Wednesday, March 16, 2016

75. No Bracket for Nick

I didn’t fill out a bracket this year. I have for about the last 20, but I wasn’t feeling it this year. Maybe it’s because I’ve been busy getting stuff rounded up to move into my new place. Maybe it’s because work has felt extra long this week. Or maybe it’s because… I just don’t care. I barely watched any college basketball this year. It’s probably a good sign of something that the first college player I name off the top of my head this year is Rachel Banham.

I suppose I could have easily filled out a bracket. I got invited to participate in one. If my work had organized one, I probably would have done something. I’m a big believer in having a system, even if that system has nothing to do with actual statistics. Pick it by mascots for all I care.

It made me wonder about things we hold on to for too long. I don’t know if I’ve grown out of picking brackets. I’ll probably go back to picking one next year. But it felt like a chore this year. I don’t really care who wins. I don’t know who the Timberwolves are going to draft. I’m not going to have any time to watch the games over this weekend. And the prospect of participating in the online chatter over these games means little to me. I’m also busy with other things.

I’ve started to realize the value of getting away from a screen and shutting down. I’ve made it nearly to the end of Lent without watching Netflix. Yeah, there are a number of series that I would have liked to have watched with my time, but I know they will be there in a week and a half. I can make it.

I’ve been trying to focus on things that will make me happy and hone in on them. Sometimes those things are easy to find: sandwiches, watching soccer, listening to podcasts, running. Sometimes they’re a lot tougher to find. When you’re that restless sort of tired on a Tuesday night and it’s too early to go to bed, yet you feel like you can’t sit still. Those are the times where it’s difficult to find those things that really feed your brain and your curiosity.

I really just want to focus on one thing the next few days: moving into my house. I’ve been looking forward to Friday for the last few months. It’s been a tiring process, but I’m excited that it’s finally here and I feel extremely fortunate that I get to take part in that piece of the American dream.

I’ll admit that I’m not a good decorator. I’m not good at mixing colors or finding the right furniture. Nine times out of 10 I just get what’s cheap and hope it works out. I guess I have to put some effort into the process now.

No, I didn’t fill out a bracket this year. I’ve got other things on my mind. And that’s all right. Things will move forward anyway.

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