its a little known fact, that the original campaign in iraq was called "operation iraqi liberation" -- then someone (probably karl rove) realized that acroynym spells O.I.L. not that i'm cynical enough to be believe this whole thing is about the price of a barrel, but this article is worth checking out.

here's an interesting local tidbit about this politician running for office in milwaukee, that has the unfortunate last name "stoner". it seems kids keep stealing his campaign signs. wonder why?

oh the madness that is march college hoops. the tourney pool i'm playing in is named [ courtesy grant blair ] the jim harrick memorial league. for those who don't know who that is, read this.

and with last night's kansas victory over duke i have joined the ranks of the "bracketless". no duke, no florida, means 2 out of my final 4 teams are done. it is now impossible for me to win, and i can go back to just rooting for upsets and my terps. go maryland!!

"after a while i feel like i'm boring the world to death." - morgan freeman

i've always thought this but i'm glad he's objective enough to see it. interesting enough article about his choice of movie roles.

and so the 75th (diamond) oscar ends. didn't do so hot in my little pool as far as that goes. some definite shockers. my quick review. steve martin nice opening bit, but it went on a bit too long. only billy crystal's opening numbers seem to hold my attention long. anyone else they've had the past few years and i'm usually looking at the time, saying "c'mon with the awards." 8:38 p.m. the first of many jack nicholson reaction shots. once, just once i'd like to see them catch him on camera picking his nose. he has a better seat there than he does to the laker games every single year. anyway i digress.

chris cooper's (adaptation) supporting speech very nice nod to his wife and a classy prayer for peace. 9:10 p.m. peter jennings reminds us there's a war going on -- with some recap of the days events. important to be sure, but to break in the awards when there is nothing new to report?! only purpose is to needlessly stress already anxious folks who are probably looking at the awards to avoid stress. if you want news or an update there is cnn, fox, and msnbc. bad move on abc's part. moving on. sean connery is the man but is that the pirate shirt from seinfield he's wearing?! i swear it is. 10:17 michael moore standing ovation to boos in 30 seconds. oh the fickle crowd. but really anyone who has seen any of his movies, read any of his books, knows the man has a very strong and very vocal opinion. is the awards show a place for debates and political statements? honest people can disagree on that point, but for the academy's members to NOT expect a political statement from moore is just being naive and/or stupid. gotta love the fact that "mr. establishment" jack valenti had to follow moore. steve martin earns his keep as emcee with that nice zinger, "michael moore is backstage, the teamsters are helping him to his limo." just the right amount of humor to get rid of the tension before it overshadowed the whole night.

and then in the most shocking upset since juliette binoche beat lauren bacall -- no this was bigger -- every other contender was a multiple nominee, and had won an oscar before. but brody the new kid, youngest ever, with the win. i knew then my guessing was done for the night. i must say i still think daniel day lewis' performance was better but brody more than made up for it with his classy moving speech. definitely the night's best highlight and most memorable momment.

finally the last shock and upset of the night. a convicted exile beats out scorcese. i thought at first poor martin, but then i realized two things.

1. not a doubt, that he will get someday soon get an honorary oscar

2. kudos to the academy for judging each work as it stands and not as career achievement and/or makeup awards. while i'm glad two of my favorite actors al pacino, and paul newman won the golden boy. its gotta gall any true fan of cinema that they won them for roles that weren't their best. i mean the color of money, and scent of a woman?! adequate good movies to be sure. but not cool hand luke, sweet bird of youth, serpico, gfather I & II, dog day afternoon respectively.

the golden boy is nice, but winning one doesn't make you great and not winning won doesn't mean you're not great. with that thought i'm calling it a night. drop me a line if you got thoughts on movies and such.

yikes! i haven't had time to really update the ol' blog. where to start?

about two weeks ago a quick foray into chicago for chris wieland's bachelor party. a casino, espnzone, and then getting the man what he deserved on his last night of freedom; a good time had by all.

st. patrick's day weekend here in milwaukee was fun, although you should have seen their very lame attempts to dye the river green. chicago needs to send them some help on how to dye a river right.

went to the parade with the little twin cousins and then some irish bars for several pints. but on to the really important stuff, what have i been doing? well in brief, balancing my fascination with 64 ncca basketball games, the oscars, and a war. how's that for a televison triple crown?! the next few weeks are going to be really interesting for those of us @ home watching.

quick law school update: northwestern - no, marquette - yes, john marshall - yes. five more schools to go. . .