Here we are again and it’s time to get down to business.  My taxes are filed and I’m getting money from the gov’t and giving some to the state, so if not that madness, it must be  March Madness.  Now a reminder, I am not an expert on college basketball, although sometimes I’m pretty sure if I screamed my advice like Dukey V, no one would know the difference.   I know the game of basketball and I can hold a decent conversation about who’s who in college basketball (much more than the average woman), but I don’t follow it like I do college football; now that’s a topic I could get passionate about, although I am still licking my wounds from the National Championship letdown, but I’m Sooner born and Sooner bred, and when I die, I’ll be Sooner dead!    The loss caused me to lose some desire to follow the basketball season closely, even as OU has had an incredible season, led by Blake Griffin.  I blame it on being in KY, surrounded by crazed SEC fans who think no other conference is worthy.   However, as I have my own personal sportscaster living with me, whose own blog on the bracket is skyrocketing, I can’t pass through March bracket free.  I went to the living room this morning where  Aaron, the sports Fanatic, had lovingly placed a blank bracket on my computer.  I caught Sportscenter and I’m sure I’ll get an update via AaronCenter later.  His phone is on overdrive beeping and vibrating at least 5-10 times an hour for some sports-related update, from the 49ers to the OSU Cowboys.  I think he got a personal alert when Kurt Warner had a meeting with Mike Singletary last month.   I’m pretty sure Aaron has renewed his subscription to Courts of Gold to supplement his sports updates he’ll receive in heaven; I bet God is one heck of an announcer, and if we think Reiley knows how to write a closing sentence, imagine what God can do with sentences 1-7.

After reading Aaron’s latest NCAA post update, I once again was inspired and challenged to pick my bracket, post it, and do it all in my own style, from the heart.  And, since I am a mother-to-be this year, I am sure hormones and a growing maternal instinct will play a role, at least a little.  Aaron suggests in his bracket tips to balance head and heart when picking, which while wise and safe, just seemed to shout, ‘Challenge!’  I like heart, passion, stubbornness, ridiculous reasoning, and I wanted to have some fun.  My decision: Pick my bracket using heart reasoning and women’s intuition only.  I believe in miracles, and Scripture does say that the greatest is Love, followed by faith and hope.  Seems like a good package to me.  As the Angels in the Outfield mantra goes, “It could happen.” So here we go; won’t it be sweet if my lovely bracket outlasts Aaron’s sensible, researched, scrutinized one?!  Again, I stress, “It Could Happen!”  I’ve included a copy of my bracket with reasoning for each region’s opening round, followed by select highlights all the way to: One Shining Moment.  Enjoy.

Midwest (Indianapolis)

(1) Louisville over (16) Morehead St.- Reason #1 for Louisville: Home and alma mater of Patrick Henry Hughes, so we know they are not short on inspiration!

(8) Ohio St. over (9)  Siena- This is one of the few times I root for this OSU, but they have my pick here.  They are a talented team, but it helps that two of my dearest friends here in KY are buckeye fans.   

2nd Rd. Louisville over Ohio St.: Reason # 2 for Louisville- My softball team was the Cardinals and we were awesome!

(5) Utah over (12) Arizona- Arizona, hmm… devils and deserts?  Utah has a whole tabernacle singing its praises! 

(4) Wake Forest over (13) Cleveland St. – Okay, confession.  The first time I heard of Wake Forest, I thought it sounded like more of a magical land than the home of the Demon Deacons, and since then I have always thought they have a certain magical quality.  I think Wake Forest belongs in The Princess Bride.  It would make a much better location for a summer home than the fireswamp and the ROUS’s.

(6) West Virginia over (11) Dayton- I have family in West Virginia and a good friend who is a big Mountaineers fan.  He’s getting married, so this is my present to him!  Congrats Shannon!

(3) Kansas over (14) North Dakota- Kansas is part of the Big 12 and home to family and they’re off to see the wizard.           

(7) Boston College over (10) USC- Anyone else sick of those USC commercials that run so heavily during big games?  The ones highlighting all the “big” names that are USC alum.  I mean you would think that helmet is heavy enough without the big heads they all carry around.  Let’s see Boston College, a very talented team, make a commercial.  I’m sure they have some big names to flaunt considering they can pull a bit farther back in history.  A little humility please.

(2) Michigan St. over (15) Robert Morris- I had to go with a head choice here, considering when I asked Aaron where Robert Morris was from he asked who I was talking about, as if I had just asked where a long, lost relative lived.  If Trivial Sportsuit guru doesn’t even register the name of a team…I’m blonde and like to use my heart, but not stupid.

Sweet Sixteen: Louisville (reason #3,  Taco Bueno recently opened in Louisville, so they are Muy Bueno!), Wake Forest, Kansas, Boston College

Elite Eight: Louisville and Kansas (A birdwatcher’s dream!)

Final Four: Louisville

West (Glendale, AZ)

(1) Connecticut over (16) Chattanooga- My first dog was a husky, and one of my favorite people in the world lives in Connecticut.  Hi Nate!

(9) Texas A & M over (8) BYU- Again, Big 12 versus a school named after the most renowned polygamist.  Freedom of Religion, fine, and we know Bobby Knight had Freedom of Speech and anger at A & M for awhile, but I draw the line at males with the need for more than one wife.  I can handle a son of tyrant. 

(5) Purdue over (12) Northern Iowa- Purdue Boilermakers vs. NI Panthers.  Tough.  Purdue has my high school’s colors, are from Indiana, and the Big 10, which is really the Big 11.  The Panthers are…… eating corn? 

(13) Mississippi St. over (4) Washington-  Besides being fun to spell…don’t tell me you aren’t doing it..M I S S I S S I PP I!  Frank and Andrea Haynes are from Miss. St. and they rock!

(6) Marquette over (11) Utah St.- I love Marquette.  Always good and sounds so regal.

(3) Missouri over (14) Cornell- Big 12 and the tigers.  Do I need more reason?  Okay, they need to do well, to make OU look better!

(10) Maryland over (7) California- Terps.  I love it and we still don’t need to give Californians anymore reason to think they are God’s gift.

(2) Memphis over (15) Cal St. Northridge- Elvis, BBQ, blues, and John Grisham novels has it.

Sweet Sixteen: Connecticut, Purdue, Missouri, and Memphis

Elite Eight: Connecticut and Memphis

Final Four: Memphis- Long live the King.

East (Boston)

(1) Pittsburgh over (16) East Tenn. St.- Pittsburgh is on a high from the Superbowl and I like saying Pitt.

(8) OSU over (9) Tennessee- Oklahoma St. is OU’s lil’ brother and while we like to beat them up, we still root them on, plus Aaron is a cowboys fan. 

(12) Wisconsin over (5) Florida St.- I love cheese.  Also, I hate anything Floridian still (see earlier SEC rant) and since Florida seems to be mysteriously absent from the tournament, Fl. St. will have to take the heat.

(4) Xavier over (13)  Portland St.- Xavier can be found stamped on every butt cheek of a childhood favorite, the Cabbage Patch Doll.  That love flowed over to the team when I grew up.

       2nd Rd. (8) OSU over (1) Pittsburgh-  The cowboys have been on a hot streak, and plus Aaron has been my hero while I have been on bedrest, so Go Pokes!

(11) VCU over (6) UCLA- VCU has a “home field” advantage, can claim OU coach Jeff Capel, and do I really need to bring up California again?

(3) Villanova over (14) American- Champagne SuperNOVA!  Villanova is awesome, not that I don’t love Americans. 

(10) Minnesota over (7) Texas- My love of the Big 12 ian’t big enough to overcome my disdain for Texas.  Plus Minnesota is now home to Adrian Peterson or AD and he is the best!

(2) Duke over (15) Binghamton-  Duke  does have some winning history.  Plus, what is up with Binghamton’s name?  Are they a cherry, a ham, or a vacation hotspot? 

Sweet Sixteen: OSU, Xavier, Villanova, and Duke

Elite Eight: Xavier and Villanova

Final Four: Xavier- I love my cabbage patch dolls!

South (Memphis)

(1) North Carolina over (16) Radford- And, from North Carolina….#23….Need I say more?

(8) LSU (9) Butler- LSU tigers.  They’rrre GRRReeAATT!

(5) Illinois over (12) Western KY- Illinois has had a good year, and the President may be rooting for them!

(4) Gonzaga over (13) Akron- Zags.  Gotta love em, well, I do.

(11) Temple over (6) Arizona St.- Holy Ground?  Probably not, but no one from Arizona has won much lately!

(3) Syracuse over (14) Stephen F. Austin- While they may need to recover after the exhertion of 6 OT”S, Syracuse has this in the bag (of oranges!)

(7) Clemson over (10) Michigan- The stripes have it again.  Plus, I think my Ohio St. friends would disown me if I chose Michigan.

(2) Oklahoma over (15) Morgan St.- Boomer Sooner!  And what is this?  A girl’s school?  Really?

Sweet Sixteen: N. Carolina, Illinois, Syracuse, OU

Elite Eight: Illinois and OU

Final Four: OU

Louisville vs. OU in the finals: While my blood bleeds crimson and cream, my heart has not healed from the loss in January and I only have so much blood to give.  Reason #4 for Louisville: How sweet would it be for Louisville to win, so close to Kentucky and the SEC, without the tradition, but what sweet revenge.  Well, sort-of, either way, I win!!!!

When I first saw the previews for America’s Toughest Jobs, one of the newest reality series, my curiosity was peaked.  Out of all the reality shows one can choose from, this seemed to have a bit more quality than some. 

The previews show them panning for gold, driving monster trucks, participating in a rodeo, lumberjacking, and a number of other hands-on, blue-collar occupations that do require a good amount of skill, strength, endurance, and nerve.

So as I am watching the show, a whole 15 minutes into it, I’m already about to turn it off.  I guess I shouldn’t have expected quality, but the egos alone are enough to make me sick.  I know the producers have to create drama, but sometimes I wonder if someone had to learn about Americans by watching our reality shows, how would they describe us? 

Self-centered, greedy, arrogant, rude, vain, stubborn.  Do I need to go on?  I know not all participants in reality series fit this description and most of us display one or more of these characteristics from time to time, but sometimes I feel like this traits are pursued for these shows.  Makes me wonder about the generation that has grown up with this as the entertainment staple.  What would they list as some of America’s toughest jobs?

Would it be the social worker who works for so little, but gives so much?  Maybe someone would list a teacher or mother, maybe a single dad.  Since we are in an election year, maybe someone would talk about a community organizer (I know) or alderman (or woman).  What about nurses?  I could go on. 

I’m not trying to take away from the jobs portrayed on the show; most have a purpose and place within society.  My point is that maybe tough shouldn’t just be associated the physical capability.  Sometimes tough is doing the job that requires the greatest sacrifice and offers the least amount of center-stage praise.  Sometimes the shadows are where the real show takes place.

Yes, I am a Sooner.  No, I do not like Texas.  However, due to the impending hurricane, which I hope causes minimal havoc and damage, and to the emotional uncertainty of a certain Texas football player, I cannot turn ESPN or the news on without Texas on the tips of tongues.  Most of the time this would not bother me quite as much, but it is college football season, and this is not a time for tea and cake. 

For those of you reading this and wondering why Texas would upset me so much as a Sooner, well….Oklahoma, which is located above Texas, is the home to The University of Oklahoma, home of the OU Sooners, Bob Stoops, 7 National Championships,Barry Switzer, #28 Adrian Peterson, and a rich football tradition and legacy that defines the Boomer Sooner spirit.  For more stats and facts, check here, and understand why so many sing, “I’m Sooner born and Sooner bred, and when I die, I’ll be Sooner dead.”

Now that we are all caught up and bleeding crimson and cream, we can get back to the rant at hand. 

I am so tired of seeing, hearing, and seeing all things Texas that I am considering a fast of ESPN, which for me is like most women giving up their subscriptions to Glamour, People, Marie Claire, and other highly informative materials.  (As I type, an interview with the Astros’ pitcher, Roy Oswalt, and his speedy pitching due to Ike, scrolls across Sportscenter.  Ike, ick).  I’m sure it is only a matter of minutes now before there is an update on the other hurricane blowing through Texas; emotional hurricane, Vince Young.

Let me preface any further ranting.  I do not hate Texas or anything or anyone associated with the state that arrogantly assumes it is its own country.  I simply have a healthy disdain for all things Lone Star state.  During the 2005 football season, these feelings extended to include one talented QB, Vince Young.  I cannot be faulted here.  He was at the helm of OU’s arch-nemesis, The University of Texas.  (I gag slightly as I type this.)  We’ll fast-forward to the end of the season and the National Championship game: Texas vs. USC.  This game is the reason I can speak the name Vince Young without a scowl.  He was awesome, and I have to say it, his star shone brightly as heled his Longhorn cohorts triumphantly over the (evil) Trojans.  Then came the morning, and the moment passed.  I was back to normal and Texas was still terrible.  However, my respect of the talent that is Vince Young remained. 

I don’t think I was the only one excited to see how Vince would fair in a sport that spits players out as fast as it signs them in.  Round 1, #3 pick, Vince didn’t disappoint as he garnered NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year.  All was calm, happy, and bright, and Vince Young’s star seemed to be rising to great heights. 

So, what happened?  That is the million-dollar question.  I’m not here to answer it, ponder it, or seek theories. I’ve heard enough from Stuart, Scott, John, and Hannah.  I’m here to ask my own question, or to rant about it.  Why is the emotional instability of Vince Young such a crisis? 

I’m not an insensitive person.  I feel for the guy, hate that he’s injured, and know he wants “the cloud to roll away,” but Vince is not the only person to breakdown under the pressure.  Now, I know it’s the sports world, but give it a rest.  It’s not like it’s Favre is coming out of retirement.  Oh, what?  He did?  Why wasn’t there more coverage? 

My rant comes down to this: there are so many people, playing sports, and mere mortals, who are emotionally damaged, drained, and discouraged.  Why can’t we care half as much about the person who is hurting right next to us as we do about a young man we’ve never met?  Also, we have exalted these sports figures and celebrities to such levels of gods and goddesses that when they show signs of mortality we are so shocked and dismayed we can’t move on until they get fixed and return to their pedestals.  Yet, we so easily turn the other way or the channel when we see the child on the 5 o’clock news that has been battered and abused because that is someone else’s problem.  Someone is caring, right? 

So, even as a Sooner, I can find compassion for a Texan (at least he now resides in another state beginning with a T) and hope he finds the help he needs, and I can be pretty confident in that as there will be people lined up to assist him.  But what about all those other people who reach out for help and find only silence and an absence of hope?  When will that become all we can talk about, and better yet, reach back?

Yes, the title of this post is supposed to sound familiar.  I ripped it straight from one of the greatest songs of all time, Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven. 

Aaron and I were catching up on our DVR’d shows and while watching Nashville Star, I went to Youtube to have Aaron hear the original version of, I’ll Still Be Loving You, which the contestant group Pearl Heart attempted to perform.  While contently listening to the correct version of the song I saw that numerous Clapton videos were cross-listed.  My fingers instinctively clicked on Tears.

My tears came when the music began to fill our living room and I asked Aaron if he knew what he was listening to.  I think my heart stopped for a moment as his response came, “I recognize it.”  Excuse me as I grab another tissue. 

Could this be?  Could my husband not know the depth of Claptonness?  Believe me, my darling Aaron is a talented, extraordinary man, but I knew it was my duty to give him a quick tutorial, covering some highlights and even a few lesser known Clapton factoids, such as how it was Clapton’s donation of his guitar to the original Hard Rock Cafe in Hyde Park, London and subsequent donation of a friendly rival’s own donation that began the now famous HRC memoribilia decor.  I know, pretty cool! 

I of course went to Wikipedia, the source of all pop culture knowledge and more, to garner Aaron’s education.  After extensive reading, and long after Aaron’s attention had drifted back to ESPN, I came to a greater realization of something that makes Eric Clapton one of the greats; he is an extraordinarily gifted musician and a ordinary man seeking God’s grace.

You can wiki Clapton yourself to read all the details of his tremendous, tragic, and travailing life, which is still moving forward in success.  What caught my heart was his obvious struggle between the spirit and the flesh.  So many of his songs speak directly of God and the peace and hope offered, yet we also bear witness to the raw reality of sin and the daily struggle to live within grace. 

If we would only live each moment loving God with the same passion we reserve for our moment of greatness.  So, I can wipe any tears away, having full confidence in a God whose grace is enough for each moment, and take comfort and joy in knowing that Aaron knows this by heart.

I’ll admit it:  I love Rachael Ray, nonsense words and all.  She’s got a lot going for her between at least two Food Network shows, a magazine, morning talk-show, cook-ware line, Dunkin’ Donuts ads, and remaining one of the most genuine, real women out there in the Hollywood and fashion, size 2 now equals fat, world.  Plus, I really enjoy saying EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) as fast as I can. 

So, why do I feel the need to rant a bit?  Well, I was scanning the headlines on Yahoo!, and I saw that Dunkin’ Donuts was pulling an ad featuring Rachael Ray (their current spokesperson) and a scarf.  Oh My!

Why are they pulling this ad?  Well, it seems Rachael has a secret agenda and is using her food icon status to flaunt terrorist fashion in the face of Americans as they watch the flagrant fast-food commercial filled with frappachino, a fast-talking female, and various fried finger-foods.  Oh, wait, I’m talking about a commercial for a donut company trying to re-vamp its image using an attractive foodie instead of the larger and greasier Dunkin’ Donut guy most of grew up knowing so well.  For a second I thought I was reading some bad plot for a Steven Segal ‘thriller.’ 

Seriously, the latest ad for Dunkin’ Donuts features Rachael Ray wearing a PAISLEY SCARF, yet someone found this offensive and decided to launch an internet and media barrage until the company pulled the ad.  Michelle Malkin, a conservative who often commentates for Fox News, believes that the scarf wrapped around Rachael’s neck was actually an anti-war statement.  Apparently the scarf resembles a keffiyeh.  In Michelle’s words, “The keffiyeh, for the clueless, is the traditional scarf of Arab men that has come to symbolize murderous Palestinian jihad. Popularized by Yasser Arafat and a regular adornment of Muslim terrorists appearing in beheading and hostage-taking videos, the apparel has been mainstreamed by both ignorant (and not-so-ignorant) fashion designers, celebrities, and left-wing icons.”

Michelled also mentions in her orginal blogicle on the scarf faux-pas, The keffiyeh kerfuffle, that Urban Outfitters marketed a youth-focused line of anti-war scarves, which is probably true.  And because Rachael Ray had Urban Outfitters scarves available on her website, never mind that Malkin doesn’t know if they were the anti-war line, Ray must be making a political statement using her neck, as she sips her iced coffee and hawks Dunkin’s food. 

One, the stylist picked the OUTFIT, and scarves are a common accessory in Rachael’s ensembs.  Two, is wearing a fashion accessory in a 30+ sec. advertisement really going to spark a political fury of anti-war sentiment among the public, or just donut lovers?  I mean, Rachael Ray has her own show, wait, make that three, so I am thinking that if she wanted to use the scarf as a statement, she has other avenues that would get a bit more attention.  I’m thinking that in the ad, Ray is in a park and maybe her neck is cold, or maybe the stylist, being good at her/his job knows that Paisley is hot and so are scarves and thought that the combo might mean fashion fame!  Also, is being anti-war the same as jihad and terrorist cell supporter?

Malkin on the other hand believes that Rachael should know better and that she shouldn’t offend so many people.  So, Dunkin Donuts responds to Malkin’s army of protesters:

“Thank you for expressing your concern about the Dunkin’ Donuts advertisement with Rachael Ray. In the ad that you reference, Rachael is wearing a black-and-white silk scarf with a paisley design that was purchased at a U.S. retail store. It was selected by the stylist for the advertising shoot. Absolutely no symbolism was intended. However, given the possibility of misperception, we will no longer use the commercial.”

And Malkin responds as others become aware of the ridiculous drama that has unfolded:

“It’s refreshing to see an American company show sensitivity to the concerns of Americans opposed to Islamic jihad and its apologists. Too many of them bend over backwards in the direction of anti-American political correctness. Naturally, liberal commentators on the Internet are now up in arms over Dunkin Donut’s decision to yank the ad and mock anyone who expresses concern over the keffiyeh’s symbolism. 

It’s just a scarf, the clueless keffiyeh-wearers scoff. Would they say the same of fashion designers who marketed modified Klan-style hoods in Burberry plaid as the next big thing? Fashion statements may seem insignificant, but when they lead to the mainstreaming of violence—unintentionally or not–they matter. Ignorance is no longer an excuse. In post-9/11 America, vigilance must never go out of style.”

So Malkin says it is refreshing that a company doesn’t “bend over backwards” with political correctness, but correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Dunkin bending over backwards so as not to offend the ultra-conservatives threatening to boycott their company if they don’t pull the ad that equals jihad terrorism in their minds? 

War Mongering?  Is this what Malkin is involved in?  I won’t assume so.  While I don’t agree with everything that has happened with the war, I think it was justified, and we need to continue to support our troops and work towards the best future for us, our enemies, and our allies.  I don’t think assuming anyone wearing a scarf that may resemble an Islamic hat (yes that is the equivalant) should be accused of being anti-war or pro-jihad, and if that is their purpose you might want to be certain of it, and even then, they do have the right to express themselves.  I thought we were fighting to protect our freedoms. 

Equating the fashion design and use of a culturally acceptable accessory, like a scarf, as a personal statement with the sudden influx of designer Klan hoods as the same thing, is absolutely ridiculous and leads to nothing but the incitement of hatred towards anyone who looks or thinks differently than you, and that is not something this country needs more of.

Besides, sometimes a scarf, is just a scarf. 

I thought it would be fun to fill my readers in on some of my favorite things; Just to get to know me a little better.  Listed in no particular order.  The woman behind the words. 

1. Sports: In order, softball, college football, MLB, college babsketball, NFL, Bocce Ball
2. OU Sooners
3. Braves and Cubs
4. Family and Friends
5. Colors: Purple, Turquoise, brown, sage or mint green
6. Authors: C.S. Lewis, Jane Austen, Liz Curtis Higgs, Francine Rivers, Philip Gulley, Nicholas Sparks,
7. Sports Writer: Rick Reiley (my husband places a close second!), Bill Simmons
8. Food
9. Mexican Food
10. Cherries and Chocolate
11. Sorbet
12. Photography (especially B&W & Sepia toned)
13. Jewel: Music and poetry
14. Plumb (the singer, not the fruit, though I enjoy a juicy plumb)
15. This number
16. T-shirt Quilts
17. American Eskimos (this is a breed of dog, I am not be politically incorrect)
18. Pillows and freshly laundered cases
19. Cuddling
20. Mani/pedis (though I don’t get them often)
21. SportsCenter
22. Dasani
23. Dr. Pepper and Cherry Coke
24. Cherry Kool-aid singles
25. My Cross Collection
26. Artwork from Emily and Hallie
27. Pictures of Emily, Hallie, and Will
28. Lindor Truffles
29. My tiger collection
30. My Gazelle
31. Willow Tree figurines
32. Anything french or Parisian
33. Wood-wick Candles
34. Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin scent from Bath & Body
35. Cooking
36. LOST
37. Gilmore Girls
38. The Office
39. That’s what she said
40. Febreeze
41. My purple Dyson
42. Chivalry
43. Real Simple
44. Journals
45. Puffs Ultra
46. Chocolate-chip pancakes
47. My violet, Kodak camera
48. Tigger
49. Fleece scarves from Old Navy
50. Psalm 51 (particularly 51:15)

If anyone wants me to update my favorites, just comment and maybe I’ll do a part 2!  Thanks!