But because I’m also a procrastinator when it comes to preparing for the trip I decided to hold off packing until this morning. Wrong idea. Let’s just say on a normal day it takes me an hour to get ready. Throw in having to pack, and take out the dog all within an hour and you can see I’m stressing even before the sun comes up. My plan was to head to the airport at 7:00 a.m. It wound up being more like 7:15. So I’m nervous, hoping I don’t get caught waiting in the security line. After I circle the airport several times searching for a parking space I finally fine one. It’s 7:28 and I’m feeling like the character Jack Bauer on that show 24. Beep. Beep. Beep. Where every minute counts.

Once inside the airport I realize why Louisville is not a bad place to live. I zip through check-in and the security gates like I’m the President or something. No waiting. No lines. Cool. I make my flight on time and I’m ready to go. This day isn’t starting out so bad after all. I encounter a pack of Louisville fans who are also on the way to NYC. I can already feel the vibe surrounding this years Big East Tournament is different than last years. The Cards enter the Tournament as the #2 seed. Last year they barely made the Tournament. And you can tell in the excitement of the fans. About 10-12 UofL fans are on my flight and they are dressed in red and black Cardinal gear. They are proud to be Louisville fans. Before I get to NYC I have a layover in Chicago. No problem an hour and a half won’t kill me. Well this hour and a half layover has turned into a three and a half hour stay at Chicago’s Midway Airport. Sigh. That’s alright I spend the time chatting with the UofL fans and thinking about the competitive basketball I’m going to see at the Garden. It’s 1:20 p.m. Louisville time and we are starting to board. New York City here I come. Stay tuned.....