This has got to be the most depressing sports' year in the history of Seattle.
By my count, since August 30, when both UW and WSU kicked off the college football season, there have been 12 weekends' worth of football played involving the Huskies, the Cougars, and the Seahawks. As of today, 10 of those weekends have ended with nary a win between the three teams. One weekend the Hawks and Cougars both won; another the Hawks pulled off a win. Other than that, 10 weekends where Washington's finest took the field and all left in defeat.
For most of those September weekends, the Mariners were also finishing the most odious season possible. And, as has been well documented, the NBA kicked off the 08-09 season last month, with Seattle's team playing down in OKC.
I'm glad I don't live and breathe sports; this would be a tough year to take.
At least everybody is picking the Husky men's basketball team to do well this year. . .oh, wait. They got creamed by Portland last night. Never mind.
Showing posts with label Seattle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seattle. Show all posts
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The NBA is Fund-Tastic!
As any of our loyal readers would know, we bought a car a couple weeks ago. The Kia dealership has this deal going on - test drive a Kia, and get two free tickets to a home game of the Seattle Supersonics. So, since we drove the car (we were already going to buy) around the block, we asked about the tickets.
"How many do you want?" the guy asked.
"How many can we have?" we asked.
"10?" the guy suggested.
Turns out they've been finding it difficult to give these tickets away. Which probably says more about interest in the local NBA franchise than it does about interest in Kia automobiles. But, the Kia people realize it doesn't look good to have lots of empty seats where they had promised fans, so they were desperate to give these away to willing suckers. (Note to Kia - I have the feeling that nobody would really notice if your seats were empty. From what I hear, Key Arena is pretty empty these days, anyway.) So, we took 10 tickets to this Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings.
If you've been paying attention, these are interesting times for the Sonics. Their Oklahoma-based ownership has been finagling to move them to Oklahoma-City. This is supposedly because the locals refuse to fund a $500 million dollar arena in which a bunch of rich guys can get richer. Many suspect, however, that said owners are using the arena as a ruse; that they bought the team to move them to Oklahoma City in the first place, thus taking Seattle's team in order to cement their status as heroes in Dustbowl Land.
In addition, the team is tanking this year. Just lost their franchise-record 12th game in a row last night. All reports are that they are just plain pathetic.
So there's this perfect storm brewing. Ownership wants to move, the locals refuse to pay for a new arena, the Seahawks have never been so popular, and the Mariners are a close #2. Interest in the Sonics is flagging quickly. And across the board, the NBA model appears to be broken. Most teams are losing money, viewership is down, even the ratings for the NBA Finals are plummeting year after year. Yet, many locals are angry that the NBA would allow this sort of thing to happen - new owner destroys team and city legacy in order to pad his own pockets. It's all this big, ugly mess.
But, we got free tickets, so why not? Olivia may never get to see professional basketball in Seattle again, so we'll go for it. Plus, it will be a good way to spend an evening with family and a few friends, and just maybe, perhaps, get to see some good basketball. They have to break that string sometime, right? And if Kevin Durant ever becomes a superstar, we can say we saw him his rookie year.
Oh, but this was the other thing. We went online to see what our tickets would cost. We're in the "end zone," behind the basket. About 21 rows back. Not the nosebleed, but certainly not prime seats (what do you expect for free?). And these tickets go for $90 a piece, plus a $9 service charge.
Are you kidding me? That's $1000 worth of tickets we got.
I'm not sure whether I should feel lucky that we got $1000 worth of tickets for free, or outraged that anybody would charge (or pay) that much for tickets to a Sonics' game. How does anybody afford these things on a regular basis? How does a working-class family scrape up enough to pay hundreds of dollars for a 2-hour game?
No wonder the NBA is broken.
I think, after this, we're switching to minor league baseball.
"How many do you want?" the guy asked.
"How many can we have?" we asked.
"10?" the guy suggested.
Turns out they've been finding it difficult to give these tickets away. Which probably says more about interest in the local NBA franchise than it does about interest in Kia automobiles. But, the Kia people realize it doesn't look good to have lots of empty seats where they had promised fans, so they were desperate to give these away to willing suckers. (Note to Kia - I have the feeling that nobody would really notice if your seats were empty. From what I hear, Key Arena is pretty empty these days, anyway.) So, we took 10 tickets to this Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings.
If you've been paying attention, these are interesting times for the Sonics. Their Oklahoma-based ownership has been finagling to move them to Oklahoma-City. This is supposedly because the locals refuse to fund a $500 million dollar arena in which a bunch of rich guys can get richer. Many suspect, however, that said owners are using the arena as a ruse; that they bought the team to move them to Oklahoma City in the first place, thus taking Seattle's team in order to cement their status as heroes in Dustbowl Land.
In addition, the team is tanking this year. Just lost their franchise-record 12th game in a row last night. All reports are that they are just plain pathetic.
So there's this perfect storm brewing. Ownership wants to move, the locals refuse to pay for a new arena, the Seahawks have never been so popular, and the Mariners are a close #2. Interest in the Sonics is flagging quickly. And across the board, the NBA model appears to be broken. Most teams are losing money, viewership is down, even the ratings for the NBA Finals are plummeting year after year. Yet, many locals are angry that the NBA would allow this sort of thing to happen - new owner destroys team and city legacy in order to pad his own pockets. It's all this big, ugly mess.
But, we got free tickets, so why not? Olivia may never get to see professional basketball in Seattle again, so we'll go for it. Plus, it will be a good way to spend an evening with family and a few friends, and just maybe, perhaps, get to see some good basketball. They have to break that string sometime, right? And if Kevin Durant ever becomes a superstar, we can say we saw him his rookie year.
Oh, but this was the other thing. We went online to see what our tickets would cost. We're in the "end zone," behind the basket. About 21 rows back. Not the nosebleed, but certainly not prime seats (what do you expect for free?). And these tickets go for $90 a piece, plus a $9 service charge.
Are you kidding me? That's $1000 worth of tickets we got.
I'm not sure whether I should feel lucky that we got $1000 worth of tickets for free, or outraged that anybody would charge (or pay) that much for tickets to a Sonics' game. How does anybody afford these things on a regular basis? How does a working-class family scrape up enough to pay hundreds of dollars for a 2-hour game?
No wonder the NBA is broken.
I think, after this, we're switching to minor league baseball.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
One of those days
Yesterday was once again one of those days that makes the rest of the world wish they could live in the Puget Sound area. Clear blue skies, snow-capped peaks ringing the flatlands, waves chopping the Sound, a crisp, chill bite to the air, a high of about 34 degrees. . .ah. What could be better?
We took the ferry over to Seattle yesterday morning, so Olivia and I could meet my dad and go together to the Model Railroad Show at the Pacific Science Center. The ferry ride would have been enough, with a view up toward Mt. Baker, and Mt. Rainier holding court to the south, the waves blowing liquid spray over the bow of the boat. The model railroad show was certainly a lot of fun - Olivia especially noticed the preponderance of Thomas the Tank Engine models - and the MLK Jr. festivities in the Center House, complete with Gospel Choir, all made for an exciting afternoon.
There's a park on Queen Anne Hill. If you've never been there, I'm certain you know about it anyway. Because 1/2 of all postcard shots of Seattle are taken from this location.
Recognize it? Go ahead, google "Seattle" and click on images. You'll find this picture, and many variations on it. It may be Seattle's most famous viewpoint.
Unbeknownst to a lot of people, though, they recently installed a marvelous children's play area at the park that lies directly below this park. Our kids were a little wired and needing to burn some energy off, so we took them to that play area, letting them slide and climb and swing to their heart's content.
Later we wandered back upup, and noticed that in addition to the news crew, there were many photographers setting up their tripods, staking out prime viewing locations. It was becoming quite a crowd.
It took me a bit to finally understand what was happening. They were all setting up to watch the sunset over Puget Sound, with the light of the setting sun reflecting off of downtown and Mt. Rainier.
So I went back down, collected the girls, and climbed back up again, so we could all enjoy this rare Seattle display of sunshine.
You know those scenes you see on tv, when a star is walking down the red carpet, or shows up at a night club - the oohing and aahing, the click-click-click of camera lenses?
It was like that. We all watched to the East until the last sliver of the sun disappeared behind the Olympics, and suddenly cameras came alive, people stirred in excitement and wonder, couples stood to have their pictures taken with the city as their background, a hundred professional and amateur photographers got off shot after shot, painters feverishly worked their brushes and water colors. . .the city lit up in gold flake - the sun glinting off the high-rise windows - while Mt. Rainier chortled in purple majesty.
All of this for nature, for beauty, for mountains and snow and setting sun. It was an instant community, gathered for the sole purpose of enjoying the most impressive lighting display you will ever see. "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God, the Skies proclaim the works of his fingers."
It was wonderful and magical and heart-warming to be a part of. I think Heaven may be just a little bit like that. And I was gladdened to see that people still care about this world in which we live.
It was, as I said, a day to make the rest of the world jealous. And a day to remember for many, many days to come.
Oh, and then - we stopped and ate El Salvadorian food for dinner on the way home. So make it simply the most perfect day ever.
We took the ferry over to Seattle yesterday morning, so Olivia and I could meet my dad and go together to the Model Railroad Show at the Pacific Science Center. The ferry ride would have been enough, with a view up toward Mt. Baker, and Mt. Rainier holding court to the south, the waves blowing liquid spray over the bow of the boat. The model railroad show was certainly a lot of fun - Olivia especially noticed the preponderance of Thomas the Tank Engine models - and the MLK Jr. festivities in the Center House, complete with Gospel Choir, all made for an exciting afternoon.
There's a park on Queen Anne Hill. If you've never been there, I'm certain you know about it anyway. Because 1/2 of all postcard shots of Seattle are taken from this location.
Recognize it? Go ahead, google "Seattle" and click on images. You'll find this picture, and many variations on it. It may be Seattle's most famous viewpoint.
Unbeknownst to a lot of people, though, they recently installed a marvelous children's play area at the park that lies directly below this park. Our kids were a little wired and needing to burn some energy off, so we took them to that play area, letting them slide and climb and swing to their heart's content.
Later we wandered back upup, and noticed that in addition to the news crew, there were many photographers setting up their tripods, staking out prime viewing locations. It was becoming quite a crowd.
It took me a bit to finally understand what was happening. They were all setting up to watch the sunset over Puget Sound, with the light of the setting sun reflecting off of downtown and Mt. Rainier.
So I went back down, collected the girls, and climbed back up again, so we could all enjoy this rare Seattle display of sunshine.
You know those scenes you see on tv, when a star is walking down the red carpet, or shows up at a night club - the oohing and aahing, the click-click-click of camera lenses?
It was like that. We all watched to the East until the last sliver of the sun disappeared behind the Olympics, and suddenly cameras came alive, people stirred in excitement and wonder, couples stood to have their pictures taken with the city as their background, a hundred professional and amateur photographers got off shot after shot, painters feverishly worked their brushes and water colors. . .the city lit up in gold flake - the sun glinting off the high-rise windows - while Mt. Rainier chortled in purple majesty.
All of this for nature, for beauty, for mountains and snow and setting sun. It was an instant community, gathered for the sole purpose of enjoying the most impressive lighting display you will ever see. "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God, the Skies proclaim the works of his fingers."
It was wonderful and magical and heart-warming to be a part of. I think Heaven may be just a little bit like that. And I was gladdened to see that people still care about this world in which we live.
It was, as I said, a day to make the rest of the world jealous. And a day to remember for many, many days to come.
Oh, and then - we stopped and ate El Salvadorian food for dinner on the way home. So make it simply the most perfect day ever.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Sports Sideline
When you don't watch television, New Year's Day takes on a different tone. No Rose Parade, no endless supply of college football. It almost doesn't feel like New Years.
Well, the fact that I was groggy and funky from this cold probably added to that affect.
At least I had From the Earth to the Moon (a present from sister Susan) to get me through the day.
But the NFL playoffs are here, and the Seahawks are playing this Saturday at 1:30, here in Seattle, against everybody's suddenly-favorite team, the Redskins. The Seahawks have become a beacon of excellence in the Seattle sports world - 4 straight division championships, 5 straight playoff appearances, the 2005 Super Bowl run.
And yet I've learned over the years what a fickle mistress sports can be. She pulls you in and entices you with words of passion and excitement, then dashes your hopes to the ground beneath a flurry of bad calls and stupid mistakes. Maybe it's true everywhere; it certainly seems true here in Seattle. Way back when, the Sonics became the first #1 seed to lose in the first round to an 8 seed. The M's in 2001 had the best record ever seen in baseball, only to choke and wither away in the ALCS. The UW Huskies are currently mired in the biggest mud pit they've ever found themselves in. And the Seahawks, for all their swagger and talent, still find ways to lose to teams of no account - think the Cardinals and the Saints. Not to mention that one game where they did show up with all the talent and desire to win, only to have it taken away from them by the *ahem* officiating crew.
So some time ago I forced myself to stop caring so much. To be interested, yes. Intrigued? Of course. To cheer for the hometown team? Absolutely. To stay glued to the radio this coming Saturday? You bet. And I expect Seattle to win. They have the talent, the home-field advantage, the recent playoff history, and should handle the Redskins quite comfortably.
But, after all, this is Seattle, and the gods of Sport do not shine favorably very often our way. So my hopes aren't exactly all that high. And should we lose? Don't come taunting me, because I'll just say "Yep. You're right. That's sports for ya."
Well, the fact that I was groggy and funky from this cold probably added to that affect.
At least I had From the Earth to the Moon (a present from sister Susan) to get me through the day.
But the NFL playoffs are here, and the Seahawks are playing this Saturday at 1:30, here in Seattle, against everybody's suddenly-favorite team, the Redskins. The Seahawks have become a beacon of excellence in the Seattle sports world - 4 straight division championships, 5 straight playoff appearances, the 2005 Super Bowl run.
And yet I've learned over the years what a fickle mistress sports can be. She pulls you in and entices you with words of passion and excitement, then dashes your hopes to the ground beneath a flurry of bad calls and stupid mistakes. Maybe it's true everywhere; it certainly seems true here in Seattle. Way back when, the Sonics became the first #1 seed to lose in the first round to an 8 seed. The M's in 2001 had the best record ever seen in baseball, only to choke and wither away in the ALCS. The UW Huskies are currently mired in the biggest mud pit they've ever found themselves in. And the Seahawks, for all their swagger and talent, still find ways to lose to teams of no account - think the Cardinals and the Saints. Not to mention that one game where they did show up with all the talent and desire to win, only to have it taken away from them by the *ahem* officiating crew.
So some time ago I forced myself to stop caring so much. To be interested, yes. Intrigued? Of course. To cheer for the hometown team? Absolutely. To stay glued to the radio this coming Saturday? You bet. And I expect Seattle to win. They have the talent, the home-field advantage, the recent playoff history, and should handle the Redskins quite comfortably.
But, after all, this is Seattle, and the gods of Sport do not shine favorably very often our way. So my hopes aren't exactly all that high. And should we lose? Don't come taunting me, because I'll just say "Yep. You're right. That's sports for ya."
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Hey Turlock People
Kent, Glenn, and Adam came for a visit. We went to Seattle yesterday.
On the ferry.
We fed the seagulls at Ivars.
And we stopped by Mike's office.
On the ferry.
We fed the seagulls at Ivars.
And we stopped by Mike's office.
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