The NCAA is responsible for the demise of more than its share of relationships. How are we supposed to pay any attention to our significant other when 64 teams play a total of 72 games over the course of a few weeks? It is the time of year when girlfriends across the country will ask "why don't you just watch the last two minutes?" It is the time of year when you become a die hard Wonkonkamo Bay University fan just because they managed to knock your buddy's championship team out of your pool. Everyone cheers for the underdogs, and everyone prays for a last second buzzer beater. Unfortunately, girlfriends often get lost in the madness.
But this year, you don't have to choose. First, the day before the tournament begins, you need to explain to your woman that this is very important to you. Make up some gibberish about how when you were growing up, the tournament was the only way you and your father could bond. Or tell her your grandfathers dying wish was for you to watch every tournament game from that point on. Just make it clear that you are going to be watching a lot of hoops.
If the game turns to a blowout, take the opportunity to give her some much needed attention. Let her watch Grey's Anatomy when The Tar heels are beating North Kilimanjaro St. 106-32. Basically, you have to pick your battles, and if you give up the boring games, you will be rewarded when this years George Mason is making its historic run.
A good way to get her involved in the festivities is to let her help you pick your brackets. It will get her excited when one of her picks wins. But more importantly, everyone knows that in every office pool, the woman who has never seen a game and thinks a pick and roll is the lunch special at her favorite sushi restaurant wins the pool. For some reason, women become oracles during the tourney, even if their reason for picking Syracuse in '03 was because "that guy Carmelo is cute and I like orange." You get double points if you encourage her to enter your pool because you are including her with your guy friends and creating an excuse to watch the games with her. "Babe, there's $50 on the line here, don't you want to skip American Idol and see if Maryland can pull it out?"
Finally, you have to promise her that once this tournament is over, you will take her out for numerous romantic evenings. Assure her that once the two of you get through these few weeks, you are all hers. Just don't tell her that the tourney ends on April 2, the same day that baseball season starts.
But this year, you don't have to choose. First, the day before the tournament begins, you need to explain to your woman that this is very important to you. Make up some gibberish about how when you were growing up, the tournament was the only way you and your father could bond. Or tell her your grandfathers dying wish was for you to watch every tournament game from that point on. Just make it clear that you are going to be watching a lot of hoops.
If the game turns to a blowout, take the opportunity to give her some much needed attention. Let her watch Grey's Anatomy when The Tar heels are beating North Kilimanjaro St. 106-32. Basically, you have to pick your battles, and if you give up the boring games, you will be rewarded when this years George Mason is making its historic run.
A good way to get her involved in the festivities is to let her help you pick your brackets. It will get her excited when one of her picks wins. But more importantly, everyone knows that in every office pool, the woman who has never seen a game and thinks a pick and roll is the lunch special at her favorite sushi restaurant wins the pool. For some reason, women become oracles during the tourney, even if their reason for picking Syracuse in '03 was because "that guy Carmelo is cute and I like orange." You get double points if you encourage her to enter your pool because you are including her with your guy friends and creating an excuse to watch the games with her. "Babe, there's $50 on the line here, don't you want to skip American Idol and see if Maryland can pull it out?"
Finally, you have to promise her that once this tournament is over, you will take her out for numerous romantic evenings. Assure her that once the two of you get through these few weeks, you are all hers. Just don't tell her that the tourney ends on April 2, the same day that baseball season starts.
