AND NOW, finally we are getting to start the 2015 May Mayhem Tournament of Champions! We have a few solid weeks of what I hope will be a fun and lively competition, culminating with the crowning of the 2015 Champion of Champions!
Per tradition, we’ll be starting off the Tournament by honoring America, with a rendition of our National Anthem, performed by the highly-acclaimed, highly-awarded, always lovely (even on VHS), the always talented: Faith Hill.
I’M JACKED!!! Let’s play some games!
I don’t have a sponsor for this first day of action that I would normally plug at this time, and so I’ll just say that this first day of action is being brought to us by Dez Bryant, WR for the Dallas Cowboys….. because there are a whole lot of Xs being thrown up today, haha
I’ll give a little bit of an intro for those of you who may not know the others playing in this Tournament. After all, one of the bonuses of having a Tournament with this many people is that you get an opportunity to meet some really awesome people that you may not have known before (or may not have known very well).
Starting things off, a battle from the St. Johns Region…
Tara vs. Abby
St. Johns Region
Tara is one of the many awesome Pilots in this Tournament; prominent in past May Mayhem Tournaments, as well as several of the past Ryan Awards; one of the dearest friends that I have and one of the best people that I know. Abby, on the other hand, is someone who I haven’t known too well for too long, but also a great Pilot, incredibly hard-working, and has always been incredibly kind in the interactions that I have had with her.
With the answers on the board…
Tara and Abby were asked the question: “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet” …
Tara is up first and she responded with…….
No answer. That’s how it goes sometimes. So, let’s turn to Abby and see what she has in response to: “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet”…
Ooo, another no answer. Well, we will turn to the coin toss to determine the advancing party — with Tara, as the higher seed, being “Heads” and, Abby, thus, being “Tails”, which gives me an opportunity to plug Just Flip A Coin: Whether you are bored and wanting to see an animated coin make a few rotations before landing on one of its two “sides”, or you’re needing a way to advance players in a Tournament that they opted not to participate in, Just Flip A Coin is the site for you!!
IT IS HEADS. Congratulations to Tara for being the first to advance to the 2nd round of the Tournament (…unless someone calls dibs and takes your spot….).
Carolyn vs. Leanne
St. Johns Region
In a prime example of how seeding, this year, is largely irrelevant, I’ve actually known Leanne much, much longer than I have Carolyn. I’ve known Leanne since, really, her final few months of high school — when she came to visit the U…. or, at least, I’m pretty sure that’s when I first met her. Anyway, it was either that spring or the following fall when she arrived on campus that I met her. It’s been a long time, and since then, Leanne has always been a dedicated, hard-working woman with a great sense of humor. Meanwhile, I’ve known Carolyn for just a few years, but through house parties, Opples and Bononos, and Winnerhawks games, I’ve spent much more time with her in the past few years, and it’s always a delight. Very excited to have both of them in the Tournament this year!
With the answers on the board…
Carolyn and Leanne were asked the question: “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet” …
Carolyn is up first and she responded with…….
No answer. So, let’s turn to Leanne. Leanne, “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet”…
Annnd, another no answer. Well, we will turn to the coin toss to determine the advancing party — with Carolyn, as the higher seed, being “Heads” and, Leanne, thus, being “Tails”, we now turn to the Just Flip A Coin advancement tool…
IT IS HEADS, again. Congratulations to Carolyn for advancing to the Thrilled 32 round of the 2015 Tournament of Champions! (…unless someone calls dibs and takes your spot….)
Great One Ian Mouser vs. Trent
Kenton Region
I’ve known the Great One Ian Mouser, now, for going on 9 years, this fall. Back then, he was just normal Ian Mouser who dreamed of helping kids in need through the majesty of song, and music as therapy. Now, as the Great One, he is the Founder/Executive Director of the local non-profit organization, My Voice Music, who does some truly amazing work with kids in need from our local communities. I’m very proud of what he, and the whole MVM team has accomplished, and also proud to assist them however I can. For sure, a first-ballot Hall of Famer in the Ryan Awards, as well.
Trent is another great guy that I know through my involvement in My Voice Music, and while I’m not sure how he originally got involved, the amount of work he gives — both in his media and technology roles, as well as through playing the drums for kids’ performances — speaks a high volume of the type of character and heart that he has. Truly a gent and a fine example of one of the Good People.
With the answers on the board…
The Great One and Trent were asked the question: “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet” …
The Great One is up first and he responded with…….
No answer. So, let’s turn to Trent. Trent, “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet”…
Annnd, another no answer. Well, we will turn to the coin toss to determine the advancing party — with the Great One, as the higher seed, being “Heads” and, Trent, thus, being “Tails”, we now turn to the Just Flip A Coin advancement tool…
IT IS TAILS! I knew, eventually, tails would win (Tails Never Fails)… although, it had a rough start to today. Congratulations to Trent for advancing to the Thrilled 32 round of the 2015 Tournament of Champions! (…unless someone calls dibs and takes your spot….)
Ace Griffin vs. Stephen
Arbor Region
Ace Griffin and I go way back to the Villa days, then the summer in the Shit Pit, before a year in the Castle — probably one of my favorite eras in life, to this point in time. There aren’t a lot of people that I know that are big Carolla fans, or who like adding commentary to movies (regardless on if they’re good or bad), so I definitely have some fond memories of some really good times with Ace Griffin. While I haven’t known Stephen all that long, and really have only gotten to know him (more than just beyond his name) in the past couple of years, he does hold the rare accomplishment of being, quite possibly, the ONLY 16th seed to defeat a #1 seed in a bracket tournament…. in the history of bracket tournaments. A feat that he accomplished last year when he shocked the world, and Gorder, with the unprecedented upset in the 2014 May Mayhem Tournament of Champions. It was really rather remarkable. Stephen is a good guy, though; fun to be around and chat with at the various house parties that I see him at from time to time.
With the answers on the board…
Ace Griffin and Stephen were asked the question: “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet” …
Ace Griffin is up first and he responded with…….
No answer. So, let’s turn to Stephen. Stephen, “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet”…
Annnd, another no answer. Well, we will turn to the coin toss to determine the advancing party — with Ace Griffin, as the higher seed, being “Heads” and, Stephen, thus, being “Tails”, we now turn to the Just Flip A Coin advancement tool…
IT IS TAILS! Congratulations to Stephen for advancing to the Thrilled 32 round of the 2015 Tournament of Champions! (…unless someone calls dibs and takes your spot….)
Jenne vs. Kristy
Arbor Region
I’m not sure how many years, now, that I’ve known Jenne but it was at least two tours in the Middle East, and a few years of her living in the Baltimore/DC area; so, a decent amount of time, haha. One of my favorite things about Jenne, in addition to the great service she has provided to these Great United States, is how committed she is to the things that are important to her; her passion is evident, and her resolve endless. Great traits of a great person. Kristy I haven’t known all that long, nor do I know all that well, however, she came out to play football on Thanksgiving when few others did, and I had some great football conversations with her as the season wound down, and her Patriots did me a solid and beat the Seahawks in a particularly enjoyable fashion….
My favorite fan reaction clip is when obnoxious Seahawk fans are chanting “Beast-Mode” over and over again before the heartbreak… “Beast-Mode, Beast-Mode, Beast–Mo-[pause]-NOOOO!” It will never get old. Just like the memes. Glorious.
With the answers on the board…
Jenne and Kristy were asked the question: “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet” …
And Kristy jumped to the buzzer first……. “TARANTULA!” ….. oooo yeah, I don’t get it when people have tarantulas as pets — even though, I think, that they are pretty harmless to people, they are super creepy; furry but not soft… and just creepy-looking. Anyway, Kristy says “Tarantula”… SURVEEEEEEEY SAYSSSSSSSSSSSS………
YES! Kristy is now on the board! With 15 points, though, Jenne has an opportunity to eliminate Kristy with her response. Jenne, “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet” …
Ohhhh… another non-response. Well, no bother for Kristy who has advanced to the next round of the Tournament AND CANNOT be replaced via the revolutionary “Dibs” calling.
Good times and, now, we move on to the final match of the night; the Marquee Match-Up between two dear friends and a NOLA Reunion: Maui vs. Kristin. Coming out of the insanely competitive Portsmouth Region…
Maui vs. Kristin
Portsmouth Region
I’ve known Maui, now, for almost 12 years — way back before he was “Maui”, in fact. Back in the days when he was just “Chris”: the quiet, Asian neighbor (“Silent Ninja”), who never said much but would get very, very, defensive when we talked about his sister. Oh, sweet Chelsea…. mmm mmm mmm. Meanwhile, I’ve only known Kristin for a few years, BUT it’s been a pretty solid few years. In what started off as brief interactions when she showed up at house parties for her traditional 20-minute appearance (but almost always with home-baked treats….), it switched to a higher gear with a weekend of fun debauchery in NOLA for Mardi Gras 2014. I still regret not going a few months ago, but I aim to go back in October — when the crowds aren’t insane and the weather is likely to be nicer. If anyone is interested in going…. let me know!
With the answers on the board…
Maui and Kristin were asked the question: “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet” …
Maui hits the buzzer first……. “SNAKES!” …. Oooo, snakes are another pet that, unless venomous, are probably pretty harmless to people, but also a very confusing pet to have… since you can’t really do anything with them. And, plus, I’m not sure I’d be able to feed it a live animal — just seems kind of, I don’t know, not “cruel” but definitely would tug at my conscience. I mean, once you drop that mouse in the — cage (?) — you’ve pretty much sealed its fate. If it’s not dead in a few minutes…. FROM BEING EATEN ALIVE….. then it’s going to die eventually, in that horrific fashion. I don’t think I could do it, but let’s see what the SURVEEEEEY SAYS………
BOOM! There we go! The number one response. Well, even though there is no way for Kristin to win this match, now that Maui got the #1 response, I don’t want to usher her out of the game earlier than her 20-minute commitment, so, Kristin… “Name an animal that you are surprised that some people keep as a pet” …
Well, with her no response, the inevitable has arrived. Maui will advance to the second round of the Tournament and, like Kristy moments before, also not be eligible for replacement via the “Dibs” calling. Since none of the competitors today got the 2nd response, let’s see what it is….
BIRDS. Yeah, I don’t understand people with birds. Birds are the meanest animals on the planet. That’s why, if it’s true that dinosaurs are more like birds than reptiles, we should never seriously pursue bringing them back into existence. I’m okay with dealing with a parakeet with an attitude — I can just flick the cage or whatever — but a 6ft parakeet with a sickle-claw to slice me open with? No thanks. Let’s just stick to the movies. Speaking of movies, do you know where you’re going to be on June 12?!?!?!
#ImSoExcitedForThisMovie
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That will do it for the first round of action! We had Maui and Kristy advancing outright to the 2nd round, with Tara, Carolyn, Trent, and Stephen advancing via Just Flip A Coin coin toss, which means that their respective spots in the Tournament are vulnerable to being stolen by someone Calling Dibs. It will make the next few days very exciting, I reckon.
-Ryan.
Tournament Commissioner
The May Mayhem Tournament of Champions 