BillstronBlog

For all of the obsessives out there. Check out Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog. He aggregates UK basketball news from around the country and is probably more obsessive than you. For a constant link check out the Blog Role on the side panel. You can get it via RSS too! Obsess away…

Aaron’s UK Basketball Blog

That seems like an appropriate enough description of UK Basketball. Rick Pitino used this when discussing his possibilities of coaching at UK again. “It’s the Roman Empire of college basketball,” he said. No truer analogy has ever been uttered about our, my alma mater’s, basketball program.

Everyone that hasn’t been under a sports-news rock knows that UK is suddenly looking for a new Emperor after Tubby Smith resigned his throne last week. For the past week rumors about who will take the throne have circulated, and I fear that I may have to eat my words. (What’s unusual about that, right?)
Last week I wrote about how Billy Donovan is a win at all costs coach for his recruiting classes. For sure, I meant that in a negative light. (To back pedal a little) I was hot about Joakim Noah, but may have been a bit rash. I WOULD LOVE FOR DONOVAN TO BECAME OUR NEXT COACH! There I said it. I officially eat crow, and you can harass me about this until he wins his first title at UK. You probably won’t be able to harass me long, so get it in while you can.

Every Florida based pundit, and many not based there, proclaim that Billy will never leave UF. He love his life in Florida. The pressure is low, and he can live an anonymous life off the court. Those thing may be true, but no other program in the NCAA offers more than Kentucky. UK fans are the most passionate, we have the largest attendance, we have the most history, and we offer the most fame. As Rick Pitino, Donovan’s mentor, noticed, UK is NCAA basketball’s Camelot. Billy, come sit upon your throne and be the king of Camelot, I mean Kentucky.

Let the harassment begin…

March Madness is here (Thank God!), and in honor of that, I remind you why we hate Joakim Noah and University of Florida.

This is a frame grab from the first UK vs UF game. You can clearly see a UK cheerleader wagging a pompom in Noah’s ugly face. As the shot continues, you clearly see Noah take a swipe at the pompom.

What kind of guy takes a swipe at a cheerleader? A total creep, that’s who. This guy is completely despicable — an arrogant, chest thumping goon. I can’t imagine what kind of team would tolerate, and thrive, with such an obvious clubhouse cancer like Noah. I’ve always mistrusted the kids Billy Donovan recruited (remember Matt Walsh), but Noah takes the cake. He proves that Billy is win at all costs, and does that remind you of any other past Florida football coaches (rhymes with Reve Furrier).

I’m sure some might say that I’m just jealous that we don’t have such a great player. BS! UK all but shut down Noah this year. It has nothing to do with his skills. I just hate the guy. It is that simple. If he was a teller at my bank and I had never seen him play ball, I would still hate him. Anyone else with me here?

Take a look at the links for videos and other commentary.
Deadspin
bobbyuggles on flicker
NCAA Fanhouse

I took my first real motorcycle ride since getting my bike over 6 months ago, and I loved it.  Of course, I ride almost every day, back and forth to school… not too exciting unless I’m doing something wrong.  Saturday I took a real ride through the hills, and I loved it.  I’m sure that any experienced rider would think I rode like an old lady, but I don’t care.  I’m still a noobie rider that doesn’t have high confidence in his OLD ride, so I don’t feel bad.  Regardless, IT WAS AWESOME!!!  I scared myself about ten times, but if you’re not scared how do you know you’re alive.  I am already planning a ride next weekend with friends.  I can’t wait.
Google Map Ride

You may say (if you’re a foul mouthed adult) “WTF!” In short: It is the coolest fair in the universe. In long: Maker Faire is a gathering and exhibition for people that make things. Makers present all kinds of unusual creations from LED embedded clothing, to battle bots, to broom bicycles, to fire organs (see above pic) and everything in between. I attended last year, and what I saw amazed me. (Look here for some pictures from last years event.) So much creativity in one place is quite invigorating. Makezine (the official magazine of makers) organizes the event and this year expanded it to include two locations, the San Mateo Fair Grounds in San Mateo, Ca on May 19 and 20 and the Travis County Fair Grounds in Austin, Tx on Oct. 20 and 21. I am definitely attending again this year, and May 19, 20 would be a great time for a visit the Bay Area.

Maker Faire

I may not have blogged in about a month, but I didn’t fall off the face of the earth either. On top of all of my class work, research, and assistant teaching, my mother and sister came for a nice Presidents Day weekend visit, and we attended the most unique wedding. In a vain attempt to make up for my lapse in blogging, I have posted some pictures from these events. In here are are some real gems. The above, is a picture of my sister and me about to take a ride on my motorcycle. She had never ridden before, and she loved it (at least that’s what she told me). Also, if you have ever wondered what the ugliest woman in the world would look like, here is a picture of her. Enjoy!
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