The Final Four Chronicles: The Interregnum

 

It is the day between the games, or as Kev-O refers to it, "My Favorite Day of the Weekend!"  We know we have brunch reservations, and we know we are going to see Papa Si and Anne.  I wonder if there will be any interesting basketball news today.  [Ed. Note - There will be.]

07:00 - Pepster awakens.

07:22 - Big Wigg, already showered comes outside to the patio.  Our first vacation cigar of the day.

08:20 - Sinickal comes out of his room to join the crowd.

08:35 - Sinickal is talking to Big Wigg and Pepster about golf, and more specifically about this prediction Sinickal made back in 2011 about TIGER WOODS.  He begins telling a story about a bet he made with a friend of his that Tiger would not catch Jack Nicklaus (Sinickal taking the side that he wouldn't).  That bet was made so long ago with Tiger not winning enough majors that the person he bet has died.

08:36 - Pepster opines that it is an easier bet that Tiger Woods catches syphilis before he catches Nicklaus.

8:38 - Tony, who has been up for awhile, enters the fray.

08:39 - Followed by Kev-O.

09:31 - Planning on which sports bar to go to prior to brunch so we can see as much of the women's championship as possible, and settle on Zipps.  Pepster immediately perks up because he thinks that is where Sir Mix-a-Lot and his crew went in the song My Posse's on Broadway.  Turns out, it isn't.  The line is "But Taco Bell was closed, the girls was on my tip.  They said go back the other way we;ll stop and eat at Dick's."  The entire crew is so disappointed that Pepster messed up this lyric.  But nobody more disappointed than Pepster.  Well, at least we have an excuse to post some Mix-a-Lot. 

09:56 - Strolling through social media looking for tidbits on the women's game and Pepster comes across this post from one high school basketball teammate to another.  "G - let's bet.  I got South Carolina.  You can have Iowa and the refs!"

09:57 - Pop into Tacos Jalisco for some breakfast tacos and/or burritos.  We picked it partly because it was close.  And, it really was.  We could have walked.

09:59 - Turns out we can order the breakfast burrito with asada AND chorizo!

10:03 - This is REALLY good.  Nice little dive with a walk-up counter, and it is open late night.  This could be an important thing to remember.

10:19 - Strange guy with unmatching workout clothes walks into and out of the bathroom with a strange bag.  As he walks out, he goes and stands in the parking lot just looking around, and gets into a car that randomly pulls up.  Tony thinks this is strange.  Sinickal notes, "The Italian sitting with his back to the wall and facing the front door is pointing out shady behavior!"

10:26 - Sinickal telling a story about a scientific study his friend insists he read about magical phermones possessed by redheads.

10:28 - Sinickal and Kev-O remember that they forgot to tell us about how an accordion player was playing live in the Minneapolis airport on Friday - at 7:45 in the morning!!!

10:30 - Mexican music videos playing on the television in Tacos Jalisco.  One comes on in which the lead singer in tactical gear with a V/R headest kills someone, and then dances over him dressed as a furry.

10:31 - As we exit Tacos Jalisco, Kev-O states that he had never before seen a Nissan Rogue tac'd out.  Tony notices the K-9 on duty sticker on the back door window.  

10:37 - Dunkin' Donuts for some coffee for Sinickal and Kev-O.  The woman working the drive thru had a lot going on with her look and fit.

10:41 - At a stoplight next to the "Champagne Train", a pink-painted school bus designed for parties.  Women are dancing, screaming and twerking.  Tony opens his window.  Kev-O does not.

11:24 - Discussing games from last night and Sinickal points out a tweet that notes the most notable thing about Forrest Gump is that he graduated from Alabama.

We also pick up on a discussion we had last night about the best woman basketball player ever.  Pepster and Sinickal start off the conversation with there could only be two answers.  Then he says that someone in his club brought up Anne Myers.  That person is wrong.  It is Cheryl Miller or Diana Taurasi.  Nobody else.  This translates into a discussion of Dawn Staley's cumulative playing and coaching careers.  Just outstanding!

11:58 - Enter Zipps.  Told we can't stand at the bar because it is a "walkway".

11:58:30 - Exit Zipps.

11:59 - Enter Clancy's.  Pretty full, but not packed.  We are able to get a table.

12:05 - A man standing at the corner of the bar during the national anthem on television.  Since people are still talking and ordering food and drinks and workers generally doing their jobs, he yells out, "Be quiet, I am trying to listen to the song!"

12:06 - Kev-O looks back at him, and he is not wearing shoes, and his belt is in his hand.

12:07 - We decide he must be an Iowa fan.

12:08 - He leaves the bar after the anthem and never returns to Clancy's.  He just popped in for the anthem!

12:10 - Dawn Staley looks like she took her jacket from a Missy Elliott video.  Twitter finds out the jacket costs $5,370.

12:15 - A Great Value Brand Freddie Mercury exits Clancy's.

12:16 - Tip-off.

12:16 - First Iowa basket, this is an obviously Iowa-heavy crowd.

12:32 - One guy at the corner of the bar cheers for South Carolina.  He must be our reinforcement.

13:01 - Good game in the first half.  If they didn't show the score we would never have thought South Carolina was up.

 13:31 - Leave for our brunch reservations at SumoMaya.

13:45 - Enter SumoMaya.  This brunch is AMAZING.  Seriously, check out THIS MENU.  You pay for an entree, and they bring unlimited tapas-style appetizers to the table.  Just first-rate food with a great atmosphere.  Danielle and Trey join us for brunch.

15:15 - Remarking to Trey that his people - Purdue fans - are here in droves.  He says he is pretty proud.  Tony says it is because they are looking for an excuse to leave Purdue.  Kev-O notes that they call it West Lafayette, not Best Lafayette.

15:16 - Kev-O telling a story about the first time he brought his wife Susan home to Kentucky, and that when they arrived in Lexington, Tony interrupts with, "you put her on a horse!"

15:47 - Leave SumoMaya.

16:07 - Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers.  Different one than before.

16:15 - Sinickal's long-time family friend Don shows up.

16:24 - Don, who is originally from St. Louis, starts talking about his grandfather who graduated college in St. Louis in 1904.  Asks us if we know what happened in St. Louis in 1904.  Pepster knows this one - it was the Summer Olympics!

16:30 - Don says that "One of my kids loves Amsterdam."  He is asked which kid.  He names his son, then says, "My other kids have problems traveling outside of Scottsdale!

16:34 - Waitress asks if we need another round, looks at Kev-O's drink and says, "Your drink looks sad."  Pepster adds, "Drinks tend to look like their owner."  Kev-O responds, "I may be sad, but I am also not deaf!"

16:35 - Papa Si and Anne, Sinickal's parents arrive.

16:36 - Sinickal introduces Kev-O to his parents as "Hopps' replacement".

16:39 - Papa Si, seeing our shirts - asks how we are connected to Southwestern Central.  Answer, "We created it!"

17:34 - Long discussion about the Dali/Key Bridge accident.

17:53 - Papa Si regaling us about the restaurant at the Fairmont Princess at which he had a very expensive lunch while looking at a potential condominium in the same complex.  Sinickal says, "If you can't afford the burger, you can't afford the condo."

17:55 - Don says to Kev-o about buying a house in the 5s - you can't even sit in Scottsdale for $500,000.00!

18:32 - Sinickal to Anne, his Mom, "You didn't have a problem beating me and trash talking."  Her response, "That's 'cause you couldn't play!"

19:03 - Long discussion, continued from the day before and earlier today, who is the second best basketball player from Duke?

19:20 - Long Barbershop talk.  Papa Si exclaiming that he still goes to the barbershop.  "I have hair on the side!"

19:22 - If Ice Cube and Queen Latifah don't say it happened, then it doesn't happen!  Sinickal's comments on barbershops.

19:28 - After a long argument made by Anne, Papa Si responds, "My point was ..."

19:48 - Leave Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers.

19:50 - As we pass a store alongside the road, Tony asks if it is open.  When told yes, he says, "Oh, I thought it was midnight!"

19:54 - A DOG IS DRIVING A CYBER TRUCK!!!

19:57 - We find out that John Calipari is discussing the head coaching position at Arkansas.  Remember, Kev-O is a Kentucky alumnus and Pepster is a long time Kentucky basketball fan.  They are crestfallen.

19:59 - The group discusses Calipari replacements, and Jay Wright is first on our list.  Danny Hurley comes up and Sinickal, forever twisting the dagger, says, "Why don't you throw money at Danny Hurley?  Except, for him, that would be taking a step down!"

20:15 - Back at home.

21:11 - Start watching #BlackAF

21:15 - Confirmed Calipari is going to Arkansas.

21:16 - Kev-O needs a minute.  Steps outside.

21:16:18 - Tony to Kev, "Just put the cig out before you fall into the pool!"

21:19 - Kev-O realizes, "There is not enough whiskey in the world for me right now!"

21:45 - Kev-O decides to hit the hot tub.  Pepster joins later.

22:51 - Kev-O and Pepster leave the hot tub to go to bed.  Kev-O ends the evening with, "Arkansas, huh?"

Arkansas, huh, indeed!!!

The Final Four Chronicles: The Semi-Finals

 

Saturday, April 6

Well, today is the day for basketball.  It is the reason that we all headed to Arizona.  Sure the scenery is beautiful, the camraderie and laughs are plentiful, and the drinks are flowing, but this trip's primary focus is basketball, and today is the start of The End of the Road (cue Boyz II Men!)  But, we have lots of time before the games, so let's see what the day brings, after coffee, showers, some work, some phone calls, and, of course, jokes.

5:58 - Pepster arises.   Body must still be on Eastern Time.

7:00 - Sinickal comes out of his room

7:43 - Kev-O exists his room, all showered.  Realizes that he found the one flaw with our AirBnB lodgings - hardly any window treatments in the rooms.  How did he find this out?  Sun blaring first thing in the morning.  Good thing his body is still on Eastern time.

8:27 - Tony out of his room, not yet showered.  But, he also was probably the first one awake.

8:43 - First Bloody Mary's.  Pepster is pissed at himself for forgetting to buy Worcestershire Sauce; compensates with chili flakes and black pepper that he finds in the pantry.

9:13 - Tony - while telling a story and talking with his hands.  Knocks over his coffee and says, "That's why you don't bring an Italian."  Pepster retorts, "Yeah, that's why."

9:29 - Venture out for breakfast, after taking 10-15 minutes to try to determine where to go.

9:33 - Somehow we end up lost in the parking lot; while still in the car and not yet arriving at a breakfast spot.

9:36 - After getting our bearings, exit parking lot, immediately see a place called Zorba's Adult Shop. Not sure why we thought the name was so hilarious.  Perhaps it is because we didn't know that there were so many Greeks in Scottsdale.  Well, we know of at least one, as he is entering as we pass.

9:41 - Arrive at U.S. Egg, where you can order your coffee with extra patriotism and your omellettes with a side of jingoism.

9:45 - Pepster has way too long a conversation with the waitress about their Bloody Mary's.  Orders a Sunrise Mimosa.  Tony and Sinickal order Bloody Mary's, and Kev-O orders a Screwdriver.

So, U.S. Egg is a diner-style breakfast and lunch place just draped in US paraphernalia, inlcuding this map on the wall.

9:57 - After staring at it for quite some time, Kev-O starts up a conversation with everything that is disturbing about the map.  Let's recall some of the highlights:

The White House is somewhere near the Delaware/Maryland border;

The Liberty Bell is near State College, Pennsylvania;

Los Angeles/Hollywood is basically in San Diego;

The Space Needle is near the Oregon border;

The random Hawkeye logo - and not any other colleges; and

Two Mardi Gras symbols, one appropriately over New Orleans and the other - in Shreveport?

Kev-O stresses that the second Mardi Gras should be over Mobile, as they have the second largest Mardi Gras in the U.S.

9:59 - Pepster notices the peach over Georgia as that will likely have to change given that peach farmers are starting to convert to growing grapefruits because of climate change.  Noting that the change is not so warm enough to grow oranges, and that grapefruit are a little more tolerant.

10:00 - Kev-O states that now grapefruit are probably the most tolerant thing in Georgia.

10:10 - Food arrives.  Delicious!!!  Pepster and Kev-O agree that the omelettes have a great egg-to-items ratio.  The crew rounds out the order with a chicken fried steak, and a hearty skillet.  Would recommend.

10:32 - Head back to the crib to wait for Big Wigg.

10:48 - 48 Hours is on television - prime Eddie Murphy comedic-acting.

11:16 - Big Wigg arrives from Tucson.

11:30 - Another 48 Hours comes on television; nope can't stay to watch this one.

11:56 - Head out to Glendale for the games.

12:42 - Arrive in the parking lot of the Tanger outlets near the stadium, slide in to park as we recalled that was the easiest egress last time the Final Four was here.  Pay the parking fee, and the lady tells us "Thank you, just drive forward and turn right."  The only allowable turn was left.  But, she was right.

12:50 - Enter Twin Peaks, which just happens to have four seats next to each other.

12:51 - The Marlins are on tv!!!

13:28 - They change the station to the Reds game.  Oh well, the Marlins were going to lose anyway, and Kev-O is a Reds fan. 

13:29 - 14:15 - Discuss the UConn-Iowa illegal screen call.  (Who are we kidding, this went well into the night.)

13:46 - We have now seen 4 Alabama fans - TOTAL!

13:53 - While Kev-O stepped outside, he saw three Purdue guys walking by; one wearing a gold lame' tie and a second announcing that "We 'deserve' to make the finals."  Kev-O decides to cheer for North Carolina State.

14:10 - Pepster discusses the role of Gabby Marshall of Iowa in drawing the illegal screen foul call.

14:19 - While walking into the restroom, two guys are talking baseball, and one guy announces that he once drove a golf-cart for Willie Mays in Bali during a golf tournament.  Pepster asks, "Who's Willie Mays?"  After the laughter stopped, Pepster continued, "I'm kidding.  Isn't he the guy that played for the Mets?"

14:26 - We just realized Zach Edey went to IMG Academy.

14:29 - Guy wearing a customized Purdue jersey with the name on the back reading "Not a Dime Back".  Huh?

14:30 - Leave Twin Peaks and walk to State Farm Stadium.

14:35 - There really is a Barkley Blimp!!!

14:43 - Who had "Someone wearing an 'Obama' jersey on their Bingo card?"

14:46 - Enter State Farm Stadium.

14:48 - After ingress we head to the escalators for our trek upward.  Guy stops Sinickal and says, "the players' entrance is the other way."

14:50 - On one of the two parallel escalators, guy in an orange Illinois pullover on the escalator next to us grabs Sinickal's attention to ask him what the "S" on the back of his shirt meant.  Sinickal, who is an alumnus of Syracuse University answered, "You know you are wearing the wrong color orange or you wouldn't have said something!"

15:08  The ball is tipped...

Radio silence during the game.

15:25 - Who are we kidding with "radio silence".  After a Purdue player trips on a fast break, Sinickal remarks, "You can see the first-down marker that popped up and tripped him!"

15:56 - Half-time:  NC State played horrible, except for DJ Horne, gotten next-to-nothing from DJ Burns, and are only down six.

1st half-note.  Really sloppy game.  Purdue point guard received not 1, but 2 over-and-back calls while just dribbling.  We wonder what the Final Four record is?  Also, Purdue is here IN FORCE.  More Purdue fans that the other 3 schools combined.  Here is the student section during the game.

16:19 - Guy walking up the stairs with a shirt that says, "College Sports."

16:36  Crowd boos the announcement of Kelvin Sampson as Division 1 Coach of the Year.  Sinickal says, "You know you have done well when a whole stadium stadium at the Final Four is booing you.  [Ed. Note - Almost this entire stadium is for Purdue.  Sampson spent two seasons as the head coach at Indiana.]

17:07 - Game 1 ends.  Twenty-Eight minute wait until game 2.

Alabama students did not fill up the student section.

18:10 - Stadium plays Sweet Home Alabama during intros.  Pepster asks, "How many Alabama fans know that Lynryd Skynryd is from Jacksonville, Florida?"

18:46 - 4 point game at halftime.

First half notes - Alabama is in this game having at one-point shot 83% from three-point range.  They cannot keep up this pace.

19:14 - The first country song played by the Alabama band.

19:16 - UConn should have way more students at this game.  They have even less than Alabama.

20:03 - Exit stadium.

20:05 - Game two ends.

20:26 - Enter Buffalo Wild Wings.  There is supposed to be a 1 1/2 hour wait, but we walk up to the bar as we don't need a table.  Within minutes of our arrival, and before we received our beers, a group of 6 people at the bar leave.  Apparently they came to Buffalo Wild Wings for a drink as they were waiting 2 hours for a table at Yard House.

[Ed. Note - Yes, we know that Twin Peaks and Buffalo Wild Wings are uninteresting chains, but there is only one real entertainment complex near the stadium, so we are captive from that stand point.  We will do much locally better as the weekend/week progresses.]

20:42 - For some reason Sinickal brings up the fact that Kev-O was supposed to find sugar for his coffee this morning, and failed.  Kev-O calls Sinickal "Sweet Nuts."

20:52 - See two UConn furries.  Well, at the very least they are two girls wearing a head-to-toe Husky costume, with ears, and tails, and all.  At least they have the head undone so they can see/breathe.  One of them has a sign that reads, "Stick to football and marrying your cousin."

21:01 - Danielle and Trey enter Buffalo Wild Wings.  Trey, a Purdue alumnus, is absolutely giddy, and we are here for it!

22:08 - Vanessa, Sinickal's friend through work that lives locally arrives at Buffalo Wild Wings.  Her thirty minute Uber took over an hour.

22:17 - Big Wigg arrives, his 45 miunte Uber took him almost an hour and a half.  He is refreshed after a nap, some good Pho, and watching basketball.  Catches up with a double Casamigos on the rocks.  He notes, "Gotta sip on something."

Note that once Big Wigg arrives, our group is now 8 and we own our own little corner of Buffalo Wild Wings, and we have about 4 conversations going at once, with all of us participating in all of them.

22:39 - Sinickal is trying to describe a girl named Phoenix that he knows, and somehow ends up describing one of Pepster's law school girlfriends.

22:47 - Leave Buffalo Wild Wings.

22:59 - Kev-O regales us with North Carolina State's DJ Burns' interview from after the game where he was asked the major difference between him going up agianst Zach Edey.  Burns' response was, "7 inches is a lot."  Then thinks before he finishes, "No Diddy."

23:00 - 23:30 - Lots of hip-hop barebecue.  It was on fire!

23:31 - Arrive at our home.

23:31:30 - Kev-O goes to bed.

23:31:42 - Tony retires.

23:46 - The rest of us call it a night.

The Final Four Chronicles: The Arrival

Yes, it is that time of year again folks, where the good men of WeMakeItRain - well 2/3 of us - and the coaching staff of Southwestern Central - well 3/4 of us - and good friend head west to the promised land of the Final Four and the National Association of Baskebtall Coaches annual conference, this year held in Glendale/Phoenix/Scottsdale.  I know I have written this before, but the NCAA says the Final Four is in Phoenix, but it is actually in Glendale, but we are anchored in Scottsdale.  We will see all three of these cities, and also some guest appearances as well, especially since Sinickal's parents live in Scottsdale.  As always, all times are local and remain in the same time zone as previous entries until a change is noted.  If something occurs mid-flight, the entry will remain in the time zone in which the flight originated until landing in a different zone. [Ed. Note from Sinickal: Pepster is an attorney]

Thursday, April 4

20:30 E.D.T. - Tony Wheels up to Phoenix.

20:32 - Tony notes that his flight has a ton of UConn folks on it, and they are still the quietest fan base.  [Ed. note - last year's UConn fans didn't celebrate as we thought fitting of a championship team, and we were in the UConn host bar a lot.]

20:56 - Kev-O remarks that they have 5 titles this century, and they can't be bothered to be rowdy.

20:57 - Followed by "They don't deserve [Dan] Hurley as coach.

Friday, April 5

00:00 MDT - Tony lands in Phoenix.

04:28 EDT - Pepster departs for FLL.

05:20 - As Pepster enters the parking lot, Fat Joe featuring Li'l Wayne's We Make It Rain comes on Flex2K.  Our anthem coming on at this point in time, must be a sign.  To get yourself in the appropriate mood, give it a listen.  Fat Joe ft. Li'l Wayne

05:21 - Pepster sends the crew this photo.

04:57 - Sinickal spots Kev-O a few people ahead of him in the Clear line. Tries to get his attention, but he is both still asleep and in his phone.

05:22 - Kev-O and Sinickal meet up in DCA.  They are on the same first leg to MSP, but on different flights to PHX.

05:36 - Plane boarding and staff hierarchy is clear. Sinickal is in first class and a clearly annoyed Kev-O flips him off on his way to coach. 

05:48 - Pepster notes that the airport bars don't open until 8:00 in Fort Lauderdale.

05:50 - Sinickal - "I can't believe the State of Florida would ban the right of the people to drink at anytime though.  Not like them."

05:53 - Pepster, "Free State of Florida, my ass!"

05:54 - Kev-O joins in, "Thanks a lot DeSanctimonious!"

07:00 - Pepster sees that his flight is delayed until 7:52.

07:01 - Sinickal to Pepster, "You still can't drink though!"

04:04 MST - Tony says, "If your flight is delayed a little longer you might get one in!"

[Ed. Note - definitely too early to drink even if open, but still seems remarkable that an airport is full, and most places - not just bars - were closed.]

07:48 CDT - Sinickal and Kev-O arrive in Minneapolis and hustle to the Delta Sky Club. The drinking journey begins. Kev-O with vodka and Sinickal with bourbon. Sinickal notes that this ain't Florida.

08:50 - Sinickal and Kev-O are on different flights to Phoenix. Kev-O departs for his. 

10:33 EDT - Pepster's brother in Jersey City and sister in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, as well as Tony's brother in Queens, all text to say they were just in an earthquake.  Everyone is good though.

7:40 MST - Tony texts a graphic about the earthquake showing the epicenter in Lebanon, New Jersey.

10:43 EDT - Pepster responds, "Lebanon, huh?  Probably not the worst explosion that will happen in Lebanon this weekend.

7:45 MST - Tony replies, "Poor Lebanon.  First they come under attack due to crazy neighbors and then to be related to a location in New Jersey.  Tough week for them."

10:03 MDT - Pepster reads a group e-mail involving some friends primarily centered around college.  One of them says, "Not as bad as ones I felt when I lived in Cali. 4.8 out of 10.  Would quake again." 

10:04 - Pepster lands in Denver.

10:27 - Pepster sees a guy who is approximately 5'9" tall, and 285 pounds wearing a Colorado Buffaloes t-shirt that says "I'm not hard to find!"  

11:10 - Pepster wheels up to PHX.

10:53 MST - Kev-O lands in Phoenix.

13:08 CDT - Sinickal just got a notification that his golf clubs were put on Kev-O's earlier flight from Minneapolis.

11:48 MST - Kev-O enters Chelsea's Kitchen in the airport.

12:30 - Pepster arrives in Phoenix.

12:39 - On the way to baggage claim, Pepster passes a step-and-repeat for the Final Four with a DJ spinning dance music.  This city seems prepared!

12:52 - Pepster meets up with Kev-O in Chelsea's Kitchen, as we await Sinickal's arrival. (Note: Pepster finally gets a drink.)

12:53 - Sinickal arrives in Phoenix.

13:12 - Sinickal is grabbing his bags and going to pick up the rental car, says it'll be about 30-40 minutes.  Kev-O and Pepster order another round.

13:42 - From Sinickal, "In the car, will be on north side in about 10 minutes."

13:48 - Sinickal asks us from what door did we exit.  We tell him we are at Door 27 north.  Sinickal is three minnutes out.

13:49 - Sinickal asks "Are you sure it is Door 27?"

13:58 - Sinickal driving the rental car pulls up to the curb to pick up Kev-O and Pepster, only when he gets out of the car, it isn't Sinickal.  The driver apologizes to us as if he did something wrong by vaguely looking like Sinickal behind tinted windows.  This posting is the first time Sinickal and Tony know this happened.

14:01 - Sinickal again, "Are you sure it's Door 27?"

14:05 - Sinickal continues, "That door doesn't exist."

14:10 - It certainly does!

14:11 - Yes, the door exists, but Kev-O realizes we were at Departures on Level 2, not Arrivals on Level 1.  We're idiots.

14:26 - Kev-O tells Pepster and Sinickal that he prepped for this Final Four by studying a map of the panhandle of Oklahoma, as he is still trying to figure out where Southwestern Central is located.  [Ed. Note - it's in the northeast corner of the panhandle.]

14:33 - Since we cannot get into the AirBnB until 3, a quick stop at Fate Brewing after we pass an establishment that Bob Lanier "turned Sinickal on to."

14:34 - Guy across the bar wearing a t-shirt that reads:

                                                                Jesus

                                                                Booger

                                                                Lonnie

                                                                Mance

                                                                & Sip 

Gotta love He Got Game.

14:56 - Tony heads to the AirBnB in a Waymo!!!  "This is wild," he says.

15:02 - Tony arrives safely at AirBnB.

15:04 - The rest arrive at the AirBnB.

15:33 - Heading to Albertsons for "supplies."

15:38 - Kev-O sees a distraught mother in the parking lot and remarks, "She definitely beats her kids!"  To be fair, they looked like they deserved it.

15:44 - Full liquor sold in the grocery store.  And we thought Florida was a "free" state.

16:12 - Pepster sees his first pedi-bar.  He hates those things.  And to those that say, but you can pedal and get to drink with your friends.  Pepster says, I can drink with my friends in a bar.

16:13 - Kev-O states that he lived in Nashville for 8 years and he is certainly with Pepster.

16:14 - Sinickal to Kev-O, "But your hatred is not as visceral.  You need more bass in your voice!"

16:20 - Enter Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers.

16:28 - Order wings.

Mostly radio silence as the first women's Final Four game is on between NC State and South Carolina.  South Carolina rolls.

17:54 - DJ Burns' sister just checked in for NC State.

18:52 - Leave Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers.

18:54 - While walking to the car, see a lot of bikers at the Mexican restaurant next to Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers.  Kev-O notices one of them and says, "Can you really be a Harley-Davidson guy and wear Skechers?"

18:56 - Kev-O realizes that we all hobbled out of Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers.  Discuss whether it is age creeping up on us, or the fact that our bodies are three hours ahead.  We note it is the time change.

18:58 - Another f'in pedi bar.

19:00 - Enter Coach House.  See Danielle and Trey, Pepster's second cousin and second cousin-in-law [Ed. Note - her husband] from Seattle.  They are in town for - you guessed it - THE FINAL FOUR.  Trey is a proud alumnus of Purdue who wasn't around for their last Final Four appearance, so they made sure to come to this one!

19:01 - Sinickal and Kev-O commence the first of many games of Golden Tee.  [Ed. Note - This turned out to  be the only game of Golden Tee.]

19:02 - Before too many beers are consumed Pepster informs Danielle and Trey that they will be mentioned in the blog and asks if there is a preferred moniker other than their names.  They both agree they are just happy to be mentioned, so no alias necessary.

19:07 - Danielle is remiss that she didn't come wearing her school gear - Coastal Carolina - as everybody else had donned clothing from their respective alma mater, even those schools not in the Final Four.

Radio Silence as a lot of people are watching the Iowa-Connecticut women's final four game.  Apparently that Caitlyn Clark is popular.  Who knew?  [Ed. Note - we did.]

19:57 - Danielle and Trey start their inquiry of Sinickal - whose parents live in Scottsdale - as to where they could get something good to eat that is close.

20:31 - Very questionable illegal screen called against UConn.

20:42 - Danielle and Trey still probably in need of food, but have an other drink to hang out with us instead!

21:08 - Band at the Coach House breaks into Bust a Move, then tells the crowd that it was a song by Young MC. This would be funny if we had a picture of the band.

21:15 - Pepster notes that he is tired and says out loud that unlike us Danielle and Trey did not have to go through a time change to get to Scottsdale. Sinickal remarks that they probably aren't thirsty either. 

21:24 - We decide it is time for us to go home, but not before a picture to send to the Sosa/Perez family.  Please excuse the bad lighting, it was the bar's fault.

21:26 - We head home.

21:29 - Back home.  Commence eating potato chips bought earlier at Albertsons.  Wondering if Danielle and Trey ever found food ...

21:43 - Big Wigg - Pepster's friend from West Palm who now lives in Tucson texts to coordinate plans for the morning.  That's right, Big Wigg is joining!  Gonna be a crew!

21:46 - Pepster retires for the evening.