ARIZONA OR BUST

CAT SCRATCH FEVER

Some stats? Most consecutive appearances in the NCAA Basketball Tournament: 27 by North Carolina. Second place? Glad you asked......yup, it's my Arizona Wildcats with a currently active streak of 24 in a row. So this is the year - no more Lute Olsen and here we go - the Cats are on the bubble as we prepare for the selection. Every Wildcat fan holds there breath as we've been dreaming of them overtaking that Carolina record. This whole this holds a special place in my heart. You see, I went to Wildcats basketball games my freshman year of college. Their record that year? 4 wins....24 losses.......yup - quite a group. No tournament for the cats that year. As a matter of fact, from what I recall....every time they threw the ball inbounds it was promptly stolen by someone on the opposing team. Then came our saviour, the honorable Sir Lute Olsen. But I knew Lute couldn't last forever and now they hang on for dear life with just over a .500 record in the conference and an 18-11 overall record. Every says there on the bubble......I'm hoping their history can help push them in to keep this rather amazing streak alive.

OH....AND SPEAKING OF ZONA

Boy - what a transition - right to my movie of the week......your DVD selection and a cult classic - Revenge of the Nerds. This film was shot during my sophomore year in college on the campus of the University of Arizona. The university had decided that they didn't want a film with such a title filmed on campus.....somehow the students and film makers convinced them otherwise and the rest is history. Funny......good acting........over the top nerdiness.........my alleged twin Anthony Edwards and a host of others. Plus you get to see the beautiful campus including the old gym with the Arizona Wildcat basketball team of the 50's and 60's use to play. Enjoy!!!!

ARIZONA AND MUSIC

Well the best I have for you here is Leonard Bernstein's Candide. If you only want to hear five minutes of thrilling, energetic and lyrical music go for the overture. Yes, it was the first piece I ever conducted in my life and I'll be conducting it at Disney Hall in Los Angeles this Sunday. Big step from first having conducting it on the campus of the University of Arizona (you see...it all comes together if you just give me time). And if you really like it, buy the entire CD. The music is filled with much of the same fanciful rhythms, lyricism, latin and jazz elements that made his music to West Side Story so well known. If you don't want to go out and get the CD, watch a very very very old Lenny conduct the overture on youtube. You can still see the energy in his eyes, although you can tell he is nearing the end.