Spring is Springing Soon!

It's pretty gloomy here these days. While it is sunny today and beautiful on account of the snow, it's still bloody cold, the nights are long and the days short, and since they throw salt on the roads instea of plow I'm walking through piles of muck and slush. But fear not mortals! I bring you tidings of great joy! There are signs that spring is coming, and that right soon. Oddly, all are sports related (though I did see a robin last week):

1. The Six Nations Tournament: The Home Nations (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales), France, and Italy square off in a 5 week, round-robin tournament that begins in late January and ends in April. This is always the earliest twitch of springtime's hibernating finger.

2. Fantasy Baseball: I am in two leagues this year (both in their second year) and my first draft for one of them is THIS SUNDAY (the nerd in me is excited) and the other is next sunday. The increased frequency of fantasy podcasts, online fantasy previews, and heated message boards and trade talks only add to the joy that comes with my final sign...

3. Chicago Cubs Pitchers and Catchers reported to training camp. Spring Training has finally begun, which means that the 2008 baseball season has officially begun. Oh, you have no idea how this warms my heart. I can't wait to hear the news about new signings (Livan Hernandez? Oh dear!), untried rookies, and old standards trying to one-up last years stat line. Why couldn't I be doing grad school in Florida right now?

Oh, by the way, I have created a blog on one of my fantasy league servers (many thanks to the Sporting News). I think I may save that one for my baseball, soccer, and rugby blogs and just keep this one here about other stuff. Check it out.

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/Proletkult