Springy Stuff, And A Wake-Full Kind of Day

Is the TV turned on where you work? Is the NCAA tournament distracting coworkers? Are company meetings being scheduled between games?

One of BlogPulse's most intriguing capabilities is its ability to plot trends or issues graphically, so we put spring sports to the test. And March Madness, it seems, isn't as front-and-center as it might seem.



I never know which names will burst into consciousness in the blogosphere each day that I check BlogPulse, and today's bursty people" list includes the names of several folks who passed away this week (and several far earlier in time, in fact).

Burstiest person is the late Andre Norton, whose real name was Alice Mary Norton, author of the "Witch World sci-fi series. She died at age 93 this week in Tennessee. Also on the list, at No. 3, is former Red Sox pitcher Dick Radatz, who died from head injuries after falling down the steps at his Massachusetts home.

And then there's this oddity: a tribute to the late Jesus Christ, in a strange, aromatic sort of way. Out in South Dakota, Bob Tosterud and wife Karen are selling candles that they claim smell like Jesus. (How do they know???)

And of course, partiers are still talking about St. Patrick's Day and all its associated nectars, traditions and history. The truly warped will enjoy The Onion's Irish Heritage Timeline.

Here's a question that's puzzling scientists: is religious behvaior genetically influenced?

BLOGPULSE TREND GRAPH OF THE DAY: Spring arrives officially on Sunday, and not a second too late for anyone who's endured the incessantly gray weather of the Midwest or the torrential rains out West. Bring on the daffodils!