Man time The NCAA tournament is not my favorite sporting event. It is however, a great excuse to circle the wagons with the rest of the men out there, drink beer, wax eloquent on things that aren't important, and most importantly surround yourself with people who WON'T call you on it.

I went to the first round games here in Columbus, and had a good time watching Albany get dismantled and then an even better time watching the Tennesse band play "ole rockytop" 12 different ways while the "vols" set a bunch of records including most points scored in a first round game. It was a real shootout.

Coincidentally, the game ended about the same time my chances of making any of my money back in the office pool. Day 2 of the first round.

As we were standing outside the seating part of the arena, intently watching Winthrop upset the team I had bet on, I asked the crowd where Winthrop was. A lot of men looked sheepisly away, and then someone behind me mumbled (in response to my making eye contact) that "its somewhere in the Carolinas I think."

And then it dawned on me. That others are faking interest as badly as me. That other people paid hundreds of $ for tickets, and didn't know any more than me about who these teams were.

So my plan for fame and fortune is this.
1) hire a good looking woman to act as a college student doing a report for a class
2) have her ask men outside NCAA events where Winthrop, Butler, or Belmont is located.
We will measure
a) how long it takes to get all 50 states
b) how many men admit to not knowing
Then in response to any incorrect answer, say for instance, "Missouri", the reporter will answer, "Really? I'm from Missouri and haven't even heard of it." The video footage of the guys response is where I'll get rich! (blackmail or America's funniest home videos... haven't decided yet)  ¶ 3:37 PM