Hey everyone, so my kid’s been playing ball for years and I finally decided we’d make the big trip to catch the TSSAA state tournament next year. Thing is, I’m terrible with dates and all that jazz. Saw this schedule floating around online and figured, why not actually plan ahead for once instead of winging it like usual? Grabbed my beat-up laptop and got cracking.
The Info Hunt Begins
First off, I needed the actual dates – shocker, right? Pulled up the TSSAA site and scrolled forever till my eyes crossed. Found out the whole shebang runs early March at that big arena near Murfreesboro. Wrote down on a Post-it: “March 6-8 – DO NOT SCHEDULE DENTIST THAT WEEK”. My kid’s team plays Division I, so I dug deeper into those brackets like an obsessed gopher.
Blocking Out Chaos
Now, our life’s a circus with work, my wife’s nursing shifts, and the dog’s obedience classes (yes, really). Opened Google Calendar and started blocking chunks:
- Thursday morning quarterfinals for Class A – no way missing little Timmy’s crossover dribbles
- Friday semis circled in red marker – pizza budget approved!
- Saturday finals blocked off with skull emojis ’cause nobody better interrupt championship hype
Nearly screwed up – almost booked a work conference same weekend. My boss’s email draft said “family emergency”… technically not lying?
The Money Talk
Checked ticket prices and whew – gotta start hiding cash in the cookie jar NOW. Made a chart on notebook paper like some kinda accountant:
– Gas $$$ (that truck guzzles like it’s thirsty)
– Motel (cheap one near highway exit 89)
– Tournament merch (kid’s gonna demand that overpriced jersey)
Showed my wife the total. She blinked hard. “Better than Disneyworld?” she asked. Uh… priorities, honey.
Game Day Survival Prep
Last tournament we forgot phone chargers and survived on stale pretzels. Made a Walmart run list:
- Portable phone battery packs (three this time!)
- Team-colored face paint that won’t stain seats
- Advil – for my yelling-induced headaches
- Non-squeaky stadium seat cushion
Packed ’em early in a clear plastic bin labeled “BASQUET STUFF DONT TOUCH” – my spelling’s rough, but the message is clear.
Countdown Mode
Now I’ve got a whiteboard in the kitchen with “268 DAYS TIL MURFREESBORO MADNESS!” in all caps. Kid high-fives it every morning. Got the hotel booked (non-refundable, so we’re committed!), gas budget jar filling up slow but steady. For once, we’re not rushing last-minute like headless chickens. Just gotta pray nobody sprains an ankle before March. Let’s ride!