My Leslie Nielsen Story

I met LESLIE NIELSEN in the early 90's when he was in Lexington for a celebrity golf tournament called the Children's Charity Classic. The organizer of the tournament was a friend of mine and asked me if I could escort Mr. Nielsen from the downtown hotel he was staying in to the WVLK Radio studios where I worked which was also downtown. As we got into an elevator together, he winked at me and showed my a small rubber device in the palm of his hand. Three or four others got onto the elevator and you could sense the nervousness of being in such closed quarters with such a big star. As the elevator started, Mr. Nielson twisted his body slightly and pressed in on his homemade "fart maker" which produced the perfect fart. His body language was precise. We both stayed straight faced as the others didn't know what to do. As the doors opened and as he walked out of the elevator he let another one rip and said "man, all this traveling and eating in different places is catching up with me." As we walked into the radio station, he told me to keep his secret as he continued to pull his favorite gag on others. When he got to the golf tourney and was posing for pictures with fans, he continued to have a blast with his fart maker. He explained to me that he had made it himself and he was very proud of it. What a great guy!

The Thanksgiving Jar - A West Tradition

This year's jar is dedicated to Justin and to Kacey. Justin is serving in the Middle East during Thanksgiving. We miss you and we thank you and all the families who sacrifice for our freedom and protection!

Here's how it works. Post something you're thankful for throughout the day on Thanksgiving via the comment section and I will add your note in the jar. As new notes are added, more notes will show up in the jar. See how it works? The tradition started when the kids were small. We would put a jar on the counter on Thanksgiving morning and as thoughts of things we were thankful for would pop in our heads, we would put a note in the jar. Then we would pull all the notes out at the end of the day and read them. We have much for which to be thankful!

KY Eyeballs the Maui Classic Championship

KY has put up two impressive wins on their road to the championship game tonight against UConn at 10pm on ESPN. (UConn upset second-ranked Mich State 70-67.)
We dismantled Oklahoma in the first game and out-toughed the Washington Trash Talkers last night 74-67. I said it before but I'll say it again; I really like this KY team! Big Blue Nation has taken over Maui and has their eye(s) on the championship.

I Like What I See - This Year Compared To Last

From what I have seen in the preseason and their home opener (KY won over East TN State last night - 88-65) I like this 2010-2011 edition of the Wildcats! Why you say? They can shoot very well from the outside, unlike last year's team. They are playing well as a team, unlike last year's team when at times they relied solely on size and talent. They have shown some killer instinct by not allowing teams back in the game after gaining a large lead. And, I think they are smarter than last year's team and will be more coachable. I also like seeing us apply full-court pressure. Last year's team was a constant highlight film. You couldn't look away for even a few seconds without missing a tremendous dunk or pass. But I have a feeling this year's team will be even more special and endearing to the fans. Who is my favorite player, you ask? Doron Lamb. He has a beautiful outside shot. Something I too was known for back in the day. :) The only difference is he hits his shots. He finished with 20 points.

New Season Starts Friday For Basketball And Saturday For Football

The 2010-11 basketball season officially begins Friday as KY plays EAST TENNESSEE STATE. The Bucs made it to the NCAA Tourney last year and were the Atlantic Sun Conference Champions so this first game will not be easy. The Buccaneers ended last season with a 29-point loss to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament and they will open the 2010-11 season with another loss to the Cats but KY is very young again this year after putting 4 freshmen into the NBA last year.
For the football Cats, their season sort of starts again on Saturday as they take on VANDY. KY's next two games; Vandy - Sat - at 12:21 on the SEC Network and TN on Nov 27th, will determine KY's bowl fate. I think we have a good chance to beat Vandy in Lexington but not so good at beating TN in Knoxville. If we lose both, say goodbye to any kind of bowl.

Some Common Sense From The Smartest Man In The World

An excerpt from a GOOD READ by the smartest man in the world.

"The president, however, remains clueless. In his next-day news conference, he had the right demeanor - subdued, his closest approximation of humility - but was uncomprehending about what just happened. The "folks" are apparently just "frustrated" that "progress" is just too slow. Asked three times whether popular rejection of his policy agenda might have had something to do with the shellacking he took, he looked as if he'd been asked whether the sun had risen in the West. Why, no, he said."

Powerful Ad

The first time I saw this ad was tonight - election night. I'm surprised I didn't see it sooner. At any rate, it's a very powerful ad. Probably because it's true.

UK Basketball Begins Tonight - Sort Of...

UK opens the "exhibition season" tonight as they play the intimidating and fearless PIKEVILLE BEARS in Rupp Arena. Most KY fans are ready for basketball season to begin after another SEC loss to Miss. State Sat night 24-17. (UK is now at 4-5 on the season) I predicted the interception Hartline threw in the last few minutes as the Cats drove for what could have been the winning drive. Some things never change. I am now predicting KY will go to their 5th bowl game in a row but it will be the most irrelevant bowl game for the Cats in the past 5 years as they finish with a disappointing 6-6 season. Time for some hoop action!

Who Will Be The New Biggest Loser?

Don't Be Skeered

Justin Receives An Emotional & Unexpected Sendoff

By Charles McMahon
October 29, 2010
PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire — The smiles on their faces said it all Thursday. One by one, all 91 members of the 16th Airlift Squadron of the U.S. Air Force made their way down the Heroes Walk at the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease into a room filled with cheering spectators waiting with coffee, doughnuts, camouflage bibles and warm smiles and handshakes.The event marked the 400th time since 2005 that the Pease Greeters, volunteers who attend landings and takeoffs of all military flights, have shown up to support the men and women of the nation's armed forces. Considered to be a milestone, Thursday's event featured hundreds of Seacoast veterans, residents, school children and even a few animals who gathered at the airport to say farewell to the troops before they headed overseas.The squadron, made up of mostly pilots, is headed to southwest Asia to conduct cargo flight missions in C-17 aircraft.

A Few Good Men

Wonderful Weekend!

Mary & I had a great vacation! Last Wed we arrived in Charleston, SC and spent the night with Justin and Kacey and baby Luke. Luke is growing up quickly and it was great spending quality time with our first grandson. Thursday morning, the five of us headed for Lexington, KY and arrived Thursday evening. Friday morning, it was off to Nonesuch for breakfast at Diane Caudill's house. Diane is family to us and we had a wonderful visit with her as we chowed down on biscuits and gravy, eggs and bacon and homemade fried apple miniature pies. Then it was off to Keeneland where Justin and I watched Kacey pick the winners in 3 races and walk away $60 + ahead. From Keeneland it was off to Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena along with 23,000 fans as UK introduced the 2010/2011 Wildcats to a packed house who settled in to watch a scrimmage game. Saturday, it was back to Diane's for BBQ sandwiches, homemade potatoes, homemade sorghum cookies and more. Saturday afternoon we were off to Commonwealth Stadium to watch KY upset Steve Spurrier's South Carolina Gamecocks - 31-28 (see prediction below) on an interception in the end zone during the last few seconds of the game as Spurrier's bone-head call backfired on him. What a wonderful weekend with little Luke, Justin & Kacey! We had a blast!

17-0? That's Ridiculous!

Well, another disappointing loss for the Cats against 8th ranked Auburn as they lost 37-34 on an Auburn field goal with 2 seconds on the clock. (But Lyndsey's chili was very tasty) The good news, our defense may have grown up in the second half. Auburn scored 31 of their points in the first half.
Up next -SOUTH CAROLINA ; a game I have been looking forward to because I cannot stand Steve Spurrier! He is 17-0 against KY. It's time for this streak to end. Mike's pick - KY 31 - SC 24.
But IF we lose, all will not be lost because Mary, me, Justin and Kacey will not only be attending the football game Sat evening in Lexington, (6pm on ESPN2) we will also be attending BIG BLUE MADNESS Friday night at Rupp Arena and watching some horses run at KEENELAND on Saturday. AND we get to spend a lot of time with little Luke, something we have been looking forward to for quite a while! Big week coming up. I'm looking forward to it!

Here's Something From Last Year We Can Still Cheer About

Don't really want to say much about KY's loss at Ole Miss last week.(42-35) We should have won when you look at it on paper. Here are the highlights from last year's Auburn game but this year the AUBURN game - Sat night on ESPN2 - 7:30pm - will be much tougher as Auburn comes into the game ranked 8th in the country. Mike's Pick - KY 21 - Auburn 20. I think Auburn's overrated.

This Could Become One of My New Favorite Sports

KY vs. Ole Miss

KY plays Ole Miss tomorrow at 12:21pm on the SEC Network. Ole Miss is infamous for it's tailgating area called "The Grove." The Grove is the legendary tailgating area located at the center of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) campus. It is approximately 10 acres in size and is shaded by oak, elm and magnolia trees hence the grove part of the name. I have never experienced it but have talked to some who have and they can't wait to get there Saturday. And there will be a football game and my prediction - KY 24 - Ole Miss 17.

A Man Can Dream Can't He?

I really thought KY would at least keep it close in the game with FL Saturday night. I witnessed the 48-14 thumping firsthand but believe it or not, still had a great time. This is me and the field reporter for the Big Blue Network, Dick Gabriel. And below is the team bus the Gators left on. This Saturday it's KY vs. Ole Miss on the SEC Network at 12:21. Before the season, I did not have us beating FL but I did have us beating Ole Miss. This is a very important game for KY. Could be the difference between a great season and a good season.

Upset of The Week - KY 17 - FL 14

KENTUCKY at #9 FLORIDA When: 7 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 25
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium; Gainesville, Fla.
TV: ESPNU; Radio: Big Blue Sports Network
Last Meeting: Sept. 26, 2009 - Florida 41, @UK 7
Records: Kentucky (3-0, 0-0); Florida (3-0, 1-0)

Up Next - Florida - Still Leading The NCAA In Arrests

Florida's New Football Dorm
KY got off to a slow start in the first quarter but then got on track with an easy defeat over the Akron ZIPS 47-10 and remains undefeated at 3-0. Up Next - The Florida Gators - still leading the NCAA in number of players arrested. Up to 30 now since Urban "I THINK I FEEL BETTER NOW" Meyer took over in 2005. The photo on the left is a rare glimpse into the brand new Florida Gator Football dorm. A glowing example of Meyer's success since arriving at Florida and winning one national championship in 2006 with Ron Zook's players and then another one in 2008 when God wanted to bless Tim Tebow. It's KY vs. Florida this Saturday at 7pm on ESPNU. And I'll be there spotting for KY's play by play announcer TOM LEACH as it will be all SUNSHINE AND LOLLIPOPS when KY upsets the nation's #1 team in the country for ARRESTS.