I scream for sports

Monday, March 26, 2012

Full Circle Commonwealth

Kentucky Wildcats defeated Baylor Bears by demolition to reach Final Four in Men’s NCAA tournament against I-64 foe to the west the Louisville Cardinals in the game that will decide which school will play for the Championship. The first meeting of the season was a battle of big plays and attrition as the Wildcats held on to defeat Cardinals in Lexington withstanding two 2^nd half runs. Seeing these 2 schools fight for the right to reach Championship game feels so surreal for me as a sports fan and a man also.

I grew up as a Wildcat fan after the Christian Laettner shot to send his Duke Blue Devils to the Final Four and won Championship in 1992. I grew up watching these Wildcats become NBA players from the time Rick Pitino coached the team to Championship in 1996 up to Orlando “Tubby” Smith who coached team to Championship too in 1998 up to being fired in 2005.

Here are among the players I watched (gives a giveaway of how old I am)

1. Jamal Mashburn

2. Jamal Magloire

3. Ron Mercer

4. Antoine Walker

5. Nazr Muhammed

6. Tayshawn Prince

7. Keith Bogans

8. Chuck Hayes

9. Wayne Turner

I haven’t seen the Wildcats team this good since the days when the team was coached by Smith up to now by John Calipari. Calipari has done a wonderful job with recruiting players like Anthony Davis who was named 2012 Wayman Tisdale award winner, Damian Miller and player with senior leadership Terrance Jones to shape the younger players up. When I watch the Wildcats for the last 7 years since I left I sometimes wish I could be a Wildcat fan again but that window passed by 3 years ago. Why? Well it’s very simple reason…I messed up badly. I was introduced in late 2008to a woman who was a close friend of my older sister who was a few years removed from a messy divorce and thought that I could have been a good love relationship match even though she was 10 years older than me. Her father was a religious Wildcat freak of fan as I was.

I had so many thoughts trying to develop a love relationship that I shouldn’t have had, I felt feelings of guilt and finally being happy for once in my life regarding events like that were eating my head off like leeches trying to suck the blood out of Ryan Leaf’s throwing arm as any maturity I thought I had realizing three years now I lost any resemblance of maturity as there were events in time displaying maturity never crossed my mind. Having a classmate seeing you with your date just freaked me out to the point since I couldn’t date that classmate but I can mate with someone who was my age or younger. I was superficial too, being in love with ideas and loving any money I had would erase all of my ills and gain desired attention. Underlining problems regarding other women were taking center court as well. I still had a rewind tape of trying to develop a relationship similar to my ex girlfriend….why would I do that, I was still 18 in my mind but I was 24 years old then wanting things to be a perfect lob pass to Anthony Davis.

The cover up was so vast I used one of my crushes WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi to pretend that all of my feelings for my ex was gone, but I ended up living through the past as if it were happening right in front of me. The worst crush I ever had (for the readers who don’t know is) Miranda Cosgrove was taking shape after I stood her up on a date only a week after she changed her mind from breaking up with me. I used her to escape the sadness of that ansrutiating pain of failure but only made me look like a pedophile. It’s true my crush should have never happened but it did and it took me up to a month ago to final have the feelings regarding Miranda came to a boring end.

I placed myself on timetable since 2004 at that time to plan accordingly and find an Asian woman and not paying attention to the woman who was trying to give me the attention I was seeking always worrying about how I would be if the road was greener. I was a stubborn to understand the only way I can date an Asian woman is if I were tall, slim and have blond hair….a alary the size of Los Angeles would be the only way to satisfy their needs. Took me just 9 months ago to rid myself from having feelings for these women but reality came 3 years too late sad to say. I had conflicts from being moral…waiting for the right woman like religious people would do or have sex with a woman who didn’t feel the same way I do and hope she changes her mind…I should have picked that option looking back on this now. This is definitely so when I waited to be kissed and loved from my ex girlfriend who move from Louisville 2 years ago craving the love I should have tapped one year earlier.

Also at that time I was so focused on grades while I was flipping through in Gateway Community college and Northern Kentucky University respectfully that were sagging in my mind I thought of making 2 decisions, to stay with someone who cares about me even though my grades are not where I want them to be or let her go and have my grades rise and end up with nothing in return…obviously to most people reading post would pick option number one, but I chose option number 2 feeling like slime. I didn’t want to become a dead beat dad or a dad who had no interest in teaching a child what to do as I do not only because she was a single mom but the fact my father was never part of my life. I was also insecure about the actors, celebrities and how to accept my disability as is too as when I found out later these thoughts worn down my being to change myself as I always do when a woman tries to become intimate with me.

The passion I had regarding sports and Metro buses were weaning as the time management skills I never had worsened as I became mute at times wondering what should I do to keep her interested in me. The worst part was when I just couldn’t see myself as a friend that could become a boyfriend soon. I watched many romantic movies but I never saw myself as a leader or having an important role in the relationship had me feeling scared like Courage the Cowardly Dog. The feelings of failure was compounded after she met someone else who was a year younger than me and was going to have a baby with him only made me feel worst than I ever could…just like Tiger Woods who did his horrible business (more on him later) was all my fault and I have to eat it.

I took pictures of Metro bus not to long after I heard the news about her pregnancy right around the time Tiger got himself in trouble in November 2009 to deal with the pain…little did I know 3 years later now I’ve become a big shot killer doing that, along with my artwork, writing, photography and self worth has grown 100 fold like a 100 Grand candy bar. I only wished what I had that light come being with her and not be fueled by sadness and regret to wake me up…

For me as a sports fan watching the Wildcats verses Cardinals. The meetings I’ve watched over the last 3 years pales to compare the magnitude of the encounter to end the week. I can’t help thinking of what life could have been if I didn’t mess myself up 3 years ago I would have been a Wildcats fan again. Also makes me wonder what could have been if my ex girlfriend’s family situation was different 2 years ago I would have been a Cardinals fan. Regrets aside this matchup will be a great show for Kentucky fans and Louisville fans alike. I wouldn’t feel like I basically crashed my life in front of a tree like Tiger did too.

Speaking of crashing a car literally, Tiger ended his long drought to win the Arnold Palmer tournament at Bay Hill. Tiger winning for the first time since his infamous crash at his house on Thanksgiving morning in 2009 which lead to the details of his infidelities which were later confirmed. Tiger went on a downhill spiral for a long time from firing his as I did since my failures in 2009 to, but at least I didn’t became a bud of bad jokes not only from rivals on the golf course but the media world desecrated him as my mother kept asking me why did I messed things up so badly. If Tiger can rebound from his failures as a man, so will I and try to cheer for the winner for the battle of the commonwealth.

Champs defeated.

Maryland Lady Terrapins came from 18 points down in the 1st half to defeat NCAA Women’s defending champions Texas A&M Lady Aggies 81-74 to reach Elite 8.

Tiger Wins

Trip to Powell County, Kentucky


Photo from Red River Gorge for Geology class at this time 3 years ago. Also among first photos I took from my old Nokia phone too.

Photo of the Day.

Sorta coach 9057 in cold mid morning at Marburg Avenue cut-off.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Punishments and Transitions

Interesting week for me…On Wednesday I rode on a hybrid Sorta coach 1103. The ride was very quiet as it usually is. Later on I took photos of Sorta coach 9011…why would I do that? Well the original photo was taken in the rain a day after my mother’s birthday in the soaking rain as Wednesday was sunny but the day didn’t end there. Not long after I arrived home I heard the rumors of Tim Tebow being traded to the New York Jets and I just kept shaking my head throughout the rest of the day.

On Thursday I rode on a hybrid for the second consecutive day…only the second time this event occurred. I did my usual walk through the Oakley neighborhood and took photos of Sorta coach 2113. I rode the coach to the Center of Cincinnati Mall to do some grocery shopping in Meijer. In a mere coincidence I spent $21.13 worth of groceries. When I arrived home the rumors of Tim Tebow being traded to the Jets was official before a reported $5 million snag stopped the deal from happening for several hours until the late night hours when the Broncos decided to split the cost of the trade. On Friday another snag came through in the trade as the Broncos were told to have Tebow sign a new contract to complete the trade to Jets by Monday.

The news of Tebow was big, but the most alarming was the New Orleans Saints being punished in the ‘paying for bounties’ program. Saints head coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season due to lying about the bounty program and allowed the program to go on after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warned the franchise in writing. Former Saints defensive coordinator and current St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was suspended indefinitely as documentation of having similar bounty programs throughout his career as defensive coordinator and former NFL coach. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomus who should have been suspended for the season along with Payton was suspended for 8 games after preseason to make last minute moves and sort out NFL draft details. Saints assistant defensive coordinator Joe Vitt was suspended 6 games to start the 2012 season too. Speaking of picks the Saints lose draft picks in the 2^nd round for the next 2 seasons as the franchise was fined $500.000. The Saints were the feel good story when the franchise became winners after winning Super Bowl 44 versus the Indianapolis Colts 3 years ago as the team 4 years removed from Hurricane Katrina tragedy 4 years removed at that time referred as the Aints.

Louisville Cardinals reach the Men’s NCAA Final Four. Yes for my familiar readers of my blog would know that Louisville is heartbreak city for me due to economics and an ugly family situation at the time 2 years ago my ex girlfriend during the start of the relationship move out to Louisville, but with that said I felt good watching the Cardinals reach the Final Four. I’ve watched the Cardinals play all season long and the team I felt played great at times defensively but always look to have more work to do offensively but I had no idea how far the team would go after being knocked out of the top 25 polls before the start of the Big East Tournament. Cardinals made a similar Big East Tournament run the Connecticut Huskies did to win the NCAA championship last year.

Speaking of the Big East Tournament two things came out of this year’s tournament, the run by the Cardinals and the redemption story of the hometown team the Cincinnati Bearcats, Bearcats lost to Ohio State Buckeyes (on Thursday) who won their way into the Final Four tonight as well. Bearcats went from being ranked in the top 25 to losing to Presbyterian University then the brawl on December 19^th against cross-town rivals Xavier University with aftermath of suspensions hanging around both schools. Bearcats and Musketeers who were ranked 9^th in the Top 25 before the brawl had different paths to reach the Elite 8.

Bearcats roared through the rest of the season by losing only 7 games after the brawl as Xavier collapsed with a 13-12 record after starting the season 9-0 and were riding on the tournament bubble after losing Atlantic 10 Championship to Saint Bonaventure Bonnies. Xavier held their own as a team in the Elite 8 as the Bearcats did too but just came short against the Baylor Bears.

As a fan and a guy who most of my readers know did have a crush on Miranda Cosgrove I felt sad seeing the final episode of iCarly. The episode had a similar ending to the show as Rocko’s Modern Life and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air did. Rocko did have a Christmas Special, but in my mind the last episode was when Filburt’s 4 children used flashbacks to talk about the future and manipulate the future as well trying to remember who let the Banana Queen rot in the refrigerator and wondered what happened to Rocko and Heffer. The killer or I should say who let the banana queen rot in the refrigerator with the sticker still on her was Mr. Bighead. Mr. Bighead was arrested but had no idea about the crime he committed. Rocko and Heffer were found after the same rocket they were hanging onto for 20 years crashed through Filburt’s house.

The final episode of the Fresh Prince the house was empty as all the characters went their separate ways to a new life. In the finale of iCarly the apartment that Carly and Spencer have had since the start of the show was being evicted and pretended the entire time it was an April Fool’s joke...great way for the 5 year run of iCarly to come to a bubbly end. I’ll miss watching Miranda and the gang of iCarly for sure. Miranda and the rest of the cast will do bigger and better things in the future.

Here are my photos from the last few days.

Sorta coach 1103 bright and early on Wednesday morning.

Beautiful flower I found near the Oakley railroad.

Arby's closed down at Oakley location several months ago.

Yat Ka Mein moving into former Arby's property soon.

Sorta coach 9011 as Route 4 in April 9, 2011.

Sorta coach 9011 on late Wednesday morning.

Sorta coach 2113 early on Thursday morning.

Flower I took at Western Hills last year and Miranda Cosgrove inserted in.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

First day of Spring

Inspired by the first day of Spring 2012 and the uncertain Future of Tim Tebow I've wrote this poem.

Worm in the spring

A worm springing out of bed and smelling the air of birds chirping and dogs barking at bugs means spring is here outside his window

Springing out of bed while losing an hour of sleep on Daylight Savings time and on the following Sunday making pancakes for the family

Skipping on drowning the pancakes in syrup and having to keep yourself awake with a cup of coffee means that spring is here.

Putting long john’s away like I was Long John Silver searching for loot feeling wet in the sea wearing jeans as I try to grab as many pairs of shorts lying around in a laundry pamper of 1 year worth of dirty clothes and having to show off my legs like a super model wearing shorts is a sign of Spring has ruined my sense of style.

Feeling sick from bronchitis or the flu keeps me feeling dead in the bed of winter as the only way I can get sick in spring is the pollen count and might have tko feelings of being dehydrated.

Opossums getting road killed on Glenway Avenue when the sun rises from the cold winter when raccoons were killed on the same roadway when snow turns into icy slush as the worm on the side of the road hopes not to be next.

Love is in the air for people who live like bees making honey from spending time with a sunflower as many people have the buzzing feeling in their heart as dead trees give way to unpatrolled beauty as the worm feels jealous.

Cutting the wet grass as children get creped by caterpillars and creepy crawlies crawl through wet grass as we walk or run through the years and squashing them under our shoe without warning

Feeling like the worm trying to sliver to find a new home in a new batch of mud so I could feel like a gummy worm feeling cool swimming in a mud pie desert feels so much better than feeling hot trying to escaped hot dirt trying to swim trying to find cold water but instead I get lifted airborne and eaten by a Cardinal and become fed to the hatching birds in her nest is another sign spring is here.

Spring has arrived and now I have to clean out my room before Spiders and other insects get any ideas of sneaking in uninvited to my house thinking this is early summer as in the winter all of them were hibernating from the dreary cold of winter like bears do. As the worm misses out on life …bare everything from winter to baring almost nothing at all as.

Pictures I've Taken over the last few days.