If a couple of bad I.U. basketball losses this week aren’t enough to lower my spirits then certainly reading the first draft of my latest Last Will will! I’m in the final stages of updating this document, along with healthcare directives. It’s contents are certainly in that same life or death category as I.U. basketball. At least, unlike most college basketball enthusiasts, I’m not waiting for that first National Championship. Been there…done that.

With my wife out of town on business, the dogs and I watched the Grammy Awards last night. It looks like the “Snowmageddon” that they were predicting for our area has instead turned to rain. There should be few problems in getting to the airport tomorrow morning for an early flight. Our pet sitter will be here to take over my responsibilities, as I’ve updated the specific “Pet Care Instructions.” I’m sure she will give them more attention than I do. Tinker, our eldest schnauzer turns 15 in a few weeks and needs more help than Tally. Tally can never get enough walks, while Tinker can never get enough naps. They were hoping that Snoop Doggy Dogg might finally get a Grammy after 17 nominations. I told them that I thought the 47-year old rapper and actor had given up after a third straight year of no recognition. They particularly liked his second album, Tha Doggfather and assumed it was written about me. (See Post #763). One of my close Portland friends has a brother who’s currently touring with poor, win-deprived, Snopp.

I watched the Ray Romano comedy special on Netflix yesterday. My wife and I both met him at the Final Four in Indianapolis back in March of 1997 just after CBS launched Everybody Loves Raymond. The popular TV show first aired on September 13, 1996, so he was still a virtual unknown celebrity to most of us. My future second wife and I had yet to get together but worked for the same CBS affiliate WISH-TV8. We were the suite hosts at the RCA Dome for him and did the introductions to some of our advertising buyers. Twenty-two years later, the Netflix special reminded me of what a great guy he was to meet, and it still doesn’t look like success has gone to his head. Although it was hilarious, I still somehow managed to fall asleep after getting up a 5 a.m. for an unexpected drive to the airport. After my nap, I watched the last 15 minutes and would recommend it to anyone. Pretty clean, too!

Arizona beat Kentucky that year to win it all. Any Kentucky loss is a big win for me! Indiana last won the National title in 1987, but surprisingly got to the Final Four in 2002 when it was played in Atlanta. I mention this because it was really the last good year of I.U. basketball, now struggling with a 17-year drought. Basketball life has not been good, but I now have the “Will to live,” once these final revisions are made. The pets are mentioned in our “exit plan,” along with the division of our other important assets. Speaking of 17 disappointing years (and 105 dog years), I hope for the dogs sake that Snoop Dogg finally wins a Grammy Award. Which will come first to win the trophy- I.U. or
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr ?