Linx

Long day -- busy and productive, and thus good, but still long.  Didn't quite achieve all that I wanted, but I did a bunch, and tomorrow is another day.  Hard to believe it is almost April, Lent is almost over, Easter is nigh, and spring may have sprung?  The weather looks to be improving, at least in terms of snow and cold; I don't necessarily like the prospect of thunderstorms, but it beats shoveling (mostly).  I should also probably do a quarterly financial report for the OC...

Duke’s college basketball program has a problem they need fixed
I think this is a tempting solution, though I am not sure we are there yet.  To be sure, most schools would kill for a Final Four and two Elite Eights in three years, but the way we have lost...  the main problem is that Duke (and other schools) will throw millions of dollars at these kids, and there is no guarantee that you will get kids who are... good at the fundamentals, if you will.  It is the nature of the business, but I can see how everyone is frustrated beyond belief.

Akron coach takes another job after NCAA tournament loss
I have to admit, this was my first thought as well -- Charleston does not seem like that much of jump from Akron.  The CAA is a step up from the MAC but it is still a one-bid league... if they have more NIL $, yes, I can see how the ceiling is higher, but... I expected more.  It does seem the process is working at it best -- the next guy moves up and everyone is being polite about it.  Still sucks for UA, though.

The Epstein Class - Dissent Magazine
Interesting and some good points -- the guy didn't blackmail anyone (it seems) and was mainly interested in himself (and money).  And, in some cases, the victims were not underage and scummy is not criminal.  For all of the talk about people not being charged, this is probably why...

Catastrophe

Well, that was...catastrophically bad?  I mean, there is the whole loss of the 15-point lead, and then there was the final play.  There is enough blame to go around for all... Cayden Boozer for making a stupid turnover, the inbound team not realizing that they just needed to hold the ball, and Coach Scheyer for not communicating that better.  That said, this team has been making turnovers, blowing layups, and not playing all that well for the whole tournament.  As I so often say, for all of the money spent on NIL stuff and such, we should be getting more for our money.  Hopefully next year's team will spend more time on fundamentals and less time on commercials.

2nd straight March Madness collapse has Duke fans demanding answers from Jon Scheyer
Jon Scheyer under fire after Duke's historic loss to UConn
Um yes?  Once can happen to anyone, but two years in a row, being down by double-digit to Siena...all of these things are, to many, an issue.  And this issue is going to fester for a long time (as it should)!

Catholic dioceses report surges in adult converts across the US | Fox News
There have been a bunch of articles about this, and reading the convert count... good?  I find it interesting -- I have certainly seen a few new faces at the Shrine.  To be sure, I think a lot of this is cyclical -- but it could be something to wonder about.  The Holy Spirit?  Younger people looking for a sense of belonging?   I guess we should not reason why but instead welcome them...

Other than the big and sad news, it was an interesting weekend.  Saturday I had OC duty and it was...slow?  Didn't even reach 100.  Not sure why; I joke it is the superior approach of Trump to the economy (which went over fairly well but I cannot discern what else could be causing it.  Then it was bank, gym, errands, and then home a spell.  A brief spell, and then it was off to my cousin's for a poker night (hence the jello).  I didn't win but it was still fun.

Today was Palm Sunday... the Passion sequence from Matthew was read this year, and it is interesting to considering the difference between the Gospel.  No good thief, for instance.  I should read more about these differences, and maybe when I read all of the other things on the list... I think you can see my issue.  After Mass I went to the St. John Nepomucene pancake breakfast (quite good, and the Easter theme was a nice reminder after the Passion of the real reason for the holiday.  Next was off to St. Vitus for their Palm Sunda dinner -- pretty good on the dessert and entree, but the sides were just ok.  I went over after dinner to the church, and it is really quite nice; not St. Stan's pretty but close, and like our parish, it has been renovated.  The side altars are quite beautiful, and the ceiling frescoes are... interesting, very universal Church team, which I like...

Survive and Advance

Well, that was... an interesting Duke game.  It was certainly exciting, and for 80% of it my thoughts were "There is no way this team can win this game" and "For all of the NIL money they are getting, we deserve better."  I mean, all of the missed FT, the unfinished layups, the stupid turnovers; it really is a bit much.  To be sure, St. John's regressed to the mean on 3s, Duke played a bit better, Caleb Foster did his Willis Reed impression, Duke went to the line 24 times for 8 for St. John's (nothing to see there), and... I am not sure?  The Brotherhood pulled it out?  I was making (and still am!) a seven-layer jello for a family fest, otherwise I would have had a coronary.

I have decided that the only way to make sure the jello layer are perfect is that you have to wait a full 30 minutes for each one to set.  Yes, it takes time, and yes I could let the bottom layers bleed a bit, but that would not be right, and we all know how I feel about that.  In the meantime, I can do all sorts of things -- laundry, paperwork, not cleaning my house.

I went to the PSRCH today to attend the Communion of All Saints fish fry and meet their new Conference President.  Getting there was a bit of an adventure -- traffic and East Side driving certainly made it an interesting trip.  The food was...pretty good?  Decent-sized cod filet, seasoned well, nice presentation.  Bit pricey but quite solid.  The natives were friendly, though I couldn't but feel like a lion in the Daniel's den.  I didn't stay long, as I had to get to Stations (not missing it with the Duke game) and I made it just in time.  Last evening Stations, as Holy Week is upon us!

My sister gave me a pile of photos, and I took some time this evening to put them into an album.  I have a whole box of them, and I was thinking I really should looking through these things more, and I should echo my mother and start labeling them... of course, there are so many other things to do, as with so many other thigs in life... 

Crashing

 I meant to post last night and ended up falling asleep on the floor.  Oops.  Tonight there is NCAA hoops, so that won't happen, even if the late games are not particularly compelling.  The Purdue-TX game... crazy ending.  One keeps waiting for Purdue to choke, but they have actually done pretty well -- just not won it all yet.

Jay Bilas calls out 'laughable' double standard after Will Wade leaves NC State for LSU
Quite true, but to me the issue is that Wade was fired for... NCAA violation...from LSU.  His successor struggled in part because he had to deal with the scholarship reduction and such caused by Wade.  Now you bring him back?  I realize this is the NCAA and the SEC (at that), and the school that hired Brian Kelly, but... they seem to have replaced Louisville as the place where ethics go to die.

You know, it was quite nice today for about 8 hours -- 70 and sunny and warm.  I took a walk outside just to enjoy it.  Of course, that wouldn't last, and you saw it get darker and colder as the evening went on, followed by rain and storms.  I was driving home from the gym and saw/heard the lightning and thunder; it appears we missed the wind here (I hope).  But my plan to shut off the furnace has been delayed.  For now.

Iran built a vast camera network to control dissent. Israel turned it into a targeting tool
This is...almost sad.  More seriously, this is yet another reason NOT to have the surveillance network -- letting anyone hack into these things is... unwise?  To say nothing of the privacy concerns, not that that is a concern anymore -- not in this era of Only Fans (the economics fascinate me, if nothing else), TikTok, and all of that.  I realize I am a curmudgeon and a Luddite, but I think I prefer a world where we see less of each other.

A Practical and Ugly Way to Fix America (Most of You Will Hate This Answer)
I rather agree -- and find that voting GOP is a solution for every problem -- but there are two issues.  First, you need to get rid of the government unions, and no one seems to want to do that.  Second, in Ohio, voting GOP isn't that helpful if the people you elect don't act like Republicans... between Mike DeWine, the SB6 scandal... well, I am not exactly sure that Vivek is the solution, but he is something of an outsider, and that is... nice?  He just has to be electable...

Fireworks

Had a meeting and a haircut in Lakewood today, and I have to admit:  it is nice to visit and drive through, but driving there is like driving on the East Side, which makes me wonder why I do it.  Of course, I also note that there are a bunch of interesting restaurants there that I need to try.  I should try to find the ones with decent parking first, I guess.  To be sure, I am overdue for restaurant tourism, but I have been parish fish-frying, so the funds earmarked for food are being spent, just elsewhere.  Lent is almost over, so... we can resume our usual duties.

My blood sugars were much better today, and while it is one day, the more serious re-adjustment of injection sites might be the cause.  Not proclaiming victory yet, but... let's keep an eye on it.  And still feel sheepish about it.  It would also be nice to be able to reduce insulin use a bit, for a bunch of reasons -- I do have a dislike of putting stuff in me, no matter the results.

‘He has to justify what he did’: Black leaders slam JB Pritzker after Illinois primary - POLITICO
This amuses me, as I am at a loss as to what they will do to him....vote Republican?  Shit on his budget?  Deep-six his Presidential ambitions?  As with so many other things, I will believe it when I see it.

Source: Hubert Davis fired as North Carolina hoops coach
As a Duke fan, I fully support this move, as I think Davis is quite a solid coach, and I am not sure that anyone else out there could do as good of a job as he has done.  I realize he had not won enough (for some) and UNC is like tOSU in that you don't necessarily have a retirement dinner, but...

Syracuse Women’s Hoops Coach Calls Having to Face UConn in NCAA Tournament a ‘Personal Attack’

This seems a bit strong?  First, coach better?  I mean, not saying it doesn't suck to get blown out by Syracuse, but lots of teams do.  Second, it is the NCAA rules that are keeping them close to UCONN; if they were the #9 seed in the West and lost to UCLA...is that better?  Finally, a personal attack?  Good Lord, I doubt anyone on the women's selection committee even cares...

Mattie Tries Something New

The NIT is the mid-major tournament we all wanted
You know, they are right; the NIT is doing what people always say they wanted -- a place for good mid-major teams to play other quality teams on somewhat even terms.  That said, the NCAA isn't doing the NIT, or, for that matter, the Women's Tournament, any favors by airing most of the games at the same time as the Big Dance.  Let's face it, no one -- or very few -- are watching, which is a shame, as several of the games have been as close and compelling as the main action.  I realize there are only so many hours in a day, and there are so many games, but... it is still not good.

Went to the endocrinologist today to discuss -- among other things -- the issue of my Dawn phenomenon, and he suggested I rotate my injection sites, and even showed me where I could inject.  I guess I had forgotten about it -- if I am hitting scar tissue it won't take -- and while I am not sure that it will work, I am willing to try.  I have to admit, it was...unsettling for him to rattle off these rare conditions that could be the cause, followed by him telling me that as I didn't have any of those symptoms... well, lovely.

Finished my current read, The Washington War, which looks at the war inside DC with FDR and his advisors during WWII.  Interesting; for all of the wise decisions he made during the way -- most of which were let the generals and the admirals fight the war -- it certainly seemed that FDR let too much go in the way of infighting and internal fighting, and it is not unfair to say that we won in spite of this.  It is correct to say that once the industrial might of the US got started it would not stop, but the delays certainly impacted how we fought the war.  Which meant that the USSR moved farther west instead of us moving east, and we all know how that came out.

Ins and Outs

Friday night I crashed on the floor -- the evening games were sort of blowouts, and I think I just lost interest.  Last night I was tired and went to bed after the games, but it was quite the day of action -- Duke managed to pull away in the second half, as it often has done...but it was a close run thing for most of it.  I don't want to say that Dixon stopped coaching after the T, but...Duke really pulled away then and he didn't seem to do anything.  Odd.  Then of course we had Nebraska-Vandy -- speaking of a close-run thing -- and Arkansas needed everything to get past High Point.  To say nothing of Texas upsetting Gonzaga.  This is what we like about March!

Matt Painter, Nate Oats Blast Mid-Major Scheduling Debate During NCAA Tourney | OutKick
Dare I say that they are both partially correct, but the general point is that Power Conference teams seldom schedule good mid-major teams.  I realize there are more schools with Little Sisters of the Poor resumes, but no one seems to think they try.  These comments do not help.

The usual Church-gym today, and then home to do some laundry and some other chores.  Glacial house cleaning continues -- dust will be there, March Madness will not -- but between that and some work I will be hopping today.  Hard to believe Palm Sunday is next week and then Easter -- need to get the kielbasa and Paska bread sooner rather than later!

The Long Shadow of a Lie: The Duke Lacrosse Rape Hoax, 20 Years Later | The American Spectator | USA News and Politics
Again, the people who perpetrated this were never punished, compared to the people who were actually punished for doing nothing wrong...  Mind you, there wasn't any contrition from the school (actual contrition) and there should have been.  Sometimes, people need to go...pour encourager les autres.

A little too much madness...

Well, that was an interesting first-round game for Duke.  Down by double-digits at the half to a 16-seed (one I thought was not a 16-seed, but...)?  Mind you, that game stayed out of reach for Duke for several minutes into the second half -- poor shot selection, poor ball control, you name it.  To be sure, the defense tightened in the second half, and while the Saints made some shots when it counted...at the end of the day, talent won out, but barely.  I cannot imagine what TCU is thinking.  I was thinking that all of the money spent on this roster, I expected...more.  

To be sure, the games got a little better.  I had High Point over Wisconsin -- that was exciting, and while BYU was a hit, I was quite pleased with VCU -- I went out for dinner (it has been a long week) and they were down.  I arrived home to see them tie UNC, take them to OT, and win.  Very sad!  I mean, most games are going the way people expect (Saint Louis was underseeded as well, I think)...it seems like Illinois has too much height for Penn.  

High Point coach calls out major teams after March Madness upset over Wisconsin | Fox News
Mostly true?  I mean, most times the Power conference teams will win, but if they never play a good mid-major, you never find out.  Again, until the Selection Committee fixes this, this problem will continue.

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That ‘Oldest Site in the Americas’ Claim Just Took a Massive Hit
Interesting.  This has always fascinated me -- the idea that the Clovis people were the oldest/first seems off, given the timeline, but then the idea that this site is twice as old also seems odd.  I can see why people defend it -- you want to really hammer in the nail of the Clovis casket -- but then you need other sites.  Yes, I am aware of the Solutrean hypotheses, and the fact that most of the sites are underwater, but...

Nolte: Why Cesar Chavez Suddenly Became Politically Inconvenient to the Left
Submitted without comment!

3News investigates: North Royalton moves to fire officer who filed whistleblower complaint against top police brass
Didn't Nort Royalton not-so-long ago have an officer who made fake DUI arrests (i.e., arresting innocent people)?  And now this?   Again, if only we were a state run by Republicans and could go and investigate these things if they wanted....

Linx

The Miami game tonight was...impressive?  Interesting?  Fairly or not, for a lot of people, this was their first test against a "real" team, and they...handled it?  Certainly, the 3-point accuracy was the key.  That said, I thought they played defense quite well, minimized errors, and... good ball movement?  It seemed like they were able to break the zone just enough to force SMU to play man, and they then shot well enough to negate that.  Will it work again?  Prolly not, but for one night, it was...glorious.

Senate Republicans worry they’re losing ground in the midterms - POLITICO
Well, yes... they should be.  To be sure, POTUS should have thought of this as well, and while there is still time to turn things around....sooner is better than later.

Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years - The New York Times
‘Hard to absorb’: Chavez allegations stun Newsom, top Democrats - POLITICO
Is it me, or is the timing of this most curious?  Why now?  It appears this was an open secret for quite a while -- such as when he was alive and could be confronted about this.  Is he guilty?  Probably, but... how do we give him a chance to defend the allegations?  (Especially as these are Democrats who would give any other criminal 100 chances!)  On the right of course they are saying that there are other reasons for the timing, and while I do not necessarily agree, I do not necessarily disagree....

Got an Idea About Who Robbed the Gardner Museum? Get in Line. - The New York Times
Interesting.  Of course, the main issue is...where are the paintings?  Most people suspect -- sadly -- that these things are no more -- which would be an incredible tragedy.  The fact that everyone seems to have bought the farm...

John Bengtson, Modern-Day Silent-Film Sleuth, Dies at 68 - The New York Times
Interesting read.  As the article notes, you are going back in time when you watch a silent film, and that is one of the reasons I really like them.  This is pretty cool, actually, that people go around and look for these things -- the industry was not quite where it was now, and people did just start shooting if they liked a spot, and not necessarily on a sound stage...

Explosions

Well, that was interesting -- everyone was asking me if I heard or saw the meteor, and I was like not only did I hear it, I felt it; Chateau Mattie definitely rattled a bit.  I was on a call and didn't look out the window, but it was... unsettling?  I realize this is somewhat normal -- the Earth is battered by meteors every ay, and the atmosphere was doing its job in catching them, but... I had a distinct sympathy for the dinosaurs on further pondering.

Lots of NIT action today, in addition to the First Four games, and all I can say is... it was glorious?  The games were mainly good and quite competitive -- South Alabama and Davidson had leads against power conference teams for quite a bit, while Liberty -- despite coughing up a 15-point lead, held on to win against JMU.  Yale lost another heartbreaker -- two in a row!  I realize few are watching, but in some ways... they should.

‘They hold the cards now’: Trump allies fear Iran is slipping beyond the president’s control - POLITICO
This could be me, but... shouldn't someone have thought of this before we started?  Or, more carefully, if someone did, shouldn't we have had a plan to address what happens if Plan A doesn't work?  It seems they thought the regime would collapse like the French army, and now that they have not... there is no Plan B.  On the one hand it is very POTUS, on the other, given his first-term aversion to wars and focus on affordability... odd.

How the Housing Market Split in Two - by Jess Remington

I got a kick from the part at the end how states are rushing to pass tax exemptions for seniors even though they are the most likely to be able to pay for them.  This isn't exactly news, as politicians do this all the time -- old people vote, young people do not, and the party that robs Peter to pay Paul will always have the support of Paul...

A Last, Long, Cold Breath...

Finally got ALL my picks in --Both Tourneys, both NIT, and even that ridiculous College Basketball Crown...my friend group is a little obsessive about this, as am I, I guess, but it is that time of year.  Dare I say the Duke matchup - assuming they beat Siena -- has all the trappings of a trap game?  I mean, I think they have more than enough talent to beat either tOSU or TCU (insert Little Sisters of the Poor joke), but I have dread about the whole thing (as I so often do).  

It was interesting; yesterday it was so nice, and today...well, you could see and feel it get progressively worse (everything progressively is worse, to be sure); the wind picked up, the warmth ebbed, and about 6PM the snow came.  Not a lot, of course, and you could see the wind snapping it around, but it was still a reminder that it is not quite spring...  I can't wait for all of the people who usually talk about global warming to bring up this winter.

Trump Just Pardoned Ticketmaster When No One Was Looking
Quite right, though one wonders if the Dems would have agreed with the same thing... one rather thinks so.

Summon your Notre Dame hate for the schools turning down the NIT
This is also exactly correct.  To be sure, a team without a coach I can see, but they have assistants, of course.  And, if a team is that beat up, fine, I sort of see it, though again, the loss of a player or two... I guess the sad part is that we all that all involved -- coaches, players, etc., -- are already shopping the portal, and instead of trying to have a nice season, enjoying a chance to have a chance to play again...well, now it is off to the mercenary season, and I guess yet again I am the relict who prefers the old system.

Court records reveal Cleveland police’s lax traffic enforcement
This could be me, but while the lack of police is a concern, isn't the issue that they cannot go after the people who are causing these issues.  Eventually someone is going to get killed and the blood should be on the hands of the people who are handcuffing our cops.  Of course, they won't see it that way....

‘War on Poverty’ Has Trapped Poor Americans
Now, now, the point of this was not necessarily to help people; it was to create a legion of people who will always vote for Democrats, no matter what, and in this case it has succeeded beyond the board...

March Madness

Yesterday was a glorious day in a lot of ways -- got the taxes done, and I am getting a larger refund than expected, mostly due to President Awesome, which I will take -- save some, pay down the HELOC, maybe some more on the mortgage, and a couple of restaurant visits if and when it arrives.  Rah.  A spot of productive work (catching up on stuff), some house cleaning (not enough, still doing some tonight), and some hoops watching.  Crazy endings -- the MAC, the WAC -- and I was sad to note that the WAC is going away.  Yes, conferences come and go, but the WAC has been around a while (the Pac-12 says hold my beer) and it is still sort of sad (I sound like the relict I am now!)...  today it continued with the Ivy;  my sister called it the retread game, as former Blue Devil TJ Power and former IA coach Fran McCafferty beat Yale.  But it was...well, quite the game.

And now Brackets!  Duke and UCONN are the #1s overall (I watched both shows), and I think it is fair to say Duke has a tough draw, and with their health issues.  I mean, they have the talent to win it all, but...I suspect it will be a close run thing.  Did Miami get screwed?  A bit.  On the one hand, the play-in game is an insult, but they didn't play anyone (though they tried), and a loss to UMass in the MAC tourney didn't help.  tOSU was an 8 seed (potentially playing Duke), which implies they are ~30, and thus... less of a bubble team than anyone thought?  Maybe that Purdue win and a decent run in the Big Ten tourney helped?

For Trump to Win the War on Fraud, States Must Be Held Accountable | National Review
110% correct, but try getting it through Congress on a good day.  No one, of course, want to pull their pig from the trough.  I think this is what the average GOP voter hates about their party; for all the talk of doing GOP things, like cutting spending or getting rid of federal programs, we never do... even DOGE was sort of a mushup, and we need these sorts of reforms.  Oi.

Trump as Alexander the Great: A Theory That Explains Iran (And Everything Else) - NOTUS — News of the United States
Maybe, but I suspect not.  Hell, does anyone think Trump reads Hegel?  

Bathroom is done, rah.  I didn't get through the backlog of J! episodes -- at least not fully -- but tomorrow is another day.  I am averaging over 41 since the JIT, which is not too bad, albeit not all that good...

Fatigue Duty

So, my plan to start spring cleaning tonight has been delayed.  It has been a long week, I am tired, and I instead have been going through emails and links and watching first the MAC Semifinals (UA-KSU was quite good, especially when KSU came back) and now Duke.  I am feeling something of a second wind coming on, so I am tempted to do sone bathroom cleaning or something else -- more now, less later.  I am looking forward to opening the windows, as I could not have done so today.  It was windy all day, and much of the evening.  I will wake up and see what the carnage was in the yard (if any, and hopefully not to the house).

I was worried about power here, but I should have been worried elsewhere.  Due to work being busy, I didn't leave until 5, and thus altered plans to hit Holy Name.  A power line was down at Jones and Harvard, so... no fish fry.  Dinner was a bag of Doritos and an apple stolen from the OC, and then it was off to Stations (at least we had power at the Shrine).  I guess this is not bad -- losing weight is good -- but I was looking forward to dining out of the House.  Tomorrow, in theory, is another day.  Indeed, it is Pi Day, so I should probably buy one.  I do have a busy AM, so... I can slot in a grocery trip before.  Rah.  I want to do it all early, as there are a number of mid-major finals tomorrow, and there is something to be said -- as I so often say -- about the finality of the one-bid league.

 House Republicans’ meager majority faces big problems ahead of the midterms - POLITICO
Yes, this is a problem... the war in Iran, oil prices, food prices, etc., is not helping.  One hopes POTUS is correct that this will be sooner rather than later, but...I am not seeing that yet.

Newsom railed against Medicaid work requirements — until he didn't - POLITICO
This could be me, but shouldn't Republicans calling him out on this?  I don't think there is anyone who doesn't think of himself as a say and do anything type, but it does not absolve us of the responsibility of challenging him about this...

Live Nation reaches settlement with DOJ in antitrust fight - POLITICO
This could be me, but this is not nearly enough; there needs to be a breakup and a force majeure situation to break up the empire.  Yes it would be hard, but if the government cannot break up a monopoly...

Family Ties

Down goes Miami!  Dare I say that was...fast?  I mean, I think they should still be in, but...they were up by ten in that game, UMass isn't very good, and to lose to a low seed... well, they are back on the bubble.  Mind you, I don't think they should be -- they should be in -- but the committee looks for ways to screw teams.   Funny, because I was talking to some people that I thought a lot of #1 seeds were knocked out of the tourney this year, and then I read this:

College basketball No. 1 seeds keep losing in conference tournaments

I should say it would be a full NIT, but if teams drop out...well, it just might be, not in the way they wanted.  Then this broke:

College Basketball Invitational won't be held in 2026
I mean, I guess I see it, but I would think playing more, trying to win a trophy, etc., would mean more than shopping in the portal.  Of course, I am a relict dinosaur, so...  at least Duke, for now, avoided the L, but it was a close-run thing...

Sources: Tennessee Tech finalizing deal to hire Tobin Anderson as coach - ESPN
Interesting; I thought Iona fired him too quickly, and I think it is good he is back; hard to believe a guy who won as he did gets kicked to the curb so quickly...

My Aunt from Columbus came up to stay with my sister, so I went out tonight to meet them all at Parma Tavern.  It was fun -- haven't seen her in a while -- and good to catch up.  I have not been out in a while -- I need to do a restaurant visit -- and it was nice.  My sister and brother-in-law are regulars there, which I found amusing, as my sister is retired and is on a fixed income, but their weekly night out -- it moves around -- is important, and I get that.  Once I get the house fixed a bit more, I think I will be a little more liberal with the purse strings...heck, hearing the furnace come on... well, it is March, and in my mind still winter, but...

Milestone

Twenty-two hundred posts.  Wow.  I guess it is a milestone, and I could/should have reached it sooner.  But, here we are.  I guess I celebrated by getting my second and last iron infusion treatment today.  Truth be told, it has not been that bad; I had a nearly painless pinch, I nodded off during the drip, and got some reading done while I was getting some saline.  I did not operate heavy machinery after, and this time -- so far -- the rumbletummy I had after was much less.  I have to schedule a follow-up with the hematologist to see how well it took (it had better) and what is next.  Rah. 

This could be me, but shouldn't our war plans included a convoy system?  I realize I am a WWII guy, but..it seemed to work then and I bet it would work even better now, given our military is probably better than that of Iran and can handle multiple threats.  At the very least, shooting down drones and keeping the sea lanes clear would keep oil prices down and further knock out their military assets.  Indeed, announcing you are going to do it -- and doing it -- would be a badass move.  I agree with the consensus -- this can go on a bit longer, but not much more -- but it not seem (so far) that the Iranians are on board with this, and that too is a problem.  I like the idea of using the Kurds against them, but it seems we might not want to do that.  Again, someone's plan should have included this.

Exclusive | McDonald’s Preps New Discounts to Feed Budget-Minded Diners for $3 or Less - WSJ
Um, good?  I mean, I think most would agree that fast-food prices are too high, and if this is one way to get them down (a bit), so be it.  People should not be eating that much fast food anyway, and I have been doing my part by not hitting the new Broadview Heights Chick-Fil-A, in the same plaza as our First Watch which I have also not visited.  Between fish fry season -- have to support our parishes -- and my HELOC balance -- I am economizing somewhat.  I note that it is Cleveland Restaurant Week and my plan to hit one is in....danger.

Is it me or have a lot of top mid-major seeds not won their tourneys, and, in many cases, did not even win their semifinal and quarterfinal games.  SFA lost in the Southland (to the #2) and in the Big Sky we have the everyday 4-7 matchup.  If there was only some tool or device we could use to track this...

‘You’re Accumulating Opposition and Enemies’ - POLITICO
Interesting; I like the guy, and in Ohio he would a solid career path, but in TX, pissing off Ted Cruz and being to the left of the President is a poor combo.  Wonder what is next for him, if anything...

Hoop Dreams

Interesting day of hoops action, starting with Pitt probably putting Stanford to the NIT, then to the conference finals.  In the Horizon UDM literally urinated away the game against Wright State.  Siena in the MAAC almost did that, and Gonzaga -- in its last year in the WCC -- pulled one out against an insurgent Santa Clara.  People are saying that the WCC could get three bids this year, which is about as odd as Gonzaga out of the WCC, but the collapse of the Pac-12 (and its rebirth) has opened things up. 

Quite warm today -- I made sure I got outside a couple of times -- and I was definitely enjoying it while it lasted, as tomorrow it will be cooler and Thursday it will be... more of a temperature one is used to in March.  One does love the warmth, even though I expect 40.  Hell, I expect more snow!

Republicans Say the NRSC Isn’t Taking the Midterms Seriously - NOTUS — News of the United States
This is a real problem, as the GOP is going to have (I suspect) a tough time, and we really need someone --anyone!! --to be the adult and select the right candidates and ensure we are funding them.  It might work out, but... this does not bode well.

Dems aren’t sure whether to actually spend big to flip Texas - POLITICO
Fortunately, there is this.  I guess I would rather them spend the money in TX, as if Cornyn pulls it out (see above point, ahem) I think he wins, and then the Dems will be wasting money down there.  But one never knows what moves the average GOP primary voter...

The American Revolution, as seen from across the Atlantic – Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman
It has been a while since I read this, and I would normally pop it open, but as I have so many other books in the queue, so...this will have to wait.  Hell, I am still 100 pages from the end of my current read, and I have been trying to cram pages into this 500-page missive, to try and move things along...

Mattie Catches Up

Can't go too long without posting, so....here we are on Tuesday morning.  Yesterday I went out with the catering team from church -- not exactly a fan of the Tremont scene, but it was good to get out and see everyone.  One, they are a good crew, and two, I needed to get out of the house and have a little bit of social fun.  Didn't get home til 11, as my sister had some leftovers for me, so I picked those up (lasagna soup, pretty good) and chatted about things.  Rah.  Another busy week, but (like last weekend) I see a clear weekend.

Speaking of clear, it is time for spring cleaning -- which I intend to do a bit between the mid-major championships.  Last night I opened my windows in my bedroom before I went to bed.  It has been a few years since I did that!  It was glorious!  I am a fresh air guy, and I think it will help with the dusting to get more fresh air running through the house.  A couple of wet rags to pick up dust, vacuuming...well, it will look a bit better.

Vivek Ramaswamy's Deep Pockets Overshadow Democrat’s Fundraising in Ohio’s Governor Race - NOTUS — News of the United States

I think this is exactly correct, and in a blue year, all the money in the world won't help.  I think he wins, but all of the resources could be elsewhere, and that is a concern.

The hypocrisy of the West’s weepers for the Islamic Republic - spiked
Exactly correct, and no one from our side ever calls them out for it.  Indeed, the Iranians are even worse, given their fondness for rape, abuse of women, etc.  At some point we have to take the war to the enemy, and this means the press as well.

Furman -- a six seed in the SoCon -- won their tourney -- and much as I love to see the "FU" signs....well, this is sort of what March is about.  I feel for Belmont; they left the OVC for the MVC, and then -- as a one seed -- lose by 25 in their quarterfinal to a nine seed.  There was some talk of them getting a bid -- far under the radar with all of the chatter about Miami of Ohio -- but sadly I think that is for next year.

Redemption

The rematch of Duke-UNC was this evening, and it did not disappoint (ok, Tar Heel fans were, but...).  It was impressive, I have to admit; they came out hot, UNC kept it close as it neared the half, and then the Blue Devils pulled away.  After the UM game, it was as complete a game as any, and without a key big man... well, it was refreshing to see.  The ACC tournament is next week, and while it is largely superfluous...

I made Mom's chili today, mostly.  I used the venison my friend gave me -- it was a 3-pound frozen block, and getting it in the pan and browning it was something of a logistical challenge.  It is a little different than regular ground meat -- a bit less grease, and it is a different flavor and texture.  Also, my Mom used two pounds of meat in hers (and I have made it myself), so at times I thought I had created a meat slurry.  That said, it is pretty good -- just a tad different.  I have a couple of days of meals, and if I want to freeze some -- like turkey soup -- I can.  It isn't that much work, just the browning and letting it cook on the stove.  Exciting.

Other than that, they day was ok; I went to get my taxes done but it appears I don't have -- either not sent or recycled -- some stuff from my J! fund money, so I will print that out and run it back to the accountants.  At least I got some reading done while waiting, and, well, I should have made sure I had everything.  That and some catching up on work -- a bit more tomorrow and I should be good.  Not very exciting, but...while the weather was good, it was also rainy, and there were some interesting college games on, as well.  Such is he way the cookie crumbles sometimes.

Is it me or was this week the nadir of the Trump second term?  Unpleasant jobs report, soaring gas prices, the prospect of a long war... rather unlike the first term.  I still believe in "getting it out of the way" and there is plenty of time to turn things around, but one should like to see some progress to the goal...

Transitions

I have to admit, I was a little surprised Kristi Noem got fired.  I mean, to be fired for ethical or moral violations in this administration -- that takes work!  On the other hand, she has been a distraction, and I do not think you can say she has shown tactical acumen in her approach.  Also, I think Mullin is fine, but I would have thought he would be better in the Senate.  He is entertaining and a sharp cookie.  My former boss pointed out that no county in Oklahoma is blue, so not only is his seat safe, but... methinks I should move.

In other news, I think I have largely recovered from yesterday's procedure... a bit of rumbletummy (as reported), and I was sort of cold, but tomorrow that should not be an option, given the weather.  I was able to hit the gym today and do legs, just to be safe, not that I expect to re-open the vein in which I was stuck. Hell, they will probably use the same one next week...  I do not really think this will work, or at least have much of an effect on my life, but...we will give it a try.

Funny; on the one hand, no OC duty, so there is free time, but Matt being Matt, I have a full weekend planned, and of course there is Duke-UNC and the start of Championship Week.  I've also decided that I miss my mom's chili, and that I will make it tomorrow, so I will buy the stuff today (now) or tomorrow.  Mattie being Mattie, I will change the recipe, as I was gifted some venison from a hunter friend (we have been getting it at the food pantry, though not everyone wants it), and rather than buy ground meat... well, it will be a slightly gamier and healthier version this weekend.  Mom would be slightly appalled by this change, but the combo of that, my frugality, and my love of going off-script a bit....well, I think we should not be surprised by this...

Infusing

Hard to believe Championship Week is nearly upon us; many of the mid-majors are in tournament play now, with the Vikings bowing out (on the men's side) and surviving an OT scare (for the women).  The OVC is at the same time as Duke-UNC, which is... unpleasant, as I rather like the drama of win or go home.  But it does not exactly meet the pageantry of the Duke-UNC game!

Had an iron infusion today; after the delays for insurance and all, the treatment to get a handle on this anemia was here.  And it was...fine?  I arrived, got a blood pressure reading, and stuck with an IV needle.  An iron formula was administered, I had to wait 30 minutes to make sure I didn't have any ill effects, and then home.  None of the side effects I warned about came to pass, but I do not exactly feel any better, either.  (Not that I expected to.)  I think I have one next week, at which time we will see how I feel.  I have to admit...for all of the health problems I have, this is the one I was least worried about, but once this whole thing is done...we will talk to the medical team about that.

The SOTU moment that Republicans hope saves the midterms - POLITICO
'These people are crazy' is the campaign Democrats should fear
Will this work?  I don't know; I mean, it is a good punch, but the Dems have plenty that they can run on, as well.  In some ways, the current approach to Iran is a reason why...yes, prices for gas and such are up now, but if you do it now -- in and out -- the price effects should mitigate over time.  Yes, border security is important, but so is the economy, and if it doesn't take....

Hooping It Up

The TX Senate primary is headed to a runoff, and there is no good that will come from that.  This could be me, but if Cornyn is the strongest candidate (and I think Paxton has some, um, issues), this should be a no-brainer, especially if this is a blue year and the Dems seem to think they have a chance (and Talarico is leading in their primary).  I can see why some GOPers might not like Cornyn, but he is hardly a lefty, and all of the time and resources spent on his campaign could be used elsewhere... I know we are the GOP and thus smarter, but there are times...

Beware of Libertarians Who Claim To Be Republicans
This is in a related vein, but this is also completely correct, and it also explains why we have the issues we have today...

Went through some links and emails today, but here and at work, and I feel slightly better about things, of course.  I am quite tired -- another sleepless evening -- so tonight I am soon off to bed, for better or worse.  Things are piling up, and I have to admit I am looking forward to the weekend, if only so I can sleep in a bit and catch up on some things (aside from Duke-UNC).  Getting my picture window installed properly would help, as the living room would not look like a disaster area, but I do not see that happening soon.  Oi.

Miami of Ohio is 30-0 -- another close win -- and I do find the whole debate about their NCAA Tournament chances to be fascinating.  I get the whole Strength of Schedule issue, but if no power conference wants to schedule them, it seems unfair to punish them for that.  If only there was some group that regulated college sports and had the power to make rules about this sort of thing...  I would also note that while it isn't that no one wants to see 12 SEC teams in the tourney, people also like seeing Cinderellas, underdogs, and upsets, and putting Miami in the NCAA Championship -- conference championship or not -- would, I think, be better for the game than keeping them out.

I would also like to note that Akron and Kent State have had incredibly good seasons, but they are completely subsumed by Miami.  I think most people would have expected them to make noise in the MAC Tournament, but they will have to go through the Redhawks to do so.  Then, there is CSU, which had a play-in to get into the Horizon League, where they will face the top seed...I realize they have a new coach and thus there is rebuilding, but... after the successes of the past few years, this is...rough.

A war foretold: how the CIA and MI6 got hold of Putin’s Ukraine plans and why nobody believed them | Ukraine | The Guardian
Fascinating read!

Mattie Catches Up

Been a long time since I posted, so... here we go.  Thursday I just crashed; it was a long week of work, and by the time I was done with it and everything else I wanted to do... I was pooped.  Friday night was fine; went to Holy Name for fish fry, Stations, gym, and then home.  But, no rest for the weary, as I had to make a seven-layer jello for a family fest Saturday.  I was surprised it turned out well -- I was pressed for time, just hit Marc's, and bought the brand X sour cream they had instead of a better brand for the white layer.  It was not quite the same, and while the family said it was fine... I will not take any chances.

While making jello, I watched the new "Naked Gun" movie, the one starring Liam Neeson.  It was very meh, and I was sorely disappointed, as I would have thought it was easy to remake the film -- some dumb gags, some running jokes... but no.  Alas.  Anyways, I still have a pile of films from the library to watch, but at least I made some progress.

Saturday was OC duty -- last of the month -- and it was sort of slow; not even 100 clients for the day.  Good in that we didn't kill each other, but we had a good amount of produce and bread and we had to hustle to give all of that away.  Indeed, the bread was not all given away and saved.  Oops.  We did get some cleaning and reorganizing done, always good, and pulled clothes from the "dungeon," as we had plenty of people there for items.  Then it was off to the gym and home for a bit before the fest.  I had to pick up (and take home) my aunt, and one of my cousins left a bag that I had to take back (though we ended up chatting for an hour), so it was a long day.  My cousin's son (also my cousin, I guess) had never heard several stories of family lore, so we told him that -- it was funny, because he was fascinated that people entertained each other without phones, three TV channels, etc.  

Yesterday was the usual -- church, gym, home -- and then I caught up on some work.  Joy.  No, I am glad I did, as I am set up to get more stuff done this week, also important.  I crashed after Bar Rescue, which was fine.... I do enjoy the show, but I always wonder how often these places crash and burn after he leaves.  That and how often people who have never owned a bar or a restaurant decide it is a good idea to jump in...hell, don't they watch these shows?

Today was....fine?  Work and then my sister and I had our monthly dinner for February.  It was my turn to pick so I selected Tay-Do in Parma (sort of far for me, actually).  It was quite good -- I just had the egg noodle/seafood noodle fry, but it was fine, and my sister didn't complain too much (good-naturedly) about my choice.  Her turn this month, and I did mention that it is now Cleveland Restaurant Week, even if the options are not quite what we usually do...and probably will not this time, so I will find a place on my own.

In other news, we are at war, sort of/mostly, with Iran.  I have been telling people this is 45 years overdue, and I give POTUS credit for carrying it out, to say nothing of the fact that the man who is accused of being a dictator here is intervening to protect the lives of people over there...  More seriously, as I increasingly say, I hope the man knows what he is doing, as we are good at winning wars but poor at winning peace.