So I figured something must have happened. When I logged in and checked my messages on ESPN.com I saw that the same editor that considered promoting my 1st entry to the front page of ESPN had posted this message

From: MattFriedrichs
Sent: 03/30/2008 at 1:19 PM
Subject: 64, 32 blog

Message: Nice work. It will be featured on the front of ESPN.com until about 2:20 p.m. ET.

The post that follows is what made it to the front page of ESPN.com for about an hour on Sunday March 30th. Click title in bold to link to the entry and comments at ESPN.com

32 & 64 to Boycott 2009 NCAA Tournament – want “Special Names”

Manhattan, New York, NY — Having recently completed their portion of this years Men’s NCAA Tournament the numbers 32 & 64 called a joint press conference this morning @ 10:30, on Sesame Street next to Mr. Hooper’s store announcing their intention to boycott the 2009 tournament season if they were not given “special names” like their counterparts 16, 8 & 4.

Their spokesman, Count Von Count stated that “If the NCAA doesn’t develop nicknames for my clients, they will have to look for other numbers to fill their place next year, ah ah ah ah ah.” After some concluding statements 32 & 64 took questions from the press.

Q. You both seem quite committed to this idea -but as of yet offer no solutions or compromises – why shouldn’t the NCAA simply pick two other numbers divisible by two?

A. 32 – “I’ve been around since 1975, 64 since ‘85 (1985), we put in hard work and longer hours than our counterparts 16, 8 & 4. We’ve thought long an hard about the decision to announce our intentions regarding the tournament. We are prepared to walk away if necessary.”

64 – “I would like to add, however, that we are willing to work with the NCAA should they decide to come up with special names for us. We will not, I repeat, we will not make suggestions as to what we should be referred to as. That’s like coming up with a nick-name for yourself and forcing it on others.”

Q. Isn’t that, in fact, what you’re doing by putting the NCAA in this position.

A. 64 – “No it’s quite different. Look – we know we’re not what everybody is coming to see. We know that, but you cannot have 16, 8 & 4 without us. We’re part of the Big Dance too!”

32 – “I’ve got a buddy that is a nutjob about Superman. He’s considering doing a Superman theme bathroom in his basement. He wears Superman t-shirts, watches all the movies, reads the comic book, has a Superman symbol belt buckle – like I said, he’s a nutjob. He claims that people refer to him as Superman, specifically the sushi chef at the Golden Dragon, so he claims that Superman is his nickname. I personally have never heard him referred to as Super-anything. So when he says ‘people call me Superman’ I think – No, people call you ‘juvenile and a bit arrogant.’ Don’t get me wrong, he’s a super guy but he’s no Superman. ”

“What I’m saying is that we can’t be a part of the nick-naming process. It wouldn’t be right.”

Q. What is your deadline for knowing whether you’ll be a part of the tournament next year?

A. 64 – “We don’t want to put a firm deadline on this. But we’d love to have the whole thing resolved before the end of this year’s tournament. Just letting the public know that we’d like equal treatment with 16, 8 & 4 is sure to get them thinking – I would guess that the big brains out there could come up with something great. I’m talking to you Musberger.”

At that point Von Count ushered 32 & 64 away. They were later seen signing autographs and having their picture taken with Big Bird & Elmo.

When asked to comment on the announcement 4 (Final Four) stated that he’d love to see parity in the nicknames and hopes the NCAA can reach an agreement with 32 & 64 quickly. 8 & 16, however did not share his feelings.

16 (Sweet Sixteen) – “64 – you’re a punk, you need a few more trips around the block before you can start making demands like that – and 32, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. You’re an important part of the process, but there is no “I” in team dude.”

8 (Elite Eight) added, “I’ve been here since the beginning – but I didn’t go begging for a nickname. Know your role and shut your hole”

8 & 16 were brief in their comments stating that they still had work to do for this weekend’s games.

Noticeably absent from todays events were 1 & 2, both who play what is considered the most important of roles in the tournaments. The famously arrogant #1 declined to comment stating “Who cares – it’s all about me anyway.” and Number 2 has avoided the public eye ever since he became a euphemism for defecation.

Come on Josh, it’s been 2008 for over a month-and-a-half – and besides, who are you even talking to anyway?

The people who occasionally stop by to see if I’ve written something…

…and then leave immediately when they see its still the same old crap from months ago?

You know, whenever I have a conversation with you like this you’re never supportive or helpful?

So what?

All I’m saying is that it would be nice if you could help me by being constructive – try and help me with this, you know it’s been a while.

Fine, what do you want me to do?

Ask me some questions, guide the conversation, help me be interesting.

You got it captain.

Don’t call me captain.

No problem, chief. So what’s new?

Thanks for the open ended question – that really helps.

Look, if we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do it my way – capiche?

You got it, buddy. Okay, what’s new? Well I finally got the new Mac OS installed…

Software installation, that’s what you’re gonna talk about after months of nothing?

It get’s me back into my groove, I’m sure I’ll have more to say on other non-tech stuff, just roll with it, okay?

Fine, but make it short.

Deal – so 10.5 Leopard – getting it working on my PowerBook G4 was nothing short of a nightmare, 4 calls to AppleCare, 3 shipments from Apple and a trip to the Apple Store in Lyndhurst added up to a little over 45 days of trying to install an operating system. So far I like it – it’s not the most incredible changes I’ve seen – there’s a lot I haven’t had a chance to use (TimeMachine for one) but overall I think it sets the stage for some really great software development in the next few years. I hate that it took so long to get it installed…

Wait a minute – 45+ days to get a piece of software working?

Yep, I pre-ordered a 5-license pack from Amazon – it didn’t install, told me it was bad media / disk error. So I called AppleCare, they sent me a OEM disk with Leopard on it – for an iMac. It of course didn’t work since the iMac is an Intel and my PowerBook is a PowerPC processor. So I called them again and they sent me another disc. It was once again, an OEM disk – for an iMac. Finally they sent me a new retail package of Leopard – I went to install again and it failed. A trip the Apple store somehow magically made it install.

What do you mean magically?

I mean that the disc just worked – no “Genius Bar” wizardry, just a simple “Insert disc, restart, begin install, install complete”. It was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. The Apple store is magic – that’s the only explanation.

Wierd – hey I noticed that Andy stopped by and left a note wondering where your pre-Macworld Expo predictions were.

Yeah, I usually try to make a few guesses about what I think will happen but I had a dentist appointment that morning and didn’t actually make it to my computer until after the keynote presentation had started.

So what do you think of what did happen?

Look at you, playing right along with the tech questions. The MacBook Air – pretty cool. Do I see myself ever owning one – not in its current specs. It’s a neat little, light machine but the novelty of a lightweight machine – at least at this point – doesn’t justify the expense. Don’t get me wrong – I think its cool, but at this point it doesn’t really appeal to me. The AppleTV on the other hand has found its way into my living room. And I love it.

But don’t you need an HDTV to use those?

Yes, you do and I actually won one at my company Christmas party – it’s really nice. A 32″ Panasonic – the Wii looks great on it, but I don’t have HD cable service and would rather not spend the money every month just so Dirty Jobs looks extra dirty. So an AppleTV seems like just the right thing for getting HD content – especially now with HD rentals.

So that means no Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player in the living room?

Well at least at this point, there’ve been some real big gains on the Blu-Ray side in terms of studios announcing that they’ll be using Blu-Ray. I don’t like the DRM on either side, but of the two I was hoping Blu-Ray would come out on top – mostly because Blu-Ray discs are higher density and hold up to 5o GB on a dual-layer disc.

That was really nerdy sounding.

Yeah, I know! Overall I still think downloading your media is the best way to go – and the AppleTV is a great way to do just that.

Anything else you want to geek out on from Macworld?

Sure, Time Capsule a wireless router with up to 1 Terabyte of storage space that works with Time Machine, OS X 10.5’s automatic backup application. I’ve hesitated to use Time Machine because I don’t want to plug my PowerBook into an external drive every time it needs to backup. This does the backup wirelessly and functions as a file and print server.

So I suppose you want one of those too?

Of course I do, and I actually have one on order – a few weeks ago the trusty Linksys WRT54G suddenly started losing its settings and forgetting that it was supposed to do more than sit on my desk and blink. So I ordered one only to find out that the ship date was set for “February”. So I’m waiting for it.

Ahh, the little ones – how are they?

Great segue…

Well it was until you pointed out the fact that I had just made a segue.

The kids are great – Amelia is doing awesome in kindergarten, Wilbur is a quiet, well behaved pre-schooler and Orville is testing out the Terribles at the end of his Two’s.

Really – that bad huh?

No it’s not bad but little man has figured out how to throw a royal fit. He’ll tell us “no.” – it’s quite amazing how two little letters – when spoken by a belligerent child can immediately affect your attitude.

Don’t you mean effect?

No, I’m pretty sure I don’t. I mean affect. Look it up.

No, I believe you – go on.

Yeah he’s really becoming a little talker. Wilbur on the other hand, I guess only really has a lot to say at home – he’s at that stage where everything is a “why” question and many times his mouth can’t keep up with what his brain is telling him to say. Sometimes its really cute – other times I’m like “take a breath and start over.” And he’s sleeping on a top bunk – he loves it.

That’s neat. Anything new in the world of pre-school aged girls?

That’s a really creepy way to ask that question – what if you just ask how Amelia is doing?

Fine – how is she doing?

Well she just went to a Hannah Montana birthday.

Isn’t that a bit mature for a 6 year-old?

That’s what I thought too – what kind of parent lets their six year-old watch some hormone-fueled, eye-shadow & lipstick wearing pre-teen drama?

Yeah?! That kind of show has way too many hyphenated adjectives for a 6 year-old.

Exactly. Wow, we’re actually agreeing on something!

You’re actually making sense and not talking about computer nerdery.

You’re right and it feels, um, normal.

Normal? You might be pushing it…

You’re probably right. I’m gonna quit while I’m ahead.

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I voted to brand it. He used steroids, that record should have an asterisk.

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