March Madness isn't always the first...

     March Madness isn't always the first thing you think it is...Of course it relates to the NCAA College basketball tournament, but here in the Valley of the Sun, it has some different meanings

     March signals the start of Spring Training baseball games (good thing), an increase in revenue dollars across the state (good thing), increased celebrity sightings (good thing) and a plethora of snowbirds (very, very bad thing).  I now understand how people who live at the Jersey shore year round feel when summer rolls around and they are "invaded" by the summer rental people or Bennies.  Not only are these out-of-towners everywhere. they clog the highways, venues, shopping areas, and restaurants.  And they all seem to be enlisted in the new wave of absolute a-hole drivers!
This signals the start of a rant:  When did directional signals become optional?    If you are stupid and do not use them, how are we...(those who possess a brain) supposed to know where you want to go? I. for one, don't understand stupid, so I need an indication of your intent so that I don't kill myself avoiding you.  Another thing...the HOV and left lane are for P-A-S-S-I-N-G, not cruising or talking on your phone or texting...(sorry for spelling. That word is passing!)  Remember in driving school? "Keep right except to pass" or did you win your license in a drawing?!  And learn what YIELD means!  It doesn't mean speed up and cut off the person who has the right of way.  Learn to anticipate when your exit is coming.  I see every day at least one instance of a four lane exit at the last minute on a highway with traffic.  And if you're the a-hole doing it, you don't have the right to get mad at the person(s) you just cut off, because in your mind, its the only exit that will take you to where you go every stinking day!  Leave earlier! Learn an alternate route! HANG UP THE F$#%#G PHONE! I know I sound like an old man. but I want to live, and sure don't want to die on my way to work!

     March signifies the snowbird season in full bloom and you would figure that people who drive in inclement weather when they are not here would be better drivers.  Oh No!  They clog the highways and the golf courses (another reason to be upset) and they cost me 5 times the amount for greens fees to play the same courses I play in the summer for 20 bucks!  It's the "season" for tourist golf...(translate that to lets gouge the tourists and the locals, too).  There ought to be a discount for those of us who brave the summer heat and put money in their pockets year round rather than paying "resort" prices like the tourists. Of course, I still play...but it would be nice not to have to work so much overtime just to play a few rounds of golf.  Will Work for Greens Fees (my motto) means more work less greens fees in March.

     March also signifies the end of winter...Ha! It's been in the 80's here since the middle of February.  I can't remember the last time it rained.  But we are expecting a cold snap Monday (67 for the high) and then back to the 80's by Thursday.  I have a feeling that it will be a brutal summer and I can't wait!  March also signals 7 months without watching television at home...On August 3, 2015, I stopped Direct TV, took down the dish and haven't signed up to replace it.  In the meantime, I have read 14 novels in the Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum (bounty hunter,set in Trenton, NJ) series and 16 novels in a series of stories by John Sandford with Lucas Davenport (cop, murder mystery) as the main character.  Throw in a few historical novels and non-fiction work and I have not missed the "boob tube" at all.  I highly recommend the change...I couldn't justify spending the money when I only watched a few shows and sports.  I listen to the games on radio now and don't miss being a slave to the DVR recordings.  You can get a lot done if you're not parked in front of the TV.