The good and the bad.

I haven't posted in awhile, so this one might be particularly long. A lot has happened this past week-- some good and some bad, but mostly good. I'll start with the bad and get that out of the way:

#1 Duke lost yesterday. Wow, I really almost thought I was going to cry (okay, not REALLY). I was on my way home from our rugby game in Logan when my friend Sean texted me the score. I think it would have been a bigger blow if I actually watched the game, but still. Duke was just a whole lot of potential that couldn't get it done and they have another early exit to show from it. :( But never fear, I know Coach K will bring a great team together for next year. So now my hope is on Texas, even though I didn't pick them in my bracket. Start praying.

#2 My bracket is completely busted. I had Duke going to the final four and there were a whole lot of other upsets I wasn't planning on. I felt like I had to choose BYU for loyalty purposes, even though my gut feeling was that Texas A&M would win, and of course, they did. That was just the start.... If my bracket wasn't online, I'd certainly rip it up and just start over.

Okay, enough bad. Now for the good:

#1 March Madness has begun!!!! And to make matters better, on cbs.com, you can watch all the games live. It's amazing. The other night at the library, my friend Sean and I were supposed to be studying but instead, we had 3 different browser windows open watching 3 different games. It was great. Even though my bracket is completely screwed up, I like watching all the action, even the upsets (except when the happen to Duke). Long live March Madness.

#2 On Thursday I went up to Ogden with my sister Anna (Fo) and met by other sister Sarah (Sars) and her best friend April (Beast) at the Beehive Cheese Company and watched them make cheese!!! One of the owners of the factory showed us around and explained to us the cheese making process and it really was fascinating! And their cheddar cheese, which is their specialty, is the best cheddar I have ever tasted. They have amazing flavors like Basil Cheddar and Espresso and Lavender Cheddar... wow, it really was amazing. To add to the whole experience, the owner was really a great guy, talking about his cows like his kids, why the milk from Fall and Spring makes the best cheese because of the cream content, and why it's important to buy local. So, here's a plug for buying local! You can find his cheese at Good Earth, Harmons in Orem, Liberty Heights Fresh, Tony Caputos, and hopefully Macey's soon.

#3 I had a rugby game yesterday up in Logan against Utah State. We won 81-7.

#4 Yesterday was my dad's (Diggs) birthday. If you ask him, he may say his birthday is on March 21st, but don't be fooled. March 21st is Johann Sebastian Bach's birthday, but James Siebach's birthday is on March 22nd, much to my father's dismay (Bach is his favorite composer). So yes, it was Diggs' birthday yesterday and I asked him what he wanted (of course he said "nothing") but to celebrate, the whole family, minus Fo and Erik who are rafting down the grand canyon, and plus Beast and cousin Sammy, came up to the house, roasted up some bratwursts and sat down for a night of watching... the NCAA wrestling championship which is, according to Diggs, "the most exciting thing you'll ever watch." Okay, maybe not the MOST exciting, but it really is an amazing sport. I missed the present opening because I was passed out on the floor in front of the warm fireplace but I would just like to give a tribute to my father who is the smartest, funniest, most generous man I know. He's taught me so much about life, sports, tractors, produce, Aristotle, and much, much more. Thanks for being so great Diggs!!!

Diggs reading Aristotle while I'm reading Winnie the Pooh. Nothing has changed.

Diggs in Rome. Fitting isn't it? At least on an intellectual level.

Bringing his passion to Utah.

Two things he loves: tractors and Pennsylvania.

#5 Perhaps, most importantly, today is Easter. I can't think of anything better than the celebration of the greatest act of mercy and love ever known to man.