Patrick425

I'm not sure that I understand the opposition to cell phone use in planes. I guess I can understand if you are trying to read and the person next to you is on his or her cell phone for the entire flight. However, using that logic, shouldn't they ban all conversation on flights? Why is a cell phone conversation more irritating than a face to face conversation? Is it because people tend to talk louder on cell phone or perhaps the fact that you can only hear one side of the conversation? What I really don't understand is people who are annoyed by people using a cell phone in an elevator. How long is that average elevator ride? 30 seconds..at most? You can't handle someone talking on their cell phone for that short period of time?

What I find interesting about the article is that it sounds like Melvin approached Weeks after reading forums and listening to talk shows: A couple of years ago in a thread regarding off season acquisitions and trades, I suggested that the Brewers might factor in comments made by fans posted on sights like this and on talk radio shows. My comments were dismissed as illogical by most on the board. Well, this seems to suggest that this thought is not so far fetched and why should it be? Not that the GM or manager should make decisions based solely on what fan sentiment is. Or that it should even have a significant factor. However, why wouldn't it play some part in decisions? We are the paying customers, why wouldn't a smart business manager keep an open ear to the desires of the customer base? All else being equal, if Doug is trying decide between Free Agent A and Free Agent B, why wouldn't he chose the player that seems to be the more popular choice among the fan base - again - All else being equal?

I understand all that and agree with it other than the fact the management was not too keen on it. They must have had some interest in it, otherwise why would they have asked Weeks? My point was that when an employee is asked to do something other than what he or she feels comfortable with, instead of saying no, I think it's better if they say yes, even though I would prefer not to move, I'll do whatever managment feels is best for the team. Then if they want to pursue another job (or in weeks case, request a trade), that's up to them. It sounds like Weeks just flat our rejected the idea and that's when Brewer's management said .."Uh, well, we didn't really want him to move any ways, we were just asking hypothetically". Soriano was resistant to moving to the OF as well, and it all turned out pretty well for him. To the tune of $136 mil over 8 years.

Regardless of whether Lopez is on or off the team next year, I would prefer that a player say "I will do whatever management thinks is best for the team". Or at the very least tell management, that they would prefer not to move, but if they have to, they will and then maybe request a trade. edit: The fact that management even has to ask for a player's permission bother's me.

To answer your questions: 1: Read the previous 2 or 3 posts in front of yours 2: The players are much more accessible in ST than in the regular season. But, as I stated, probably more so in early March than in late March because the crowds are lighter in early march. The 2 best places to get autographs at Maryvale is along the 1st base line prior to games starting. Then, as players leave the game, go up to the concourse, next to the Fan Zone. That's where the entrance to the players locker rooms are. Sometimes you can just get lucky with days. One year, we were on the 1st base line and my son got just about every player's autograph. In other years, we have been on the fist base line and just about none of the players sign. It's almost as if they designate certain days among themselves when they will sign autographs. No matter when you go, you should be able to get plenty of great pictures. Another thing to do, with games at Maryvale, is get to the park early and head over to the practice fields. 3. Condo vs. Hotel. vs. Resort? Really depends on what you are looking for. If you are going with a bunch of friends and plan on going out each night and not spending a lot of time in the room, might as well stay at a Holiday Inn. If you plan on golfing, you might want to stay at a resort that offers some sort of golf package. Do you want a swimming pool? Do you want a fridge and stove? Washer/Dryer? I guess those would be questions you need to answer before making the decision where to stay. A good place for condo hunting, as someone is an earlier post mentions is www.vrbo.com . I also like www.tripadvisor.com for rating and reviews on hotels and resorts. 4. Most posters here will tell you no. No need to buy tickets in advance. For the most part this is true. However, there are some teams that are more popular than others. Cubs games, especially at their park, are normally pretty crowded. If the Brewers are playing at Ho Ho Kam when we are planning on going, I always buy tickets in advance. You can probably still get tickets at game time (especially in early March), but you will be waiting in line and may not sit where you want. We normally sit in the grass area of the outfield for most games. Most of the tickets are reasonably priced. However, I believe I was looking at the new Dodger facility prices last year and was somewhat shocked at the prices compared to the other parks. This is a good site for more information about Spring Training and the various parks: www.springtrainingonline.com

After a few more searches I now realize that the video is of Jaycee as a kid. Makes sense. Even though her mom has stated that she looks much younger than she is, there is no way the girl in that video is 29.

I'm still facinated with this case and look for new news (and possibly a current picture) on a regular basis. I found this video this morning on the Contra Costa Times web site. I can't believe it has not received more attention. Is that a current video of Jaycee Dugard (between :03 and :06, and again later)? Her mother was quoted as saying that she does not look much older than she did when she was kidnapped. If it's not her, who is it? The video does not appear to be that old and it appears that there may be some security monitors (police station?) behind her.

No kidding. It's flustrating. It's a mute point.

Not entirely true. There are some years (without the WBC) that Spring Training will start during the last week in Feb: http://www.springtrainingmagazine.com/cactussched08.html http://nowhitting.com/gameschedule/spring-training/7 They almost always start on a Thursday (last week of Feb or first week of March) and sometimes it just depends on how the days of the month align and the date of opening day (I think they like to start before March 4th or 5th). This year there is an odd number of teams in both the cactus league and grapefruit league which potentially means more open dates will need to be scheduled. This could possibly lead to an earlier start date. Late, Middle, or Late March really depends on your individual preference. We always go in early March for several reasons including the fact that the crowds are lower and players seem to be more accesable. Also, because there is less demand in early March than in mid to late march, air fares and lodging tend to be a bit cheaper. Some drawback to going in early March? If you are mainly interested in seeing the starters, there is more shuffling of the lineups in the early ST games. The starters tend to exit the games around the 5th inning and many don't attend the road games. Also the weather is not as stable in early March. Don't let anyone tell you that it's always 75 or 80 degrees in Sunny in Phoenix in early March. We have gone there for the last 8 years and trust me, it's not. You can get some fairly cool and cloudy days during that time of year.

Are we all but finished here?

I find a lot of the terms in football odd and confusing especially since I never played organized football. "Play action" is a good example. Some others: Crack back block Flanker nickle (back, coverage, defense) dime - this one is really confusing because it really has nothing to do with the number 10 (does it?) tackle (as a noun, not a verb - how can someone on offense be a tackle?) Quarterback, Halfback, Fullback - not so much the names, but where they line up. In the normal eye formation - Shouldn't the guy behind the quarterback be the halfback and then the guy behind him be the fullback (logically). Draw play Flat Post Pattern Bubble screen Tailback - why does there need to be 3 different terms for the same position? (half back, running back) Trap block Off Tackle I'm always amazed when I'm watching a game with someone who is more knowledgeable about football that I am (does not take much), and they know right away if there are not enough or too many men on the field (how?) or they say something like "Wow did you see that Block?!"..uhh no..I was watching the guy with the ball.

So, did anyone else watch House last night? I only watched the first hour so far, so no spoilers please, but it was a little far fetched and wow...what a blatant rip off of "One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest". I really like the show, but I find it hard to believe that House would end up in a place like that (assuming places like that even exist any more).

How about finishing ahead of the Cubs as another goal? The beat them the next two games and they are only 1.5 games behind them.

It is? Maybe "backup" 3rd baseman, but 3rd string? Behind McGehee and who? I don't even think he would be a backup. To me it seems more apparent that either Gamel will have to find a new position or one of the two (McGehee or Gamel) will get traded.

So...you mean we should say things like.. "I hope I get traded this off season" or "I'm tired of hearing about 79' and Stargell and Parker" ? Edit: Just found out that my son's 6th grade class had a Pirate themed day all day today.

Are they doing exhibition games at MP next year? They don't do that every year. They didn't do it this year.

I'm assuming you didn't list "Curb Your Enthusiasm" because it's in another realm of comedies so far above anything else currently on TV that it's beyond ranking.

Just booked our flight. Early March - 3 people on SW airlines. Non - stop flights. Came out to about $215 per person. Thought that was pretty reasonable. edit: Oh and, 2 free checked bags per individual.

I think Hanson's outing last night puts him another big step closer to ROY.

You're correct. I was not aware of this. I have only used Stub Hub as a seller and not a buyer. It wouldn't make a $1 ticket $30, but would make it at least $11 depending on what delivery option you selected (not sure why they charge for electronic delivery). The one nice thing about Stub Hub is that they have an agreement with MLB, so they can offer electronic delivery of tickets and pretty much guarantee that you will get what you paid for.

Not sure if this should be posted in the Trading Post forum. I'm not really looking to buy or sell, this is just informational people looking to attend some of the final home games for cheap. I was looking through listings on Stub Hub and there are several Terrace Reserve seats listed for $1 or less for all the remaining Brewer Games. You could basically go to all 10 of the remaining Brewer games for a total of less than $10. These are "instant tickets" as well. So, you print them off right on your PC.

Thanks for the info DKM. I checked it out. The prices were not any different than what Southwest is offering out of Milwaukee for the time I'm looking for (and there is a bit more flexibility with SW). My guess is that the regular season will start on April 5th (actually April 4th if you count the Sunday night opener - also there is always the possibility of games being played in Japan the last week in March). They generally tend to play ST games all the way up to the Saturday or Sunday before the Monday opener, although sometimes they play those final ST weekend games at a ML ball park.

Really? Think so? Not sure that I agree with McGehee being more valuable than Hanson this year. Hard to compare pitching against hitting, but I'm going to give Hanson an edge over McGehee this year so far.

I don't get haiku. What's the magic to 5-7-5? Is there some sort of rhythm there that I'm missing. Why not 6-8-6 or 4-7-6 or 7-5-7 or anything else?

We usually go during the first week in March (avoid the spring break crowds). Currently, on Orbitz, non-stop roundtrip flights to Phoenix from Milwaukee (March 3rd to March 9th) are $238 per person ($197 with one stop). Typed in Rockford, IL to Mesa, AZ in Orbitz. Did not recognize anything in Mesa AZ (I was not aware that there was an airport there either). Then, I typed in Rockford to Phoenix and it stated that no flights were available between these locations. Where do you go to book flights from Rockford to Phoenix?