The Final Four Chronicles: Day 1 - The Arrival

One of the best events in the world, in a very interestingly, fun city, with the four number 1 teams in the country - let's get after it.  As always, all times listed in the time zone in which they occur.

Thursday, April 3

Time unknown - Tony leaves for Austin, and eventually arrives!

Friday, April 4

05:27 (E.D.T) - Pepster leaves for FLL.

05:50 - Sinical arrives at DCA after a morning that includes putting on the same shirt backwards.  Twice.

06:05 - Delta agent at the Sky Club in DCA is first person today to ask what Sinickal's shirt means.

06:09 - Sinickal has a bourbon and soda at the bar in the Sky Club with a guy on his way to Tulum.  Guy says it's OK for him to drink since he was awake at 1:30 am and has already had a flight from Dulles canceled that morning.

6:27 -  Pepster spills his drink on his shirt as he is exiting his car at the airport.  This is only being listed here in case it becomes some sort of theme or we can look back on this as an omen of sorts.  At least he hadn't checked his bag yet so he could change.  Bye-bye "Eric B. and Rakim 1988" shirt.

6:29 - Kev-O walking by Sinickal's first class seat to the steerage section of the boat. Kev-O has to get his Delta numbers up as this is becoming a yearly tradition and he was only one slot behind Sinickal for upgrades this year.

6:31 - Guy from the Delta Sky Club ends up in a seat next to Sinickal.  He kept tapping to get Sinickal to take out his earbuds so that he could talk his ear off about nothing.

06:38 - Pepster sees the world's skinniest bachelorette party.  Five of the young ladies have pink/purple wigs; one has a tiara.  They collectively weigh 321 pounds.  Not skinny-shaming, just noticing.  I would have thought they were going to Nashville, but they were at the gate for a flight to Las Vegas.

06:59 - Kev-O has boarded the plane and the guy in the aisle seat in his row is watching Fox News and just blurted out loud, "Go get 'em Trump," like he was watching Alabama play and Trump had a third-and-7.

07:14 - Pepster boards and passes two rows of guys all decked out in Florida gear, and they are clearly travelling together.  Much larger man, not with them on the aisle.  He tells them he is not going to the Final Four, but the flight to San Antonio was the closest he could get to Houston after his original flight got canceled.  He then starts giving them the business about rooting for Florida.  Turns out he played for Florida State.  I cannot confirm whether he was on the 2020 National Championship team or not.

07:38 - Pepster wheels up to San Antonio.

09:22 - Flight from Atlanta to Austin delayed.  So, Sinickal and Kev-O jump on some work calls in Atlanta Terminal A.

09:22 (C.D.T.) - Pepster lands early!

09:35 - After deplaning, Pepster walks past a gate in which the San Antonio Fire Department EMTs are tending to a woman.  I don't think she is going to San Diego as originally planned.  But, she did look OK from my perspective, so hopefully they were able to take care of her!

11:08 (E.D.T.) - 40-something Duke Frat Bro next to Sinickal on the flight to Austin won't stop coughing.

10:14 (C.D.T.) - Pepster enters Wild Barley Kitchen and Brewery, a breakfast spot that makes its own beer!

10:17 - Starting light - a Tripel Knot Triple

11:50 - Call Uber to get closer to the AirBnB.  Idle Beer Hall it is.

11:59 - Uber driver - Brandon - asks if Pepster is coach in town for the Final Four.  Pepster explains to him the situation where we created a school so we can walk around the Final Four talking ball with other coaches here for the NABC.  He laughs and then asks what we named it.  After Pepster told him "Southwestern Central," he responds with, "Where is it located?  Damn, you just told me it was fake!"

12:08 - Pepster arrives at the destination and Brandon says, "Have a good day Coach!"

12:08:30 - Pepster walks into Idle Beer Hall.

12:11 - Pepster, asks the bartender what he recommends.  He says that the Dad Bod light lager is really good.  Pepster says, "I already have one of those!"  Manager, who was sitting at the other end of the bar drinking a beer, does a spittake.

12:13 - Pepster drinks his beer, opens up his computer to do some work while he waits for the rest of the crew.

12:21 - Sinickal and Kev-O arrive in Austin.  Delta airlines is handing out free Final Four hats.  Sinickal approved.

12:35 - Tony who has been in Austin already for other purposes, picks up Sinickal and Kev-O at the airport.  Off to San Antonio and to meet Pepster.

14:03 - WE ARE WHOLE!

14:51 - Kev-O tells a story about how he ended up playing in a 3-v-3 tournament in Vegas during the 2017 Final Four.  Tony asks, "Weren't you a little old for college?

14:56 - Silas relays the story of the time he ended up in Des Moines, Iowa at the Marriott and the Convention Center was hosting the Iowa Pork Queen Competition.  Kev-O, "The noun or the verb?"

15:27 - Discussing foreign basketball players in the NBA and Jaime Jacquez, Jr. of the Miami Heat came up as the best Mexican player.  Kev-O then discusses whether Edward Navarro of Oklahoma was any better.  Pepster goes, "You mean Eduardo Najera?"

15:38 - Baseball conversation ensues, and this line came up from Pepster:  "Trevor Bauer is a less articulate Curt Schilling."  Sinickal adds, "And a more articulate John Rocker!"

16:21 - Blondequito.  That is all.

16:32 - Enter house.  It is really nice.  Five bedrooms, three baths, weird setup to the kitchen, but at least we won't really need it (except the refrigerator!).  The 5th bedroom - the one that is unused - has 2 sets of bunkbeds!

17:12 - Stumble on to Harlem Nights.  We must watch.  It's the pinky toe scene!

17:29 - See the announcement that Julio Jones retired.  Sinickal says, "I don't know.  If you look outside Julio Jones is open.

18:21 - To Riverwalk.

18:33 - Woman wearing a black t-shirt with the word "Cougar" on it, and nothing else.  Not sure if she even knows Houston is in the Final Four.

18:57 - Found the Auburn home bar on the Riverwalk.  The trees on the property are tp'd.  Sinical asks one of the kids standing by the trees if he is worried about someone coming and poisoning the tree.

19:10 - Into Agave Bar for dinner.  You guessed it "Tex-Mex."

19:15 - Liz, who Sinickal and Tony know through work, and who happened to have given a speech at a conference in San Antonio this morning, joins us at Agave Bar.

20:07 - South Carolina wins 74-57.

20:15 - Straight up pouring outside.  OK, well have another round.

20:24 - Venture out of Agave Bar walk around some of the Riverwalk before going topside.

20:45 - See Club Sirius, has tvs on, and the bouncer says, "No cover!"  We're in.

20:46 - We might have made a mistake.  Everything is fine, but definitely not our crowd.  And, for a really small place, it looks like they are setting up for a birthday party which will take up virtually the whole bar.  OK, just one.

21:18 - Enter Dick's, but upstairs, not the downstairs entrance by the River Walk.  Much more serene upstairs and it seems as if the people at the bar are regulars, as they are very comfortable talking smack to the bartendress.

21:30 - One particular regular notices the bartender yawning and yells at her to "Go home if you want to sleep!"

21:31 - "I wish I could!"

21:32 - "I am only yawning because you people up here are so f'in boring.  I want to be working downstairs instead of this fuckin' retirement home!"  She told him!

21:48 - To Yardhouse and to watch the end of the UConn-UCLA game.  Ah, it's over.  It's in the third quarter.

23:40 - Walking back to the car and see some Auburn people which leads to the conversation in which we decide there might be some redeemable areas in Alabama.  Tony goes, "It's called Atlanta!"

23:48 - C'mon Kayleigh get out of the way, Kev-O yells to a young girl who just starts walking out in front of our car and right behind a Kia Sorrento backing into the spot ahead of us.  Kevin insists her name is spelled K-a-y-l-e-i-g-h, since he "knows his people!  Now, we were inside the car so she heard none of this conversation, but still.

23:49 - Circle K for supplies as grocery stores are closed.  Have you ever spent $99 at Circle K without getting gas?

23:50 - Young lady opens up the door, and barely utters to the clerk, "Public bathroom?"  He tells her back to the right and Kev-O and Pepster just hopes she made it.

23:52 - Back home for the night.  Eat snacks, drink water, go to bed.

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.

The Final Four Chronicles: The Arrival

 

Friday, March 31

So 2/3 of the WeMakeItRain crew, and 3/4 of the Southwestern Central coaching staff, are travelling together for the Final Four.  Allison and Racecar once again choose not to attend.  This makes 2 years in a row, after two missed final fours in 2020 (Covid - canceled) and 2021 (Covid - rampant.)  And although Houston was nowhere near close to our favorite Final Four city based upon its performance in 2016, we are determined to make this a fun trip - and give Houston another chance.  This is a highly unusual Final Four - Connecticut, Miami, San Diego State, and Florida Atlantic - which could make this more interesting.  The fact that South Florida makes up half of the teams, coupled with the fact that we all know people that live in Houston, we are certain that there will be several guest appearances this weekend.  So, here we go with our arrival day.  [Ed. Note - all times are the local times in which the event occurs.]

8:45 E.D.T. - Pepster begins the drive to FLL, when Racecar texts him asking him to leave the mail key.  Pepster returns to leave the mail key.

9:01 - Kevin enters the Delta Sky Club in Reagan National and upon entering they thank travelers for being a diamond medallion member.  As he walks in the door, the person in front of him his taking a video for Instagram.  Kevin believes that person should immediately lose their Diamond medallion member status.

6:15 P.D.T. - Sinickal is waiting for an Uber at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles.  The Wrestlemania crowd has been wild for the last few days.

6:24 - Sinickal says he can't wait until we figure out how to weave seeing Ric Flair in a pink and black blazer yesterday into this.  (AND WE DID!)

10:21 E.D.T.  Tony, in LaGuardia, exclaims to us via text, "There should be a MFing test that potential travelers need to take and pass with a min score of 85% before being allowed near any airport!"

10:27 - Pepster - thankful that their isn't such a test - is in Terminal 1 at the Fort Lauderdale airport checking into his flight at the Southwest counter.  Pepster is flying Spirit.  This is not going to go well.

10:28 - Kevin texts us that "In 2022, I gave everyone a pass because of the pandemic, but we are all past that now.

10:29 - Tony responds, "So, what you're saying is that you lowered your standards and now we are all paying for such a mistake?!

10:29:30 - Kevin, "It's possible."

10:44 - Pepster walks to Terminal 4 to check into is flight on Spirit.  Has to sign a waiver understanding that his luggage may not arrive on the same flight.  After he completes his check-in, the agent tells him that he now has to walk back to Terminal 3 for his gate.  F'in Spirit.

11:16 - Pepster boards his Spirit airlines flight - and it is a BRAND NEW PLANE!!!  A few obvious Final Four goers on the plane as several people are rocking FAU and Miami gear (I mean - the plane is leaving Fort Lauderdale), a few UConn, including the couple in Pepster's row, 1 San Diego State, 1 Gonzaga, 1 Kentucky and a whole lot of people who do not understand the fuss over "baloncesta."

11:40 - Kevin, "I do admire people boarding this plane walking past open luggage slots as the attendants are announcing that it's full if you're seated past a certain row."  [Ed. note - this is textbook sarcasm.]

11:45 - From Kevin's plane - a male flight attendant yelled loudly on the topic of gate-checking bags because of the full flight, "I'm trying to tell them but they aren't listening to the words coming out of my mouth!"  Man, Chris Tucker has fallen on hard times.

9:00 P.D.T. -Sinickal has a double Woodford and soda.  Guy next to him nods approvingly and orders a double vodka soda.  And, we're off. 

12:11 E.D.T. - Pepster wheels up to Houston (50 minutes late so his bag better arrive on time too!)'

13:33 C.D.T. - Pepster arrives!

14:03 - While waiting (and hoping for his luggage) Pepster notices that apparently taupe is a popular color for luggage nowadays.

14:07 - After gathering his suitcase, Pepster heads to First Glass Bistro and Bar outside Terminal 1 security to wait for Tony.

14:20 - Three people at the bar are taling about somebody they know from some small town in upstate New York, and they then punctuate it by saying, "Upstate Upstate!  You know, because some people consider Pougkeepsie upstate!"  Pepster tells them, "And some people consider Westchester Upstate!"  All 9 people in the bar laugh together!

14:28 - Bartender turns the volume up on the television (it was inaudible previously) just as the video for Wham's Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go comes on.  Twenty-something girl at the bar starts snapping her fingers to the tune, which draws the attention of the 5 of us remaining in the bar.  She quickly apologizes.  Pepster tells her not to apologize, and to keep having fun.  She starts snapping her fingers again - after a sip of wine.

14:31 - Tony arrives!

14:48 - Tony arrives in First Glass.

14:49 - Tony tells Pepster that he does make it hard to find him as Pepster is sitting in the first bar stool in a very small bar but behind the one column in the place.

14:52 - Pepster and Tony toast with the first joint beer of the weekend.

14:53 - Tony exclaims that it is nice to be one of the early arrivals.

14:53:18 - Pepster tells him he is not early, he is a year late! Tony says "well, better late than never!" (paying a homage to Cheech Marin in Ghostbusters). [Ed. Note - due to bad weather and canceled flights - Tony was not able to make New Orleans last year.]

15:58 E.D.T. - Kevin tells us via text that he just saw Teen Wolf.  Not the movie Teen Wolf, not any of the actors that played Teen Wolf, but an ACTUAL teen wolf (primarily because of his - let's say overzealous - beard!)

15:58 E.D.T. - Sinickal lands in DC.  Dude is mowing people down trying to exit the plane first.

15:30 C.D.T. - Pepster and Tony head to the AirBnB!

16:12 - Arrive at AirBnB!  This place is pretty nice.  A new four-floor townhouse nestled next to some older houses and wierdly unusual sidewalks.  But the place is nice.  Check out this shower!!!

16:50 - Pepster and Tony walk the neighborhood a bit with the purpose of finding a liquor store for some supplies - primarily Bloddy Mary ingrediants - but also to see what else we have nearby.

17:03 - Pop into Chapultapec Lupita - a quaint looking Mexican place - for a beer.  There is no bar!!!  They serve yes, so we had a beer.  Felt bad taking up a table so we also grabbed a couple of tacos.  Robert Downey, Jr.'s Doctor Doolittle is playing on the television. [Ed: recommend the beef tacos.]

18:05 E.D.T. - Sinickal wiating for his Uber on Capitol Hill to go back to the airport.  Caught a smelly car - always the worst!

18:07 - Kevin receives word from his wife that some guy at their local bar just hit on her by asking if she liked sports.  Kevin asks us to guess that dude's favorite teams - it is the Cowboys, Lakers, Yankees and UNC.

18:10 - Pepster, "Your wife got hit on by Drake?"

18:19 - Kevin relays that his wife responded to the guy by saying, "So you managed to pick 4 dynasties at their collective low point?  Impressive!"

17:47 C.D.T. - Head across the street to the liquor store.  They don't sell vodka.  Well, they have one brand of peach-flavored vodka.  We decide to pass.  Good thing too, because they also only sold Clamato as their Bloody Mary mix.  Looks like we will be ordering delivery.

18:07 - Kevin wheels down.

19:45 E.D.T. - Sinickal hates the Southwest Airlines business model.

18:58 C.D.T. - While waiting for Kevin to arrive at the AirBnB, Pepster introduces Tony to The Seventh Floor Crew.  He had never heard the song before, but somehow was familiar with "G-Reg!"

19:22 - Kevin arrives at the AirBnB.

20:07 - In Uber to Gloria's.

20:14 - At Gloria's.  The restaurant is hopping, but plenty of seats available at the bar.  Right in front of the television for some Women's Final Four.  We realize we missed the first game, which LSU won.

20:17 - As South Carolina and Iowa warm up for their semi-final game, LSU's coach Kim Mulkey arrives for her interview wearing some big, flowy, showy, pink suit with what can only be described as arms made of boas?!  Kevin remarks that she looks like Bret "The Hitman" Hart.

As an aside, Silas was in Los Angeles for work, and due to his work's travel regulations has to fly home to D.C. before flying to Houston.  While in LA, he shared a hotel with the Chicago Bulls, and investment conference and the stars of Wrestlemania.  Among those stars was Ric Flair in a pink and black blazer.  Basically, looking like Kim Mulkey.

20:25 - The way this menu describes the burrito basically sounds like the voice-over introduction to a Tex-Mex porno.

20:28 - Sinickal on the ground in Houston - where the road ends!

20:47 - Tip-off to the most anticipated basketball game in the Final Four - South Carolina versus Iowa.

20:57 - Pepster notices that the lady 4 seats down the bar from Tony is still sitting by herself, despite the bartender having placed two napkins on the bar; one for her seat and one next to her.  We imagine that she is being stood up, probably thinking, "But I got all this surgery for you!"

21:04 - A lady walks in a greets her and they look remarkably similar - even in attire.  Kevin asks us, "Mother, sister or aunt?"

21:07 - Discussing the phenomenon that IS Caitlyn Clark ...  Kevin says she is basically Larry Bird.  We start discussing how good Larry Bird could have been had he not hurt his back.  Tony asks, "Do you know how he hurt his back?"  Pepster responds, "Running and twisting his way away from his daughter?"

21:13 - We remark that the ladies down the bar were probably attractive with their original faces.

21:15 - WE ARE WHOLE!!!

21:15 - Sinickal sees the group and screams WHO WILL SEX THE SILAS!

21:21 - We notice a guy directly across the bar from us wearing a UConn hoodie eating by himself.  We figure that he is the perfect embodiment of the State of Connecticut in that he was alone, and not really wanted by any of his neighbors.

22:18 - After leaving Gloria's to walk to Little Woodrow's and we hear music coming from a nearby establishment.  Tony immediately recognizes the song as a dance remix of Taylor Swift's Anti-Hero, and he is absolutely confused that Pepster and Kevin did not know the song.

22:27 - Enter Little Woodrow's.  This place is packed.

22:29 - Silas is on the ground.

22:38 - The DJ in Little Woodrow's just played a techo dance re-mix of Peanut Butter Jelly Time.  Kevin remarks that it is like triple-stamping a double stamp.

22:42 - Tony, noticing one of the big screens on the outdoor patio states that he wants a yard just to put THAT up.  I could watch it all the time and annoy the neighbors, and show scrambled 80s porno when not there.  Pepster tells him that when not watching it he could just show an ad for Kenny Rogers' Roasters.

22:41 - Iowa's McKenna Warnock goes down hard, and hits her head solidly on the court.  She immediately grabs her head writhing on the ground.  Pepster remarks that she is holding her head like it would hurt after debating Herschel Walker.

22:50 - Iowa wins!!!  Caitlyn Clark is THE TRUTH (sorry Paul Pierce!)

22:56 - We just found out that Little Woodrow's will not have turtle racing tonight, as they only have turtle racing on Thursdays.  Pepster says they could just turn some drunk kids on their backs and see which one stands up first.

23:23 - Pepster friend Rich Samuels from Palm Beach Gardens arrives at Little Woodrow's with his wife Jessica and friends from Houston.  His friend Measha from Houston is parking the car.  Rich, Jessica and Measha are all long-time participants in Pepster's NCAA Tournament Pool, although Measha did not enter this year because he "didn't have a printer!"

00:06 - During conversation about the Paltrow lawsuit, Kevin refers to her as "Gwyneth Orakpo!"

00:10 - Sinickal has a life altering cheesesteak at Little Woodrow's.

00:47 - While Pepster is at the bar ordering a round, the guy next to him - that has 2 Miller Lites and 2 bottled waters ont he bar in front of him - tells the bartender that he just wanted glasses of water not to pay for bottles.  The bartender takes the bottles (all 4 of them - including the Miller Lite) away, and tells him, "Just stand here, I will give you all your money back."  And she does.

01:20 - Pepster is giving his definitions of the 1-10 scale.  That he has a definitive rating system for just about everything is its own discussion.

01:25 - Completely out of context quotation, but still somehow funny.  "Not checking a bag is like leaving it in!"

01:36 - Uber home.

See everyone tomorrow!!!

Final Four Chronicles - The Arrival

Friday, April 5

Yes, another travel entry.  Yes, your boys from WeMakeItRain are in for another fun-filled adventure at the Final Four.  Travelling with us are 3/4 of the usual suspects, Keyser Soze, Verbal Kint .... oh wait, wrong group.  Its Pepster, Sinickal and Tony.  We are without Hopps this year, and Allison and Racecar also decided to sit this one out.  We are not sure if Allison and Racecar just didn't find Minneapolis appealing, or if its us.  Probably both.  Joining us is Tony's friend Dr. Pepper from Providence by way of Boston.  Oh no, we have two people from Providence with us; there is no way that doesn't go wrong.  We will also have some guest appearances from friends and acquaintances, and likely new friends and acquaintances as well - as we are wont to do.  Unfortunately for you - the reader - the first full moon after the vernal equinox occurs late this year - so no really good puns about that.  As usual, all times are local.

April 4

20:32 - In Uber to airport, driver engages Pepster in conversation about where he is going.  When he says he is going to Minneapolis for the Final Four, she asks him if that is anything like the basketball league started by Ice Cube.  And then she follows with ... "I didn't really know much about him.  My mom listens to Ice Cube.  Yeah, apparently we are old.

21:59  Pepster wheels up to Minneapolis.  Only 2 obvious Final Four fans on the plane - one Michigan State and one Virginia - and they are sitting next to each other exactly one row behind Pepster.  This is going to be fun.

00:46 - Pepster arrives.

April 5

7:35 - Sinickal is in Denver awaiting his flight. Woman restocking Miller Lite in the Sky Club drops a six pack and breaks several bottles.  A guy walks over looking like he is going to help, picks a bottle off the floor that didn't break and starts drinking.

07:55 - Older Chatty Kathy sits next to Sinickal.  It's her first Final Four.  She asks Sinickal if he is a player, then a coach, then if he is going to the Final Four.  She figures out that this is not Sinickal's first Final Four.  Sinickal tells her, "This isn't even my first Final Four .... in Minneapolis."

8:12 - A lot of Texas Tech on Sinickal's flight out of Denver.

09:35 - Dr. Pepper at Logan, drinking coffee and watching the parade of yoga pants at the airport.  Tony notes that yoga pants are the greatest invention since, well ever.

09:46 - Dr. Pepper while still at Logan - and whom Pepster and Sinickal and have never met - texts the group about his arrival at 2.  "I'll be headed to the W Foshay.  Introductory drinks on me at 3?"

11:15 - Sinickal now in Minneapolis.  Walks to meet Pepster at the Intercontinental Hotel attached to the airport.

11:37 - We have a quorum.  Sinickal and Pepster sit down for lunch.

11:40 - Young woman sits near us at the bar wearing a UVA shirt.  Sinickal and Pepster congratulate her on the bounce back year after the biggest, well really 2 biggest, basketball upsets of all time.  She immediately questions her choice of seats, restaurants, and maybe even cities.  Then she begins at least pretending to do work so she can ignore us for the rest of lunch.  [Ed. Note - she was doing work.  Turns out she is a Professor at the University of Richmond]

11:45 - Dr Pepper wheels up to Minneapolis.

11:42  - Bartender Leah recommends a local craft beer for Pepster. Sinickal notes that he shouldn't start drinking yet, so he has a Bud Light.

13:25 -  Sinickal receives notice from Mike and Pete, the proprietors of the Best Dive Bar in America - The Elliott Street Pub in Downtown Atlanta - that they are painting beer cans for the EASTER BEER HUNT!!!  Sinickal remarks - despite Tony's previous assertion - this might be the greatest invention of all time.  Pepster is now mad that every other bar hasn't done this.

13:27 - We decide the the UVA young lady has done enough work, and Sinickal re-engages her in conversation by showing her the post of the painted beer cans.  She might just forgive our previous transgression - if only we could refrain from other UVA upset comments.

13:31 - Sinickal asks her if she was prepared for Virginia to underperform.

13:35 - She pretends to ignore us again.

13:37 - Pepster asks her if she follows UMBC on Twitter.

13:38 - She decides to actually join the conversation.  We introduce ourselves.  Her name is Lauren, she graduated from UVA and is waiting for her father to arrive - he is a UVA alumnus.

13:39 - Rest of the bar decides to join in our conversation.  Older guy who is in town for the Final Four because he thought North Carolina was going to be here - they aren't.  Other kid rooting for Auburn.  That's it.  We are now running this bar. 

13:48 - Leah, who lives downtown, gives us the run of her recommendations for food and drink downtown.  We are going to eat and drink like locals.

14:00 - Dr. Pepper joins the group at the Intercontinental at the airport - so much for the plans to meet at the W Foshay.

14:12 - Lauren - after hours of discussion about our respective alma maters and about 2 hours after Pepster pontificates about how Harvard would be in the Sweet Sixteen next year - and they will - decides to join our conversation on great college rivalries - casually throws out that she has a Masters and a Ph.D. from Yale.  Sinickal erupts ... "You just got GOT".  Dr. Pepper almost falls out of his chair.  Others in the bar laughing hysterically. Pepster could only applaud and gave her a hug.

14:17 - Lauren "Thanks for the Beer."

16:11 - Auburn guy - apparently embracing his Southern roots - talks about how he lived in a trailer park at Auburn, and that all the students do.

16:32 - Lauren - now fully engaged in the trash talk - mentions that we all went to amazing schools.  Turns to Auburn guy - "except for yours!"

16:30 - Lauren now talking more trash that the rest of us turns to Auburn guy - "Is it like a shit show on weekends?"

16:35 - Turns out  Lauren is going to the UVA party tonight at Mansion - which we are also.  We tell her we will see her and hope to meet her dad.

16:45 - Uber to the house.

16:54 - Dr. Pepper, on the phone with his friend taking roll call, "He's three dollars away from two dollars!"

17:30 - Cleaning up to go out for the night.  We feel it is a Southwestern Central type of night.  Stick 'em Scorpions.

18:30 - Tony wheels up to Minneapolis from JFK.

19:13 - While waiting for the Uber, Pepster enjoys the single swing hanging from the tree in the front yard.

19:44 - Dinner and drinks at Runyons, the dive/sports bar recommended by Leah.  Wings are good.

21:09 - Tony lands.

21:10 - Heading to Mansion - the UVA party.

21:14 - Meet up with Christian, Pepe's friend from North Palm Beach and a Virginia alumnus who was not going to miss this Final Four and is our host for the UVA party tonight.  Turns out this was a GREAT party!

21:27 - Run into Lauren and her father.  As her father introduces himself to us, he looks at Pepster and says, "So your the Harvard guy".

22:08 - Not surprisingly, nobody at the UVA party dances to the Wobble.

22:30 - Tony arrives at Mansion - WE ARE WHOLE!

22:58 - Last call at the bar - Christian triples everybody up (he really doubled everyone up but it looked like a lot on the table).  Dr. Pepper realizes Christian is a really good due.

00:40 - Uber back to the house - time to call it a night.