I watched the NCAA men's basketball championship. I'm happy for Kansas. As far as states go they deserve more credit. It's just too bad they don't play their games along I-70.
Afterwards, I waited for one of the players to hurt themselves while cutting down the nets. An NBA career ruined. A free ladder for a lifetime of painting.
I don't mean to be cruel, or doubt the tradition of taking part of the goal as a souvenir; it's just something I think to keep from crying.
I must fortify my brain with the dark and sardonic. Somebody please throw on some Girls Gone Wild or crank some classic rock. I need any kind of distraction from the habit of letting down my man-shield during the CBS tradition of "One Shining Moment." It’s a musical montage of the tournaments ups and downs, and they play it at the end of every men's basketball tourney. And it doesn't matter how I prepare, I cry.
It is a little weird, a month of fierce competition topped with Luther Vandross. And it has to be one of the cheesiest pop songs around. I'm not sure if Mr. Vandross, or any R & B singer, would want it to be their legacy. A whimsical tune with electronic horns that leaves a balding, white guy sobbing in his queso.
The only words I know to One Shining Moment are the first few, "The ball is tipped…" and from there I'm wrestling with tears. Early in our relationship I tried to hide it from my wife, but my nose would make funny noises. Once safe on the other side of marriage, I let it all out. I'm happy that I can make her laugh.
I still would like to end the bawling. Now that I have a son I need to set a better example. Sure, I want him to know that it's OK to cry, maybe not at 2am every night, but in general, a guy cry can be a healthy thing. I just don't want him associating basketball and singing to crying, thus a lifetime of being inconsolable during High School Musical.
But last night, with my progeny safe in his crib, I let Luther get to me again. It's so inspiring. Or it could be the good basketball is over, and we're left with our local underachieving pros.
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