My Take on the NCAA Tournament

My bracket was shot to hell after the first day. I had one Final Four team eliminated the first day. It was shocker after shocker. Last year, there were upsets galore. This year, there were even more! This is only the third time since the modern tournament format was adopted in 1979 that no Number 1 seeds made the Final Four (1980 and 2006). There are some people who are ripping this Final Four because it is some kind of fluke, that teams like VCU and Butler have made it and got lucky; and the Dukes, Kansas', and Ohio States of the world are not in the Final Four and should be because they are overall better teams. A lot of college basketball experts, talk show radio hosts, and other talking heads believe that this is bad for the tournament. I Disagree!

First off, let's look at each team in brief....
Kentucky: A nationally recognized perennial power, which is rooted in tons of basketball tradition and always has high expectations every year. Is it surprising to see them come out of the bracket they were in? Possibly, but it definitely wasn't a shock. They started playing well at the right time.

UConn: This is a team that no one thought would do anything this year. In the big, bad Big East, no one thought that they would compete like they had in previous seasons. People mostly thought this because of their youth. Then they won the Maui Tournament behind some guy named Kemba. Then they put a string of wins together during the season and absolutely RAN through the Big East tournament. Again, they did it behind that Kemba guy. I picked them to go to the Final Four when the brackets were released (the only Final Four team I got right). People should not be shocked by this team. They are legit.

Butler: No one really has a problem with the UConn/Kentucky side of the bracket. The hate is on the other side of the bracket. I don't know why people have a problem with Butler being in the Final Four. In case anyone forgot, they lost to Duke last year in the title game by the slimmest of margins. Sure Gordon Heyward left, but a lot of the pieces from that team last year are on the team again this year. I shouldn't have doubted them in the first round against ODU. Let's embrace the fact that Cinderella has come back to the dance.

VCU: This is the big one. No one, and I mean NO ONE thought VCU would make it this far. NO ONE. If you did, you are either a homer for VCU or you filled out your bracket while smoking the whacky tobacky. Many people thought they shouldn't even have been in the tournament. Then they just ran through the tournament and have won their games by an average of 12 points per game so far, including a beat down of one of the tournament favorites, Kansas. It's not often that we see two Cinderellas are dancing on nearly empty dance floor. VCU has that hardcore underdog mentality, which is the driving force behind their success in this tournament.
The question that everyone is asking is 'Is this good for college basketball?' I say aabsolutely. You are going to have either an 8 seed or an 11 seed in the National Championship going up against schools that have a great amount of tradition attached to them. David will play Goliath again and people will watch. Oh yes, people will watch. America loves the underdog and this year is no different. If Butler wins, then it will be the story of "The Comeback Kids," coming back for another shot. If VCU wins, it will be the story of "The Little Engine That Could," because no one thought that they could make it.

Enough prose, here are my predictions:
UConn over Kentucky
Butler over VCU

Butler over UConn.

Butler wins the National Championship because they can play defense and Brad Stevens has those guys incredibly focused. I think they will do just enough to slow down Kemba Walker.

Now, those predictions may be crazy, but isn't that what this tournament has been for the past two weeks? You really can't blame me.

Thankful

I was riding the train home today, and listening to my iPod. I haven't really gotten a good 'shuffle' in a while so I was happy today when I had a solid string of about five good songs. One of them was a song by Josh Groban called Thankful. Its from one of his holiday albums. The lyrics are great and I think apply to each of our lives in someway. I do is does for me. I took a few minutes on the train to ponder these words today as I rode through the Maryland countryside on the train. If you are reading this, take a few minutes to ponder these words yourself. I think you'll be glad you did. You can also listen to the song here.

Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more

There's so much to be thankful for 

If I Won The Lottery...

As of today, the Powerball Jackpot is $125 million. If I elect to take the lump sum, which is $63.7 million, I would get paid $47,775,000. The Federal Government takes out 25% on all lottery winnings. The other option is to get paid $125 million over 30 years. After Uncle Same does his hack job on my winnings, I would get paid an average of a little over $3.1 million over 30 years. I would purchase my ticket in Pennsylvania, where there is not State tax on lottery winnings ;). My first years' payment would be around $1.67 million. It goes up by a percentage every year so at year 30, I would get a check for just around $5.23 million. Get all that? Good. I did not do this math. I used a great website as a resource.


Alright, so let's break this down. If I take the yearly payout, I would get around $93 million over 30 years. $93 million over 30 years OR $47,775,000 right away?? That's a helluva decision to make. I would probably take $93 million over 30 years because that seems best. But this exercise is more fun if I get to think about splitting $47 million. But for the record, I'm taking the 30 year payout.


So I have $47 million to divide up. First, I'm buying property. I think I'll buy two. First, I want a house that backs up to a golf course or a body of water. Preferably a lake. I figure that I could get a very nice house for $3 or 4 million dollars. I would love to have a great rooftop apartment in Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. That's $1.5 million I think. Let's say that property will cost around $6 million. 
Left to spend=$41 million


Second, a donation. Actually, three. It would be pretty dick of me to not donate some of this money to charities. $3 million each is going to the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research, The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and Operation Homefront. O.H. assists veterans coming home from war and their families. . I'll set aside another $2 million for smaller charities to donate to at other times. Right there we have $11 million. 
Left to spend=$30 million


Next, I want to do something for my closest friends and family. We are going on two, 10-day Caribbean Cruise. Everything is on me. The itineraries can be decided on later. One cruise will be for my friends. The other will be be for family and family friends. Figure the friends one I take 30 people; Family cruise about 60. The first cruise I would set aside $2 million, the other $5 million. $7 million there.
Left to spend=$23 million


I also just realized I need to furnish the two properties I'm going to buy. Probably need $2 or 3 million for that. Let's dream big and say $3 million.
Left to spend=$20 million


Some of this money needs to be secured somehow. Thats why half of the remaining money, $10 million, will be invested; in savings accounts, stocks, bonds, and so on. Then I need to pay somebody to handle my investments. Figure $2 million? 
Left to spend=$8 million


I'm getting a dog. Period. End of story. Maybe two... no! Three! Three dogs!
Left to spend= $7,997,000 million


I don't like having weird numbers of money. I would really like a couple new cars. Figure that will cost about $150,000. I want some nice cars. Not sure which cars, but that can be decided on later. I would also pay off the college debts of myself and my two brothers. Whatever is left over, gets donated to my alma mater, Catholic University, and I'll probably get a plaque or something on campus named after me. Not a bad deal right?
Money left=$7 million


And that concludes the spending escapades of me with my lottery winnings. The rest of the $7 million will be considered "cash on hand." It will be used for emergencies and any other unforeseen things that may come up. I think that I got a pretty good handle on what I would do. I think it's fairly simple and I don't have to many complicated purchases.


Oh wait, one more. Season tickets to the Phillies for life. However much that costs, consider it purchased. 

Cheers To Those Who Help Us Start Our Days

The other night I pulled an all-nighter to work to on some school work. I was in the campus computer lab til about 5:30am and then took the DC Metro home to my apartment off campus. As I was walking home, I saw the Starbucks and Einstein Bagels shops open for business. The buses were running and people were on their way to work. Some unfortunate people were just coming home from working the overnight shifts at their jobs. I saw a lot of people wearing security guard uniforms. It must suck working the graveyard shift...

On my 25 minute commute home, I was thinking about all of these people who were on their way to work and the people who were already at work. What a hell of a responsibility these people have. The probably have to wake up around 4 or 4:30 in the morning in order to make it to their jobs. From bus drivers and train operators, to the people that make our Coffee and bake our bagels that we pick up on our way to our jobs, we owe a bit of gratitude.

Now I work at my campus Student Center, and one shift a week requires me to be on site by 6:30 to open the building. So I see these people once a week, who help the rest of us (who wake up at normal hours like 7:00 and 8:00) start our days. They help us get our days going. They help us get to work. They help us get our caffine fix or that quick bite of a bagel in the morning. Not to mention, don't forget the people at the news stations who are up early to tell us what the big stories of the day are, what happened over night while we were sleeping, and what the weather will be like that day.

So the next time you go get your morning coffee or get on the bus, take second a give that person a smile, say hello or good morning, and appreciate the fact that they were up hours before you so that they can help the rest of us have a productive day.

And to the people who have to be at their jobs early and wake up at O'dark thirty, Cheers to you! We all probably hate the fact we have to ride the stinkin bus in the morning or have to shell out $1.50 or $2 for our coffee every day. But you drive that stinkin bus and you make that expensive coffee and you help us start our days on the right foot. Without you, we wouldn't get to work on time and we would fall asleep at our desks by 10:30. Thanks for all you do.

Chillin Ain't A Bad Thing

My Spring Break was uneventful. I had plans, but then they fell through. I was going to go to Atlantic City for the weekend but a friend had to back out at the last minute for personal reasons. But in the end, that probably ended up being a good thing. Hotel was going to be expensive, probably would have done some gambling, and partied hard all weekend, which would have wasted a lot of money. So for the sake of my wallet, I am glad I didn't go all out this past spring break.

On the other hand, I do wish I had gone to Jamaica or Las Vegas or Panama City or on a Cruise like a bunch of my friends did. I heard nothing but good stories so far with how much fun people had last week. I would have been down to go on any of those trips, but that didn't happen. But looking back, it's not entirely a bad thing.

Instead, I worked a couple shifts at my two jobs, and went home for a few days. (Instead of spending money, I made money) I did nothing but chill at home, and let me say this: chillin ain't a bad thing. I was able to catch up on some sleep, relax, watch some college basketball, spend time with the family, and see some friends from back home. All of which turned out to be excellent things. Would I have loved to go somewhere warm and party on a beach, on a boat, or in Sin City? Absolutely. But I like how I was able to just relax and kick back.

For me, that's #winning.

**On a side note, what happend these past few days in Japan is devastating. Relief efforts are underway but there is still a lot of help that is needed. If you can, please make a donation to the Red Cross by logging on to http://www.redcross.org/.**

I Like the Little Things

"I like the little things. The way a glass feels in your hand, a good glass - thick, with a heavy base. I love the sound an ice cube makes when you drop it from just the right height. Too high, and it will chip when you drop it. Chip the ice and it will melt too fast in the Scotch."
-John Spencer as Leo McGarry, The West Wing


As do I, Leo. I like the little things too. We all do. The little things are what make days enjoyable. They can also make our days feel like hell, but let's focus on the positives.


It's the little things in life that give us the most pleasure, the most satisfaction. Yesterday I was riding the train home and I was able to get my favorite seat in an Amtrak car: 3rd car (the one in front of the snack car)on the right side, middle of the car, seat where there is no window. Why no window? The plastic piece they have there instead is perfect for napping, something I do A LOT. The gap between the headrest and the wall is shorter than if it were a window. Which means your head is not at a more awkward angle, which means its more comfortable. Hence, why I sleep on trains.


Being able to sit in this particular seat is a big deal to me, but in the grand scheme of things, its not that big of a deal. But yesterday, for about five minutes, I was able to sit in my perfect seat and relax and think about how great I had it for those few moments. Its moments like this one that I can't let go to waste, and I soak it in as much as possible. "Don't sweat the small stuff" or "Don't cry over spilled milk" are certainly words to live by for the not-so-good little things in our life. Be pissed for 30 seconds and move on. Why dwell on the bad when you can savor the good?


So what are some of my little things? I like being able to walk around my apartment on Sunday morning in my robe and slippers and watch some TV before getting my day started. I like when I go to a bar and my Guinness is poured correctly, and poured in a Guinness glass. I like being able to sit around and laugh with my brothers. I like a good bottle of red wine. I like watching the sunset from the top deck of a cruise ship. I like getting to a DC Metro station and only having to wait 2 or 3 minutes for the next train to come. I like drinking a beer on the beach. I like when strangers pass by me and pleasantly say "Hi" or "Hello." I like finishing a good book. I like the one mile approach to my exit on a highway.


All of those are the little things in life that give me that short moment of pleasure or relaxation. Certainly an incomplete list, but those were the ones I was able to think of off the top of my head. It's these things and others that get me through my day, and my week. For all of us, it's the little things that get us through are lives. Let's not let these little things and little moments pass us by.

Welcome to My Blog

First off, if you are reading this then that means you have nothing better to do with your life than read my blog. But for now, let's see that as a good thing. If you are reading this you probably aren't getting into trouble or committing a crime. But if you are, then bully for you for being able to multi-task.

Honestly though, thanks for stopping by my blog and reading what I have to say. I don't know why I decided to create a blog. I guess I have a lot of thoughts, opinions, and ramblings that I would just like to get out there. And what better way to do it then the Internet, so BILLIONS of people can acess it! Unless of course you live in a country that takes away Internet access. (Too soon?)

The origin of the name of this blog was quite simple. I am allergic to peanuts, so peanut gallery seemed kind of funny and everyone hates the peanut gallery. This all just logically came together in my head. If you don't follow my logic, don't sweat it. Sometimes, I don't even follow my own logic.

I hope to have something to write 2-4 times a week. I will always have something to post on Monday mornings because (and let's be honest) there is never a shortage of stuff to ramble about from the previous weekend. All topics are fair game, so this blog won't be exclusive to just one thing like sports, or movies, or politics. What's the fun in that anyway?

Happy reading and leave comments if feel inclined. But keep them clean... is that too much to ask?