I said I’d keep the office stuff to a minimum, but people, it’s just too much to bear. I need an outlet.

So I got cornered by our IT guy today. My bet is that every office has “this guy.” He knows so little about sports, yet, because he’s from Green Bay, considers himself a Packers aficionado. When I first met Cheesehead (his real name has been changed because . . . well, because I don’t know it, OK? I’m a terrible person.) several years ago, I noticed the “Wis-CAN-sin” accent. I live in Alabama so this is unusual. I say, “Where are you from?” He says, “Green Bay.” I say, “Ohhhhh! A real, live Packer fan!” For a nano-second, I am in heaven. Like Bartolo Colon at Denny’s, I believe I have just entered the promise land. “Another sports fan? Hallelujah! My days of toiling in the sports fan’s black hole are over.” I am ecstatic. And then all my hope is destroyed. I say, “So, do you think it was a good move taking Nick Barnet in the first round?” The blank stare said more than words ever could. Cheesehead obviously spent most of his life in his parent’s basement tinkering with various electronic devices. When his mom bought him his first Commodore 64 back in ’83, he was hooked. 20 years later he’s my IT guy. Which is not so bad, except now we have made the Packer connection. Anytime he sees me, and I mean every, single time, he’s says something like, “Heey there, the PAY-ckers are REE-ly gittin’ it DUN, this YEER, HUH?” I don’t have the heart to mention Farve’s demise, his 42 interceptions, Samkon Gado, etc. So I laugh and say, “Oh, yeah. Tearing it up.” And shuffle along. Sigh . . .

On to my ramblings . . .

NBA
I am convinced Ron Artest has no friends. Know how I know? If he had friends, they would have never let him get that stupid haircut (what’s with me and haircuts today?). There is not one person is his life who has the chutzpah to say, "Yo, Ron Ron . . . ummmm . . . about that hair cut idea . . . " I have, like, two friends. Not that tight with either of them. But they would call foul if I proposed something that stupid. But then again, they're not scared that I might attack them.

Oh, my gosh! Did anyone see that Charlotte-New Jersey game on Wednesday night? I didn’t think so.

Is it just me or does Carmelo Anthony look like Andruw Jones with braids? I can't help but wonder if their careers will be similar: tons of potential, moments of brilliance, but overall lacking the drive to push themselves to the next level (though Jones finally put together a great year this season). We'll see . . .


NCAA Football
I am so tired of ESPN broadcasting news conferences for recruits to announce what school they're attending. What’s next: “Tim Tebo will announce in a press conference on Monday his choice of breakfast cereal. He's narrowed it down to Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms, and Smacks!. (Word is that he eliminated Rice Crispies because of some questions regarding the "alternate lifestyle" of Snap, Crackle, and Pop.) "We're excited to be in the running for Tebo's services," said Tony the Tiger. "We think he has GREEEEAAAATTT potential." Lucky the Leprechaun entertained reporters for half an hour or so at his complex, but no newsworthy quotes emerged during what could only be described as a continuous stream of unintelligible gibberish. "Dig 'em the Frog” did not return phone calls left at his office.”

For whatever it's worth. I think Texas has the best chance of any team in the last two seasons of beating USC. USC's defense is fallible, especially in the secondary. Besides, Vince Young looks a lot like R Kelly. Just an observation.


NCAA Basketball
October through March = pre-season.

Check back with me after Selection Sunday.