March Madness!

Well, the wait is almost over, just twelve hours to go. Of course I'm speaking of the most anticipated event of the year (right after Christmas, though they're tied in my book): the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament!!!

Any who knows me even superficially knows that I'm a big college basketball fan. I watch games a few times a week on TV, I read blogs about college basketball and I practically live at espn.com. And so, the wait between the Selection Sunday show at 5 PM on Sunday and the first tip-off on Thursday morning is almost too much for me to bear. It's like time stands still for me during this week every year. Exactly the way you felt when you were young and your birthday was a week away . . .

And so tomorrow morning, I'll head to work early, get a few things done, and then race back home hopefully in time for the first tip-off a little after 11 AM. Twelve hours later, I'll retreat into my bedroom, weary from the mental exhilaration and exhaustion that the first day brings. And then up the next morning to do the same thing!

The best part of the whole event is the March Madness pools that spring up everywhere. I'm in three this year: my usual one with Shannon, my brothers, my dad, and my uncle Keith, one at work (that I initiated) and another one at Newman sponsored by the Knights of Columbus where most of the proceedings go to charity. My wife, who is mostly indifferent to sports, really enjoys filling out a bracket as well. She doesn't watch many games, but she enjoys the competition (though I whoop her butt every year :). Can't wait until my kids get into it as well!

For those sports fans out there, enjoy the next three weeks, the greatest sporting event of the year!