Mom

Happy birthday, MOM!!! I love you!

Now that I have set the good kid example, wish your mother happy birthday, ASAP! If you can, go see her. I'll be seeing her this Friday. Be there or be square! Holla!

It's A Roller Coaster

So much has been going on in the past few weeks. I almost don’t know where to begin the tale of my past couple weeks. I think I will hit you with some great news first. Knock that down with a little bit of crap. Bring it back up the hill with some more good news, a dash more of bad news, and then finish it off with a “What do you think?”

First of all, I am a new uncle. Beth’s brother Chris and his wife Erin had their new baby on the morning 28th of February. Paige Noelle(sp?), not to be confused with sister Paige “Sgt. Carter”, weighed 6 lbs. and 7 oz. The Saturday after she was born I finally got to see her. She is one of the sweetest looking babies I have seen in a while. As I looked down on her in the bassinette, she appeared to me like a doll in the sense that she looked perfect. Congratulations Chris and Erin on your little one. It’s a good thing her big sister Emma has experience at being a big sister. Hopefully, she can help you guys out. Plus, in six or seven years, you’ll have a babysitter other than Grandma and Pop.

On the first of March, Unit 899 was in the hospital for some surgery on what originally appeared to be an appendectomy, but ended up being a partial small intestines removal due to a Crohn’s Disease inflammation. This happened to be a real ordeal for me to handle. At first there wasn’t a great deal information being relayed the night of his surgery. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. There just wasn’t much information to pass on. Out of the hospital now, Joel’s recovery is still ongoing, but he sounds really well when I talk to him on the phone. If you wanted to pick a fight with Joel, now is your chance. I got a feeling, though. He still wouldn’t be the underdog! I hope we will see him this Friday night when Beth and I visit Mom and Dad at the LC Plantation. Maybe, we can get the Cats to win a game that matters and spare Tubby another year at the helm.

And speaking of UK basketball... (Don’t flinch. You knew this was coming.) Another 8 seed for the Cats for a second year in a row in the NCAA tournament is niiiiiice and not niiiiiice in a good way. I guess that is the State of the Big Blue Union these days. I have finally put my finger on the reason everyone is so down on the Tubbster. He placed himself on the pedestal with the NCAA Tourney win his first year of coaching. Then a downturn started when he lost 39 games over the next four seasons. Dissidence began to grow. After a great season in 2003, reaching the Elite 8 (defeated by Dwane Wade and Marquette), and signing the best recruiting class in the nation, pressure was starting to lift. But, with early departures from the NCAA Tournaments in 2004 and 2006 with a 13 loss season and already 11 losses this season, the trend is pretty evident. Someone in the tenth year of tenure at a…well, what used to be a perennial powerhouse, shouldn’t be having back-to-back seasons like this.

There are wars and rumors of war running rampant around the Bluegrass this week. With Charlotte Bobcats’ dismissal of the head coach, Bernie Bickerstaff, there is an opening for the position. If you recall, last summer there were rumors that Tubby would leave UK to take over that position in Charlotte. I am not sure what the circumstances were at that time. The word is Tubby is a real close friend to the majority owner, Robert L. Johnson, quite an admirable fellow with all his charity work. Also, Tubby is in good with the Basketball Operations Manager and “His Royal Airness,” Micheal Jordan. I even heard MJ’s kid wants to play for Tubby at UK next year. The career move is, no doubt, looking better and better. I am sure Tubby Smith will not be fired from his head coach position with Kentucky and he will leave on his own terms.

I am willing to bet anyone any amount of money the Wildcats will win tomorrow night. Any takers? Yeah, I knew it. You guys are so clever. You know Villanova’s mascot is the Wildcat, also. Man, I can’t get anything over on you. Seriously, Kentucky is my pick for this game. Biased decision? Definitely. Care? Not a dang bit. Go Blue!

On the saddest note of the past two weeks, there has been a death I must report. A dear friend of mine died a few days ago. Although we had only known each other since the end of December, we became really close. We had spent hour upon hour hanging out. A few of you had met my special friend who is no more. I know that you, too, had cherished the time spent with the departed. My Xbox 360 is no more. The flashing red lights came on around the power button appeared like a tear on Monday. Then, I shed my tears as a customer service rep from Microsoft said it had to be sent off to be re-instilled with life. The service rep’s thick Indian accent just held no comfort for me as I searched my feeling to see my friend gone. “Why?” I asked, over and over. There was no answer, only promises of free shipping and free repair. Sadly, I had to accept the fate my little Xbox 360 was dealt. Three weeks, including shipping and repairs? Too long, I went to Wal-Mart on Tuesday and bought a new one to play in the absence of my old one. Yep, some friend I am. MWUUHAHAHA!!!

All right, the “What would you do?” portion of the show is now commencing. After filling out the South Regional part of your NCAA bracket and realize you have placed Tennessee and Louisville in your regional championship, which team would you write in as going to the Final Four? Or would you throw your brackets away and start again? Tough questions. I am full of them.

My watch list for the Kentucky Derby starts this week with two dandies. Any Given Saturday, a Distorted Humor colt, is trained by Todd Pletcher. In his short career, AGS is 3 for 4 with wins in a maiden, an allowance, and the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. His only misfire was a second place finish last November in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. This weekend he is back on the pledge at Tampa Bay Downs in the Tampa Bay Derby. He will be facing some stiff competition in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile winner Street Sense andKeeneland's Kentucky Futurity Cup winner Great Hunter, but my money is still on AGS. The other dandy is a filly (Whoa, you said filly? Yes, I did.) named Rags to Riches. She is out of A.P. Indy(cha-ching) and since breaking her maiden is undefeated and her last two wins were Grade 1's. Her last race, the mile and 1/16th Santa Anita Oaks, she won by five and 1/2 lengths under a hand ride. Also trained by Pletcher, Rags has already earned enough earnings to qualify her in the Kentucky Derby. Will she make it? Time will tell. Giddy-Up!

Super Bowl Recap, Birthdays, and Such

Yes, Jonathon, my guess of the score was pretty close. 29-17 is not that far off from 31-14. There was a bobbled snap on an extra point that Vinateri would have, no doubt, drilled. There was also a Bears drive that the Colts defense just laid down on that ended up in a field goal for Chi-Town. I enjoyed the game. I think it is great that Peyton Manning will no longer have the whole “Dan Marino is one of the best QB's ever, but he never won a Super Bowl” thing over his head. As far as who the MVP award should go to, I think Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai were equally impressive. But, in the end, you have to give the MVP to Manning for his on the field performance and leadership. I think the third quarter drive that lasted for nearly 8 minutes, orchestrated by Peyton, happened to be the real deal-breaker for Chicago. That drive totally demoralized and gassed the Bears defense. The interception return by Hayden for the touchdown was just the icing on the cake. Great game. It had the third highest viewer ratings in Super Bowl history.

What about that halftime show? Prince? I think he is 47 years old and has not been in the pop charts for quite a spell. I like his music, but great choice? No, not really. "Proud Mary" by Credence Clearwater Revival and Foo Fighters’ "The Best of You"? His original songs weren’t that bad, but his guitar work was very rusty. I guess you could blame it on the rain. Yeah, how about Milli Vanilli? They would rock the halftime show.

Super Bowl Commercials? They were pathetic. I thought I was just watching regular primetime television. I can’t believe companies were paying $2.6M for the 30 second spots. And King Pharmaceuticals paid for a couple of spots that didn’t even mention their product. I would fire my entire marketing division if I were paying for these commercials. The only commercial I thought was outlandish enough to be a Super Bowl commercial was the Snickers commercial with the two dudes kissing. Shock factor was at an all-time high.

We had a great time over the weekend celebrating birthday after birthday. Beth and I took off work on Friday for her birthday, so Thursday night it started with a dinner at Dudley’s on South Mill Street. I had intended to try another shot at the food critiquing after dining there, but I was so uninspired by the meal, I think I will let this one go. There is one note of interest, however. They were offering antelope on the menu. I had to turn it down as much as it intrigued me.

Friday, we ate lunch at The Pub-Lexington over by the Fayette Mall. It was not bad and maybe, just maybe, I have found my new favorite beer. It is Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Think Killian’s Irish Red with a smooth bourbon aftertaste. The food wasn’t bad either. I would definitely go back, but I just don’t know when. After schlepping it at the mall, carrying Beth’s bags for what seemed like days, we headed back to Da Pond for some Tiger Woods Golf on the XBox. Later on we went to Chili’s for some appetizers and a cold beer. Best chips and salsa in America.

On Saturday we rolled to the LC Plantation to visit Dad for his birthday. We watched the Loserville Cards take it from the Villanova Wildcats and Kentucky hand a road-dosing to Arkansas. Jodie Meeks took over that game in the second half. SEC Freshman of the Week two weeks in a row…I hope. Randolph Morris looked like a biznatch against Arkansas’ Hill—ponytail and all. After the game, Mom nailed a fried chicken dinner for us. If you weren’t there you definitely missed out. Back to Lex.

This weekend should be a time. On Saturday, Joel is having a birthday par-tay for Laura and himself in Leburn. Word on the street is Unit #899 has a barrel of Colorado Iced Lemonade on reserve. I hope I am able to make it down there. UK plays Florida at 9 p.m. on Saturday night. Joel, you get ESPN? If'n you do, maybe I’ll have to get on down there. Chase, Beth got your message and she said, “What, no effin' card?” Just kidding! She said thank you very much! I hope everyone stays warm this week. Looks like some snow is heading our way today. Better go buy some milk, bread, and eggs. Pond Doctor, out!

Jess Tried To Call, But All He Got Was A Busy Signal

"I've seen your face a hundred times,
Everyday we've been apart
I don't care about the sunshine, yeah.
'Cause Mama, Mama, I'm coming home.
I'm coming home."
-O. Osbourne

And home I did go this past weekend. I started the visit off with a round of golf with Dad at Sugar Camp Golf Club. This course is a pleasant little surprise off the shoulder of Route 30 East in Noctor. I really enjoyed the course and look forward to the next time I get to play there. I didn’t play exceptionally well, but I managed to hit a few “golf shots”.

I saw a couple of friends from high school that I hadn’t seen in a while. They were the same as they were the last time I saw them. Dad and I were on the sixth green and I heard someone booming across the course, “Heeeyyyyy, Randaallllllll! Woooooooooo!” It was none other than Doug Moore. Classic. And yes, he was lit up like Christmas. Good times.

After the golf, Mom had dinner made and it was nothing less than off the chain. The menu consisted of fried chicken, potato salad, green beans, corn bread, and fried apples. Are you hungry now? After dinner, the cornhole boards were brought out and I proceeded to hand out the arse-whippings on Lost Creek. I don’t think I ever lost a game, but I think I lost a pint of blood to the mosquitoes.

From there, the shindig went to Jess’s garage. Jess, Neal, Mark and myself found us some sit-downs amid the car parts. The conversations are a blur, but I am sure they were full of insight and deep meaning. Mark punked out on us and ditched us for some chicks. Honestly, I can’t say that I would blame him. A single man hanging out with a bunch of hairy legs or single man hanging out with chicks? I guess there really wasn’t a decision to make.

On Saturday, my cousin Ryan and his fiancée, Amanda, were married at Riverside. It was a nice ceremony. Congratulations, you guys. Mom and Laura were crying all over us, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle and David Peden stayed solid, because that's his style. I saw a few family members and friends I hadn’t seen in a while. It was great to catch up with them. Being at Riverside brought back some great memories of my youth spent there on the campus at the “Light in the Hills” during the Fourth of July. Softball and foot races, you can’t beat them, unless, of course, you have a sno-cone.

Last weekend I got into Churchill Downs’ pocket. Beth, my buddy Sam, and I went to the track in the ‘Ville for the Stephen Foster Grade I Handicap. There were several good races on the card and I felt this was a day that I couldn’t have passed up. I cashed a couple of trifecta tickets and when all was said and done, I was up around $40. Not too shabby!

Beth is in Columbus on business this week until Wednesday. So, I guess, the cats and I will hold down Island Pond until her return. Maybe, I should hold down her car for her until she gets back. I’m sure she won’t mind. *Wink Wink*

“Hasta manana, amigos!”

Sun King and TL's

“Rock and roll, rock and roll! I’m the king of rock and roll”
-Daniel Lioneye

That’s right. You heard me. Not original? True. Bam Margera is such a douche bag, but he does have one of the best intro songs ever on Viva La Bam. Dude, what a time it has been for the past couple of weeks. This time is flying by. I think it will be the month of May in 10 days? Ridiculous.

Where to begin?

Yard work. I had to do some backbreaking work on Thursday of last week. An area of ground 10 feet by 5 feet on one side of our house had subsided next to the foundation. I had to cut the sod up to preserve the grass, fill in the subsidence with a truckload of dirt, thanks to my neighbor Don, and finally, replace the sod. Fortunately, my partner in crime, the master of jurisprudence, Brandon, helped me out with the labor. This dropped the task hours from 5 hours solo, to 3 hours. BP, I owe you some cold beers.

Keeneland. Yes, this time I did better. I bet a total of $81 and won $109 and change. And no booze was involved in the earning of cash. Matter of fact, I haven’t drank any cold beer at Keeneland since last spring. It, obviously, clouds my judgment when handicapping the ponies. Anyway, a little trifecta and a huge exacta hit for me in seventh and eighth races (check the results for April 15th). God bless Sun King—the little Zito horse that could, then couldn’t, then could, again.

Easter. The Day of Resurrection was great at Mom and Dad’s. I grilled burgers, BBQ chicken, and smokies. Mom made the fixin’s. The grilled items were okay, but the weather was par and the company was nice. It was great day…..to be forgiven.

New Car Day. Whhhhaaaaaaaaaat? Yes, you heard me correctly, New Car Day. Somebody I live with, without naming names, bought a new car on Wednesday. You-know-who bought a 2006 Acura TL. Let’s just say this is one sexy hot rod. It’s black with black leather interior and navigation. I will finally get to rest Peanut’s heals a little.

Winding down, now. Yeah, I’m going back to Keeneland this Saturday. What? I have to go and cash my tickets. And make a few bets on the Lexington Coolmore Stakes. The in-laws are coming to Lexington this weekend. It should be a cool time.

Keeneland Tip #253: If you ever see Garret Gomez riding at Keeneland, you should at least put $20 to place on the horse he is riding.