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I picked today's Seattle Times and read the headline: "Sonics want $300 million; some legislators roll eyes." This was not the kind of news I wanted to see on the day I'm going to a Sonics game -- the first time in a decade. I'm already only lukewarm to the Sonics since they traded Gary Payton. That was a personal foul.

I could never justify the cost of buying a ticket, so I lucked out when Wes scored a few tickets from a co-worker.

Sonics attendance has been low. It's the result of high ticket prices, an unsuccessful team and the Sonics' persistance that they need taxpayers to fund an improved Key Arena or an altogether new stadium in Renton or Bellevue. And the team is taking another shot for money.

The Times reports, "Sonics owner Clay Bennett wants at least $300 million in taxpayer money to help pay for a new arena that could cost as much as $530 million, but the request already has drawn skepticism from some key state lawmakers."

If history repeats itself, the Sonics' newest attempt will fail. That'll put them at what? 0-4? That's a poor field goal percentage. I think it's time for the Sonics to work on their game and show that they deserve a new stadium rather than just ask for playing time. Sick burn. And 1.

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We've got our first headlining Seattle show tonight. Woo hoo!
Update: Thanks to all of you who came out last night, including the couple dozen of you who drove up from Tacoma and the group from Portland. It was a great turnout. We rocked that place.

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For the first time, more women are living without spouses, according to a NY Times report. I know what you're thinking: "Damn you, Paolo, for supporting the trend and living with two unmarried women." Well, at least I call them wives.

The Times reports, "In 2005, 51 percent of women said they were living without a spouse, up from 35 percent in 1950 and 49 percent in 2000." The causes:

  • Divorce rates are high and remarriage rates aren't high.
  • Married women often outlive their husbands.
  • More couples are choosing to cohabitate instead of marry.
  • More people are choosing alternative lifestyles.
  • The average age at which people marry is increasing.

The last point intrigues me the most because it's my generation that's driving this trend. According to the article, "The proportion of married people, especially among younger age groups, has been declining for decades. Between 1950 and 2000, the share of women 15-to-24 who were married plummeted to 16 percent, from 42 percent. Among 25-to-34-year-olds, the proportion dropped to 58 percent, from 82 percent."

Why are people my age waiting so long? I think:

  • Most people attribute failed marriages to immaturity and marrying "too young," so parents encourage their children to marry older.
  • Women have more professional choices than ever before.
  • Increasing divorce rates scare people out of marriage.
  • Marriage is losing its religious zeal and is seen instead as a (perhaps) unnecessary societal arrangement.

Thoughts?