oh man, i’m having a blast playing the bracket tournament. after months working on the project, it is seriously nice to be able to see it in action. and it seems to be working well, so that’s all you can ask for.

one of my fav parts is checking my standings compared to the NYTimes sports staff. mostly i love it cause i get to look at vescey’s sick photo. and before everybody asks “hey, g diggity, genuine draft, yo, how come my photo isn’t in there when i check it out on my computer?”

answer: “cuz you didn’t photochop it’s sikness in did you?”

whohoooo! it has been a VERY successful launch for the NYTimes.com first ever bracket tournament and i couldn’t be more stoked about it. my bosses are pleased, it’s getting a lot of page views and we’ve already passed my goal for number of users, so now all that’s gotta happen is North Carolina win the tourney and i can officially call this project a success.

and, as promised (though there seems not to be much interest in it) i’ve created the bombest group in the tourney, the dope group.

to join the dope group go to http://www.nytimes.com/ncaabracket and enter this group code in the “Join group” dialogue box:

9902216125akPfN7hO88u0qUGFgl9mrg

this is an opportunity to match wits with not only me, but nytimes sports editors, columnists and reporters, so for those of you who think you’re the shit when it comes to sports handicapping and college basketball (yes i’m speaking to you holmes), pony up and join the group. also, if you’re already in the tournament and have already joined a group, still feel free to join the dope group. while you can only create five groups you can join as many as you want.

see all you suckas on the hardcourt… virutally. that’s interactive-tubes-smack-talk baby!

(photo by Nathan Clendenin)

many many apologies for my absence from the blog lately. there have been many things i’ve wanted to talk about, and hope to in the coming week, but i’ve just been so fuckin busy.

what man, pray tell, have i been busy with? well hold your breath no longer for i shall tell you. i’ve been killin myself developin’ the NYTimes.com first ever interactive march madness tourney.

that’s right boys and girls. the time has come for you to bring your a-game to the table. there’s nothing to hide behind anymore. the tournament is free, and i’m hoping that we can all get in a group together and see who really knows their college bball, and who’s a pretender.

basically it’s everything good about interactive brackets, and none of the bullshit. entering the tourney is free (you gotta register, but i mean, how else do you expect us to keep track of ur picks) you make your selections, join groups with your buddies (or your enemies), and are automatically placed in a group with the New York Times sports editors, writers and reporters. i’m really looking forward to that part. after the tourney starts (Thurs., March 15), you’ll be able to see all your buddies brackets and those of the Times’ staff as well. you’ll also be able to browse results and related media. you can read more about the tournament here.

so if you’re interested in being in the ‘dope tourney group’ stay tuned, maybe drop a comment letting me know you’re interested. i’ll be sending out email invitations to the group tomorrow after the selections are made (i’ll be launching the project and then sending out the invites probably late tomorrow or monday).

and, as said before, so ends the insanity, and please, let the madness begin.