Frankly, I’m getting tired of being swamped with the twists, turns and agonizing over Election 2008. I know it’s important (and my job), but Spring and other truly important things of great consequence are fast approaching as well.

I’m not much of a baseball fan (but I promise I WILL be once the Nats kick off the season in their new digs), and I’m only just beginning to develop some appreciation for all things Cherry Blossom. But, I’ll tell ya, for me, the ONLY thing that says “Spring” is March Madness and the NCAA Basketball Tournament! For some reason, you can always count on just about every game to have some incredible performances or late heroics (witness last weekend’s games) from guys and girls who may never play another game in their lives. There is nothing like the sense of hope that fills everyone who competes on the courts, in the office pools or in the basements and dens across the country when the teams are picked and the anticipation begins. If your alma mater or your long-loved team gets in, it can be like waiting for a child to be born. (Besides, is there any Cherry Blossom tradition that includes Buffalo wings and beer?)

  We’re doubly lucky here because we’ve a number of teams from the area who are in. The American U. Eagles are first-timers (Congrats!) and will no doubt be hoping to do what their neighbors – Georgetown’s Hoyas and George Mason’s Patriots – have done and make this the beginning of a tradition of winning. As for the Hoyas and the Patriots, I have met and am admittedly nuts about their coaches (John Thompson III and Jim Larranaga, respectively), but more impressed with the kinds of men they’ve molded while making players. That’s making it awfully tough for me to pick my brackets this year, so I’m going to root for an East regional final between American and George Mason, with the winner meeting the Hoyas in San Antonio.

A guy can dream, can’t he?