Yeah, so, here I am trying to organize this infernal blog, right? I was hoping I could lump all of last year’s posts in some separate pile somewhere for posterity, but, no such luck. It appears that a blog is intended to be one eternal stream of consciousness. Obviously, blogs were invented by gregarious folks who found it impossible to shut up under normal circumstances.
Anyway, in the process of reviewing last year’s commentary, I noticed that somehow, gremlins came along since last year and inserted all these wierd characters pretty much right after every period in every post. Very annoying. I sincerely hope we don’t have to deal with that this year.
To all newcomers to the contest, I say welcome! At the time of this writing, we have 387 entries, which is by far the most in the contest to date. This with 10 1/2 hours remaining until the contest closes to new entries even! I’ve been reviewing and enjoying your aliases, narrowing down the best ones for the coveted Best Alias Award that I’ll be giving out shortly after the games begin. If this is your first year in the contest, you will quickly discover the two things that make it more fun than any other contest: the scoring system and my witty commentary. To quote a good friend and last year’s contest runner-up as she explained the commentary to a potential new contestant, “I can’t explain it. You just have to experience it.” Experience it, you shall, my friends, because I am returning to my years-old tradition of emailing the commentary by default, as well as posting it here in the blog. If you wish to only read the blog, and not receive the email, you can simply click on the unsubscribe link in the email you receive.
It’s not too late to invite a friend (or enemy) to the contest. Just send them the link: http://www.sixlittles.net/ncaa. Just remember, the entry deadline is 12:15 PM EDT today with no exceptions. If you’re running a private group, remember to forward the appropriate links to all your invitees. If you want to form a private group, send me email at marchmadness@sixlittles.net.
If you’ve been wondering or concerned about my silence, or the fact that I haven’t even entered my own picks yet, let me just say that whoever decided to start the tournament on Holy Week ought to be … well, punished severely. Nevertheless, the show will go on. Like the postman, no matter what happens, I will still deliver the safe, family fun we’ve come to enjoy over the last 13 years. It’s truly hard for me to believe that what began 13 years ago with less than 10 people has taken on such a life of its own. Maybe on the contest’s 25th anniversary I’ll get a human interest story on ESPN. Ok, maybe not.
So, without further ado, I’m off to enter my own picks. I’ve never won my own contest, though I’ve come close. Perhaps this will be my year.
Jeff