I've seen more than enough of UConn and Butler, since I went to the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the 2011 NCAA Tournament in Washington, DC. I was at the Verizon Center for all the sessions and was fortunate to have a seat near the tunnel where UConn came in and out. I watched UConn cheer and celebrate when Pitt was defeated by the Butler Bulldogs. They obviously knew felt that their road to a 2011 NCAA Championship would be smoother if Pitt was eliminated.
It should be a good match-up tonight. Even though I've seen these two teams play "live" enough to last me a lifetime, I will watch.
I think Vegas has UConn as a 3-4 point favorite. I'm not a huge fan of Jim Calhoun, but I do like Kemba Walker. I didn't know that much about him, until I watched him play "live", but you can tell that he definitely enjoys playing the game. It's also apparent that he and Coach Calhoun have a great relationship. I watched them smile and discuss the game on the sidelines and you can tell there's mutual respect there.
I'd put my money on UConn, but have to admit that I'm impressed with Brad Stevens and his team's poise and "fight". Plus, it goes without saying (i.e. but I'll do it anyway) that it's quite an accomplishment to make it to the Championship game, in back-to-back years!
Hmm, maybe I'm a little more interested in the game than I thought... Oh, well. I'm still content with not making the trip to Houston.
Based on the reaction in the tunnels, UConn wanted to see Butler defeat Pitt and had to know that they "might" see the Bulldogs at the end of the road. To quote the Pussycat Dolls, "Be careful what you wish for, 'cuz you just might get it." Ok, Huskies ~ let's see what you got!
Thursday night the (#1) Duke Blue Devils lost to the (#5) Arizona Wildcats. Friday night (#1) Ohio State University Buckeyes lost to the (#4) Kentucky Wildcats by a score of 62-60. Both teams have exited the 2011 NCAA Tournament. What does that mean? It means that my brackets are OFFICIALLY busted. In addition, I'm OFFICIALLY scared of Wildcats!!!!
On the bright-side, at least I don't have to worry about going to any other college basketball games! That's a lot of money saved and/or that can be put towards other stuff. Don't get me wrong. I'll still "watch" the games, but I really don't have a dog in the race anymore.
I didn't watch any of the games, so I don't have anything to say as of now. I need to take another look at the brackets to see the pairings... Considering it's cold again where I live, I'll probably stay in all weekend and watch the games.
Monday night I was asked if I wanted to see Janet Jackson at Radio City Music Hall. I was asked around 6PM and I presume her show was at 8. I would've gone, had I been in New York ~ but I wasn't.
Actually, earlier that day I was looking at Ticketmaster and Stubhub trying to find a GOOD ticket to see Janet Jackson on Tuesday night at DAR Constitution Hall. Janet had 2 shows scheduled in Washington DC. One was Tuesday night and the other is Thursday night.
Seeing as though, I'm a huge sports fan, Thursday's concert date isn't going to work (i.e. since the 2011 NCAA Tournament resumes). As a result, I had to get my game plan together for last night's show. Since Ticketmaster told me that her Tuesday night show was sold out, and I didn't want to pay any mark-up fees from a ticket re-seller, I thought I'd have to take my chances with a scalper.
Regardless, I wasn't going to miss Janet's #1s Up Close and Personal Tour. I arrived at Constitution Hall around 9:15PM and after running by the scalpers and asking them about their inventory, I walked towards the box office. "It's sold out," was what the guys kept saying as they tried to sell me their upper level tickets or tickets towards the back on the floor (i.e. for face value). Suuuuuuuuure. Sold out. Little did these guys know, that I knew better.
As I talked to the guy at the box office and asked for a ticket, he told me he only had 2 left. Row AA on the floor (i.e. the first floor in the 2nd group of seats on the floor ~ which translates to the 14th row). He then also said that he wasn't allowed to split the pair. That's when the negotiation took place. I asked him to ask his manager to split the pair. It was close to 9:30 and Janet was going to come out soon. We all knew that. Sure enough, permission was granted and I hustled to my seat! With an extra seat next to me I was able to spread out and I had plenty of dancing room. **** I bought the 2nd to last ticket to the show and I had one of the best seats. The last ticket was left unsold. That's how I roll...
Janet looks so much like Michael here
I'm Janet's #1 fan and I'm probably one of her largest critics. I expect to be "wow'd" when she perform and with her latest tour's title, my expectations might have been even higher.
Janet... Janet... Janet... She killed it last night! I danced and sang my heart out for the 2.25 hours you were on stage. I enjoyed watching the clips from Good Times, Diff'rent Strokes, Poetic Justice, etc. and seeing the photo montages from her extensive career. **** Janet even put on the screen a picture of Michael and her when they were kids, and the crowd went wild.
Throughout the show, I scanned the crowd and was thrilled to see that people in the crowd still knew how to do the Rhythm Nation dance and some of Janet's other signature moves. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and strolled down memory lane as she performed her older hits (i.e. Miss you Much and Alright). Alright is still one of my all-time favorites and she performed the entire song! **** She did not perform Black Cat. That omission made me happy, since I'm not a fan of that track.
I'm used to Janet performing at larger arenas (e.g. Verizon Center, Izod Center), but I like the feel of the smaller venue. If Janet was standing, the crowd was standing. The crowd only sat when she sat and sang her ballads. Gone was the huge set and stage backgrounds. Instead, the crowd had a more "Up Close and Personal" experience complete with her signature choreography. **** I didn't count, but I think she had about 6 back up dancers.
Janet exiting the stage. Show's over.
As someone who's seen Janet in concert at least 5 other times and wasn't overly impressed with her last tour, I have to say that last night was an excellent show. The concert was definitely worth the price of admission. Actually, I'm thinking about going on Thursday or Saturday in Atlantic City at the Borgata (i.e. in between the 2011 NCAA Tournament sessions). I told you I was a fan!!! If you want to get your ticket(s) to see Janet, here's the link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_homeA_header_search&q=janet+jackson
For a taste of what you'll see at the show, here's some video I shot...
I overheard a guy, on Thursday, asking an usher who was playing on Saturday. Umm, yeah. Obviously the guy is new to March Madness. I told him that there was no way to know Saturday's match-up until the games on Thursday were played. He still looked confused.
I'm looking forward to tonight's Butler v Pitt match-up. I'm rooting for Jamie Dixon's Pitt squad. The 2nd game on the schedule is Cincinnati v UConn. I'm from Ohio, so I'll be rooting for the Bearcats. I'm not a Jim Calhoun/UConn fan. I'm not sure why. UConn is such a tough team, but I like to root against them. I have to admit it, that it was exciting to watch Kemba Walker play on Thursday. After the game, Kemba signed some autographs for UConn fans in the student section where his mother was sitting. Those are some lucky fans!
Oh, and for the record. Louisville killed my bracket, so don't even ask me about it.
I've done 8 games in 2 days (i.e. Washington, DC and Cleveland, OH)... I'm on a Craig Sager like streak, and I love it! In the past 2 days I've eaten: 2 hot dogs, chicken tenders, a salad, pizza, nachos, Sour Patch Kids, and Dippin' Dots. I've washed it all down with Diet Coke and water. **** The venues where the games are played are dry (i.e. no alcohol is served).
Based on what I've ingested, if I don't have a heart attack, I'll see you at the Verizon Center tonight!
Sarah can't be everywhere, so TheWirk.com is engaging fans and followers of the blog to create a "THE WIRK Avatar" to take to sporting events in their area and report back on the action and highlights.
Lucky fans and followers who post pictures like this of "their" THE WIRK Avatar at sporting events they attend may get a chance to meet her at a future event when she comes back around to their city. **** You may even get a seat upgrade, because she sometimes has extra tickets on her.
RixStar was hanging out with a "THE WIRK Avatar" in Charlotte for some Eastern Regional NCAA Basketball Action at TimeWarner Cable Arena.
The "Avatar" getting ready to go inside the arena
for some NCAA action
THE WIRK has been to over 70 different sporting venues.
This is inside the main entrance to the TIME WARNER
arena where the Charlotte Bobcats play.
Duke defeated Hampton in the early afternoon session. THE WIRK had choice 4th row seats for this first session match-up, thanks to a hook-up at Hampton University. Go RixStar!
Between sessions, the "Avatar" checks out some of the
other NCAA action on a TV back in the room
at the Ritz Carlton Hotel next to the arena. This is so cool.
A TV built into the mirror in the bathroom
During the session, Jim Nantz looks like he's
checking out THE WIRK's Avatar!
THE WIRK, is a Duke fan (i.e. her brother went there) but she also like UNC, unless they're playing Duke. Go Tarheels! In one of the night games, John Henson hits one of his 28 points in UNC's victory over Long Island Univ.
THE WIRK is all about entertainment inside and outside of your favorite sporting venues. She knows where to hang out and have fun after the games. Here she is at the Epicenter entertainment complex across from the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. It has 3 levels of restaurants, lounges and other night spots.
At Epicenter
RixStar
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**** Note: I was really in Cleveland, OH to watch the tournament there. Post forthcoming once I rest!
Today I went to the NCAA Tournament in Washington DC and I saw one of my all-time favorites at the Verizon Center . PAT RILEY. I'm such a huge fan of the man. I love everything he does (i.e. Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks). He looks great and his smile is killer. The man is a WINNER. Plus, I have a huge crush on Erik Spoelstra (i.e. even before he became head coach), so Riley would be "like" a "father-in-law". **** No, I didn't tell Riley, I had a crush on Spoelstra. To be honest, I forgot ~ plus that just sounds silly!
Regardless, what a great St. Pat(rick's) Riley Day!!!
Shout out to another one of my favorites, Bob Ferry (i.e. former GM of the Washington Bullets/Wizards and the best person to hang out with when a loved one is having surgery on his foot). Bob Ferry is the BEST. Nothing but class from the man, and he's another gentleman who I adore seeing. Great smile, big hug, and nothing but love!
An actual tournament post will come when I settle in a few days ~ but trust me these 2 men were my highlights!
I think Vegas has UConn as a 3-4 point favorite. I'm not a huge fan of Jim Calhoun, but I do like Kemba Walker. I didn't know that much about him, until I watched him play "live", but you can tell that he definitely enjoys playing the game. It's also apparent that he and Coach Calhoun have a great relationship. I watched them smile and discuss the game on the sidelines and you can tell there's mutual respect there.
