Vandalism Coverage

Here are some links to the local coverage of the graffiti at the ballpark. I had my own little detective work today that was very fun and I hope it will lead to something, but since I am currently discussing this with the police, I probably shouldn't write about it on my blog.

http://www.wlky.com/news/18799445/detail.html

http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=9912886

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090227/NEWS01/902270366&template=printart

http://fox41.com/Global/story.asp?S=9911988&nav=menu1404_3

I also was told MSNBC picked up the story, but I haven't come across it anywhere.

Louisville Metro Parks No Longer Allow Metal Detecting

It looks like I'm the vandal now.The Louisville Metro Parks are no longer allowing metal detecting. If they have it their way, police will be able to arrest on the spot. Their claim is that digging the holes is vandalizing the parks. I know there are several exceptions, but most metal detecting hobbyists I have seen take great care to refill the hole and make it look like nobody was even there. Plus, I know mark and I have removed several pounds of trash while detecting. I think they should ban picnics next because many people trash up the park while having them. Ban soccer and rugby and Frisbee field because it creates mud holes. You can still sled across golf courses and tear up greens, but by god you better not dig a small hole, remove some trash and fill it back in.

Bullocks!

http://www.wlky.com/video/18730523/index.html

News Story on Downtown Vandalism

Check out WLKY News tonight (not sure if it will be early evening or late evening news) about the vandalism problem downtown. They will be highlighting our stadium and the recent spray can happy perpetrators.

Tiger, Wildcats and Vandals, OH My!

I am a Tiger Woods fan. I have never denied it and am not ashamed. Tiger Woods, with all due respect to Mr. Nicklaus, is the best player to ever play my favorite game. He is the athlete (and maybe Jodie Meeks, too!) that I will be telling stories about when I'm collecting Social Security checks. He does it with class and enthusiasm and, let's face it, the guy is fun to watch. This is why I am excited to see Tiger Woods return tomorrow in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships. This tournament gets me in the March Madness mood by being the first bracket I fill out. I always pull for the local guys, but I never get sick of watching Woods dominate.

My beloved Wildcats go up against the South Carolina Gamecocks tomorrow night in Columbia. On January 31st in Lexington, SC's little booger of a guard Devan Downey hit a fall away jumper in the lane with 3 seconds to play to beat Kentucky by 1. I like Kentucky's chances in this game as long as they can keep Downey from getting to the basket. This is a must win for Kentucky and would get Gillispie his first 20 win season as head coach of the Cats. I may post a detailed prediction tomorrow during lunch.

Ever since the skate park opened downtown, the vandalism has been rampant. The spray painting has usually been confined to utility boxes, wood fences and the occasional facade. Now, the vandals have taken there paint can shaking worthless existence to new heights. Literally. The back of our video board has been spray painted from one side to the other with big yellow letters. The biggest mystery was trying figure out how they climbed up there. It looks like they may have scaled the electric conduit on the side of the board. However they did it, it is a dangerous climb of about 70 feet with very little footing. The damage runs about $6,000 and will take awhile to get rid of. Until then, we are keeping the lights off on the back of the board so we don't give the little budding juvie publicity to all the motorists on I-65.

Thanks Kevin, My Mistake

Once again, this is why I have a big brother. To help correct me in my errors. For some reason my mind was blocking out the past several years when thinking of solid players from the state of Kentucky. Rondo, Estill, Sparks and Padgett definitely had their share of very good games, so I admit my lack of recollection. I'll blame it on not much sleep and a long day of work today. For some reason the only players that came to mind were J.P. Blevins, Josh Carrier and Brandon "John" Stockton. I guess I only focus on the negative.

I'll change my proposition to: Best game by a freshman from Kentucky since Rondo?

Best Game By A Kentuckian...

Following Kentucky's victory over Tennessee today, I started to think about Darius Miller's performance. Not being able to think of a more recent example (as I'm sure their are none), this would have to be the best performance by a Kentuckian in a Wildcat uniform since Derek Anderson in 1997. Tubby Smith did not recruit in state very heavily leading to this gap in local talent. However, Billy Gillispie is changing that. Darius Miller is slowly becoming a very strong player and from what I have heard about Jon Hood coming in next year, hopefully the in-state crop of talent will flourish at Kentucky in the years to come.

Good game Darius!

3-Pointers: 3/3, 2-Pointers: 3/3, FT: 2/2, Rebounds: 3, Assists: 6, Blocks: 2, Total Points: 17

Also, big difference today in Patrick Patterson's jump shot and touch with his finger bandage off.

Brian's Baseless UK Prediction

Kentucky tips off against Tennessee ("I really, really hate Tennessee. I can't stress that enough.") in just over two hours and I'm stuck at work, in my freezing office, waiting for an event to wrap up. I have been looking forward to this rematch since the first game back in mid-January. The last time out, Jodie "Freakin" Meeks laid a 54 point spot on the pumpkin puke orange hillbillies from Rocky Top. The last two games without Patterson have been frustrating to watch down low with scarce rebounding, little defense and putrid scoring. But Patterson is back (hopefully near 100%) and I expect good things today as the Vols march their leg irons into Rupp Arena.

Rhythm & Bruise

Don't expect Meeks to go for 54 again. Not even close. However, I have never given tons of credit to the IQ of Tennessee players and still expect Meeks to get plenty of scoring opportunities. Look for him to get his average, even if it does all come from turnover fastbreaks and free throws.

Patterson may get fewer minutes than we would like to see. I know he has been struggling towards the end of practice, but if he keeps getting quick breaks, I think he'll have a fine game. As a bonus, his finger apparently is feeling better and I think we may see a return of his jump shot and touch he had before the boxing glove of a bandage he sported the last month and a half.

The Backup "Stringers."

Kevin Galloway will get more playing time today. I feel it. He did it against Florida and he'll do it against Tennessee. Maybe a turnover or two too many, but his assists and play making will be a catalyst. Bank on it.

Darius Miller is quickly becoming one of my favorite players to watch. I could see how lost he looked several weeks ago, but I have never seen a player grow in confidence each time out like Miller has the past few games. His offense is still mediocre, but is showing flashes of what's to come. His defense and rebounding are quickly improving as he is emerging from his freshman shell.

"Jorts" Harrellson and DeAndre Liggins worry me. I like what I see a lot of the time, but apparently they must be driving Gillispie madder than a half-time interview. It's the rotation of these two (and Galloway) that has perplexed me and has thrown off Gillispie's substitution pattern. Just about all teams have a rotation set well before now. Not Kentucky. It's as disjointed and unpredictable as it was in the November exhibition games. It seems Gillispie is much tougher on his recruits (Liggins, Harrellson, Galloway, Miller) than Tubby's (Harris, Porter, Stevenson). But I will not pass judgement on BCG until near the end of next season.

So, without further ado, today's prediction for the Kentucky/Tennessee match-up (remember last game, I did predict the score...just the wrong outcome):

Kentucky: 74

Tennessee:70

Player of the Game: Kevin Galloway

"Say Cheese" You Sneaky ET's: We're Comin' For Ya!

I am looking forward to the next big NASA mission set to launch on March 5th. I've always pulled for NASA funding and cringe when cuts are made (especially for some of the things the money is redirected to). The Nasa mission is launching the Kepler spacecraft which "...is scheduled to blast into space from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a Delta II rocket on March 5 at 7:48 p.m. Pacific Time (10:48 p.m. Eastern Time). It is the first mission with the ability to find planets like
Earth -- rocky planets that orbit sun-like stars in a warm zone where liquid
water could be maintained on the surface..."

I am disappointed these type of launches get so little press coverage. It is sad so few people take an interest in a project that could fundamentally change the way we view ourselves and our short existence on this "mote of dust", as Carl Sagan would say, we call a planet. I guess we will only pay attention when they hit pay dirt, as long as we are not bothered with the fantastic adventure of discovery.

Go NASA GO! Go Man Go!

Dumbing Down Our Kids - Pt.2

Here is another example of why I am so angry at religion and creationism. After watching this video, is there any question as to why the United States ranks so low among developed countries in math and science. If this isn't mental child abuse, I don't know what is. If I said what I really thought, blogspot may close my account.

Atheist Discrimination - Pt. 1

According to many polls, atheists are the most mistrusted and reviled group in America. That is saying something from a country with a historical reputation for "oopsies." However, much of this hatred goes unnoticed, so I have decided to post any videos I can find showcasing blatant hatred and discrimination of atheists in the media. Anti-atheist videos from random people on youtube are a dime a dozen, but I will focus on media outlets and their "expert" panels. The first is from CNN's show with Paula Zahn. Please pay attention to the titles of each panel member and keep that in mind as you listen to the comments they make. Hopefully after watching some of these examples, many of you will realize why I am so passionate about my stance regarding my personal atheism.

The Joy of Meeks

Say what you will about the Kentucky basketball team this year. They have won several games they easily could have lost and the lost several games I thought they should have won. No matter what happens, this has been one of the most enjoyable UK season so far because of one Jodie Meeks. I eagerly anticipate each game to see what he'll do next. He works hard on every offensive and defensive possession. His cuts at the end of the game are just as hard as the cuts in the first few minutes. He never showboats or talks trash (and as I type this, Meeks just hit an unbelievable 3-pointer). Given the score is 3-0, I am predicting:

Kentucky: 77
Vandy:64

Meeks scores 24.

Lunch Time Chat

I drove over to the Subway in Jeffersonville for lunch last week and as I was standing in line, at the table next to me, two guys were sitting having an intense discussion about String Theory. It was refreshing to hear someone having a discussion like this. I just wish I could have listened in a little more and try to figure out if they were physicists or just discussing it for pleasure (or both). The discussion would have been way above my head, but it is good to know people still sit around and discuss more than just American Idol. After all, this is how most important discoveries and ideas come about...as well as in the bathroom.

Duke, Carolina, UofL and "HURL!"

I took some interest in the Duke/UNC game last night simply for the fact I want Kentucky to reach 2,000 wins before North Carolina (UK is currently 12 wins ahead). However, I had to mute the parts I watched because of the verbal make out session slobber fest that was Mike Patrick and Dick Vitale. I wasn't cheering for Duke at all, just hoping North Carolina wouldn't win in a never ending series of overtimes where both teams end up on the floor as piles of moist salt heaps. As much as I dislike Coach Kyakxynskyzzz..., the well-to-do nostril flaring appearance of some of the players and the "Cameron Crazies," who learn how to be basketball fans in Undergraduate Studies 101, it is the media that facilitates my disgust for Duke. I hate Duke. I really, really do.

After reading Kevin's blog about Rick Pitino and his comments over the past couple months concerning the SEC and Gillispie's coaching decisions, tonight's UofL/Notre Dame game could not have been sweeter. Now I am just trying figure out what game I enjoyed more: Louisville/Rutgers in football or tonight's game. Oops, Notre Dame just scored again. Yep, tonight's game.

Battle of the Brains

Interestingly today, February 12th, 2009, is the 200th birthday of both Honest Abe Lincoln and every creationist's favorite EVIL-ution devil, Charles Darwin. Born on the same day half a world apart (Lincoln, of course, in Kentucky and Darwin in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England), both of these famously bearded intellectuals upset the applecart and are still reviled as well as loved by many. So here is the question: Who is the best?" Which of these men is more deserving of everlasting glory? Whether you judge by their actions, continuing legacy or simply by the beard, top hat or sailing vessel, let me know what you think. Feel free to leave a comment or vote to the right.

Who da Man?

Movie Reviews

My last movie review was on "Gran Torino" and "Blood Diamond," both decent movies. Since then I have seen "Wall-E," a Disney Pixar film and "Burn After Reading," a Coen Brothers movie.

"Wall-E" was better than I thought it would be. I thought it had some funny moments and a good satirical view of the future of humanity. I felt the first 30 minutes was the best part, but it was enjoyable throughout. It is not one of Disney's best, however. Compared to another Pixar film, "Finding Nemo," it doesn't even come close. I would like to see Disney get away, at least for a movie or two, from the 3-D CGI animation and go with the classic style animation.

"Burn After Reading" was a let down. It definitely tried to follow in the form of the Coen brothers, but just fell a little flat. It had it's dark humor moments and a time when I looked at Beth and said "I didn't see that one coming." The movie is so twisted up in its plot that even the characters in the movie poked fun at it at times as they tried to figure out what was going on. And, like many other Coen brothers movies, it leaves almost everything unresolved.

Mount Redoubt

I have been following the volcano, Mt. Redoubt, in Alaska with great anticipation. For a couple of weeks now vulcanologists have claimed it is ready to go at any minute. It has been venting plenty of steam, the glaciers on one side have melted away to half the size in a matter of days and the earthquakes continue to swarm. The link below is to the camera atop an observatory a few mile away from redoubt. The picture is updated every several minutes.

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/webcam/webcam.php?cam=Redoubt%20-%20Hut

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/webcam/Redoubt_-_CI.php (distant camera)

I know besides loss of life, volcanoes can cause sever damage to infrastructure, machines and cars, but I really want to see this baby go. I can't help it.

What "Other Gods"?

As you all know I am very skeptical of faith and religion and the dogma taught by religion. I mostly focus on the big three religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam (sorry Apu, I know your religion is swell, too). Christianity, obviously, gets most of my attention simply because it is with what I am most familiar. I have a question regarding the 1st commandment of the Ten Commandments.

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." -King James version

I would like feedback to this question: What "other gods?"

Is the god of Abraham admitting other gods exist but we shouldn't put them above "him?"

If god is the only god, then why make reference and warn us about other gods?

Just curious.