They Sure Do Care About The Plight Of The Poor...

Barrack Obama released seven years worth of tax returns The Obamas have donated surprisingly little to charity. According to the TaxProf Blog, "the Obamas gave far less than 1% of their income to charity," in two of the years; "in three of the years, they gave around 1% of their income to charity." Only in the last two years have they given substantially more as their income skyrocketed -- 4.7% in 2005 and 6.1% in 2006."

Tough Game For A KY Fan

I have to come clean on this one. I'm pulling for Louisville today and here's why. This week I recorded and watched "Beyond the Glory" the KY-Duke game from 16 years ago. We all know what happened. Feldhaus, Farmer, Woods, Pelphrey, and Mashburn along with Coach Pitino are interviewed and the KY segments of the documentary are narrated by Ashley Judd. Basically, it's a wonderful story of the passion of KY Basketball and how Pitino came in and resurrected KY basketball after Eddie Sutton had run the program into the ditch. We ended up on probation with no post season play or TV coverage in 1989-90. People wondered if KY basketball would ever be the same. You could say I'm giving Pitino too much credit but I believe there aren't many coaches who could do what he did at the time. He revitalized the program and convinced mediocre players (except Mashburn) that they could do more than they thought they could. He did a masterful job of coaching in 1992. Something that I personally will always be thankful for. In 1992, Duke had not been challenged all season long. They were a huge favorite to win it all. Ky almost shocked the world. Almost. It is still amazing how KY fans still love that team despite the loss to Duke. Their jerseys hang in Rupp Arena because of the love for that team. The "Unforgettables" played an unforgettable game. I still remember where I was when Laettner hit the shot and I still remember the feeling. I also remember what Pitino did for the program. Yes, I remember his lies when he left for the Celtics and then how he did the unforgivable when he returned to college basketball and took the job at Louisville. But today I pull for Louisville and that's not easy.
"I'd just as soon freeze to death." - Actress Ashley Judd relating a story of being offered a University North Carolina - Chapel Hill jacket on a chilly movie set.

Louisville & Memphis - Big Rivals?? Click For Story

This commercial has bugged me every time I have seen it.

Before There Was "Be Like Mike" There Was "The Pistol"

Shortly before he died in 1988 at age 40 while playing basketball with Dr. James Dobson, Maravich sent a Bible to talk show host Larry King. Inside the Bible was this hand-written letter:
Dear Larry,
I'm so glad to hear that everything went well with your surgery. I want you to know that God was watching over you every minute and even though I know you question that, I also know that one day it will be revealed to you. My prayer is that you remain open and God will touch your life as He has mine. Once I was a disbeliever. When I could not fill my life with basketball, I would simply substitute sex, liquid drugs, or material things to feed my internal shell-like appearance. I was never satisfied. I have finally realized, after 40 years, that Jesus Christ is in me. He will reveal His truth to you, Larry, because He lives.
-Pistol Pete
STORY

Speaking of Upsets....

How does a guy who lives in Minneapolis (Hockey country) continue to lead in the West Family Bracket Challenge?  I am now pulling big time for Western KY. Go Hilltoppers! After high school, I almost went to Western KY University in Bowling Green but I thought it was too close to my home in Paducah. My biggest reason for picking UK was so I could see UK play basketball.  How's that for making good solid plans for my future? I actually seriously thought about the Air Force Academy and following in my brother's footsteps until I blew my knee out playing football. It was a great experience watching KY play basketball live in Memorial Coliseum and then Rupp Arena when it opened. I would wait for hours  on the student ticket distribution the Sunday before the games the next week and was almost never more than 5 rows from the floor. 

Showing A Little Love....

Here is Gracie thanking Rick with a big kiss. Not only was it great having Rick here for Easter but we also got the benefit of his dog training skills. He showed us some dog walking tips and he taught Gracie to do a better job of dropping the ball. Gracie has no problem with sharing her true feelings. (click picture for instant laugh.)

Typical White People Getting Down...

"The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. But she is a typical white person." Barack Obama

What Great Coaches Do

When the doors of the Kentucky locker room opened, there were Joe Crawford and Billy Gillispie locked in a bearhug.
"I thought he hated me," Crawford said near the end of the regular season, and when asked why he felt that way, he added, "Because he told me."
"That locker room is devastated and it should be," Gillispie said. "We came here with the intent of winning, like everyone else does."
"I'm kind of down right now," said Crawford once he had reached the interview room for the post-game news conference. "But, overall, I'm proud of what we did as a team through the season." And now, parting is such sweet sorrow.
"He's done more for me than a lot of people in my life," Crawford said. "He changed the outlook everyone had on me. He changed me as a person. He got me believing. He's done so much for me and I love him for that. I don't know how I could repay him, ever." By the way - Crawford scored 35 in his last game as a Wildcat.

I Am A Proud UK Fan

In honor of this year's gallant effort through a coaching change (a welcomed one) and numerous injuries I will wear my UK warmup tomorrow and I will wear it with pride. I will also attempt to keep Gracie's bandana on her. She has been able to pull it off once today. (I told you she is smart) When you look at the team's picture subtract Bradley & Crawford, and Dusty Mills - he left the team by popular demand a few months ago and go ahead and subtract Williams, I doubt if his scholarship will be renewed and maybe Carter. Then picture four 3-5 star recruits coming in, throw in a healthy Patterson and Meeks and of course the best coach in the country, Billy Gillispie, and I predict we see an elite 8 performance next season. Thanks for the memories Cats 2007 - 2008! BATTER UP!

Front Row (l-r): Asst. Coach Tracy Webster, Head Coach Billy Gillispie, Dusty Mills, Mark Krebs, Jodie Meeks, Ramel Bradley, Joe Crawford, Michael Porter, Dwight Perry, Matt Scherbenske, Asst. Coach Jeremy Cox, Asst. Coach Glynn Cyprien
Back Row (l-r): Chris Walker, Equipment Mngr. Bill Keightley, Head Athletic Trainer Eric Fry, Ramon Harris, Mark Coury, Perry Stevenson, Jared Carter, Morakinyo Williams, Patrick Patterson, A.J. Stewart, Derrick Jasper, Alvin Brooks, Strength Coach Todd Forcier, Peter Warden

Let The Madness Begin!

I woke up excited this morning. I joyfully limped to my closet and proudly took my KY warm up jersey off the hanger, the jersey I was given when I was a member of the KY Football Broadcast Crew. I put my jersey on and then I put a blue & white bandana on Gracie and kissed Mary as she left for work proudly wearing a KY golf shirt. If I could have chased down Chubs and Allie, I would have put something blue on them. As i walked past a mirror and looked at myself, I realized, I work at home. There is no one here for me to proudly display my UK attire. But that's OK...I get fired up every time I limp by a mirror. The whole state of KY will come to a screeching halt today at 2:30 when the ball goes up. Millions of dollars will go down the drain in the name of lost productivity. Who cares? Nobody! The streets will be empty. KY Basketball is on baby! Go Cats!! (I typed that last line while looking at my reflection in the computer screen)

Lexington - Ranked # 5

Forbes magazine says the Lexington metro area is the fifth-best place in the nation for business and careers. Lexington moved up 25 places from its 30th ranking in 2007, Forbes says in its latest issue. Raleigh, N.C., was first, followed by Boise, Idaho; Fort Collins, Colo.; Des Moines, Iowa; and Lexington. The remaining members of the top 10 are Atlanta; Richmond, Va.; Olympia, Wash.; Spokane, Wash.; and Knoxville, Tenn. Knoxville home of a University of Kentucky sports rival, the University Tennessee was fifth in 2007 and was displaced by Lexington in the 2008 rankings. "This year, Raleigh, N.C., is number one for the second year in a row due in part, to its strong job growth," Forbes says "For the third straight year, the Southeast is home to half of the top ten, however there is new blood near the top with Lexington, Atlanta and Richmond joining the ranks and Spokane and Fort Collins also jumping ahead. Rounding out the top ten is Knoxville, Tenn. where business costs are 14 percent below the national average."

Happy Easter?

The newly released book you see mentioned in this is a very interesting book. I have been talking with the publisher about using our network to promote it. You can see other interesting clips on You Tube by using the title of the book in a You Tube search.

"Mr. Concerned" THE SKY IS FALLING!

According to "Mr. Concerned" (That's my nickname for Brian Williams. It's impressive how he keeps his face in such a concerned look all the time and his voice in such a concerned tone) THE SKY IS FALLING! I just hope we have enough money in the next few months to buy some pet food for us and the pets.

What?

I'm still scratching my head on this one.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- A day after his predecessor's sex scandal propelled him into office, Gov. David Paterson revealed Tuesday that he had affairs with a "number of women," including a state employee, WHAT? but said that does not affect his ability to lead. WHAT? Paterson had admitted one affair in a newspaper interview hours after taking office Monday, WHAT? but gave a fuller accounting at a news conference with his wife at his side.WHAT? "Several years ago, there were a number of women," WHAT? Paterson said. "The public wants to know who its elected officials are and sometimes, even though you are human, and you are someone who just has feelings and has faults, there comes a time, perhaps, when you have to tell the public." WHAT? He and his wife, Michelle Paige Paterson, said they both had affairs WHAT? during a time when their marriage was headed toward divorce. But they admitted the infidelity, sought counseling and said they have built a stronger marriage and family. What is this? A sick badge of honor?

Some Common Courtesy Would Be Nice

Mary & I waited two hours today to see my orthopedic surgeon. It isn't the wait that bothered me as much as it was the lack of common courtesy. If you were a doctor and knew your patient had been forced to sit in a small blank examining room for nearly 2 hours, what would be the first thing out of your mouth when you walk into the room? Maybe I'm expecting too much but wouldn't it be proper to say "Hello Mr. & Mrs. West, sorry for the long wait." Instead it was "show me how far the knee bends." I have a huge amount of respect for doctors especially surgeons but I don't care who you are or what you do, I believe in common courtesy. The quick story is within the next couple of weeks, I'll be going back in for a procedure called a "knee manipulation." Not looking forward to it but if it's a step toward getting this leg fixed than I'm for it. Rehab has certainly not gone as hoped. Maybe that's why something as simple as common courtesy seems a little more important to me. (By the way...that's a photo of my doctor)

Getting Lost In March Madness - KY"s # 2 Ranking

The Wildcats are off to a stellar start, compiling an impressive opening season start, as one of only two undefeated teams left in college baseball. KY is 18-0 and ranked # 2. No. 1 Arizona State has had an equally impressive start, winnings its first 17 games.
I hope to get out to Cliff Hagan Stadium soon, one of the SEC's nicest stadiums. I care very little any more about major league baseball. I'll take a little league, high school, college or minor league game over a pro game any time. The players play with more desire and the hot dogs taste just as good, actually better since they don't cost $5.00.

Your Picks? (Click To Enlarge)

A nervous energy filled the room as the Kentucky basketball team gathered around a big screen in coach Billy Gillispie's home. The Cats were firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble and two of the four brackets had already been revealed. Billy Gillispie will take his first UK squad into the NCAA Tournament after leading Texas A&M on a deep run last year. Knowing there was a sincere chance the bubble would burst after a trying 18-12 season, senior Joe Crawford admitted he was getting a little anxious. When the Cats were unveiled as the No. 11 seed in the South regional - the final team shown in the third of four brackets - they could finally relax. The concern now is a Marquette team that spent most of the season in the Top 25, won 11 games in arguably the toughest conference in the nation and reached the Big East Tournament semifinals. The Golden Eagles are similar to UK in that they are a perimeter-dominated team, which UK began breaking down immediately upon hearing the match up thanks to team audio-visual guru Tim Asher's due diligence. "We know Marquette has a great team and it will be a major undertaking for us but we've faced a lot of great teams and major undertakings and we haven't backed down from any of them."Gillispie heaped praise upon Marquette coach Tom Crean, who he knows fairly well through the coaching ranks.
"They have a fantastic coach that has done a fantastic job of restoring Marquette basketball," Gillispie said. "Year after year they are one of the best teams in the country. What jumps out at you is their athleticism, they have great guards and great role players inside and they compete hard for every single play. I've always admired how hard his teams play." Crean returned the graciousness. "There's never anything that is remotely comfortable or easy when you get to this time of the year. Everything's a challenge," Tom Crean said. "Certainly Kentucky will be that way. They play incredibly hard. They are great competitors. Their coach is outstanding and they've had an outstanding year. (www.CatsPause.com)

We're Dancin'....

Kentucky's bubble did not burst. It's on to California to face Marquette in Anaheim. The Cats are a No. 11 seed. Game time - Thursday - 2:30 Eastern Time on CBS (at least locally)

Bummer...

You take off work, you use vacation time, spend hundreds on a hotel room, hundreds on tickets, probably a hundred or so on gas, a hundred or so on food and nothing happens, except for a tornado hits the building where your beloved Cats are scheduled to play. The game is switched to a noon tip on Saturday and you get excited only to find out the arena where the game will be played only seats 9000 instead of the 25,000 at the damaged Georgia Dome. Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug. NEWS STORY

Gas Gotcha Down? Tesla Motors Presents....

Those Crazy Racist Democrats....

Here's what Geraldine Ferraro said:
"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman [of any color] he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."
Here's what Bill Clinton said:
"Jesse Jackson won South Carolina in '84 and '88. Jackson ran a good campaign. And Obama ran a good campaign here."

Proposed Florida Law Looks to Wipe Out Problem (Toilet Paper Regulation in Florida)
New legislation might help you with what can be an embarrassing problem. Here's the bottom line, the bill would be a mandate that all eating establishments must have enough toilet paper when you go into the restroom. The only problem is the bill doesn't dictate how much toilet paper is "enough. "State Senator Victor Crist, a Republican from Tampa, felt the problem was so important, a law must be passed to protect the backsides of anyone in Florida. (I know there's a joke here somewhere)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TED!

(Sorry this is a day late, I thought it was the 13th but Rick set me straight)

New Company With New Video Content - www.Hulu.com

I'm Changing My Vote

After they narrowed it down to 24, I picked Ramielle, the Philippino girl from S. Florida, to win it all. I now change my vote to Brooke. This show grabs our attention every year. It's pretty cool how a bartender, a waitress, a nurse, a nanny, etc. end up on the biggest stage in America in front of millions. Plus Mary & I are impressing ourselves by guessing what Simon will say.

Co-SEC Coach Of The Year

Kentucky’s Billy Gillispie and Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl shared Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year honors in voting announced by the league Tuesday.

Just Can't Get Enough...

My Ole KY Home!

Billy Gillispie ambled to the scorer's table and took to the P.A. Kentucky's coach had an announcement to make at the conclusion of his first regular season in the Commonwealth. It was time for one more roar for the two players most responsible for leading UK's comeback from basketball purgatory to likely NCAA Tournament team. "This team will not quit," Gillispie yelled, choking back tears. "You talk about toughness, leadership, commitment and never giving up no matter how crazy their coach is, these two guys are the best...Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford." With that the Rupp Arena crowd let loose a season's worth of emotion in the wake of the Cats' thrilling 75-70 victory over rival Florida. The victory ended a seven-game losing streak to the Gators and made for one of the most memorable Senior Days ever. Billy couldn't even make it through the playing of My Ole KY Home without tearing up. You think he loves being the coach at KY?

Wanna See It Snow?

Big Big Game - Sunday - Noon - CBS - FL @ KY

I bet this guy will be there. Last game on Jan 19th, we lost in overtime at FL. We win this time and we're in the big dance baby!

Bird Patrol...No Birds Shall Enter My Yard

About 4 inches of snow as of 9:00 this morning and still coming down. Gracie is having a blast.

Bubble Team My Butt

I'm sounding like a broken record, but I love this team. This photo sums up their character. Joe Crawford goes for 35 as we win again. KY 71 - South Carolina 63. If we don't get in I will....I'm going to be.... well the selection committee just better watch out.
It was senior night at SC and they didn't even fill 1/2 of the coliseum and plus the student section wasn't full. An embarrassing showing for the school. FL - this Sunday - noon - CBS - our senior day - 24,000 packed house. Can you imagine the ovation Bradley & Crawford will receive? I suggest listening pre-game on line of you can. CBS usually does a poor job of the pre-game festivities. KY put senior night on the map while other schools have followed. The NCAA actually asked for a reduction of TV coverage of our senior nights/days because they said it gave us an unfair recruiting advantage. We wouldn't want that now would we?

Is It Just Me?

I sometimes want to watch Mike & Mike In The Morning on ESPN but I can't. All those stupid bobble-heads on the counter top in front of them kind of freaks me out. I just think it's really odd for two grown men to try and carry on serious conversations about sports with a bunch of toys spread out in front of them. Maybe it goes back to childhood when I couldn't bring myself to play with GI-Joes. I always thought that was an odd toy to play with. Maybe it's just me.

In The Face Of Adversity...

Adversity leads to choice. How will we respond when it comes? Adversity is the presence of difficulties or misfortunes. It will come. Obviously, we don't know when. That's what makes it so difficult to predict how we will react. Adversity often ambushes us. Our initial reaction is shock. When I have faced adversity, my mind immediately goes to worst case scenario. Now that adversity is here, if it progressed to it's worst possible place; could I handle it? When I decide that "yes I can handle the worst case scenario" I can begin to move forward. It's takes inner strength to handle adversity. One inner voice is telling us to lay down in a fetal position and give up. The other one is telling us "you can do it." If we trust God, if we surrender to God, that inner voice telling us you can do it becomes "with Me you can do it." I like the sound of that much better. "With Me." I could say "I don't need You." That sounds macho but it isn't. It's prideful. It takes strength to say "I need You." THAT'S why I am proud of my brother Rick. I have always been proud of him. Graduates of military academies hold a special place of admiration for me. People who rise to the top of their vocation are to be admired for their efforts. But I have never been prouder than to see how Rick has faced his adversity. Divorce is ugly. That's why God says He hates it. Rick didn't ask for it. He was ambushed. His efforts toward restoration were rejected. But that's OK because Rick laid down his pride and surrendered to God which opened the door for God to come along side and say "with Me." It's the surrender that triggers a new beginning "with Him." And "with Him" is so much better than the alternative. Rick will be the first person to tell you how in many ways, his life has changed for the better in the past months despite adversity. He has said his adversity has become his blessing. He's faced it and with God he has stared it down.

A Big Baby?

I was listening to the post game radio show in the garage with the garage door open enjoying our first half way decent day of the month (Partly sunny and 50) while Mary is in the yard playing with Gracie. (Spring is in the air) I heard Coach Billy G. choke up while he was talking about today's 63-60 loss at TN. We were in it right up to the last 2 shots of the game when we missed 2 three point attempts. Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks are injured and on the bench and Joe Crawford has been sitting most of the game in foul trouble. The coach is talking about no excuses for the loss but how proud he is of this team and you can tell on the radio that he becomes emotional as his voice cracks. What would make him become so emotional? I think it's a combination of seeing how hard these guys have worked, how they have actually listened to him and his basketball knowledge and his wisdom about how to live life as a family. I think he is still humbled by his position as he realizes he is actually the head coach at the school with the most wins in NCAA history. I think he's in awe every time he walks out onto the floor at Rupp Arena. I have seen every coach that KY has had. I remember seeing coach Rupp as a kid. I remember seeing national championships by Joe B. Hall and Rick Pitino. I am as proud of this coach and what he has accomplished this year as any of the coaches who have gone before him. He's a winner and he will put a championship banner in Rupp. It's just a matter of time.

This Is Not Good

Patrick Patterson - Out For The Season With A Stress Fracture In His Ankle

Home Improvements

On a scale of 1-10, I am going to give myself a 5 when it comes to fixin stuff. I like to blame it on a lack of tools but I'm sure there's more to it than that.