No Contact

My flight doesn't leave until late this afternoon, but they're kicking us out of the hotel room. Hotel management is a little superstitious and thinks we're to blame for the recent crazy weather. So we get the boot. We'll pass the time at the Heard Museum known for its Indian art collection.

You'll probably next hear from me tomorrow.

Love My Guests

Give Jenna, Attila Girl, and even Aaron some love. They've been making TAM a funkier place while I've been shivering in Arizona.

Picture Pages, Picture Pages

It's picture time!

I found something in the hotel room that said was coffee. It looks like it too, but after a sip I know it can't be. What it is is a mystery.

Friday night's game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Japanese national team brought a big contingent of Japanese press. Sitting in the front row wasn't the best seat in the house.

Japanese television thought the game was so important they broadcasted it live.

Since I am in Phoenix to watch baseball I should have a picture of a baseball player. Here's Milwaukee Brewers' closer Derrick Turnbow.

When to get close up to him you notice he should invest some of his big baseball bucks into some orthodonture work.

Finally, what would a Brewers game be without the sausage race?

Definitely not as corny.

Celebrity Sightings

Thursday morning, at a breakfast joint we sat next to former NBA player Steve Kerr. My camera was in the car so no picture. I probably wouldn't have taken one either because celebrities deserve to have a life and not be constantly bothered. He and his guest ate wheat toast and drank green tea.

Leaving the stadium after Friday night's game against the Japanese National team I almost ran into Brewers owner Mark Attanasio.

Rain Rain Go Away

Phoenix had suffered from a record 143 days straight without rain. I arrive here Wednesday and the temperature drops to the 70s. On Friday, it dips into the 50s. What do I get today? This:

And this:

It's not supposed to rain in the desert. When I'm down here it's suppose to be warm and sunny so as to not get in the way of my all-important baseball watching. Mother Nature, you let me down. The good news is there's only a slight chance of rain tomorrow so the Cubs-Brewers game should be played.

"Measurable Rain At Last!"

I'm Not on a Drunken Binge

Sorry for the lack of posts rubbing it in that I'm in Phoenix watching baseball and you're not. Right now, I'm fighting a battle with some spyware. I'm not winning. It's so nasty it's killing Ad-Aware and Microsoft Defender doesn't notice it.

Here's a friendly piece of advice: don't leave your computer on all day unattended while connected to a hotel internet connection.

UPDATE: I'm stumped. None of my anti-spyware programs can zap this thing. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Just Fine in Phoenix

I'm safely in Phoenix. The partly-sunny day felt good, but it's not warm enough for me. Looking out my hotel window I see what appear to be rain clouds. I know the area could use the rain, but I'm hoping Mother Nature can replenish Phoenix's water supply when I'm not here trying to watch baseball.

Again Northwest lets me down. The flight from Milwaukee to Minneapolis went well. We actually arrived early. But our flight to Phoenix was delayed because the flight crew's flight was late. We ended up one-hour late. However, the airport has a brand new rental car center with easy access to the freeway. Before we knew it we were at our hotel.

Since you're reading this the free internet is working just fine. After settling in my first mission is to get me a margarita. Wish me luck.

Almost Gone

For once I'm ahead of schedule. I should shut up before I jinx myself.

Enjoy the Cold

To my readers trapped in snow and cold I pity you. While you'll be risking your limbs and backs from frostbite and snow shoveling I'll be sitting pretty soaking in the Arizona sun, drinking beer and margaritas, and enjoying America's Pastime (no, not hunting for free porn). It's time for my fourth annual Cactus League baseball trip. My father and I this year are joined by a friend of my dad's. I'm not too worried about three being a crowd. Through next Monday my schedule will be as follows:

1. Wake up.
   
2. Eat breakfast.
   
3. Get to ballpark.
   
4. Drink beer and watch baseball. Make sure not to get sunburned. Be lucky and see beautiful people like this.
   
5. Eat dinner w/ requisite margarita.
   
6. Watch college basketball.
   

Life will be good.

My computer will be coming with me again. I will not be silent should something really newsworthy happen. But to make sure TAM isn't very quiet I've invited three guests to make TAM their little home away from home.

First, there's Jenna Pryor of Right off the Shore. She's a "take-no-prisoners destroy Democrats" type who happens to be a fellow member of the Badger Blog Alliance.

Next, is Little Miss Attila who I met a CPAC last month. Maybe you'll be nice and she'll give us her idea of the perfect margarita. She certainly didn't like the ones she had in Washington, D.C.

Then there's Aaron.

[silence]

[more silence]

Oh, I guess I should say something about him. Well, he's Aaron*. He has a weblog, he's a BBA member, and...well...he's odd. He's odd in an "ethanol mandate suck" kind of way which is good. Plus, he's a damn good commenter.

These three suckers fine contributors will offer up commentary that will stimulate your brain, make you laugh, and (hopefully) generate voluminous amounts of traffic. These three won't just be posting for pride. They'll be trying to earn cold, hard cash. There will be a shiny quarter for every Instalanche they bring here. As a bonus I'll even let them pick the state. No one can say I don't treat my guests well.

During these trips some big news event happens. Our first trip in 2003 was just before the Iraq War. Last year, there was the church shooting in Brookfield. Let's hope my "luck" doesn't continue.

*Aaron was my pity pick. I wanted an all-girl squad, but somethings weren't meant to be. Although I've never met Aaron in person. I've only heard his voice. Who's to say he isn't female?