What's my secret, you ask? Well, Chris had part of it right: Messers Tanqueray, Citadelle, and yes, even Gordon, provided me with the inspiration to ignore shallow numbers and rankings and decide my teams based on their mascots, and when that failed, based on their team colors. Thank you, Slate Online, for providing brackets set up for us visual learners.
I know I will still lose.
But you can imagine the sweet sweet sense of vindication that would pervade our half-Hoya household--IF I were a gloating person.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Liz Rambeau, take another bow...
...as you were the only person in the pool to pick the La Salle win over Kansas State!!! What gives, LR?
Uh oh...
Harvard beat New Mexico??? What in the freakin' hell is that all about? Can I have a do-over?
dejectedly,
SP
dejectedly,
SP
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Wait, who won the dingdang pool?
Mon fritos,
Sorry to leave you all hanging, there. I have no excuse, I guess I just wore out. Also, if I'm not winning it just seems like, you know, what's the point? Now that's a bad attitude, I'll grant you, but I never pretend to be a better fellow than I am. I find it very, very useful to keep your expectations low.
Anyhoo, if you can cast your collective minds back a few weeks, Kentucky was making other teams look like the Washington Generals. (Ever see the Simpsons episode where Homer is sitting on the couch watching tv (as I am now), when he says, "Ah, the Luftwaffe, the Washington Generals of the History Channel." Makes me tear up just remembering it.) Back to the point - Kentucky. The short answer is that the people who, like John Coleman, picked Kentucky to win the whole dang thing got themselves 6 big points for the final game. There was a lot of shaking going on up and down the standings, as you'll see below.
So, Obama didn't win, which would have been embarrassing. Ruth wound up tied with the President, which strikes me as funny for reasons I can't explain. Dana lost out by a point. Liz beat Matt by a point and her children by more, which must be going down hard in Pittsburgh. BUT THE REAL NEWS HERE IS THE JOHN COLEMAN IS YOUR WINNER!!! Last year it was John's daughter, the fair Rosalie. Can the Prown Colemans four-peat, with Sarah P and Willow winning the next two? Seems likely, to be frank. But this year belongs to John. John Coleman, come on down, you're queen for a day!
Remember, now, everyone's a winner (except for the 29 of who damn well lost). A trophy for John, and a participation ribbon for the rest of us. We'll get you next year, Prown Colemans. [Poolmeister shakes fist with determination and anger here.]
Be well, dear friends.
C
Sorry to leave you all hanging, there. I have no excuse, I guess I just wore out. Also, if I'm not winning it just seems like, you know, what's the point? Now that's a bad attitude, I'll grant you, but I never pretend to be a better fellow than I am. I find it very, very useful to keep your expectations low.
Anyhoo, if you can cast your collective minds back a few weeks, Kentucky was making other teams look like the Washington Generals. (Ever see the Simpsons episode where Homer is sitting on the couch watching tv (as I am now), when he says, "Ah, the Luftwaffe, the Washington Generals of the History Channel." Makes me tear up just remembering it.) Back to the point - Kentucky. The short answer is that the people who, like John Coleman, picked Kentucky to win the whole dang thing got themselves 6 big points for the final game. There was a lot of shaking going on up and down the standings, as you'll see below.
So, Obama didn't win, which would have been embarrassing. Ruth wound up tied with the President, which strikes me as funny for reasons I can't explain. Dana lost out by a point. Liz beat Matt by a point and her children by more, which must be going down hard in Pittsburgh. BUT THE REAL NEWS HERE IS THE JOHN COLEMAN IS YOUR WINNER!!! Last year it was John's daughter, the fair Rosalie. Can the Prown Colemans four-peat, with Sarah P and Willow winning the next two? Seems likely, to be frank. But this year belongs to John. John Coleman, come on down, you're queen for a day!
Remember, now, everyone's a winner (except for the 29 of who damn well lost). A trophy for John, and a participation ribbon for the rest of us. We'll get you next year, Prown Colemans. [Poolmeister shakes fist with determination and anger here.]
Be well, dear friends.
C
Monday, April 09, 2012
Monday, April 02, 2012
Who's watching tonight?
Anyone? Anyone? [Sound of crickets.] I guess, on balance, and now that it doesn't matter poolwise, that I'm rooting for Kansas. I just can't forgive Adolph Rupp, and I suppose I never will. Go Kansas!
Who else?
C
Who else?
C
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Alas, poor Dana...
All,
Well, the ball bounces the way it bounces, and that's all there is to it. Deep, no? With Kansas beating OSU, Kentucky over Louisville, and all of a sudden, the pool standings are kind of upside down. That's a long way of saying that Dana isn't going to win (and much, much, more importantly, neither am I). How does the world look going into Monday night's final, you ask? Check it out below.
Yesterday's games were pretty fun, although I'll admit to watching them both with one eye. I really thought until the very end that OSU would pull it out. Kentucky looked pretty unbeatable for much of its game. I'm probably as good as that Davis kid on Kentucky, he's just a hair taller, and I guess that makes all the difference. Two geniuses to congratulate: HENRY and JOHN are the only two people in the pool who picked both teams in the final game. Nicely done, fellows.
The short answer is, though, that if Kentucky win, Chris P. Dykes, a/k/a/Oklahoma Slim, is our winner. If Kansas wins, the Dewitts all poop themselves with excitement, but John Coleman, the Nebraska Mauler, takes home the prize, edging out DD by a mere point. I believe I'm right in saying that JC is the only actual Kansas grad in the pool, so he's entitled. My (admittedly failing) memory tells me they've both won before, but that memory could come from one of the many parts of my brain now seriously misfiring. So, it's an Oklahoma guy or a Nebraska guy winning the pool by picking a Kansas team or a Kentucky theme. Is that much red state stuff disturbing to anyone besides me? Can't someone in, say, Vermont, win by picking Amherst to win the whole thing? Why can't that happen? Red states, bah. And don't bother reminding me that John lives in Connecticut with the rest of the Prown-Coleman clan, and that Chris Dykes is a fine, blue fellow in a wacky red state, it just isn't the same.
So, we're down to KS v. KY, John Coleman v. Chris Dykes, for all the marbles. Good luck to you all.
See you all at the blog tomorrow night for the big showdown.
C
Well, the ball bounces the way it bounces, and that's all there is to it. Deep, no? With Kansas beating OSU, Kentucky over Louisville, and all of a sudden, the pool standings are kind of upside down. That's a long way of saying that Dana isn't going to win (and much, much, more importantly, neither am I). How does the world look going into Monday night's final, you ask? Check it out below.
Yesterday's games were pretty fun, although I'll admit to watching them both with one eye. I really thought until the very end that OSU would pull it out. Kentucky looked pretty unbeatable for much of its game. I'm probably as good as that Davis kid on Kentucky, he's just a hair taller, and I guess that makes all the difference. Two geniuses to congratulate: HENRY and JOHN are the only two people in the pool who picked both teams in the final game. Nicely done, fellows.
The short answer is, though, that if Kentucky win, Chris P. Dykes, a/k/a/Oklahoma Slim, is our winner. If Kansas wins, the Dewitts all poop themselves with excitement, but John Coleman, the Nebraska Mauler, takes home the prize, edging out DD by a mere point. I believe I'm right in saying that JC is the only actual Kansas grad in the pool, so he's entitled. My (admittedly failing) memory tells me they've both won before, but that memory could come from one of the many parts of my brain now seriously misfiring. So, it's an Oklahoma guy or a Nebraska guy winning the pool by picking a Kansas team or a Kentucky theme. Is that much red state stuff disturbing to anyone besides me? Can't someone in, say, Vermont, win by picking Amherst to win the whole thing? Why can't that happen? Red states, bah. And don't bother reminding me that John lives in Connecticut with the rest of the Prown-Coleman clan, and that Chris Dykes is a fine, blue fellow in a wacky red state, it just isn't the same.
So, we're down to KS v. KY, John Coleman v. Chris Dykes, for all the marbles. Good luck to you all.
See you all at the blog tomorrow night for the big showdown.
C
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Today's picks
My beloveds,
Two of the last three games are being played this evening. You can cut the pool tension with a knife, right?
Here's a list of who picked whom. Good luck.
C
1. KY - Everybody else
4. LVille - DD (could be the genius pick of the tourney)
----------------------------------------------------------
2. Missouri - Maggi, Dykes, Kate, Sarah B, Tim
3. Marquette - Acy, Willow, Gena
2. Duke - Alexander, Bill, Sophie
1. Mich State - Calvino, Matt, Dayle, Steve, Cal, Jonathan, Ellie, Sarah P
2. Ohio St - Knott, Calvino, Jonathan, Sarah B, Liz
2. Kansas - Dykes, Willow, Henry, Cal, Sarah P, John
---------------------------------------------------------
5. Vandy - Sophie
3. GTown - Gena, Ellie
3. Florida St - Kate, Matt
1. Syracuse - Alexander, Wrinkler, Rosalie
1. UNC - Maggi, Acy, Obama, Ruth, Scott, Harry, Bill, Dayle, Steve, Dana, Tim
And that's that. There is, I think, a surprising variety of picks in these games. I do feel a little bad for those who picked UNC. Losing a point guard is pretty tough to bounce back from in the pool. I'm also surprised that only three of us had Duke making the final game. Kentucky looks tough, but this seems like anyone's tournament. Dana's still likely to walk off with the pool, especially if Louisville wins tonight. I don't know about you, but a Dana Duffy victory suits me just fine. If she does win, we can buy any old trophy off the rack, from any sport. She won't mind, right, DD?
Later dudes,
C
Two of the last three games are being played this evening. You can cut the pool tension with a knife, right?
Here's a list of who picked whom. Good luck.
C
1. KY - Everybody else
4. LVille - DD (could be the genius pick of the tourney)
----------------------------------------------------------
2. Missouri - Maggi, Dykes, Kate, Sarah B, Tim
3. Marquette - Acy, Willow, Gena
2. Duke - Alexander, Bill, Sophie
1. Mich State - Calvino, Matt, Dayle, Steve, Cal, Jonathan, Ellie, Sarah P
2. Ohio St - Knott, Calvino, Jonathan, Sarah B, Liz
2. Kansas - Dykes, Willow, Henry, Cal, Sarah P, John
---------------------------------------------------------
5. Vandy - Sophie
3. GTown - Gena, Ellie
3. Florida St - Kate, Matt
1. Syracuse - Alexander, Wrinkler, Rosalie
1. UNC - Maggi, Acy, Obama, Ruth, Scott, Harry, Bill, Dayle, Steve, Dana, Tim
And that's that. There is, I think, a surprising variety of picks in these games. I do feel a little bad for those who picked UNC. Losing a point guard is pretty tough to bounce back from in the pool. I'm also surprised that only three of us had Duke making the final game. Kentucky looks tough, but this seems like anyone's tournament. Dana's still likely to walk off with the pool, especially if Louisville wins tonight. I don't know about you, but a Dana Duffy victory suits me just fine. If she does win, we can buy any old trophy off the rack, from any sport. She won't mind, right, DD?
Later dudes,
C
Who's winning? Dana, of course.
OK, so it's been a while. I was just being lazy, to be honest. After Sunday's games, I had to lie down for a while; a week did it and I'm better now. Ready for more hoop, to be sure. Acy is in Quebec on a school trip (in Maine we go to Canada to get some warmer weather, you see), so Maggi, Alexander and I are the only three going to the Mark Tipton Quartet performing Muppets and Sesame Street Jazz live in a basement somewhere in downton Portland. Jealous? We're leaving in 5 minutes, can you make it here in time? There are probably tix still available.
Here are the standings at the end of four rounds (Go Dana!!!)
Today's picks in a minute. Hang tight.
Meister
Here are the standings at the end of four rounds (Go Dana!!!)
Today's picks in a minute. Hang tight.
Meister
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Sunday Picks
Dear Congregants,
Once you're all back from church, your thoughts may turn to hoop. (I, myself, attend Sunday morning services at the Church of St. Mattress). For those of you wanting to watch Dana lap the field in real time, here are today's picks:
1. KY - Knott, Dykes, Obama, Ruth, Henry, Calvino, Scott, Harry, Matt, Dayle, Steve, Cal, Sarah B, Tim, Liz, Wrinkler, Rosalie, John
3. Baylor - Dana, Ellie, Sarah P
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Duke - Maggi, Acy, Alexander, Willow, Kate, Bill, Sophie
8. Iowa State - Gena (I love this pick. Sorry it didn't work out)
4. Indiana - Jonathan
1. UNC - Knott, Maggi, Acy, Obama, Ruth, Scott, Harry, Bill, Dayle, Steve, Dana, Tim, Wrinkler, Rosalie
2. Kansas - Alexander, Dykes, Willow, Henry, Kate, Cal, Sarah P, John
---------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Michigan - Calvino, Jonathan
3. GTown - Matt, Gena, Sarah B, Ellie
10. Purdue - Liz
5. Temple - Sophie
Once you're all back from church, your thoughts may turn to hoop. (I, myself, attend Sunday morning services at the Church of St. Mattress). For those of you wanting to watch Dana lap the field in real time, here are today's picks:
1. KY - Knott, Dykes, Obama, Ruth, Henry, Calvino, Scott, Harry, Matt, Dayle, Steve, Cal, Sarah B, Tim, Liz, Wrinkler, Rosalie, John
3. Baylor - Dana, Ellie, Sarah P
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Duke - Maggi, Acy, Alexander, Willow, Kate, Bill, Sophie
8. Iowa State - Gena (I love this pick. Sorry it didn't work out)
4. Indiana - Jonathan
1. UNC - Knott, Maggi, Acy, Obama, Ruth, Scott, Harry, Bill, Dayle, Steve, Dana, Tim, Wrinkler, Rosalie
2. Kansas - Alexander, Dykes, Willow, Henry, Kate, Cal, Sarah P, John
---------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Michigan - Calvino, Jonathan
3. GTown - Matt, Gena, Sarah B, Ellie
10. Purdue - Liz
5. Temple - Sophie
Standings after Saturday: or, Dana Rampant
Chilluns,
Those were some exciting Saturday games, no? Were you all watching? I was, with one eye, admittedly. Still, that Louisville comeback was something to see. Too bad Pitino makes me want to chuck.
The standings, alas, are less exciting. Dana, our own DD, is stretching the lead now. She's kind of mocking us at this point. Lots of jockeying for position up and down the standings, but the news here is that Liz continues her charge up the ladder. But is her late rally too little, too late? Only time will tell. Can she catch anyone in her nuclear family? Um, maybe.
Obama remains stubbornly near the top. Swing state teams seem to be doing well in the tourney. Here's hoping he's not mired in 2nd place this November in that other contest. For the record, I'd rather have him lose the pool to DD than lose the election to Rick, Newt or Mittens. Still, I'll never include celebrity picks in our pool again. It's humiliating.
Here are the standings after Saturday, with just 5 games left to go.
Here's to a lazy, sleepy Sunday to all of you. That's what we have planned up here in cold, rainy Portland.
The Meister
Those were some exciting Saturday games, no? Were you all watching? I was, with one eye, admittedly. Still, that Louisville comeback was something to see. Too bad Pitino makes me want to chuck.
The standings, alas, are less exciting. Dana, our own DD, is stretching the lead now. She's kind of mocking us at this point. Lots of jockeying for position up and down the standings, but the news here is that Liz continues her charge up the ladder. But is her late rally too little, too late? Only time will tell. Can she catch anyone in her nuclear family? Um, maybe.
Obama remains stubbornly near the top. Swing state teams seem to be doing well in the tourney. Here's hoping he's not mired in 2nd place this November in that other contest. For the record, I'd rather have him lose the pool to DD than lose the election to Rick, Newt or Mittens. Still, I'll never include celebrity picks in our pool again. It's humiliating.
Here are the standings after Saturday, with just 5 games left to go.
Here's to a lazy, sleepy Sunday to all of you. That's what we have planned up here in cold, rainy Portland.
The Meister
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Saturday picks
All, I certainly hate the new Blogger interface. Google, I assume you're reading all my postings. Screw you.
Here are today's picks:
1. Syracue - John, Rosalie, Winkler, Cal, Henry, Willow, Dykes, Alexander
2. OH St - Knott, Maggi, Obama, Ruth, Calvino, Scott, Dayle, Steve, Dana, Jonathan, Sarah B, Tim, Liz -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Cincy - Acy
3. FL St - Harry, Kate, Matt, Gena, Sarah P
4. Wisc - Bill
5. Vandy - Ellie, Sophie
4. Lville - Knott, Dana, Sophie, John
7. Florida - Nobody
-------------------------------------
1. Mich St - Everybody else
2. Missouri - Maggi, Dykes, Obama, Scott, Kate, Sarah B, Tim, Wrinkler
3. Marq - Acy, Willow, Gena
5. New Mexico - Liz
Good luck, folks. Only 7 games left. How am I ever going to win this thing?
C
Here are today's picks:
1. Syracue - John, Rosalie, Winkler, Cal, Henry, Willow, Dykes, Alexander
2. OH St - Knott, Maggi, Obama, Ruth, Calvino, Scott, Dayle, Steve, Dana, Jonathan, Sarah B, Tim, Liz -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Cincy - Acy
3. FL St - Harry, Kate, Matt, Gena, Sarah P
4. Wisc - Bill
5. Vandy - Ellie, Sophie
4. Lville - Knott, Dana, Sophie, John
7. Florida - Nobody
-------------------------------------
1. Mich St - Everybody else
2. Missouri - Maggi, Dykes, Obama, Scott, Kate, Sarah B, Tim, Wrinkler
3. Marq - Acy, Willow, Gena
5. New Mexico - Liz
Good luck, folks. Only 7 games left. How am I ever going to win this thing?
C
Standings after Friday's games
Mein darlinks,
Well, we're heading to a dramatic race to the finish. (I'm talking about the pool, by the way, not the tournament. Yawn.)
Dana continues to lead, Dykes continues to sneak up, Obama holding steady, Liz out of the basement, Jonathan paying dearly for his Big 10 allegiance. It's so exciting I can hardly stand it. This is going to be a short message, I have Legos to build with a certain red-haired nag.
Here are the standings after Friday's games:
Well, we're heading to a dramatic race to the finish. (I'm talking about the pool, by the way, not the tournament. Yawn.)
Dana continues to lead, Dykes continues to sneak up, Obama holding steady, Liz out of the basement, Jonathan paying dearly for his Big 10 allegiance. It's so exciting I can hardly stand it. This is going to be a short message, I have Legos to build with a certain red-haired nag.
Here are the standings after Friday's games:
Friday, March 23, 2012
Tournament Trophy
This is the official Hoop Kids Pool trophy designed and executed by our very own Maggi Jackson, in my possession, because I was the big winner one year. Now that I know I might win again this year, I'm willing to pass it on to the winner of this year's tournament. If this makes no sense, I've had half a bottle of wine at this point....so sorry.
Friday's Picks
Kith and Kin,
You might like to know who's picked whom in tonight's games. Well, we're here to oblige each and everyone one of your fondest wishes. You need only ask.
Here goes:
1. Kentucky - Everybody else
4. Indiana - Acy, Alexander, Willow, Jonathan, Ellie
-----------------------------------------------------------
8. Iowa State - Gena
10. Xavier - Nobody
3. Baylor - Knott, Dykes, Obama, Ruth, Henry, Scott, Matt, Dayle, Rosalie, Winkler, Ellie, Steve, Dana, Liz, both Sarahs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Duke - Everybody else
14. South Dakota State - Gena
1. UNC - Everybody and his/her brother/sister, except
13. Ohio - Not here, nobody picked Ohio, must be below the line
----------------------------------------------------------------
5. Temple - Alexander, Willow, Sophie, Sarah P
4. Michigan - Calvino, Matt, Jonathan, Sarah B
11. NC State - Harry (Go, Harry!)
2. Kansas - Everybody else
----------------------------------------
3. GTown - Knott, Matt, Gena, Sarah B, Ellie, Wrinkler
10. Purdue - Jonathan, Liz, Sophie
And there you have it. Safe pooling out there, friends.
C
You might like to know who's picked whom in tonight's games. Well, we're here to oblige each and everyone one of your fondest wishes. You need only ask.
Here goes:
1. Kentucky - Everybody else
4. Indiana - Acy, Alexander, Willow, Jonathan, Ellie
-----------------------------------------------------------
8. Iowa State - Gena
10. Xavier - Nobody
3. Baylor - Knott, Dykes, Obama, Ruth, Henry, Scott, Matt, Dayle, Rosalie, Winkler, Ellie, Steve, Dana, Liz, both Sarahs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Duke - Everybody else
14. South Dakota State - Gena
1. UNC - Everybody and his/her brother/sister, except
13. Ohio - Not here, nobody picked Ohio, must be below the line
----------------------------------------------------------------
5. Temple - Alexander, Willow, Sophie, Sarah P
4. Michigan - Calvino, Matt, Jonathan, Sarah B
11. NC State - Harry (Go, Harry!)
2. Kansas - Everybody else
----------------------------------------
3. GTown - Knott, Matt, Gena, Sarah B, Ellie, Wrinkler
10. Purdue - Jonathan, Liz, Sophie
And there you have it. Safe pooling out there, friends.
C
Where we stand...
Gang,
Four more games in the books last night, but it's the same old leader. Dana Duffy, take another bow. She's walking away from us now, folks, and it seems to me, maybe taunting us a little. [Insert picture of Poolmeister angrily shaking fist impotently in the air].
President Obama keeps doing well, but I'd advise standings-watchers to keep their eyes on stealthy, perennial dark horse Chris Dykes. The Oklahoma Kid has, once again, sidled up the standings to find himself within reasonable striking distance of the lead. With only 11 games remaining, however, he'll have to strike soon. The rest of us suck, pick-wise.
Here's how it looks after last night:
Four more games in the books last night, but it's the same old leader. Dana Duffy, take another bow. She's walking away from us now, folks, and it seems to me, maybe taunting us a little. [Insert picture of Poolmeister angrily shaking fist impotently in the air].
President Obama keeps doing well, but I'd advise standings-watchers to keep their eyes on stealthy, perennial dark horse Chris Dykes. The Oklahoma Kid has, once again, sidled up the standings to find himself within reasonable striking distance of the lead. With only 11 games remaining, however, he'll have to strike soon. The rest of us suck, pick-wise.
Here's how it looks after last night:
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