Day: November 18, 2016

I’m at DeSoto’s in downtown Phoenix and I don’t want to be here. I wanted to be at Valley Bar listening to my friend Chris perform his piece. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out. Actually, I didn’t realize Valley Bar was in an alley and by the time I figured it out, at least a half-dozen people beat me to the door. That makes it all the funnier that the person in front of me bought the last ticket to the show.

Yeah, I should’ve bought in advance.

I didn’t think they would sell out. I constantly underestimate the Artist and Writer’s scene in Phoenix. Its the New Yorker in me, instantly degrading any scene that is not the scene. I suppose that is amongst the many curses of being a New Yorker. Curses that include A-Rod, The Knicks, the haunting scent of subway tunnel urine, and a loco-cultural kinship to President-Elect Trump.

At least this situation gave me a chance to write and people watch. I am particularly interested in the dynamic of the post-teen hook up crowd. There are several predatory groups of men and women circling each other in the latest hipster flare. I stand amongst the masses, the Ansel Adams of the budding hipster set, quiet and observant. As the Bachata dancers fill in at the fringes of the space I am beginning to realize this spot really is not for me. Not tonight.

Besides, there’s a football game on and Vodka to be drank.

 

Some Thoughts:

1. Maybe I make 3650 after all.
2. Every Moment matters.

I wound up writing this longhand and I must count myself grateful for the experience. I started out writing longhand and once I found my way to a typewriter I would copy the notes into digital media giving myself a ‘free revision’. I won’t exercise those tricks for the ‘rule, but it is nice to know you can always go home again.

The Giants do quite well at home, managing to push their once perilous record to 6-3 on the year. That places them two games behind the surging Cowboys and set for a showdown where the last few games of the season absolutely count. I’ve been a ‘hesitant believer’ for the bulk of the season, only once voting against the G-men to win. My notes the other day about the defense jelling aside, there are some significant issues that have been exposed about my favorite team. Lets start with the fact that they have one of the most explosive 3 WR combos in the league and operate out of that set 95% of the time.

This leads to a clear cut problem: The Giants lack a relevant run attack. There is no discernible run game or clear cut lead RB on the team. It is running back by committee and the committee is trash. Maybe its the talent, maybe its the line. They cannot grind out the yards. Both TEs are pass catchers vs. blockers and that line I mentioned is patchworked with rookies and practice squad-born replacements.

Times are tough.

They still 6-3.

So here’s the question: Is it a legit 6-3? I say yes. And I think some of those losses didn’t have to happen. I am excited for the rest of the season as the team continues to come together and improve. The notes are out and we are gonna learn if Beckham can deal with the constant double team pressure and if the other wideouts will continue to step up. They better. All that money spent, there is nowhere to go but up.

Some Thoughts:

1. Landon Collins is the de facto Defensive Rookie of the Year.
2. I’m posting this super late, because I chose to avoid tech last night and finally sat down for the next 10. Which ought to be here in, well, 10.