MY TIME ON BUSY STREET

Any other time of the year you could walk down this street without any problem. But for the last few days this short stretch of Mass. Street has become busy street. Massachusetts Street is the main drag in the business section of Downtown Lawrence. I've walked this stretch many times before. Normally I wouldn't have to worry about bumping into anyone. But not the last few days.

Saturday was the worst. The street was shut down to traffic. The reason? There wasn't any room for cars, because it was chock full of people. Thousands of them. It was a sea of humanity. Some of the fans were naked dancing on cars. Many, I know this will come as a surprise, were rather incoherent because of all the alcohol they had consumed. I'm not sure of this, but I am pretty certain the naked dancers had taken a nip or two before they took off their clothes. Street sweepers were getting a workout on Sunday morning. You can find several videos on line. Check out this site to get a feel of how crazy it was. http://video.aol.com/video-detail/ku-final-four-win-celebration-april-5-2008-lawrence-kansas/1759641444

I talked to Lauren Massey of Olathe Kansas on Monday morning. She talked about what an ordeal it was Saturday. She arrived early to camp out at one of the establishments to watch the game with some of her closest friends. But in order to hold the seats she had to buy food. She spent so much money that she planned to spend last night watching the game at a friends apartment. She would hit busy street after the game.

As I strolled down Mass. Street I couldn't help but notice that everyone was in blue. Some students were already camped out in front of some of the establishments. I sat down in the Free State Brewing Company for lunch. They have an Ale Cheese soup to die for. The place was packed, and if you spend much time eaves dropping (journalists have a tendency to do this) you couldn't hear anyone talking about anything other than the Championship game.

After lunch I crossed the street, which was no small task since traffic was so thick. I made my way to a clothing store. That's where I ran into Liz, the perpetually pleasant and perky cashier.

Me: "Have you been busy the last couple of days?"

Liz: "Just a little!"

She says it with a smile, she's beaming.

Liz: "Actually it has been crazy for a least the last week!"

I pick up a final four t shirt to take home. I will be jumping on a flight late in the afternoon. I'll get home in time to watch the game. The shirt is a bargain. It has been reduced to $9.99. They are extremely confident at this store and the others on Massachusetts Street. They have to sell these shirts, to make room for the Championship t-shirts. Championship shirts haven't hung on these racks for 20 years. This morning they will be in the stores. But this busy street is likely to stay quiet for a few hours today. The party went on into the wee hours of the morning. No need to rush out to buy the championship t-shirts, they'll be hanging in these stores for the next year.