I think elephant is the only record released this year that i've purchased in 2003, meaning that it has to be considered my favorite for album of the year. however, even if i had purchased any other albums, i'd think it's pretty safe atop the list anyway. it's truly staggering. not life-changing, but an achievement and then some. (i've also purchased the ted leo and the pharmacists album, which is good but not blow-me-away good.)

i altered my ncaa tournament bracket filling-out procedure this season, opting for the 'draw out of a hat' method - weighted, of course - for the entirety of the bracket. this resulted in a host of poor picks, including an nc state-oklahoma state matchup in the elite eight. sadly, i came in a solid last place in the krause gentle corporation ncaa tournament pool (one guiding principle="If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.”). however, i soon learned that this dubious distinction does not include a refund. in the immortal words of keith olbermann, gah!

so i approached my boss (son of the guy with the quote) about this quandary, and he responds, "when i ran it we gave the last place finisher a refund." but sadly, k-dub's no longer in charge. gah.