On The Field

Big Ben

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is an example of an athlete throwing discretion out the window when riding on a motorcycle with a temporary permit and no helmet.  “Big Ben’s” motorcycle accident and subsequent facial lacerations were severe enough that authorities initially could not identify him.

That was 2006 and this is not a post to bash the non-helmet motorcycle riders of the world. Frankly, I have a bit of a gripe with athletes in general, who decide to risk their health and well being even more than they already do in their respective professions…especially when they have a commitment to the organizations that employ them.

I could cite more examples of athletes’ misfortunes with motorcycles, but there is a point to be made.  I’m thinking Roethlisberger’s emotional state of having lived through what must have been an exhilarating motorcycle accident will play a big part in the Steelers comeback and win on Sunday!

And speaking of the football game…the Boss will host a 12-minute “party.”  The fans will fawn, the press will recite hosannas, but the new album “Working on a Dream” sounds terrible (it’s flat).  I’m a Boss fan, but this album doesn’t demand listening.  I’m not sure what kind of statement Bruce is making, but selling in Wal-Mart implies “My company paid me so much money they can do whatever they want to make their money back”.  I thought musicians were supposed to be about more than money?  Maybe it was the fact that at last years Super Bowl Tom Petty was watched by more than 148M  viewers in the U.S.?  But this isn’t so much about the Boss. This is about our culture.  If something generates a lot of revenue, you can’t say anything negative about it.  “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” has proven that after 3 weeks in the number one spot.

Super Bowl XLIII (43) is here at last, go Steelers.

Photo courtesy Steelers.

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Heading East

No, I’m not talking about the 70’s rock band who produced the album “Flat as a Pancake”, but about Wisconsin. 

It’s home to the Green Bay Packers, Cheeseheads, Yoopers and (drum roll, please) Harley-Davidson.  I’m jazzed about finally visiting the “Mothership”, (3700 W Juneau Ave.; aka home; Harley Central; the place where it all started) the place that will make this entire trip a possibility on the ‘ol Road King.

It’s been 105 years since 1903 when William Harley and his friends Arthur and Walter Davidson launched the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. This year also marks the 100th Anniversary of producing police motorcycles. So, the factory is planning a number of commemorative events up to the 105th Anniversary weekend in Milwaukee.

I’ve previously posted several articles on the 105th HERE.  It’s still a couple months out, but a sub-set of the “posse” will be riding out…and take in the Juneau Ave store, stop for a local burger at Kopps and sample some real Wisconsin cheese at Seguins.  Nothing says Milwaukee like a butter burger, fresh fries, a Sprecher root beer, and frozen custard.

See you on the road…

 

Photo courtesy of Harley.

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Harley Springsteen Ticket Site Goes Down

Up early on this cloudy Saturday to go on-line and purchase “The Boss” tickets during the 105th Anniversary event.  

As you can see (right) the site is down and HD is having issues with the site.  They state:

Earlier today, the ticketing site for the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concert on August 30 in Milwaukee at the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary Celebration experienced unanticipated technical problems that prevented visitors from accessing the ticketing site. 

Good grief!  You mean to tell me in this Web 2.0 environment that a multi-million dollar, multi-national company can’t figure out how to run a ticket purchase site?!  Maybe the Milwaukee internet went down?

I’m not feeling so good about getting a ticket now, but will wait for the (re)notification.  They will post an update on when you can purchase the tickets today at 5pm (CDT).

UPDATE (Sunday, 4/6/08): the HD web site states they have postponed (due to unexpected demand and technical challenges) the sale of tickets until Monday, April 14th at 8am (CDT).  See this link for more information.

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Girls In Their Summer Clothes

No, I’m not talking about a cold beer in your hand or your wish on the Oregon coast, but about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.  This song is “off the charts”.

And, Harley announced Springsteen will be a main attraction at the Milwaukee 105th Anniversary celebration in August.  This will be an additional concert that will be held outside the Summerfest Grounds at the Roadhouse at the Lakefront and requires a separate ticket (read requires more $$ from your wallet) from the official 105th Anniversary ticket. 

Only 105th Anniversary ticket holders are eligible to purchase Bruce Springsteen concert tickets.  If you think you have back door around it think again.  The 105th Anniversary ticket holders are required to enter their 105th ticket package confirmation code to purchase a Bruce Springsteen ticket when tickets go on sale. 

For every official 105th ticket purchased, the ticket holder will qualify for one Bruce Springsteen concert ticket. If a ticket holder purchases multiple official 105th tickets in one purchase, they will receive only one confirmation code, but will qualify for the same amount of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concert tickets equivalent to the number of official 105th tickets purchased. 

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concert tickets are $40.00 (plus $2.50 for tax, shipping and handling).  Seating is limited. The concert tickets will be available only on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Tickets go on sale April 5^th at 8am (CST). 

Photo is courtesy of Columbia Records and Springsteen web site.

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