This is a guest post long time in the making. Or at least a few weeks. You see, Travis was the winner of this year's Bracketstravaganza, and he is due a guest post on this blog because of his prognostication skills.

But instead of simply gloating, Travis decided to stay hungry, humble and thankful for the companionship of a good friend.

Let's send it over to Trav:

Let's get the basics out of the way first. Bacon, Twitter, bacon, Jonesy,
bacon, bacon.

Thank you Justin, for giving me this space to address whatever I damn well please. Since I clinched the bracket challenge when Michigan State beat UConn (I owe ya one, Tom Izzo), I've been thinking about how I could use this soapbox.

Do I crow about my win? The secret is to pick the University of North Carolina every year. It pays off more often than not. Michigan State and Villanova in the Final Four, those were just lucky guesses that paid off.

Do I use this space to ask why, in a state as great as Maine, can't I get a decent hoagie? It's not that they taste bad here, it's just that Mainers cut the bread wrong and everything comes tumbling out. Governor Baldacci needs to send a task force to the best deli in the world, Gill's in Rutland, Vermont. Nobody on this blue ribbon team can come back until they know how to cut a roll the right way.

My gig is sports writing, so I want to stay away from that. Maybe I take up your time by ranting about how Rush deserves to be in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. The only better Canadian import was Bobby Orr.
Do I remind you all to read my column in the Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal. Hey, I'm shameless, but I have my limits. Plus, I'm sure you all read it already.

No. I think I'll keep it simple, and just say thank you.
On March 19, my greyhound Grogan and I were attacked by a pair of pit bulls not a block from my house. I came away without a scratch. Grogan came away with a broken leg. It could have been much worse.

Grogan is recovering. I hope when his cast comes off, he gets over his fear of going outside. Right now, everything but lying on the old love seat in my office terrifies him. This was a dog that couldn't wait to go for a walk, and I hope that he's a big, goofy running fool as soon as he's healed.

So, thank you to the staff at the Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Brewer, and thank you to Alan Slack and his staff at the New England Animal Hospital in Waterville. Grogan has received the best of care. Thank you to everybody who called or sent an e-mail of concern. They're appreciated, every single one.

I plan on defending my title next year. When I do, and Justin is forced to hand over the keys again, I'll waste your time with my favorite drink recipes or why you should read my friend Ron Currie Jr's latest novel. Until then, on behalf of Grogan, I say thank you.

Bacon.

E-mail this entry to a friend