The Spring of our Madness

 

On Thursday March 11, 2021 before the real madness commenced, UCLA and Oregon State faced off in the Pac-12 tournament.  Oregon State’s only hope to punch a ticket to the dance was to win the tournament.  UCLA seemed to have a solid spot in some NCAA bracket.  The fortunes of both schools changed that evening at T-Mobile.  UCLA stormed to a 16- point lead that affirmed their playoff dreams.  The Beavers started a second half surge and was on the precipice of the upset.  UCLA trailing by one, standing at the line for two free throws with three seconds to play.  If UCLA’s Jules Bernard makes them both, the Oregon State Beavers are not even in the tournament little alone the darlings.  He made one of two and OSU boat raced the Bruins in the OT.  The Beavers would not lose another game until the Elite 8 against heavily favored Houston.  It was remarkable run of seven games as an underdog in every game in a “lose and go home” scenario.  They are finally going home but not before taking down Sister Jean’s boys.  The Bruins have not lost a game since then either and find themselves in their 18^th Final Four and one of their more unlikely appearances.  Taking down the Maize to reach the finals was the highlight of the last ten years for this Bruin fan.  With Gonzaga looming, we are in an enjoyment phase before the torment.

 The return of all the basketball Madness has been exceptional this year as we emerge from the plague.  We lamented during this year of COVID about so many annual events cancelled from our collective calendars.  Birthday celebrations, weddings were missed but frigging March Madness shut down last year? All those tournament websites and bracketoligists immediately shuttered with no pivot for their business available.  Joe Lunardi’s one moment in the sun shaded!?  It is back this year with all its magnificent infuriation that scrambles minds and brackets.  It has been a larger dose this season which apparently is the protocol.  It is a double dose kind of tourney just like Moderna.  The Yard’s favorite had been the Fighting Illini from the University of Illinois.  The Illini have not always been up for the fight, but this year’s squad was exceptional.  It is also the Alma Mater of my brother-in-law the vet.  He is a good guy and I supported him, and I thought they could win.  And then they lost to their in-state non rival Loyola of Chicago.  The Ramblers not only have one of the best team names, but they have the indomitable 101-year-old Sister Jean as their number one fan.  Yard Karma should have seen a red flag about beating a Nun’s team on a Sunday.  It was not to be for the Illini.  In a twist of Karma, the upstart Beavers took down the Ramblers during their reign.  We did not pick any of the Pac-12 teams to go far and we paid the pool price.  We did not pick USC to go far but for different, irrational reasons.

And right before a new NCAA Champion is crowned, another championship campaign will begin for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The season’s edition of the Blue Crew seems more powerful as last year’s team.  The starting pitching is over the top and Clayton always seems to need a break during the season.  David Price who opted out last year to focus on video gaming is always a phlegmatic wild card.  Trevor Bauer is the new Bruin on the block, and he brings his chronicled baggage with him.  JT will be back at third with the rest of the infield, Belli and Mookie.  We do not see who can keep up with them except those Padres.  The Padres are spending 300% more on payroll than they spent just three years ago.   It does not appear that their revenue streams have increased to keep pace with their accelerated cost structure.  It will be an interesting ride for Padre fans, and they have the Dodgers in their sights.  They know who they must best to be the best.  Giant fan is just hoping for a shot at a winning season.  Giants are back to meandering with their mediocrity in hope for brighter days later this decade.  They are forecasted to win 74 games so .500 is a stretch goal.  Those three championships from last decade are now just featured on faded license plate frames.

Fantasyland 2.0 There had been much made of the Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s explosive interview with Oprah.  It seems like all the riches, castles, pomp, and circumstance are not how they appeared to be. For the rest of us, it all seems a very surreal existence from the 1600’s but for Ms. Markel it apparently was almost suicidal.  There were several revelations in the interview.  Apparently, Princess Kate and the duchess became embroiled in the flower girl’s dress choices and she was brought to tears.  WOW, who knew such strife existed under the Windsor banner.   Oprah also made it clear that they were not being paid for these riveting disclosures but rest assured Oprah was getting paid for prying them out of them.  The tone deafness of all involved during this time and space is alarming.  The three of them in a grand backyard with a miraculous view talking about a life of privilege beyond the reality of 99.999% of the planet. This is closer to Disneyland than reality.