The Paul Monitor #3: Dr. Snow Day

Here’s something you should know. I don’t work in an office. Sure, DigitalSports has an office — two in fact — but I work from home. Of course I leave my house to cover games and the like, but most of the time, I’m sitting at home, typing away at my keyboard. So what happens when Prince William cancels school and in turn cancels sporting events? Well, I sit at home. Everyone else I know is at work and I’m stuck with nothing to do.

I know, start playing the violin and all that. Yes, I should be ecstatic to get a day off work. Problem is, I’m not off work. I just have absolutely nothing to do. It’s a weird dichotomy. Let me explain: Here’s me talking to my brain (Note: My brain talks like HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey — two Kubrick jokes so far, for those keeping track at home).

Paul: Whelp, nothing to do here. Guess I’m going to go watch some television.
Brain: I wouldn’t do that Paul. You’re supposed to be working.
Paul: There’s nothing to do! I’ve updated all the basketball scores. Mapped out my district tournament schedule. There’s no breaking news. I can’t do any planning for a game, cause there aren’t any.
Brain: Well you certainly can’t slack off. What do those fine people at DigitalSports pay you for?
Paul: Fine, I’m just gonna sit here in front of the computer.
Brain: You better not open up Solitaire, Paul.
Paul: What about Mindsweeper?
Brain: Not even Mindsweeper.
Paul: Noooooooooooo

At this point I pretty much just ball up in a corner and wait for someone to come home and take care of my fractured psyche.

I’m exaggerating of course. I do get a bit of work done — read the Potomac News and Washington Post for any stories I missed, brainstorm some feature ideas, make a few calls, update the DigitalSports Facebook Page (Plug!). I also allow myself some time to slack off — watch television, play XBox, etc.

But it still nags at the conscience to know that I should be doing something constructive and really can’t. It’s enough to drive a DigitalSports employee slightly insane. Don’t believe me? Look at Ryan Mink’s Montgomery County blog. He did a list of the top reality shows on televison! (Of course, everybody knows the best reality show is Celebrity Rehab: Sober House.) The Northern Region’s Phil Murphy discusses his desire to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. And me? Well I’m posting discussions that I have with myself.

Okay, let’s get back on track for a second. Last week, I posted a Top 5 for boys basketball. It felt good to get my opinion out there, so I’m gonna do it again. Standings can be found here for boys and here for girls.

Boys Basketball
1. Potomac (11-8, 2-2)
2. C.D. Hylton (12-3, 3-1)
3. Woodbridge (10-5, 3-1)
4. Gar-Field (9-7, 2-2)
5. Battlefield (10-4, 7-1)

Girls Basketball
1. Forest Park (13-3, 4-0)
2. Stonewall Jackson (14-2, 9-0)
3. Osbourn Park (13-2, 7-1)
4. Woodbridge (8-6, 2-2)
5. Potomac (4-9, 3-1)

I’m not going to do much explaining for these and I’m sure they’ll change dramatically tonight. On the boy’s side, Potomac is now the top dog because they beat Hylton. Battlefield falls a bit because of its loss to Fauquier. On the girl’s side, the top three are easy. They’re three of the better teams in the region. I also like Woodbridge and the Kendall Hayes-run Panthers.

I guess that’s it for now. I promise that I’ll stay on topic next week, as there will be a ton to talk about with district tournaments starting. I’ll be at Stonewall Jackson High School tonight for the Raiders’ doubleheader with Osbourn Park. Come say hello. Even if the game gets canceled for some reason, I’m leaving the house. I’ll just get up and walk somewhere. You’ll probably find me later — frozen in the woods like Jack Nicholson from the Shining… three!

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