORING INDY 500

I'm a NASCAR fan and have been since my youth, and I don't even remember being a youth. Monday's rain-shortened race was a 'just get it over with race'. Everyone was going thru the motions. When the participants aren't excited, racing isn't gonna be exciting. Monday races are invariably run in that vein.

The Coca Cola 600 at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte was only 227 laps, 340.5 miles. It was only slightly longer than those damn NASCAR 300s that are called 500s (kilometers) for publicity purposes. From my perspective, day-late races typically suck!

When NASCAR runs a delayed race on Monday you just know those drivers are in 'GET HOME QUICK' mode and are gonna avoid racing and potential accidents and freight train all the way to the last 100 laps. In the case of yesterday's race, they freight trained until the 150 lap mark, knowing that 200 was half way and the race would be official at that point if rained out (and rain was definitely coming strong).

The only thing less interesting than the Coca Cola 340.5 was the Indianapolis 500. Talk about a freight train. No one passes anyone there. They don't even race until the final segment. Were it not for the crashes, there would have been NO excitement. If you're not a dedicated fan, Indy Car racing isn't much. If it weren't for the Historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway venue, there would be no attraction to the event. Oops, I forgot about the milk sipping for the winner!!!

JD

PS - I know, I know, if you're a real INDY fan and understand the nuances of Indy Car racing, it was a wonderful race. The strategy required to be around for a win at the finish is really what counts and holding your position for the first 180 laps is a necessary price to pay for a chance at the win.

PPS - I tried my damndest to find a foto or two that would capture the essence of the weekend's racing and this is as close as I could come. I don't agree with the expressed sentiment of this image, but it certainly applied to Monday's Coke 340.5. If I could only have found one for the Indy race.