Getting to know you-ksr edition

[Padukacat]

Ok gang, since we rarely get to know anything about one another outside of our opinions of uk basketball I thought it would be cool to start a thread we could hold on to as a way to get to know each other a bit more. I've always found it means a lot more to understand where people come from, what they value, what they do for a living, etc. so this is my effort to put a proverbial face with a name and build on the community of fine people we have built here! This is your chance to tell us something cool about yourself so let's hear it, who's first?

[Doc]

I paid my way thru UK by doing Calvin Klien underwear ads.

[Padukacat]

I paid my way thru UK by doing Calvin Klien underwear ads.

See, it's already working, everyone is going to feel so much closer to you now!

[Darrell KSR]

See, it's already working, everyone is going to feel so much closer to you now!
But there are some things we really don't WANT to know ;)

[Padukacat]

But there are some things we really don't WANT to know ;)

I was kind of hoping for something from doc like...I'm a vetrinarian, love bourbon and uk basketball, I'm have a side job as a recruitnik, I taught Steph curry how to shoot, etc

[CGWildcat]

I'm not wearing underwear.

[Padukacat]

5348

[CitizenBBN]

Well we know one thing about everyone so far. We're a bunch of wise asses. :)

Something about me? I've turned a series of debilitating social disorders into a career. (borrowed that line from Martin Mull talking about Robin Williams)

[blueboss]

I paid my way thru UK by doing Calvin Klien underwear ads.

Obviously way back then tuition was next to nothing....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CitizenBBN]

Obviously way back then tuition was next to nothing....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not just the tuition...

[UKFlounder]

HI, My name is Flounder and I'm an alcohol....

Oh, it's not THAT meeting.


Actually, I don't drink alcohol. I've just never found any that I liked. i guess o have enough other issues that I didn't need that one :)

[CitizenBBN]

That's OK Flounder, I plan on drinking enough to make up for you. :)

Seriously I will go weeks without a beer, but I've always had a huge tolerance so I can go out and drink all day and it rarely catches up with me.

Now if I ever get to the Keys permanently I plan on taking it up as my primary hobby.

[KentuckyWildcat]

Padukacat, I'll go first :)

36 years old
From Muhlenberg County (Greenville)
Occupation - IT at Hopkinsville Community College / part time farmer / part time youth leader
Married to a woman that thankfully loves sports
Children - 18 month old girl, debating on #2

Chipping away at a Master's degree...but not sure why...

Baseball is my favorite sport in general but prefer following UK Basketball the most.

Love old cars - I have a 65 Mustang that I hope to restore again in a few years. And trying to figure out a way to get an early model bronco without getting a divorce.

[blueboss]

I can tell you this:

"what a long strange trip it's been"


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dan_bgblue]

Since I can not think of a worthy wise crack, I will break the trend and mention a few things about myself besides my UK sports fandom.

62 years old, and yes I do my own typing on this computer. I grew up on a small farm and at the country standard of 12 years old, I drove a tractor, hauled hay, cut, spiked, and housed tobacco to earn money that was mine to spend as I saw fit. My family was not really poor, but we did not have a lot of extras either so working at that age was very common. At 16 I got my water safety instructor certificate, and for the next 6 years I was either going to school or working as a life guard and also giving private swimming lessons at the pool. That might give some insight as to why I do not like the beach at this stage in my life. I did not finish college and have not gone back to get a degree in something. The campus climate in the early 70's was not really conducive to study and class attendance. I was paying my own way, but the classes really did not interest me, and I did not have the proper determination to make college work for me in those days. Left college and worked in the carpentry and heavy construction trade for a few years. If it had tracks, wheels, a bucket, or forks I could drive it and operate the attachments before I left that trade. That led to a couple of my hobbies which are cabinetry, furniture making, and welding. I love doing any of them when I have time. My other real hobby is picture taking. I would call it photography, but I feel that would discredit real photographers who make a study of the craft and produce stunning images. I just play at it for fun.

Married to the same lady for 39 years, and the good Lord willing, we will celebrate our 40th in the same place we took our honeymoon. We have one daughter, one son in law and 3 grand children. Under the sun, there is nothing like having grandchildren of your own. I really look forward to my time spent with them, and then I can send them home. I call them my rental kids. Fun and little to no downside, except they love the beach.

After leaving the construction trade, I got involved in the retail side of production agriculture. Worked in one job for 25 years, and now, while still involved on the production agriculture side of careers, I have spent 15 years doing a completely different job than what I started out doing. If you have never worked around and with farmers in this country, you have really missed a great experience. They are truly the salt of the earth, hard working, and the biggest gamblers this country has. The average farmer gets 50-55, on average, chances to make a profit from his labors. He gambles that the seed he plants will emerge from the ground and produce a product he can sell. He gambles that the growing season will not be too wet, too dry, too cold, or too hot and he does all of this will a smile on his face, ever ready to help someone in need.

I hope to retire from public work in a few years and then work full time creating furniture and cabinetry for sale, as well as working as a small shop welder that can fix your broken lawnmower deck, weld a cracked car frame, or build lifetime guarantee smokers for the BBQ crowd.

[KentuckyWildcat]

I grew up on a small farm and at the country standard of 12 years old, I drove a tractor, hauled hay, cut, spiked, and housed tobacco to earn money that was mine to spend as I saw fit. My family was not really poor, but we did not have a lot of extras either so working at that age was very common.


That all sounds really familiar :)

I hope to be done with my basement before then, but at my current rate, I'll let you build my cabinets if you want :)

[CitizenBBN]

dan, big mistake to tell me you're a welder. It's a skill I've always wanted to learn, now I have a teacher. :)

I'm also going to bug my uncles to show me, they're farmers and amazingly talented at metal work and about everything else.

[kingcat]

My father was a master upholsterer after learning from some old men building fine furniture at a factory in Louisville. he also taught the trade and it's likely anyone within fifty miles from our area learned from him or his many apprentices. i'm talking hand folded diamond tufting and a guy who could spit long black tacks using a magnetic tack hammer nearly as fast as I fire an air staple gun. Amazing. he relayed the story to me of his first day on the job when he was given the chore of tacking on a black bottom (dust cover) of chairs. He was was taking an individual tack and sticking it to the hammer and driving it in with a single blow, thinking he was doing great, when the old man said "if you're going to work here you have to spit those tacks son"

He proceeded to put a handful in his mouth and quickly bring the magnetic hammer to his lips spitting the head onto the thing and driving them in as quick as his motion would allow.
Dad asked the man, "won't they hurt me if swallow some of them?" To which he replied, "oh they won't hurt going down, it's them coming out that gets ya'"

Dad learned quickly and never swallowed any tacks. ;)

I followed in his footsteps when I finished school and have upholstered more fine furniture in my life than you would believe and back in the seventies expanded into auto interiors, boats, and about anything related to upholstery. I even have a mohair interior my cousin and I created in an auto museum at Swope motors in E-town.

Yep I followed in dad's footsteps there, and also inherited some of his genes in becoming a semi-professional musician. He was a great guitarist in the mold of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. Once he and Joe Maphis (a country legend) played a double neck guitar together at a show in a place called the Gold City Opry here by Fort Knox. I mean they each played the same guitar at the same time. Dad really enjoyed that since Joe was one of his idols back in the day.
He gave up playing out much since he felt it wasn't as unto to the Lord.or at least that's what I believe.
http://www.hendrixguitars.com/Images/Mosrite%20Joe%20Maphis.JPG

Myself, I've done two 45 rpm records (vinyl) back in the 80's (1981-82) and some back ground tracks for local TV stations in Louisville, as well as played in some successful bands here in the State. Let's just say any royalties I garnered writing and performing were not denting BMI's checking account.

And I refused to go on the road full time, instead working regionally doing two or three nighters and the occasional VFW dance or what have ya'. Back then you had to live the life out on the road to succeed in the industry. I chose differently, and besides, I got married and started building a family thank God.

I still play my Strat some however.

So I'm kind of a chip off the old block you could say. The Cats were always a part of my life from the time Rupps Runts came to be. That's about the earliest basketball season I can recall, although there are bits and pieces of a couple prior to that. Being a child, that loss to Texas Western disappointed me so much that I somehow believe that's what endeared me to the program. It had become a quest to win every game and I felt I had embarked on it with the same dedication as the coaches and players. And I loved Uncle Adolph like he was my own family. That loss in particular magnified, and possibly over exaggerated the importance of winning for me. That final loss of every season, brings back the same sick feeling in the pit of my stomach I felt that particular evening.

That's why I'm always totally invested in winning the NCAA title, to avoid the sick feeling of a final loss I had as a kid.
And why I am rejuvenated just like all of you are when each season starts anew.

I also have a grown daughter and son who each provided Donna and I with six wonderful grandchildren (four and two respectively). The oldest is Abby who just turned ten...three days after I turned sixty.

God has blessed me with everything I need in life. And gave me some very good friends here that have helped me get by mentally, and otherwise. :trink39:

[Darrell KSR]

I'm very much enjoying the biographies. I hope this continues. I will post mine sometime when I have a chance and I'm not posting by phone.

[Padukacat]

See this is why I wanted to do this, the people here seem sharp and usually that means very cool stories and interest, love it! On the other hand I should look like the most boring person on earth!

I'll post mine later but I'll leave you with a funny nugget that....my aunt is Cathys clown. Everly Bros song.

[bigsky]

Born in early 50s in Hopkins Co, KY. Raised in Virginia. Been in Montana almost 40 years. Also lived in Nevada and Oregon.

I was a "car knocker" for a couple of railroads, SCL and BN, for 12 yrs until mid 80's.

I've been a hobo, hoppin freights and hitch- hiking North to south on both coasts and from sea to shining sea more than once.

Went to college became a CPA working for Deloitte Haskins & Sells in Nevada and then coming back to MT and working for the county govt before getting hired at my current job.

I have a full time job as the CFO/Controller/HR /building super/front desk,store, IT and security supervisor at the Museum of the Rockies . That ends after 15 years on June 30.

I'm also a politician. I've held elected office 94-96, 97-01, 04-present. I was also a member of the Montana University System Board of Regents 12-15. I brought a two-year college to Gallatin county, embedded in the 4yr Montana State University.

I have a half hour show KMMS AM 1450 8:30-9am Tuesdays mountain time--it streams. My handle on Twitter is @MayorKrauss and no I am not changing it after finishing my 3rd term in Dec 15. Was elected to a 4th term on the commission, with 75% of the vote, but didnt run for the Mayor's seat this time .

I havent had spare time in 2 decades so I am at more than a bit of a crossroads. Hobbies? What?

Two sons in their 20s who watch the games with me and go to the SEC tourneys with me, and sadly no more, my Dad.

I have some extended family in Hopkins Co, Louisville, Virginia and Florida and that takes me to those places once in a while. But Bozeman's my home and I do feel very lucky to live here and serve here. I've been all around this country and few places compare to Montana and even fewer to Bozeman.

[UKFlounder]

43 years old. I've lived in Campbell County Ky all my life (except when at U.K.). My dad's side of the family has been in this county since about 1841, except for a brief stint in Arizona around 1960.

I like history, volunteering as a board member st a historical society and a museum. Genealogy is fun too.

The Civil War is my main interest. I do collect modern books to read and a few small items (bullets, coins, Confederate money, old newspapers, antique books) as well as Abraham Lincoln items. I don't have anything really big or valuable, but a bunch of stuff I really like. A few things are in the museum where I volunteer, which is pretty cool. I also try to blog about the war and have found a few neat research projects, some still ongoing.

No wife, no kids, and am very happy with that.

I grew up loving baseball and collecting baseball cards. I learned some decnt basic math skills by calculating batting averages, ERAs. etc, though I don't pay as much attention to baseball, even the Reds as I used to. I also like the Bengals, which combined with UK, makes me wonder why (or how) I like football. :)

At UK, I was in marching band and basketball band, so 4 years of mid-court seats in Rupp was cool. I had a class with Jamal Mashburn, and was able to see his test scores since they retuned papers in last name order. He did pretty good. :). I also got to attend the SEC and NCAA tourneys in 1995, as well as the Marty Moore Peach Bowl, so that was cool.

I'm @captainrlm on Twitter, though I mostly read it rather than tweet.

[Thedonnie123]

28 years old, born and raised in Louisville (except for a 6 month stint in St Louis as a wee child).

Graduated from Bellarmine University in '09 with a degree in Communication. Ran the school radio station for 3 years and covered the basketball teams for 2 seasons, first as color and second (much better) as play by play.

Graduated and got into legal videography. My mom's been a court reporter for 20+ years. Did that for 5ish years before the stress of entrepreneurship pushed me to switch careers. I now work in insurance subrogation.

Married in '14 and popped out my first child (well, my wife did), a son, Duncan, this past November.

Huge sci-fi nerd, most prominently Star Wars. I have waaaaay too much knowledge about a fake universe that will never serve me any good.

Major hobbies include short filmmaking and gaming of all sorts (video games, board games, Magic, etc.) Filmmaking is regretfully too rare, though. The crew I work with all have crazy schedules, so we usually just get together once per year for the 48 Hour Film Project, specializing in ridiculous comedy. This is our YouTube page: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCp_yo5xW3sMPMYfOxvZcB8w

I think that's pretty much me.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[catmanjack]

Would love to get an invite out to Montana.
The west is so amazing!

Born in early 50s in Hopkins Co, KY. Raised in Virginia. Been in Montana almost 40 years. Also lived in Nevada and Oregon.

I was a "car knocker" for a couple of railroads, SCL and BN, for 12 yrs until mid 80's.

I've been a hobo, hoppin freights and hitch- hiking North to south on both coasts and from sea to shining sea more than once.

Went to college became a CPA working for Deloitte Haskins & Sells in Nevada and then coming back to MT and working for the county govt before getting hired at my current job.

I have a full time job as the CFO/Controller/HR /building super/front desk,store, IT and security supervisor at the Museum of the Rockies . That ends after 15 years on June 30.

I'm also a politician. I've held elected office 94-96, 97-01, 04-present. I was also a member of the Montana University System Board of Regents 12-15. I brought a two-year college to Gallatin county, embedded in the 4yr Montana State University.

I have a half hour show KMMS AM 1450 8:30-9am Tuesdays mountain time--it streams. My handle on Twitter is @MayorKrauss and no I am not changing it after finishing my 3rd term in Dec 15. Was elected to a 4th term on the commission, with 75% of the vote, but didnt run for the Mayor's seat this time .

I havent had spare time in 2 decades so I am at more than a bit of a crossroads. Hobbies? What?

Two sons in their 20s who watch the games with me and go to the SEC tourneys with me, and sadly no more, my Dad.

I have some extended family in Hopkins Co, Louisville, Virginia and Florida and that takes me to those places once in a while. But Bozeman's my home and I do feel very lucky to live here and serve here. I've been all around this country and few places compare to Montana and even fewer to Bozeman.

[catmanjack]

Great great idea!

[catmanjack]

Real name is Donald
45 years young, been a lifelong UK fan in all sports not just basketball and get this I have never seen a UK basketball game live. Have been to two UK football game and of course they lost both.

Graduated high school in 1988 from Henry co.
Love the small towns and country atmosphere.
Have worked in the Auto industry for 26 years and currently employeed as a SR Quality Engineer at a tier 1 seat supplier in Shepherdsville, really enjoy my job it is high stress and very fast pace.

Huge baseball fan and Pittsburgh pirate fan, travel to as many games as possible throughout the season.

Hobbies include collecting baseball memorabilia of all sorts.
The older I have gotten I have started to enjoy visiting antique shops
Have a small coke collection.

[Padukacat]

Real name is Donald
45 years young, been a lifelong UK fan in all sports not just basketball and get this I have never seen a UK basketball game live. Have been to two UK football game and of course they lost both.

Graduated high school in 1988 from Henry co.
Love the small towns and country atmosphere.
Have worked in the Auto industry for 26 years and currently employeed as a SR Quality Engineer at a tier 1 seat supplier in Shepherdsville, really enjoy my job it is high stress and very fast pace.

Huge baseball fan and Pittsburgh pirate fan, travel to as many games as possible throughout the season.

Hobbies include collecting baseball memorabilia of all sorts.
The older I have gotten I have started to enjoy visiting antique shops
Have a small coke collection.

Be careful with that, I hear you can get some time behind bars for such a collection :) Love having you on the board I think your comments are always thought provoking and you express your own opinions and not the status quo. How long have you been here?

[Padukacat]

28 years old, born and raised in Louisville (except for a 6 month stint in St Louis as a wee child).

Graduated from Bellarmine University in '09 with a degree in Communication. Ran the school radio station for 3 years and covered the basketball teams for 2 seasons, first as color and second (much better) as play by play.

Graduated and got into legal videography. My mom's been a court reporter for 20+ years. Did that for 5ish years before the stress of entrepreneurship pushed me to switch careers. I now work in insurance subrogation.

Married in '14 and popped out my first child (well, my wife did), a son, Duncan, this past November.

Huge sci-fi nerd, most prominently Star Wars. I have waaaaay too much knowledge about a fake universe that will never serve me any good.

Major hobbies include short filmmaking and gaming of all sorts (video games, board games, Magic, etc.) Filmmaking is regretfully too rare, though. The crew I work with all have crazy schedules, so we usually just get together once per year for the 48 Hour Film Project, specializing in ridiculous comedy. This is our YouTube page: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCp_yo5xW3sMPMYfOxvZcB8w

I think that's pretty much me.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Boy do I have an idea for you...it involves little brother school down the road and late nights with Katina Powell's posse.

[Padukacat]

Born in early 50s in Hopkins Co, KY. Raised in Virginia. Been in Montana almost 40 years. Also lived in Nevada and Oregon.

I was a "car knocker" for a couple of railroads, SCL and BN, for 12 yrs until mid 80's.

I've been a hobo, hoppin freights and hitch- hiking North to south on both coasts and from sea to shining sea more than once.

Went to college became a CPA working for Deloitte Haskins & Sells in Nevada and then coming back to MT and working for the county govt before getting hired at my current job.

I have a full time job as the CFO/Controller/HR /building super/front desk,store, IT and security supervisor at the Museum of the Rockies . That ends after 15 years on June 30.

I'm also a politician. I've held elected office 94-96, 97-01, 04-present. I was also a member of the Montana University System Board of Regents 12-15. I brought a two-year college to Gallatin county, embedded in the 4yr Montana State University.

I have a half hour show KMMS AM 1450 8:30-9am Tuesdays mountain time--it streams. My handle on Twitter is @MayorKrauss and no I am not changing it after finishing my 3rd term in Dec 15. Was elected to a 4th term on the commission, with 75% of the vote, but didnt run for the Mayor's seat this time .

I havent had spare time in 2 decades so I am at more than a bit of a crossroads. Hobbies? What?

Two sons in their 20s who watch the games with me and go to the SEC tourneys with me, and sadly no more, my Dad.

I have some extended family in Hopkins Co, Louisville, Virginia and Florida and that takes me to those places once in a while. But Bozeman's my home and I do feel very lucky to live here and serve here. I've been all around this country and few places compare to Montana and even fewer to Bozeman.

5352

Unreal bio man...you have my vote!

[Padukacat]

My father was a master upholsterer after learning from some old men building fine furniture at a factory in Louisville. he also taught the trade and it's likely anyone within fifty miles from our area learned from him or his many apprentices. i'm talking hand folded diamond tufting and a guy who could spit long black tacks using a magnetic tack hammer nearly as fast as I fire an air staple gun. Amazing. he relayed the story to me of his first day on the job when he was given the chore of tacking on a black bottom (dust cover) of chairs. He was was taking an individual tack and sticking it to the hammer and driving it in with a single blow, thinking he was doing great, when the old man said "if you're going to work here you have to spit those tacks son"

He proceeded to put a handful in his mouth and quickly bring the magnetic hammer to his lips spitting the head onto the thing and driving them in as quick as his motion would allow.
Dad asked the man, "won't they hurt me if swallow some of them?" To which he replied, "oh they won't hurt going down, it's them coming out that gets ya'"

Dad learned quickly and never swallowed any tacks. ;)

I followed in his footsteps when I finished school and have upholstered more fine furniture in my life than you would believe and back in the seventies expanded into auto interiors, boats, and about anything related to upholstery. I even have a mohair interior my cousin and I created in an auto museum at Swope motors in E-town.

Yep I followed in dad's footsteps there, and also inherited some of his genes in becoming a semi-professional musician. He was a great guitarist in the mold of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. Once he and Joe Maphis (a country legend) played a double neck guitar together at a show in a place called the Gold City Opry here by Fort Knox. I mean they each played the same guitar at the same time. Dad really enjoyed that since Joe was one of his idols back in the day.
He gave up playing out much since he felt it wasn't as unto to the Lord.or at least that's what I believe.
http://www.hendrixguitars.com/Images/Mosrite%20Joe%20Maphis.JPG

Myself, I've done two 45 rpm records (vinyl) back in the 80's (1981-82) and some back ground tracks for local TV stations in Louisville, as well as played in some successful bands here in the State. Let's just say any royalties I garnered writing and performing were not denting BMI's checking account.

And I refused to go on the road full time, instead working regionally doing two or three nighters and the occasional VFW dance or what have ya'. Back then you had to live the life out on the road to succeed in the industry. I chose differently, and besides, I got married and started building a family thank God.

I still play my Strat some however.

So I'm kind of a chip off the old block you could say. The Cats were always a part of my life from the time Rupps Runts came to be. That's about the earliest basketball season I can recall, although there are bits and pieces of a couple prior to that. Being a child, that loss to Texas Western disappointed me so much that I somehow believe that's what endeared me to the program. It had become a quest to win every game and I felt I had embarked on it with the same dedication as the coaches and players. And I loved Uncle Adolph like he was my own family. That loss in particular magnified, and possibly over exaggerated the importance of winning for me. That final loss of every season, brings back the same sick feeling in the pit of my stomach I felt that particular evening.

That's why I'm always totally invested in winning the NCAA title, to avoid the sick feeling of a final loss I had as a kid.
And why I am rejuvenated just like all of you are when each season starts anew.

I also have a grown daughter and son who each provided Donna and I with six wonderful grandchildren (four and two respectively). The oldest is Abby who just turned ten...three days after I turned sixty.

God has blessed me with everything I need in life. And gave me some very good friends here that have helped me get by mentally, and otherwise. :trink39:

Very cool stuff here!

[Padukacat]

Sorry for replying to the posts and taking up space, but I couldn't help myself since I asked the questions. I love reading everyones individual stories and how they became who they are, really lends more to their voice when I read their posts. I tend to really like interacting with all types. With that, i'll give a little background on myself...

Name is Michael, I grew up in Livingston County which is near Paducah which was the idea behind my screen name of course. I actually chose the alternate spelling to simplify my screen name from paducahcat because it just didn't look right, and chief paduke was the founder of the city so I went with it. I'm 39 years old and am married with 3 children ages 14, 13, and 9. The eldest as you may recall is a young man we just recently adopted from china. Here is the blog link that takes you through the process http://hereiammyson.blogspot.com/, and my entries are pretty much only while I was in china, but its a good read and pretty interesting if you want to understand the process and what it takes you through. Its been a journey for sure and he is doing well getting adjusted. My other son age 13 is the sweetest kid ever and seems to be a natural with singing and playing piano, and the youngest is my 9 year old daughter who is one heck of an athlete.

I really have a boring story in that I grew up with a great childhood with tons of friends spending their summers together playing ball and riding bikes. Great parents who were supportive but let us become who we wanted to be. I LOVED playing ball and pretty much spent my childhood doing nothing but this, usually in my own yard or driveway. Played baseball for my hs team and we had a good group that took our little county to the state by defeating the likes of the larger schools such as Henderson, Christian Co, etc. Ended up losing to Owensboro Apollo when they had brad Wilkerson who went on to hit for the cycle in the majors. I played shortstop for us usually but moved around the infield depending on our pitchers. Never hit a home run at any level until our senior year and my first one was a game winner. Had a full scholarship to a small school but decided I didn't want to leave my friends and just wanted to focus on school. I was about the same level player in basketball, had a few fine moments such as hitting a 3 pointer to win a game. 6'1" white dudes from rural counties on ho-hum teams don't get a lot of scholarship offers but I was good enough to play some small college ball and probably would have jumped at the chance because I just loved basketball and still do. Never dunked in a hs game but could do it in warmups and did it several times in tournaments I played in during college, which was like a dream come true. So dreamy I hung on the rim a bit too long and they T'd me up lol. Ive had my stints with golfing as well but haven't done much in the last several years. My exciting accomplishment with golf happened about 7 years ago when I was playing a lot and had my handicap down to about 4, I entered our club championship even though I never play in tourneys, and I went out the first day and shot a 69 which was about 6 strokes better than I had ever done. I was leading the tourney out of the first flight, went out day two trying to not embarrass myself and was 3 under through the first 9 holes before succumbing to the pressure and having a catastrophic downfall to finish with a 75 for the day which was good enough to tie me with the guy that won it out of the champ flight. I was good with that! As for other sports I've always deer hunted with my dad which has offered more cherished memories than it actually has trophy deer.

Like everyone else, I had to go pro in something else so I chose being a civil engineer. worked for a local firm for 3 years then found a sales engineer gig where I sell construction products for a company out of ohio that makes pipe, bridges, etc. I really like seeing people and this gave me about 500 more people to see vs sitting in an office each day. Outside of work these days I coach my daughters basketball and softball teams and try to spend the rest of my time with the other kids. We vacation a lot because you cant take it with you and the memories last forever. I also spend entirely too much time on this board but I figure its a harmless use of my free time and I really enjoy talking UK basketball. That's about it for me, i'm a pretty funny guy that loves people, sports, and good times.

[KSRBEvans]

--I'm 52 years old, grew up in Greenup County, graduated from Russell High School;

--Went to Centre College thinking I might want to get into politics, but learned how the sausage was made and decided it wasn't for me. Still graduated with a BA in Government;

--Went to UK College of Law, graduating with my JD in 1988;

--Served in the Navy JAG Corps for 3 years after graduation, doing Legal Assistance, defense and prosecution in the Caribbean, stationed at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico (tough duty, but someone had to do it);

--Came back to Kentucky and practiced at a small firm in Bowling Green for 3 years, a mid-sized firm in Louisville for 5 years, then had the opportunity to come back to the military and practice in Legal Assistance, so I've been at Fort Knox doing that since 2000;

--Married to the lovely Mrs. BEvans for 27 years (and counting), and we have 2 children, one of whom graduated from UK and is currently serving in the Navy, and the other will be graduating from WKU in May;

--My 1st UK-related memory was turning on the TV and seeing Coach Rupp's final home game in 1972. The announcers were talking about him reverently and all of his accomplishments, and I was so proud of him and our team. Been a fan ever since;

--Besides UK sports, I like piddling around with tech stuff and I've developed an interest in genealogy in the last few years. I'm currently working on getting my documentation together to submit my Sons of the American Revolution application;

--My big claim to fame: went to high school with Billy Ray Cyrus. Back then he was just Bill Cyrus and his claim to fame was playing WR on our state championship football team (and dating the prom queen).

[Thedonnie123]

Boy do I have an idea for you...it involves little brother school down the road and late nights with Katina Powell's posse.

Booooooy, don't you know it. We mostly try to stick to a PG or at worse PG-13, so that might be a tad difficult.

[catmanjack]

Really do enjoy reading about everyone, this should be posted on all boards so everyone can see it and post.

[catmanjack]

Joined the original board with Rainman then just transferred over.
Seems like I have been around since the late 90's, really view this board as an extended family all great great people.

Be careful with that, I hear you can get some time behind bars for such a collection :) Love having you on the board I think your comments are always thought provoking and you express your own opinions and not the status quo. How long have you been here?

[UKFlounder]

Just re-read mine and realized I did not include my name, which is Richard

I found this group around 2000 take or give a year and especially liked the UBB days. I met a few people from those days when UK played an annual game in Cincinnati, notably Big Ron and Nikki, though, UKFaninCincinnati was very kind. Can't forget the man, the myth and the legend of Smokey Pearl either. He was always friendly to me.

[blueboss]

Well lets see first off my name is Mark. I was born in Springfield MO. My father was a MO. state trooper, and his father was the sheriff of Polk County MO. in a Mayberry type town (Fairplay MO.). As the times began to change and my parents family started to grow, after roughly 10 years on the job my father made a career change in order to be able to provide more for his family.

The company that he began to work for transferred him/us from Springfield to Paducah Ky. at the end of my 2nd grade year. We lived in Paducah until half way through my 6th grade year. It was in Paducah that I was introduced to The University Of Kentucky Wildcats. I went to Catholic school and started playing basketball in our parochial league in the third grade, as well as little league baseball and Jr. Pro golf at Rolling Hills CC. I mention that because my claim to fame came in Paducah, Russ Cochran and I were classmates and team mates in basketball and and baseball, but oddly we never played golf together. Mid way through my 6th grade year, and as my father moved up through the company he worked for, we transferred to the "mecca of college basketball" Lexington Kentucky!! We lived there through my senior year in high school (1976), and shortly after I graduated from Lexington Catholic HS my father transferred to Louisville Ky. I had the option to stay in Lexington and attend UK, or move to Louisville...I chose the latter.

After knocking around Louisville for a couple of years I got the ultimatum - get to work or get to school, again I chose the latter. My family enjoyed boating my entire life and with that I formed an extreme fondness for the water, I was SCUBA certified in the 6Th grade, so I decided to pursue a career in the water. At that point I moved to Doc's neck of the woods, Jensen Beach FL. where I enrolled at The Florida Institute of Technology into thier underwater technology program (commercial diving). After leaving FIT I worked underwater for several years, at the time the industry was the wild wild west and very dangerous with not a lot of regulatory over sight, so I decided to re-evaluate my priorities and decided they included a long life, so i bailed and fell back on what I did while in college(bartending) while I decided a direction.

That direction brought me out of the gulf and back to Louisville, at which point I fell into the hospitality biz where I did really well managing restaurants and bars and decided to make a stand where I stayed for the next 15 plus years. At some point I decided it was time to get a "real" job and through the many contacts that I made during my years in the hospitality industry, I changed course and took a job in MFG located in New Albany IN where I've lived and worked for the last 19 years. I'm Coating Systems MGR for a family owned steel fabrication company that has been in business for 100+ years. The department I'm responsible for consists of an electro-deposition (ecoat) system where we are suppliers to automotive, appliance, and lawn implement manufactures. Currently we are producing about 10 million sq/ft a year which is comprised of roughly 75% automotive (Ford, GM, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, BMW) 20% appliance(GE, Whirlpool) and the balance being in lawn and garden, and specialty items.

Somewhere in all that I had a wonderful daughter from my first marriage, which lasted about twenty minutes. My daughter was born and raised in Louisville served in the Navy for four years, and graduated from UL (hold on!! she's true blue through and through!!) she sandwiched the Navy with JCC and UL. She married a Navy man who is taking the full ride. They gave us a grandson (5) and granddaughter (8). They are currently stationed at Great Lakes IL where shes in grad school at Loyola (I'm very proud of both of them), I remarried 10 years ago in May, my wife has two grown children and her son gave us a grandson who's 5 and lives here in the LA.... there's tons more but you'll have to get the book, or watch the cartoon when they come out.

As stated earlier in the thread, "what a long strange trip it's been" ~ Jerry Garcia, and me

[Padukacat]

Very cool blueboss

[blueboss]

Come on boys (and girls), time to pony up......

[kingcat]

Come on boys (and girls), time to pony up......

I think we have a lot of old money here. You know, Howard Hughes recluse types? :)

[DanISSELisdaman]

I was born and raised in Whitley co. Have lived in Kentucky all my life. I am 62 years old and was raised on a hillside farm, where I was no stranger to a mule! I graduated from high school and was enrolled at Cumberland College at the ripe old age of 15. I attended there for 2 years and dropped out and got a job on a surface coal mine and worked at that occupation till I became disabled with a back injury a few years ago. I've operated just about any kind of heavy equipment that can be used in the surface mining industry. I saw my first bulldozer when I was about 4. It was an old D 6 Caterpillar that was owned by TVA and it broke down while they were working on our place and I played on it for a month or so, until they got it repaired. During this time, I decided dozer operating was what I wanted to do when I grew up and I never got away from that desire. I could have had a scholarship to go to veterinarian school and passed it up to become an equipment operator. I have always loved to hunt and have hunted just about every kind of critter around at some time or other. I play banjo, Mandolin, guitar, dobro and a little fiddle. I'm not really good on any of them, but probably better on banjo than the others. I have always loved horses and owned them for most of my life, until messed my back up. For years I did farrier work on the side. I also did some electrical work on the side, as well as some welding and mechanic work. I have been married for 45 years to my wonderful wife and have 3 children, 2 daughters and 1 son. I have been the adult Sunday School teacher at the Church I attend for almost 35 years. I have been an avid Cat fan since I was just a small child and listened to them on an old battery powered cabinet type radio, with my father who was one of the biggest Ky fans that I've seen.

[MickintheHam]

Blueboss, if you knew Russ Cochran in Paducah, did you also know Doug Bell? His dad was Gabby and I believe did sports at WPSD.

[blueboss]

Blueboss, if you knew Russ Cochran in Paducah, did you also know Doug Bell? His dad was Gabby and I believe did sports at WPSD.

Not that I recall, keep in mind it was 3rd through 6th grade. We went to St Thomas Moore grade school. I don't recall a Doug in our class. I'm not sure where or when Russ started his golf, my family belonged to Rolling Hills CC and he was not a member there at least while I lived in Paducah.

We were also in the same Cub Scout troop.

I'll see if I can find our little league photo...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MickintheHam]

Not that I recall, keep in mind it was 3rd through 6th grade. We went to St Thomas Moore grade school. I don't recall a Doug in our class. I'm not sure where or when Russ started his golf, my family belonged to Rolling Hills CC and he was not a member there at least while I lived in Paducah.

We were also in the same Cub Scout troop.

I'll see if I can find our little league photo...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Doug was a golfing buddy of Russ', so it may have been HS when they were friends. Doug's dad, Gabby did play by play for the Birmingham Barons. Doug moved to Birmingham after he married, did TV sports and now is a free-lance golf analyst for ESPN radio and does some basketball on lesser telecasts.

[Padukacat]

Not that I recall, keep in mind it was 3rd through 6th grade. We went to St Thomas Moore grade school. I don't recall a Doug in our class. I'm not sure where or when Russ started his golf, my family belonged to Rolling Hills CC and he was not a member there at least while I lived in Paducah.

We were also in the same Cub Scout troop.

I'll see if I can find our little league photo...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How about Clay Robinson, do you know him. I worked for Clay at his engineering firm for 3 years when I got out of school. He is friends with Russ I believe from school days so I wondered if you knew him?

[Padukacat]

I was born and raised in Whitley co. Have lived in Kentucky all my life. I am 62 years old and was raised on a hillside farm, where I was no stranger to a mule! I graduated from high school and was enrolled at Cumberland College at the ripe old age of 15. I attended there for 2 years and dropped out and got a job on a surface coal mine and worked at that occupation till I became disabled with a back injury a few years ago. I've operated just about any kind of heavy equipment that can be used in the surface mining industry. I saw my first bulldozer when I was about 4. It was an old D 6 Caterpillar that was owned by TVA and it broke down while they were working on our place and I played on it for a month or so, until they got it repaired. During this time, I decided dozer operating was what I wanted to do when I grew up and I never got away from that desire. I could have had a scholarship to go to veterinarian school and passed it up to become an equipment operator. I have always loved to hunt and have hunted just about every kind of critter around at some time or other. I play banjo, Mandolin, guitar, dobro and a little fiddle. I'm not really good on any of them, but probably better on banjo than the others. I have always loved horses and owned them for most of my life, until messed my back up. For years I did farrier work on the side. I also did some electrical work on the side, as well as some welding and mechanic work. I have been married for 45 years to my wonderful wife and have 3 children, 2 daughters and 1 son. I have been the adult Sunday School teacher at the Church I attend for almost 35 years. I have been an avid Cat fan since I was just a small child and listened to them on an old battery powered cabinet type radio, with my father who was one of the biggest Ky fans that I've seen.

That all sounds like music to my ears. Way to follow your heart and do what you wanted, sounds like you have had a full life!

[MickintheHam]

That all sounds like music to my ears. Way to follow your heart and do what you wanted, sounds like you have had a full life!

I hope it's not full yet!!

[blueboss]

How about Clay Robinson, do you know him. I worked for Clay at his engineering firm for 3 years when I got out of school. He is friends with Russ I believe from school days so I wondered if you knew him?

No Robinsons at St Thomas Moore when I was there in the 6th grade.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Padukacat]

Bump for those wanting to post a bio

[Jeeepcat]

Wow, this is cool.

1st cousin (once removed) to a certain (former) sports editor at a certain newspaper in a certain Lexington KY. There, got that out of the way.

Grew up in a place I won't claim in central KY. Lived in Lex for 7 years (attended Transy, UK, LCC and EKU and a few bars). Business Degree from UK, Associates in Architectural Design from LCC and had enough hours for a few more if I'd stuck around another year. I liked the college life. A lot.

Once had a former governor's wife and a prominent female attorney get on stage at Breedings(?) and dedicate "Friends in Low Places" to me and a few buddies who shared a "roadhouse" on Delong road

Lived in Boyle County 7 years (Liked it a lot) been in Bourbon City for 9 years now. Not sure about it yet but I suspect I'll always have roots here.

Dad was a district judge - that was interesting growing up. Needless to say I didn't get a way with anything.

First job (6th grade) was in a cemetery. I have been in construction, owned a restaurant, worked in Marketing for Panasonic but mostly been a commercial real estate developer.

I'm a Halloween baby and I make a bunch of noise about it every year

I'm 45, usually accused of being younger - except when my beard is white

2nd marriage, one awesome 17 YO daughter from 1st. Shes everything I hope to be when I grow up. Wife is a Nurse Practitioner who is incredible at what she does but carries it with her every minute of every day.

Will never get to do what I want to do professionally since I have taken over the family business, but I try to make the most of my spare time

Scuba diver since I was 16, Beekeeper, Early Bronco builder (66-77), love to sing, socialize, goof off and generally not act my age. Recently became RVers. Love our dogs (4) and cats (4). I have been playing Santa Claus since I was 19.

Shave my head, have a glorious beard (for me), tattoos and all that stuff. Big and often loud. Glad I am not the country club type I was around too much growing up

Dream job, to be a dive master on Cayman Brac. I get a little sick every time I say that.

Love this board because there aren't a bunch of %&@^%#%!&%s on here. At the end of the day we show one another respect and that is worth a hell of a lot to me.

Politically I'm socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Sort of... I guess. I jut know that there is no one for me to vote for, ever.

552155205522

[Critter]

Sorry for replying to the posts and taking up space, but I couldn't help myself since I asked the questions. I love reading everyones individual stories and how they became who they are, really lends more to their voice when I read their posts. I tend to really like interacting with all types. With that, i'll give a little background on myself...

Name is Michael, I grew up in Livingston County which is near Paducah which was the idea behind my screen name of course. I actually chose the alternate spelling to simplify my screen name from paducahcat because it just didn't look right, and chief paduke was the founder of the city so I went with it. I'm 39 years old and am married with 3 children ages 14, 13, and 9. The eldest as you may recall is a young man we just recently adopted from china. Here is the blog link that takes you through the process http://hereiammyson.blogspot.com/, and my entries are pretty much only while I was in china, but its a good read and pretty interesting if you want to understand the process and what it takes you through. Its been a journey for sure and he is doing well getting adjusted. My other son age 13 is the sweetest kid ever and seems to be a natural with singing and playing piano, and the youngest is my 9 year old daughter who is one heck of an athlete.

I really have a boring story in that I grew up with a great childhood with tons of friends spending their summers together playing ball and riding bikes. Great parents who were supportive but let us become who we wanted to be. I LOVED playing ball and pretty much spent my childhood doing nothing but this, usually in my own yard or driveway. Played baseball for my hs team and we had a good group that took our little county to the state by defeating the likes of the larger schools such as Henderson, Christian Co, etc. Ended up losing to Owensboro Apollo when they had brad Wilkerson who went on to hit for the cycle in the majors. I played shortstop for us usually but moved around the infield depending on our pitchers. Never hit a home run at any level until our senior year and my first one was a game winner. Had a full scholarship to a small school but decided I didn't want to leave my friends and just wanted to focus on school. I was about the same level player in basketball, had a few fine moments such as hitting a 3 pointer to win a game. 6'1" white dudes from rural counties on ho-hum teams don't get a lot of scholarship offers but I was good enough to play some small college ball and probably would have jumped at the chance because I just loved basketball and still do. Never dunked in a hs game but could do it in warmups and did it several times in tournaments I played in during college, which was like a dream come true. So dreamy I hung on the rim a bit too long and they T'd me up lol. Ive had my stints with golfing as well but haven't done much in the last several years. My exciting accomplishment with golf happened about 7 years ago when I was playing a lot and had my handicap down to about 4, I entered our club championship even though I never play in tourneys, and I went out the first day and shot a 69 which was about 6 strokes better than I had ever done. I was leading the tourney out of the first flight, went out day two trying to not embarrass myself and was 3 under through the first 9 holes before succumbing to the pressure and having a catastrophic downfall to finish with a 75 for the day which was good enough to tie me with the guy that won it out of the champ flight. I was good with that! As for other sports I've always deer hunted with my dad which has offered more cherished memories than it actually has trophy deer.

Like everyone else, I had to go pro in something else so I chose being a civil engineer. worked for a local firm for 3 years then found a sales engineer gig where I sell construction products for a company out of ohio that makes pipe, bridges, etc. I really like seeing people and this gave me about 500 more people to see vs sitting in an office each day. Outside of work these days I coach my daughters basketball and softball teams and try to spend the rest of my time with the other kids. We vacation a lot because you cant take it with you and the memories last forever. I also spend entirely too much time on this board but I figure its a harmless use of my free time and I really enjoy talking UK basketball. That's about it for me, i'm a pretty funny guy that loves people, sports, and good times.

Michael Johnson I never knew it was you. Glad to know now.

Kevin Crider

[Hoss]

Copied and pasted from the premium forum.


5517

First Name: Michael
Occupation: Gov't Security for almost 17 years. I've also worked in the Food industry, been a car salesman, & local law enforcement.
Age: 41
Grew up in: Salem, Indiana...It's one of those small towns that you can't wait to grow up, and get out of, but then feel very nostalgic about, and often miss.
Live in: New Albany, Indiana for 20 years. Lived near Chicago during college.
Hobbies besides UK everything: Musician = Guitar, Bass, Harmonica, & a little bit of Mandolin. I also love singing. I'm the Worship Pastor at my Church. Love to Fish and Golf, but seldom have the time anymore. I'm also a "Home Chef". I do all the cooking at my house, & specialize in Asian and Latin foods, but I can cook anything.
Marital Status: Married to my best friend for 20 years!
Children: One 18 year old daughter, who has zero interest in sports...lol. She always leaned towards fine arts...dancing, acting, music, painting. She's studying to be an elementary school teacher.
Favorite UK Player of all time: Jamal Mashburn
Favorite thing about this forum: The intelligence and overall demeanor of the members. There are plenty of UK fans that give UK fans a bad name. You won't find many of them here!
Favorite Place to Visit: St. Augustine Florida...my family and I have been vacationing there for years! I love everything about it! The history, the Architecture, the laid back atmosphere.
Favorite Food: I love, love, love food...but...when it comes right down to it, it's hard to beat a perfectly cooked steak!
Favorite Teams besides UK: Love Notre Dame Football, Colts Football, Pacers Basketball, & Cubs Baseball.
Misc:Was stung by a wasp at age 4 and had a severe allergic reaction. The medicine that the doctors gave me to fight it, i was also allergic to. The combination put me into a coma for 9 months. Long story short...the morning they were going to pull the plug on my life support...I woke up. Had to learn to walk and talk again. I currently suffer pretty bad with allergies, and subsequently am allergic to every antibiotic or painkiller i've ever taken. I try not to get hurt or sick...hahaha!

Fell in love with basketball in the 1st grade, when I saw that all the girls always watched and cheered for the boys playing basketball at recess. I literally lived, breathed and ate basketball all the way up to my knee injury at 21 years old. Went to a small Christian School in highschool. Basketball was our only sport and we played and traveled all over the US playing other small Christian Schools from about the first week of school to the last week...sometimes twice a week!

Was accepted to UK for College and was going to Walk On the team. I had an Uncle who worked for the Basketball team during the Joe B years, and he was connected enough to get me a shot. I ended up not taking it and instead went to College near Chicago. Once in College, I was on an Athletic & Academic scholarship. My grades started slipping as time went on, and finally enough to lose my scholarships.

I saw the writing on the wall & tried out for and made the Volleyball team, which was going to begin it's inaugural season my Senior year. I completely blew my right knee that summer and went into a depression/funk. I was dating my now wife at the time, and grew so close to her that summer that i couldn't bare to go back...mistakes of youth. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret marrying my wife, just should have waited.

That's when I took up music. Started out playing Bass in bands with friends & family. I wrote a lot of songs/lyrics and constantly had trouble getting somebody to sit down and put it to music. So, I bought an acoustic and taught myself. I've had a few small time record deal offers, had a couple of songs on Louisville radio back in the day, but nothing serious became of it. Now I play the best gig I ever had every single Sunday morning in Church, with my wife on the keyboard and my daughter on the bass!

I've also written a complete Fantasy Novel and a Sitcom, but have never done anything with them. Maybe someday......???


Look forward to seeing what you all post! This is a great group, I think it will be awesome to learn more about each other.

[Darrell KSR]

Honestly, I think mine is going to be very boring to most here, as they know my background and history.

-Father of five, married for a long, long, long time, three kids have been adults in the eyes of the law now for years, although two of them still live at home. And two more are still in high school, so we're still a family of six at home.

-Work for myself, and have an office at another law firm as well that allows me to be as flexible as I want. Also teach at two different schools currently (Samford and Jeff State Community College); have taught law school for 16 years as well, and a brief stint in a paralegal and accounting program at a for-profit college; decided I didn't like the feel of it and discontinued teaching there.

-Hobbies include local sports (mostly following kids, for now), high school and club soccer, volleyball, basketball and golf. I like to play basketball once a week with some old guys and their kids who are high school and college-aged, but not the "real good" ones.

-Also enjoy golf, but almost never play now. Daughter has been a member of high school's varsity golf team for two years, but she's not very serious about it.

-Enjoy live theatre. Haven't performed, although may do so when kids all leave the nest and I'm twiddling thumbs looking for things to do, but for now, love watching my daughter perform with one more year of high school remaining. We counted over two dozen plays she has been in, with performances ranging from a weekend to three weeks for each. That's a lot of driving her to and from rehearsals. Similarly, have been a huge high school "show choir" fan, since before the "Glee" TV show started, and after it ended. Have had kids in show choir for ten years; next year will be the 11th and final year, as my youngest son has zero interest in it. Some of my favorite memories are going to little podunk towns like Albertville, Alabama, and seeing my kids compete in an all-day event, extending past midnight, and watching their excitement as they announce winners.

-Born in Paducah, lived in Hopkinsville, but moved away before I was 12 years old. Went to high school in Mobile, then Monroe, La., and college at ULM (then NLU), law school at Tulane, and master's at Miami. I have weird sports allegiances--Kentucky tops all, always has, always will. But I follow ULM football and basketball, and think they do a good job with crappy resources; follow Tulane baseball and basketball (I was there during their infamous cocaine and point-shaving scandal, and had some tiny part in helping to break the story), and Miami football and baseball.

-I coached baseball from an early age, with a Dixie League team when I was 18. When I got out of college, I coached semi-pro baseball in a league that featured some future MLB players, including multi-year all-star Chuck Finley. We beat him every time we played him.

-Since moving on and having kids, I began coaching kids ball, which was the most enjoyable and rewarding of anything I've done. Had a great, great time coaching my middle daughter's "Navy Blue Angels" basketball team for years, which was really special. Coached my youngest son in basketball for eight seasons. Saw him hit 3 free throws with 0.1 seconds remaining in a game against our arch-rival, with us losing by 2, to win the game and be carried off by the crowd. You never forget moments like that, even though he wasn't quite good enough to make his high school basketball team. Coached volleyball for a few years, and even had a stint as a relief coach with a club team owned by the mother of a current UK volleyball player (Olivia Dailey, will be the starting setter for UK next year; her mom is Julie Dailey, owner of Team Sting volleyball club).

-In terms of what I did athletically growing up--not that much. I wish I had been more gifted. I played a little basketball, a little baseball, but whatever hopes I had of being "good" were probably dashed when I was hit in the eye with a rock when I was 9-years old, and developed a trauma-induced cataract where I could not see out of my left eye. I stayed that way, playing sports one-eyed, until I was 26-years old and had an intraocular lens implant. But I doubt it would have made that much difference, anyway. I was always very well coordinated--won my college's tennis tournament, although I had never really played tennis before, was top bowler on the college league, and had good hand-eye coordination. But lacked speed and strength, couldn't jump, and all those athletic ability skills that you need to be good at anything. So I was never great at any "real" sport, just had fun. Probably kept me out of trouble.

-This community has meant a lot to me personally. I'm a friendly person, and have a lot of acquaintances, but honestly, I don't talk to them as much as I do to everyone here. The beauty of this community is we share a strong set of common interests, and we can communicate as is convenient to us all, through the magic of the internetworld. Have had the pleasure of meeting many here, have regrettably not met many as well. I always enjoy going to a UK bowl game and the SEC basketball tournament because it usually means a several day stay and the ability to interact with UK friends from here.

That's about it for me. Much longer than I intended, and I bet 99% of it was known by 99% of the people here already.

[uklandrn]

Name - Niki
Born and raised in Morehead, KY. I am 44 years old (but feel like I am about 19.) Married the love of my life - Ron Whisman (Big Ron W) - at age 19. He introduced me to this board in 2001. One of the things that attracted us to each other was our deep love of all things UK. We also both loved the Beatles. It was love at first site. We met and went on a date on a Friday. By Monday we were living together and were engaged 3 weeks later. We were married 4 months later - only because Ron was sent to South Korea for 2 months for his job. We were extremely happy for 13 years - until he died from chronic myelogenous leukemia. He died at age 38. I was 32. It has been 12 years and I am still not over losing him. We had one child - Alec -who will be 24 in August - who is not a sports fan - but he does try to at least know what sport's season it is just to placate me. He is currently living in Lexington, KY - where he is the head of student printing for UK. He is constantly having to go to Wildcat lodge to fix printing issues - and yet he has never gotten me tickets! (lol)
I am a high risk labor and delivery, antepartum, post-partum, newborn nursery, and level 2 nicu nurse. I worked at UK for 15 years - then became a travel nurse. In 2010 I remarried. His name is Doug - and he is a private security contractor. He is nothing like Ron - but he loves me and that is important. I now have 3 step-children - Janna -21, Atticus -19, and Decklan- 14.Since we married we have moved 6 times. We have lived in California (L.A. and Fresno), Montana(Kalispell), Washington State,(Seattle, Everett, and Yelm), and Idaho (Coeur D'Alene), as well as KY. I am currently living in Morehead, KY due to my father and father in law both having terminal illnesses. I am still travel nursing - with my current job in Hazard, KY. I stay there 3 days per week with the other days spent in Morehead. I am also in graduate school - through Eastern Ky University - attempting to get my Family Nurse Practitioner degree. I hope to finish in May 2018. I am just finishing up my second class. I can say right now I hate this class. It is all about research and statistics. Only one more class like that I may possibly enjoy the program. As soon as I am finished and pass boards - I plan to move back out west - to Montana or Idaho. My heart is in the mountains.
I started loving UK basketball as a small child - listening to Cawood on the radio with my father and grandfather. I cant pick my favorite player. I love football - especially college football. I used to really love baseball - but now I only care during the world series. I do however like going to baseball games.

I originally had a vocal music scholarship coming out of high school. I wanted to be a choral director - but due throat issues it became apparent I needed to change my major. I think I made a good decision with the nursing profession.

My hobbies are reading (especially biographies, true crime, history), watching sports, and animals. I have 3 dogs - a german shepherd, a redbone coonhound, and beagle mix - but could honestly end up an animal hoarder if left to my own devices. I had a cat - but my step son Atticus took it when he moved in with Alec. Atticus is a freshman at UK.

Sorry if this is the most rambling thing ever written. I just finished a 10 page paper and a power point presentation for grad school - so I used all of my editing eye for those 2 assignments.

[TNCat]

Name - Greg Marret
Current City - Knoxville, TN
Age - 52

I was born in Owensboro, Ky. At an early age, my father was transferred to Terre Haute, In. After several years of working in industry, my father chose to enter the ministry. So, yes, I am a baptist preachers kid. Growing-up we moved several times in various locations in Southern IN and Western KY. I was not the typical preacher's kid. I wasn't the meanest kid on the block but I surely wasn't interested in following my father in the ministry!

My father was a huge UK basketball fan and I fell in love with it while watching it with him. Living in Huntingburg, IN in the mid 70's and being a UK fan was not always fun. I guess I heard every stupid KY joke around. However, I enjoyed living there and sports were a big part of my growing-up. High School basketball was huge and we had some really nice teams.

After my freshman year, we moved back to Owensboro. My senior year, we moved west to Marion, KY. Sports were a large part of my high school experience. They allowed my to adapt to a new school and aclimate into the student body (I went to three high schools). I had opportunities to play college football but mainly with division III schools such as Centre College in Danville.

My wife and I met at Murray State where I studied business with a major in accounting. We have been married for almost 30 years and we have two teenage daughters. I married well above my station in life!

We have lived in Knoxville, TN for 28 years. No, I do not cheer for the ugly orange. I tried for a brief period of time but I just couldn't do it! However, Knoxville is a great city which has become home. I have a small accounting firm that services a variety of small to medium sized businesses.

Besides following UK sports, I spend a fair amount of time on the soccer field with my daughters. When I can get away, I enjoy all things outdoors. Flyfishing is my first passion but I also enjoy hunting and recreational shooting.

I've been a member of this board for several years. I really like the discussion without all of the drama. We don't always agree but we all want to see our cats do well. We all get frustrated at times but often, that is just a sign of our passion for our Cats.

I have been blessed to have found a good friend who has tickets to Rupp. I typically get to a couple of games a year. I usually get to go to one of the big games each year. My favorite game was the UNC game when Anthony Davis blocked the shot to end the game. I think my hearing was damaged when the arena went absolutely crazy.

[Jeeepcat]

hope to finish in May 2018. I am just finishing up my second class. I can say right now I hate this class. It is all about research and statistics. Only one more class like that I may possibly enjoy the program. As soon as I am finished and pass boards - I plan to move back out west - to Montana or Idaho. My heart is in the mountains.
I started loving UK basketball as a small child - listening to Cawood on the radio with my father and grandfather. I cant pick my favorite player. I love football - especially college football. I used to really love baseball - but now I only care during the world series. I do however like going to baseball games.

I originally had a vocal music scholarship coming out of high school. I wanted to be a choral director - but due throat issues it became apparent I needed to change my major. I think I made a good decision with the nursing profession.

My hobbies are reading (especially biographies, true crime, history), watching sports, and animals. I have 3 dogs - a german shepherd, a redbone coonhound, and beagle mix - but could honestly end up an animal hoarder if left to my own devices. I had a cat - but my step son Atticus took it when he moved in with Alec. Atticus is a freshman at UK.

Sorry if this is the most rambling thing ever written. I just finished a 10 page paper and a power point presentation for grad school - so I used all of my editing eye for those 2 assignment.

True story lol. My wife is an NP and her family calls her Niki :-)

She got her masters at UK 03-06 and we started dating like the month before.

The first day of class she looked at me and said "it's a shame really, I really like you but I don't think you'll make it through this"

....I had no idea lmao

Her worst, most miserable class was applied statistics taught by a professor whose English was beyond broken.

It was so bad that by the time it was done I had my own notebook filled up from her notes, tests and assignments. I had also contacted my stats professor from 8 years earlier and he couldn't decipher much of what the professor was doing.

She made it, you'll make it.

I truly believe that great nurses are born and made into super heroes through living it. I am sure your one of those ;-) (not that you need my validation lol)

[uklandrn]

JeepCat - I so appreciate your words of encouragement. I needed that this morning. Some days my resolve to finish this degree leaves me. I am hoping I can just keep on keeping on for a little longer. I look forward to being the 2nd Niki NP that you are acquainted with!

[KentuckyWildcat]

lived in Hopkinsville, but moved away before I was 12 years old

Did not know this. Let me know if you ever return. You can buy my lunch. :) I doubt it has changed much since you left....

[bigsky]

Was in Hoptown for Dad's funereal in December. The strip to Tennessee was bigger and exhibit A against car oriented sprawl.

Driving south on 41A from Adams grocery in Mortons Gap to Hopkinsville still echoed my trips from 50 years ago, although Mannington is a burnt out ruin. Maybe it always was?

Ma & Pa Adams' house was still 20' from 41A, and, while I wasnt born in the back of a Grayhound bus travellin down hiway 41, I surely was sleeping in that front bedroom when the old dog and the newborn Dickie Betts sang by. When Emmylou Harris sings, "listening to the trucks as they roll down 95 and pretending it's the ocean'", she doesnt know half of it. Those semi truck tires would sing all night long and would rattle the walls and windows as they went by.

[Padukacat]

Michael Johnson I never knew it was you. Glad to know now.

Kevin Crider
Ha yep it's me, you're the one that introduced me to this board so I've tried to drop some hints in the past but I guess they weren't too obvious.

[Padukacat]

These are great btw, I can see why we have great convo on this board, I'm glad to be a part of it.

[Padukacat]

Since I can not think of a worthy wise crack, I will break the trend and mention a few things about myself besides my UK sports fandom.

62 years old, and yes I do my own typing on this computer. I grew up on a small farm and at the country standard of 12 years old, I drove a tractor, hauled hay, cut, spiked, and housed tobacco to earn money that was mine to spend as I saw fit. My family was not really poor, but we did not have a lot of extras either so working at that age was very common. At 16 I got my water safety instructor certificate, and for the next 6 years I was either going to school or working as a life guard and also giving private swimming lessons at the pool. That might give some insight as to why I do not like the beach at this stage in my life. I did not finish college and have not gone back to get a degree in something. The campus climate in the early 70's was not really conducive to study and class attendance. I was paying my own way, but the classes really did not interest me, and I did not have the proper determination to make college work for me in those days. Left college and worked in the carpentry and heavy construction trade for a few years. If it had tracks, wheels, a bucket, or forks I could drive it and operate the attachments before I left that trade. That led to a couple of my hobbies which are cabinetry, furniture making, and welding. I love doing any of them when I have time. My other real hobby is picture taking. I would call it photography, but I feel that would discredit real photographers who make a study of the craft and produce stunning images. I just play at it for fun.

Married to the same lady for 39 years, and the good Lord willing, we will celebrate our 40th in the same place we took our honeymoon. We have one daughter, one son in law and 3 grand children. Under the sun, there is nothing like having grandchildren of your own. I really look forward to my time spent with them, and then I can send them home. I call them my rental kids. Fun and little to no downside, except they love the beach.

After leaving the construction trade, I got involved in the retail side of production agriculture. Worked in one job for 25 years, and now, while still involved on the production agriculture side of careers, I have spent 15 years doing a completely different job than what I started out doing. If you have never worked around and with farmers in this country, you have really missed a great experience. They are truly the salt of the earth, hard working, and the biggest gamblers this country has. The average farmer gets 50-55, on average, chances to make a profit from his labors. He gambles that the seed he plants will emerge from the ground and produce a product he can sell. He gambles that the growing season will not be too wet, too dry, too cold, or too hot and he does all of this will a smile on his face, ever ready to help someone in need.

I hope to retire from public work in a few years and then work full time creating furniture and cabinetry for sale, as well as working as a small shop welder that can fix your broken lawnmower deck, weld a cracked car frame, or build lifetime guarantee smokers for the BBQ crowd.

looked back at this to see if Dan mentioned anything that would assist in tracking him down, but nothing specific here. Prayers to Dan, hopefully he just took a break from posting...which I could understand.

[KentuckyWildcat]

looked back at this to see if Dan mentioned anything that would assist in tracking him down, but nothing specific here. Prayers to Dan, hopefully he just took a break from posting...which I could understand.

Thank you, I was looking for this thread last night.

[Darrell KSR]

Thought we might enjoy looking back at this thread during our time away from sports!

[kingcat]

I have

[blueboss]

Yep,

Update, my daughter is with child. She is due in August, her husband just got back from Bahrain yesterday after a 259 day deployment.

For those of you doing the math, they have been going through an IVF journey. They had several healthy fertilized eggs that had been previously frozen so they could be implanted as her round of drugs and cycle was completed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk