The only logical conclusion...

...is that the Cats must win the game also.

Ribs Contest

It's a sandwich, people.

"I hate Wendy's!"

It's only a day late...

Enjoy these holiday wishes from your Houston Rockets (check out the two UK grads...)

Got patience???

As Lyndsey said about my last blog post, the trip to Kentucky is over. Time for a new post. Well, here you go...

There's a lot of panic surrounding the Kentucky basketball program. Even people who casually follow sports are likely to be aware of the struggles of this year's UK team. Well, this has been coming for some time, and those who have been paying attention shouldn't be surprised that this season is ugly. Maybe surprised that it's been this ugly, but the likelihood that Kentucky would be a contender this year was pretty small.

Kentucky lost 10 of its last 17 games last year. They graduated two starters, and one went to the NBA. Several key reserves also graduated. Billy Gillispie brought in two big-time recruits, one of which has already transfered. This year's team has two seniors and one junior. The rest of the team is sophomores and freshmen. Two key guards that would be starting this year have been injured up until now (Jodie Meeks came back last night). Last year's team was mediocre at best, and it doesn't make sense to expect this year's team to be any better considering all of the above.

Billy's installing his system. Kentucky players now must do things his way. They have to earn their playing time, and they aren't given anything. This is a significant change from the way things operated under Tubby.

Anyway, there is no reason to freak out. This season is going to be rough, but Kentucky fans need to be patient. Check out this article.

This trip is going well.

So far, we have eaten tons of good food, had Christmas, seen our old houses, visited old friends, been in an enchanted winter wonderland, played loads of Wii and Guitar Hero, and seen it snow. And Kacey still has not been scared off. Amazing. We may just keep her around. If she can tolerate this level of shenanigans, I think she may just fit in with the family quite nicely.

Headin' to Kentucky

Well...tomorrow's the day. Finally we get to go up to Lexington. We've been looking forward to this for weeks, as Kacey will get to meet the parents. Lyndsey's even flying up to join the fun. Our "Christmas" will be on Tuesday, as we won't be able to spend the real Christmas together, for the first time ever. It should be a week full of ridiculousness...hopefully we don't scare Kacey off.

I found this great new blog...

...that everyone should check out. I was just randomly perusing the Internet and happened upon this brand new, wonderful blog that ironically mentions this great guy named Justin. Weird...

Anyway, please support the new blog. Put it in your bookmarks and link it from your own blog. There's bound to be a wealth of wisdom and a healthy dose of ridiculousness. Enjoy.

kacey leigh fields

Funny

Why NOT to be a Florida Fan, Part VII

They're smelly.

It's the small things...

My wonderful girlfriend Kacey combined two great things on her trip to Savannah yesterday. She went to (great thing #1) Bass Pro Shops and picked up some (great thing #2) Circus Peanuts to surprise me with them. It does not take much to make me happy. There's only one peanut left in the bag. It will be in my belly shortly.

In honor of the latest Air Force victory...

Mute Math

Tuesday night I went to one of the best (if the not the best) concerts I've ever been to. Seeing Mute Math live was quite the experience. These guys have some of the most energy I've seen from anyone, and they are extremely artistic, energetic, and talented. A pretty good combination for a great live show.

The lead singer was working on a 103 degree fever and still had tons of energy. He did handstands on his keyboard and was constantly working the crowd. The drummer had a headset on, I assume to block some of the noise while still being able to hear the music. He moved around so much that he duct taped the headset to his head by wrapping the tape around his chin and up over the top of his head several times. On one song, the bass player played an upright bass while at the same time banging on a big bass drum...the type you'd see in a marching band. All of these guys ended up playing different instruments throughout the night, a testament to their talent.

There were 8 screens placed together to form one big screen behind the band, and throughout the show there was abstract/artsy video compilations playing in time to the music. Under the screen was a long line of huge fluorescent type lights that when they were all turned on, made it too bright to look directly at the stage.

All around, from the sound guys, to the lights, to the production, to the band itself, Mute Math is top-notch. If these guys don't make it big, something's wrong. Here's an example of their talent. They played their current hit song, "Typical," on the Jimmy Kimmel show. For a twist, though, they played it backwards, just the way it is on the song's music video. Backwards...impressive. Backwards, live, in one take...amazing. They had to learn play their instruments and choreograph their movements backwards, so that when the tape is played in reverse (as it was on the show), it looks like it should...essentially how it is on the music video. Confusing enough? JUST GO SEE THEM if you ever get the chance.



Here is the video of which I write:



And how they made it:

My Midweek YouTube Gift to YOU!!!

Kentucky + YouTube

= Awesomeness.

Reasons I won't make fun of this video:
1. This guy could most definitely beat me up.
2. He is a true Kentucky fan.
3. What he says is right.
4. He is raising his son correctly.
5. Billy Ray Cyrus is the man.

ESPN College Gameday from Lexington, Kentucky

Despite the fact that Florida was better than Kentucky on Saturday, it was still a decent performance by the Cats and a sign that they are for real. Here's what Gameday looked like from Lexington. Enjoy.

By the way, I really enjoy the "Gators Eat Boogers" sign.

Why NOT to be a Florida fan, Part VI

Fish in a barrel. Fish in a barrel...

NEXT!

Vs.

High times for Cats fans...

Big Blue Madness

That just happened

Kentucky football (FOOTBALL!!!) takes down the #1 team in the country, LSU. Soak it in, folks. Soak it in.

Cats vs...

And I'll be there...

...and the Cats are ranked 8th in the nation...

in both polls. Take a picture--it may not last long.

Five-and-Oh.

Although preseason predictions of a good season for the Kentucky football team abounded, I would venture to say that NO ONE would have had them sitting undefeated after the first five games. I sure didn't. Regardless, here we are, and with teams ranked ahead of Kentucky like Oklahoma, West Virginia, Texas, Rutgers, Clemson, and Oregon all going down yesterday, the Top Ten might just want to make room for the boys in blue. And I can't believe I just wrote that.

GO BIG BLUE!!!

Why NOT to be a Florida fan, Part V

One of the better Photoshop jobs I've seen.

Gizoogle your website.

Go to www.gizoogle.com to get any website translated to Ebonics. Here's my latest post translated:

Brotha Pizzle


Really, jizzle a pizzy ta keep tha readership frontin' around 8 or so . Ill slap tha taste out yo mouf. D-to-tha-izzon't wizzant it dipp'n ta down around 4 or 5 . Nigga get shut up or get wet up.

This pizzle weekend (wizzell it started Wednesday night) was great. Lyndsey (the sista) n Andrew (the brotha-in-law) came up frizzom Wizzle Palm. Activities included n shit: jet ski'n, messin' going ta see tha minor league baseball team (the RIVERDOGS!), going ta mah small group, perpetratin' out a lot, runn'n tha bridge, clockin' downtown, eat'n a cupcake, enjoy'n tha Charleston nightlife, n lots n lots of Guitar Hizzy II .

Today, well, I just woke up brotha fall'n asleep blingin' a NASCAR race that was twice rained out n pushed back ta a Tuesday , ya feel me?. Th'n have slowed D-to-tha-izzown.

Filler Post

Really, just a post to keep the readership hovering around 8 or so. Don't want it dipping to down around 4 or 5.

This past weekend (well it started Wednesday night) was great. Lyndsey (the sister) and Andrew (the brother-in-law) came up from West Palm. Activities included: jet skiing, golfing, going to see the minor league baseball team (the RIVERDOGS!), going to my small group, eating out a lot, running the bridge, shopping downtown, eating a cupcake, enjoying the Charleston nightlife, and lots and lots of Guitar Hero II.

Today, well, I just woke up after falling asleep during a NASCAR race that was twice rained out and pushed back to a Tuesday. Things have slowed down.

Africa Hot

A picture of the rear view mirror in my car, with a temperature readout.

Checkride

So I passed my special ops checkride on Wednesday night. Here's the new patch I'm wearing. We have a few more "practice" flights, then we'll be doing an exercise in Savannah for two weeks in September to cap off the training.

Seacoast making a difference

Check out this story in the Charleston newspaper about my church.

Jenny

Stop touching the monkeys

Jeff has shown me the way of Flight of the Conchords. Good stuff.

Just watch this...

If you like Stella...

...and that may be a long shot (but you are reading it now), you will love Lyndsey's new blog. Stop by and show your support!

P.S. Lyndsey's my sister for those who didn't know.

Why NOT to be a Florida fan, Part IV

Jazz flute is for little fairy boys

But guys who play the Super Mario theme on a flute while beatboxing are awesome.

I aspire to be like this 8 year old.

I've been playing a lot of Guitar Hero lately. This guy is my role model.

He has yet to coach a game

In honor of the post below this one:

The best of the best...

Yes, the uniform she's wearing is that of the U.S. Air Force Academy. I'm so proud.

I Live in America's Ninth Most Beautiful City

...so says the Today Show (click on "Today's #9 spot is Charleston, SC"). For whatever reason, this week has been a Charleston Love Fest. My sister Lyndsey called me a little after 8 on Thursday morning to let me know that Charleston was on the Today Show, and yesterday CBS' Early Show broadcasted live from the Battery in downtown Charleston (with a performance from Charleston's own Hootie & the Blowfish). Darius Rucker (Hootie's lead singer) loves Charleston so much that he chose to play this live show ridiculously early in the morning while still recovering from a staph infection with IV tubes hanging out of his arm. Whoever made the decision to put an Air Force base in Charleston, I'd like to shake your hand.

More Crazy Fans

These guys may just rival the fanaticism of Kentucky basketball fans. They do, however, fall short in the intelligence department. A UK fan would have never scheduled his wedding on game day.

Here was my work schedule yesterday:

4:30 PM Show up at the squadron
6:20 PM Formation brief for the flight
10:00 PM Takeoff
4:45 AM Final landing at Charleston
5:30 AM Debriefing
7:00 AM Leave the squadron
7:15 AM Arrive home
7:30 AM Go to bed
1:30 PM Wake up and start the day

Gotta love special ops.

Outstanding article from ESPN the Magazine

This is an article about Josh Hamilton, a former crack addict who made his major league debut this season with the Cincinnati Reds. It's a somewhat lengthy article, but please, take the time and read it. You won't regret it.

What's wrong with just believing in the Bible?

Pope discounts validity of Protestant churches

Talk about convoluted...try to read this and understand it all. If you do, please explain. By the way, I have a lot of problems with the whole "primacy of the pope" rigmarole.

My Theological Worldview (according to an automated quiz)

HT: Mike

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan, You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists. Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 79% Reformed Evangelical 75% Fundamentalist 68% Neo orthodox 61% Emergent/Postmodern 50% Charismatic/Pentecostal 39% Roman Catholic 39% Classical Liberal 39% Modern Liberal 25% What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com

Well, I guess it cut a lot of the results off, so here's what it says for me:

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan, You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists

The birth of the dramatic prairie dog

Not nearly as dramatic but equally disturbing.



And, if you're new around here or are just too lazy to scroll down:

We are nuts...

From a Gary Parrish article at CBS Sportsline:

"Kentucky fans define fanatic

Kentucky fans are passionate. Everybody has understood that for a while, and so when I wrote a Monday column about Billy Gillispie I knew the response would be heavy, if only because anything written about the Wildcats garners heavy attention. I'll include some of the notes in this week's mailbag, but one message caught my attention so much that I had to reply to the guy personally.

It came from David.

It read. ..

Giddy? I just bought a summer home in Arizona so I could register my corvette there because it was the only state with the 4KYCATS license plate available. We are back! Nice read.

Naturally, I was intrigued. The idea of a man buying a summer home (I should really get a summer home) based solely on the idea that a particular license plate was available in that state seemed like the very definition of passionate. So I e-mailed David and asked for more details.

His response was excellent.

A real estate agent told me how to go online and check the states' computers for personalized plate combinations. I was looking for a summer home and had tried other Rocky Mountain States for months to come up with a combination that would look cool on a red corvette, but everything is taken by all the wildcat fans. Found a home near Sedona, Arizona. Looked on the state's MVD computer, and lucky me there was 4KYCATS. Everywhere I drive that car I meet Kentucky bball fans. Bottom of Bryce Canyon national park: Ky fans. Top of the capitol dome in Denver: Ky fans. Ran out of gas on a charter boat in the mangrove swamp of the Florida Keys. Who comes to my rescue? Ky fans who saw my Ky jersey and towed me back, told me if I had been a Duke fan they would have left me there to die.

Seriously, what's better than this?

I've had my run-ins with Kentucky fans in the past, and I'm sure we'll have more in the future. It's inevitable, and that's fine. But there is no denying members of the so-called Big Blue Nation comprise the most-passionate fan base in the country, and it's really not even close."

"The Greatest Moment in the History of American Sports..."

...the commentator of the Nathan's Hot Dog Contest proclaimed from Coney Island, NY today. Joey Chestnut has brought the title back to the United States after being owned by foreigners for nine years, six by Kobayashi. Chestnut ate 66 hot dogs and buns in twelve minutes, shattering the old Nathan's record of 53 3/4 hot dogs, set by Kobayashi, and setting a new world record.

"The Mustard Belt is back in America. It's just an emotional win, a great day for America," the announcers say as they wrap up the presentation.

I found myself yelling at the TV while watching the competition. I wanted the Mustard Belt to come back to our country. A great day for America, indeed.

I wear one of these on my left shoulder

It's an incredible blessing to be a part of the best Air Force in the world, part of the best military in the world, defending the greatest country the world has ever seen. I am living my dream and couldn't ask for anything more.

God bless America, and Happy Independence Day!

Take That, Krusty.

ʇɥ ǝʌıʇɐbǝu

.ɐ11ǝʇs uo buıɥʇou ʇob sɐɥ ʎʇsnɹʞ dɯɐʞ

.ǝuoʎuɐ

.uʍop ǝpısdn ǝdʎʇ uɐɔ ǝuoʎuɐ .op oʇ pɹɐɥ ʇɐɥʇ ʇou ʎ11ɐǝɹ s,ʇı .ǝɯosǝʍɐ os sɐʍ ʇsod uʍop ǝpısdn sıɥ ʇɐɥʇ ʇɥbnoɥʇ ʇuɐɹq

Cool Backwards Music Videos

As a tribute to this blog entry by Jeff Thompson, here are a couple more cool music videos that are all backwards. All of them seem to have the theme of going from disorder to order, which is easy to do backwards. I'd like to see someone do the opposite in a backwards video. I guess that would mean you'd have to sweep the floor or build something. Maybe that's not such a great video. Anyway, which of these three do you like best? Got any others?

Jeff's Mute Math Video ("Typical")



Coldplay's "The Scientist"



Jack Johnson's "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing"

This blog

has very little substance. I have just realized this after seeing that there are six videos in a row (featuring a dramatic prairie dog, a man playing music from the hit 80's band a-ha with his hands making fart noises, and Chris Farley in a basketball uniform.) This string of meaningless videos is only broken by a picture of Joakim Noah doing his best Bozo the Clown impression.

Do not visit this blog in an attempt to gain any kind of knowledge, wisdom or insight. Those on such a quest, please just quietly move on. Try this.

I think he wanted to grab the iPhone

Looks Like Bruce Pearl to me...

Dramatic Prairie Dog

Why NOT to be a Florida fan, Part III

Slingshot Engaged

Chris Farley is Christian Laettner

I haven't seen this one before...

Lions, A Crocodile, and a Herd of Water Buffaloes

The sermon at Seacoast today was based on this video (well, and 1 Peter 5). I'll get a link to the sermon when it's available.

EDIT: Here's the sermon.

My look-a-likes

Since everyone else is doing it. I ran this three times and the only constant was Donny Osmond.

I'm back

After about 6 weeks in the desert, a group of five us from the squadron came back early, for various reasons. For me, I'm coming back early to upgrade to C-17 special ops. It was a good month and a half, but it is great to be back in the States, to have my own bathroom that is less than a couple hundred yards away, to not have to swat away flies when I eat, and to have temperatures under 100 degrees.

Now, a couple weeks off (well, I do have to fly twice) to get ready for upgrade. I really was fortunate with the timing, getting me out of the deployment about 2 1/2 months early, but I don't really like the thought of leaving my buddies behind. I'll probably keep my hair buzzed until they get back as a small sign of support. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers, please.

And yes, I did drive that Humvee.

Going to the desert (again)

Tomorrow, I'll be reporting on base at 5:30pm to check in for our squadron's flight to Qatar. I'll be there for 6 weeks (the squadron's going to be gone for 4 months--I'm coming back early for special ops training) and am looking forward to flying combat missions again. I haven't been "over there" since January.

As I was on my way to work this morning to tie up some loose ends before I go, I saw the guy that sells newspapers almost literally in the middle of a busy intersection in North Charleston. He stands with a shopping cart full of papers, in a space of road between the left turn lane and the straight lanes.

This was nothing new...the guy is there every morning. This time, though, was different. He came over to my window. I was a little surprised that he was being so aggressive selling his papers today; I had never had a problem with him before. He usually allows you to flag him down if you want a paper, without coming directly up to you to get you to buy one.

He yelled something at me that I couldn't understand. As I rolled down the window, I realized he wasn't selling me a paper but thanking me. He had seen me in my flight suit. He said, "Y'all are doing a great job. A great job. Tell everyone that the paper guy at the corner of Ashley Phosphate and Dorchester thinks y'all are doing a hell of a job." I couldn't do anything but thank him. I almost felt like I should buy a paper, just out of appreciation, but I didn't want to cheapen it.



I can tell you from experience that things like this mean a lot to people in the military. A lot. I won't forget that. If you see someone you know in the military, thank them (no I'm not talking about me). This war isn't the most popular thing, and it's hard to keep focused on what we're doing sometimes, especially when we're so removed from it over here. As I get ready to go back into it, this was a great reminder of why I do what I do. We fly as much cargo and as many troops into Iraq and Afghanistan as we possibly can, to keep convoys off the road and to keep our troops on the ground safe. We fly injured troops, sometimes in critical condition, out of combat and into more advanced hospitals in Germany, and sometimes, all the way to the U.S. We literally save lives. I'm ready to get over there. I'm incredibly blessed to be able to do what I do.

I love my job.

Why NOT to be a Florida fan, Part II

Which is vastly inferior to this:

Charleston is awesome

I reckon I got tagged

By Chris Goeppner. So I hereby tag the only other 3 readers of my blog: Dad, Uncle Rick and Bryon.


What’s the most fun work you've ever done, and why?
--Flying jets. The work I'm doing now. It's been my dream job since I was like in third grade.

Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did.
--Fly fish.

Name one thing you’ve always wanted to do but keep putting off.
--Buy a boat.

What two things would you most like to learn or be better at, and why?
--Golf--I love playing, and it's way more fun when you're not mad for four hours every time you go.
--Play the guitar--why not?

If you could take a class/workshop/apprentice from anyone in the world living or dead, who would it be and what would you hope to learn?
--It's gotta be Jesus. I mean come on. I would want to learn everything, really.

What three words might your best friends or family use to describe you?
--Laid-back, honest, determined

List two words you wish described you:
--Outgoing, organized

What are your top three passions?
--Christ, UK sports, flying

Are you ready for some football?

The spring blue/white game is today. And we're ranked 25th preseason (but 8th in the 12 team SEC...talk about a tough conference).

If you do Podcasts...

Check this one out. I'm sure some of you are already in on this one, but this is some good stuff. The Village Church, outside of Dallas, and their lead pastor, Matt Chandler, have some of the best sermons I've heard.

In the Itunes Store, just type in "Matt Chandler" in the search box..."Village Church" works too. Check out the Ecclesiastes series...it will change you. Chandler does not mess around, he does not mince words, and that's really refreshing, if you ask me. If you're not into the Podcast thing but still know how to use the Internet (you are looking at this page by the way...), then try this.

Thanks to my brother Andrew Cornell for turning me on to this, sometime last spring or summer, I think.

Pizza and Beer

You may have already seen this on SportsCenter, but here's an expanded version of the fracas in the stands at Fenway. Read the story below...hilarious.

Dude, I just wanted to know where you got the pizza.

Who are these people?

I mean, really...get a life.

Chris

A little while ago I learned what "HT" means

I reckon it means "hat tip," as in "A tip of the hat to you, sir." I will use my first HT now, and I know of no better circumstance in which to try this new morsel of Internet terminology. (I need to HT this guy too).

HT: Brant

First, there was this:

Then, there was this:

And even this

The headquarters.

I think that this may be the peak of this blog. Where can you go from here but down?

What to do when Gator fans start talking smack:

Bring it...

Read more...for April!

Our Billy...

No Billy D...NEXT! No sour grapes here, as I respect Billy Donovan and his decision to stay at Florida, in large part for the good of his family. He was truthful throughout the whole process. He was very careful not to lead anyone on. I believe that at one point, the UK job was his "dream" job, but after sitting and considering it this time around, he really felt at home in Gainesville. Good for him. Really. I like Billy Donovan.

Now it's on to our Billy. And I really think we can easily be as successful or even more so with Billy G than Billy D. Billy Gillispie eats, sleeps, breathes, lives basketball. So do UK fans. Billy G. wants to win more than anything. So do UK fans. Billy G. sees the necessity of bringing in the top recruits in the nation, first and foremost. So do UK fans. Billy G. is a good ol' country boy. So are UK fans.

Kentucky is back, people. We are back. It may not be next year, but it very well may be. If Billy could win and recruit top talent at Texas A&M (TEXAS A&M!!!), it will NOT be a problem at UK. Period. Kentucky fans are so hungry for our program to have a shot at the title every year that a press conference to announce the new coach drew more fans than Florida drew in a NCAA Tournament game in St. Louis. And it was organized and announced within about four hours. Billy said multiple times in an interview today the he realized his goal was to "cut down some nets." Mitch Barnhart, the UK Athletic Director, has continued his trends of outstanding hires. The baseball, football, and women's basketball programs have been revived as a result of Mitch's hires, and the men's basketball program is sure to follow.

"When you have 24,000 fans, I hope all of them are coaches. I hope every one of them has the unbelievable passion like I do and that they're screaming their lungs out," Gillispie said. "I don't see 24,000 fans every single game as being tough. I see the opponent that has to play in front of that as having a tough assignment. I see it as an unbelievable positive."

It's a great day to be a Kentucky fan. Watch out...the Cats are back.

The hire

This is why you coach at UK

Worst Sportscaster Ever

You gotta feel bad for this guy...

GOULET!!!

Maybe our next coach can lead us back to the glory days in which this old school ESPN commercial took place. Those Cats will rock youse.

Billy Donovan IS coming to UK

The real scoop is below:

Billy D on his way