the washington and lee women’s basketball team is playing on friday, in the first round of the NCAA tournament against an undefeated christopher newport squad. i do NOT want to be the one who jinxes it or forgets to knock on wood, but i will say that there was once this one time that i blogged about something similar and had very, very, very good results.

i’ve got a feeling (and a black eyed peas song in my head) that the generals CAN (and will) pull off the upset. this team, this program has fought it way through some very tough, dark times – times that were more navy than royal – and this team has already done more to excite and energize “Generals’ Nation” then i thought was possible. this team makes me prouder than ever to be a general. this team makes me wear crazy shirts W&L-themed in my minnesota living room. this team makes grown women cry and former athletes wish for their glory days. this team makes me smile … and hope.

this team is playing in march.

here is a little something i tried to write on saturday, but i got too distracted by the game …

as i am writing this, i am listening to WLUR’s broadcast of the ODAC women’s basketball conference semi-final game featuring the washington and lee generals and some other team from southwestern va. also, as i am writing this i am realizing the marymount saints are playing in their own conference final game against another team from central va.

as far as i am concerned, there are two teams that play women’s bball in va – and both of their colors are royal blue and white, both have sleek graphic identities (see the fleur de lys and the trident), and both were home to a member of the calhoun family.

now if this isn’t a fail, i don’t know what is. you can’t use google toolbar in google chrome? really?

seriously uncool.

i’m getting ready for our first team in training group practice of 2010 – pulling out my speedo from the very, very back of my closet, figuring out which goggles hurt my eyebrow ring less, trying not to let the combination of nervous but excited drive me nuts.

as i trudged home from the bus today, it really hit me – this IS happening. five months of training begin today.

it’s hard to believe a year ago i had no idea what TNT would mean in my life. i can’t imagine not looking forward to, and simultaneously dreading, going to practice – i can’t imagine not knowing my fine, fine teammates – and i can’t imagine not knowning that i’m part of something truly bigger, totally great.

just like i always dedicate my yoga practice to my momma, i always dedicate my TNT practices to those touched by cancer. today, and always, i train for you.

if i ever mention to get to the movies again … this, the four-faced liar, is near, if not at, the top of my list. it reminds me of kissing jessica stein meets imagine me and you, and it’s getting pretty good reviews too (here, here, here).

The plot outline from the movie’s facebook fan page says, “A girl and a guy walk into a bar. They meet a girl and a guy. The guys talk about the girls. The girl falls for the girl. The guys don’t know…until they do. THE FOUR-FACED LIAR is a coming of age story about four friends and the chances they take on love.”