One of the catch phrases in today's society names 'rages' that we all some-times are provoked into engaging in. Road rage, phone rage, put on hold rage and many others. I have a new one to add to my list, Kentucky Legislature rage. The legislative sessions this year have been so outrageously ridiculous that I wonder why we can't pass a new law that says IQ tests must be one of the requirements necessary to be able to run for State office. Mandatory IQ tests!

The tests should measure skills necessary for making good decisions, skills for comprehension, correct reasoning skills (logical), ethical thought processes, if there is a test for honesty, empathy, compassion they should be able to measure up in all of those categories. As it is now, I don't think felons are allowed to run but no one else is ruled out.

This year the state, like most of the states and the U.S. government, happens to be broke. The major task of the law makers was to prepare a budget, acceptable to all, and pass it. That was the number one priority.

The law makers got right to work and the first bill that they passed, which incidentally ended up being about the only one, was a bill allowing Optometrists to perform laser surgery on their patients. Optometry is the profession of examining the eyes and prescribing glasses to correct the vision of the eyes. They are not required to have a medical degree.
Every legislator in the State received campaign contributions from every optometrist in the State for agreeing to vote for this bill.

Ophthalmology on the other hand, is a branch of medicine that deals with the structure,functions, and diseases of the eye. One person made the comparison with a registered nurse being allowed to perform surgery on patients would make as much sense as letting optomotrists perform laser surgery. v There was a bill presented that would require students to remain in school until the age of 18. As it is now they can quit school at the age of 16. It failed to pass in the regular session. Were the legislators listening to the arguments FOR passage of this bill? They were focused on how much money the state pays per capita for students in school and saw this as an encrease in spending! In today's job market, how many job markets will hire 16 year olds without a high school degree and no skills? Bear in mind also that back a few years ago the JCPS closed Arens Trade School and discontinued other programs that would benefit the student that is not inclined toward the academic persuit but it would teach the student skills and qualify him/her for the job market.

The student with no job skills ends up either on the streets, or prison, or on the dole. How much money comes out of the coffers to supply this student with food, housing etc. Why not keep them in school and give them a chance to be functioning citizens who will be able to get jobs and pay taxes and have self esteem. How often have you asked a little child,"What are you going to be when you grow up?" How often did he/she say, "I'm going to be selling drugs, or breaking and entering, or beating up my girl friends baby, or living in a refrigerator box under a bridge downtown.?" They don't start out wanting to do those kinds of things when they grow up but when they have no other choices that's what they'll end up doing. What does it cost to deal with them then and who pays for them? Why not spend the money now on better school programs that will teach to their needs. Schools that do offer training in job skills that are more suited to their abilities are sorely needed.

A special session had to be called because the legistators could not come to any kind of agreement concerning the budget. They wanted to hold out for cutting the money for education. (I think they are holding out for the chance to make Kentucky rank 50th in the U.S. instead of 49th in education as we are now.) They wanted to cut many other programs also. The special session cost an outlandish amount of money for them to agree on a budget and they once again had an opportunity to vote for the higher age for school drop outs but once again turned it down. The budget that passed went to the governor for his signature and for him to make line item vetos of all the things that had been the sticking points during the regular session. It cost so much money to pay for their time and their lack of accomplishment.

What a total waste of our tax money. However; it was quite lucrative for the senate and house members. They were paid by the optomotrists and then by us for a week extra in session. What fools we mortals be! Perhaps we should try to educate the electorate before the next session. Ciao.

Twenty-four Hour News, a Great Misnomer!

I rue the day when twenty-four hour news stations made their entry onto the air waves! Whatever made the founders think that there is enough 'new' news to keep reporting for twenty-four hours? I have to confess that I am a 'news junkie'and I am compelled to turn on the TV to hear the latest news as soon as I awaken in the morning. It is only with great restraint that I turn the TV off at night without checking the latest news.Consequently I keep seeing the same news reels over, and over and over. If I switch channels, the news readers are different but for the most part even the scripts are the same, along with the film clips.

Years ago breaking news alerts were truly 'breaking news' but now they cut into the ongoing shows to say the same thing they said the last hour when they broke in. Breaking News used to be a report on a major event that was happening. Sometimes a catastrophy, or the death of a prominent world leader, or an attack of some type that everyone could be affected by, but not anymore.

Linsey Lohan getting arrested again, Mel Gipson beating up on his current girl friend, or worse yet, watching Charlie Sheen have his total mental breakdown, Karen Sypher filing again for a delay of her prison term, these are considered 'breaking news'. Radio and TV stations go out and look for items to put on the 'news' in an effort to draw an audience.

The media can be blamed for a fair share of dissention and misunderstandings in our concept of the world today. They revel in having something to stir up controversy. Invasion of privacy is a thing that is rampant today and no one seems to complain about it. They chose to broadcast any and all transgressions in detail even if it does not have any relevance to the general public.

Why did we have to see the picture of the teacher that was caught in a car with a 17 year old student? Why did we have to know that she and the student were partially clothed? Why was it important to know that there was evidence of alchohol and protection items outside the car. The 'grocery store' disgusting news papers that print sensational, half truths for the voyeuristic readers seeking the unsavory details of some one else's life, are made happy by this type of journalism but not the general public.

I am already sorry for Kate Middelton and can predict what she has in store for her. She looked thinner to one of the news vultures and they felt free to splash the news across the front pages of the London papers that she seemed to be losing weight and then mentioned Princess Diana and her struggle with bulimia. They are so viscious. Tom Cruse's daughter's picture made the news paper because she is soon going to be five years old and still had a 'passie' in her mouth. They even did a segment on the Today Show debating the proper age to get rid of the potentially damaging passie. I blame all of these absurdities on the 24-hour news shows being desperate for subject matter to help fill the hours. The rest of the news shows feel they have to keep up or they will lose watchers. They have a hard time keeping from rejoicing when a genuine news story breaks. I did notice that since the Quake and Tsunami in Japan we are no longer seeing Charlie, Linsey, and other devients, with the same news clips, on the nightly news.

How sad that it takes so much pain and destruction to keep the 'news' hounds from invasion of privacy for other unimportant events.

THIS JUST IN!! The Prince took Kate to lunch today and he wore SNEAKERS!The resturant was an upscale resturant and the news reporter said, "No one but the Prince could get away with this!" "You go Dude, I'm proud of you!Ta-Ta." Ciao and Slainte!

Time is of the Essence

At 2:30 Sunday morning we changed our clocks. Since it is Spring we had to spring forward! 2:30 AM, officially became 3:30 AM in just a nano-second. We basically left an 'hour' behind. Next October we will dredge up the 'left behind hour' by 'falling back'. 3:30 AM will, once again, be 2'30 AM! The sun and the moon, the birds and the bees, the dogs and the cats don't go along with this plan, they still perform as usual. Sun rises when it is supposed to, moon rises when it is supposed to, birds start tweeting and chirping at the usual time,(sometimes they seem to be laughing,) the animals want to be fed at their usual time, (sorry Rudolf, it is only 5PM not 6PM when you usually eat) Even I am confused! I went to bed last night at 9PM and lay awake for awhile trying to figure out if I was going to bed at 8:00 or at 10:00. I'm easily confused! Problem is, I will adapt to the early time and come October I will, once again be left in twilight zone for about a week trying to figure out what time it is!
The trials and tribulations of being me, as I frequently say, it is not easy being mw!

Fortunately the St. Patrick's Day parade was scheduled for 'real time'. It took place on Bardstown Road in the Highlands on Saturday. Paul and Tim were participants of the parade. They are members of the Bonnycastle Club in the Highlands. They marched valiantly and made us all proud! President Paul walked with other members of the club and Tim rode with other musically talented members on a wagon and played the ukulale! I'll digress for a minute to say that the uke is not known for its Irish roots, actually it is Polonesian, but the tunes were definitely Galic. The band did have a mandolin player, an instrument that my dad played.

The parade was spectacular for the most part with a few klinkers thrown in. (I'm sure the klinkers were not Irish!) The United States Marines led the parade in full dress uniforms followed by a cadre of United States Army men dressed in camaflage uniforms. There were Irish dancers, Rescue dogs, K-nine dogs, baby dogs in strollers, one dog had a dyed green tail. Local unions, IBEW, UAW the Teamsters, Teachers and a few others were well represented, Ford trucks and many new models of Fords followed the UAW reps. The different Irish clans were represented, Ancient Hybernians, Fire trucks blowing their horns and their sirens, and many, many more. They all had something to throw to the curb side watchers, Green beads, candies, bubble gum, my beads have a Jamison Whiskey medallian on them. As for the clinkers, one girl or maybe two thought it would be funny to spray the crowd with some liquid substance as they ran along. Problem was, it got in the eyes of some of the spectators and one of our own members had to leave the parade with her mom and brother because of the pain caused by the 'substance' in her eye. Very unwise decision! Some of the groups were dressed inappropriately for a family oriented crowd. There were girls in scanty outfits and suggestive outfits that would be more well suited for 'go go' bars. I even dubbed one group the "hookers anon". The participants did not have figures that would enhance such costumes. Mayby it was their last hurrah! Too late.

I loved the men dressed in kilts and the bag-pipes scurlling as they marched along. All in all it was a great parade!

Afterwards we went to the 'Castle' and had corned beef and cabbage with the appropriate brew. All praise to St. Patrick. Ciao. 'SLAINTE'





















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YUM! The Cutting Edge

Wednesday, March 2, 2011, my first time ever to see the KFC Yum! Center.We approached the arena from the Indiana side of the river at dusk so we could see the Louisville skyline and all of the city lights before seeing the arena. There were many people that had parked on the Indiana side and walked over the bridge to get to the center. We were 'dropped off' at the end of the bridge and walked a few short steps to the approach to the entrance. People were everywhere and the predominant sound came from a 'Street Preacher' that was standing on a box (really) railing at the crowds and warning us of our fate if we did not mend our ways. Redemption was elusive to those of us that did not heed his words! His loud speaker system was in top working order.

The feeling of excitement was all around us as we walked in the doors of the arena. Good spirits and joviality and a sense of being in a special place, I must admit, was overwhelming. I was on the escalator before I had my wits about me and consequently stumbled a bit. Karen helped me get a grip and an offer came from a man behind me saying he would catch me if I fell. He also warned me when we neared the end of the escalator. However, I did feel a little more secure by that time but I was reassured by his concern.

Karen alerted me once again when we entered the passage up to our seats. She said the steps were a little tricky, I always found the steps to the seats I sat in when I attended games at Freedom Hall, to be a bit tricky. I did manage to get into the seat and to overcome my feeling of vertigo. Once the game got under way, I was fine. I wanted to take in as much as I could, the lights and the crowd and the music and activity and the ambience. The light bars that are all around the arena that change colors with different messages flashing off and on, different designs and reminders to 'stand up and cheer', the student section behind the basket at the end of the floor, in itself, is entertaining. They have cardboard replicas of certain people's heads affixed to sticks or poles that they wave back and forth. Individual players, coach Patino,Denny Crum, Charlie Strong and others can seem to be floating over their heads. The energy of the student section spills over into the crowd; UofL fans are super loyal.

Since it was senior night, the fans were asked to wear red. I do not have one single red artical of clothing in my posession, so I had to borrow one of Karen's red sweaters. I did,in fact, blend in with the crowd. It was quite a treat to look out over the mass of people and see all of the red outfits.I guess we could refer to it as a 'redout'. Coach Patino had a bright red sport coat and black pants on. Looking mighty cool. On whiteout night or day as the case may be, Coach Patino wears a white suit. I'm glad he didn't have on red pants, he would have looked like a clown!

The Lady Birds, the cheer leaders and the Pep band were all terrific. The Lady Birds have their routines down pat and never miss a step, the fans respond to the cheer leaders and rock the house with the cheers. The fans acknowledge all "3's" with a special cheer, and cheer each and every basket; with an entirely different tone, they make their disapproval heard when they consider a call by a ref, unfair.

The music was lively, fun and at times made you want to join in. I heard lots of people singing "Sweet Caroline" and some dancing to the beat of an appropriat song. The fans were given a choice of which song they wanted to hear, out of three that were named. I can't remember the names of the songs but the one I would have chosen (Lady GaGa) didn't get much of an applause. Shows you how 'with it' I am! Don't ask me which one won!

There should be a special section designated for obnoxious fans. Wouldn't that be wonderful? You could watch the game in perfect harmony and they could watch the game and bond. The one small glitch in an otherwise perfect experience was a fan that repeatedly said," Get ya hands up! Get ya hands up, ya can't guard with ya hands hanging down! Get ya hands up!" Even when the Cards were 20 points ahead he still insisted they'get ya hands up! He had a few more equally absurd things to say but the "Get ya hands up" was said over and over and over. Fortunately, he did not sit directly behind us, the woman that was in front of him and his cohorts was splashed with beer frequently during the game. To say she was miffed would be a gross understatement.

The game, by the way, was spectacular, it was a blow out and 'no one got hurt'.The Cards cinched a double bye and kept their undefeated status for Big East wins in the new arena. They have certainly adjusted to their new home. How sweet it is to be in one of the best venues in the country.It will be a pleasure to watch games there for many years to come. There were only two seniors to be honored and they both got the opportunity to thank the coaches and fans and their team mates for the great four years they've had.

We did not get the chance to tour around the rest of the arena. I hope I get to go back again sometime when we can get there in time to see the Spirit Room overlooking the river, and some of the eateries, bars and what ever else we missed. My first visit was an over the top experience and I thank Karen for taking me. What a thrill!

I do wish that the facility had a name that is more suited to the purpose for which it was built. "KFC Yum!Center" is rather plebeian. Why does the Yum have to have an exclamation mark after it? Why couldn't it have been named after Denny? Oh, how about "Yum! Crum"? No? Well, I got used to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium so I guess I will adjust.

I probably left out lots of things that facinated me about the evening but if I remember anything I left out, I'll write about it later.

The experience was well worth the effort, I enjoyed it trememdously and hope I get to go again! Yum! Ciao.

Is This Saga Finally in the Closing Chapter?

I doubt that the saga of Karen Sypher has come to an end. It all began at Porcino's back in 2003 when Sypher came into Porcino's, a known hang out of Rick Patino's,and displayed her talents. She was provocatively dressed and made moves on Patino. He is a nationally known basketball coach and highly regarded by the U of L fans and many other basketball fans throughout the country. They had a brief encounter, 15 seconds he claims, and because he was slightly inebriated, she drove him home. Why? She is quoted as saying in a deposition that it 'was snowing'. The date was July, 2003.

Six years later she acused him of raping her at that time, twice, and causing her to have an abortion, which he supposedly paid her $3,000 to pay for since she had no insurance. The 'nasty' happened about 3 or 4 weeks before the alledged abortion.

In the years between the 'nasty' and the public becoming aware of it, she had been busy demanding hush money, she shopped for a new home, one that was listed at $800,000. test drove a $70,000. Lexus, checked out colleges for her four sons etc. She was looking for big time compensation. She was not totally successful so she resorted to threats and conned others into making phone calls for her to make her demands. She had been married and had four sons by one man but had made money before by extorting money from one of her bosses or co-workers, she divorced her first husband and ended up marrying one of Patino's co-workers. She had a baby girl by her new husband.

Her existance became more and more sordid. She obviously has no shame.She had no qualms about airing her dirty laundry in public. Speaking of which, when she went to the police to report the alledged deeds she felt it necessary to share with the officer the fact that she wears a thong! Vital information!

In August she was convicted for extortion and for lying to the FBI. (She claimed not to know who it was that called and relayed one of her threats).
Her sentencing was scheduled for October 2010 but she had filed many appeals for delaying the sentencing because of various claims of a conspiricy by her own lawyers and by her former husbands,(I think she divorced Tim Sypher also) and by the judge on the case. She accused one of the judges of being in cahoots with Patino and U of L because he had a checking account at Stock Yard's Bank which happens to be the same bank that U of L uses and that has members on the board of directors. Whew! That's a reach.

She was not permitted to take the stand during the initial trial because her lawyer thought it was the wrong strategy to use so she blamed him and said he was in on the conspiracy.She never got to tell her side!

Finally the judge said, "Enough! Mo more delays". The sentencing trial was last week and she was sentenced to seven years and two months. She will not be elegible for parole because of her lying to the FBI, that makes it a Federal Crime.

The prosecution wanted her to start serving immediately but the defence insisted that she was not a threat so she is still free as of now. She is supposed to report to the authorities in 4 to 6 weeks. Ya think?

Already, the present lawyer, she's had a few, says she has ADD,(attention deficit disorder) or is suffering from PTSS ( Post traumatic stress syndrome). Give us a break!

I am sure this is not the last chapter of this saga! How much longer can it go on? They are now saying her former husband, Tim Sypher is in on the plot, she accused him of child abuse. We are tired of this sleazy,cheap display of this avericious woman. Off to the clink with her! Be done with it! Ciao.

Early Winter Thaw

We have had such a horrendous winter this year! In most of the 50 winters I've spent in Louisville it has been cold, grey, and gloomy. We had occasional snow but other than one year when we had quite a lot of snow that stayed around for a few weeks and closed the schools for a number of days, our snow experiences were negligible. If the weather people predicted snow, the populace became hysterical and trotted off to the grocery to buy gallons of milk, loaves of bread and supplies for a long term confinement, and usually the snow ,if it came at all, just covered the grass and melted by noon. Doc worked second shift and he usually missed the snow because it had melted by the time he woke up in the morning. Needless to say, the schools closed!

Not so this year, it has been brutally cold, and we've had numerous snows, enough for building snow men and wearing boots, ear muffs and heavy gloves. The schools have been closed for enough days that it will be necessary to extend the school year until the 6th of June. (So far,- its still only February).

The city has done a much better job of preparing for inclement weather this year. The brine trucks are out on the streets promptly when snow is predicted and cover about 300 miles of roads before the snow actually hits. It has been wonderful to be able to travel all but the really remote streets during the time the snow is on the ground.

BUT the temperatures have been unbelievable. It has been below freezing most of the winter. Not often below zero on the thermometer but the wind chill factor has been below zero frequently. I have not been truly warm for most of the winter. In an effort to keep the LG&E bills manageable I have had the thermastat set on the lowest possible setting. I have Reynauds Syndrome and suffer from 'blue, black and eventually white fingers and lately, toes' for most of the winter. Hand warmers are a matter of 'to freeze or not to freeze' in my every day existance.

I finally decided to spend a week in Florida thawing out. I wanted to see the twins and Keith and Angela anyway and what better time to visit Sarasota than February? I left on Wednesday, Feb. 9th when the temp here was 17 degrees! Everything here is brown and dead looking and remainded so as I flew south until we approached the Georgia-Florida line when it became green!! What a treat, I warmed up just looking out the window of the plane. When I landed in Sarasota it was about 63 degrees, cold for them but comparatively speaking, warm for me. It became a little warmer each day that I was there. The major difference is that all of the trees, plants and grass are green and there are blooming flowers and trees everywhere you look. When I stepped out of the terminal I could smell the perfumed air from the flowering trees and plants. Each day that I stepped out of Keith and Angela's house the air smelled sweet.

I must admit that it was chilly the first few days, it rained one day but even that was pleasant. It warmed up enough for us to go to the beach two days. The people were sunning and walking on Lido beach with their shirts off (men) and bathing gear on. I'm sure that they were from the cold north and said,"By George, I'm going home with a tan!" More power to them . The following day was much, much warmer and the Siesta Key beach was crowded with sun bathers, volley ball players and beach walkers. It was ideal. Angela and I sat on the beach and watched the activity and got the added bonus of seeing three dolphins swimming and cavorting in the ocean. Oh, happy day! The next day we went back to Seista but just had lunch, (lobster bisque) and sat on a bench to see if the manatees would pay a visit to one of their hang outs, but,alas, they did not come.

On my flight down there, everything went well. Changing planes in Charlotte worked out and we had a nice smooth flight. When I arrived in Sarasota, I found that my luggage had mistakingly been sent to Charlston, S.C. The baggage clerk kept assuring me, "It is not lost, we know where it is!" I slept in a large 'Keith Fitztgerald for State Rep. tee shirt' and
waited until mid afternoon the next day for my wandering luggage to arrive.

I had to board the plane at 7AM to come home on the 16th, which required me to get up at 5:30 AM in order to get to the airport by 6AM. I was very well organized when I went to bed about midnight and felt I could be ready at 5;30 AM with out much effort. No drama! It all worked out and I was in plenty of time and boarded the plane with ease. Angela had given me a "Vanity Fair" magazine that had an article in it that she knew would entertain me for most of my flight. As we taxied out to the runway to prepare for take off, I pulled my magazine out of the bag and then discovered that my glasses were back in Sarasota!! I happened to have my prescription sun glasses with me so I was forced to put them on. I watched the sun come up as we flew north with my sun glasses on. Did I look bizarre? Well two men were wearing sun glasses. One was a blind man with a companion and the other one ordered a beer as soon as we were offered refreshments! I'm sure people wondered what my excuse was. Anyway, one more adventure in the life and times of EEF. Ciao!

Eerie Misty Day

There were very few humans in the park today, as I drove through.There were two men walking down the fairway on the first hole looking mighty cold but determined. They were bundled up in their heavy weight winter jackets with their hoods up and the gloves on their left hands were definitely not golf gloves. The mist was not yet frozen but pretty near. I could imagine their wives at home wondering if they were truly on the golf course or drinking coffee in the club house or certifiable. I think I would go for the last choice.

The whole scene was gray, the ominous looking sky had heavy dark clouds, and the winds were brisk. I could see the men's breath as they pushed their wheeled golf caddies along. The stark, naked trees were gray against the gray sky,the mist was so heavy that the intermitant swipe of the wind shield wipers was necessary for clear vision. I saw neither a single squirrel (or a married one for that matter)nor a bird

A lone male runner, in black spandex pants and a bright yellow jacket ran up the hill near the 'shoe tree'. Looked mighty lonely, but not as cold looking as the two golfers. His helmet type hat had ear muffs and he had black gloves on.

There was no traffic, I met no cars and there were none behind me. I have never seen the park so desolate looking. Could the usual runners, bikers, walkers, golfers have been scared off by the much touted threats of one to three inches of snow? What else could have convinced all of them to take a Saturday morning off? The two golfers and the lone runner were the macho men of the week. Kudos to them!

Twelve hours later, still no snow, and that's a good thing! Ciao