A Decade of Flying and Busing the Process: Gratitude, Wistfulness & Sheer Disbelief
After finally escaping from New Orleans, Spike is feeling reflective about the Ricky's annual family vacation.
The idea that we’ve been doing the podcast for almost thirteen years is not something I think about very much, it’s more just something I say. I am intellectually aware of how long that is, and I know it’s a fact we’ve been at it for that long.
It’s really only at Fly The Process that I can see and feel how long it’s been since we’ve all been at this together. I think it’s because the first Bus The Process trips to Brooklyn and more notably Washington DC, were alcohol-fueled, trouble-making bro fests. To be clear, when I say “trouble making” it’s not like we were getting arrested and getting into fights, more like wearing t-shirts that made the Wizards mad and doing silly chants. In New Orleans, I just noticed how grown up everyone is. It’s honestly kind of nice.
The single people are now bringing their significant others and sometimes even their kids. Since everyone knows exactly what I think about the Sixers and they probably don’t want to hear any more of that, most of the conversations I have with everyone is about life, or music. Seeing Mike is another reminder, as we only really see each other at Ricky events. When we started he was just out of college and starting his career, now I see him in the back half of his 30s, he’s married, and he sold a script for a movie Emma Stone will be in.
Instead of a trip that is a cult leader with disciples, it truly just feels like a bunch of friends going on a trip together. The Sixers get crushed, and most of us are just like, “eh well whatever, Kelly Oubre was nice. Where are we getting dinner?”
We’re all sitting in the legendary Preservation Hall, talking about the Sixers, stuck in New Orleans because of a giant snow storm, all fully aware of how ridiculous it is, but so comfortable in our ridiculous skin.
I am truly forever grateful for what I have experienced with every person who has ever listened, emailed, called, said hello, or traveled with us over the last 12+ years. I have said it 1,000 times and I’ll say it 1,000 more, I would take this over a championship every single day of the week (we know Mike would not and that’s fair).
Team Ricky
We’re coming down the home stretch of the season, and we’re all trying to figure out how we should feel about the team going into the playoffs. Beckett Sanderson on Enter Statman gave a true reality check of who the Sixers are and what we can expect this year.
Sixers Adam made his return to the Ricky and filled in for Mike on Tuesday night. We kept talking about the Jared McCain trade, the win over the Pacers, and whether Nick Nurse is on the hot seat this season.
If you haven’t heard the live pod from Preservation Hall in New Orleans, I would suggest checking it out. Really an all time performance from Amos Lee and then Mia Kang decided to make fun of me before performing her poem.
It’s a week old but this one from AU isn’t any less true.
Other Stuff
I’m in Florida for WIP and we interviewed Rob Thomson and Jesus Luzardo yesterday. You can find them on the podcast feed, and we’ll have interviews with Trea Turner and Aiden Miller today.
A feature on Kelly Oubre’s alter-ego t$unami, the music producer and performer. Yes, please. I will read this every day.
I’ve said it a million times but I do agree with what Sean Barnard wrote here largely about the Sixers and Joel’s lack of transparency on injuries.