Even with the Kansas loss mentioned below, my NCAA picks for the first two rounds weren't bad at all. I'm winning the Mellman Group office pool, running in the 98th percentile in ESPN, and moving up in the all-important family pool. My later picks are such that I'm not expecting to win the office pool, but if Louisville goes deep I'll almost certainly finish in the money in the Strauss pool. Fly, Cardinal, fly!
I got back from U of M on Saturday night, just in time to attend Jenna's birthday party at the Casablanca restaurant. There we were served delicious Moroccan food and entertained by belly dancers. Later, with the staff playing "Happy Birthday" as impetus, Jenna showed off her belly dancing skills on the floor. (She had taken a few classes.) As the group was working out the bill, Jenna gave me a quick lesson, which had the desired comedic effect on those observing. It was just a restaurant full of people watching me make a fool of myself: nothing too unusual.
Sunday, with Chu's help, I actually had a meal at home (stuffed portobello mushrooms--yummy). But now I'm traveling again--I'll be in this great flat state of Oklahoma until Thursday. You really can't find vegetarian food in here--I ordered a house salad and it came with bacon on it. My cab driver from the airport was taken aback by my diet: "Even turkey, too?" he asked incredulously. (Supposedly Tulsa, my destination Wednesday, is more forgiving to us herbivores.)
But, as long as I avoid the tornadoes everything should be fine.
Hmmm... should I, as a democrat who's depending on the Mellman Group to guide our candidates to victory, be concerned that *you* are winning the office pool? I would expect your competitors to be more adept-- after all, you work with a group of statisticians whose job it is to choose and advise winners!
Wait, scratch that. You work with a group of statisticians whose job it is to choose and advise democrats... definitely not the same thing as winners!
Should I, no longer a Democrat, be concerned about your machinations in the Flat State of Oklahoma? I imagine so...
I don't suppose there are any pictures of you making a fool of yourself in the manner mentioned in your post? Those would be priceless.
Hey Aaron, how are you? You should give me a call. :)
M.
Hillary, have no fear, I'm no longer winning the office pool...and as for Democrats being losers, as we say: "Don't blame us, we voted for Dean."
JB--sorry no pictures.
Hey, Maja, you should expect a call shortly ;)