03 July 2006

living dangerously

What was once my favorite reason for living in Indianapolis has lost its appeal.

Yesterday's US Grand Prix was a boring affair, and probably my last Grand Prix. I was first drawn to F1 when my boss attended a friday practice session and later told me about the amazing abilities of the cars and drivers. I attended the saturday session and was blown away with the speed, braking, the crowd. I bought race tickets, brought out my friends from back in Illinois, and eventually even attended the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka; Now i'm just bored with all of it. I'm bored with predetermined finishes (anyone who knows anything about F1 knew that Michael Schumacher was going to pass his teammate during a pitstop), lack of passing, Bernie Ecclestone's arrogance, and the general non-competitiveness of the sport. When you add all those factors to my growing apathy towards cars in general, it doesn't make sense to spend $95 on a ticket. Perhaps the sport will be more competitive next year when they institute the split wing design and I'll suddenly wish I had bought tickets. I'll still attend practice and qualifying (you really can't beat it at $20). Then again, maybe we won't even have a race in Indianapolis.

Where's the danger? Here's some songs.

the futureheads - news and tributes (from the album "News and Tributes") - I'm not sure if this album is out yet, but it's good stuff. It's not quite at frenzied as their previous release, but it's still a very solid effort. Just ignore that fact that they can tend to sound a little bit like a punk rock version of The Proclaimers.

the national - karen (from the album "alligator") - This is an old one, but I've been listening to this album pretty much constantly for the past 3 or 4 months. It's a slow grower.

What are you listening to these days? I need some suggestions. Or maybe not even suggestions. Just some insight.

4 comments:

Jim said...

I actually watched the race on television yesterday because I wanted to give F1 a chance to draw me in. I came away with exactly the same impressions that you did.

Jim said...

Mike - Since I don't have your e-mail address, I wanted to let you know that I'll be heading down to Radio Radio for the World Cup final on Sunday. Hope to see you there.

Mike said...

I would love to be at Radio Radio for the final, but unfortunately (well, not exactly unfortunately) I'll be in Champaign IL putting some finishing touches on my Yellowstone vacation plans.

For future reference, my email is mike@ridehorsey.com

Thanks for thinking of me.

As for F1 drawing you in, if you've never been out to see it, I still recommend it. Stand at the end of the back straight (right at the spectator bridge) and try not to be impressed and drawn in.. I'd say it's damn near impossible.

But maybe do that on Friday when tickets are only $10.

scot said...

I've listened the hell out of that National album since about last summer. That's great stuff.