Victory, sweet victory

Wow, I was sure I was going to pull a Bill Buckner and choke in the final rounds. And thanks to the meister's Hitchcockian suspenseful silence I didn't know where everyone stood.

All of the past winners have been sending SWAG (stuff winners all get) that I didn't know existed -- I'll have to keep it all a secret, of course, because it's only revealed once one comes out on top. I can though, I think, thank Dana for sharing the grapes.

OK, I have work to do. Specifically, weeding 4 rows of lavender with Amy Winehouse blaring from the barn, while the monastery next door does their Gregorian chants.

Take care,
Dykes

Dykes! Dykes! Dykes!

No, it's not a promo for the latest Fox Network reality tv show, it's our pool champ. Congrats (and real ones, not the typically phony congratulations I grudgingly slop out when I'm bummed that someone beat me) to our own Chris Dykes, Oklahoma's Finest. He walked away from the field in the late rounds by picking every dang game right, which is a good strategy. (For the record, the only other Poolie to get a Kansas over Memphis final was H Dayle Kendall Zelenka - kudos to you as well, sir.)

A beautiful trophy will be on its way to Senor Dykes soon. Maybe. (This year, I might even have one made. I'm feeling ambitious. But don't hold your breath, Chris.)

As for the rest of us, well, we stink. I should offer another congrats to the J-Hawk faithful out there, whether born (John Coleman - anyone else a Kansan by birth?) or by transplantation (all of the Dewitts, now luxuriating in a balmy Lawrence April. I was so sick (better now, thanks) that I fell asleep by halftime, so I didn't get to watch Memphis brick their way out of championship. As you have no doubt heard me rant before (skip ahead if you're in a hurry or anything) bad team free throw shooting is the damn coach's fault, and that's all there is to it. So bwa ha ha ha for losing because your coach is too lazy to make you practice free throws.

Enough of Knott's Basketball Strategy Camp. The Final Standings are:

	Name	Final Four	Semis	Final	Total
1	Chris Dykes	77	10	6	93
2	David Prown	71	5	6	82
2	Ruth Dewitt	77	5	0	82
2	Sarah Bowman	72	10	0	82
5	Willow Coleman	67	5	6	78
6	Cal Dewitt	66	5	6	77
6	Dayle Zelenka	61	10	6	77
6	Jonathan Knott	72	5	0	77
9	Kate Lewis	76	0	0	76
9	Mike Winkler	71	5	0	76
11	Tim Bowman	69	5	0	74
12	Henry Dewitt	62	5	6	73
13	Bill O'Hearn	66	5	0	71
13	Calvin Dewitt	66	5	0	71
13	Favorites	71	0	0	71
16	John Coleman	58	5	6	69
16	Steve Backs	69	0	0	69
18	Matt Peterson	66	0	0	66
19	Chris Knott	65	0	0	65
19	Liz Rambeau	60	5	0	65
21	Sarah Prown	64	0	0	64
22	Scott Silet	63	0	0	63
23	Hank Zelenka	62	0	0	62
23	Maggi Jackson	62	0	0	62
25	Harrison Lewis	55	0	0	55
25	Sophie Peterson	55	0	0	55
27	Dana Duffy	49	0	0	49
28	Acy Jackson	48	0	0	48
29	Gena Zelenka	45	0	0	45
30	Ned/Kate O'Hearn	37	0	0	37
31	Rosalie Coleman	33	0	0	33
32	Ellie/Ben Peterson	32	0	0	32
33	Alexander Knott	26	0	0	26

I'm sorry I've been so out of touch over the past few days. I've been in DC, then hosting 3 law professors and 6 students from France, then sick as a dog. All in all, it's kept me hopping. Now basketball's over, the Yankees kind of look like they're going to stink a little, and suddenly I don't know what to do with my copious free time. When's lacrosse season start? Anybody fancy a flutter?

C

So, who won the pool?

The Poolmeister is ailing. Results out soon, but first there's a nap or two to be taken. Patience, grasshopper.

Hacking and coughing,

C

There are dates.

I'm sitting down now to watch UNC/Kansas and I ask Dana, who is just coming in from the grocery,
"Any snacks?".
Answer, "No, I didn't think we needed anything. There are dates."


Yes, dates- the official Final Four snack food of people who don't know what snack food is.

Now I know where Chris learned German?

Which side are you on.....soul sister?

For Dana

Question for Miss Phila: Ms. Fishtown, two men are running for state rep. from Philadelphia. One is facing 149 charges of federal crime; the second man proudly claims he has been under indictment for 15 years. Your question is: Who would you vote for and why?

Ja Wohl, Baby

A little sing along for us, to get ready for the final 4.