Let’s take a little pause from all the heavy posts. It’s March Madness time and I LOVE March Madness - I also get so aggravated with it - I even get sad. There is a palpable energy around it - it’s so invigorating to me. It’s legit one of my fave times of the year. I should just start taking off work the first 2 days of the tourney. I love the commercials - "In the Annapolis" and other antics. I love the heroics and the underdog stories - the grit and the heart and the coaching - the satisfaction of picking an upset - the Cinderellas - Dickie. V. - Charles Barkley’s commentary and the banter.
But I cannot handle seeing the guys lose. Seeing those guys hit the floor - seeing their eyes well up - knowing some of that pain of a last game - seeing them bury their heads into a coach or another player. I cannot handle it and usually have to change the channel.
One year I was buying furniture during March Madness. I literally sat down on one of the couches to catch the end of a game. I stayed glued to a TV in Best Buy another year. I propped up my phone one year at Cracker Barrel. And one year I almost up and headed to Vegas to watch the games. I think it would be cool to be somewhere with the games playing all around. Place a few small bets and cheer for teams for completely random reasons.
I have been to one Final Four game. It was awesome, even in the nosebleeds! (exclamation point necessary to convey enthusiasm). It was last minute and I spent hours refreshing Expedia looking for a hotel room but we somehow got one within walking distance to most everything. I liked walking around town where almost everyone was there for basketball and repping their teams - being around fan bases that I am never usually around. People were friendly (for the most part) and just there to have a good time. I’m glad I had the chance for that experience but it's too expensive to do all the time.
I don’t remember when I first filled out a bracket but I know I’ve filled one out every year since 2007. That year I won some money, so naturally I've been hooked ever since. My dog even does bracket picks and has beaten me before. And she picks every single game herself. She has even picked the champion at least once I think.
This year my heart wasn’t in it as much. It's the first year since 2007 I haven’t really had anyone to do a bracket competition against. Last year I was sitting in a private cabana at a resort pool watching the games in the bright sunshine with my boyfriend. What a difference a year makes.
My ex and I competed every year. I’ve been out a very expensive (and very delicious) meal on more than one occasion. One of those meals was the start of one of my top weekend trips he and I had. My dad and I always "competed" with one another and talked about all the games and upsets. I tried to talk my coworkers into filling out brackets. No buy in - just for fun - and I’d give a gift card to the winner. Didn’t get much participation with that. I didn’t take the time to figure out my dog’s picks this year but I did quickly fill out a bracket myself- and I should probably rip it up and burn it at this point, though my champion is still in it - for now.
Anyhow, that’s a long winded preface to the actual post. I’ve still gotten into March Madness. My heart has still raced - I checked. I have still gotten mad and I’ve cried watching those guys. All of that got me thinking about other things I also enjoy.
So I decided to make a more lighthearted post about some of my favorite things I’ve enjoyed this month.
March Madness - duh
reruns of The Middle - still watching mostly comfort shows
“The Gold” - Manchester Orchestra/Phoebe Bridgers version
Benefit Cosmetics - Dandelion blush - I like the baby pink and the brightening effect it has - I’ve used this years ago but it’s recently made it back into rotation
Warm, sunny, blue skies - those first days when it hits after winter
Amazon Prime video - just pushing play
Wordle
Memories - apparently March is a very popular time for me to travel…so many memories have popped up - the beach, multiple trips to Spring Training games - Universal Studios - Disney World - Phoenix/Scottsdale
Birthday celebrations
Food trucks
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