Yes--it is that time of year.
Fill out the brackets and take on the challenge of calling as many of the 63 (64 if you count the play-in) games in the NCAA tournament as possible and of course--select the next NCAA Men's Basketball National Champion!
Go Cornell! Well I do have them losing in the second round, but I believe they will pull off the magical 5-12 first round upset over Temple.
Even more importantly are Syracuse and Maryland--both back in good form for the tournament with Syracuse as a number 1 seed and Maryland a number 4. Sadly, I have Maryland losing to Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen--but hey, Kansas is a number 1 seed (although I almost picked Maryland in an upset).
March is such a great month for sports. The madness, the NHL is winding down and getting ready for the playoffs, and spring baseball training just oozes springtime and a fresh start for the Orioles.
So who are my final four? Georgetown, West Virginia, Syracuse and Duke. And I have Syracuse defeating Duke 89-86 to win the national championship! Yeah--I know, I'm dreaming. The professional bracket analyzer says that I have a 10.7 percent chance of being correct in predicting that Syracuse will be the next national champion--but hey, so what. It is all in good fun.
And that, of course, is why they call it March Madness!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday Musings - March 15, 2010
1. It is the Ides of March--Et tu, Brute?
2. The tax man cometh--a mere 31 days from today. It is our annual time to pay for our government. Some people look forward to getting a refund--what an interesting way to make people believe that taxes are painless, withhold too much from their pay and then give it back (without interest) to make them believe they are getting something for nothing!
3. We have fallen back into the days of darkness--thank you DST! No wonder I feel terrible and sleep deprived this morning.
4. I did it last week--I had a small respite from bad weather and was able to project forward into the summertime fun. It is amazing how flexible we are with our minds to be able to project into the future and see it as we want to see it--the hard part is then to make the future a reality. That is the part most people miss.
5. Yesterday I had the pleasure of following a two-year old through the Jump Zone in Columbia at a birthday party. Wow--did he have fun. He had so much fun I was exhausted when he was done! All-in-all it was a great way to spend the afternoon and have some great grandpa time with two of my grandsons.
6. Bad gloomy weather really gets me down. Sunshine, on the other hand, lifts my spirits.
7. Friday night, we went to see Tom Rush a folk singer who was playing in Annapolis. It was a great evening with friends and good music and reminded me that I enjoy getting out every so often to enjoy the arts and especially some good music.
2. The tax man cometh--a mere 31 days from today. It is our annual time to pay for our government. Some people look forward to getting a refund--what an interesting way to make people believe that taxes are painless, withhold too much from their pay and then give it back (without interest) to make them believe they are getting something for nothing!
3. We have fallen back into the days of darkness--thank you DST! No wonder I feel terrible and sleep deprived this morning.
4. I did it last week--I had a small respite from bad weather and was able to project forward into the summertime fun. It is amazing how flexible we are with our minds to be able to project into the future and see it as we want to see it--the hard part is then to make the future a reality. That is the part most people miss.
5. Yesterday I had the pleasure of following a two-year old through the Jump Zone in Columbia at a birthday party. Wow--did he have fun. He had so much fun I was exhausted when he was done! All-in-all it was a great way to spend the afternoon and have some great grandpa time with two of my grandsons.
6. Bad gloomy weather really gets me down. Sunshine, on the other hand, lifts my spirits.
7. Friday night, we went to see Tom Rush a folk singer who was playing in Annapolis. It was a great evening with friends and good music and reminded me that I enjoy getting out every so often to enjoy the arts and especially some good music.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday Downpour Drowns Outdoors Initiative
What does one do on another too wet Saturday?
It seems there is more than enough to keep busy with and much of it involves being places outside the home even though at times the rain was falling so hard that driving was a bit dicey.
Let's begin with the second most exciting part of the day--I saw my first earthworm of the season. Now I know many people look for the robins, but we have been besieged with a whole flock of robins all winter--so seeing an earthworm making its way across the driveway yesterday was truly an event to note.
OK, so I'm a bit boring because I get excited about earthworms.
Of course with the rain, there was no way to continue the winter yard clean up and I tried not to even think about it by staying away from The Hope Depot and Lowe's.
But there was a trip to the mall--to exchange some clothes and wander around. I soothed my need to buy something by buying a new pen. Since it was early, not too many people had decided to venture out--so the mall was relatively pleasant. The mistake though was going from the mall to Costgo at about noon. It should have been declared a federal disaster area. I'm amazed how poorly people drive in the rain--drive first and worry about getting wet second! Seems they forget that they are dry in the car. And loading groceries in the rain should be a new Olympic sport.
And then it happened! The climate control system in the Lexus ceased functioning! In the rain and in the parking lot. Ugh! Fortunately the vehicle was and is driveable.
I spent much of the rest of the afternoon in the rain and then in the garage looking for a blown fuse or something I could repair to avoid a trip to the Lexus dealer--to no avail. It's going to have to go. And since Lexus is just a glorified Toyota--who knows what the damage is ultimately going to be. $$$
And as the rain continued to make me more depressed--I decided to work on the taxes and get them closer to being ready for submission.
Thankfully we were going to some friends house for wine and food to overcome the depression that the taxes started to send me into! Ugh. I don't look at the refund/pay line--but rather the overall tax bite. Ouch! I'd rather be swimming with sharks. I'd have a better chance to come out alive.
But the evening with friends, good food and wine was the best part of the day and successfully erased the memories of the rain and gloom. I enjoy talking sports--especially Orioles baseball with my friends and trying to determine if we agree with Baseball America's assessment that the O's will win 79 games this year. I'm still believing for 82!
So this morning the rain has stopped--and we are beginning the process of drying out. Now we can do it all over again.
It seems there is more than enough to keep busy with and much of it involves being places outside the home even though at times the rain was falling so hard that driving was a bit dicey.
Let's begin with the second most exciting part of the day--I saw my first earthworm of the season. Now I know many people look for the robins, but we have been besieged with a whole flock of robins all winter--so seeing an earthworm making its way across the driveway yesterday was truly an event to note.
OK, so I'm a bit boring because I get excited about earthworms.
Of course with the rain, there was no way to continue the winter yard clean up and I tried not to even think about it by staying away from The Hope Depot and Lowe's.
But there was a trip to the mall--to exchange some clothes and wander around. I soothed my need to buy something by buying a new pen. Since it was early, not too many people had decided to venture out--so the mall was relatively pleasant. The mistake though was going from the mall to Costgo at about noon. It should have been declared a federal disaster area. I'm amazed how poorly people drive in the rain--drive first and worry about getting wet second! Seems they forget that they are dry in the car. And loading groceries in the rain should be a new Olympic sport.
And then it happened! The climate control system in the Lexus ceased functioning! In the rain and in the parking lot. Ugh! Fortunately the vehicle was and is driveable.
I spent much of the rest of the afternoon in the rain and then in the garage looking for a blown fuse or something I could repair to avoid a trip to the Lexus dealer--to no avail. It's going to have to go. And since Lexus is just a glorified Toyota--who knows what the damage is ultimately going to be. $$$
And as the rain continued to make me more depressed--I decided to work on the taxes and get them closer to being ready for submission.
Thankfully we were going to some friends house for wine and food to overcome the depression that the taxes started to send me into! Ugh. I don't look at the refund/pay line--but rather the overall tax bite. Ouch! I'd rather be swimming with sharks. I'd have a better chance to come out alive.
But the evening with friends, good food and wine was the best part of the day and successfully erased the memories of the rain and gloom. I enjoy talking sports--especially Orioles baseball with my friends and trying to determine if we agree with Baseball America's assessment that the O's will win 79 games this year. I'm still believing for 82!
So this morning the rain has stopped--and we are beginning the process of drying out. Now we can do it all over again.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Call it a Heatwave
Since Monday--(or early Tuesday morning) the temperatures here in Maryland near the Chesapeake Bay have been moderate and believe it or not--above freezing!!!
Most of the snow is gone--although some huge piles remain if you know where to look.
It is clear that Springtime had descended upon us and that although we expect at least one more big wintery assault, the time for this to actually occur is reduced day by day.
We have seen temperatures in the 60's which have us rejoicing and longing for 70's. I even cooked out on the grill the other evening--without a coat on. I actually cook out all winter, but it was nice to sip my one allotted evening glass of wine and look into the trees and deepening night sky without feeling like I was going to develop hypothermia.
And I can smile--because I apparently have survived another cycle.
Today though--rain and gloom. But good weather is out there, somewhere.
Today though--rain and gloom. But good weather is out there, somewhere.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Things People Say That Make You Wonder
Every so often a phrase comes out wrong but is so true.
For instance consider this:
"I have created a problem where there was none. My job is done here." Now consider if this was a news report about another session in Congress regarding health care, or the Maryland legislature about anything. How true it would be.
I have heard other such phrases over time, but cannot remember them. But they usually rank up there with those timeless ones like:
Creating a mountain out of a molehill --one of my personal favorites and it seems to happen more and more.
Or when I was on a traveling inspection and compliance team while I was in the Air Force--the two great phrases:
We would say: We're here to help and they would respond: We're happy to see you!
Or back in the days of corporal punishment when a father would say to his disobedient son just before the belt or cat-o-nine tails hit his bottom: This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you! Really? Then what's the use, I always wondered. Oh, maybe I wasn't supposed to admit being THAT son!
Oh well, I know there are a lot more of these kind of phrases, but----
For instance consider this:
"I have created a problem where there was none. My job is done here." Now consider if this was a news report about another session in Congress regarding health care, or the Maryland legislature about anything. How true it would be.
I have heard other such phrases over time, but cannot remember them. But they usually rank up there with those timeless ones like:
Creating a mountain out of a molehill --one of my personal favorites and it seems to happen more and more.
Or when I was on a traveling inspection and compliance team while I was in the Air Force--the two great phrases:
We would say: We're here to help and they would respond: We're happy to see you!
Or back in the days of corporal punishment when a father would say to his disobedient son just before the belt or cat-o-nine tails hit his bottom: This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you! Really? Then what's the use, I always wondered. Oh, maybe I wasn't supposed to admit being THAT son!
Oh well, I know there are a lot more of these kind of phrases, but----
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Top Down and Hair not-so on Fire
Tuesday was an awesome afternoon here. Everyone was talking at work about how great the weather was--outside.
Me--I had a late meeting that didn't end until about 4:30, so I couldn't even give into my developing case of Spring Fever and blow the popcorn stand to go outside and enjoy the weather.
But--as I hit the parking lot and noticed the great weather I did something that I have wished
that I could do for years but never had the capability to do--I put the top down on Cat and decided to drive home and enjoy the sunshine and the pre-Spring day. Yes, the picture is from when I brought the car home and all of the snow is gone now--but you get the idea.
Wow--all of the snow--except for one pile along the fence is gone--we are making progress.
It was awesome. I turned the heat up to high, and left the windows up to keep the wind off me and enjoyed a great ride home in the afternoon 62 degree or so sunlight.
So how badly do I want it to be warmer? Pretty badly! It was a pretty sedate ride home--but I was already thinking of July and driving to Florida and stopping alongside I-95 to put the top up for the oncoming rainstorm in the sultry 95 degree heat and 95 percent humidity of the Dog Days of summer. I can smell it even as I write it--bring it on!!!!
Hey--the snow is gone, mostly and that is a start.
Me--I had a late meeting that didn't end until about 4:30, so I couldn't even give into my developing case of Spring Fever and blow the popcorn stand to go outside and enjoy the weather.
But--as I hit the parking lot and noticed the great weather I did something that I have wished
that I could do for years but never had the capability to do--I put the top down on Cat and decided to drive home and enjoy the sunshine and the pre-Spring day. Yes, the picture is from when I brought the car home and all of the snow is gone now--but you get the idea.Wow--all of the snow--except for one pile along the fence is gone--we are making progress.
It was awesome. I turned the heat up to high, and left the windows up to keep the wind off me and enjoyed a great ride home in the afternoon 62 degree or so sunlight.
So how badly do I want it to be warmer? Pretty badly! It was a pretty sedate ride home--but I was already thinking of July and driving to Florida and stopping alongside I-95 to put the top up for the oncoming rainstorm in the sultry 95 degree heat and 95 percent humidity of the Dog Days of summer. I can smell it even as I write it--bring it on!!!!
Hey--the snow is gone, mostly and that is a start.
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