Thoughts from 20,000 Feet
I neglected to mention in my last entry that I was wireless-blogging via the free 802.11 network thoughtfully provided by Richmond International Airport. (Hey, at least the slight price premium over other nearby airports has some tangible value now.) So let me say now that I am typing (the start of) this article from seat 9F on a US Airways Embraer Regional Jet from Pittsburgh to RIC. It won’t be posted until I get home, though: first, I probably won’t finish it in the air, and second, I’m definitely more dedicated to the idea of getting home than I am to the idea of sitting in a near-empty airport blogging.
The ACC held another conference call Saturday, with two minor developments emerging. The ACC-13 idea was killed during the conference call, apparently by a healthy margin. Afterwards, UNC Chancellor James Moeser let slip in an e-mail that he would be willing to compromise and vote for Miami-only expansion. There are significant problems with this, though. First, the TV money projections have all been based on the inclusion of a football championship game, which would require 12 members (and that requirement won’t change). Perhaps more importantly to VT fans, one would think Moeser would realize that his leverage will be significantly lessened with Miami in play. Right now, he and Duke’s Nan Keohane (or her successor — she retires this year) only need one other leader to side with them to block expansion moves. In the current scenario, that’s UVa’s John Casteen. Once Miami joins, though, four votes will be needed to block (as I understand ACC bylaws; please correct me in comments if I’m wrong) — which could make the addition of BC and Syracuse a near-certainty in a year. CORRECTION 23 June 2003, 1705 EDT: a 75%+ vote is required for expansion, so three votes will still block.
You’ll get a full Montréal post later, including editorial comments devoted to why Montréal rules. Quick observations I can give you now, in my semi-popular (well, my little brother likes it) format from AIM away messages, the scorecard.
Friday
- Josh 1, RIC free wireless Internet 0
- LaGuardia currency exchange desk 1, Josh 0 (closed at 6 PM?)
- Aérobus shuttle driver 1, idiot who parked a U-Haul nose-out in the middle of the street 0 (very nice maneuver work in a body-on-chassis van)
Saturday
- Québec separatist leader’s funeral 2, Josh’s plans to see Notre-Dame-de-Montréal Cathedral 1 (delayed)
- Rollerblade rental place near the Old Port C$23, Josh 12
- 2 hrs and 6 km/4 mi of skating later: Sun 25, Josh 0
- Truliant FCU’s overzealous fraud computers $(OK-sized number), Josh C$0 from ATMs
- Capital One cash advance extortion US$3, Josh 0
- Blue Jays 5, Expos 1 (end of 7th, when Josh left)
- Expos 8, Blue Jays 5 (end of game, as Josh watched fireworks over the St. Lawrence)
- Fireworks 9.6, Expos rally 8.0 (according to the American judge, who watched it on SportsCentre)
Sunday
- Josh 2, Tim Hortons donuts 0 (mmmmm…)
- Scalding Tim Hortons tea 3, Josh 1 (where’s the McDonald’s lady when you need her?)
- Backpack straps 2, Josh’s sunburn 10
- Three Rivers Lager at PIT 2, Josh’s sunburn 0