Like the Firebird from the Ash, Phoenix!

Sounds like a good title for Sufjan's 41st album in the 50 States series, 'Oh, My Aching Joints Feel at Home in Arizona'. But that's neither here nor there. Back to the point at hand...

Phoenix, it arises again out of nowhere when you aren't expecting it. Spring Training is back on the minds of the baseball faithful, and for Oakland fans like myself and my friend at the beach, that means pondering a trip to Arizona.

A's fans don't seem to have much to be excited about this Spring, unless you consider watching Mike Piazza DH exciting. Without Barry Zito and Frank Thomas, we can only hope that one or more of the young guys step up and, say, hit .500 or pitch a no-hitter.

I made the trip to Phoenix for the first time two years ago, and, as was my custom at the time, flew solo. O.K., I couldn't find anyone to drag along with me. But it turned out great. Though I didn't have a hotel reservation before hitting town, I met a friendly bartender in the midst of my wanderings who set me up with a discounted room at The Radisson by passing me off as his cousin. The room even had a hot tub, though I couldn't never manage to get any company in it.

Ate at some interesting Phoenix establishments: the dust, oak, white tablecloths, deep red accents and tuxedos of Durant's, where I tried on a neighboring diner's World Series ring; the kicked-back get-down-to-eating vibe at Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles, where I crammed myself full of dough, syrup and white meat; and the Havana Cafe, where I tried the Emparedado Cubano with a few East Bay musicians whose acquaintance I made at the ballpark. Also caught a couple of good hip-hop shows (Sage Francis, A-Team) at The Brickhouse -- a pretty decent club over by Alice Cooper's appropriately dubbed sports bar Cooperstown.

This year, my friend at the beach has already made plans to go and even has accommodations at a friend's house -- might even have room for me! Though all the good live music seems to be happening earlier on in March, there's still baseball, and, who knows, maybe something will come up at the Rhythm Room.