Cya Billy....finally.

Coaching in America is an interesting profession. It's the only profession I can think of where you can run a program / business in the ground, get a DUI and still walk away with 3 million.
STORY

Whatta Ya Know? There Is Still Someone With Common Sense In Washington

President Bombs the Moon - Gets Nobel Peace Prize

23 DAYS! Until KY Basketball Begins...

SOUTH CAROLINA 28, KENTUCKY 26
Another reminder yesterday of just how frustrating it can be to be a UK Football fan. A ridiculous play call on a 2 point conversion play probably cost KY the game. KY drove the ball down SC's throat using Randall Cobb in the Wildcat formation - scored and then called a pass play with a rookie QB in the game for the 2 point conversion. Of course SC batted the pass down and UK falls short again. We cannot beat Spurrier. We get out coached every time we play him. I can't think of an opposing coach I would want to beat more. Oh well....the first tip is only 23 days away.

What Really Bothers Me About The Letterman Scandal

What bothers me as much as the "light-hearted" approach that Letterman is taking, is the applause and laughter from his audience. They genuinely seem to not be bothered about Lettermans's improper behavior. He got a very large applause when he made the first announcement and continues to draw laughs as he jokes about it. The real victims here are Letterman's family and to me it's as if everyone is laughing at them.

The Madness in Lexington Has Begun

They started camping out earlier in the week for tickets that will be distributed Sat for Big Blue Madness which is happening Oct 16th. Coach Cal says this is the best team he's ever coached.

FL Throws Up On KY

KY embarrassed its fans on national television Saturday losing to Florida 41-7. Florida fan from the womb Mike Brunjes was quoted as saying "I was nervous before this game. The last time we went somewhere else to watch the gators play, we lost." KY web-cam fan Justin West could not be heard over the screaming Brunjes but was obviously disappointed in how the Cats played. All in all, the first Brunjes/West KY vs Florida party was a big success. January 12th is the date to circle on your calendar for the next party. The Wests will go on the road for that one to watch KY take down the gators in basketball, on the Brunjes' home court.

Gameday! KY vs Florida

Commonwealth Stadium will be rocking. Mike's Pick - KY - 24 - FL 21 - ESPN2 - 6pm

I'm Just Sayin' - It Can Happen....

A UK / Florida Moment (I was at this game)

You can fast forward to about the 5:30 mark.

Urban Is Concerned......

The 2009 Florida football team garnered pre-season hype as one of the best of the modern era. And while Urban Meyer's squad has preserved its No. 1 ranking with a 3-0 start, the Gators might not have as much bite when they face Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday.STORY

The Last Time A #1 Ranked Team Came To KY - Could It Happen Again This Week?

UK beats #1 LSU in triple OT

KY / Louisville Day!

High Noon - on ESPNU - Mike's Pick - The Cats will be celebrating after their 21 point victory! KY gets a late turnover and squeaks by 31-27 - whew!

Gotta Love It....

MLB removed the video. Man are they stupid!

Florida - A Redneck State Too

Click To Enlarge
Growing up in Kentucky brings with it a fair share of redneck jokes.(FYI - redneck comes from the red bandannas union workers would tie around their necks to identify themselves as pro-union back in the early days when the unions were forming) Recently, my job has taken me into the backwoods of Florida - Okeechobee and Moore Haven specifically. For those of you who know Nicholasville, KY; Okeechobee, FL makes Nicholasville look like Paris, France. I came across this tourist attraction on my way to Moore Haven today. I rest my case. Rednecks are everywhere. GATOROMA

Already Getting Fired Up!

Louisville at Kentucky - this coming Saturday - 12 noon - ESPNU.
CATS! CATS! CATS! Mike's Pick - KY wins by 21

Never Forget....

9-11 NEVER FORGET from jim Sitton on Vimeo.

Special thanks to my buddy Jim for producing this.

I Was Afraid It Would End Badly

I predicted last winter that the Billy Gillispie story would end badly - but - maybe I was wrong. Having your mugshot for a DUI all over the papers and sports channels is not good but at least he's smart enough to recognize he has a problem and he's taking steps to overcome it. Best of luck to BCG with his personal life but I hope he loses his legal battle against the University of KY. This certainly won't help his case.
HOUSTON - Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie voluntarily checked himself into the John Lucas Athletes After Care Program last week in Houston for alcohol-related counseling. In an interview with FOX 26 Sports in Houston, Gillispie admitted it was time for him to get help and he is doing just that. STORY

Happy Birthday Brother Rick!

and congratulations on the big promotion! We're proud of you!

Let The Season Begin!

KY vs Miami of Ohio @ Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati - Saturday - 12:00 noon - on ESPNU. KY wins 24-10.

Happy Birthday Justin!

28? Have a good one!! Wish we could be there! We are enjoying the video chats though. Nice FL State hat too.
Love ya!
Mom & Dad

I Caught A Real Live Gator....Really

Andrew and I were fishing when Andrew spotted about a 3ft gator just off the bank across from us. So I decided I would cast near the gator just for the heck of it and the next thing ya know, I snagged him. Don't believe me - see video.

You Know You're Back In Florida When.....

click on photo

Should He Resign? So Far He's Admitted To....

1) Public intoxication
2) Indecency (sex in a public place)
3) Paying for an abortion
I say he should do the right thing and resign now.

No Treats From BO

This is Gracie exercising on the golf course behind Lyndsey & Andrew's. We arrived Wed afternoon and haven't been thrown out yet so that's a good thing. They are great hosts. And - we made an offer on a house yesterday. There is another offer on the same house so we're waiting to see how it all shakes out.

Let Me Get This Right....

I work hard and do my best to live a debt-free life and pay my taxes on time to the government. The government takes the money I pay them and gives it to people who decide to buy a new car and go in debt. The whole idea is ridiculous enough without mentioning the fact the government ran the program into the ground in a week. I wonder how the thousands of dealerships that closed a few weeks back feel? What planet are we living on?

Beer Summit?

This has to be one of the most ridiculous "presidential" events ever. A beer summit dealing with race. BO just keeps dropping the ball in my opinion. Not only should he have kept his mouth shut over the incident, now he holds a "beer summit." Great example for all the young kids taking cues from the president's actions. I guess he'll light up a cigarette right after he solves the racial problem he helped create.

Football Season Is Just Around The Corner

A good sign that football season is near - the UK - UL Governor's Cup Luncheon. Tom Leach and I rode to Louisville to the Cardinal Club together. I met Joker Phillips (KY's football coach in waiting) as well as a host of others. This is a photo of my buddy Tom Leach (The Voice of the Wildcats) with one of my favorite players of all time - Derrick Ramsey. Derrick was a quarterback and tight end at the University of Kentucky, where he was part of the team that won the 1976 SEC Championship and the 1976 Peach Bowl. He was first team All SEC and third-team All-American as QB in 1977 when Kentucky finished with a 10-1 record and #4 ranking in the final AP poll. He also played tight end for nine seasons for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, New England Patriots, and Detroit Lions. Tom Leach is entering his 13th year doing play by play for KY.

Born Again American

Take 20 Minutes And Learn

King James Visits A REAL Basketball Program

The King finally visited Camelot. College basketball's greatest tradition and basketball's most visible star came together Friday afternoon at Kentucky's campus. LeBron James, the 2009 NBA MVP, flew into Lexington to tour UK's basketball facilities. King James and Kentucky have long been viewed as two of the most iconic figures and programs in basketball for some time, but Friday was the first time the two had come together. Even though James never attended UK or college for that matter - he was the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft - UK head coach John Calipari and James have had a budding friendship recently.
When Calipari heard James was interested in touring UK's basketball facilities on his way to an event in Mississippi, Calipari and his staff set up a mock recruiting visit. If James would have ever considered going to UK, he would have received a treatment similar to the one he got Friday.

That Was Embarrasing

Having a flaming liberal for a President is embarrassing enough but having one who throws a baseball like a girl who can't throw, is REALLY embarrassing. Sounded like quite a few boos too and what is with the heavy jacket in 90 degree weather? Did you notice how the cameramen from Fox had been instructed to not show where the pitch landed? That's because it bounced.

Baseball Has Left Me Behind

I can remember the day when I actually used to look forward to the All Star game on TV every year. Major League Baseball began to lose me when the whole free agency thing started back in the 70's. Growing up, I used to know all the players on the St. Louis Cardinal roster. I follow the Reds a bit now, but can barely name anyone on the team. I check the standings occasionally and that's about it. MLB lost me for many years after the 1994 strike and now the whole steroid thing just won't go away. The summer months have always been slow for me when it comes to sports coverage but now that baseball has left me behind, the summer months is just a time to gear up for football. I watched "First Time Buyers" on HGTV last night instead of the All Star game. That either says a lot about how I've changed or how baseball has changed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUNKIN!!

Hard to believe that another "young rocker" is on the way!
We love you and we know you'll have a great day because you have a great husband.
Love ya! Cya soon...
Mom & Dad (Pops and Mee Mee)

A Lesson in Poor Service

Dave Carroll writes: "In the spring of 2008, Sons of Maxwell were traveling to Nebraska for a one-week tour and my Taylor guitar was witnessed being thrown by United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago. I discovered later that the $3500 guitar was severely damaged. They didnt deny the experience occurred but for nine months the various people I communicated with put the responsibility for dealing with the damage on everyone other than themselves and finally said they would do nothing to compensate me for my loss. So I promised the last person to finally say no to compensation (Ms. Irlweg) that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world. United: Song 1 is the first of those songs. United: Song 2 has been written and video production is underway. United: Song 3 is coming. I promise. Follow me at http://twitter.com/DaveCarroll."

Why People Move

People move for different reasons; a better job, a job transfer, different climate, to be close or closer to family and I'm sure there are other reasons why people move. Now, we can make it official; we are moving back to South Florida; our home previously for about 4.5 years. There's a lot I like about Florida. I love the ocean and I love the weather - especially Nov - March. And we have a a lot of great friends and a great church there. I will miss KY a lot! I am a KY boy and always will be. But our reason for moving is much stronger than the love of a state. Our reason for moving is our love of family - to be close to Lyndsey, Andrew and our soon to be grandchild. We are extremely excited about being grandparents! Our kids never had a chance to know their real grandparents. My parents and Mary's parents died at fairly young ages. We adopted some grandparents for them (Which is a cool story) and that was wonderful, but it's just not quite the same. We have a chance to be grandparents now and (did I already mention) we are excited! So Florida - here we come. We are blessed...

Have You Ever Heard of Rebbie Jackson?

Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Brown (née Jackson), professionally known as REBBIE JACKSON , (born May 29, 1950 in Gary, Indiana) is an American singer, best known as the oldest child of the successful Jackson family and sister of pop icons Michael, and Janet. As a singer, she is most famous for the 1984 hit "Centipede".
I have never heard of her.

I Bet You Can't Help But March....

When you watch this, you need to crank up the volume and march. It's fun. We had a few participants last year. If you march while watching the video, please leave a comment. If you didn't march, move to Mexico. :)

Happy 4th of July!

Our cat Allie.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

New Cool Google Feature

I like what I have seen and believe it will be useful once it's operative. Users of GOOGLE VOICE are able to select a single U.S. phone number, from various area codes. When a Google Number is called, any or all of the user's phones may be set to ring. Which phone(s) ring can be set based on the calling number, based on contact group (e.g. Family, Friends, Work, etc), and/or based on time of day (e.g. disabling a home phone during business hours and routing calls to mobile or business number). The service also features centralized voicemail and indexable, automated voicemail transcription, accessible by PC or phone. Google Voice incorporates long-desired abilities, such as automatic blocking of known telemarketer numbers, the ability to switch lines in mid-call, different voice mail greetings based on the caller, SMS forwarding, and even call recording.

Twitter Loses Money

In the last week, I have tuned in to Fox News and CNN Headline a few times and the amount of air time they are giving to Twitter is unreal. By doing this, they're basically admitting they can't cover the story in Iran but that's another story for another day. Iran is the best thing that could happen for Twitter. If ever there was a time to buy some stock, it's now. Unfortunately, Twitter is a privately owned company. The owner - JACK DORSEY (30 years old) has turned down a $500 million offer from Facebook. Why make an offer for a company losing money? Kind of twists the brain doesn't it? I guess ole Jack is just waiting for the "big" offer.

The Drive-Away...

It was great having Justin & Kacey here for 3 days! Mary and I LOVE spending time with our kids and their spouses! I can remember when I would go home to Paducah to visit Mom & Dad. With every trip there always came the time of departure. The time when I would throw the last piece of luggage into the car while Mom & Dad were standing in the driveway fighting back tears. We would exchange hugs, climb into the car and begin the "drive-away." A quick look back to see Mom & Dad waving goodbye and turning to walk back into the house as we did a quick toot of the car horn. Now, it's Mary and I standing in the driveway. We've been the ones standing in the driveway fighting back the tears as the kids drive away or get out at the airport. And, it doesn't get any easier. We are sooooo proud of our kids! We are blessed. They have grown into wonderful "adult" people. And I think that's what makes it so hard. The realization that they are no longer "kids." But now, because of our upcoming move to Florida, we are eliminating one of the drive-aways. It will be great living near Lyndsey, Andrew and the grandkids when that time comes. But we'll still have to do the "drive-away" whenever Justin & Kacey visit. The visit is always worth it though! Thanks for taking the time and effort to visit on your way to OK. We love you! Drive safely....

Meeks Goes Pro...

Bummer....but it was probably a smart move considering the weak draft this year and the kind of year Jodie had. He'll be missed but I am predicting KY will still make the Final Four without him. Meeks is a class act.

Why Is Gas Going Up? I Thought It Was Bush And His Oil Buddies' Fault

NEW YORK, June 6 (UPI) -- U.S. gasoline prices have increased more than 27 percent in the past seven and a half weeks, a study shows. The motorist group AAA said the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline rose 1.4 cents Saturday to $2.606, CNN reported. AAA said the climb marks the thirty-ninth consecutive daily increase in the price of gas.

Send Him - Please!

I think he may be our best hope to get the two reporters freed from Kim Jung-il in North Korea. Who better to negotiate with a crazy man than another crazy man? Worst case scenario - Gore is held captive too. What a minute - that would be the best case scenario.

The Truth About The NCAA Memphis Probe

Under ordinary circumstances, the issues involving the basketball team would be disposed of fairly simply. The accusation that a player, reportedly star point guard Derrick Rose, did not take his own SAT is a huge deal. There's not much worse than academic fraud. But this customarily would not constitute a major violation against the program because no Memphis staff member is alleged to have facilitated it or known about it. STORY

I Am Enjoying The NBA Playoffs - Especially Charles Barkley

Memorial Day...

We're Baaaccckkk!

Oh My!! #1 Ranked Recruit Chooses KY!

John Wall chooses KY over Miami, Duke & Florida. This is probably the best recruiting class in NCAA history. Yes - better than Michigan's 1992 Fab 5. STORY

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

The Big #1! We sure do love you two and we're very proud of you!

Would You Be Willing To Pay?

MediaNews Group, publisher of 54 daily newspapers including The Denver Post and the Detroit News, is making a major change to its business model and will begin charging for its newspaper content online. STORY

Please File Under - Why Didn't I Think Of That

Top 3 Office Episode Of All Time: Cafe' Disco

I Wants Me Some Chicken! And I Want It Now!

Next Bailout - Newspapers? Sure Makes Political Sense

Below is a good read from Eric Rhoades - publisher of the trade magazine and website - RADIO INK . I have been doing some work for Radio INK recently.
Newspapers are dying because they have become irrelevant to a generation who no longer wants to wait for their news when they can get it by twitter within seconds of it happening. Warren Buffet recently said that if someone were to suggest the invention of newspapers today people would laugh at the business model. Write the news, cut down millions or trees for paper, build massive printing plants to print it overnight, have a distribution model which pays people fold and bag hundreds of papers, and burn thousands of gallons of gas to go house to house and then to throw it out of their car window at every house so that people could walk out into the cold or rain in order to read news that was 12-24 hours old. Or they could just turn on their full page Kindle DX reader, launched today, or look on their iphone or laptop and use their Google reader to have customized news to their liking about any subject in the world. STORY

Obama Administration Kills Afghanistan Civilians

If this were the Bush administration we would be seeing pictures of the victims all over the news. Where's the outrage? You won't see it from today's press that's for sure. Up to 100 civilians, including women and children, are reported to have been killed in Afghanistan in potentially the single deadliest US airstrike since 2001 STORY

Something Big Is Developing At UK!

This is an incredible roster! And we still may sign John Wall, the best point guard in the country. This recruiting class is already being labeled as the top class in the country and if we land Wall - it will be the best class in NCAA history. Next season will be a lot of fun. Nice work Coach Calipari! In the six weeks he's been here he has signed Cousins, Bledsoe, Dodson and convinced Hood and Orton to stay committed after Gillispie hit the dusty trail. Go Cats!

Welcome Home Justin!

After 2.5 months in the desert - he's home! We are proud of you and soooo happy you're back! I know Kacey is too.

This Kid Can Sing

This 12 year old just happened to follow Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent. I think he got lost in the shuffle. You have to follow this LINK because You Tube does not allow the video to be embedded. The kid can sing!

Mary Wins! Not Even Close And A 50-1 Longshot!

I love this Jockey! WIN! Mine That Bird (Mary) - Jockey - Calvin Borel
Place - Rick - Pioneer of Nile
Show - Justin - Musket Man

Thanks for participating! Cya next year.
(Mom made some awesome Derby Pie - that's all that really matters) I love Derby Day!

Happy Derby Day! Good Luck With Your Picks!

Coverage starts at 4pm on NBC.
ALL THINGS DERBY


GOOD ALL DAY ON LINE RADIO COVERAGE
(Use microsoft explorer - works on mac too)

Infield Racing At The Derby

Here Are Our Picks

KENTUCKY DERBY
When: 6:24 p.m. Saturday | TV: NBC | Purse: $2 million | Distance: 1 1/4 miles












Mike - Atomic Rain, Friesan Fire, Desert Party
Ted - Join In The Dance, Hold Me Back, General Quarters
Kacey - I Want Revenge, Flying Private
Clay - No Where To Hide, Summer Bird
Andrew - Regal Ransom, Advice
Lyndsey - Dunkirk, Mr. Hot Stuff
Justin - Chocolate Candy, Musket Man
Rick - Papa Clem, Pioneer of the Nile
Mary - Mine That Bird, West Side Bernie
Odds Info

Order of the Draw

The post positions for the horses were drawn yesterday and I am now pleased to announce the order of The West Family Derby Sweepstakes drawing for horses. The order that the players would pick their horses was determined through a random drawing this morning.(See below) The first two players drawing (Me & Ted) will get three picks each; everyone else gets two picks. Your picks will be posted Friday afternoon. HERE IS SOME GOOD INFO ON THE HORSES AND, here is Mary's Derby Pie Recipe:
1/2 c. margarine, melted
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. English walnuts or pecans
3/4 c. chocolate chips
mix in order given. Pour into unbaked 9-inch pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Yum yum!
Order of draw:
Mike
Ted
Kacey
Clay
Andrew
Lyndsey
Justin
Rick
Mary
Be sure and check back Friday afternoon to find out who your horses will be.

Coming Soon - The West Family KY Derby Sweepstakes

The 136th running of the Kentucky Derby is this Saturday, May 2. You can GO HERE to learn all about the KY Derby. I need to to know if you would like to participate. The sweepstakes is only open to "The Fam." I will be randomly putting the entries into a hat with randomly assigned numbers. Mary & I will then draw numbers alphabetically by the first name of each participant until all horses have been chosen. You could possibly have 2-3 horses to cheer on to the finish line! Please comment below if you would like to be included and stay tuned for updates. Yes....the winner will receive a derby glass to proudly display in a place of prominence until the next Derby. The field should be ready to go by Thursday of this week. Mary had last year's winner - Mine That Bird - Jockey - Calvin Borel

Chicken Little & Earth Day - 39 Years Ago

“The world has been chilling sharply for about twenty years. If present trends continue, the world will be about four degrees colder for the global mean temperature in 1990, but eleven degrees colder in the year 2000. This is about twice what it would take to put us into an ice age.”
• Kenneth Watt, Ecologist
Keep these predictions in mind when you hear the same predictions made today. They’ve been making the same predictions for 39 years. And they’re going to continue making them until…well…forever.
Here we are, 39 years later and the economy sucks, but the ecology’s fine. In fact this planet is doing a lot better than the planet on which those green lunatics live.
MORE CRAZINESS Thanks Ted.

The Earth Is Cooling? This Messes Everything Up

East Antarctica is four times the size of west Antarctica and parts of it are cooling. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research report prepared for last week's meeting of Antarctic Treaty nations in Washington noted the South Pole had shown "significant cooling in recent decades.STORY

Jack Bauer Crying?

Yep. In this week's episode when he met with his daughter. New low for the show? Perhaps. Interesting season so far. I don't think it's as good as past seasons but it's still definitely worth watching. I just never thought I would see Jack Bauer crying.

Happy Easter

Congratulations to Me!

Thanks to all who participated. Clay made a run at me at the end but fell short. I'm looking forward to winning again next year with KY as the champion! I'll just hang on to my trophy until next year's March Madness.

I Like This Commercial

Especially the kid at the end...