5 Things you can do this weekend other than watching Louisville

Like it or not, there’s a big sporting event this weekend. No, not the Valero Texas Open…the Final Four. Pardon me if I don’t root for the Cards. I feel bad for Kevin Ware and and his broken leg, but that doesn’t prompt me to go out and buy a red wife beater, flat bill cap and crack open a Four Loko. Watching Louisville become America’s darling is like seeing your ex-boyfriend for the first time with a gorgeous girl on his arm; it just sucks. So, while CBS airs montage after montage of Louisville’s march to the title, I’ve come up with five other things you can do to occupy your time.

1. Keeneland (and post-Keeneland festivities)

There are times I miss living in Kentucky and then there are times I literally ache to be there. Keeneland’s spring and fall meets are some of those times. There is nothing better than spending a sunny day at the track, with a whiskey sour in hand and the people watching at its peak. The horses are great, too. My husband and I try to come up for at least one day each meet, with the best opportunity I have this year falling on the busiest day of the meet–Bluegrass Stakes day (if you have Clubhouse connections, let me know). So while you all are soaking up the sun, bourbon, and lovely fresh cut grass smell, I’ll be living vicariously through your Instagrams, tweets, and Vines. Unfortunately, the Louisville/Wichita State game doesn’t tip until 6:09 p.m., which is right after the last race of the day, BUT, this year, Keeneland is debuting it’s enhanced tailgating lot, “The Hill,” which will feature concerts, food trucks, TV screens and more, and it’s open until seven. While everyone else is sitting in traffic, enjoy the weather for a little while longer and avoid the game. And then go sit in traffic.

Before you go, check out Drew Franklin’s Do’s and Don’ts of Keeneland.

2. Go outside

It’s supposed to be gorgeous this weekend. Reintroduce yourself to Mother Nature in the following ways:

a) Yard work

That’s what I’m doing. What better way to forget about Louisville than disconnecting from technology and getting your hands dirty? Channel all your Dirty Bird hate into breaking ground on your garden, or weeding a flower bed. At the end of the day, you’ll have actually accomplished something other than internal angst. When your done, dust off your old lawn chair and relax in the yard with a cold beverage and listen to the birds chirp. Pretend the cardinals are blue jays.

b) Go for a hike, or on a fishing trip

Make our friends at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife proud.

c) Porch + grill = good times

Invite your friends for an early spring cookout and rock on in blissful oblivion. Could go great with Option #4.

3. Rewatch last year’s Final Four as though it were this year’s

This is my favorite option. For the past year, I’ve had last year’s Final Four games saved on my DVR because I couldn’t stand deleting them. Tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m., I will promptly hit play on the UK vs. Louisville game from last season and relive it second by second, complete with commercials. If UofL advances to the Championship game on Monday, maybe I’ll even invest in some streamers to recreate UK’s One Shining Moment from Nola.

4. Plan your Spring Game tailgate

Believe it or not, the Spring Game is only one week away. Have you planned your tailgate? If not, take this opportunity to perfect your recipes. Bring out the cornhole boards to knock off the winter’s rust and limber up those wrists. Just because the game itself will only be a practice doesn’t mean your cornhole tournament has to be.

5. Go to the movies

Honor the late Roger Ebert and go to the movies. Nothing blocks the world out more than a dark theater and a big bucket of popcorn. Currently out: Jurassic Park 3D, The Host, Evil Dead, GI Joe: Retaliation, Olympus Has Fallen, The Croods and yet another Tyler Perry movie. Or, get ready for Sunday’s “Mad Men” premiere with a Mad Men marathon. All five seasons are now streaming on Netflix, and Old Fashions pair wonderfully with avoidance.

Or you can just watch the game and pray for an upset. Go Shockers. (Still undecided about you, Nick Wiggins.)