These past two weeks have been stressful.
We have brackets for March Madness, and we are trying to keep up with University of Tennessee baseball.
One day, when our power was out due to a recent storm, we went to my sister’s house to watch the basketball game. She and my brother-in-law have triple televisions so they can watch two or three things simultaneously. That day we were watching basketball and baseball. She texted me the other night and was watching UT softball, basketball and baseball all at the same time.
Then my co-worker always does a bracket here at work for those of us wishing to participate. We play only for bragging rights. But I must say, this is the most stressful thing that ever happened to me.
I am quite sure it is more anxiety provoking than when my friend was teaching me the whole “first-cousin-once-removed” school of thought. My co-worker says that to this day that was the most stressed he had ever seen me as I tried to answer correctly which cousin was removed and to what degree.
But I must say, the brackets during March Madness elicit a lot of that same behavior from me.
I watch the games, check my bracket, hope for teams to win that I really have no allegiance to other than selecting them to win that match up. I become quite obsessive with this bracket game. I get upset when a team I choose loses, even if I normally would not pay attention to their win/loss record.
I was devastated when UT lost to Houston. I was not happy about it. I genuinely wanted UT to go at least to the final four since the Big Orange has not ever gotten that far. I love the Vols’ basketball team, particularly Chaz Lanier (and who doesn’t love Zeigler?) and so wanted them and Coach Barnes to play among the final four teams.
However, having said this: two of the final four are still in my bracket. I selected Duke and Florida to be in the final game with Duke. I selected Duke to win it all.
Saturday we will see Florida take on Auburn and Houston play Duke. Then the final game is scheduled for Monday, April 7, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX.
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Women in the age of elegance from across Tennessee will gather Saturday, April 5, at the historic Palace Theatre in downtown Crossville to participate in the 34th anniversary of the Ms. Tennessee Senior America Pageant.
The pageant will begin at 6 p.m. The Palace Theatre is at 72 S. Main St. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased as “will call” by contacting Frances Brooks, pageant director, at 931-248-1988.
The pageant will showcase all candidates in their evening gown, philosophy of life, and talent.
Brooks says there are 13 contenders this year. There are three from Cumberland County: Ms. Senior Cumberland County Valerie Price; Ann Kardosh; and Jinger Loggins.
Other contestants will come from across the state to garner the state title. The winner will advance to Nationals Oct. 5 in Atlantic City.
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What would you do if the internet ceased to exist? Do not miss the Stone Memorial Panther Tales Players as they present “The Day The Internet Died” at 7 p.m. April 8, 10 and 11; and at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Stone Memorial High School Auditorium.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children.
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The Palace Theatre is once again offering seasonal movies at the historic site downtown. The next few weeks you can find “Pale Rider,” “Tennessee Bigfoot,” “Blues Brothers,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Wicked Sing a Long Version,” Lord of the Rings,” and the “Return of the King.”
Tickets are $5, and doors open one hour prior to the show. Check out the Palace Theater for showtimes.
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Spring has sprung, and this means summer is just a few weeks away. Downtown Crossville Inc. has already announced its lineup for the annual summer concert series at the Amp. The shows will begin June 5, and last through July 3.
Thursday evening artists include Sam Lewis, Daniel Kimbro, Blue Mother Tupelo, Run Katie Run, and Humanaires.
Fairfield Glade and Lake Tansi also offer summer music nights complete with food trucks. I will have more on those line-ups soon!