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Contributing to the Dead Pool Blog - May 28, 2004
Laurence, formerly of "Amish Tech Support" has moved to his own domain, IsFullOfCrap.com. He runs a Dead Pool, of which I am participating in. Laurence also asked for contributors to his blog, which, in a moment of weakness, I volunteered. I've got three entries in this week!
Head on over, check out the Dead Pool, and let me know how I'm doing.
One of the Funniest Blog Entries Ever - May 27, 2004
There is apparently some sort of scandal in Washington D.C. - hard to imagine I know. But there is a woman (Washingtonienne) who has apparently had a collection of sexual escapades with some Washington insiders - collected money for such events, she writes a blog, and was recently outed by DC gossippeer Wonkette, and was subsequently fired by from here Senators "assistant" job, and interviewed by the Washington Post. A busy week to say the least.
None of those are what I refer to as one of the funniest blog entries ever.
Beware though, the content of the entry is a bit... um... racy, but I read it at the office and I'm sure the sound of me trying to stifle my laughter was distracting for them. Give it a read, you won't be sorry.
Note to self: Don't Piss Off the Hygienist - May 27, 2004
Today was teeth cleaning day. My 2+ times a year pilgrammage to the rack for mild voluntary torture. The assigned Hygienist usually uses the hypersonic cattle prod on me most of the time. Other than talking too much, I think she's a generally pleasant woman who seems to care for her patients. I'm not sure why Hygienists want to try and converse with you during a cleaning. Especially when they fill your mouth with topical ointments, and scrape tarter from pockets that seemingly reach to my prostate with stainless steel implements of torture.
For me, a cleaning is generally uncomfortable, likely pushing my blood pressure off the charts. The hypersonic cattle prod does on occasion make my skull rattle, but it's usually not too painful.
But today was different.
I'm now 3+ hours post-chair and my head still aches, I still taste blood in my mouth, and I can still feel the the gritty crushed glass ("polish" as she calls it) coating my teeth. If my headache doesn't go away soon I'll be hitting up the pill bottle for a fix.
I think they need to put up a sign indicating the Hygienist's mood for the day, and maybe send out emails to patients giving fair warning.
To: Mark
From: Dr. T's office
Subject: Hygienist Volatility AlertDear Mark,
Please be advised that you are scheduled with Hygienist "A" who was up late with her child last night and is currently under a Doctor's care for extreme PMS. We recommend you bring flowers and a card for your own safety.
Warmest Regards,
Dr. T.
I wonder if that would have helped?
I still think she is either pissed off at me or thinks I'm cute because she forced me to make another appointment in 3 months. I think I'll chart 28 day increments and make sure I'm not on the same timeline. Either that or start picking out a nice Hallmark Card.
Contributing to the Downfall of Society - May 25, 2004
The planned vacation to California just got a little more expensive - to the tune of about 8 mpg.
; "Our New Baby")
Click to see bigger version
The color is Summit White, with Gray/ Dark Charcoal Custom Leather Seating Surfaces, 4WD, 5.3L V8, 295hp, 330 ft/lbs torque, airbags everywhere, power everything, 6 disc in-dash CD changer, OnStar and XM Radio, 25% off of MSRP.
18 mpg on the highway, loud sucking noise in town. I now know why we got 25% off - who in there right mind would buy one of these guzzlers at $2.40/gallon?
The only option we didn't get was the back seat DVD entertainment system. We may, on this trip regret that decision. It was a $1300 option we weren't willing to expend. Besides, good parents engage their children and provide entertainment and mental stimulation during long car rides, right? Good parents don't just strap them down and plug them in, right?
Right.
MLB in Portland - FAQ - May 20, 2004
Part of the package submitted to the MLB office promoting Portland as a place for baseball included a list of Frequently Asked Questions. The entire document is here and includes a Letter from Portland Mayor Katz, the Finance Plan Update, and these FAQ's.
(723k, Requires Adobe Acrobat)
- First, the most important question: Is Portland prepared to finance a new ballpark?
Yes, the City of Portland is putting the finishing touches on a comprehensive finance plan that will meet the needs of Major League Baseball – a plan that will allow the Portland franchise to be a league revenue sharing payer, and not a revenue sharing recipient. Portland Mayor Vera Katz has made the acquisition of an MLB franchise a top priority prior to the completion of her final term in office this year – and the Mayor is committed to presenting the plan to MLB this spring. - OK, I’m listening. What could a Portland team do in local revenues?
Very conservative projections show a Portland team would produce over $110 million in local team revenue during its first three seasons in a new ballpark, increasing to $120 million in year four. During the team’s three years in an interim venue, the local revenue is expected to exceed $80 million each year. - But I’ve heard the Portland market is questionable. Is that true?
Most of the people who hold that belief haven’t visited Portland in the last 15 years! (Or they’re from Washington D.C.). Since then, Portland has built the new Rose Garden arena, and significantly expanded the Oregon Convention Center (now the largest convention facility in the Pacific Northwest), Portland International Airport and our light rail system that serves as a national model, all while adding tens of thousands of new upscale residences in the downtown core. Between 1990 and 2000, Portland’s population increased by nearly half-a-million people (many of them young and affluent), making it the seventh-fastest growing metro area in the nation. This is a different place than it was in 1990 and it keeps getting better. You need to see the changes – they’re remarkable. - I know the NBA team has been well supported – can the market support a second team?
The Portland market is truly the last of its kind – the last market in the United States that has too few sports franchises. Consider these facts:
- The Portland metropolitan area, with a population of 2.3 million, is the 22nd largest metro area in the country and is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as the largest in the nation without a Major League Baseball franchise.
- Portland is by far the largest metro area in the nation with only one major professional sports franchise ; the region's ratio of population to professional sports franchises is behind only New York and Los Angeles.
- In both population and corporate base, Portland is comparable to Denver when it acquired its fourth major professional sports franchise. The Portland area is home to 355 companies with at least 250 employees; Denver had 340 when the Colorado Rockies began play in 1993. There are 41 Portland-area businesses with at least 1,500 employees, and 53 companies that generate in excess of $100 million annually. In addition to the close match with Denver, Portland’s corporate base and demographics resemble o her metropolitan areas with two or three successful pro franchises, such as St. Louis, Cleveland and San Diego.
- And you’re right, Portland’s support of the Portland Trail Blazers through the years has been nothing short of spectacular, and has left no doubt about its status as a dedicated professional sports marketplace. When the Blazers’ Rose Garden opened in 1995, the market responded with more than 15,000 long-term season ticket commitments – for the highest average season ticket price in the NBA.
- Alright, but is there any evidence that Portland-area residents like baseball?
Absolutely.
In 2001, the Portland TV market generated a stunning 4.3 cable TV rating for Seattle Mariners' games on Fox Sports Net, a better mark than 19 MLB cities recorded for their own teams. The Portland region produced a 4.5 rating during the 2002 season, when the Mariners failed to make the playoffs.
Oregon's passion for MLB is not specific to the team 180 miles and a four-hour drive to its north. The Portland market recorded the seventh-best TV rating in the nation for the 2002 World Series and doubled the Game 7 rating of the Washington, D.C. market.
A new poll showed that well over half of all Oregonians support the campaign to bring MLB to Portland, and nearly 70 percent of Portland-area residents endorse the effort! - All compelling facts. But back to the finance plan – how much is assembled right now? And
I’ve heard there’s an issue with the state legislation that passed last year. Is that true?
Approximately $340 million of the City of Portland’s finance plan is now amassed. The City’s plan includes and addresses the state legislation that dedicated up to $150 million toward the ballpark, passed by the Oregon Legislature last year. Remember, Portland is the only relocation candidate to actually pass stadium financing legislation. Negotiations to assemble the final elements of the finance plan are progressing quickly in preparation for our next visit with MLB. - Have any good ballpark sites been identified?
Actually, several. HOK Sport has identified a half-dozen sites in the downtown Portland area and one in East Portland, and is currently working with the City of Portland to complete a detailed analysis of select sites for the purpose of providing precise cost information. - You mentioned the interim stadium. What about it?
We’re the only market up for relocation that has an interim facility ready right now. PGE Park, home to the Triple-A Beavers, recently underwent a major $40 million renovation, adding 38 new luxury suites, wider concourses and major-league clubhouse facilities. The downtown ballpark currently seats 20,000 and will be expanded to accommodate about 25,000 fans for MLB. - Last question: What about the rain? Don’t you need a roof there?
A non-issue. Only five MLB cities record less rainfall than Portland's 12 inches during the months of the MLB season. The Washington D.C. area receives over 25 inches of rain from April to October. During April and May, Portland gets barely over four inches of rain, less than all but seven MLB cities. Unless you’re from southern California, we’ll stack our baseball weather up against anybody in Major League Baseball. But forget about rain, or lack thereof. We’ll gladly stack our city up in every aspect against any other that’s trying to be the next home of Major League Baseball. - Wow, it’s all coming together for Portland. How come I hadn’t heard all this?
A couple reasons. Since we’re not on the East Coast, we’re still an undiscovered jewel to many media folks. Also, we have been working quietly, yet diligently, to fin sh the finance plan before we make our final case. Rest assured, we’ll be ready for MLB when it’s ready for Portland.
MLB to Portland - A Good Thing - May 18, 2004
The effort to bring MLB to Portland took an enormous stride forward on Friday as the funding plan for building a stadium was submitted to the League office. This plan details $340 Million dollars from various sources - none of which would be available without baseball being in place - that will build a stadium that will show off the beauty of this region.
Here's a breakdown of where the funding will come from...
Income taxes, $125 million
This was the Senate Bill that passed last October that collects all the normally collected state income tax from players and executives from the local team and the visiting teams and earmarks those funds to help pay off the bond for stadium construction. This was originally advertised as $150 million, but has been revised down somewhat.
Ticket tax, $75 million
This will be a tax on the individual game tickets. So if the ticket is $10 face value, I suppose you can expect to pay $11 (if the tax was the expected 10%). $10 goes to the team, the $1 goes to the state. Oh, and of course don't forget all those other things that get charged by the ticket brokers (e.g. convenience fee, handling fee etc.).
Concessions and merchandise tax, $25 million
You know that $6 beer they charge you at the ballpark? The price just went up. Now it's $6.48 (8%). In most other stadium funding projects, Sales taxes are typically leveraged to bring about additional revenue - this concession tax (and the ticket tax) will simulate a sales tax for fans of MLB. Oregon voters have steadfastly denied a sales tax implementation for years. Many people point to that as a stable revenue source that could help the state manage it's current financial woes. But that is a whole separate blog entry for someone more astute than I.
Stadium district, $75 million
This is the project revenue pulled from local businesses in and around the stadium. Hmmmm, sounds like a big chunk of mystery meat to me. Undoubtedly, local businesses in the area around the stadium will benefit from 80+ events drawing thousands of people. But the implementation of a "stadium tax" for local businesses within a half-mile or so from the stadium may be a tough pill for some to swallow. I think in the end, local businesses will really benefit, especially if they put the stadium near the Rose Garden. Then, in addition to the 80 MLB games, you add the 40+ Blazer games, and all the other events at that site (WinterHawks, Concerts, Conventions, Circus, Ice Skating), I think they'd be nuts to oppose it.
Other sources, $40 million
Another miscellaneous chunk including seat licenses, tax benefits for improving depressed areas etc. I hate seat licenses (buying an option to purchase a season ticket), but I understand that only about 5000 seats of a 35,000 seat stadium will be subject to this, so I can live with that.
Team equity, $0
This is the part that I'm not sure I fully agree with. I know that it was the target, and will provide a potential owner some incentive to move the team here. But I don't think it was out of the question to ask for some owner equity in a building they will enjoy the benefit of. Sure, the owner would have normally received the full $11 of the ticket price, and the full $6.48 for that beer (people say that forfeiting the $1.48 would be the owner's contribution), but the owner is getting the entire luxury suite dough, plus any naming rights to the stadium....
Overall, I love the idea of sitting out on a summer evening at an outdoor ballpark with the setting sun making Mt. Hood glow red watching baseball. And while my preference is not the Expos (I'd rather have the A's relocate), Portland will soon have it's own Major League Baseball Team, and that is a good thing.
Perfect Antidote to a Bad Day - May 07, 2004
Life seems to be a neverending cycle of ups and downs. Lately, I've been stuck in the downs. My motivation for anything - writing, reading, coding, even going to work everyday - has been gone. Even some aspects of parenting have been affected. Sometimes, I just don't feel like being a parent. But last night I think I found a perfect antidote....
Last night, Marie was out fighting her own "volunteer" battles, so I was putting Garrett to bed. Usually during the routine, I try and end it with something fun. Whether it's a little tickle or a silly face, the last thing I want the kids to see and experience with me before they fall asleep is a smile and/or a laugh. For some reason, last night I was being particularly effective, and Garrett found himself in a fit of belly laughing.
Through the giggles, and with great effort, he blurted out "Daddy, you're making me laugh."
Things like that just make all the work of child rearing fade away, and I think it's helped put me on a path out of the "downs".
Summer Box Office Challenge - May 05, 2004
Since 2001, Woodge has hosted the "Box Office Challenge." The objective is to pick the Top 20 summer movie releases (released between May and August) in order of their gross sales (you can see the movies slated for summer release at Yahoo's Movie Previews). Whoever ranks them closest to their actual order wins! Unfortunately, there are no prizes. You simply win bragging rights amongst a group of people of whom I've never met.
There are a couple of ringers in the mix - Doug French (author of blog roll member LaidOff Dad) writes for Filmington along with a rumored LA Correspondant "Marcello". You would have to think that they would have an inside edge on movies. In fact Doug did win the thing in both 2001 and 2002, but ended up 7th last year, and Marcello even further down. So maybe they don't have any edge...
Here is the list I submitted:
- Spider-Man 2
- Shrek 2
- Harry Potter ~ Prisoner Of Azkaban
- Troy
- I, Robot
- Catwoman
- The Bourne Supremacy
- The Stepford Wives
- Collateral
- Anchorman
- The Village
- The Day After Tomorrow
- Van Helsing
- Alien Vs. Predator
- The Terminal
- Garfield
- King Arthur
- The Manchurian Candidate
- A Cinderella Story
- Mindhunters
For the most part, my picks are pretty close to the average. There are a few however, where I have ended up on a limb. The biggest one is Catwoman - I ranked this at 6, and the average is almost 18. 7 of the 15 people didn't even have it on their top 20. If it does well, I will pick up some good points. If it sucks... then maybe next year I'll do better. Halle Berry in a catsuit has got to be worth at least Top 10 right?
The Stepford Wives is another one where I'm drastically different than the rest. I've got it at an 8 while the average is almost 17. 5 people didn't have it in the top 20 including the aforementioned "ringers". But really, how could a comedy with Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler, Christopher Walken, Jon Lovitz, and Faith Hill not make a bunch of money?
I'm low on King Arthur (what else could they say about this story?), Van Helsing (Vampire flick, with uber hot Kate Beckinsale), and Chronicles of Riddick (R rated Vin Diesel action flick). None of these struck me as huge money makers so, while the first two are in my top 20 (I think the R-rating will drag down Riddick), I hope they don't go big.
I'll be watching the movies this summer, and hopefully, will be somewhere close to the top come the fall when the contest comes to conclusion.
What's My Job? - May 05, 2004
I think Garrett is getting a little bored with the selection of books we read at bedtime. Lately he's been asking "Tell me about Racecars" or "Tell me about Dinosaurs." I'm not sure how Marie responds to the second question, but the standard response to the first is "That's Daddy's Job." I usually compare and contrast oval racing, road racing and drag racing. I haven't gone into much detail about targeting the apex of a turn, hitting the proper shift points, or the relationship between torque and horsepower.
Last night, he was having some trouble getting to sleep. He was still downstairs about 9:30pm, when he looked at Marie and said "Tell me Dinosaur story. Isn't that your job?"
Parenting may not always be a job, but it is always an adventure.
Play Structuring - May 04, 2004
I spent almost all day this past Saturday with a couple of friends contructing a play structure for Garrett's friend Theo:
It is a "Sunray Swing Set 2004 by Rainbow Play Systems" that Hillary bought at Costco.
We started about 9am and finished with everything except the swing hardware by 4:30. It really turned out nice and I was very envious of Theo's yard that could accomodate such a beast. The kids really loved playing on it and it was fun to see them up in the "clubhouse" trading secrets. Unfortunately, we don't have the space in the yard or I think we'd have one too. I hope that the trees in the backyard flesh out enough to build a nice treehouse. I used to love the weak one I had as a kid.
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