The Shannon Speculation

The Mirror

2008-03-03T10:02:00.000-05:00

Every now and again there is a really funny skit on Saturday Night Live that I just love. This one happens to be one of those skits. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I got a fever and the only prescription is.........

2008-01-29T20:32:00.000-05:00

No not what you think. The answer isn't more cowbell, its cow manure.

It seems that there is a new study out that says that working on a farm as a dairy farmer is good for you. Because the cow poo that you are around happens to have some bacteria in it that is actually good for your lungs. There is a much lower rate of lung cancer in those farmers compared to other folks.

The interesting thing about this article is this statement......

"Some researchers are starting to wonder whether the higher incidence of certain cancers in affluent populations — including breast cancer, lymphoma and melanoma — might also have something to do with sanitized, infection-free living," the researchers said"

So in our Howie Mandell world that fears germs we maybe be doing more harm than good.

Oh what we won't do for our kids.

2007-12-29T11:42:00.000-05:00

Those of us who are blessed with children understand wanting to do everything for their kids.

I mean what parent hasn't gotten up in the middle of the night to hold their child while they are sick? What parent hasn't search and search for a special toy or gift for a birthday or Christmas?

I think most of us have gone to great links for one thing or another. So when it comes down to someone trying to figure out who should be considered parent of the year it is really hard to figure that out.

As hard as it may seem for her daughter to understand Priscilla Ceballos won't be in this years running. Mrs. Ceballos daughter just won 4 tickets to see Hanna Montana. Those of you who have little girls at home may understand what a big prize that really is.

Not only did she get the tickets she also won a makeover to look like Lil Billy Ray Cyrus's offspring, complete with a blonde wig just like she wears on the show.

She won the tickets because of an essay that her mother wrote. A heart wrenching story about how her daughter should win the tickets after the rough year of loosing her father in a roadside bomb in Iraq.

It worked. It tugged at the right hearts and she won. Problem is, yeah you probably already guessed, it was a lie. There was no father killed in Iraq. Not even a man in the army with the name that her mother had given.

So what did the ol' fabricating Priscilla have to say about the ordeal? Well showing no remorse she said " We did the essay and that's what we did to win," Priscilla Ceballos, the mother, said in an interview with Dallas TV station KDFW. "We did whatever we could do to win. "

Whatever it takes huh? So lying is a good lesson for you child? Cheating out tons of other little girls that might actually have experienced a true tragic event in their life or have suffered a a true hardship this past year. And all she can say is we did what ever it took to win?

Wow she wins Idiot Mother of the Year to me. Now the quandary for the organizers of the contest is what to do with the tickets? Do they take them from the poor 6 year old or not?

I say they do take them away, let the mother have a REAL parenting moment with her young daughter. Let her deal with the crying and let her explain to the girl that mommy is a liar and that is why they lost the tickets.

Instead of tickets and a trip to New York for the Holidays I offer Priscilla the consolation prize.
Here you go, display it with pride.....

Should look good next to the Brittney Spears is my hero poster on the wall.

I see your 2 and throw my 1 in the game.

2007-12-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

OK what is going on? I read about this on one of my favorite blogs kentuckysportsradio.com

It is unbelievable to me how the Spear's family has fallen so fast. Once the 2 girls where the model of the All-American girl to some.

Now they seem to be the stereo-typical trailer trash that people talk about.

Sad really when you think that this is what the media is pushing on the teens and now PRETEENS in our country.

Now we have the younger Spears coming out and justifying everything by saying that the father is 'long-time boyfriend' Casey Aldridge. Long time? LONG TIME? She is 16. How long have they been together? Since she was 11 or 12? 14 maybe?

Wonder which will come first her having a 2nd or Brittney having a 3rd?

The race is on girls.

Kentucky Wildcats Intro

2007-12-04T18:28:00.001-05:00

Here it is Cats fans the intro that is played before every home game.

I went to the UNC game this past week and when they showed this the place was electric.
It was loud and got only louder as the clips rolled on.

You probably won't get the same feeling that I did when over 23,000 fans were screaming and going crazy but you will enjoy seeing some of the best plays in our long and great history.

By the way the only other time it was that loud in the game was when Patrick Patterson managed to get an in your face dunk on UNC. Yet for the 4th time in a row we weren't the better team.

But that is alright, we won 4 in a row before that so we can do it again.

Gotta go right now!!

2007-12-02T21:23:00.000-05:00

I have seen some crazy things in sports but this has to be one of the craziest.

Thanks to Bill Walker of Kansas State this is the new number 1 I do believe.

Caption from the Kansas City Star…..

When nature calls…With just seconds left in regulation and K-State lined up to inbound the ball and run a last second play, Bill Walker was overcome with an urge too strong to control. he stepped to the sideline and relieved himself with several towels. KSU lost to Oregon in overtime, 80-77.

Top Gun Motors

2007-08-18T20:25:00.000-04:00

Hey we all have run across a car salesman or two that we wouldn't mind see this happen to.

Everyone I must tell you this isn't a real clip so don't get all freaked out but I must say it is a pretty darn good effect.

I think you all will want to see this one a couple of times. Enjoy.

Oh the places he will go. (now that he is famous)

2007-07-29T21:56:00.000-04:00

Well if you look around on my blog you will find where I posted a tribute my dad did to Dr. Seuss. Well he has top that one . A reporter from Foxnews.com got a hold of another tribute he wrote for my oldest son Drew to take to his class and read for Dr. Seuss week.

One thing led to another and suddenly they are famous. Who knew that a short poem and a statue that I got from JC Penney 10 years ago would lead to Drew being on Fox News.

The statue by the way I got for free and found out some 5 years later was orginally made just for the Penney's stores. They only made a couple of 200 or so and they are worth around $300 now. Yet to our family it is priceless.

Anyway enjoy folks.

This is so not hot or fair either!

2007-06-08T19:22:00.000-04:00

Oh boy here we go Paris is on her way BACK to jail. A day after the judicial system in California took another hit in the eye of public opinion.

The thing that kills me about this is the way everyone of the Hilton's are acting. Paris cried through out the saga today. Her mom was upset.

When the judge announced that she was to go back to jail Paris screams and her mother begins to cry uncontrollably.

Give me a break she is going to be in there less than 25 days total, maybe even less than 20.She isn't going to for life or even a year, less than a month. I know that jail isn't a place you want to be but Paris is going to be separated from general population.

I guess she can't stand to be out of the public eye that long or away from her cell phone or is afraid she is going to miss a kicking party while in the pokey. Well all this could have been avoided IF she hadn't of decided to go out drinking and driving.

Then of course she didn't need to be out driving on a suspended license. Where she was caught not once but twice by the police.This girl thinks the world is hers and she commands it, her parents should have been parents rather than an ATM.

I won't be surprised when she does something to get into trouble again. She yelled this isn't fair as they put her in the car. I am sure she thinks everyone is out to get her and will play that card with her folks and they will buy into it.

But you know what REALLY is sad about the whole thing?????

>>>> SHE IS LOOKED UP TO BY OUR YOUTH!!!!!! <<<<

Now to me that is a whole lot more scary than 20 days in jail.

A player NOT a project

2007-05-03T10:40:00.000-04:00

Well if things turn out like folks are saying UK will be getting another 7 footer yet this time he will be a player and not a project.

Beas Hamga originally from Cameroon, Africa is looking to be an 07 recruit rather than on 08 one like first thought. He has made the test score that is necessary to reclassify as a 2007 recruit and Kentucky is recruiting him for that class. He may have to attend summer school to make up a couple of necessary classes, but that is a very doable option at this point, the question is only if he chooses to do it.

The word is that he is leaning towards UK and is going to visit sometime next week. He is going to visit UNLV this weekend but his coach is saying that right now Kentucky is at the top of the list.

If Billy can pull this off he will be getting one of next years top 30 high school players a year early. This guy is an amazing recruiter. Every day there is news of some meeting or something that blows me away. It is becoming more and more clear that Billy G is one of the best recruiters and that Tubby didn't like to do it and just couldn't find the right guy to do it for him.

With Legion already coming and maybe this 7footer that leaves one scholly left. Will it be Lucas? Patterson? Sanchez? or none of them?

If he gets Hamga and no one else it will still be an unreal job by Billy. Remember he is just a month into the job.

Oh yeah even though the recruiting with in home visits is over Billy will go to WV one more time to see Patrick Patterson. He has just been asked to be the speaker at Huntington Highs basketball dinner. He will be limited in his contact with PP BUT he can talk in his speech about how Patterson will fit his style and how they can use him next season.

Just imagine if Billy gets Hamga and Patterson to go with Williams, Stewart and Legion. Would be one of the top classes in the country. Bout time UK fans see that again.

Here is a little info on Hamga if you haven't already read up on him..........

Beas Hamga 7’0” 230 C – Decatur, Illinois / Decatur Christian HS / AAU Indiana Elite –

This Cameroon, Africa native has been playing basketball only a few years, but has rapidly increased his stock. He is a defensive showstopper with incredible athleticism for a man his size. He changes the game on the defensive side of the floor with blocks, rebounds and the ability to change shots. Although his offensive game is trailing his defense, he does possess a nice 15 foot jumper with very good form as well as a right shoulder turnaround jumper. Beas isn’t the type of player who you run plays through, but could easily average a double double from offensive rebound buckets and his surprisingly good FT %.

Finally a UK post that is POSITIVE

2007-04-11T23:20:00.000-04:00

OK I have not posted anything about UK in a while. Mainly because there wasn't anything positive to post about.

Don't get me wrong I liked Tubby, a lot. I think he is one classy guy and he represented the University better than maybe anyone.

Yet there was obvious things about him that weren't working. Recruiting, defense and a good motion offense that attracts kids.

He had some really good teams and I give him all the credit in the world for coaching the 98' team to a title. Even though he only had one player that was his. Literally it was his, Saul his son.

Other than that Tubby has never recruited a player that made it to a Final Four. Yet he had 3 teams that came close. His last team led by Chuck Hayes was soooo close. Yet lost in OT to MSU.

Listen Tubby seemed to have lost his fire after that game. He never seemed to be the same. And when you look back on his career he is like us all as we get older. You know as you get older you gain a couple of pounds or so each year and before you know it, it has been ten years and you are nothing like you were.

Tubby was the same way. There isn't a year that you can say, well there is where it went south. It was little things here and there that lead us to where we were this season. Rashad Carruth, Gerald Fitch, Marvin Stone, Rajon Rondo, Morris. All those guys he brought in with big expectations and they didn't seem to pan out. They all either left early or were serious problems. One or two here and there is one thing but when you look back there are several which is telling.

The thing about now is suddenly with the hire of Billy G the Big Blue Nation is back. They are excited. They are talking B-ball and smiling. They wanting to know what is happening with recruiting with a positive outlook rather than a, 'Don't matter he won't come'.

Billy G in one week has created more positives in that department than Tubby has done in 3 years. He had begun talking to local kids and looking down the road. I mean he already has a verbal from a kid for 2009! And it just so happens that he is one of the top 15 soph's in the country.

UK may or may not win more games next year, but one thing is for sure.....Billy G is certainly heading us towards the right direction, UP!

Pat keep the shirt on....PLEASE!

2007-02-26T20:08:00.000-05:00

While I think that Pat Summit is a tremendous coach there is one thing that I don't want her to do. Show up to a Vols Men's game like her counter part Bruce Pearl did.

I guess we will have to wait and see when they play Florida this week.

On a side note it might just be a very interesting game. The Vols need a win and so do the Gators.

Excuse me officer what seems to be the Vodka?

2006-07-05T19:37:00.000-04:00

Well this little bear cub had a big party at the expense of some people in Lake Tahoe. Not only did he eat some pizza but he drank some Jack Daniels, had some Vodka and topped it all off with a beer as he ran off.

Thanks to some concerned citizens who took the keys from him or he else probably would have driven home.

Yogi has GOT to get a handle on Boo Boo!

By the way the car is a vintage 1964 Buick Skylark, I'm sure the owner was pleased to see a bear in his car when he came back to it.

He really BLEW his top!

2006-07-05T19:16:00.000-04:00

This has to be one of the craziest things I have ever heard of. This guy from India lost part of his skull. You read right part of his skull.

I can hear the talk now. "How was your day today, Sambu?"

"I blew my top at work today."

Crazy. Yet pretty cool that part of his skull grew back.

Bob Knight's school of coaching graduate

2006-06-26T18:26:00.000-04:00

Well you go to a Minor league game to see the future of Major League ball. The Legends fans saw the future on Sunday. Just not what you would want to see.

The Manager for the Ashville Tourist gave everyone at Applebees park a show. Thanks to Joe Mikulik the young kids saw a man act like a complete fool.

Diving into a base to act like the runner (Koby Clemens) who was called safe and he felt was out. Also he threw 2nd base into the outfield and kicked dirt all over home plate. He then threw bats out of the dugout onto the field.

All those things had been done before, what made him different is that he went back to home plate. That is when he took a water bottle and poured it all over the mound of dirt he had collected there, just to make a bigger mess.

The entire time the crowd booed with the song 'Hit the Road Jack' in the back ground. Man those cats from NC are classy guys. Maybe if his daddy had hugged him more often as a child he wouldn't have turned out like this.

No Hablo Ingles

2006-06-24T10:25:00.000-04:00

Well the manager for the Whites Sox, Ozzie Guillen has pulled a stunt that SNL and other show have made fun of in the past.

You see the Ozzie got mad at a reporter, not too uncommon. He then began to call him names and spouted in English. Now a part of his punishment for calling Jay Marrioti names he has been ordered to attend some sensitivity training.

Well Ozzie came out and said, I don't think I can do that. I would have to learn English before I could attend the meetings.?!?!?!?!? Now that is funny. Kinda like when Sammy Sosa took an interpreter to the steroids hearing.

They both talk to the media and carry on conversations fine but when it comes to something a bit more serious, suddenly they have trouble. I can understand that in certain situation that there could be some words that they haven't heard before. But to claim that he can't do it because he can't understand the language is funny.

By the way for those of you who aren't familiar with Ozzie this isn't the first time he has insulted someone and then said he was sorry only to offend again in his apology. He seems to make habit of that. He says something and wants a do-over.

So why do the White Sox put up with it? Well they won the World Series last year and the players want to play for him. So that means the ownership doesn't want to rock the boat with its fans or its players. By the way he does have a great relationship with his players and has them ready to play hard every night.

Its just a shame when you have a good manager who can't hold his tongue to the media, cause right now he is getting more press about what kind of mouth and temper he has rather than what a great manager he is.

Oh and one more thing after telling everyone that there was no way he was going to the sensitivity training he left the press conference only to have a White Sox spokeswoman to come back and say, no he will be going. Maybe the owners are starting to put their foot down. Bout time.

06/06/06 History for Lexington and Johnny Drennen

2006-06-08T23:45:00.000-04:00

Well it was almost what some would say is a perfect night. It was in the high 70's and cool even in the sun as nearly 9300 people in Lexington, KY flocked to Applebee's Park. You see 06/06/06 (or 666 as some see it) was suppose to be the apocalypse, well at least for the Lake County Captains.

The Captains, a single A farm team for the Indians, were in town to play Lexington own Legends. (the Astros single A farm team) What's the big deal just some unknowns who we may see in 5 or 6 years in the majors playing a game? A bunch of 18, 19 and 20 years olds playing a game in hope of being a Hall of Famer someday, what's the big deal?

The deal with A ball is you never know who is going to the show or who could be considered one of the greatest one day when they are done, well until this past Tuesday night that was true. For this week Roger Clemens was in town to start his 2 week training before going back to the Majors. The Captins "Omen" for the evening.

It has been a possibility that people have discussed since the beginning of the year. See his oldest son, 19 year old Koby plays for Lexington. So it was only fitting that Roger go all the way down to A ball not to start off slow but to play with his son one time in a real professional game.

The city was a buzz for a week and come Tuesday night it was surreal. Media people from all over were there for baseball in KY. Yeah not basketball but baseball. ESPN even had a remote there with Jeff Brantley and Pedro Gomez breaking in to do some reporting on the events.

{which in an aside, we have the baseball world looking at us and what does the park do? They play dueling banjo's over the P.A. while 2 guys have a milking contest with a fake cow. Like they say you can take the countryboy out of the country but you can't take the country out of the boy.}

The stadium packed beyond belief, my buddy Wes and I had tickets well down the 1st base line but still on the 3rd row, not bad we thought going into the park. Well they turned out to be great less than 15 Ft away from where Roger warmed up.

Here he was a future first ballot Hall of Famer playing for the Legends. Awesome. Remarkable. Unbelievable or any cliche you can think of, it was that and more. Especially if you like baseball.

So suddenly we were being over run by people wanting to get pictures in our area when Roger comes to warm up. After several minutes of picture taking and being crowded in my seats that I paid for (not to mention my claustrophobia kicking in). I finally began to say things like. You know he will be pitching most of the night. Going to be a lot more picture opps people.

Finally all was calm, somewhat. So quickly Wes and I began to debated over how the first guy would go down. I said a strikeout looking Wes said it would for sure be a strikeout. It was he swung.

Before that we talked about someone getting a hit. I said that I thought for sure that at least one guy would get a hit, because after all it was his 1st game all year and they still are baseball players he is facing. One of us said what if he got a HR. Then we both laughed and said nah its just A ball.

The history would strike again when young 19 year old Johnny Drennen stepped up to the plate with 2 outs (K's by the way). He had told Pat Forde a writer for ESPN that to him he was just facing another pitcher and added that if you "look fastball, hit fast ball". Wow did he.

The Kid took the Rocket for a ride over what is the Pepsi Party Deck. Being a lefty he pulled it down the right field line where the wall is 318 away. Yet the ball was barely on its downward path when it hit a good 20 feet above the wall on the Pepsi sign. I have seen several homers in that park, truly that was one of the fastest out of the park and longest that I have seen by a lefty.

So by the end of the night we had seen a record crowd at the park, a record number of media people for baseball in KY, a father playing pro ball with his son, a towering shot by a kid that was just 2 months old when Clemens won his first of 7 Cy Young awards, and one of the top 5 pitchers of all time in MLB history play for a single A team in Lexington.

Truly 666 was good to the fans that night.

Here is link to see some of the pics of Roger Clemens in Lexington.

OVER - RATED ! ! !!! OVER - RATED ! ! !!!

2006-03-06T23:31:00.000-05:00

Well it is March and it's time to hear all the usually chants and sayings from the crowd but it is also the time of year where we are flooded with what is truly the most overrated thing in College Basketball today.....Rushing the court.

Everyday we see the same thing over and over, kids running onto the court happy that their team just won the tourney or they beat the a top ranked team. So they do something that is tired and has been done over and over and over again to where I for one am sick of seeing it.

What does it really do? To me the kids are really saying: "Our team usually stinks and this the greatest thing that has ever happened to us!!" Well that may very well because you think of all the great schools in College Basketball can you image if UK, Duke, UNC or Kansas did that? NO cause they all have won the big games and that is what they expect to do. So I guess when you expect to loose then maybe running on the court is the best thing you can think of.

Last week FSU beat Duke at home and naturally they had to run onto the court to celebrate, yet they started with 1.1 secs on the clock after a foul. Out of control. They not only cost their team a technical (and had it been less than 3 maybe the game) but they also endangered the entire staff and players for Duke.

Now was I sad that Duke lost, ahhh NO! But I do respect coach K and I don't blame him a bit for taking his starters off the court after that happened. After what happened a few of weeks ago before the Michigan vs St Michigan game where a player knocked down and sent a kid to the hospital, college kids shouldn't be anywhere near players before, after or during a game.

Did we learn NOTHING from the NBA last year and the Pacers vs Pistons game? The NCAA wants to ban some schools due to their names, because they maybe offensive but the most any conference has done is fine a school 5K for letting kids run on the floor? Give me a break, this is one time that they should do something and they sit back and allow it to happen. Well I guess when one school sues another because a player got hurt due to one of the kids running on the floor then the NCAA will do something.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. SUESS

2006-03-02T23:06:00.000-05:00

Well today was the birthday of the late great Dr. Seuss. I can't imagine any kid not enjoying any of the books he wrote. I know my son loves them. Although he didn't care for the green eggs they had at school with their ham, he still loves the story.

Here is a quote from the author:

``I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a
necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life
through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and
that enables you to laugh at life's realities.'' Dr. Suess

My father loves his work and uses it at times when he preaches and has been known to dabble a bit in the style of the ol' Doc as well.

Here is the one he did for my son's class, by the way Dad the teacher said that not only did she love it so did others at the school

A Tribute to Dr. Seuss

Maybe he’s from Whoville but Who really can tell?

He came into our lives and he stayed for a spell.

We grew up with him and he grew with us

And we’ll grow up together if grow up we must.

And when we’ve grown up enough to say that we’re grown,

We will have grown up somewhat but certainly not alone.

Even as grown-ups we won’t be completely up-grown

‘Cause growing doesn’t stop when folks say that you’re grown.

Now let me tell you a Thing One or a Thing Two;

Always make room for that kid inside you.

Eggs don’t have to be yellow; ham can be green.

Even before you’re up-grown, these are things that you’ve seen.

And, if being all grown up takes those things away,

Then just save a bit of growing up for some waaay far-off day.

Keep a cat in your hat and maybe a fish or two.

Tag along with a Horton when he visits a Who.

If Christmas gets stolen, you’ll never be to blame,

‘Cause your eyes always sparkle at the mention of his name.

Nice one Dad :)

He's got Man Hands

2005-11-04T18:00:00.000-05:00

This story is something you would expect to see in a Rambo movie. The best part is the quote of the cop saying the man was walking around bowlegged for a while. One thing is for sure you don't mess with this man's daughter.

Rolling the dice good or bad?

2005-09-29T08:19:00.000-04:00

Everyone’s gambling so let’s bring it to KY. That was what one guy from Danville says. Everyone’s doing it so let’s make some money off it. Well the same could be said for illegal drug use in KY. There are so many doing it lets make it legal and make some money off of it. Forget about what social problems may come from it let’s just do it and get the money.

The social ills that come from legal gambling may not affect Mr. Hendricks directly but it would none the less. When you consider that KY is already low on the list of states in unempolyment, education, childcare and you have people who make careers out of manipulating the 'system' to get benefits. You can see that bringing in false hope can only make it worse.

False hope in the form of hitting the big one, pulling the slot at just the right time or making the right call in a poker hand and with all the winnings we’ll be fine for the rest of our lives. As for his song and dance about helping our roads and schools, heard that one some 15 plus years ago with the lottery. The result, well little Johnny still is having trouble with his reading and writing but has improved on his numbers cause he can pick 3 like nobody else.

PS. Once again I made the paper. I should be on the payroll.

Mafia Storm?

2005-09-26T20:32:00.001-04:00

There is a former KPVI-TV weather man, Scott Stevens, in Idaho who has launched a new web site that is worth viewing. He seems to think that the Russians sold some weather modification technology to the Japanese Mafia and they are using this technology to get back at us for dropping the 'bomb'.

This guy has been on some talk shows but in the wake (pardon the pun please) of Rita I am sure you will see and hear more about him.

www.weatherwars.info

By the way he says that we should expect a 7.7 or higher earthquake sometime later this year. I am predicting a visit to a room with padded walls in his future.

LUCK O' THE IRISH??

2005-09-09T23:44:00.000-04:00

Notre Dame had a big win last week over Pitt. Or did they? Tonight Miami (OH) coached by the under appreciated Frank Solich beat Pitt 16-10 in OT. Glad I saw the ending and not the whole game. They game saw not one Offensive TD. Pitt had a 94 kick return and both Miami's were Int's that were run back.

So did Notre Dame really show us anything last week? I think not. It isn't like Miami beat UK again. This is over a team that competes for the Big East title every year. Now Pitt has to go to Nebraska and play the cornbread boys, which when you look at it might be a good game. Neither team is where they should be.

Dieon Bryum who had the 2 TD's for Miami has 3 int's for touchdowns this season, there are only 2 players that have more TD's in the entire league so far and this kid is on Defense.

I look for Michigan to beat the Irsh like a drum. Texas wins by 10 at Ohio St. ( I know that is an unpopular pick)

Man you have got to love College Football!!!

FSU wins by a field goal?

2005-09-06T09:39:00.000-04:00

Well the annual FSU vs Miami game ended like some many have, with a missed field goal. The problem, it was the Canes that missed it this time. Not just one they missed 2 and had a bad snap at the end of the game that would have tied it. So the streak ends at 6 and starts with 1 for the Seminoles.

Miami might meet up with them again in the ACC championship game provided they can get by VT. Not going to be easy, it should be another great game like last nights. Both Miami, FSU and VT play really good 'D'. VT right now has the best QB in Vick. FSU has a long way to go in that department. They tried 2 different QB's and neither one showed much of anything. Miami is moving in the right direction Wright looks like he has the stuff just need to pull it all together for complete drives and not here and there.

Either way the ACC is making a bid to be one of the top 3 conferences this year in college football. It is shaping up to be an exciting year. Lets hope the BCS doesn't disappoint again.

Look out for the Canes, going undefeated the rest of the way!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe all isn't Lost

2005-09-05T22:03:00.000-04:00

Well the UK vs UofL game came and went with no shock as to who would win the game, yet it was full of surprises. Here is what surprised me the most.

1) Brian Brohm who is probably one of the top ten QB's in KY high school history and coming from a long line of great football family members throws NO TD's. None you kidding me? Not only that but he was (on paper) out played by Woodson. Woodson had 99 more yards and 2 TD's.

2) UK held the best team in the nation last year (avg. 50+ per game) to just 31 and only 3 in the second half. UK did that. This team came out and performed better than anyone expected. I think that most fans are happy that we had a chance to win. 85% of the fans before the game would have thought we would have been blown out. If you turned in on at half time you might not have stayed with the game.

3) UL is overrated. Now let me say that I believe they are overrated from the point that some of the media feel that since they are now in a BCS friendly conference and should they be able to go undefeated they will go to the Rose Bowl. That may happen if other teams loose, but if it does it will again be a lop sided championship game. There D is weak. They rely on out scoring you rather than shutting you down. Remember as good as they were last year they still got beat by my Canes and also allowed Memphis to score 40 on them. They got a long way to go before they can be mentioned in the same sentence with Rose Bowl.

4) The biggest thing that surprised me was the attitude of the UK players. For the most part they were the only ones that believed they could play with the Cards. The excitement and feel of the game was one that most fans haven't felt in a long time. It was "We've Got a Chance". I know that a lot of fans will be quit to say we did fumble late in the game on the goal line. But it didn't matter to the players as far as their feeling that they could win. That is the one big thing I can see that is different.

So what to expect for the 2 teams seasons? I think that UL will loose a game and not go undefeated. Probably to WVU. They have to go to Morgantown and play. They have Pitt at home but Pitt had trouble with Notre Dame, but it will still be a test. UK on the other hand will come close to a winning season I think. I wouldn't be surprised if they beat a big time school. These kids that are playing now believe that they can shed the stigma of what UK football has become the last few years. I hope so. GO Tamme!!

And for all you Cards fans that say "hey it was just the 1st game". True but Uk strapped em up they same time you did and had they same amount of practices. I truly think that Tripp's V-Tech Hookies have the best chance to go to the Rose Bowl to face USC. That coming from a U of M fan, go figure.

Milk or Roids? Pick your poison

2005-08-24T16:33:00.000-04:00

Well as I was driving today I heard on the ol'sports talk radio that someone in the Marlins organization has been suspended. For steroids? Nope, milk. Yeah milk. It seems that LA Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny made a little bet with one of the Bat Boys. He said he couldn't drink a gallon of milk in under an hour and hold it down. Most people have heard this and it is true you can do it.

Well the Bat Boy wanted the $500 bucks that was on the line and took up Penny's challenge. Sadly he didn't win, well not the money anyway. What he did get was a 6 game suspension for the next 6 home games. A little harsh don't you think. I mean the MLB governing body only gives a 10 game suspension to first time steroid users.

Now MLB didn't suspended him, the Marlins did. But do you think the Dodgers are going to suspend Brad? Naw. Penny should give the kid the money anyway for trying and maybe even pay him what he will be missing for the next 6 games. Sure hope the kid never gets osteoporosis cause then there could be a huge lawsuit headed for the Marlins.

Enough already!!!!

2005-08-10T22:26:00.000-04:00

Ok I have had my fill of TO for the entire season and it hasn't even started yet! I understand that Terrell Owens is a really good receiver. Yet I would take Marvin Harrison in a heart beat. He might help the team on the field but kills them off. He maybe fast but not a fast as his mouth. And for all the talking that he has done that's all he is to me just talk.

Win something TO. Yeah the Eagles went to the Super Bowl and for all the crying you are doing wanting more money remember this McNabb got to the conference game 3 times without you. You did nothing in the playoffs last year I did as much as you did. So maybe I need to call Drew Rosenhaus and have him get me a raise at work.

So today TO gets sent home from camp. He can stay home as far as I am concerned. Here is a guy that can't win with the Niners and wants out. He gets traded to the Ravens and throws a fit. They agree to let the trade go and he ends up in Philly, where HE wanted to go to.

Now since he is the self proclaimed "best receiver in the league" he thinks he should get a new deal. Well it was good enough last year and you didn't win so it should be good now. Shut up and play, win something, anything an MVP, something!

Players like him in any sport kill me. I think I am great I deserve more money and I should get it, cause after all I have to feed my family. Yeah well I got a news flash for you TO your almost in the same category as Barry Bond. Your good (Bonds is great) and the public is dying to be your biggest fan but you keep pushing them away. Aren't you smart enough to realize that the more popular you are the more money you can make.

But at the end of the day you will probably end up like Bonds a good player that never won the big prize the only difference is Bond will be in the Hall and may go down as the greatest ball player that ever played his sport. TO has a long way to go to even be mentioned with the great players of the NFL. He will never catch Rice and will probably won't even be the best to play in his era.

So he may get a new deal or he may get traded but until he truly understands the concept of what it means to be a team member, he will continue to be a good player that missed his chance to be great.

Hostile and Abusive or Hysteria and Absurd

2005-08-05T22:40:00.000-04:00

Well the NCAA today made a big announcement, from now on all schools that have mascots that are Indians and are deemed Hostile and Abusive will be banned from being seen during post season play.

Good thing or bad? I think its crazy, when you consider teams like Florida State (yeah that's right Wes) are included. The Seminoles is, to the NCAA either hostile or abusive or both. This despite the fact that the FL Seminole tribe has given their blessings to the school. In other words to the actual Indians that they are paying respect to they don't care, but the NCAA does. Crazy. It isn't like St. John's used to be, the Redmen. I can see where that is offensive and applaud them for changing their name.

I don't think I am alone on this here is what the President of FSU said this today,

"Florida State University is stunned at the complete lack of appreciation for cultural diversity shown by the National Collegiate Athletic Association's executive committee. ... That the NCAA would now label our close bond with the Seminole Tribe of Florida as culturally 'hostile and abusive' is both outrageous and insulting,"

Is Hostile a bad thing or just when if portrays Indians? I mean is there some group that is going to be offend by Michigan States Spartan? He has a sword and shield and is ready to go into battle, is he hostile? Will some group come forward and demand them do something? What is next PETA coming in and saying since fighting roosters is illegal that South Carolina can no longer be the Game Cocks?

On somethings people need to lighten up this I think is one of them. As long as the image is one of respect and not making fun of Indians what's the big deal?

Who's to blame?

2005-07-27T21:50:00.000-04:00

I found this article in the Lexington Herald today. It is about the video game Grand Theft Auto. Probably many of you have heard about it since the newest version of it has hidden in it characters having sex. Well while I do agree that there is no place for this kind of thing and that kids shouldn't be playing it, I must admit I have a problem with this article. Read for yourself then read my take.

VIDEO GAME VIOLATION A CRIME AGAINST CHILDREN
Recently, the Herald-Leader reported that a video game company violated state and local laws by selling a game with sexually explicit images to minors.

The company, Rockstar Games, claims that it did not do anything wrong.
Its defense is that the images are not readily available and that the consumer must make an effort to view them. That's foolishness.

To follow this logic a publisher could put pornographic pictures in a magazine as long as he taped the pages together. The consumer would have to untape the pages to view them.
Where are our lawmakers on this?

With the Herald-Leader and most every other state paper reporting that a crime has been committed, why have charges not been filed?

What could possibly be so important in Frankfort or downtown Lexington that we will not come to the aid of our children when a company breaks the laws made to protect them?

Nick Zagaruyka Lexington

One of the problems I have is that this isn't the 1st Grand Theft Auto game with obscene content. All of them have it. Shooting, Killing, Stealing, Vulgar Language and they have had Nudity before, its just this time they added sex and suddenly that is over the edge. Give me a break.

I don't like it anymore than most do but the facts are (as sad as they maybe) somethings in this country are legal that some don't agree with. Also I don't see how someone can live with themselves profiting on something like this, but that's just me.

So I wrote the following article and sent it to the Editor of the paper and I got a call that they are going to print it. I will post a link once they do but until then here is what I originally wrote. I sent in my take on Randolph Morris and they changed some of it when they printed that one. Let me know what you think.

The True Crime against children

Nick Zagaruyka's letter on July 27 about the video Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas talked about a crime against children. It didn't point out, in my mind, the real perpetrators against the children: Their parents.

Sure the game is vile and extremely obscene and will not be played in my house, but it does have on it an only over 18 rating. So why should we be having this discussion?

Because some parents don't do things for their kids things that were done for them. Like take the time to see what it is they are buying and how it will affect their child. They assume since it is popular that it's ok, yet they want to cry foul when it isn't that way.

I certainly don't claim to be the best parent in the world, nor am I saying that Mr. Zagaruyka falls in to the stereo type that I have mentioned.

But one thing is for sure there are too many that do, and they should take a little bit of time to invest in their childs life rather than listening to "But mom all the kids are playing it".

Check this out next time your kid wants a new game www.esrb.org

Here it is and yes it was edited a bit.
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/editorial/12262009.htm

KY catching up

2005-07-21T17:28:00.000-04:00

Remember when you were a kid and the only one that argued a call was you? After the game your parents were mad at you for "showing yourself", and you went home in trouble. Well that isn't the trend these days. The lastest thing is for the parents or the coach to throw a fit or even worse a punch.

I really enjoy teaching kids sports but I won't help out in a regular league and here are a few reason why. 1. Some of the parents. 2. The attitude of some parents and coaches. 3. Some Coaches and 4 The PARENTS and COACHES !

Here are some examples to support my reasons that I found this week.

Last week, a T-ball coach in Pittsburgh was accused of offering one of his players $25 to hit a mentally disabled, 8-year-old teammate in the head and the groin with a baseball so the coach would not have to play him in an important game.

In January, a 47-year-old man in Toronto allegedly reached over a glass partition to choke the hockey coach who benched his 8-year-old son.

A father in Connecticut was charged with assault after he allegedly hit a softball coach in the head and chest with a bat during an argument over his daughter's suspension for attending a prom.

In May, a group of parents in California knocked a girls' high school rugby coach unconscious after he tried to stop a fight between a parent and a referee.

The worst happened in April when a 45-year-old man in Texas shot and critically wounded his son's football coach. It was the result of having his son kicked off the team and told never to come back. The funny thing is the father had been kicked out during the regular season and wasn't able to even go watch his son because of the way he acted.

We all hear those stories and have our own local stories of crazy parents or coaches around but nothing that bad in KY right? WRONG. KY is now caught up with the times.

Just last week, our state added its own twist when Andrew Jones, 37-year-old head of the Fleming County Softball League, was charged with second-degree and fourth-degree assault for allegedly striking the mayor of Ewing in an argument over umpiring at a girls' game July 10.

Its one thing to hit an ump it's another to hit the Mayor of your town but when your Mayor is a Grandmother its takes it to another level. I just wonder how a man can live with himself after he has hit a grandmother over a softball game. The key word in that sentence is GAME!

I pray everyday that I can have the same attitude as my father. When it came time to sign up for something my father would tell me about it and if I wanted too great if I didn't great too. He just wanted me to have fun and not live out the experience that he missed or misses by not being able to play sports. Learning the game, learning to get along with others and having a good time, that is what these leagues are for. Not developing the next Michael Jordan, Derrick Jeter, or Tom Brady.

The funny thing is my son this past week asked me if he could play soccer this season, to which I said yes. So its time to see how I will react. By the way he has never played, doesn't own a ball but I tell ya the kid can kick it a mile, COME ON PUT HIM IN COACH!

WSOP Bigger than NASCAR?

2005-07-16T21:39:00.000-04:00

You think NASCAR is a growing sport, then you should know that Texas Hold'em Poker is exploding. The WSOP just crowned their newest champion. That's the World Series of Poker if you don't watch or have someone in your house that watches ESPN.

The WSOP isn't just one game, it is a 6 week series of different types of poker games leading up to what is called the Main Event. It is a $10,000 buy in tournament. With having to pay 10K you may think that this is a small field, and it was the first one they had in 1970. It was started by Bennie Binion to see who the best poker player in the world is, he found 7 to play.

The explosion hit in just after the 2002 event. In 2003 there was a record field of 839, 2004 it went to 2576, and in 2005 it ballooned to 5619. All the players either put up or had put up for them the 10K to play. In addition to that there was over 13,000 people who took part in one of the smaller games that require much less to enter.

So what is the big draw. Just like the phenomenon of Who Wants to be a millionaire, people watch it and then go and play with their friends. Soon they begin to think "Ahhh I could do that, I beat my friends all the time I know that I can beat these so called Pros."

Sure the rules are simple but it truly does take skill. Not only do you have to be a master of numbers and statistics you also have to be able to read peoples non-verbal queues. The Pros live this kind of action day in and day out, and that is why some guy from Gary, IN doesn't have a chance. With a surprising number of the pros having their Phd's in some type of mathematics it's like shooting fish in a barrel for them.

But the biggest reason its so popular is the money. This years WSOP main event winner, Joseph Hachem (pictured) is a pro from Australia and he took home 7.5 million. Makes you want to get 10K together and practice saying "I'm all in."

Until I can come up with 10K to blow I will just stick to www.pokerroom.com where they give you fake chips and the ability to play people from all over the world.

Know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run

2005-07-13T00:15:00.000-04:00

The All-Star game came and went with me watching all of 10 minutes. I love to go to a baseball game but unless its Boston vs New York (this sat. At 1 on fox) or the playoffs I don't want to watch.

This year was one that saw Kenny Rogers of the Rangers go to the game even though he is currently serving a 20 game suspension for attacking a cameraman. That sounds like a lot but in reality it is on 5 games for him since he pitches. Not much of a punishment.

Should he have gone? Nope. I understand that he was voted on by the players but so what. I could care less how good a season he is having. He assaulted a guy. Sure the guy needs a second chance but let him do his time and show us he is truly sorry.

I enjoyed that the fans at the game who booed him. Booed him when he was announced pregame and when he came onto the field. There was also a thunderous cheer when Andruw Jones hit a 2-run homer off of him. Some justice I think.

The media was reporting that the players felt that the fans were on Kenny's side. Because they dislike the media just like the players do. Well a guy standing on the field doing his job and as he turns around gets blindsided by pro athlete is not something that I endorse. Hopefully the players got that message tonight too. But what will happen is the players will spin it and say that Rogers took the spot of a Detroit Tiger player and since they were in Detroit that is why they booed him. Yeah keep telling yourselves that if it helps you sleep at night.

MLB continues to do everything it can to push fans away. Seems there is always a strike just around the corner, steroids and the lack of them taking a harsh penalty for those who use them and when the best of the best or the 'role models' get together for a game, they allow a guy who less than a week before attacks a guy on camera because they say it not a real game and there is nothing they can do to stop him from playing.

Guess the only thing that would have made the night better was if the lovable Barry Bonds was there telling us all how great he is.

Waste of Justices time

2005-07-12T18:10:00.000-04:00

Well if you haven't seen or heard by now the lastest Harry Potter book is about to hit the stores. The official time that you can begin to purchase it is 12:01 am on July 16th.

This book sales are going to be huge, I mean a couple of months ago the title was unveiled on the Today show and kids and adults both were sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to hear them say, It will be call Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

So today I am looking at my yahoo page getting caught up on all the real news and I read a story about a grocery store that sells 14 copies by mistake. You would think well no big deal right. Ahhhh no.

It happened in Coquitlam, British Columbia where a clerk put them out not realizing what he was doing. So the publishing company gets involved by taking it to court. Court!

A justice ruled that they people couldn't look at it, read it , or even keep it until the day it is suppose to be released. They are going to be getting the book with a autograph by Rowlings and some other goodies but give me a break.

Is the crime rate so low in British Columbia that this gets immediate attention? Can't you hear the exces now, Heavens the book is out now 14 people will know before the rest of the world. Arge, what if they tell? I guess those 14 people in a week could read the 600 page plus book and tell us all and then nobody would buy their own copy.

Probably was a good idea, not to mention a great PR move. Almost as good a move as when I got mad as a kid and stopped a basketball game cause they wouldn't pass me the ball and I went home. Well it was my ball you know.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=492&e=1&u=/ap/harry_potter_early_sale

Randolph Morris and the NBA Draft

2005-07-10T00:32:00.000-04:00

Well the NBA draft came and went and no UK player was picked (shock). I think most fans understood why Kelenna left and naturally we wish him the best. Morris on the other hand, while we wish him the best too, a little confusing.

I would like to know who the 'sources' were that told Morris he was going to go middle to late first round. But really I would love to hear why they think he wasn't drafted. Coach Smith wasn't in the loop, since Morris would just fax him things now and again. That must have been the NBA's first clue that the kid wasn't ready, when he wouldn't stand up like a man and tell his coach what his plans were. So what did those sources see?

I guess they didn't see him at UK where he was dominated by smaller more experinced players most of the time. They didn't see that he is a guy who didn't realize he was 6'10" until the NCAA tourney when he got his 1st double double of the season.

Maybe they saw a clip of him in high school where he dunked over a 15 year old kid that would love to just be the manager of a Division one school. Perhaps they looked at him and saw a kid nearly 7 foot and thought "he has to be able to play", after all he was at Kentucky.

Not really sure what they saw but I know what I saw. I saw a kid listen to people that are gamblers. Gambling that if Morris does get picked then they will be able to cash in on their brillant insight. I saw a father blinded by the flashing lights of the NBA over the common sense of a 5th grader.

The biggest thing I saw was a kid who disrespected a coach who knows the hard work it takes to be successfull and has proven himself in the basketball world.

On second thought maybe Morris is ready for the NBA.