Tuesday Tidbits...

These tidbits are really just gonna focus on one thing...

* So I bet a lot of you were expecting me to talk about something else yesterday...some other thing that happened over the weekend. Well, I wanted to get the word out quickly about the Micro-Mini...and I wanted to dedicate an entire set of Tidbits to one thing...
Get out the checkbook and pay grandma for the rub-down...THE CARDS ARE THE BIG EAST CHAMPS!!! Isn't that the most badass picture ever? Look how happy Rick is! WOOOO!

It was nerve-wracking...it was ugly...it was beautiful! T-Will led the way and the Cards became the champs of the toughest league in the nation....possibly in the toughest league of all time.

I watched the game with Taylor at this St. Patrick's day Pre-party and it turned out to be a blast, drunk irish men yelling and cheering...it was all topped off with a free shot of Jamison and a late night beer at the Granville! I'm still riding high after the win and if nothing else...this BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP has thrown me into MARCH MADNESS OVERLOAD!!! All I can do is sit and dream about the next game and the tournament and what might be. Truth is...we could win it all or we could get knocked out in the first round...but bottom line...all aspects of my life right now are directly affected by that ball-wrenching, gut-busting, nerve wracking, fun loving, thrill banging excitement that only comes this time of year...I LOVE IT!

* March Madness has even taken over my apartment. Here is a picture of our "Holiday" themed mantle:
We made those heads for Senior night...so I figured I'd hang 'em up. Also, T-Will has taken over our kegerator...as he has now been immortalized forever as our tap handle.
March Madness is better then Christmas...there...I said it.

* Another swell thing about winning the Big East is that it gives me a reason to buy a new UofL shirt. Honestly I have over 30 UofL shirts so buying a new one isn't something I can do on a regular basis anymore...but, when you go 16-2 in the Big East...it's worth a shirt or 3. In all honesty if President Obama wants to stimulate the economy...he should find a way to make UofL the National Champions. The amount of money I would spend on National Champion merchandise would be way more then enough to get us out of this whole...make it happen Mr. President.
* Let's talk about one more thing...T-WILL! This man is the best player in the nation...I don't want to hear about Steph Curry, Blake Griffin or Psycho T. Terrence Williams is the best player in the nation. He does whatever it takes to win, he doesn't care about scoring or stats...but he puts up huge numbers. He's the only player in college averaging at least 12 points, 8 boards and 5 assists. He's been named 1st team all-Big East and while he may sneak into a position on the All-American 2nd or 3rd team...He'll ultimately be denied most of the top honors. But let it be known...there is no way you can convince me that anyone else in the nation is better than T-Will.
* One thing lost in the Big East Champs/March Madness frenzy is the fact that Taylor has gone back to Charleston...it was great to have her home for a week, but sucks equally as much to have her leave again. Luckily, Todd...yes Mr. Toothless Laughing Boy himself...and I are heading down to Charleston this weekend for a visit...so boo-yah!

* Alright, now for all you UofL fans as pumped as I am I thought I'd just throw up some more images to get you guys as ready as I am for March.

Here's a good one of Earl, T-Will and Jerry...celebrating after a big win.
This one is my favorite...
If the Cards play the way we all know they can, in a few short weeks this could be a picture of the two greatest UofL basketball players of all time.

And finally, this is the sign that has been hanging in the Cards' locker room all year:
If that doesn't give you goosebumps...check your pulse!

The Madness starts for the Cards in the Big East tournament on Thursday at noon against the winner of DePaul and Providence. I'm nervous, I'm excited, I don't know what to do with myself...GO CARDS!!!

Song of the Day: Queen - We Are The Champions
Beer of the Day: BBC - Cardinal Red

Brian's 1st annual 'Micro-Mini-Marathon"

So I'm not running the mini-marathon. I set out to accomplish a task...and I failed. I announced on here that I was going to do it and I made everyone of you believe...and now I'm breaking your hearts by telling you that it's not gonna happen. I fought for a long time...but when it comes down to it...there were lots of factors that led to my early retirement from professional running. Here are the factors

1.) I missed the early entry so now it will cost me $65 to sign up for the race.

2.) It's a 13.1 mile race. I don't know why I thought that seemed reasonable.

3.) Running sucks. I mean you're just running...that's it.

4.) The 65 bucks don't even go to a good cause (I don't think)

5.) In the past month 4 different people have mentioned that I look slimmer then the last time I saw them...Becky is on her way out...which was the original goal in the first place.


As you can see, the Mini-Marathon is not for me...I think only Ninjas compete in that thing. So that's why I have decided to make my own marathon event. I felt bad about not coming through on a goal I had set for myself...so now I'm making it up to all of us.

I'd like to announce that on Saturday April 25th, 2009...The 1st ever Micro-Mini-Marathon will take place in Louisville, KY.

Now, in order to make this thing a success...I need all of you out there to join me...here are the details.

1.) This is a 3.1 mile marathon. I know 13.1 is impressive...but for normal people like me (non-ninjas), let's just knock it down to 3.1...because 13 is unlucky anyway.

2.) The race will start in Cherokee park and either end at my apartment for a cookout...or at O'Shea's Pub for a victory party. It's all going to depend on the number of participants (and whether or not O'Shea's will help us out)

3.) It will cost 5 dollars to participate. This 5 bucks will go to a charity to be named later. I'm going to give it to a real charity...I just haven't found the right one yet. Also, people are strongly encouraged to give more...but we all know times are tough.

4.) Here's the catch. You can run or walk the 3.1 miles...but you can't JUST run or walk. You must be doing something else while moving. For instance, you can dribble a basketball, yo-yo, run backwards, cartwheel or just dance the whole way. A prize will be awarded for the most creative way to complete the marathon. Also, those who just want to run or walk may do so...but will be subject to harsh criticism and finger wagging the entire 3.1 miles. Anything besides plain running or walking will do...the only stipulation is that your activity cannot involve wheels of any kind. No bikes, skates, segways, cars, etc. Get it?

Now then, I'm sure that I'll be contacting most of you personally to participate in the first ever Micro-Mini-Marathon...but if you want to go ahead and sign up (save me some trouble)...please contact me in any way...e-mail, blog comment, phone call, Morse code, etc. Once I get a feel for how many people are interested, I'll make some decisions and post more details on the race.

So for those of you who always thought about running the mini-marathon...but decided that it just wasn't gonna happen because it was too long and it costs too much money...well please join me on April 25th as we accomplish a marathon of our own and help out a good cause (to be named soon) in the process.

Who's with me?

Song of the Day: The Contours - Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)
Beer of the Day: Pilsner Urquell

Friday Facts

It's Friday...I'm jacked up...here's what you need to know.

1.) I've decided I'm not going to run the mini marathon. I know it may seem like I'm a quitter and I know I've let you all down...but I've got a plan that is actually going to be way better then running the actual mini. Details will be shared next week.

2.) So if by some strange chance Uconn gets beat by Pitt tomorrow at noon (on CBS) and then UofL beats West Virginia tomorrow at 9 (ESPN)...two things will happen. One, The Cards will lay claim to their first ever Big East championship. Two, I will not be wearing pants for the rest of the weekend. I need this to happen!

3.) Tonight the kegerator will get it's first big test since coming off of the DL. Usually it's just me and Lautaro sipping off of it..but some other folks may swing by tonight to enjoy a beverage or two...I think it's up for the challenge.

4.) I spent 30 bucks at the grocery yesterday and all I bought was bread, Gatorade and cleaning supplies. On the bright side, our apartment smells lemony fresh...and the bath tub drains properly!

5.) We haven't had a mantle piece at the apartment since we took down our Christmas decorations...until now. I forgot to take a picture, so you'll have to wait until next week to see it...but let's just say that this too could be considered "holiday" related.

6.) The ol' Alma Matter, Centre, is in the NCAA D- III basketball tournament again! Their first game is tonight against some team I've never heard of. Last year they went to the tournament and the games were a blast...hopefully the Praying Colonels have what it takes to win it all this time around! Go Colonels!

7.) If you're not doing anything tonight...flip on ESPN at 8 for the Cavs vs. Celtics game. The NBA has been so-so for the last decade or so...but this year I've been watching more and more and it's actually pretty awesome. If nothing else, Lebron James is worth watching for 2 hours...Dude's a beast.

8.) You ever have that dream where you're being chased by a dog and it just keeps gaining on you and gaining on you? Well apparently dogs sometimes dream that they are being chased by humans and no matter how fast they run...nothing will save them until they smash their head into a wall...


9.) 9-9-09. That's the day when The Beatles rock band game comes out. To say I'm excited would be a bit of an understatement. To say that I'm a dork would be an even bigger understatement.

10.) Last but not least...there is a 95% chance that after I have a few beers tonight...I'm going to start talking like the kid in the youtube video after his dentist trip (see yesterday's post for non daily readers)...

"I have TWO fingers.......I have FOUR fingers.....AHHHHHHHHHHHH!....Is this real life?"

There is also a 99% chance that I'll do it one to many times and ruin the humor. Oh well.


Have a great weekend everyone!

Song of the Weekend: King Harvest - Dancing in the Moonlight
Beer of the Weekend: Goose Island - Honker's Ale

10 things I like and dislike these days...

I'm in a pretty good mood...I'm going 6 and 4...but some of the dislikes aren't even that big of a deal.

* Like: The Weather. It's 65 in the 'Ville right now and it's supposed to stay this way for the next few days. Hooray for Spring!

* Dislike: Going to the Grocery. I used to like going to buy groceries...now I can't stand it. I never get to buy anything exciting (except Gatorade), and it always costs me at least thirty bucks...it sucks and I have to go today! Boo.

* Like: Senior Night.
So after all that worrying about how sad Senior night was going to be...it turned out to be pretty sad...but it also turned out to be the best Senior night I've ever been to...and I've been to 15 straight. Here are some highlights:
The intro video for the Seniors...Earl's cameo is killing me:

T-Will promised four years ago that he'd kiss the bird when it was his senior night...he didn't let us down.
T-Will said it's not goodbye...it's hello because there are still a few championships he wants to win before saying goodbye. I don't know what to say....I love this UofL team and all I've ever wanted was a UofL national championship....make it happen guys!

* Dislike: Potholes. Ever since the big ice storm there have been potholes all over the city. I know Francisco is a badass and all and it doesn't hurt him to drive over them...but it's still annoying and Cisco told me yesterday he didn't really fancy hitting so many potholes....I told him I was sorry, but then reminded him he was a jeep and he needed to sack up. Everything is fine now...he's just so moody sometimes.

* Like: Pranks. So apparently some guy played some "fake engagement" prank on his friend at Yankee stadium a while back. It was a good joke...but the other day the guy got his revenge:

**EDIT: I don't know why that is cutting off the video...but you can also view it here.As far as pranks go...that's about as good as it gets in my book.

* Dislike: Coffee. That's a lie. I love coffee...but I gave it up for lent...so for the next however many days...I HATE IT!

* Like: Billy Gillispie. That man is an idiot...I keep thinking he's hit rock bottom...and then he yanks his two best players out with a two point lead and doesn't put them back in until the other team goes on a 10-0 run. I actually dislike the guy in every way possible...but I'm giving him a "like" today because he's officially taken the focus off of UofL football coach Steve Kragthorpe in the "What the hell is this moron thinking" category. Keep up the good work Bill...you "Lieutenant Dan" looking lunatic!

* Like: This commercial...

I'm sorry UK fans...I really didn't mean to go back to back...but that's a funny commercial. Probably not to you...but to me it's pretty funny. I give you permission to make a U.S. Reed/Denny Crum commercial...but most people probably wouldn't get it.

*Dislike: Mini-Marathon Training. I haven't exactly "given up" yet...but things aren't looking good. I've got some decisions to make in the next week or so...I'll keep you updated.

*Like: This video:

So the kid is all hopped up on laughing gas...but it appears as though he is drunk. Man, kids are funny...It's a good thing they can't drink.

That's all for today...Hasta Luego Ned!

Song of the Day: M. Ward - Poison Cup
Beer of the Day: Avery - Ellie's Brown

Here's Something Cool...

So do you ever hear a song on a commercial or something and you don't know who it is...or you know who it is and you can't buy it anywhere? Well worry no more....because I found this site today:

Listentoyoutube.com

Basically, you find a youtube video and copy and paste the address into the website...and in like 20 seconds it gives you an mp3 file with the audio from the YouTube video.

I can't believe how easy it is.

Now, this is highly illegal if you take recorded songs off of youtube and make mp3s of them. We here at LoB are big supporters of the music industry and we would never encourage people to steal music.

But, let it be known that I've been jamming out to the phat beat from the Pacific Life "Whale commercial" all day long.

So for that...Thank you listentoyoutube.com

Enjoy kiddos.

Song of the Day: Semisonic - Closing Time
Beer of the Day: Fuller's - London Pride

Tuesday Tidbits...

Tidbits, Tidbits, rollie pollie Tidbits...Tidbits, Tidbits...eat them up...YUM.

* Today Neko Case, a LOB favorite, released her new album, "Middle Cyclone".
I have only heard one song of this album...but I do have 4 other Neko Case albums...so I'm gonna go ahead and suggest everyone buy this now and thank me later.

* So it's been well documented how sad I am about tomorrow night's Senior Night at Freedom Hall. Well, it just got a little sadder. Earl Clark is going to participate too. Now it's been known for a while that Earl would be leaving after this season to pursue an NBA career...but that doesn't mean I'm not sad about them bringing it up in front of everyone and killing my tiny bit of hope that he might come back. Sigh....who's gonna do this next year?
I'll miss you Earl. Even though you scored for Marquette the other day...I'll still miss your ability to dunk on people, your flashes of NBA stardom and the fact that your voice is as high as a 4th grader's. Just make March special...please!

* So, guess what's 16 days from now? Yes...the first day of the NCAA tourney...but also, MY BIRTHDAY! I got to kick off my b-day celebration today as Taylor went ahead and gave me my present since after this week we probably won't see each other till after my birthday and it started nicely...she got me a sweet new watch! Now, for those of you still looking for presents...here's a couple you can get me.

These are called TapBoards. Basically they are tap handles with little chalk boards on them so you can always mark which beer is on tap...I would imagine they're perfect for someone with a kegerator!

You could also get me this shirt...
St. Paddy's day...my Birthday...and the beginning of the Cards' quest for a third National Championship are all within three days of each other....I just feel like this shirt needs to be worn for such an occasion.

* Are you ever in the car, flippin' around radio stations when you land on a jam and it makes your day? Well on the way back from lunch today it happened twice! I flipped past Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" and then found the last 2 mins or so of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" and then after that was over...I was greeted with The Rolling Stones, "You Can't Always Get What You Want." It was awesome...I didn't know Francisco's speakers could get so loud. But man, it was the kinda car jam session where even though you've reached your destination...you just sit in the car in the parking lot until the song has finished. It really give me an extra hop in my step for the rest of the day.

Queen rules!

* I think that Digger Phelps is one of the biggest morons in the world when it comes to intelligently talking about college basketball...I don't ever agree with what he says and I often find myself breaking highlighters because of him. But now....well now I have a whole new respect for the man:

He looks ridiculous...but he doesn't care. I love people who can just make asses of themselves and not think twice. I never thought I'd say this...but a big "Life of Brian Salute" to you Mr. Digger Phelps.

* Did anybody watch Jimmy Fallon last night? He has officially taken over the 12:37 time slot on NBC now that Conan has moved on. I only saw part of it because I fell asleep...but here is my analysis. Jimmy appears nervous but I think he'll get better. He had Van Morrison on as his musical guest which is a huge plus...but the most impressive thing is that The Roots are his house band! I don't know how or why this happened...but it's enough to keep me watching...I love The Roots!

* One last thing, speaking of roots...My Dad just relayed some information he heard on the radio earlier...today is a square root day! 3/3/09 (3x3=9 for all you English majors out there). I'm pretty excited about this whole scenario and you should be too...after all, we won't be able to celebrate this again until April 4, 2016! I'm beerin' it tonight...who's with me?

Well that's all for today...have a good one everybody.

Song of the Day: Neko Case - I Wish I Was The Moon
Beer of the Day: Leinenkugel's - Fireside Nut Brown

T-Will

This is me attempting to write a big long post about Terrence Williams and how proud he's made me as a Cardinal fan the past 4 years...but I'm not really sure what to say.

Over the years I have become attached to certain UofL players. For whatever reason I felt as though these guys can't be replaced: Dejuan Wheat, Marques Maybin, Reece Gaines, Francisco Garcia, Taquan Dean and David Padgett. It was sad each time one of those players left Louisville and while I thought at the time I'd never like a player as much as I liked those guys...I always found a way to claim a new, "favorite player". And while next year will not be any different as Jerry Smith will without a doubt be my favorite on the team....the Cards are about to say goodbye to a player that I can honestly say...will never be replaced.

Usually with my favorite players their is one thing about them that makes them so irreplaceable. Whether it was Padgett and Dean's unbelievable leadership, Gaines and Wheat's ability to do whatever it took to win (especially in the clutch) or Garcia and Maybin's fun loving attitude while playing the game at it's highest level. They each were special...but not as special as T-Will.

T-Will has all those things. On the court he does whatever it takes to put his team in the best position to win. If we need a bucket he'll get one himself or find someone an open shot. If we need the ball back...you better believe he's gonna lock his man down on D and jump as high as need be to get that crucial rebound. He doesn't care about points, he cares about wins...and he does everything in his power to make sure the task at hand is always accomplished.
Now, while T-Will does always put the team first....that's not to say he doesn't get his own from time to time.

He usually does so in fantastic fashion...with a smile on his face. Often in his career he would be having so much fun I would get mad at him and hope that he'd be more serious. However, I finally realized...that's just T-Will being T-Will. He'll get you 15 rebounds when he needs to, he'll score you 20 points...he'll even dish out 10 assists, grab 5 steals or block a few shots. But, you better believe he's gonna throw a bounce pass between his legs, smile at a camera and give a ref a back massage in the process. It's what makes him...T-Will.
While his on the court persona is enough to make him a top 5 Cardinal in my book...the reason he's number one...is what he does off the court.
Nation wide, people are starting to get on the T-Will bandwagon and it's because, the dude is hilarious. He is always joking around with his teammates, the refs, the announcers, the fans...whoever. He's just a kid who's having a ton of fun with the opportunities he's been given.

After the Cards beat Notre Dame this year ESPN analyst Jay Bilas asked T-Will how he keeps such a big smile on his face during such tense moments. Williams responded by saying...Not everyone gets to do this. I'm out here playing basketball with my teammates and having fun.

I can only imagine that if more college athletes had that mind set...the game would benefit greatly.

With one more game in Freedom Hall on Wednesday I'm sure I'll feel the normal "Senior Day Sadness" because one of my favorites is moving on. But I can only imagine the feeling I'll have when the Cards season comes to a close and T-Will walks off the court for the last time as a Cardinal...one hopes he'll be cutting down some nets before he makes his exit...but even if he doesn't...his play, his heart and his attitude have saved him a seat atop my list of all-time favorite Louisville Cardinals.

I wish he'd marry into my family...but a National Championship would do just fine.

GO CARDS!!!

Song of the Day: Kenny Loggins - This Is It
Beer of the Day: BBC - Cardinal Red