This morning was rough. No scratch that, beyond rough. Downright impossible is more like it.

Five days off with no responsibilities. No need to work on deadline. No phone calls from people who should know better. No waking up at 5:30 (o.k., 6:15) a.m. Heaven.

Now it's back to the grind. I was almost late this morning as my brain refused to believe that we were waking up at such an hour. By the time I forced myself out of bed I had 20 minutes to shower, make myself look like a human being and get to the otherside of town. Oh, and stop for breakfast.

But I did it. I made it. Just barely. Of course seeing headlines like this: Where's the Challenge? Illinois crushes Wake does my Duke basketball heart good.

Now if only Carolina would really go to hell, all would be right in the world.