Boycott the NFL?!?!

Has it finally become time?  The owners and league officials seem to think the replacement officials are "good enough".  I had my doubts but last night, I became sure that "good enough" was not nearly either good or enough.   Patiently I have been watching as these officials (who I admit are swimming in VERY deep waters) try their best, but come up consistently short.    But at each turn I have been able to say "its wasn't that bad" or make the excuse that it didn't really impact the game.    However, last night was a farce!

It is bad enough to watch your team stall on offense like they were Pop Warner players trying to compete with college players.   That had NOTHING to do with officiating and everything to do with needing to wake up.   But, to see that same team come out at the half and wake up, find their stride and control the game only to have it ripped from them by completely inept officiating - THAT makes me furious.

On Facebook last night I posted:

"I am a huge fan of the NFL and specifically the Green Bay Packers. Tonight I am embarrassed for the NFL but very proud of the Packers. I am just about ready to boycott until the NFL brings back the real officals. Real officials would not have let the horrible defensive pass interference call earlier...let alone the abomination that ended the game."

Roger Goodell and the team owners think that they can provide anything and call it NFL football.  However, I believe they are providing a product that only remotely resembles NFL football.   LA does not have a team and therefore I have no opportunity to purchase season tickets.   If I was fortunate enough to own season tickets, I would contemplate reporting the NFL to the authorities for fraud!   What is going on this season is simply bait and switch.    Television networks should scream that they did not get the product they bought.  Even though I do not hold season tickets, I "pay" to watch by providing an audience for the sponsors.

The only power any of has is the ability to opt out.   Boycotting the games until the NFL and officials come to an agreement, that is the power we have.   But do we have the strength to exercise this power?   I for one wait a very long eight months to feed my addiction.   I start counting down at August 1st for the start of the season.    But now... I feel cheated, lied too and defrauded.   That feeling you get when you are excited to buy something, you put down your hard earned money only to get it home and find that it really wasn't what you thought it would be.    That is the feeling I have now.

Perhaps it is time.  Time for fans to prove we want the real thing and will not settle for some second rate substitute.   Perhaps it is time to show the NFL that we see what they are giving us is so much less than what was promised.    Where is the integrity of the NFL and the owners?  Unfortunately a very good friend of mine said it at lunch today "It just about the money... and only the money."   I am afraid he may be right.

Air Travel - Follow up

Well, looks like I was not the only one that noticed! Take a look at this article - America's Meanest Airlines

Seems my feelings about American Airlines is not an isolated incident. The articile states " SeatGuru's survey named American Airlines as one of the three airlines that have the rudest flight attendants and the worst food."

Its a sad commentary on the state of travel and of how the most successful and prominent airlines have dealt with the changes in our economy.

Case Study - Air Travel

This past week it became necessary for me to travel back to Ohio to be with my family. I had two completely different experiences. On the Thursday’s eastbound leg I traveled on Frontier Airlines and Sunday’s west bound I was on American Airlines. The difference between the two experiences was dramatic. It was the difference between a company that truly strives to be in service to its customer and a company that desired to just get the job done.

Both trips were early morning (6am) flights and both trips required a plane change. I feel this factors out the variances between crews and more clearly gives a feeling for the actual corporate culture. The experiences were consistent between each leg of the flight.

On Frontier, the crews were friendly and energetic. There were smiles during boarding, cabin service and deplaning. The planes were set up with individual video screens where I could purchase a movie or live TV. Head sets were provided at no charge. While I do remember the days when in cabin entertainment was free, it was still nice to have the option. For both legs of travel, cabin service was offered multiple times and the crew passed thru the cabin all during both flights very cheerfully checking on the needs of passengers. My biggest, best and simplest surprise came when a fresh chocolate chip cookie was offered. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but when coupled with the crew’s friendly attitude, it solidified the feeling of friendliness and sense of welcome.

Contrasted with that is my experience on American. On the first leg of my journey, I was assigned a seat in the rear of the plane. Upon boarding I encountered three cabin crew members gathered together discussing how the companies recent benefit changes are affecting them. They seemed bothered that passengers were boarding. The plan was full, but for the last row. This row had purses, jackets and even a piece of luggage in it. It looked like the room of a teenager. The crew seemed to want to only do the minimum when it came to service. The majority of the time they sat in the last row, drank coffee and ate breakfast. Unfortunately I got the same impression from the crew of my second flight. Not once did I receive eye contact, a smile or a friendly word. In addition, my first plane had NO form of entertainment and the second one ran free NBC programming for about an hour, but the head phones cost $2. However, the jack at my seat didn’t function.

I know airlines struggle to make a profit these days. It may appear I am belly aching over amenities, but I am not looking for free services. What I am looking for is opportunities and people that appreciate the fact that I spent almost $500 and choose them. In the end, the Frontier flight cost me more, but gave me choices. Also, the cost of providing both flight crews and drink service where the same, but one appreciated my patronage the other made me feel like I was an inconvenience; Frontier valued my business while American simply tolerated me. When given a choice, I will choose Frontier and/or choose other than American.

SB 435 - Passed and Signed

The patch on my riding partner's vest reads: "Every law passed is a freedom lost!" - I concur

SB435 has been signed into law.

The new law will make it a crime to operate a motorcycle manufactured after January 1, 2013, that does not meet federal noise-emission standards. Motorcycles will be required to display a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) label certifying that the exhaust system is clean burning and does not exceed 80 decibels. First-time offenders will face fines up to $100 while subsequent infractions can run up to $250.

You may review the article here: California Gov. Signs Bill vs. Aftermarket Pipes

I have never agreed with straight pipes or any other "just for noise" modifications. However, I do run my bike with COBRA aftermarket pipes. With the paired jetting and pipes I received a minor bump in performance as well as an adjustment to the sound of my bike. Not only is it louder, but I feel the sound is richer.

In passing I may make the argument "loud pipes save lives" but mostly just to piss off my none aftermarket riding pals and to be done with the argument. Truthfully I like the sound and have become accustomed to the sound quality - relying on it for queues a to my bikes performance. I recently road a "quiet" bike and felt lost at times. I could probably get used to it... but frankly I don't want to.

As to the "safety" issue... there is a similar thread on here where someone said something to the effect - "are those of you screaming "safety" wearing reflective jackets and vests? white full face helmets? have additional lighting installed? - most likely no." If you are that person, scream away.

However, if you are not (like me) then own it. Just admit you like the sound and you don't like the "nanny" state telling you what you can do. If you are really worried about safety, how about a 10' pole mounted on your bike with a flashing light on top?

What I learned - Have a Partner and know your ride

This past weekend (Sept 30 - Oct 3) Moose and I rode to Las Vegas and took part in BikeFest 2010. The event was really good and approximately 30,000 attended.

Moose and I got up Friday AM and went to the Sahara to register for the event and that day's poker run. All was great, but when we came out, it was lightly raining. At the light, we discussed the riding conditions and our fear that some of the "weekend warriors" might have a tough time with the light rain and slick roads. We decided to go back to the hotel, change gear and see how the weather worked out. As we turned left from the main road into the parking lot of our hotel, we both experienced our tires breaking free a bit. We made our way down thru the valet and toward the parking garage with me in the lead. As I went to turn into the garage, I saw a car coming out so I applied the breaks lightly. Turns out, not lightly enough. The back end of the bike went out and down I went. In the blink of an eye I went from moved from that group of riders that WILL go down to the group that HAVE gone down. Luckily I was not traveling very fast so the damage to myself and my bike was minimal.

It is times like that you are glad you have a riding buddy. He was right there asking the right questions and keeping things moving. We got the bike up and safely in the garage then assessed the damage. Bike needed some "adjustments" (translated - couple of things needed to be pulled and pounded back in place) and I had injured my shoulder and my pride.

The rest of the day was spent in the jacuzzi and steam room then out to Bikefest to see the vendors and custom bikes. Was glad to have a trusted partner with me - he listened to me talk it thru (countless times) - kept me from "getting back on the horse" too soon and assured me tomorrow we will definitely ride.

Sure enough, after a LONG, HOT shower the next morning, we did get out there again... and the adventure continued... Heading down the Blue Diamond Highway on our way to Red Rock Canyon, for the first time my temp warning light came one. Once again VERY glad I was not riding alone. Luckily I stopped in the parking lot of a Target and I had a riding partner that could run and get "essential fluids".

After checking things out we headed back out, but a mile or so ahead the light came back on, then went off, then came back on again. Now this was odd. As I pulled over again, Moose and I started talking about it and finally came across the fact we had not heard my fan all morning (water cooled Honda). Grabbed the "MOM", found the fuse box and got it handled.

Again, it would have been much more difficult and stressful without a sound partner at my side and a good deal of familiarity with my bike.

I almost took this trip solo. Next time I consider that, I will remember this experience and hopefully make the choice to not go it alone. Thank your riding partners... if you haven't needed them... you will!

Finally......

Well it has taken years, but this man that has made his career out of IT and all things geek, has finally decided to start a blog! Stay tuned and see where this may go.