Welcome to Day One / Round Two of the 2013 May Mayhem Tournament of Champions. The match-ups for tonight are the following:
1) Guamie vs. 9) Mike Walsh
Previously, in Round One of the May Mayhem Tournament of Champions: Guamie lived up to his top-seeding by defeating 16) Justin Cumnock, while Mike Walsh looks to improve upon his Enduring 8 appearance last year, starting with a slight upset over 8) Julian JDavis Davis -- in what was a contested decision but Mike is no stranger to opposition in this Tournament of Champions: last year, he had two big upsets, and almost netted a third major upset in the Enduring 8, before being defeated by a controversial tie.
As many of you still connected to the UP campus community (or, more specifically, the Office of Residence Life), our Great Leader, Mike Walsh, is entering the final days of his tenure at the U, where he has cemented himself in legend -- as far as I'm concerned. And, as many of you still connected with Guamie know, he probably will not be back to Portland for at least another 5 years -- so if you missed out on his most recent visit, then you simply missed out. It was a good time. While it is undisputed that Guamie is one of my better friends and, arguably, the person that I have been in contact with the longest out of anyone not related to me, I am going to advance Mike Walsh to the Smooth 16 because, while both undoubtedly deserve the honor, Mike has been more active in conveying that he wants it more; and, like in so many other Tournaments, often times the drive from one's heart is enough to defy the odds. Plus, Guamie is probably on some Hawaiian beach, maybe talking to Chelsea, and calling us suckers for being back underneath the clouds and rain of a typical May in Portland.
12) Carly vs. 13) Ellen
Previously, in Round One of the May Mayhem Tournament of Champions: Carly and Ellen both did the improbable by advancing to the Thrilled 32 by defeating 4) The Great Morgan Bridges and 5) Karen Darr, respectively. Both are also making their Tournament of Champions debut this year. Ellen, in fact, is currently the lowest seed still alive in the Tournament, and Carly is one of only two 12-seeds still in the Tournament.
In one of the most equal match-ups in this round, Carly and Ellen are both on somewhat level ground when going head-to-head: while I have known Carly longer, I have probably spent about as much time with Ellen as I have with her; and, while I don't know Ellen all that well, I don't know Carly all that well, either; I have seen Ellen more recently (and introduced her to the goodness that is Jeremiah Weed, official bourbon of Ryan Henley), but I interact with Carly via Facebook much more regularly; Ellen holds the Direct-Memory advantage, meanwhile, Carly holds the Overall-Communicative advantage; and, to top it off, they are, essentially, the same seed, as well. This could really go either way.
It was a great time hanging out with Ellen at Guamie's Return to Portland shindig, as she is always quite pleasant and fun to be around, and even though Carly is a Seahawks fan (arguably one of the most annoying kind of fan, outside of the Boston area), I am going to advance Carly to the Smooth 16, as she holds the Frequency tie-breaker -- plus, she seemed to be getting into the Tournament with the passion of a champion.
2) Gorder vs. 10) Matt Knister
Previously, in Round One of the May Mayhem Tournament of Champions: 15) Pat Holcomb may feel like an Internet star after being mentioned in this blog -- citing a comparison to Tia Tequila -- and, to continue that comparison, he, too, was a loser (hate, hate, hate); as Gorder advanced past him and, is safe to say, one of the favorites in this year's Tournament after finishing as one of the Famed Four last year. Knister, on the other hand, making his Tournament debut, pulled an upset over 7) Andy and finds himself up against a real challenge this week.
Gorder has a lot of things going for him in this battle: I've known him longer, (during football season) I communicate with him almost daily -- even when he is, allegedly, working... nay! ESPECIALLY when he is, allegedly, working. Meanwhile, Matt is one of the nicest people you are likely to ever meet, and, of course, a Niners fan -- essentially, synonymous with "Good Person"; some of the best people you are likely to meet in this world rock the red and gold. And while Babs* may always look depressed (especially in her Seahawks jersey), Babs won't need to cry this night, because Gorder will be advancing to the Smooth 16, once again.
...which, now, brings us to our Marquee Match-Up of the Night, presented by the Foster Family Care Network...
3) Jayhem vs. 11) Natalie
Previously, in Round One of the May Mayhem Tournament of Champions: Jennifer Jayhem Mattson, another possible favorite in this year's Tournament, looking to build upon her Enduring 8 finish last year, got her quest started by doing what champions do: handle... their... business. Natalie, making her Tournament debut this year, edged past fellow-kind-heart, 6) Tricia Weatherly-Troy, and appears to be in-it-to-win-it.
This Marquee Match-Up has it all: two incredibly wonderful women in their own respectively wonderful ways. Natalie, as a teacher and a mom, was a lot of fun to hang out with after my brother's wedding, when we all trekked down to the resort bar (because it was the only thing open within.... miles, I reckon -- this place was remote; probably why it was so nice). I vaguely recall her attempting to order us pizza, too, from the hot tub but, alas, the remote nature of the resort also proved to be the downfall of that pizza delivery. Sad times, BUT the only sad times I have associated with Natalie -- which, if you think about it, is not too sad at all. Jennifer, on the other hand, has some of the greatest stories that I've ever had the pleasure of hearing and you can definitely expect to see her name attached to some Ryan Award considerations in just a couple of months; one of them, though, will not be for "Clutch Performance of the Year" for winning the 2013 May Mayhem Tournament of Champions, as Jennifer's Tournament comes to an end this night. Natalie will be the fourth member to join the Smooth 16 this night and, with that, I shall call it an evening. Working on top of all of this (and what little of a social life that I have) has its challenges; BUT it's for you, the Good People, who enjoy it that I do it.
Day Two's match-ups will, most likely, be completed much earlier tomorrow, as the My Voice Music committee meeting was postponed, and so now I have nothing scheduled for my Tuesday BUT the continuation of the May Mayhem Tournament of Champions. Best wishes, as always.
-Ryan.
Commissioner
The May Mayhem Tournament of Champions
*I don't recall Gorder's pug's name, but I think that it is Babs... or I've seen that name in the past
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