Spooky Jack-o-lanterns
Martha and I had some fun with the last three remaining pumpkins at our Harris Teeter. They are now sitting proudly out on our balcony where only we (and a few neighbors) can see them.
« September 2007 | Main | November 2007 »
My team, the Wolves, plays games out of Kettler Capitals Ice Plex, the new training/practice rink for the Washington Capitals in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, VA.
This rink is a state-of-the-art facility, and because of that, I decided it would be the best place to start playing hockey again. After being set up on a "free-agent" team in the summer, I decided to put together my team (the Wolves) and play the fall season at this rink. I have to say, despite the appearance of the rink (it's brand-spanking new), I've certainly been unimpressed with my dealings with it....
First, and this is not a huge issue, but more than half of the vending machines at the rink haven't worked since the rink opened last year. They are either completely out of order or they work, but don't chill the beverages. I'm actually suprised that it hasn't been taken care of in the year. But I suspect they have a vending contract that they must honor.
My other dealing has been with the adult league, the hockey director, and the front desk staff. I'm sure I'm persona non grata there athis point, but how hard is it to run a hockey league? Judging by the K-Plex, it is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. I've played in hockey hotbeds like Richmond, VA - and to this point have never seen an adult league run so poorly. Now, in my opinion, the gold standard for adult hockey leagues is the Michigan Sports Enterprises adult league. It had everything. Even the Hockey Night in Richmond league was well run, and had a decent website. The K-Plex league lacks almost everything.
It started in the fall with the team I formed. I found out on September 8th that the league would be starting on September 24th. About two weeks before hand. It's lucky that I had my players pay me in advance, or there is no way I could have fielded a team in that short amount of time. After that, we had to wait to get the schedule. We got the schedule on Friday before our first game (on Tuesday), for a short 3-day notice for my guys. Of course, a lot of them had already made plans. Throughout this whole process I got the distinct impression that the adult league was a second thought, and that no one was really taking it as a priority.
Then, once we get the schedule, we find out that we have eight (!) games out of 20 that will be played at 11:15pm. Not good, but apparently they have limited ice time, so we'll deal. Once the games start and we play, the next headache started. I was going to keep track of the stats for the guys because they all ponied up the money up front - but getting a scoresheet has been harder than difficult. In fact, the first time, they had to ask for authorization to copy the scoresheet. I did get that one (but it took a half hour of waiting around). After our first game, I've never been able to get a scoresheet again. The people at the front desk have either been clueless, or the scoresheets have been "lost." Sort of frustrating.
Now, there are two websites for the league - here and here, neither of which have been updated since the season started. The hockey director maintains he is waiting for all of the teams to submit rosters and numbers before he does anything. First of all, that is never going to happen. Second, I'll keep track of my own damn stats - I just want to know the scores of games, and the standings. How hard is it to update that first site with the scores of the games? It probably takes a minute apiece. Just another example of the shoddy way this league has been run.
Lastly, we had a player on my team receive a match penalty. So, that meant I had to try to get a scoresheet, a game report, and some sort of response from the rink and hockey director. You can imagine how well that went. It took almost three weeks to get a response about what the penalized player needed to do to appeal. I still haven't seen the scoresheet or game report. I finally got so fed up with not getting responses that I copied the rink's General Manager in addition to the hockey director. That actually got something done, suprise, suprise. So, now half way into his suspension, he can appeal, which would take time to set up - knowing this rink, longer than the time remaining on his suspension; or he can come back in 2 weeks. Wonder what he is going to choose. This was the last straw for me, because this issue went on way too long. I don't think it even would be an issue if we had two refs for the game - but we only had one.
Anyway, I'm pretty fed up with how this program has been run. Add to that the frustration of vending machines that have been broken since the arena opened, incredibly inflated prices in the proshop, and the general lack of ability of the rink staff to do anything, and I am ready to switch rinks. I'm sure that I am persona non grata there by now. I'm sick of complaining about this stuff, so I'm just going to play hockey from now on. Maybe things will eventually improve, though until they have someone who solely focuses on the adult league, I doubt it will get any better.
I'm just suprised that for such a classy organization, the Capitals have a rink and hockey program that is run so poorly. Maybe I'm just used to how well things were run in every rink I played at in Michigan and Richmond, VA.
Remember that law firm I worked for for a couple of months? Remember how I didn't like it?
Looks like they're in the news: "Don't Post This Cease-and-Desist Letter, Or Else"
Absolutely hilarious. Having worked there, I'm not suprised at the bad press. I certainly did not enjoy my time there, thanks mostly to what I would deem horrible management. Of course, that is only my opinion as a former employee. Reading the comments on the websites that are covering this story is pretty fun. I hope that the story gets more press in the future.
In my opinion, you'd have to be nuts to have that firm represent you. But hey, if you want someone who is, in my opinion, similar to an attack dog - go for it. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Anyway, pass that link along if you think someone is interested in it.
Martha and I recently came to a decision that I needed to stop driving our (one and only) car in to work. It wasn't a happy decision for me, as taking public transportation seriously bugs me. I, of course, grew up in rural Michigan where the option of public transportation wasn't exactly available. In fact, those Detroit SMART busses were downright scary. But they didn't come to White Lake - I think the closest they probably got was Pontiac....
Here in Washington, D.C. public transportation is a lot more prevalent. WMATA operates an enormous amount of busses in addition to the five trains (we don't call it a subway, we simply refer to it as "Metro," for those of you who ever visit). So, it isn't difficult to find a way somewhere. The problem is, I cannot stand being crammed in one of these smelly, cramped vehicles for an hour a day. While most of the busses that run from Shirlington are faily clean, we're the last stop, and I always end up standing. Not only that, but I get on the train at the Pentagon station, which seems to be the worst place to get on a Blue Line train. They are outnumbered by the Yellow line almost two to one, and are often "breathing room only." Honestly, it's a disaster waiting to happen.
But I agreed to do it - to save money both in gas and parking fees at GU. (Yes, unlike most of my midwesterner friends and family, I have to pay to park at the place I work). So, since the weather was nice and I'd recently fixed my bike, I decided to try to ride it in to work. I didn't think it would be that hard, and there are showers in the gym at work, so I might as well give it a try. So, on Wednesday, I took this route there and back.
I have two words to describe this experience: butt pain.
The good news is: I made it. Both ways. The way in to work was by far the more difficult. First, I start off going up a very steep hill near my house. So, I was exhausted after the first half mile - to the point where I had to walk my bike up some of the hill. Then I have a gradual grade half up and half down as I get near the Pentagon. Then it was pretty flat until I hit Rosslyn, where I cross the key bridge to get into DC. Of course, I was dead tired at that point, so when I finally make it across the Francis Scott Key Bridge and get into DC, I have another mile going up hill to get to my building. Ouch.
The way home was better, except for the fact that I could not sit on my bike's seat because of the flaming shards of white hot pain that exploded from my butt's sensitive areas every time I tried place my kiester upon that streched leather. At least it was mostly down hill coming out of DC and for a good portion of Virginia as well. Of course, by the time I reached the Air Force Memorial, I could barely move my legs, so I took another short walk on the bike. It was also way too dark for me to be riding without a bike light - so that (and some heavy duty padded riding shorts) will be my next purchase.
So, I took today off to let some of the pain subside. Assuming I can get up early enough, I plan on trying again tomorrow! I'm proud of myself for actually doing it, and a little amazed that I did not kill myself. I'm hoping I can do this 2-3 times a week while the weather is nice.
