The numbers surrounding March Madness in pictures

I received the following graphic which tells the story of March Madness.  It was sent to me from Jenica Rhee (i.e. evidently it was a school project).  Needless to say, I hope she got an "A".

Lately, I've been spending some time explaining all the hype surrounding the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament to my non-American friends and this will definitely be helpful!  Brackets, sports betting, seedings, etc. it's here.  Check it out!


THE WIRK


Created by: BusinessDegree.net

March Madness is here and I'm not ready ~ See you in Vegas

So it's the advent of my return to Las Vegas for March Madness and aside from watching a few conference tournament games, I can honestly say I have no idea what's going on this year.  Last year, I hit the road and jockeyed cities to watch the games.  This year, frankly I don't have the energy to travel that much right now.  Sooooooo, it's just easier and more fun for me to visit with my friends from Portland et al, and sit in a sportsbook to wager.

Based on what little I know and from my past experience here are a few bullet points for what I think:

• I'm not taking Louisville to go far.  There seems to be little incentive for Coach Pitino to win, so I'll look forward to seeing Louisville's head coach on the sports panel(s) commentating as soon as his guys get bounced.
• If I have to pick a 12 to beat a 5, I'm picking Harvard University to pull off the upset.
• If UNC goes against FSU anywhere in the draw (i.e. can you tell I have yet to look at a bracket), I'm taking Florida State University.  The Seminoles are the Tarheels' kryptonite.
• Everyone I'm talking to seem to like the Kentucky Wildcats to win this year.
• I'm not joining any pools this year.  I've been out of the country for about 6-7 months, and you're not getting my "easy money".

I'll add more if/when I think of more.


THE WIRK

Head Coach Woodson - All the best with the Knicks

So Mike D'Antoni is out and Mike Woodson is in as (interim) head coach of the New York Knicks --- presumably until Phil Jackson can take over the helm (i.e. if you believe the word on the street). Want details about the resignation?  If so, you're in the wrong place.  I like Coach Woodson.  I've known him for about 10-11 years now.  I knew him when he was in Cleveland.  As an assistant coach he took the time to come over to the house to visit an injured player who was rehabbing.  Coach and I are not best buddies, but I do reach out whenever I'm in town and go and see him at work (i.e. coaching).

One funny story about Woody:  I used to work with a guy who was OBSESSED with Indiana Basketball.  He was the ultimate Indiana University fan.  He told me stories about Woody's shooting, with the hugest smile on his face.  He told me to ask Woody about it.  Later, after a game or maybe it was when he was visiting his player, I recounted the story to him.  I told him that my co-worker told me that he was one of the best shooters on his team.  Woody just smiled, not a cocky smile --- but a sincere, confident grin and said "I WAS the shooter".

That's Woody.  He's great.  All the best, coach!


THE WIRK

Continental Airlines ~ Why are you so terrible?

I have had to make 2 phone calls and been on the phone for more than 30 mins for both calls to change my return flight from Singapore.  I am actually still on hold since the website cannot process the ticket change. I would like a refund on all change fees because being on hold for close to an hour is unacceptable, especially when the website advertises that these services can be completed online.  I'm a US Airways PLATINUM dividend mile member and this experience is extremely frustrating and should not occur PERIOD. The cost of the international phone calls from my mobile will be close to the change fees that will be passed onto me by Continental Airlines. Terrible... Just terrible.

 

I've forwarded this information to Continental, a Customer Care case has been created for my request.

 

Reference number: 5179913

 

Anyone want to wager as to whether I'll have to call 1800-932-2732 to resolve this issue further?

 

Here are the initial comments from the Customer "I DON'T CARE" Worker.

• She says Continental Won’t refund any fees ~ even after spending over an hour trying to get someone on the phone and another 10 minutes for her to try to price the ticket.
• I informed the woman on the phone that the ticket was $50 more and $250 for the change.  I was able to see this online.  I had to repeat this information twice.
• The reason I had to call was that the Continental website, take the credit card verification info.  I had to repeat this information twice.
• What's the point of having voice recognition for the flight details when the call is answered if this information is not passed on?

Now I'm supposed to believe that the worker is going to rebook my ticket and that I can hang up, since I already know what the price will be.  She evidently can't get anyone to verify the price that appears on http://www.continental.com/. 

Looks like I may have another battle on my hands.

THE WIRK

My dad says he'd look like Kevin Garnett if he shaved his head

I went to visit my dad last weekend.  For those of you that haven't met him and never will, you're definitely missing out on all sorts of humor. 

Here's his latest gem...

Dad: It's getting harder and harder to cover my bald spot.
Me: Just shave your head.
Dad: Then I'll look like Kevin Garnett...
Me (completely perplexed): Really?

I assure you.  My dad has never and will never resemble Boston Celtics, star Kevin Garnett, but he does know his basketball...  Then again, he did say he needs new glasses...


THE WIRK

This blog isn't dead ~ I just need to catch up and rev up

For those that are curious about whether this blog is dead or not - I'm back to tell you that it's not.  I'm alive and well.  I've just been busy.  Further, as I was waiting for the NBA Lockout to end - I was in Singapore working and traveling through SE Asia.

I might try to catch this blog up with pictures from my previous voyages, in addition to tackling sports topics that are current.  As I'm the master of this domain - I guess it's up to me to make this endeavor the best it can be, and after a long break - I need to get to it!

Be patient with me.  I'm back in the USA and getting my "voice" back...


THE WIRK

Bali ~ Friends, Margarito v Cotto fight, UC Silver, and Bali Zoo

In early December I ran out to Bali again.  My friend was in town from the US, and there was another group of friends from Singapore that were out celebrating another friend's birthday.  What better place to celebrate your birthday, than Bali. 

I'm generally a good planner, but I didn't book accommodations early for this trip.  I ended up choosing a 1 bedroom villa at Danoya, because it had its own private pool and was two levels (i.e. had stairs).  I have always liked stairs.  Further, even though the property didn't have a restaurant on-site, the villa had a kitchen and it was nice to have a couple of people come over and make breakfast.  I enjoyed the mee goreng (i.e. noodles) one morning and the nasi goreng (i.e. rice) another morning.

****  My friends stayed at Villa Massilia and it appeared that the party of about 20 people had the complex to themself. 

On Friday night, I went out to Ku De Ta for drinks and a quick bite.  There I met Sanaz and her husband.  We share mutual friends and they had been traveling throughout SE Asia, so it was a treat to meet and chat.  Another thing that was cute was that Sanaz and I carried the same Chanel handbag!

Saturday, was spent lounging by the pool and with friends. 

Sunday, before running around and showing my friend, Taiwanna, the sites I had to watch the Margarito v Cotto boxing match.  As the fight was starting, there was a knock on the door and the hotel staff asked us if we needed help with our luggage.  OK, most people may consider this rude ~ but I knew I was already overstaying my welcome and there was a driver waiting for us so we could see the sites.

After checking out, I asked the driver to please take us to a bar so we could watch the fight.  Within 10 minutes we were at a bar and taking in all the action from the ring!  Talk about a good driver, and lucky man since he was able to watch the fight as well.  Miguel Cotto won the fight, and Margarito lost AGAIN.  Honestly though...  What's it going to take for Antonio Margarito to stop risking his vision?!!?

Anyway, another great trip with some sports (i.e. even if it was only on TV)... 

After the fight we went to UC Silver (i.e. took a tour and stopped in the shop). I was determined to check out the store since I'd seen so many ads.  Admittedly, I'm not a silver person, but I was taken in by the design and the dragonfly. 

We were greeted by a gentleman who gave us a tour.  It was a public holiday so there weren't many people working. 

After our tour we went to the store and I discovered that they also sell gold.  However, the name of the company IS UC Siler (i.e. and not UC Gold) so I decided to stay true to the name.

Afterwards we visited the Bali Zoo to ride the elephants.  Yes, I've done it before...  BUT you can never ride too many elephants...  Ha!!!

THE WIRK