Apr 08 2007
Friday, we went to see Dr. Morse and heard our baby’s heartbeat. I recorded it to my Mac using Garage Band and a microphone. Click here to watch. The silly smiley face image is due to the fact that YouTube does not seem to like files w/o video, and I don’t know how to podcast yet.
Apr 02 2007
As we were training for the marathon this year with the LA Roadrunners, Group 8 would inevitably pass one man on the road who would always give us a lift, who was always an inspiration, and who always wore a bright smile. Ernie Van Leeuwen was 94 years old. He was the oldest man to finish the LA Marathon (only an hour behind my time), and the American age group record-holder. He didn’t run his first marathon until he was 50.
One week near the end of our training, we didn’t pass Ernie on the side of the road. We later learned he’d had a stroke. He was unable to compete this year, so to honor him, we all wore a “94″ on our right arms during the race. The CBS marathon coverage did a special on him, and we sent him best wishes from the start line.
Ernie died this week. We never had a single conversation together, and yet, he taught me so much. Click here to view a video tribute to this inspirational man, and LA running legend. May he rest in peace.
Apr 01 2007
The sports world has turned its eyes on likely the best Final Four in many years, and perhaps the best team of recent memory, only to be distracted by talks of its star coach being lured away by a 12 loss team a few states north (more than his team has lost in two years), that’s low on talent but long on history and hysteria.
We had a a bunch of characters over to Hamlin House last night to watch the games — two Seminoles, one Tar Heel, a Long Horn, and three Wildcats. Fun mix. I’ll admit to making a few “There’s our coach!” comments when the Widowed-Peaked One appeared on screen, and to also suggesting that Ben Howland (UCLA’s coach) said “Good luck at Kentucky” to Billy as they shook hands after the game. I’m as guilty as anyone, I suppose, for contributing to the hype, but I do feel it’s a bit tacky that news of a giant $3mm + offer pending from UK was leaked before the Final Four. I don’t know who’s responsible, but don’t blame Billy. He’s handling it with aplomb, and his team was far from distracted in dismantling the hated Bruins (Fight On Gators!)
I think it reflects poorly on UK. We have to go after the best. We have to let the world know we intend to reclaim our spot as the best college basketball program in the nation. BUT, we do not have to appear greedy, or imperial, or Yankee-like in our desire to get who and what we want at the cost of stealing the spotlight away from four (now two) teams who have earned the right to play in the games we Wildcats feel is our birth right.
I’m concerned with UK’s image now, and not just its wins and losses. If Billy D turns us down, consider it a painful and very public verification that Kentucky is no long the premier job it once was. A judgment that the hype has finally trumped the glory. And given the list of candidates behind Billy, I’m not so sure we wouldn’t still be better off with Tubby’s bulging eyes on the sidelines. UK is on the edge of a widow’s peak-like precipice by allowing its pending offer to dominate the news. Like it or not, and be it true or not, in the media, Billy’s decision will be a powerfully affirming statement about UK’s standing in the hoops world, or a bitter, painful indictment of its fall.
