Lemme See Your Logo!

Is there some sort of cult following I am not aware of here in San Antonio (second fattest city in the nation)? I am referring to stickers which people place on their vehicles, more often then not it is on trucks and sport utility vehicles. Come to think of it I have yet to see this particular thing displayed quite as proudly on a sedan, coupe or compact vehicle.

I am talking about the rise of the Harley Davidson Motorcycles stickers. Not a day goes by that I don’t see the motorcycle manufacturer’s logo plastered on the back of some domestic truck (Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge). I am sure people have always had these stickers on their trucks, but it seems to have reached a fever here in SA the way the West Coast Choppers t-shirts did about a year ago.

Are these people displaying that they own a Harley back at home, sitting in the garage? Does it represent some childhood dream of throwing on a bandana and leather vest and become a pseudo Hells Angels member? Were they part of the crew back at Altamont when they were hired as security for the Rolling Stones? Or are they just simply riding the marketing wave of a good ol’ American product?

I can’t help but think that the "American Chopper" neanderthals somehow created this trend. Then again maybe it is replacement for the person’s last name in old english writing on the back. You will never see me throw my last name on the back of my car, nor will you see me stick a Ducati sticker on the back of my car simple because I would like to own one.

So if you have any insight to this little observation please let me know what is going on.

In closing, the Spurs did exactly what I hoped they would do ~ pulverized the Nuggets and took away their swagger. The next game is Saturday April 30th – Go Spurs!

It was a Fluke

I watched the first round match up between the Spurs and Nuggets Sunday, and what I saw was something I wouldn’t quite believe without seeing it first hand.

The Nuggets came into the series as an underdog, even though they have been the hottest team in the league since George Karl took over. They are using this alleged “lack of respect” to boost their moral, and continue on to say that game one was no fluke. Sorry fellas – I am going to have to call you out on this because I really do think it was just that.

Reason 1 – Andre Miller and his antics in the first half of the game, he was making everything. That included a half court heave just before the first half ended. That paired with a couple of Spur turnovers took their deficit and tied the game up. Miller didn’t hit much after the first half with Bowen hounding him.

Reason 2 – The Spurs shooting in the fourth quarter. You can try and run that line “The Denver defense shut them down.” Nonsense – because the Spurs just went cold, missing shots eight feet away and closer. Sure Camby and K-Mart can hound Timmeh, but that doesn’t explain how Manu, Tony, and Horry kept on missing.

Reason 3 – The Spurs reserves were almost non-existent. Furthermore they know how to make adjustments, and they will make them.

What really needs to happen is for a good ol’ ass kicking for the Nuggets. Take their swagger away, make them doubt themselves. Career night for Andre, and a piss poor shooting fourth quarter makes up difference.

Spurs look like they’ll get it in six now.

Excuse for Intoxication

It is in the air again, once every year in San Antonio an odor fills the city. One which starts off with oysters, mutating into mexican food, margaritas, beer, vomit, and of course the ever present BO. That’s right folks, it is Fiesta time again in San Antonio, our own little version of what I imagine New Orleans’ Bourbon Street is on any regular night in the Big Easy. Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA for those of you not in the know or simply from elsewhere) event which occurs on four nights of Fiesta Week is our local version.

To really appreciate the NIOSA experience you have to get blasted, public intoxication is almost encouraged in such an environment. How else you are going to willingly tolerate people constantly bumping into you, the stenches I mentioned above, and of course having something spilled on you. To my surprise this behavior and mix of alcohol and behavior doesn’t erupt into more fights than what would typically happen in this angry city in which I live. NIOSA is also a perfect display of what an overweight city San Antonio really is too.

The other item which makes me raise an eyebrow is the fact that I get a day off on April 22 for a silly parade. I work in a state funded agency, and our day off schedule mimics the calendar for days off which is set by the state. Well, you wont see me defiantly stand up against this type of thing – hell no – I will embrace this free day off with open arms. That day and any others this institution wants to throw my way will be embraced equally.

The NBA playoffs start this Saturday too, and the Spurs are seeded number two in the western conference. It appears as if they will face the Denver Nuggets, a team which has been on a tear with George Karl at the helm. The series for the season was tied at two, but let’s face it; Denver may be scary but are not play off ready. Prediction: Spurs win series in five.

Whats In a Name?

There is now a new synonym for the word miss which came to be during the Spurs game last night. My friend and I are up in the stands, and we see Sean Marks come into the game replacing Robert Horry (I will come back to Horry in a minute). I brought up a statement which was made a couple of weeks ago when I attended the Spurs versus Hawks game, at which point the comment “That guy (Marks) has a shot…” I am a Spurs fan, and watch as many games as I can, but I can’t say how good or bad this guy is based on what I have seen. He has spent much of the time on the injured list this season, and when he has been activated he has spent much of the time on the bench behind Duncan, Horry and Massenburg.

Well it seems like the statement which was made a couple of weeks ago would come back and haunt. Marks had a terrible night shooting (1-6 on field goals, 1-2 at the free throw line), and now has his last name synonymous with miss. Example:
I woke up late this morning, went to catch the train and…marks!

Now for Robert Horry, who gained the name Big Shot ‘Bob during his career has a new one. Coming from his stint with the Lakers he developed a swagger, a type of strut that can only come from LA. Please don’t get me wrong – the guy is a gamer when the game is on the line, and for many a years I cursed his name; big shot after big shot he would hit against the Spurs first during his stint with Houston and then in LA. Until that time comes he seems so casual on the court, strolling up and down the court and constantly chatting the refs up. Since he didn’t like Big Shot Bob he now has the nick name Gotta Get Paid.

Imagine it, he gets off the bench and struts to the scorers table with a sigh “Gotta get paid”. Brilliant!

In all honesty though, Gotta Get Paid has really played well since Timmeh went down with a sprained ankle. Even Marks has come in and played some good defense and rebounded the ball well enough to make up for his lack of offence from time to time.

Man Dating...?

I was reading the New York Times webpage while I ate lunch today, and stumbled upon a story entitled The Man Date. The Times webpage has a list of the top five stories e-mailed for the past twenty four hours or so, and this story ranked number two behind an open editorial about the amount of coverage death is getting in the media and perhaps our unhealthy addiction to it. So of course being, young and available I check it out to see what they have to say.

The story begins with Matthew Speiser, 25, and John Putman, 28 telling their tale of meeting in New York and their time spent together; better yet describing their Man Date. The story goes on to describe what types of situations would be classified as a man date and situations that wouldn’t. One of the scenarios that came up was going to the movies to see Friday Night Lights and the other situation going to a Jets game. The former being considered a man date while the latter would not be considered one. Further more it gave the impression that it would be okay for two men to sit next to each other at a sporting event, but requiring a seat buffer in the theater.

I chuckled to myself when I started reading the story because I see nothing wrong with me going to eat with a male friend of mine. I started to laugh outright when the movie chair issue came up because this very issue came up when I went to see Sin City on Friday. I went with my best friend, and I settled on a seat, and prior to him sitting down he asked if I was one of those people who required a buffer zone. I kind of just chuckled to myself and told him “no, you don’t have to skip a seat – unless you insist on doing so.” I have no problem with it.

In the article they mention that it would be ok for two men to sit next to each other at a sporting event without the fear of being labeled as homosexuals, but sitting in a theater would qualify. Why is this, the seats at sporting events actually put two bodies closer together, the movie chairs are quite plush and roomy now as opposed to arena seats. Furthermore in an arena you have to either take your knees to your chest, or stand up for some one to pass thanks to the eight inches they give you to put your feet down before the next row of seats begin. *Shrug* it doesn’t make sense to me either (or maybe it makes perfect sense to you – who knows).

Anyhow, after reading the article I will continue to go do things with my friends, regardless if they are classified as man dates or not. It may work out to my advantage because while I was out this past weekend the comment was made by a friend of mine, she said “my husband gets hit on more now than when he was single.” This particular scenario was brought up in an episode of Seinfeld where George reads that men who wear wedding bands have an easier time picking up women. I have also heard women lament about how “it’s a shame he is gay”.

So if being not as obtainable attracts more women, and there is a stigma that doing certain things with a friend of the same sex portrays a certain lifestyle - it would benefit me in the end to go on more of these alleged man dates.

Blahh – all gibberish I tell you; it hasn’t helped me out thus far and I don’t see a radical change either.

Clear Problem

There is a reoccurring trend in the billboard market in San Antonio, the home of the media monster Clear Channel. Clear Channel owns numerous media outlets such as radio stations, television stations, and yes billboards. Now it is not uncommon for a large company to use another portion of it at one time or another yet it seems that Clear Channel has taken this to new heights.

Is it because they can’t sell the board space otherwise so they simply throw up something from another division? Or is it a lame attempt to try and boost ratings on their local radio networks? Personally I would go with the latter because many of the ads being run on billboards are for radio stations which Clear Channel has interest in, but is doing poorly.

Example you ask, sure – how about that lame excuse for a morning show run by “Kidd Kradick”. I am sure their ratings plummeted after they decided to give the axe to the “Woody Show” (it wasn’t that great either, but it had more substance than this Kraddick hack). After the ratings come out, and Kradick’s crew is near the bottom is right about the time ads go up promoting his show, on none other than those Clear Channel billboards.

Another lame attempt, and terrible marketing idea was to try and ask some fictitious character why (s)he listens to a particular station. The billboard I am talking about is bright yellow with black lettering with the following phrase:
Why do you listen?
“Afternoons with Jeff Bolton. –James”

Wow, who was the marketing genius of that ad campaign? Probably the same ones that insist that a radio station has more of these lame ass country artists playing at all hours, with more give aways, and fun. Fun?

If you chumps really wanted more listeners get a host or DJ with substance and talent. Play more music and fewer commercials you money hoarding freaks. Stop supporting so strongly of the content and language used on radio that the neocon conservatives insisted was needed to preserve morality. You people helped create this short play list type market – so use your clout to do something about it. Not that I envision them really doing too much in this regard.

No amount of seeing these billboards will sway me to tune in any more than I do now, which is never.