The following may be a sensitive question for some. How are those picks looking? Seeing as how damn near every bracket went up in flames only hours after the tournament officially began – those four “first round” games do not count – it should go without saying college basketball is likely dominating the talk around the office. We all the know the running joke that with the onset of the world’s greatest postseason tournament often comes the lack of productivity at jobs across the country.

According to CNBC’s Darren Rovell, that may not exactly be the case.

This year, the firm estimates that American employees will watch the tournament online for at least 8.4 million hours, which equals more than $192 million in wages. Last year, the firm told the world the number was $1.8 billion, by the way, which goes to show you how unscientific this number is.

The report gets a ton of press, but it’s rarely questioned. The horrible assumption that the firm makes is that it assumes that every minute we are “working,” we are productive, which of course is not true. Every day is filled with moments that we are doing something that our employers technically might not be paying us for.

How much time do we “waste” going to lunch? How much time do we “waste” checking our personal e-mail? Is there anyone in the world who can’t watch the games and work at the same time?

You get my point.

In fact, some think that this wasting of time watching March Madness, filling out brackets and talking about it, can actually add to workplace productivity.

Don Forsyth, a social psychologist who is a professor at University of Richmond’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies, is in that camp. He recently had a workshop with executive leaders who he asked to fill out brackets and said employers could actually learn from how employees fill out their sheet.

To learn how, head over to CNBC.com to read the rest of Rovell’s report.

***Hater Alert***

My personal disdain towards Plies’ music knows no limitations, but I know plenty of you Beckies out here want it, so I’ll be chopped liver and all that. Y’boy Plies (pronounced Plyzzzzzzmannnn) wants you all to understand his love for the disc jock is so great, he doesn’t even need one on to host his new tape. Read the rest of this entry »

Go head and lounge on the pillow if you want to, but Diddy and the girls with the filthy Ben Franks manufactured a pretty sound and solid piece of plastic with the Last Train To Paris. Upbeat and rhythmic, cutting yet familiar, the online campaign which featured a smattering of Diddy doing the most ridiculous things has fizzled a bit, yet and still, the music remains lively as ever. Read the rest of this entry »

The WOMi feature is reserved for the people who influence my work and carry a certain admirable joie de vivre. Nick Schonberger fits that description. In fact, I consider him to be a White version of myself, were I more coy and deadpan funny, and if I had bits of knowledge and experience with nearly everything under the sun. Read the rest of this entry »

Mike Tirico’s reaction summed up this dunk perfectly. Dropping the professional veneer that all sportscasters – except perhaps Gus Johnson – take on as part of their job, Tirico stammered “I need to see that again, because I don’t believe what he did!” With these apt words, and the earnest joy in his voice, Tirico channelled the feelings of NBA fans across the country. Read the rest of this entry »

Today, we’ll be holding fort at Peckerheads for the Bootleggers and Tastemakers stage. Three years running and still going strong!

Right now, a very brief photo recap of sights from yesterday. Read the rest of this entry »

Trackstar passed us this one in the middle of his pre-SXSW mania. “Mic Check,” the first leak off the anticipated 80 Blocks From Tiffany’s collaboration features a boom bap-ish beat from Pete Rock that fulfills expectations. Camp-Lo’s rhymes on this joint are particularly loquacious and the chemistry between the particulars seems natural. Read the rest of this entry »

A few things worth looking twice at…

– The street before you cross it.

– 85% of The Cooler girls.

– An Aleon Craft commandment. Read the rest of this entry »

New Balance brings the heat in an effort to melt away the last remnants of winter with a dope one-two combo of 574’s. The gum rubber on the sole and heel tabs look very nice matched up against the leather and suede upper. I’d probably only wear the white ones once and then put them next to my all white dunks that I’m too paranoid to wear. Read the rest of this entry »

Kali Lynn

Nate Dogg’s Legacy Of Sweet Hooks For Hard Rappers [Pop & Hiss]

Vanessa Hudgens Is Upset About Her Naked Pictures [WWTDD]

Wheelchair Boxing Is Next Big Thing [With Leather]

Sagging Pants Bill Passes In House of Representatives [AHH] Read the rest of this entry »

Sunday night’s documentary, much like the “Fab 5′s” two year extravaganza at the University of Michigan, was controversial, entertaining and an examination of culture boundaries not always given proper discussion in the sports world. The two hour program detailed the trials, tribulations and lighter moments faced by the quintent, but the portion of the show centering around the perceptions and disdain the five held towards Duke University Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a weedhead willing to turn your back on a nice, luscious pair of perk-perks because you’re too stingy to spare a pull from your doobie, you probably need to detox longer than Dr. Dre has claimed to. You’re addicted. It’s not that serious, dude. On the flipside, if you’re a female fiend who find themselves always coming in second that bitch Mary, you might wanna stop, drop and roll another baby wipe in your honey pot. Read the rest of this entry »

The fact that Melanie Fiona wins me over without having to prace around half naked is one of the glaring reasons why I appreciate her music so much. Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t a damn thing wrong with looking all googly-eyed at the gyrations of Rihanna, but from a personal standpoint (i.e. whose album I’d be more inclined to buy), I’m siding with Fiona. Read the rest of this entry »

Chicago emcees have gone horribly awry or at least that could be the partial perception from the outside. Thankfully, R.O.E. is here to save us all and help save face with the 5 track EP A Backpacker Named R.O.E.. Read the rest of this entry »

Donwill, one of the three two talented emcees from Tanya Morgan, offers a track for those moments when the challenges of life seem overwhelming with “Breathe.” The titular advice, as Nicky Guiland’s feathery vocal advises, is just to “inhale, exhale.” This time-tested remedy will cause the troubles of life to draw away like the tide going out to sea. Read the rest of this entry »