March

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all ! March... So much going on through the month of March. Basketball and hockey seasons winding down and playoff positioning taking place. This year we have the World Baseball Classic simultaneous with spring training. And oh yeah ! March Madness ! Now, I have said before that I am not a big fan of basketball. To me it is a circus event on a hardcourt. I mean, outside of international play, does anyone really know how to play basketball ? Yeah, we won the gold at the Olympics. We should win gold every Olympics ! Yeah sure, in the NBA they know how to dunk. How 'bout a jump shot or a free throw ? Does anyone know what a bounce-pass is ? Yeah sure, the alley-oop is nice. But that goes with the dunk. It belongs in the circus or some traveling act like the Harlem Globetrotters. You know those video variations of football games like NFL Blitz or other extreme variations of the real John Madden game ? That's the NBA ! Anyhow, I digress... Yes, as said before I am not a big fan of the round ball. But I am a fan of the competition spurred by the NCAA Tournament and this time of year for the NBA. From now 'til the end of the tournament or the NBA season, this is the best basketball being played anywhere. In the college ranks you have guys leaving all out on the floor, high intensity, and the win or go home atmosphere. In the NBA you have teams ratcheting up their defense. On the flip-side you have the hack-a-Shaq mentality that dictates sending poor free-throw shooters to the line. But, you also have the fast break turned up full throttle from here on out. March is also the month of my Mother, my daughter's birthdays, my father as well. In Texas, March is when we start thinking of the hot weather in a few months, or should I say, a few weeks. March was when the Cowboys signed T.O. and also when they released him. Of course, that is also when they among other teams sign and release big name free agents. But March 4, 2009 will hold a special place on my calendar for years to come. I hold March 4, 2009 up there with January 20, 2009. Those are the two dates where I can point to and say to myself, "The stench of stupidity has left the building !" At least 53 % of America agrees with me on that January date. LOL !!! So you ask, "What does any of this have to do with chess ?" To which I reply, "Nothing. But I did save 15 % on my car insurance AND my rash cleared up !" And finally, the new Guns N Roses "Chinese Democracy" has been out for 4 months now and I am still not tired of listening to it. I bought the CD at midnight the day it came out and my girlfriend got me the LP for Christmas and my brother did the same. I have one to collect and one to look at. Some of you scoff at the notion that one not being tired of listening to a 47 year-old lead singer and band mates of the about the same age ? It is a helluva lot better than some of the crap that gets airplay and mad followings. Music sure isn't what it was even 10 years ago. Music evolution you say ? No, not even. Just because someone can sample and mix does not make them a talented musician. Neither does winning American Idol ! If you ain't Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood, you a joke !!!