This Saturday started casually enough. Morning sports page, coffee and a cigarette on the back patio. The same way all mornings start, pretty much. Well, except for the fact that Saturday means I get to sleep in, unless I have an early tee time. But roughly an hour later, (it would have been longer, but I don't shave on the weekends.-that's just me), my Better Half and I were headed to an air show at Luke Air Force Base. On the way, we met Kristen, a very close friend of our daughter's, and therefore ours, at her apartment. Kristen is in the Air Force, and has been for a couple years. Even though it's about an hour drive, Better Half and I jumped at Kristen's mention a few weeks ago of the air show. After an absolutely incredible display of flying talent, we all left in a state of awe. Thankfully, the weather was perfect. The day started out rather cool with a slight chance of rain in the forecast, but the rain never materialized. So we got to see the re-enactment of Pearl Harbor and the Thunderbirds' performance in all their glory. There were many other great pilots that performed as well, including Tim Weber and Ed Hamel, a couple pilots you should check out at an airstrip near you. I must say, the re-enactment of Pearl Harbor was very well done, and made even more meaningful since my father flew in WWII. Yes, I got misty eyed. As it turned out, there were lots of high clouds against a blue sky backdrop with temperatures in the mid 70s--perfect for the amazing men, and women, in their flying machines.

Naturally, upon returning home, and after ignoring all the messages on the answering machine, I settled in for some stuff which I knew would be somewhat secondary to what I had witnessed earlier-the day's events in the sporting world. Or more specifically, certain events I was interested in.

I see the Arizona State women's team advanced to the Elite Eight with a big win over Bowling Green. The Sun Devil ladies asserted themselves early in this one, after having to come from behind in double-digit fashion in their first two tournament games. ASU led by 16 at the half, didn't allow Bowling Green to get closer than nine in the second half, and won by 18. This sets up a Rutgers-ASU regional final, after Rutgers defeated top seed and top ranked Duke later in the day. Which fate must have played a hand in, since the two teams (Rutgers and ASU) were supposed to meet in December in a tournament champoinship game in the Virgin Islands. The game was cancelled after the 15-year old brother of ASU forward Aubree Johnson passed away in his sleep tragically and suddenly the night before the game. Since Duke had defeated Rutgers by 40 points on December 4th, the Rutgers victory certainly came as a bit of a surprise. But the Rutgers and Arizona State game will indeed take place on Monday in Greensboro. I guess it was meant to be.

Speaking of Arizona State, their baseball team pounded USC 10-0 last night, and won again 4-3 today. Nice way to open the Pac 10 season. Two-and-oh so far, with game three in the series coming tomorrow. Pat Murphy has his team ready for a long run this season. This is one of the best Sun Devil baseball teams since, well, since their unexpected run in the college World Series a couple years ago. But this could be a team that wins it all. (By the way, keep your eye on Josh Satow, a lefty who threw a six-hit shutout in the 10-0 win. He's now 7-1 on the season. Not overpowering by any means, but great stuff. Yes, I DO still love the game of baseball).  Incidentally, the women's softball team won both games they played yesterday, pushing their record to 31-7 on the season. They began ranked second, had a few bad games, and are now ranked fifth. For now.

I see where my alma mater, the University of North Dakota, won their hockey game today, beating Michigan 8-5. The Fighting Sioux (a name I may not be able to use for much longer) now advance to the regional championship against the hated Minnesota Gophers. The Gophers and Sioux play in the same conference, and UND was 2-1 vs. Minnesota this season, although the Gophers won the last meeting in the WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association) championship game with an overtime goal. Folks, to this day, there are no sporting events I've ever attended that compare to the collegiate hockey I had the privilege of attending while in Grand Forks. Especially if Minnesota or Wisconsin were in town. They are everything a rivalry should be. (Jerks.   Sorry. Couldn't avoid a cheapshot there). 

On a final note, my NCAA men's tourney bracket has passed its expiration date. And it smells. Badly. The only saving grace is that I have North Carolina winning it all. If that comes to fruition, I'll daub a bunch of Tar Heel sauce on my stinking, moldy bracket bread, slop some horseradish on the meat to kill the bacteria, eat a late night sandwich, and hope for one shining moment.

If you got this far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading. I'm guessing it wasn't easy.