Also, every team, no matter how small the school is, gets a chance to win it.

If you guys didn't mention it, I wouldn't have known. I have a one-in-81 chance. Obviously, everyone would love to go, but it's not possible.

It was a nice meeting. We had a chance to talk to Michael and his agent and I would say that things went well. Hopefully the story line we presented was a compelling one.

At work, we usually have TVs brought in. It's a better excuse when the Miners play. In the past I've had little TVs at my desk, but most of the time I just keep track on the Internet and during lunch. But if the Miners are playing, then you have to see the game, regardless of how you have to get that done.

I have never won a bracket, however I fill one out every year. I always do the bracket contests with friends -- $5 buy-ins, and then there are always a few contests around work that you can get into. The ones at work have the higher buy-ins -- roughly $20.

Back to school is a very important season for retailers because it's one chance in the year when retailers get a shot at parents and kids at the same time. Historically, sports figures have been the big players; now it's a different breed of endorsers taking over.