Yippie...I'm a junkie for technology!

So I'm pretty excited that I just got my new XPS Labtop. I know some of you bitch about Dell but they had a $850, free shipping, no interest for 12 months deal that I couldn't pass up. I've wanted a new computer for a while now being mine was bought about 6 years ago, which makes it about 20yrs old in computer years, and also a Labtop to take to work since it is sooo boring. Well now I've got both along with Verizon Wireless Broadband, meaning no more boring days at work as I can play games, surf the web, chat with people on Google chat, AIM, Yahoo, etc...and maybe even get a second job as a Google Clicker...whatever that is. So yeah pretty stoked as its a mean looking machine!

There and Back again....a tubby man's tale!

So yeah I ripped the title from a blog I wrote on myspace but I thought it was clever so I'm going to use it again, besides I'm trying to be light hearted about something I'm very upset about. Anywho after another season has come and again I must go to the store to purchase some new clothes for my tubby ass, I'm finally fed up. Towards the end of high school I felt like I was at my biggest when I was wearing XXL shirts and a size 42 waist....I never know my weight because I don't do scales because they aren't a true measure of how you are with different body types, muscle mass, etc, etc...Anyways I did something about it starting my freshman year of college and fought to get myself down to a comfortable weight and I managed to get into Med or Large shirts depending on style and a 32 waist size. Well here recently after some rough times in life I just kind of fell into an impulse driven lifestyle of, I'm depressed so if I want it I'll get it. This included everything from clothes, electronics, movies, and of course food. Well here lately I've just felt ugh and have ballooned into a XXL and 40 waist again and I'm just sick to myself. I'm not using this blog to cry or complain or make excuses because I'm a firm believer in choice. I chose to eat alot of bad foods, drink alot of soda, and pretty much do no excersise at all and now I'm paying for it with pain in my knees, feet, and back. I'M DONE! As of yesterday I got my fat ass in the gym and did some needed excersing. It's been tough and my body has been rebelling against me from a couple of old nagging injuries but this week is the warm up week. Cause you can't bust out the old car and immediatley start yammin on the gas. However I have gotten my 20mins of continuous cardio in and some basketball to boot. Of course the first 2 weeks is the hardest but I'm pissed and I'm motivated and I know I can do it cause I've done it before. My goal is 195 lbs and within two weeks I will be doing 45min to an hour cardio 2 times a day, once at 8am, second time in the evening. I'm working out at Lexington Athletic Club so if anyone else wants to get into shape its always easier with a partner. Just be warned once this train is rolling you better be prepared for the ride! Its the first day of the rest of my life where I don't choose to sit around waiting for things to happen, I choose to make them happen!

The Spirit of the Program....

On Monday evening we here in the Big Blue Nation lost not just a man, but the spirit of the program...Bill Keightley also know affectionatly as Mr. Bill or Mr. Wildcat. I heard the news first from my sister who is the bar manager at Merrick Inn which was a favorite joint of Bill Keightley, Tubby Smith, and Billy Gillespie. Monday night was her last night there as she's moving to Merrick's sister restraunt as manager and Keightley was supposed to come say goodbye, instead we all must say goodbye to a one of a kind man. In numerous tributes, comments, and descriptions of Mr. Bill he's been potrayed as a brother, father, grand-father, best friend, the most generous person I've ever known, and a man who never seemed to have a bad day cause he was always smiling.

Mr. Wildcat by the numbers
2: One of only two non-players or coaches to have his name hoisted into Rupp Arena rafters. The other was longtime broadcaster Cawood Ledford.
3: UK NCAA titles at which Keightley sat courtside.
6: Head coaches Keightley served under (Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, Billy Gillispie).
8: UK trips to Final Four at which Keightley sat courtside.
12: Southeastern Conference Tournament titles during his tenure.
19: All-Americans who have gone through UK in Keightley’s tenure.
24: Won or shared UK Southeastern Conference regular-season championships
48: Seasons as equipment manager on UK bench.
57: Percentage of games in the 105-year history of UK basketball in which Keightley worked.
1,113: Wins he witnessed from UK bench.

A longtime employee of the U.S. Postal Service, Keightley joined the UK basketball family in 1962 through the efforts of one of his buddies at the post office. George Hukle was also a letter carrier as well as Adolph Rupp’s equipment manager. Hukle brought Keightley on to help him wash Kentucky jerseys and hand towels to UK players and do all the other things that went with that job. Until Monday’s freak accident, Keightley never left. He was on the Kentucky bench the night of the famous loss to Texas Western in the 1966 NCAA finals. He was there when UK ruined Indiana’s unbeaten season in the ’75 Mideast Region finals. Jack Givens’ 41-point game in the ’78 national championship game. Rex Chapman’s freshman tour de force vs. Louisville in 1986. The Laettner Shot. The Mardi Gras Miracle. National titles in 1996 and ’98. Joe Crawford’s valiant 35-point game in this year’s NCAA loss to Marquette, Keightley was the link to all of them.

Not only was Keightley the equipment manager for the team, but also a friend, brother, father, confidant, mentor, and example to many players and coaches. He treated everyone the same and many people of all ages considered him their best friend because thats just how he made you feel when you talked to him. Former All American player Kenny Walker said, "coaches, players, and managers came and went but you always knew you could count on Mr. Bill to be there." Another story that I will remember is when his knees began to fail him, his supervisor at the post office told him they would provide him with a jeep so he could work his route. Mr. Keightley looked at him and said, "A postman walks and carries a bag, you can keep your jeep, I quit!" If it was a job worth doing then Mr. Wildcat did it right even if it meant washing jersey's till the early morning after roadtrips or running errands for the basketball team.

Rest in peace Mr. Wildcat, you will always be loved and remembered and can never be replaced. Bill Keightley was a shining example of a "rich" man, doing what he loved without much monetary reward but with a wealth of experiences and friends. Many should try to follow his example as the best way to remember a great man. UK Basketball will never be the same!