March Madness

Last year I avoided participating in the whole March Madness scene.  Each year, he and I would always align ourselves, and compete at the same time.  He was such a gracious competitor.  He would put some of my picks down, with a gentle yet dismissive, "I wouldn't go that way" or "That's a real long shot."  He was my picking partner.  And he was right there watching with me, even if we weren't in the same place.  This year, I got back in the game and almost immediately regretted it.   AU trying to beat Villanova had me picking up the phone to call him. MD puttin up a fight.  Duke going down, hard.  Michigan State.  Despite having a jacked up bracket, deep down, I know he wouldn't object to my picks, both final four and the overall winner.  Because much like everything else he repeated himself on this topic every year "the trick is to pick a winner that is possible, but not the obvious pick."  So I think he'd be okay with my Pitt pick, even though it didn't pan out.  I loved telling him about my many pools that I'd be in, and how great my picks were doing.  Now, it's not so much fun.....now it feels more like obligation and work.  But I did it, and thought of him all the way.