KY gets out-coached - again - Miami 73 - KY 67 (And it really wasn't close until the last 5 minutes)

Billy's stubbornness loses another one for us. What happened to Harrellson & then Galloway comes in with 51 seconds? I just don't get it. I played basketball and have watched UK for 40 years and I just don't get it. Why didn't Liggins start today? Why didn't we press? BCG drives me nuts. He may end up bringing KY back to prominence but he's driving me crazy in the process.

A Very Memorable Christmas Gift For Me

Miami (The "U") at KY - Saturday - 5:30pm - ESPN

Should be a good one. I'm anticipating some trash talk from Chris G. (Big Miami fan who has roots in Louisville)

"Question....Hey...I Have A Question!"

If the government gives the "big "three" (as they have so cleverly marketed themselves) 20 billion dollars; what will they do with it? Correct me if I'm wrong but if people aren't buying their cars (mostly because the unions have destroyed the quality and the pricing of their products) that would mean the people who manufacture the cars would not be very busy on the assembly line. So would the money go toward continuing to pay people who are not really needed to manufacture cars no one is buying? Or would the money be used to pay off other loans which is borrowing from Peter to pay Paul which always has disastrous results? OK - that's two questions. Sorry about that.

Kiosk Harassment

I made a trip to the mall today and it felt like I was at the county fair. I had at least four employees at various kiosks yell at me when I was walking by wanting me to come over and hear their pitch. You think the least they could do is offer a chance to win a teddy bear. Leave me alone. I want to walk through the mall in peace. OK?

Ho Ho Ho!

YOU CAN BE A SANTA TOO!

Mixed Emotions...

» Basketball: Kentucky 54, W. Virginia 43: The Cats battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit for their fourth straight win. 

» Football: Tennessee 28, Kentucky 10: In Coach Phil Fulmer's last game, the Vols beat Kentucky for the 24th straight time.

I loved the basketball win because we beat a coach I do not like. BOB HUGGINS 

There's a part of me that says KY Football does not deserve to go to a bowl game. But, when you consider our injuries this year and how many players we lost to graduation or the pros; this turns out to be a not so bad season. We'll take it.

Here's Some Simple Ideas For Your Christmas Lights

Big Win For Cats Over Kansas State! 74-72 - The UK Sports Marathon Continues Today

Mike's Picks: Football: Ky 17 - TN - 14 - Basketball - KY 75 - WVU - 70

Game Day - KY vs Kansas State

When: 11:59 p.m. | Where: Las Vegas -TV: ESPNU. That's right 11:59! Here's what Billy had to say about that at Wednesday's press conference. "I don't think that's any good." Info on KY STATE
Mike's Pick: Kansas State 61 - KY 57

I Gots To Have Me A PlayStation

West Tradition - Thanksgiving Notes

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? We have much for which to be thankful! We had 57 notes in the jar last year.

KY Gets Back On Track

Kentucky improved to 2-2 on the season with a 93-57 rout of Longwood on Monday at Rupp Arena.
Mike's Player Of The Game: Patrick Patterson. 28 points - 12 rebounds - 6 assists - 4 blocks - 3 steals.
The Cats looked very good although the Lancers didn't have much. I was happy to see them apply full-court pressure occasionally. I think that's a key for them to get out to a fast start.
Next Game: Friday night vs. Kansas State in the Las Vegas Basketball Classic - time 11:59pm eastern - TV - ESPNU
They play again Saturday against either West Virginia or Iowa at either 7:30 or 10:30pm.

Game Day - KY vs Longwood - 7pm - Rupp Arena

WHO WHAT & WHERE IS LONGWOOD?
Mike's Pick: KY 80 - Longwood 52
Mike's Player Of The Game vs Delaware State - Kevin Galloway - 0 points - 0 rebounds. Kevin played only 90 seconds before Coach Billy Clyde Gillisipie called a timeout and pulled him from the game for dribbling too much. The timeout was called for one reason; to substitute for Galloway. Coach BCG did not talk to Kevin or his team when the timeout was called. I felt the need to show some love to Kevin after the manner in which he was pulled from the game. Hang in there Kevin! Due to a BSF class tonight, I will be taping tonight's game so please, no calls with updates. (Not that anyone else will really be following the game but just in case)

Cats Win 71-42

We needed this one. Delaware St was not very good. The Cats still have a lot of work ahead of them.

Game Day

DELAWARE STATE AT KENTUCKY | Noon | FSN South The Wildcats look for their first win of the season today when they host Delaware State in Rupp Arena.

Mike's Pick: "I ain't makin one."

"I think we're going to be alright," said Billy Gillispie.

NORTH CAROLINA 77 - KENTUCKY 58
I actually think he's right but these embarrassing losses are very tough on a proud fan base. We not only got beat up on the court but the talking heads before, during and after the game beat up on us too. Not fun.

UK vs North Carolina - ESPN - 9pm est - Tuesday

Because she lost a bet, UK's most famous fan, actress Ashley Judd, will be in the North Carolina student section at Tuesday night's game. How could a nice girl like her end up in a place like that?
Q: Since you'll be sitting with the North Carolina students, will you be cheering for the Tar Heels?
A: I will be my usual UK self in their student section. Becoming a Tar Heel was most adamantly not a part of the deal. ... Just that I'd come stand with them!
Q: How did you make a bet that might require you to be in the North Carolina student section?
A: While campaigning on UNC's campus with Senator (Joe) Biden's sister, we had a marvelous crowd that was very fired up for change and who was determined to change the trend of young people who say they are going to vote (and) then flake out on election day. To help galvanize their participation and encourage them not to be complacent at the last minute, I spontaneously blurted out that I would stand in their student section (with my UK attire, thank you very much) on the 18th if they got out the vote in a big way and delivered N.C. for the change we need. This, obviously, would be historic, as NC hasn't voted Democratic since Jimmy Carter, and it would help make (Barack) Obama and Biden's victory more emphatic.

In Your Face Gators!!

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Trailing 12th-ranked Florida 2-1, the No. 22 Kentucky Wildcats stormed back to take the final two sets and upset the 17-time SEC Champions in front of the fifth-largest crowd ever at Memorial Coliseum, Sunday. (All kinds of KY fans showed up hoping to see a win of some kind this weekend)(I made that part up) The five-set victory positions UK into first place by a half of a game in the SEC standings with two matches remaining in the regular season. Kentucky (25-4, 16-2) earned set victories of 25-23, 14-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-6, to snap a 38-match losing streak to Florida (21-3, 15-2).“If that is not exciting volleyball then I don't know what is,” Kentucky coach Craig Skinner said. “We had a few moments together as a team in the locker room, and it was awesome for us.”

GO UK WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM!

Not a good weekend to be a UK fan. We started the weekend with a Friday night home basketball defeat to VMI. Our women's basketball team lost to Michigan on Saturday and then KY football let Vandy roll up 300 yards of offense in the first half last night on the way to a 31-24 defeat. Not good. But, there's still hope. UK vs FL today in volleyball. GO CATS! (I would love to talk volleyball smack to Gator volleyball fans.)

Game Day Again - KY vs Vandy - 8pm - ESPN 2

Mike's Pick - KY 17 - Vandy 13 (Hope this pick works out better than my pick for the basketball game last night)
A win tonight would more than likely mean a New Years Eve game in Atlanta in the Georgia Dome for the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

KY Loses To More Talented & More Determined VMI - 111 - 103

Future Multi-Millionaire

I like this kid a lot! Good Story

The Wait Is Over - It's Here! Game Day - Oooh Yeah! KY vs VMI - Rupp Arena - 7pm

Mike's Pick - KY 89 - VMI 65  WHO IS VMI?

Mrs. Hughes

Thanks to Ted for sending this to me.

KY Basketball - Opens The Season In 2 Days - A Little Insight Into Billy

The One Shall Save Christmas For Us All...

Can Barack Obama save Christmas? (an actual question at the top of the article)
In a survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs, 8 percent of respondents said they are likely to increase holiday spending, thanks to the historic election of Sen. Obama to the White House. By contrast, only 5 percent said they would have increased spending if Sen. John McCain had been elected. While Michael Niemira, director-research at ICSC, admits those figures don't represent the bulk of consumers, he said it still offers a reason for optimism. "It does say on the margin that getting the election behind us will help," he said. "Now things may change, and that's what we're counting on, even if it's in the margin."

Real Purrty Around Here Right Now

Thank You Veterans!

We Had Em'...... GA 42 - KY 38

Not your fault Randall. We needed the defense to step up. GREAT GAME
Cats!

Game Day - KY vs Georgia

GEORGIA AT KENTUCKY | 12:30 pm | TV: Raycom
Georgia Coach Mark Richt, left, and the 14th-ranked Bulldogs will meet Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks and the Wildcats Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Stadium
Mike's Pick - GA 21 - KY 17

Ball Of Confusion - An All Time Favorite Of Mine From 1970 - Ladies & Gentlemen - The Temptations!

Cost of a new home: $26,600.00
Cost of a new car: $3492
Median Household Income: $8,734.00
Cost of a first-class stamp:$0.06
Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $0.36
Cost of a dozen eggs: $0.62
Cost of a gallon of Milk: 1.15

Dogs Licking Faces

Some people actually seem to enjoy allowing their dog to lick them in the face. Me? It grosses me out every time I see it and we do not allow Gracie to lick us although it can be a challenge at times. The command "No Lick" works pretty good for her though.

Palin - The Future Of The National Republican Party? NOT

Sarah Palin - please don't go there. She's done. She had her flash and it's over as far as national politics is concerned.
Governor Tim Pawlenty is the guy to keep a close eye on. What I can't figure out however is how Minnesota can pick a really sharp guy like Pawlenty to be their governor and at the same time nearly elect Al Franken as a Senator. I think the extreme cold must play a role.

It's Been A Tough 8 Years....

America Elects The First 50% African American President

Sometimes we're allowed to have what's "not" best for us in order to teach us a lasting lesson. Let's hope many of the young voters of this generation learn why socialism is not a good idea through all this. Too bad we have to learn some things the hard way. I am glad however to see so many young voters get involved in this race and I am glad there are no more excuses for black Americans. MLK's dream was to see a day when race didn't matter; and I totally agree. It's ironic that for most black voters, it's all that mattered. SEE PREVIOUS PREDICTION FROM OCT 3rd

Quick Reminder As The News Splashes Jackson All Over The Place

July 10, 2008
WASHINGTON - In a shocking blast at Barack Obama that was caught on tape, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, "I wanna cut his ____ out." Why was he crying last night? Guilt? Jealousy? Or a genuine joy in seeing the first 50% African American President Elect?

Everything Is Going To Be Alright

Young People Don't Vote Early

I took a good look around our polling place at 5:45 this morning and I don't think I saw anyone under 40. The lines are huge so it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of young people don't vote because the "drive-thru" at the polls just isn't moving quickly enough for them. I personally think it should be easier for us to vote when presidential elections roll around. I would like to see an "election weekend" where you can vote on Saturday, Sunday & Monday with Monday being a federal holiday.

KY Football Is Bowl Bound - Defeats Miss State - 14-13

This will be the third year in a row that KY has been to a bowl game; a modern day record. I heard UK Athletic Director, Mitch Barnhart in the pre-game show say that he had run the numbers and had determined that KY would go to a bowl somewhere by becoming "bowl-eligible." (6 wins) He said that based on the number of bowls and the way the SEC was shaping up, Ky would go somewhere. The biggest reason why? Fan support. Nobody travels like KY fans! We could end up in a pretty good bowl by "upsetting" Georgia, Vandy or Tennessee in our last 3 games. I think we could possibly win 2 out of the last 3. Big win today! Not pretty - but big.

Downtown Lexington Got Crazy On Halloween

CHECK THIS OUT

Game Day - KY vs Miss State

UK AT MISS. STATE | 2:30 pm | PPV

MISSISSIPPI STATE Coach Sylvester Croom, left, will host KENTUCKY Coach Rich Brooks and the Wildcats Saturday afternoon in Starkville, Miss. 

I think this is the first time I have ever paid for PPV for KY football. That has to be a sign the program really is on track, right? My buddies Barry & Rich are coming over. KY (5-3) needs this one to be bowl eligible but then they will need to beat either GA, Vandy or TN to have a winning season. Freshman Randall Cobb starts at QB today. It should be interesting. Go Cats! Mike's Pick - KY - 20-17.

Our First Trick Or Treater Of The Night

Conner - 18 months old - from across the street.

Last Medical Update

I saw my orthopedic surgeon today and told him that he was indeed the miracle worker that I told him he would be in December 2007. It's been a long 10 months since the first knee replacement in January but today, he said he doesn't need to see me for a year. I have gone from struggling to walk 2 blocks last December to walking 2 miles. I saw the vascular surgeon last week and the blood clot I had has dissipated. I can even begin to ween myself off anti-inflammatory medication. The only thing left is to have the filter in my chest taken out next Tuesday. That's a routine procedure where they enter through a vein in my neck and pull it out. Its nice to be on the backside of 2 knee replacements in the same leg. I can finally say, "it's been worth it." I'll chalk this one up to another lesson in faith and patience. I think those are 2 quizzes we get to take quite a few times in our lives. With God's help, I think I passed.

Here's To The Delta / Northwest Merger

I Don't Really Like Halloween

I've always thought it was a strange holiday. It seems more and more people are decorating their houses for Halloween in an almost Christmas-like fashion. We have 3 or 4 houses in our neighborhood complete with orange lights along with various ghosts hanging from the trees and skeletons in the yard. THIS LEXINGTON HOUSE is actually a finalist in some kind of national competition on the TODAY SHOW (Vote house # 1) I will admit, I like sitting outside (weather permitting) and handing candy to the "kids." But even that gets weird whenever a bunch of 16-year old boys walk up with baseball hats as costumes and hold out their hands. Oh yeah, and the kids who just turn and walk away without saying thank you. I usually go ahead and say "your welcome" to them because I'm sure they just forgot. Happy Halloween - the strangest day of the year - besides election day this year.

Lyndsey's Birdseye View Of The Worst UK Defeat In Recent Memory For Me - 63-5

Federal Bailout Math

Palin On SNL - The Resemblance Is Incredible

Game Day - KY vs Arkansas - 7pm - ESPNU-TV

Coincidence?

The timing of the release of this movie this weekend is no coincidence. It's timed perfectly to go along with the campaign slogan of "a vote for McCain is a vote for four more years of Bush." This is one movie I will not be going to see because I already know what it's story-line will be.

Why I Have Tuned Out Election Coverage

I think it's because of my expectations. I have become increasingly irritated as Obama has climbed in the polls. I expected McCain to do better. He's had moments of greatness on the campaign but for the most part; he's a poor communicator, not real likable and he's old. There it is! The three deficiencies I mention unfortunately are what most voters are looking at too. Elections are no longer about deep felt beliefs or understanding the results of following certain types of policies and philosophies. Elections now are about voting someone off the island or off the show. Our short attention spans prohibit a very large voting block from taking the time to do the necessary research to make rational decisions when it comes to executing our most important duty as a US citizen; voting. I expect people to do their homework before they vote. I expect people to have a basic knowledge of how government works. What am I thinking? Expectations have always presented a dilemma for me. I am usually right in the middle of a funk before I realize it's cause. Add the absolute ignorance of many who vote to my political fatigue from the endless commercials and I have almost had all I can take with politics. At least Obama will look good in a presidential press conference and that's all that really matters isn't it?

Maybe Some People Shouldn't Vote

CHECK THIS OUT

Jam-Packed Weekend

This weekend was so full of festive events there's no way to cover it all in one post, so I'll be posting more when I can. One big highlight was that on Sunday afternoon KY basketball received a verbal commitment from Daniel Orton, a 5 star center ranked as one of the top players in the country. This is a huge commitment for KY. This video is of Justin and I joining in on the "Daniel Orton Chant" at Big Blue Madness on Friday night. Throughout the night, 24,000 fans we're chanting his name. He said the fans had a huge impact on his decision to sign with KY. We were glad to do our part. STORY (Scroll down for chronological recaps.)

There Was The Tribute To Mr Wildcat...

I learned the sound cuts out when I zoom.

Justin & Me Getting Ready For The "Cat Walk" Into The Stadium

There Was The "Cat Walk"

Notice the guy with a chicken (Gamecock) dangling from a rope

We Had Special Visitors Come By The Tailgate We Attended

My friend Barry Jackson and a couple of his friends always have awesome food and fun at their tailgate and Justin and I stopped by for some breakfast casserole and more just in time to experience the UK pep band dropping by to "play for food."

Pre-Game - When All KY Fans Were Very Hopeful

Unfortunately - South Carolina beat KY 24-17 which put a bit of a damper on our festive weekend. If KY can get their offense going, we could be a good team. Right now, it doesn't look too good for KY football going into the rest of the SEC.

On Sunday It Was Off To Keeneland

Unfortunately, the horse out front was not picked by me, Mary or Justin. Justin actually won $33 on 1 race and I won $11.80 on another race.

On The Way Out...

And then on the way out we encounter this bluegrass band playing one of my favorite songs of all time; "No Place To Hide" by Allison Krauss. As you can tell, the lead singer in the sunglasses is impressed with my singing. What a weekend! It doesn't get much better than this. Numerous times throughout the weekend we said "we wish Lyndsey, Andrew & Kacey were with us." Maybe next year? We then capped the weekend off with Mary's roast beef and some "healthy" ice cream.

KY Basketball Ranked # 1 Program

THE GREATEST PROGRAMS: NO. 1, KENTUCKY
Filed Under: Greatest hoops programs
The greatest college basketball program has it all. Kentucky has the titles, tradition, consistent success, iconic coaches and the passionate fan base to make it No. 1 on the list of greatest programs. And really, there shouldn’t be much debate about No. 1. READ MORE

Happy Birthday Kacey!!

I think it's neat how you march while Justin sings Happy Birthday to you.
We love ya!! Thanks for taking care of our boy!
(If you had some Palin glasses, you might be able to pass for her)

How About A Laugh To Start The Week?

KY Makes A Game Of It

92,000 Bama fans got quiet in the second half. If Hartline doesn't hand the Bama defense a TD in the first quarter with a ridiculous fumble inside the Bama 5 yard line - we win! But...it wasn't to be. #2 Bama 17 - KY 14. Surely we crack the top 25 now.

Big Sports Weekend Next Weekend!

Last year, Lyndsey & Whistle Britches were here for KY's home opening football game against Eastern KY University. What a joyous weekend it was! Justin was left behind and did not get to attend 1 KY football game. Next weekend however, Justin will be making the trek to the Bluegrass State and he and I will be attending Big Blue Madness Friday night for basketball and then the KY- South Carolina football game on Saturday. (Man I hope we beat Spurrier! We never have.) Unfortunately, Lyndsey & Whistle Britches won't be able to make it, but there's always next year!

The KY - Alabama Connection

KY vs. Alabama - Game Time - Sat 3:30pm - CBS - National Audience

Under Paul "Bear" Bryant, the Maryland Terrapins went 6-2-1 in 1945, but Bryant (standing behind Adolph Rupp) resigned after the season because he deemed the school's president as meddlesome. Hired by Kentucky, Bryant immediately revived a dormant program, leading the Wildcats to a 7-3 mark in 1946. In eight seasons, Bryant's Wildcats went 60-23-5 and earned four bowl berths. The highlight was an SEC championship in 1950 and a 13-7 upset of No. 1 Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. After the 1953 season, Bryant signed a 12-year contract extension at Kentucky, with hopes of making football the school's primary sport. Within weeks, however, he realized popular basketball coach Adolph Rupp was also ready to receive an extension. Bryant had earlier been told by the school's president that Rupp would be fired for rules violations. Feeling as if he had been duped, Bryant quit. And now you know...the rest of the story.

"President Obama" We Better Get Used To It...

And here are my three main reasons why:
1. I thought we Republicans had a chance until financial institutions started folding and merging. The Republicans have demonstrated an inability to fight back with the facts about Chris Dodd, Barney Frank etc. So, it's all Bush's fault again which means it's the Republicans fault. This issue alone is enough to defeat the Republicans.
2. I noticed in the Vice-Presidential debate that Palin had one arm behind her back. McCain does too. Anytime the Democrats start wailing on "Bush's failed policies" it doesn't matter whether the accusations are true or false. The Democrats can literally say that Bush and Bush alone is responsible for global cooling, warming and pollution and no one defends him; no one. No one will say Bush has done anything right. If they do, they are perceived as backing the most unpopular president in history. The Republicans are campaigning with one hand tied behind their back.
3. Gov Palin has been neutralized by the pop culture. Tina Fey has the most incredible impression of anyone I have ever seen. Frank Calliendo is pretty darn good doing Madden but he doesn't touch Fey's impression. Rich Little was dead on Nixon, but again, not even close to Fey's impression. You cannot watch Gov Palin anymore without thinking Saturday Night Live; thanks to You Tube. I give her a B- on the debate. She totally missed the "experience question." Instead of saying she has more experience than Obama, she talked about her experience as a mayor and governor. I'm afraid the slick political advisors are in her head to the point, she's not sure who she is anymore.
I hate to say it but "that's all folks."

Keeneland Opens Tomorrow For The Fall Meet

Probably the most beautiful horse track in the country opens tomorrow and runs through Oct 25th. I didn't make it out last year but will definitely be going at least once this year. (This new knee is allowing me to do all kinds of things again) I usually take $10 and when that's gone, it's gone. Most of the racing scenes of the 2003 movie Seabiscuit were shot at Keeneland because its appearance has changed relatively little in the last several decades. It's fun to go out real early in the morning and have breakfast at the track kitchen with the people who work the horses (The jockeys are always easy to pick out) The picture of the track was when Lyndsey & Andrew were visiting and the other photo my brother Rick took of the entrance to Keeneland when he was in town last November.

I'm Against The Bailout

There's something in my gut telling me it's wrong for us to go forward with the bailout. It just doesn't seem like the right thing to do. I have contacted my senators and representative encouraging them to CONSIDER THIS