Single Proud UnmaRried Men - Over 30

I couldn't agree more with this article as regards to the perks babies get that my brethren do not. It is just not right.

I'm all for it. However, I think they've got the wrong idea by alternating the "9th home game" between the conferences each year. Now is the time to establish neutral site games. Allow places like L.A., London, Mexico City, or yes Las Vegas to bid on 1,2,3 or 4 game packages (include a preseason game in each package - you'll see why a little bit lower). Treat them as 'away' games for both teams, such that every team will play 8 home and 9 away games every year. That way fans won't get punished by having a home game relocated to places like Wembley Stadium - the Saints' fans are "losing" a home game in 2008 season.

If the preseason is going to be reduced to 3 games for each team, do the same thing - and allow smaller markets to bid on hosting a preseason game and include preseason game(s) in the packages for regular season games.

If the NFL really wants to bring football back to Los Angeles, this is the only way I see it happening in the short term. Like the Rose Bowl wouldn't bid to host 3 or 4 NFL regular season games in a year? Or the U of Nebraska @ Lincoln wouldn't bid to host a Chiefs' pre-season (or potentially regular season) game? Or a pre-season Packers game in Madison? I want to see an NFL game on that wacky blue turf in Boise!

Note to NFL - you want to increase your brand and put more product (games) out? Bring the 17th game to fans without a home team!

this afternoon, i decided to strike out on the bicycle to run errands - something that I have been remiss in doing for some time. the new midtown bike center opened yesterday on the Midtown Greenway, so I wanted to check that out. So here are all the things I did this afternoon.

• Stopped at Big Brain Comics, picked up two trade paperbacks.
• Rode the LRT Trail to the Martin Olav Sabo bridge, then on to the Greenway and the Bike Center. Hung out for awhile, had a power bar and Vitamin water and chatted with some local cyclists.
  
• On to FirstTech, west via the Greenway, then via backstreets in Uptown. Picked up a copy of Mac OS X Leopard. Finally. Installing it right now. First attempt failed at 60% due to a 'read error' on the disc. Second attempt is underway...
  
• North on Hennepin Ave, over the Bryant Ave bridge and on to downtown.
  
• First downtown stop - Target. Picked up a couple of transformers and a bag of mint crisp m&ms. They are an acceptable version of the christmas time mint m&ms.
• Picked up two pairs of pants at Macy's with a $100 gift card. Excellent.
• And last, stopped for some dinner at Chipotle (steak bowl) and rode home.

When all was said and done, a nice 11 mile bike ride... in some ridiculous winds today. And all of my purchases fit nicely in this.

but not for bad behavior... just by being bad. i simply haven't had anything to write about the last couple weeks. but that's ok. the weather has been gorgeous lately. i had a rare day working downtown for some meetings, so i walked to work today - even though it was bike to work day.

earlier this week, i lawn bowled at brits for the first time. several coworkers have been in a league there for awhile, so this year i'm the noob on the office team. i would have played last year but i was too busy with the running club. this year, since i've apparently thrown all desire to exercise out my giant loft windows, i have plenty of free time to drink more beer.

now if i could just find a bar in the city to play snooker.

amy won tix on the K earlier this week to the fiery furnaces - so we spent last evening at "the whole" in the U of M's Coffman Memorial Union. very offbeat, not what i was expecting at all... not that i know much of them, but of the few tracks i've heard, the live show was a much different experience. amy was disappointed that they didn't play any of their 'hits'. indeed, i don't think i heard one song last night that i had heard previously. the crowd seemed to know the songs well and get into it though. and "the whole" was an interesting place - one could stand literally right next to the stage. amy could have reached her arm out and helped played keyboards. reminded me of shows in rapid city "back in the day" where one was free to mingle and interact with the bands and there was generally little to no distinction between the stage/performers area and the rest of the venue. terrible name though. seriously. ugh.

amy and i left before the end of their set... i hope this does not become a habit for me. feeling quite ravenous, we hit up the village wok in stadium village. such fantastic food. and open late 7 days a week. when i first moved to the twin cities, i lived a few blocks away and ate there often. i feel like i'll be heading there a lot more now that i'm downtown and it's a quick five minute drive down washington ave.

this morning, i reserved tickets to one of the daily show tapings in st paul in september. and purchased tickets to r.e.m. next month at the X. quite glad they decided to add a date here in the Twin Cities next month.

and it's free comic book day! oh glorious saturday!