Updates

I haven't posted much about what is going on with me, so here is an update on all the "stuff."

• Work - I've been very busy, and a little stressed out, trying to get a handle on all the projects we need to get done at the center. On top of that, finding the money to do them is always fun. The good news is we have a few shutdown days coming up: March 30 -31, April 5-6 and May 19-20. We will use these days to get projects done we can't get done when members are around (i.e. retiling and grouting the women's steam room, retreading and painting steps, fixing leaks that requires shutting off water to the entire building). On top of all this, we are trying to get our pools up and running while at the same time going through the renovations to bring each pool into compliance with the Virginia Graham Baker Act...an extremely costly renovation. The worst part is we meet federal guidelines with flying colors, but Kentucky's law is twice as strict. Thanks Kentucky for making us spe nd an extra $100,000+. The good news is I get a PTO day for each shutdown day I work, so I can add 6 more days to my total.
• Julie is recovering from her surgery and is back at work, although she really shouldn't be. It seems the issue has been taken care of and she is extremely anxious to get back to feeling good and going back to her personal trainer and spin classes. I think we are even going to start running and hiking together when she's back to full strength. We need to get our beach bodies in shape for California in July.
• I am avoiding basketball right now because I'm still bummed out from UK's loss on Saturday. It was an extremely fun year, especially compared to the last several. Now I can turn my focus to golf and baseball for the next several months. I'm sure I'll get out and at least hit some balls this week with the nice weather. I can't wait.

That's all for now...I cranked this out in a about 5 minutes, so I apologize for any spelling errors.

Why It's Important to Me: Better Than I Could Ever Say It.

Funny Q & A from Kentucky Sports Radio

From KSR's Website:

FAQ: The NCAA Tournament
by Tomlin @ 12:30 pm. Filed under Blue Blooded Opinions

Friends,Well, here it is. And it’s pretty much the situation we all hoped for. Following our 44th SEC Title and a brand spankin’ new SEC Championship title, the Cats glide into their rightful number one seed and prepare for the inaugural weekend of NCAA Tournament play.
But perhaps you’ve never heard of this “NCAA Tournament.” Perhaps you only learned about the stellar Kentucky Wildcats this very year, and perhaps you were surprised that there was more than the SEC Championship yet to come. You must be incredibly surprised, then — but also somewhat confused by this new, next step. For you, you fresh-faced innocents, Need-to-Know Wednesday brings you Frequently Asked Questions About the NCAA Tournament. As always, you’re welcome.
—————
What is the NCAA Tournament?
When many people refer to the “NCAA Tournament,” they’re referring to the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s annual men’s basketball tournament, which is played at the end of each regular season after individual conference tournaments. It originated in 1939 and generally consists of 65 teams.
I would like to enter this year’s NCAA Tournament. I will play in San Jose on Friday.
Sorry, but the NCAA Tournament is by invitation only. You must qualify for the tournament by at-large bid or by winning a conference championship. Many times, you will have to have a national ranking to be invited.
I am nationally ranked at my local Applebee’s Golden Tee game.
That does not count.
I am also currently ranked fifteenth among my peers in concrete sales in a national competition to sell the most concrete.
Again, this does not count.
I don’t think you realize how hard it is to sell concrete. You think you’re so good, you try it. It’s really hard.
No one’s arguing that. These sixty-five teams play in a single-elimination tournament, ranked numerically based on their regular and post-season play and advancing to rounds known as the Sweet Sixteen, the Elite Eight, the Final Four, and eventually the tournament’s championship game.
What’s the clever, cute little same-letter nickname you’ve given to the championship game?
It doesn’t really have one.
I would like to know who will win this year’s tournament, please.
That’s very tough to call, since part of the excitement of the NCAA Tournament is the opportunity for teams of similar skill levels to play each other for the first time. It also allows smaller teams the opportunity to play against more storied teams.
But by your rationale, whoever is number one will win the tournament, because they are the best. Who is number one?
Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse and Duke.
You are a terrible counter. That’s four teams, stupid.
There are four number one-seeded teams: Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse and Duke. They are the number one seeds in their respective brackets.
How many seeds are there per bracket?
There are sixteen seeded teams per bracket.
But you said there are 65 teams. You really suck at math.
One game is a play-in game to take place before the tournament begins.
I would like to go see this tournament. I will be traveling to Spokane, Washington and will be enjoying the 32 games of the first round. How exciting!
Actually, you’ll only get to see four games of the first round.
You said there were 32 games in the first round.
The first round takes place in several different cities.
I am going to need to speak to someone in Spokane, Washington about a refund. Do you have that phone number?
No.
This is madness.
Yes. It’s March Madness.
You and your damn same-letter nicknames.

The Warm and Fuzzies - The Best Thing Eddie Sutton Ever Accomplished.

Buckle B's Best Bet Bracket Busters

I know this is the day before one of the best sports days of the year, the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, and this barely gives you time to use my prognostications to complete your perfect bracket. For those of you, however, that like to wait until the last possible minute to throw away $5 in your office pool, I offer these first round upsets.

• It seems everyone is picking Siena to beat Purdue now that the Boilermakers are without Robbie Hummell. I have thought about this for awhile and hate to jump on the bandwagon. Therefore, I am picking PURDUE to beat Siena. I understand this is not technically an upset based on the seeding, but it seems picking Purdue is going against the grain, therefore acceptable as an upset. Plus, I don't see Siena winning a first round game 3 years in a row.
• Georgia Tech over Oklahoma State: A 7 over a 10 is not earth shattering, but the Big 12 is THE conference this year, while the ACC is having a down year. Derek Favors is a major plus for the Yellow jackets, but he's not the deciding factor. Oklahoma State, coached by former UK PG Travis Ford, who took over for the Suttons now that the father/son duo is "Betty Ford-in it," also starts Billy Gillispie recruit, Matt Pilgrim. How could you not pick Tech?
• Missouri over Clemson: Don't really know why, so I am mailing this one in and saying "have I ever let you down before?"
  
• Two quick notes:

1. Everyone is talking about how dangerous Cornell is this year. Buckle B says don't listen to the Ivy League, it's poison for your bracket. Temple will put an end to the pretender contender Andy Bernard's Alma Mater in the first round.

2. I have gone through the bracket several times, and as much as it pains me to say this, I do not see Louisville losing to California or Duke. Louisville has proven they can play with the worst of them, but I see at least a sweet 16 run from UofL. At least if it is UofL v. Duke, somebody will lose and I'll be happy.

Titanic Survivors

Here is a picture of the Titanic survivors from the exhibit at the Louisville Science Center back in January. Notice it's all the women who survived while us guys went down with the ship. Women and children first. Bah!

"Zombie in My Pocket"

I am posting this for you Mark. I have heard it is a fun game, but have not printed it out yet because I don't have any card stock. It is a solitaire game you can play in 5-20 minutes. http://files.boardgamegeek.com/file/download/39dklh6vg3/Zombie_in_my_Pocket.pdf?

UK/Georgia & Ghost Hunters 100th Episode

I am a little concerned about the UK/Georgia game tonight, but not as worried as I would have been if Kentucky had beaten Tennessee this past weekend. Georgia is undefeated at home this year in conference play and will have added motivation tonight against Kentucky. I don't have much more insight than that, but I'm looking forward to it as usual.

I saw in the TV lineup this morning that "Ghost Hunters" will be having its 100th episode tonight on SyFy Channel (formerly Sci-Fi...I guess they thought the change made it zippier). It will be a 2 hour live broadcast from Alcatraz. I have my DVR set just in case I get too sleepy to watch it after the Kentucky/Georgia game. The broadcast starts at 9pm. I have been a little disappointed in the show the past few seasons because I feel like more of it is staged . I guess I should know when I watch a channel called SyFy it may have a little bit a fiction sprinkled in. However, it will be neat seeing them at Alcatraz. I'm sure the show will be ruined by a "celebrity" guest investigator they usually pull out for the live episodes.

2 Feet of Snow