Don't Go Away Mad

Philly Madness Update

OK, Round One of our annual Philly Madness online tournament — wherein we pit people against institutions against abstract entities — is all done, and man, what a bloodbath. Merrill Reese, the Italian Market and Space 1026 are all dead to us. Dan Gross, Comcast and the Curse of Billy Penn live on. It's a mess, yes, but there's still time to get your opinion clicked for Round Two. Go to citypaper.net/phillymadness. Meantime, CP's self-taught bracketologists break it down via IM:

Nick Norlen: In like a lamb, out like a lion, Pat. There were some real sleepers that turned into barnburners at the end. Man Man got axed at the last minute by fellow bizarros Tim and Eric.

Patrick Rapa: By a mere two votes! And who could have predicted LuAnn Cahn would edge out Alycia Lane?

Nick Norlen: That was among the most shocking. That quadrant of my personal bracket is in tatters. I had Wing Bowl in the finals. And it choked!

Patrick Rapa: All those chickens died for nothing.

Nick Norlen: Maybe they can use the feathers at the Fringe, which bested some decent competition from the Film Festival. We had some real comebacks here. Old City First Fridays came from behind to beat XPN's Free at Noon Concerts. Is Lori Hill a hacker?

Patrick Rapa: I think she's in Anonymous. Say, it looks like retirement was a popular move for Vince Fumo. He and Joey Vento were neck and neck a week ago. Vince ended up winning by 76 votes.

Nick Norlen: There were some real blowouts, too. People love the Free Library.

Patrick Rapa: Yeah, maybe the Mint would have done better if it had, like, a front door. And something to do once you get inside. Or maybe it's just the word "free." I'd vote for a place called Free Mint.

Nick Norlen: Maybe next year. Speaking of Free, how bout CasinoFreePhiladelphia? A resounding victory over SugarHouse. I think they have what it takes to go all the way.

Patrick Rapa: Who are they up against in Round Two?

Nick Norlen: Jerry Robbins. He dominated in Round One against Steven Singer, but I have a feeling he might be out of his league now.

Patrick Rapa: It's a whole different ball game when you're up against the word "free."

Nick Norlen: And you sell diamonds.

Patrick Rapa: How many times you think he's had to fish the little beard-diamond out of the drain in the bathroom sink?

Nick Norlen: Eh, he probably just gets a new one every time.

Visit citypaper.net/phillymadness to play.