The Ides Have It! The Numbers Too!

Hello Monday and hello to a new month.  A month where I now get a year older. Prior to 21 getting older was a chore. Now that 46 stares me in the mirror, I slowly begin to understand what a smart sommelier once told me.

'See yourself as that fine wine. Keep the tannins at a minimum. Keep the rustling to a minimum and don't sweat the small stuff.' Seems my friend was right. All things considered I feel very fortunate to have my health. This despite the fact a day awaits when I must give up up the coffee and tobacco...sigh.

My month is the one where the Ides of March are revered. It comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. This certainly seems to be the case here in North Texas. Already three instances of snowfall on the ground. Not the norm. The East coast has had it rougher so I won't complain too loudly.

March is a month that fans of college basketball and weekend warriors really start to hone in on their homework. Television viewing increases, and somewhere around the 13th of the month there are the conference title games for each division. Then a little piece of paper that contains 'brackets' gets treated with more respect than all the gold in Ft. Knox. That is, until the second day of the tournament. Yes, I am alluding to March Madness. 

On the heels of seeing both Kansas and Kentucky fall flat over the weekend I am not even prepared to make a comment about what to expect or give a Final Four pick. 

Yesterday's USA-Canada hockey game drew a 17.6. That is amazing. Better than the NBA Finals or the Daytona 500. The most watched hockey game in the Olympics since 2/24/80. Those who got to watch were not disappointed. Tying up the game at 2 with under 30 seconds left to invoke sudden death...That in itself is worthwhile. I was very happy for Zach Parise. He had a great run.

Sidney Crosby is only 22 yet when he shot the game winner it was like watching a child become an adult. From day one entering the NHL, he has energized a team, a country, and a sport like no other. I was happy for Canada and proud of the way the U.S.A. performed. Ryan Miller was the rightful winner of the MVP. 

The city of Vancouver shined brightly. I really enjoyed the whole process of the past two weeks. Can you believe that prior to this Olympiad, Bob Costas and Al Michaels, two CBS rejects, never got the chance to work together. That was interesting in itself.

One argument I know I will hear it whether or not the hockey games infused interest for the action or was it merely people playing the patriotism card? I will guess more of the latter than the former. Too bad because hockey is a sport to be seen live for a true experience. Amazingly the NHL resumes it's schedule tonight in Denver. Some turnaround, eh?

February was a memorable month. May March continue in that same vein. It can only get warmer now..

To a great day.

Over and out in Big D

Mr. Will