Spring Break Cabin Fever

Blogging has been a bit slow since Michigan is now on Spring Break... everyone is either in Florida doing Baseball/Softball for MGoBlue.com or stuck back here in MI. I stayed back to get some work done and get some interviews taken care of.... considering there is two inches of snow on the ground, I regret the decision.

Make sure to keep up with all the Michigan Baseball coverage this week on MGoBlue (if you are not lucky enough to get to FL yourselves). Baseball is off to a quick 4-0 start and looks real good for such a team with so many new faces. The blogging might be a little light due to everyone being gone, but keep an eye out for a Mixer on Wednesday and we'll have the Purdue/Michigan Basketball game this Thursday.

OK, the Fab Five story has been up for almost a week and I'm sick of looking at it. I don't like posting back-to-back, but screw it. I got so much free time, I'm going nuts. Here are some things to keep you busy and keep you reading on this Spring Break 09:

Most people don't like Michigan's early Spring Break. I actually enjoy it. It gives kids a chance to work on applications for internships that are due in late February, as well allow kids the unique opportunity to enjoy New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Whether you are at home in front of the computer entering your name, address, and past work experience OR out on an RV headed to the French Quarter, this break comes early enough for students to get away from Ann Arbor right before the weather breaks. Ann Arbor is great in good weather, so I'm a big fan of anything that gives me more time to enjoy Ann Arbor in the sun.

Speaking of Mardi Gras, my roomates and friends are headed there right now... some by air, and some by RV. From just asking around, this seems like to be the place to be at Spring Break 09. However, I was also shocked the amount of students doing alternative spring break. Props to the ASB kids... and props to those willing to drive to Mardi Gras. Both are things I don't think I'd sign up for.

...Ok, maybe I'd do ASB.... if it was someplace warm... on a beach....and, I need to stop thinking about this. It will only depress me.

One great thing about Spring Break at home is the time you have to read for fun: Here are three books worth checking out that I've read so far this year:

Born Standing Up- Steve Martin's Autobiography. Pretty short and it has some great stuff from his days on Leno and SNL.

Playing for Pizza- John Grisham's attempt at writing sports fiction. If you can set aside the inaccuracies and his skimpiness on the lack of football knowledge, the story itself is pretty good. Think NFL Europe meets The Replacements.

The Last Lecture - This is the much publicized book by Randy Pausch, the Carnegie-Mellon professor diagnosed with cancer who gave his last lecture on life to his students before it was turned into a book. After he passed away, I bought the book and it was definitely worth shelling out the 15 bucks. Here is the 10 minute version, but it really doesn't do the book justice.

Honorable Mention: Dreams of My Father, Now I Can Die in Peace, and Moneyball

BUT, if you are at home, you can only take reading for so long. Here are three television series to check out while at home with nothing to do:

*Appologies to all those who think Lost should be on this list. I just don't have the time or the patience to watch a series that should only have lasted one season.

Friday Night Lights: Greatest drama on network TV. If you are a sports fan, watch it. If you don't like sports, watch it. Season 1 on DVD is the best TV on DVD season I own. If I can't convince you, I'll let Bill Simmons do it.

The Wire: My buddy Shaak has been talking about the Wire for the last four years, so I finally gave in once a professor of mine said it'd help with understanding the subject matter in his class. Season 1 is awesome, and its short (13 episodes), so it'll be easy to get through during the break.

The Office: Best Comedy on TV. Season 1 sets things up, but it's only 6 episodes and not that great. Season 2 is classic so I would go straight to Season 2, and then watch Season 1 if you like what you see.

And if THAT doesn't tide you over, here are three must see games to catch this week:

Michigan vs. Purdue: 9pm Thursday - Michigan's tourney life hangs in the balance. I'm of the opinion that they need to win out before the B10 Tourney them to have a shot at the NCCA Tournament. Can they do it? Stranger things have happened as we head towards the best sports month of the year...

Spurs vs. Cavaliers: 9:30pm Friday - A possible Finals preview? Everyone has been talking about the Cavs and Lakers, but don't be surprised if SA sneaks into the Finals. I hope to God this doesn't happen in order to avoid a replay of the 2007 NBA Finals (aka the worst NBA Finals EVER on TV). I think the Cavs would actually make it a series if this were to happen, but nothing would beat Kobe vs. Lebron in June.

Clemson vs. FSU: 2pm Saturday - A battle of two ACC Cinderellas. When you mention the ACC, these two teams aren't the ones that immeadiately come to mind. But, both these teams are top 25 teams (13 and 25, respectively) and could make some noise come March. At the very least, I want to see what these teams have so I know if they have what it takes to make it to the second weekend of the Big Dance.

Always good to have a little break from sports and enjoy ourselves. Hope everyone is enjoying their break. However, we will get back to our Michigan sports coverage very soon, and will have a baseball and basketball update up by mid week.