More NCAA tournament...and Utah!

Just got back from a little Spring Break trip to southern Utah to see some kinfolk, so into my thoughts about the NCAA tournament so far I will sprinkle in some items of interest (to me, anyway) from our journeyings in Zion (literally).

First, we went down to Avis to rent a mini-van during the break from games on Friday; I was home in plenty of time to see BSU get clobbered by an impressive looking Louisville team--admittedly more impressive now after they trounced Oklahoma as well. When we got to Avis, we were informed they had no mini-vans. The nearest thing they had was "one of those SUVs you see out there in the back row. Will that be all right?" It was. So we drove the Chrysler Aspen (check it out here) on our trip. Very nice--had 900 miles on it when we got it, room for eight, fancy interior, and Sirius satellite radio.

Sirius satellite radio. I know, I know, it is old news by now, but those of you who know me know I tend to be a little on the cheap side (for which I am sometimes treated as if I lived in Cheapside, if you know what I mean. And if you don't, go read your Austen!) So I don't have Sirius (yet). I may have it soon. No more listening to Colin Cowherd, Caves and Prater, the Budlightidahosteelheadshockeypregameshow, or any of the other stupid crap on the only Sports talk station in town. And FM radio? Please. I can see Sirius in my future. And driving my car more than I currently do.

Which brings me to this: What was the best decade for music? Don't waste your time, because there is not a counterargument you can make that will sway me. The eighties. Period. Don't react, don't resist. Accept it. Because when I say "best" I mean everything: the best stuff you like, the best garbage, and the best utter crap. It has it all. Get Sirius and listen to the 80s channel or "The Wave" during a ten or eleven hour drive. You will be convinced. I can't even begin to describe the true enjoyment I had listening to Sirius radio over the last few days, but here are a few high(and low)-lights:

"I got Spuds McKenzie. Alex from Stroh's. They won't leave my dog alone with that Medina, pal." - Tone Loc "Funky Cold Medina
"Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, himitsu wo shiri tai" - Styx "Mr. Roboto" (I defy you to youtube that song and listen to it in its entirety without laughing out loud. I mean, someone seriously wrote, composed and released that song?)
Skid Row "I Remember You"
Adam and the Ants "Stand and Deliver"
Missing Persons "Walking in L.A."
Loverboy "Lovin' Every Minute of It" (Nice subtlety, guys.)
That's enough. You figure out ones I like and which ones I didn't.

On our trip we drove through Zion National Park, where I saw something interesting:


The part I find interesting is "If attacked, fight back." Never seen that before. And it makes me want to ask the animals of the world to come to some agreement about what to do when startled by a human. We play dead if chased by a bear, and fight back against mountain lions. If I come across something that says I should run toward an animal to scare it away, that will be too much. I might get confused and rush a bear, or play dead for a raccoon.

Now, more NCAA tournament. I guess I picked a few too many first round upsets, but I didn't get hurt too much. As you see below, I have 13 of the 16 left. And I am especially proud of Villanova and Davidson in the Midwest making me look like Nostradamus.
I am tempted to make new picks based on what teams are now left and how they have played, but I will stick with what I have. I am afraid of Louisville vs. Tennessee, and West Virginia looks good vs. Xavier, but overall I like what I have. I tried not to pick with my heart too much (see? I picked BYU and BSU to lose) but I may have overdone with Wisconsin over Kansas (I hate them). And although Arizona laid an egg, I am glad someone bounced Duke. I still like UNC in the East and all the way to the title, but who knows what will happen in the South. Any of the four still in it could come through and I wouldn't be surprised. Just hope Michigan State doesn't screw things up for me. If Memphis can get through, I think they will beat whoever comes from the West. UCLA had to work too hard against A&M for me to believe in them. And Xavier playing for the title? Doesn't sound right, does it? That's why it won't happen.

I will be planted on my couch for the games again tonight (and Friday and Saturday and Sunday). Wish me luck. Or tell me why I am crazy.