Ban the Challenges!

I'm not happy with baseball's new replay challenge system.  It seemed like a good idea, but so far this season I think it stinks.  Besides delaying the game for often a significant amount of time, which really just breaks the flow of the game, the challenge system has pretty much removed the good old manager going ballistic scenes.  Hell, those managers yelling and screaming (and more) at the umps was always good fun...  and a subtle way for the managers to support their players, energize the fans, and pour some emotion into the game.

Bobby Cox of the Braves set the all time record for getting tossed after arguing with the umps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1yQaQuX620

Earl Weaver was always good for throwing a tantrum:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6cmqUTPn08

And who can forget Billy Martin of the Yankees?  Maybe the greatest of all time at verbally (and physically) assaulting the umpires:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQHsAUD6E1w

With the replay challenges, now the managers calmly leave the dugout for a discussion with the umps, slowly, not wildly, so someone in the dugout can review the play and give thumbs up to a challenge.  Then the umps review, make a decision, and usually get it right.  No more emotional outbursts from the managers...  in fact, the managers can't argue the results of a challenge...  they get automatically tossed from the game if they do.  So no more displays of displeasure from the managers...  they get their chance at a replay rather than be stuck with an umpire's initial, and formerly unreversable, decision.

Takes all the fun out of the game...

Although, not quite...  Cincinnati manager Brian Price did get tossed for arguing after a replay challenge...  and he was right!  Not only did the umps blow the call, they didn't reverse the call when it was obvious to everyone from the replays that they should have.

So I guess raging managers are not entirely gone from baseball, but the game certainly has become more sedate when controversy arises.  

And I'm not happy about it.  Billy Martin is kicking the dirt in his grave.

Memories of a Viper

Maybe it was the Kweskin Jug Band tune I reheard the other day.  Or just going through old boxes of stuff.  Anyway, here's what I found while listening:

Yep, my roach collection...   inside these jars is a whole history of pot from the mid sixties until I finally gave it all up (?).  Only problem, the dope's so old that it has no potency...  so after the photo, into the garbage.  No reason to have any of that stuff around until Colorado madness spreads to my State.

I originally wanted to give these to the Smithsonian, thought it would be an interesting exhibit, part of the cultural history of hipness in the later decades of the 20th Century.  And just think of the multiple brands of rolling papers represented!  Speaking of which, he's another momento of those times, the Cosmic Aeroplane rolling papers.

These hand stamped samplers served as business cards back in the early days of the shop.

Ah, the good old days...  "dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope"--Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers.

Peddling Ass

Perhaps a little too desperate to sell beer...

Spring Has Sprung!

Another babe for the man cave...  Hot Hair-iette!

Snow Canyon Redux

So Valley of Fire one day, then a cheap room in Mesquite, then Snow Canyon the next day before the drive home.  Of course one must take the old highway from Mequite (Littlefield) up to Ivins and then the park.  Quite a drive in itself.

Anyway, a bunch of pics from Snow Canyon, click on the pic for a larger size.

These little State parks can be quite a visual thrill.  Some good hiking as well.

Valley of Fire Redux

Driving back from California, we decided to spend a few hours in Nevada's Valley of  Fire.  Got some nice pics of arches, rocks, and other features.  Click on the pics to get a larger size.  Enjoy...  I sure did. What a great little park...  a nice loop off the freeway.

These pics were taken along just one road through the valley.  Other roads will take you to even more spectacular features,  I posted some pics from this area here.   I highly recommend this park.

NAMM Madness

I usually spend a weekend in January at the NAMM show in Anaheim.  We are usually burned out after a few hours and head out for a tangarita at a local bar.  But in those few hours we spend at the show, we do see some really curious musical instruments.  Like the round piano...

Can't wait to see this at our local Holiday Inn piano bar...

There was a whole section devoted to new companies producing analog synthesizers.  Lots of knobs, switches, and lights.

Then there were the basses....  Even more strings than last year.  First, the basic model!

Now the new 24 string bass...

Just a taste of NAMM Madness.  Creativity combined with insanity produces some very curious musical instruments.