Sunshine, Potholes & Hawks

It is better than gulping 5-Hour Energy or getting a B12 shot. Simply a natural way to get you up and moving and we got our first dose yesterday. It is simply amazing what a nice day or two or even three can do for you as all of a sudden you have a bounce in your step after months of seemingly shuffling your feet.

Three days after we got hit with what we hope is the final snowfall of the season sunny skies and temperatures well into the 50’s was as invigorating as a cold shower and the best is yet to come. Mid 60’s today, 70’s on Wednesday and Thursday and nothing resembling cold weather in the next ten days or so will make us feel like winter is indeed over even in the calendar says not quite yet.

One thing that has become quite apparent when driving around Ocean County is that generally speaking our roads are in terrible shape. Potholes are everywhere and there are not too many stretches of road where it’s smooth sailing when driving.

This has to be a serious concern and with money problems everywhere the likely solution is band aids where major surgery is actually needed. Local, county and state workers will get around to filling in some of the potholes as spring arrives but that’s only temporary and drivers better used to bumpy conditions.

Don’t even try to sip your coffee because there’s a good chance it will end up on your shirt. Ironically the smoothest ride can be found on sections of Route 35 along the barrier island which were damaged then repaired after Superstorm Sandy. Driving in Seaside Park is now a pleasure after the last couple of years when it resembled the Middle East.

If you want to know what March Madness is all about all you had to do watch last night’s MAAC Tournament Championship game in Albany, New York. Looking to secure their first bid to the NCAA Tournament since 2006 Monmouth University came up just short falling to Iona 79-76.

The loss did not end the Hawks best-ever season as they still have a shot to receive an at-large berth to the “Big Dance” but will have to wait until Sunday to learn their fate. If Monmouth does not get in the 68-team NCAA field they will head to the NIT which in all honesty is a consolation prize and one they would accept with regrets.