#22

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

**NOTHING HERE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED INVESTMENT ADVICE!!**

Good morning to all my wingmen and wing-women out there. Here are a few noteworthy and tasty bites worth digesting. Enjoy!

The Russian initiated war in Ukraine is now going on week 3. And while most of the world is hoping this will come to an end soon, I’m not sure the signs are pointing that direction just yet. It’s now being reported that Russia is officially lobbying China for support through both military equipment and financial aide. So all eyes are on China now.

Senior US officials were sent to Rome yesterday to meet with Chinese delegates, in what turned out to be an “intense 7-hour meeting.” While it’s clear there is a strong relationship between China and Russia, it seems China is looking to see how it comes out of this conflict on top and in a more favorable position.

US officials have apparently made it clear both privately and publicly that supporting Russia is not a good move to be made. Specifically stating…. “if China does choose to materially support Russia in this war, there will likely be consequences for China in that regard,” a US defense official was quoted saying.

All of this has sent the China stock market plunging to its lowest levels since the financial crisis of 2008. And given how we’ve seen Russian markets react (…..and really all global markets), this is not something China wants to see further deterioration in.

Doesn’t look like a quick and easy fix has been found just yet and the madness may just be starting.

** Let me first start by saying the following…..Given the atrocities happening across the world now, specifically in Ukraine, it’s not lost on me that we have the incredible luxury of being distracted by frivolous things, including sports. I am certainly grateful. **

This is a time I look forward to with anticipated excitement every single year. And this week kicks off that excitement. No, not because of the Fed’s rate hike decision this week…..but because of March Madness!

Yes, that’s right….the NCAA’s national basketball championship tournament officially tips off this week. As has been the case since being a teenager, I will certainly be obsessing over the games between now and Final Four weekend.

For those who may not be as familiar, it’s a tournament unlike any other (…cue the music)…

• Round 1: starts off with 68 teams (which just got released yesterday HERE) battling it out.
• Round 2: happens 2 days later with 34 teams.
• Sweet 16 (round 3): begins 4 days later with 16 teams.
• Elite 8 (round 4): begins two days later with 8 teams.
• Final Four (round 5): begins 6 days later with 4 teams.
• And finally The Championship game the following Monday to crown the champ.

What makes the tournament so great is that these are college athletes….not professionals. Where coaches are committed to a system and players buy into that system. It includes big college basketball dynasties all the way down to the random and obscure sisters of the poor no one has paid much attention to (not to be confused with Sister Jean’s Loyola). And true David vs Goliath matchups tend to happen early in the tournament. But every team has a fighting chance to win. And each year several games are won by a last second, improbable, buzzer beater of some sort.

Sending one team and its fanbase to the moon with excitement. While leaving the others in pure devastation and sadness as their season comes to an end. No matter how big your program is. No matter your mascot. No matter how well known your school is. Every team has a fighting chance to win.

And it culminates with my favorite part of the whole tournament. The “One Shining Moment” compilation video highlight reel they pull together and play after the game and trophy ceremony. I’ve added the video from last year’s tournament below should you care to get goose bumps with me. This video gets me every time!!

I’ll be posting my bracket later this week. Let the madness begin!!

A quick follow up on yesterday’s news of Tom Brady unretiring. I’m not sure how the rest of the country is feeling about his return. Are NFL fans happy and excited to witness another season of greatness? Are they upset and feel like he should hang it up and move on? Without taking some massive poll, who knows really.

One person I think that’s safe to assume is upset with him coming out of retirement……IS THE PERSON WHO JUST PAID $518,628!!

Yup, that’s right. In what was assumed to have been Brady’s last NFL touchdown thrown, the ball itself was purchased at an auction Saturday night! Then about 24 hours later….TB12 decides to unretire via Twitter. Fair to assume there’s been a small shift in the value of that ball now!

Hate to use Beavis and Butthead here again, just seems so fitting….. “aaaahhhhh tthhhis sthucks!!” (For the record, I was never into Beavis and Butthead growing up. In fact, I had no idea why it was so popular. And similarly now, I have no idea why it keeps popping up in my head. But I'm clearly leaning in.)

What’s the protocol in this situation here? Does Tom reach out to the buyer, invite him to dinner and hand him some cash? Does Nicholas Cage get called up from the minors to start prepping for a soon to be made movie about this? (…...yes, in this situation Nicholas Cage would play Brady given his age.)

I’m not sure there is a protocol for this one. But I am sure the person who purchased must be thoroughly pissed!

Deuces. ✌️