Random Shit

• No posts regarding Tunica, though it brought a couple things worth mentioning.  First, we performed well, but weren't in the Top 10 at the end.  Somewhere between 125 and 150 teams there (I've heard 128, 135 and 149, and I didn't count).  We were 39th at the Final question, but bunched up with a bunch of teams within spitting distance of the top 5.  We missed the Final Question, though.  No worries.  Was a tremendous time.
• Interesting was driving through Germantown and Memphis on Saturday, and thinking about turning on the AC, but seeing them laying salt down on the other side of the interstate.  It was warm enough that I'd wished I'd worn shorts.
• One minor gripe?  The beer situation sucked at Sam's Town.  Now, I'm one of those beer snobs that seems to care what the stuff he puts in his mouth tastes like.  Now, I know it's Mississippi, but even in Mississippi you gotta find something in the craft beer range.  We had to make Heineken suffice for the drinking at the table.  Seriously, though.  Find something.  Sweet Magnolia is in Mississippi...that's just a hint....
• Didn't do much gambling.  A casino is overwhelming, to me, I'm almost sorry to admit.  Too many lights, too many noises.  I'd say I'm like Rain Man, except Rain Man lasts most of the third act of the movie at a Blackjack table.
• I did a lot of quality people watching, though.  Casinos are great for that.  Lot more camo on the floor at Tunica than I'd have thought. 
• I guess here's as good a place as any to say that it's now officially jarring to go someplace where people smoke indoors.  As Micah put it, his room at Sam's Town smelled like they were sleeping in the back room of one of our Trivia haunts.
• Woke up the next morning to begin the trek back to Tennessee, and wandered outside in a t-shirt.  34 degrees, and all that.  I think Mississippi forgot to pay their heat bill.
• Wandering back toward East Tennessee, we passed the cold front somewhere around Manchester, TN, just after we'd stopped for gas.  In the 25 miles or so after Manchester, the temperature went up about 25 degrees.  When we got back to relatively lovely McMinn County, it was again up in the 70's.
• We're looking for a regular haunt to begin playing Trivia again.  The rest of the team may try Tuesdays at Southern Burger Company in Ooltewah--I can't play Tuesdays, alas, owing to that the fate of the Free World revolves around my taking displays down on Tuesday nights.  I'm encouraging them to go play, though.
• I haven't uttered the phrase "working like a botard" in a few months.  February and March have been much more pleasant than the previous four or five.  When it rains it pours, though.  Three of my grocery guys have either quit or put in notice the past couple of weeks.  Such is life.
• Getting close to NCAA Tournament time, one of my favorite times of the year.  I think I enjoy the first Thursday and Friday of the tournament as much as any other days of the sporting year.  Hopeful that Tennessee will make it, though not counting on it.  Need a win in the SEC tournament, and probably 2 to cement it (especially since that second win would most likely be against Florida).
• Another vacation begins this week.  Hoping to possible get out in time Friday to watch at least part of Tennessee beginning SEC Tournament play, that afternoon.