I have decided to give up blogging for Lent.

Damnit. Nevermind. Is anyone having better luck with their vices?

Separated By 8 Miles and a Shade of Blue

And Duke Wins
Duke and UNC renewed the greatest rivalry in college basketball last night. The 8th ranked Blue Devils prevailed over the second ranked Tarheels 71-70. UNC had a opportunity to go ahead but failed to get a shot off in the final 18 seconds. Treadway was able to procure not one, but two of the toughest tickets to get in college sports. Had to have been fun. Tonight, well, it took me back.

I've always felt something special for college basketball. As a kid, I dreamed of playing college ball--socks pulled up to my knees, donning my newest "No Fear" shirt--and never neglecting to slap the floor when playing defense on a basketball court (thats dukie D baby). I memorized the name of every college player at every big time program in America--marveled at Allen Iverson's freshmen heroics at Georgetown, witnessed Mayberry, Day, Miller, and co. lead the Arkansas Razorbacks as they took the newly expanded SEC by storm, and as Scotty Thurman and Corliss Williamson followed up with a national title in '94.

Obviously, the pinnacle for myself as a college basketball fan was State's trip to the '96 Final Four. Led by the 3 point specialist Super D darryl wilson, Mr. "Summer Correspondence Hours" Dontae Jones, and Big Erick Dampier, state somehow beat a Ray Allen led UCONN team, a Danny Fortson led Cincy team, all before succombing to John Wallace's Syracuse Orange(men).

It was quite a year, but only stands as my second favorite sports memory of all time--only because I can see state maybe reaching another final four again in my lifetime. As for my favorite moment, the casual fan may expect a repeat, but it will most likely never happen again. Feel free to share a favorite sports moment, and take a guess at what mine is?

Nice Guys Finish...Fourth

Timothy Barton (or Wendell, above) failed to get a rose from the "stupid-hot" bachelorette, Jen during tonight's episode. Maybe it had something to do with his persistent grab-assin', or maybe Jen wanted a little more of Wendell's bad side.

"He was just too nice at times; the attraction switch just didn't flip on," Jen attested during the hour of horseshit ABC runs every Monday night at 8:00 central, "I tried to make myself like him. I thought love would blossom. It just didn't."

A week ago, some french guy dropped out of the competition just before Jen could give him the boot. Oh the drama! Word is the Frenchie "surrendered himself" to Jen during episode two, thus finding Jen's favor and punching his ticket all the way to the final four. Young Jen was obviously not a History major. The long and short of it is, Timothy B. and the Frenchie are both gone.

Jen does feel it for two dudes, though. One, a John Paul,
who was in Steven Everett's wedding according to Jerrie Ann, as reliable a source as any I know), and another dude, who I am convinced has made it this far only because Jen can't tell him apart from John Paul, and she doesn't want to accidentally cut JP in a rose ceremony. A dude named Jerry rounds out the final three. He may have the edge--he has a deaf Mom and Flanagan hair. HEY YOOOO!

I can't wait till next week's episode where in a testimonial, Jen tells America she's falling in love with two guys--that's got to be a first for the bachelorette series! My moneys on one of the guys that look like Matt Leinart...

Law School Rears Its Ugly Head

WitterOn readers,

I'm making love to a casebook today. I hope you all understand. Look for an update tonight.

My Sincerest Apologies,
John M. Lassiter