CoffeeSpoons

2010-11-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

No Tolls on EXISTING Bridges!

The Ohio River Bridges Project (ORBP) has become a highly controversial topic of late in these parts, due largely to the planners' intent to fund the project with tolls. I have admittedly not studied the project in great detail, and I do not profess to know all of the provisions and nuances pertaining to it. Still, I have a basic understanding of the project and as a life-long resident of the Louisville and Southern Indiana area, I have some very definite ideas.

The current plan, as I understand it, calls for the building of two new bridges: an East End bridge and another downtown bridge close to the Kennedy. The plan also calls for a revamping of Spaghetti Junction. It is contemplated that the project is to be funded in part by tolls--not only on the new bridges, but also on our existing bridges that have been paid for long ago.

The current plan causes me great concern and consternation on a couple of levels. First, I question why it is deemed necessary to build two bridges at the same time. I submit that anyone who has lived in this area for any length of time understands that an East End bridge is badly needed. The same cannot be said for a new downtown bridge. I believe that an East End bridge alone will alleviate most of the traffic problems that we currently have. Why not proceed with the East End bridge first, and then evaluate the traffic flow after its completion?

My second area of grave concern involves the imposition of tolls on existing bridges. I think that many people incorrectly assume that the proposed tolls being discussed apply only to the new bridges. If that were the case, I would have no problem with it. It would seem fair for someone to have to pay to use a new bridge until that bridge has been fully paid for. The same logic does not apply as a requirement for using bridges that we have all been using freely for many years. I would suggest that toll protesters change their signs from "No Tolls" to "No Tolls on Existing Bridges" to help the public understand what is actually being discussed here.

It does not seem that those in charge of the ORBP have adequately considered the impact that placing tolls on our existing bridges could have upon commerce in our area. The imposition of tolls on existing bridges could, it seems to me, greatly hamper businesses in both Southern Indiana and Louisville. I fear that Southern Indiana businesses would get the worst of it.

In the final analysis, I find the proposal to place tolls on our existing bridges to be ill advised, unfair and outrageous. I hope that all individuals who feel the same will let their voices be heard loudly and clearly--"NO TOLLS ON EXISTING BRIDGES!"

2010-10-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

KENTUCKY RACE FOR U.S. SENATE

If I lived in Kentucky I would almost certainly be voting for Democrat Jack Conway in this year's race for United States Senate, because I find that I agree with him on most of the important issues. He is a promising leader who inspires confidence. I must admit that there is a part of me, though, that kind of wants his Republican opponent Rand Paul to win, just for the entertainment value of seeing what might unfold with him in office for the next six years.

I find Paul's involvement in the NoZe Brotherhood during his college years at Baylor University to be most intriguing. The anonymous allegation regarding a college prank involving abduction, forced pot smoking and the worship of "Aqua Buddha" is bizarre and somewhat hilarious. But Rand Paul's take on the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and the extremely limited role that he believes government should play in our lives, is disconcerting and rather frightening. His ideas are too unorthodox for me to take seriously, and this causes me some concern because it is looking like Paul may well win the election.

In the end, it's a moot point because I live in Indiana and am not eligible to vote in the Conway-Paul race. But I'll be watching with interest to see who wins.

2010-07-22T06:33:00.000-07:00

HANGIN' WITH WILEY

During my daily workouts this week at the YMCA, I've been seeing a lot of Wiley Brown. This is the week for his annual basketball camp for kids at the Y.

Wiley was a key member of the 1980 University of Louisville Cardinals National Championship basketball team, and he is now the coach of the IU Southeast Grenadiers. I have always been a Louisville Cardinals fan, and I attended law school at U of L. I also got my undergraduate degree at IU Southeast, so I now have a double rooting interest involving Wiley. He had a fantastic season with the Grenadiers last year, and he has really put them on the local recruiting map. Things are really looking up for IU Southeast basketball with Wiley at the helm.

I have had the opportunity to chat some with Wiley this week, and I have enjoyed the experience very much. We are close to the same age. I look up to the man--both literally and figuratively. (He is a foot taller than I am.) He's a great guy, very unassuming and easy to talk to. He also seems to have a good way of communicating with the kids.

It is nice having him in New Albany.

2010-06-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

SOME LIKE IT HOT

The current heat wave reminds me of the days when I used to play a lot of baseball and later, as an adult, softball. Intense heat never seemed to bother me when I was playing. In fact, it somehow seemed to energize me. I loved to pitch, and I always thought that if I was in excellent physical condition the extreme heat could become a disadvantage to my opponents, but not to me.

I still don't mind the heat. I will take it over cold and snow any day. When I step outside and feel a searing blast of scalding air, it makes me long to be back on the mound with a baseball in my hand. In my mind's eye, I can see the tableau of the batter, catcher and umpire awaiting my delivery. I can perceive the sweat rolling down my back as I realize that all eyes are on me, waiting to see what will happen. I can feel the stitches of the ball snapping off of my fingers as I drive my body toward the plate to complete my delivery. And I love it.

The heat causes me to recall some great times--times when I felt very alive and very powerful. As I am finishing this posting, it is currently 90 degrees outside. The forecasters are saying that it will reach 95 degrees later today. Unlike some, I will not be complaining about the weather. Instead, I will enjoy the warmth and revel in the memories.

2010-06-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

HOMOPHOBIC SLURS NOT PERMISSIBLE IN LEGAL ADVOCACY

For all of the criticism that it takes, the legal profession generally does an outstanding job of policing its own. In Indiana, for instance, we have a standing disciplinary commission with a full-time executive director in place to investigate any claims of unethical or improper conduct by attorneys. Claims of misconduct are thoroughly and seriously investigated, and stern disciplinary measures, including suspension or disbarment, are meted out to those found to be in violation of the rules of professional responsibility.

Even in dealing with someone in what might be considered to be a personal setting, an attorney must be careful not to run afoul of the rules. A good example of this recently occurred when an Indianapolis attorney received a public reprimand from the Indiana Supreme Court for the way in which she dealt with a collector who was making harassing phone calls to her home.

According to the court's order, the attorney began receiving persistent messages on her unlisted phone number from a company asking for someone by the name of her husband. The attorney called the toll-free number back and spoke with a male representative. She identified her husband as her client. She perceived the representative to have a "feminine-sounding voice," and she then asked him if he was "gay" or "sweet." The company representative commented on the unprofessional nature of the question, and the phone conversation ended abruptly. A complaint was then made to the disciplinary commission about the lawyer's conduct.

Indiana Professional Conduct Rule 8.4 (g) prohibits a lawyer from engaging in conduct, in a professional capacity, that manifests bias or prejudice based on sexual orientation. The attorney was found to be in violation of this rule and, accordingly, was publicly reprimanded by our highest court.

2010-05-12T07:43:00.001-07:00

KAGAN A SOLID CHOICE FOR THE SUPREME COURT

Sometime last year I began familiarizing myself with U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan because I had read that she was likely to be considered for the U.S. Supreme Court in the event that an opening should arise. That prospect became a reality when President Barack Obama recently chose Kagan as his nominee to replace Justice John Paul Stevens, who at the age of 90 has announced his retirement from the nation's highest court.

Politics being what they are, I suspect that some in the Republican ranks will find reasons to oppose the nomination. Notwithstanding that reality, I must say that I have thus far not found a single thing that causes me any concern about the nomination of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court. To the contrary, she seems to be uniquely and eminently qualified to serve.

It does seem strange that someone just a year older than I am is now being considered for the U.S. Supreme Court. Could it be that, having recently turned 50, Kagan will be challenged on the basis of her extreme youth? Alas, I realize that no one around my age will ever be referred to as a spring chicken again.

Kagan has served as the Solicitor General since March of 2009. She is the past dean of Harvard Law School, and she previously served as White House counsel to President Bill Clinton. She served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and Abner Mikva of the U.S. Court of Appeals. By all accounts, she is engaging and open-minded. I can't really think of a better background for the Supreme Court--unless perhaps if she had practiced as a litigator in southern Indiana for 23 years or so.

Some may question the fact that Elena Kagan has never previously served as a judge, but any argument based on that fact strikes me as being specious. There are a variety of avenues to prominence and respect in the legal community. Lower level judicial experience can be a good thing, but it is certainly not a prerequisite to service on the high court. As has been pointed out, the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist--who served admirably on the court for decades--had no prior judicial experience at the time of his nomination.

It will be interesting to watch the debate unfold regarding the nomination of Elena Kagan. I, for one, think that she is an excellent choice.

2010-05-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

THE IMMIGRATION DILEMMA

Like many people, I am troubled by illegal immigration and the massive toll that it clearly imposes upon our national resources. At the same time I am very concerned about aggressive efforts, such as the one recently undertaken in Arizona, to ferret out those who may be here illegally by extending enhanced powers to law enforcement officers. A big problem, it seems to me, is that it would be difficult if not impossible for officers to proceed to use such powers without engaging in unfair racial profiling and stereotyping.

Our history as a nation shows that unchecked police authority is fraught with danger and difficulty. We should learn from our troubled history. We should be better than that. When racial profiling and stereotyping are condoned, the liberty of everyone is at risk.

I don't know what the answer is. I will be watching with interest though, hoping that our government officials proceed with caution. If history has taught us one thing, it should be this: We must be concerned for the rights of all.

2010-04-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

LAWYERS IN THE LEGISLATURE

The Chief Justice of Indiana, Randall T. Shepard, recently penned a thought-provoking article entitled, "Making good law requires more lawyers." The piece appears in the April edition of Res Gestae, the journal of the Indiana State Bar Association. The Chief Justice observes that Indiana, like many other states, has seen a decline in lawyer-legislators, and he opines that this is a bad thing. Public service in this mode is often rendered to the detriment of one's own legal practice, and fewer attorneys have been willing to make that sacrifice. The gist of the article, briefly stated, is that our state is better served when more attorneys are willing to serve their communities by running for, and thereafter serving in, the legislature.

It is difficult for me to say this without sounding somewhat provincial, but I strongly agree with the thesis of the article. I don't in any way mean to suggest that those untrained in the law are incapable of serving well in the legislature; that is clearly not the case. But it makes sense, it seems to me, to have as many legally trained minds as possible involved in creating the laws that govern our society.

Commenting upon the recent decline in the number of lawyer-legislators, Chief Justice Shepard concludes that, "The Public at large is not well served by this paucity of legal voice."

He goes on to note that, "The special contributions of the legally trained mind to the deliberations of multi-member bodies, our special talent for problem-solving, and our general attitude of commitment to the common good seem to me good arguments for why the end product in public policy, not just in craftsmanship, is better when a good number of our profession are engaged." I am inclined to agree.

This topic is of particular interest because there is currently a local race for state representative pitting a lawyer challenger against a non-lawyer incumbent. While the challenger's status as an attorney is far from the most important issue to me, it definitely is a factor to be considered. I agree with the Chief Justice that it generally behooves us to have more lawyers in our legislature.

2010-04-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

IT'S A BOONDOGGLE!

At a recent meeting of the Louisville and Southern Indiana Bridges Authority, a sign-carrying protester voiced his displeasure with the Ohio River bridges project by yelling, "It's a boondoggle!" The occurrence has been widely reported in the local print media. Sadly, I have as yet seen no footage of the incident, nor have I heard any recording of it.

I have to smile when I picture this episode unfolding. What were the reactions of the committee members? Did people laugh? Was there an awkward silence? Were people shocked at the lack of decorum? My purpose in posting this is not to express an opinion on the bridges project, but rather to remark on what must have been an amusing public occurrence.

The word itself is funny. Boondoggle. According to Merriam-Webster, it means, "A wasteful or impractical project or activity often involving graft." It is a fetching word that I have not heard used very often. In this instance, the word clearly and succinctly expressed the speaker's feelings about the project.

I like the word. I think I'll have to add it to my repertoire and begin using it whenever possible. Perhaps I'll find some occasion when I can shout it out in a public forum. Meanwhile, if you happen to have been present at the meeting and would like to comment about the incident, please do. I would love to hear more about it.

2010-04-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

BE "FORE" WARNED!

The Indiana Court of Appeals recently held that a participant in a golf scramble was not entitled to maintain a lawsuit for injuries she sustained when she was hit in the mouth by an errant golf ball. The suit was brought by Cassie Pfenning, who was sixteen years old when she volunteered to operate a beverage cart at a scramble sponsored by a bar called Whitey's and held at the Elks golf course in Marion.

Cassie was on a cart path near the 18th hole when, without having heard any warning, she was struck in the mouth by a golf ball that had traveled more than two hundred feet. She sustained injuries to her mouth, jaw and teeth. She filed suit against the golfer who had hit the ball, the sponsor of the scramble and the Elks lodge where the scramble was held.

The court rejected the plaintiff's claims. In doing so, it noted longstanding Indiana law which has held that there is no duty from one participant in a sports activity to another to prevent injury resulting from an inherent risk of the sport. Cassie's attorneys argued that she was not a "participant" in the golf scramble because she was only driving a beverage cart, but the court rejected that argument. The court held that although Cassie was not actually playing golf herself, she clearly was a part of the sports event involved. Because being hit by a stray golf ball is one of the inherent risks in the game, the plaintiff was not entitled to maintain her lawsuit.

The decision is Pfenning v. Lineman, 922 N.E.2d 45 (Ind. App. 2010).

2010-03-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

UP IN SMOKE?

Early this morning, the Bottles Unlimited liquor store in New Albany was destroyed by fire. "Bottles," as it was often called, was located on Elm Street at the intersection with State. The location is just a couple of blocks from my office, and I have stopped in there on a number of occasions over the years. Fortunately, it appears that no one was injured in the fire.

One thing that invariably struck me about Bottles was that the workers in there were always smoking cigarettes. Always. There were typically three or four people working at a time, and it was rare to see any one of them without a dangling cigarette ablaze. Customers also regularly puffed away while standing in line. The result was an omnipresent cloud of thick, stinky smoke.

I noticed all of this because it bothered me. In fact, I had all but sworn the place off because going in there, even for just a few minutes, tended to give me a headache. The pervasive cigarette smoke was nasty and overwhelming. It was always a shame, I thought, because Bottles was in an ideal location for serving downtown New Albany. I know others who were as disgusted by the smoke stench as I was.

And now, Bottles is no more. It will be interesting to see if it reopens. Reportedly, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Given my experience with the place, I have to wonder if careless smoking could have been responsible for starting the blaze. Of course, this is nothing but mere speculation on my part, but such a finding wouldn't be at all surprising to me. Whatever the case turns out to be, I am thankful that there were no casualties. I also hope that the owners of Bottles were fully insured.

2010-03-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

BACK IN THE SADDLE

After a fairly lengthy hiatus fraught with attention to my professional responsibilities, I have decided to resume posting on this site again on a more regular basis. I figure it's time for me to either resume writing or else shut this thing down, and I am choosing the former. In the last month or so I have thought of several potential topics about which I wanted to write, but I experienced frustration when I didn't feel that I had the time necessary to provide sufficient commentary for a blog posting. Now I've decided to forge ahead, publishing what may be relatively brief posts about topics that are fitting with my mood and time limitations at the moment.

Look for additional postings to follow shortly. I intend to address a variety of observations involving my personal experiences, books, sports, society, politics or whatever may seem to be important to me at the moment. As you may have noticed, my interests seem to splay out in many different directions. That's just how I am.

And so, gentle reader, I will now leave you with one of my favorite Shakespearean quotes. It is from Hamlet, and it is one I wish many of my colleagues in the legal profession would keep in mind. It may also become my new mantra as I resume posting:

"Brevity is the soul of wit."

And with that, I close for now.

2010-01-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

I'M THINKING.....

*Pat Robertson seems to have totally lost it. The Haitians are enduring a horrific tragedy because they "got together and swore a pact with the devil?" Really? What a stupid thing to say. It's hard to believe that Robertson is a Yale Law School graduate. I don't think that any U of L law grad would ever make such an idiotic comment.

*Speaking of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, I for one am sorry to see my fellow alumnus, Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, retire. I haven't always agreed with Senator Dodd's politics, but he is an engaging public speaker, an affable fellow, and he's always been a good representative of the law school.

*I'm looking forward to seeing the expansion of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium next fall. Charlie Strong, the new U of L football coach, has definitely got game when it comes to recruiting. Let's hope that the influx of top talent will translate into wins on the field.

*I am cautiously optimistic that Coach Rick Pitino will, over the next couple of months, mold the Cardinals basketball team into a tournament contender. It seems to happen this way every year.

*I'm pulling for a Colts-Vikings Super Bowl. It's hard not to be a Colts fan living in these parts, and I have also admired the Minnesota Vikings since I was a wee lad. It's funny that three of the four remaining NFL teams play their home games in domes.

*The New Year's Resolutionists (my term) have swarmed into the gym in a big way. I hate to be selfish, but it just can't go on like this. There are too many people on the machines and in the locker rooms. I'm looking forward to a smaller crowd at the Y once the majority of the Resolutionists revert to their old habits.

2010-01-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

SOME NEW YEAR'S WISHES

With the new year having just begun, it is my fervent hope that 2010 will be a brighter year than 2009 was. Personally, the past year has been a pretty tough one, and I look forward to sunnier days ahead. Here, in no particular order, are just some of the things that I would love to see in the coming year:

*A resurgence of the Louisville Cardinal football program under Coach Charlie Strong;

*A successful NCAA tournament run for the Louisville Cardinals in basketball;

*A Super Bowl win for the Colts or the Bengals;

*Real progress on an East End bridge over the Ohio River;

*More eating, drinking and entertainment options in downtown New Albany;

*More bans of smoking in public places;

*An end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan;

*An end to the influence of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban;

*A renewed sense of compassion and understanding in our nation and throughout the world;

*Health and happiness to all friends and family.

These are just some of the desires that immediately come to mind. Here's hoping that you and those you care about have a wonderful 2010.

2009-11-28T21:04:00.000-08:00

HOLD YOUR TONGUE?

In the earlier part of my life, I often heard racial slurs and comments delivered freely and openly. This always struck me as exceedingly strange, as I was raised in a home where racial prejudice was not tolerated. My mother always took a very strong stance against bigotry; if she heard a racial joke or comment, she felt compelled to voice her displeasure with the speaker. She was not very diplomatic about it either, since she seemed to take such comments as a personal affront. This made her unpopular with some, but she didn't care. She stood up for her beliefs.

I always admired my mom's strong stance, but I didn't feel the same need to speak out. While I always found racial jokes and comments to be distasteful, I felt that speaking out against them would be to no avail. It always seemed to me that it would be impossible to change someone else's lifelong prejudices simply by letting them know that I disagreed with them. I've often wondered if that was really true, or if I might actually have been able to change someone's mind if I were not so eager to avoid confrontation.

I was recently reminded of this dilemma in an entirely different context. This time, the issue was gay rights. I found myself in a social setting where people were freely disparaging and joking about gays and lesbians. Although I found the comments to be very distasteful, I ignored them. Once again, I reasoned that voicing my disagreement would accomplish nothing other than alienating the speaker.

Is this true? Should we speak out in such a situation, or ignore what we perceive to be objectionable? It is a difficult issue.

I find myself questioning the wisdom of my decision to stay silent. Is it possible, just possible, that by registering my disagreement in a civil way I might change someone else's mind? Or would they only become more firmly entrenched in their bigotry, and resent me for speaking out? I really don't know. But I'm thinking that the next time this happens I may feel better about myself if I say something rather than remaining silent. I know that's what my mom would have done.

2009-10-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

THE FOXY LIBRARIAN AND OTHER APPELLATIONS

It seems that whenever I am regularly around a group of people I don't know, I find myself giving secret nicknames to many of the other people. The sobriquets usually result because of some observed physical characteristic or mannerism, or because the person involved reminds me of someone else. For instance, several years ago I attended a week of depositions for a case in Cincinnati. There were ten other attorneys at the depositions that week, all of whom were previously unknown to me.

As the week wore on, and without consciously thinking about it, I found that I had given secret monikers to a number of the other attorneys. The nicknames included Mick Jagger, Danny Partridge, The Senator, The Blonde Goddess, Gene Hackman and Nerdly. You can guess why I gave each person his or her handle, and you would probably be right.

Of course, when I do this nicknaming, I do not tell the subjects. I keep the pseudonyms to myself, and they usually dissolve if I later develop a friendship or other relationship with the person. I guess it's because the people become more genuine to me at that point. Once you know a person, you can no longer view him or her as a physical characteristic or mannerism observed upon first impression.

The nickname phenomenon also occurred when I began working out at a now-defunct gym called The Fitness Zone. It seems likely to happen in the gym setting, because there you may see the same people working out every day without speaking to them or in any way getting to know them--at least for a while. Some of the characters at the Fitness Zone were secretly dubbed by me as: The Linebacker, Flounder, The Countess, Bonnie & Clyde, The Foxy Librarian, and J.C. ("J.C." was so named because he looked a lot like Jesus Christ.) In time, a number of these people became my friends. I got particularly close to the couple that I had previously called Bonnie & Clyde. I never told them about their secret handles.

I bring all this up because I have now noticed the nickname phenomenon happening again, as I work out at the YMCA in New Albany. I've been hitting it six or seven days per week for the last several months, and so I have been seeing a number of unknown regulars on a consistent basis. Once again, I have found myself unwittingly dubbing them in my usual fashion. Some of my current workout companions have now secretly become known to me as The Thoroughbred, The Princess, The Sociology Professor, The Coach and The Novelist.

I wonder if any of these unsuspecting people have ever given me a secret moniker. If so, I wonder what it could be. The Lawyer? Gee, I hope not. I certainly hope that I don't look like the prototypical lawyer; that would be a devastating insult, far worse than Nerdly or Flounder. If I could give a nickname to myself, it would probably be The Warrior or The Greek God. But maybe I'm known as Gramps or Old Baldy. I'll never know.

Just this morning, The Sociology Professor was working out on a cardio machine a few feet away from me. It occurred to me to ask him how his lectures have been going this semester, but then I thought better of it. After all, he and I have never spoken, and he may actually be an accountant or a rodeo clown for all I know. But he sure looks like a sociology professor to me.

I suspect that, in time, I will get to know some of my new workout companions by their real names. When I do, their unannounced labels will recede to the largely unused corners of my mind, where they will continue to evoke a smile of amusement for me from time to time.

2009-09-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

CONTROL OF THE PALATE

During a recent visit to a high school in Arlington, Virginia, President Obama was asked to name the one person, living or dead, with whom he would choose to dine if given the opportunity. He quickly responded by naming Mahatma Gandhi, the renowned spiritual and political leader of India who was assassinated in 1948. Obama noted that the meal would probably be a small one, as Gandhi was known not to eat very much.

This comment by the president intrigued me, and caused me to look further into the dietary philosophy of Gandhi. A strict vegetarian, he was initially trained as a barrister in London. (The great ones are always lawyers, aren't they?) In later years, he wrote about the importance of establishing complete "control of the palate." Gandhi advocated the idea of having a common kitchen "with acceptable food of which we may take only a limited quantity with contented and thankful mind."

In Yeravda Mandir, Gandhi made the following observations about dietary self-discipline and overcoming the natural tendency toward overeating:

--"We must not be thinking of food all the twenty-four hours of the day...We must resolutely set our faces against mere indulgence."

--"Most of us, instead of keeping the organs of sense under control, become their slaves...The body is injured every time that one overeats, and the injury can be partially repaired only by fasting."

--"Food has to be taken as we take medicine, that is, without thinking whether it is palatable or otherwise, and only in quantities limited to the needs of the body."

--"Parents, out of false affection, give their children a variety of foods, ruin their constitution, and create in them artificial tastes. When they grow up, they have diseased bodies and perverted tastes. The evil consequences of this early indulgence dog us at every step; we waste much money and fall an easy prey to the medicine man."

--"We have to give up many things that we have been enjoying, as they are not needed for nutrition. And one who thus gives up a multitude of eatables will acquire self-control in the natural course of things."

Thought-provoking ideas, aren't they? Gandhi penned these words about overindulgence almost eighty years ago. Imagine what he would have to say about the portions that are routinely served in our culture today, not to mention the availability of unhealthy fast food. If we believe that our bodies are temples, or if we just want to keep them healthy for as long as possible, we would be wise to remember Gandhi's advice. Like him, we should strive for control of the palate.

2009-09-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

THE BLUE BELLIES, FRESH BLACKTOP AND OTHER RUMINATIONS

*I am hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, as the Cards are getting ready to play the hated Blue Bellies in Lexington this Saturday. It could be ugly, but I'm wishing for the upset. The outcome of this game could go a long way in determining the ultimate fate of Stevie Krags as the Louisville coach.

*The new pavement in front of my office on Pearl Street has reminded me of when I was a child, and they blacktopped Borden Road where I lived. How I loved riding my bike on it, gliding on the smooth new surface for hours and hours.

*Having an early morning workout sets a great tone for the rest of the day.

*Is it just me, or does the Ohio River appear to be clearer and more blue than it used to?

*It is never appropriate or acceptable to heckle the president of the United States, no matter how much we may disagree with his or her views.

*I agree with President Obama that Kanye West is a jackass.

*I know that many people in America have been put into financial ruin by health care costs. The cost of health care in our country is obscene, and I think that something needs to be done about it. At the same time, I am uncomfortable with the idea of creating a huge new federal bureaucracy to deal with the issue. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I would like to see the debate conducted with more civility.

*I still don't know whether Certs is really a candy or a breath mint.

2009-07-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

THE PIGSKIN COMETH

It should come as no surprise to regular CoffeeSpoons readers to learn that I am beginning to get very eager for the upcoming football season to begin. It happens about this time every year. No matter how much I'm enjoying baseball, hiking or any other pastime, there's a certain void in my sports life that can only be filled when I see the oblong-shaped ball teed up and the helmets start clashing. I'm hungry for it. I long for it. I want it.

I love both college and pro football. Once the season begins, I will start performing daily checks of the "Sports on the Air" segment of The Courier-Journal to see what games are going to be televised locally. I always wonder why they don't show the Canadian Football League anymore. When I was a kid the CFL was on every week during its season, and I enjoyed watching it very much. The CFL season is in full swing right now, and watching it would be the perfect appetizer to whet my appetite for the American season. The league is filled with former American college players such as U of L great Stefan LeFors, whom I would love to watch play.

My greatest football passion is for the Louisville Cardinals. I've been attending their home games for nearly forty years. (Not all of them, of course, but as many as I can.) After achieving astounding success just three years ago, the Cards have now stumbled upon hard times. I truly believe that the hard times will be no more than a temporary glitch. Despite gloomy forecasts for the upcoming season, I find myself getting pumped about the Cards again this year. There is a lot of talent there. I'm hoping that the current coaching staff will be able to prove the naysayers wrong. If not, there may be a new coaching staff in place next year.

In addition to Louisville, I'll be attending home games at Navy and Illinois this year. Both are outstanding college football venues, and I'm psyched to be able to cheer on both the Midshipmen and the Illini in person. I also think it would be fun to travel to Western Kentucky to see a game in their new stadium. I plan to do that at some point.

In the NFL, my first allegiance is to the Cincinnati Bengals. I've also become a fan of the Indianapolis Colts. I currently use much of my spare time devouring information from the web sites of both teams, studying their rosters, depth charts and schedules for the coming season. I suspect that I must have been a football coach in another life.

The Louisville Cardinals begin play at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on Saturday, September 5th. The NFL regular season kicks off on September 10th. I'm licking my chops, looking forward to those days with eager anticipation.

2009-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT

It was very strange today to find myself sitting in the witness chair, testifying. I have, of course, been in the courtroom on many occasions over the last 23 years. I've always been there as an advocate, questioning witnesses or arguing points of law. Today, however, was different. Today I was called to testify on behalf of a very good friend who is going through a major custody battle. I was called as a fact and character witness to testify as to my opinions and observations about my friend's parenting abilities.

I was happy to do this. I am very familiar with the situation, and was glad to be able to express my views and opinions. It so happens that my friend is a wonderful father, as I have observed many times over, and I told the judge that without reservation. Still, the experience gave me a new perspective. I was anxious and cautious to make sure that I was honest and thorough in my testimony. I wanted to make sure that everything I said was right. I hope that all witnesses sworn under oath feel that same weight of responsibility. The experience gave me a new appreciation for what witnesses go through.

I know that some witnesses lie under oath. I would be naive to suggest otherwise. But I truly believe that most people are honest, and that it means something to the majority of people if they raise their hand and swear to tell the truth in a court of law. At least I hope so.

I will remember this experience, with a greater degree of empathy, the next time I am the one conducting the examination. We are never too old to learn something new.

2009-07-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

NCAA CHAMPION SPOTTED IN NEW ALBANY

This week I've been seeing former University of Louisville Cardinal basketball great Wiley Brown at the YMCA in New Albany. Brown, who is now the head basketball coach at I.U. Southeast, has apparently been conducting a youth basketball clinic there all week. He was a starter on U of L's 1980 national championship team.

I obtained my law degree from U of L, after getting my undergraduate degree at I.U. Southeast. Wiley Brown's involvement at both universities is, for me, a neat confluence of people and places. I must get out to watch the Grenadiers play some games this year.

2009-07-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

Hello again, friends. I'm sorry not to have blogged in a while, but it has been an exceptionally busy summer for me. In addition to my litigation calendar, my daughter Tristan became Mrs. Mickey McGill on the Fourth of July, pursuant to an elaborate and lovely wedding and reception. The happy couple recently returned from their honeymoon cruise, and are now residing at their home in Indianapolis.

Tonight, weather permitting, will be the opening performance of Hamlet by The Globe Players at Louisville's Central Park. My son Collin plays the role of Polonius, and I can hardly wait to see it. Collin is the only student selected from an Indiana high school to participate. I know that it is going to be a great show.

I have many things on my mind but, for now, I just want to share with you some random thoughts and observations that I've had lately. I present them in no particular order:

*A good, sound sleep is one of the more enjoyable things in life. The older I get, the more I appreciate this.

*Too much beer makes one fat. I have learned this lesson the hard way.

*A smiling face really does make a person seem infinitely more attractive.

*People often mistake a generally quiet demeanor for shyness. They are certainly not the same thing.

*It amazes me that people are legally permitted to use cell phones while driving.

*I still don't know why people have to wear clothes all the time.

*Those who think they know it all are wrong. Such people are a huge turn off.

*Gay people are people, just like everybody else. Some are cool and some are dorks. We make a mistake if we attempt to classify any large group en masse.

*Typing has turned out to be one of the most useful classes that I had in high school. I did not appreciate its importance at the time. Thank you, Ms. Shofner, wherever you are.

*Fresh garden vegetables are one of the best things about summertime. They are both delicious and healthy. And the best tasting ones seem to come from my dad's garden in rural Virginia.

*My parents were right: The older I get, the more time flies.

*If I could transform myself into any animal, I think I would choose to be an eagle. I would love to be able to spread my wings and soar high above the earth. At this point, I do that every night in my dreams.

That's all for now. Skoal, everybody.

2009-06-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

HUMAN NATURE REVEALED (AGAIN)

Here are three insightful quotes from the great H.L. Mencken. Like all memorable quotes, they summarize profound human truths in just a few words. I love these:

All men are frauds. The only difference between them is that some admit it. I myself deny it.

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us that somebody may be looking.

-and-

It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place.

2009-06-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

WHO ARE THE PURPLE ACES?

Later this evening, I will be headed to the University of Evansville for my son Collin's new student orientation and registration. It takes place over the next couple of days at the university. I can't believe that it's time for my fourth child to go to college. It truly just doesn't seem possible.

Any road, this will be my first experience with UE, as they call it. My other children have either graduated from, or are currently attending, the University of Indianapolis (Tristan), Bellarmine University (Caitlin), or the U.S. Naval Academy (Brendan). I'm looking forward to learning more about the University of Evansville. I do know that the sports teams at UE are known as the "Purple Aces."

I was curious as to the origin of the nickname "Purple Aces." According to the school's web site, the University of Louisville actually played a major role in establishing the nickname. The teams at UE were originally known as the "Pioneers." During a game in the 1924-25 basketball season, the UE Pioneers beat the University of Louisville by a score of 59-39. After the game, Louisville's coach reportedly told the Evansville coach, "You didn't have four aces out there, you had five!" After the story appeared in the Evansville Courier, school representatives decided that they liked the sound of "Aces" better than "Pioneers," and decided to change the official nickname. UE athletic teams have been called the Evansville Purple Aces ever since.

I like this story. And I'm glad to know that my law school alma mater helped to give Collin's new school its sports nickname. And now I must learn a new cheer: Go Aces!

2009-06-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

THE RULE OF INCREDIBLE DUBIOSITY

One of my favorite legal terms is known as "the rule of incredible dubiosity." This unique sounding phrase describes a rule that is applicable in criminal cases only. It is a means of testing the sufficiency of evidence to support a conviction. It seems to be a rule that is unique to Indiana.

As applied in the Hoosier state, the rule is: "If a sole witness presents inherently improbable testimony and there is a complete lack of circumstantial evidence, a defendant's conviction may be reversed....Application of this rule is rare and the standard to be applied is whether the testimony is so incredibly dubious or inherently improbable that no reasonable person could believe it." Fajardo v. State, 859 N.E.2d 1201 (Ind. 2007).

As a civil litigation attorney, I have very little opportunity to use the rule of incredible dubiosity in my legal practice. I think that it is a great concept, though, and I like to apply it to everyday life. In fact, I suspect that everyone probably has applied his or her own incredible dubiosity test on many occasions.

Did the dog really eat the homework? Did the wife really stay out all night because she was having fun with her girlfriends? Did the major league baseball player really not know that he was being injected with steroids? Did the CIA really lie to Nancy Pelosi? I think that we each formulate our own answers to these and many other questions based upon the application of our own rule of incredible dubiosity. We decide whether the story seems too absurd to be believed, and formulate our opinions based upon that decision.

In the civil litigation arena, I like to informally apply my own rule when I am dealing with questionable testimony from witnesses. Sometimes people tell stories that seem so unlikely that I feel certain that the jury will ultimately discount and/or ignore them. Each juror, I am convinced, informally applies his or her own rule of incredible dubiosity in deciding whether to believe proffered testimony. I think that's human nature, and that's probably a good thing.

So the next time you suspect that someone may be telling you a whopper, you may want to consciously ask yourself if their tale seems to be inherently improbable. If so, you just might want to let it be known that the speaker has failed the incredible dubiosity test.

2009-06-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

I'LL TAKE THE MAGIC IN SEVEN

The NBA Finals begin tonight, and almost everyone is picking Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers to win the best of seven series in six games or less. I'm going against the grain, and predicting the Orlando Magic to win the matchup in seven games.

My reason? I think that the Magic are being underestimated, and that they have too many weapons to lose this series. They have shown throughout the playoffs that they can cause nightmares for opponents from many angles. Whereas the Lakers will unquestionably have the best overall player on the floor in Bryant, the Magic present a well-rounded, relentless attack. You never know where their death blow is going to come from.

At age 23, Dwight Howard is on the verge of becoming a truly dominating center. Hedo Turkoglu has an unflappable court presence, and can strike at any time. And what about Mickael Pietrus, Rashard Lewis and Courtney Lee? Dagger, dagger and dagger again.

I think that it will be an interesting and competitive series. I also think that the experts are wrong. Like I said, I'll take the Magic to win it all in seven games.

2009-05-29T18:41:00.000-07:00

MANLY HEALTH AND HYGIENE

When it comes to offspring, I have unquestionably hit the jackpot. I am the father of four truly great kids, all of whom are now young adults ranging in age from eighteen to twenty-four. My sons are now eighteen and twenty. I have always tried to give them good practical male guidance, but there never seems to be enough time to tell them everything that I want to. Frankly, I do not recall whether I have told them these specific things or not. Allow me, then, to share with them--and with you, if you're interested--these manly tidbits of wisdom that I have amassed over my years on the planet.

Push-Ups: Push-ups are, without question, the best exercise for maintaining a masculine physique. Bench pressing accomplishes basically the same thing. I encourage weight training in all its forms, but if you can only do one exercise, push-ups are the best to give you strength and to maintain shape for your arms, chest and shoulders. I recommend doing at least five sets of your maximum reps every other day.

Nail Care: Proper male hygiene includes nail care. Many guys overlook this. I believe in keeping my nails clipped and clean. In addition to clipping, I use a cuticle oil with Vitamin E every day to keep my nails healthy and presentable. This is particularly important for the feet if you like to wear sandals, as I do. There is no excuse for having crusty-looking, unsightly nails.

Skin Moisturizer: When I was a young man, I suffered horrible itching on my back and arms every winter when my skin got dry. Fortunately, I eventually discovered the benefits of skin lotion. It completely solved the problem. These days, every time I finish showering I liberally apply skin moisturizer all over my body. I have found that Jergens Original Scent is the best, particularly in winter. In summertime, I sometimes use Suave Cocoa Butter with Shea.

Noxzema Shave: I have always had rather sensitive skin. Most shave creams and lotions will cause me to break out in short order. As a result, I have experimented with many brands. I have found that nothing compares with Medicated Noxema Shave for Sensitive Skin. Although it costs at least twice as much as regular shave creams, it is well worth it. It provides the most comfortable shave possible, and I wouldn't think of using anything else on my face.

Clean Mouth: I love to use mouthwash, and believe that it is essential for maintaining proper oral and dental hygiene. It should be swished around vigorously. I use an antiseptic mouthwash morning and night. I think that this routine helps to maintain a clean, healthy mouth. It's a great feeling!

With this posting, I realize that I have developed a very eclectic blog. I may give you updates on Indiana law. I may share my profound emotions. I may tell you about my political views, my opinions on sports, my favorite novels, or my tips on personal hygiene. I suppose that's the way my mind works, jumping from one subject to the next. I hope that you don't mind. I suppose that you don't, if you're still reading at this point.

I also hope that you find these tips to be of interest. I don't claim to be the most GQ guy around, but I strongly believe that these things have been helpful to me.

2009-05-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

SPORTS TAKES

U of L Baseball: How about those Cards! Louisville defeated Connecticut 11-3 yesterday to take the Big East tourney title in baseball, to add to their regular season championship. New Albany's Drew Haynes had a spectacular diving catch in center field for the Cards in the third inning to keep the momentum going. Louisville will now host an NCAA baseball regional beginning next Friday at Jim Patterson Stadium.

Orlando Magic: I find myself pulling for Orlando and L.A. in the NBA finals. I know that Kobe versus LeBron would be a compelling matchup in the championship series, but I've really come to admire Dwight Howard, Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee and the rest of the Magic. And Stan Van Gundy? How can you not be for a coach who looks so much like Ron Jeremy?

Cincinnati Reds: It is wonderful that the Reds are playing well and still very much in contention in the NL Central. It has been a long time coming. Dusty Baker is doing a splendid job of managing this young team. It's great that the Reds are looking so good on Memorial Day; I just hope that they are still there and gaining steam on the Fourth of July.

Danica Patrick: I was hoping that Danica Patrick would win the Indy 500 yesterday. I really admire her mental toughness and her personality. I also think that she is very attractive, but that she could look better with a different hair style. But then again, she may not care much for my hair style either.

Mine That Bird: I am pulling strongly for Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes on June 6th. He is a phenomenal undersized horse who was given virtually no chance for success at the start of the current racing season. I don't think he's been appreciated enough for his win in the Kentucky Derby and his second place finish at the Preakness.

Jeremy Jarmon: Although I am a Louisville alumnus and fan, I was saddened to see outstanding Kentucky defensive lineman Jeremy Jarmon suspended for the entire upcoming football season by the NCAA. He was suspended after he tested positive for a banned substance during a random drug test. It appears that he made a terrible mistake in trying to lose weight by taking a dietary supplement that was not approved. By all accounts, Jarmon is a delightful young man who has never been in any sort of trouble before. I can relate to him because he's a political science major who also loves the theater. It's a shame for his collegiate career to end this way. I hope that he has great personal success in the future.

2009-05-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

WATCH OUT FOR THAT MAILBOX!

Mailboxes seem to come in all shapes and sizes these days. Some are decorative and festive, while others are functional and utilitarian. When it comes to mailboxes, we generally have a wide variety of styles and types from which to choose. Did you ever think, though, that your choice of a mailbox could subject you to liability for an accident that occurs on the street in front of your house? According to a recent decision issued by the Indiana Court of Appeals, that may be a very real possibility.

James and Erica Sparks lived on a rural, two-lane road outside of Pekin. They erected a brick mailbox on their property, placing it three feet from the roadway. The road in front of their house is straight, with no obstruction of sight lines, and the Sparkses had no knowledge of any accident ever having occurred there.

On August 22, 2005, Barbara White was driving on the roadway in front of the Sparkses' house. For unexplained reasons, she lost control of her vehicle and left her lane of travel, crossed the other lane, drove off the road, and then smashed into the brick mailbox support on the Sparkses' property. She was injured in the accident. Subsequently, she filed a lawsuit against James and Erica Sparks in the Washington County Superior Court.

In her suit, White alleged that the property owners "were negligent in maintaining an unreasonably dangerous mailbox on their property," and that she suffered injuries as a result. She contended that the property owners owed her a legal duty not to erect or construct objects in close proximity to the highway that could impose an unreasonable risk of harm to the traveling public.

The Sparkses moved for summary judgment, asking that the case be dismissed. Their motion was denied by the Judge of the Washington Superior Court, and the Indiana Court of Appeals recently affirmed the denial.

The Court of Appeals held that the Sparkses may, in fact, be held liable for their allegedly dangerous mailbox, and that there is sufficient evidence to allow a jury to conclude that they should have foreseen the possibility that a passing motorist would crash into it. The court noted that the plaintiff had designated evidence tending to show that the mailbox was bigger and stronger than it needed to be. The judges held that there is a factual issue as to whether the mailbox presented an unreasonable risk of harm to the traveling public.

This case is a bit of a head-scratcher to me, but it is no surprise that our courts seem to be always willing to expand recovery possibilities for plaintiffs. There's no word yet on whether the case will be appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court, or whether it will be tried to a jury. I'll let you know if I find out anything further.

For now, I would advise you to keep a close lookout for those dangerous mailboxes.

2009-04-30T13:59:00.000-07:00

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE--EVEN AT HOME

The Indiana Supreme Court has ruled that Indiana's laws against drunk driving apply even when a motorist is driving on his or her own private property. You do not have to be driving on a public roadway in order to be convicted of operating while intoxicated.

In June of 2006, the defendant was operating an all-terrain vehicle on his own property in a rural area of Marshall County. He was driving it well away from the public roadway, in a wooded area about three hundred yards from his cabin. He had an accident, sustaining fractures and head trauma, and was taken to the hospital. Police suspected that he had been drinking and, after having blood drawn, charged him with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The defendant moved the trial court to suppress evidence on the grounds that he could not be charged with OWI for operating an all-terrain vehicle on his own private property. The Marshall Superior Court granted the motion to suppress, and the State appealed.

On appeal, the defendant's attorney argued that the OWI statute's use of the terms "operator" and "vehicle" are both defined by reference to use upon a public highway. Defense counsel further argued that in driving his ATV in a wooded area of his own property, the defendant was not in any way endangering the public, and that the OWI laws should not be extended to encompass a motorist's use of a vehicle on the driver's own private property.

The Indiana Supreme Court rejected the defendant's arguments. Writing for the unanimous Court, Justice Brent Dickson noted that the State has a strong interest in protecting the health and safety of its citizens, referring not only to third persons but also the danger that a defendant presents to himself. The Court concluded: "Regardless of where the defendant's driving occurred, whether on public or private property, and even if on the defendant's own property, the State is authorized to charge him with intoxicated driving offenses." The Court issued its opinion for publication on April 8, 2009, and it is now the law of the land.

So the next time you're having a cookout at your house and need to move some cars around in your driveway, you'd better be careful. And if you've been sloshing down a few cold ones, let somebody who hasn't been drinking do it.

2009-04-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

A FUNNY THING

Looking for some worthwhile entertainment? Tonight is the premiere performance of the musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum at Providence High School in Clarksville. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing the show both because of the quality of the performances that are typically produced there, and also because my son Collin is playing the role of Pseudolus. The role is a very large and challenging one--the very sort of role that Collin relishes.

As is always the case with the musicals at Providence, this one will be a major production with community-wide support. Tickets for tonight's gala dinner performance are $100.00 each, and many local luminaries will be on hand to support the school and its theater department. Tickets for the subsequent performances are a much more modest $14.00 each, and can be obtained by calling the Performing Arts Ticket Office at 945-2538, ext. 328. There are performances on April 17, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 26.

This will be Collin's last show at Providence. He graduates next month, and in the fall he will begin his studies as a theater major at the University of Evansville.

It appears that my youngest child has grown up on me. That sort of strikes me as a funny thing, but even more so as an unbelievable one. Break a leg, Son.

2009-04-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

WORLD WITHOUT END

Several years ago, I read what I consider to be one of the most magnificent novels ever written: The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett. This is no ordinary novel. Rather, it is an exquisite work of historical fiction, deeply developed, that captivated me from start to finish. It literally made me laugh out loud at times, while putting me on the verge of tears at others. (Yes, even manly men like me have tear ducts, and we have to empty them out once every few years or so. But I digress.) Although the epic novel is over a thousand pages in length, I never tired of it. In fact, I found myself sorry that I could no longer continue reading once I finished it. I wanted it to go on and on!

Fortunately, Ken Follett has produced a sequel. World Without End picks up where Pillars left off--except two centuries later. I am now halfway through the sequel, and I am enjoying it every bit as much I did the original novel. I find myself stewing over what will happen with the bishops, knights, squires, serfs, outlaws, maidens and various other characters who are so vividly brought to life within the pages. The sequel is also over a thousand pages in length, and I am relishing every enthralling page. I again find myself not wanting it to end.

I have blogged before about my fondness for Ken Follett's writing, and I will say it again: He is a true literary master. If you have not read them, I can very happily recommend that you check out both The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End.

Just be ready to both laugh and cry.

2009-03-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

MISSING RAY

It was seven years ago today that my oldest brother, Ray, disappeared. He seemed to vanish from the face of the earth without a trace. He mysteriously went missing from his home in rural Virgina. Despite a massive search by the state and local police, no clue has been found as to his whereabouts. I haven't researched the law of Virginia on the issue, but in Indiana Ray would now be legally presumed to be dead. It devastates me to say that.

We all suspect, and fear, foul play. Ray had his share of enemies, I suspect, and he was known to get in trouble by gambling more than he could afford. Did gamblers catch up with him? Was it a love triangle that someone decided to end in a vicious manner? Or did he simply decide to ride the storm out on a remote beach somewhere in South America? Not knowing what happened, whatever the case, is probably the hardest part. It is the hardest of all on our 76-year-old father. As much as I would love for Ray to reappear, I know that it is very unlikely to happen at this point.

Ray was a great guy. He had his faults, as we all do, but I always knew that he would be there for me if I needed him. Today, more than ever, I miss my brother.

2009-03-05T10:31:00.000-08:00

BEST DRESSED MAN

It was with a sense of disappointment that I learned that Prince Charles recently edged out both Barack Obama and me to be named the world's best dressed man by Esquire magazine. I really thought that I might be in the running to win the award this year. I suppose I committed a major faux pas last year when I showed up to a fancy shindig wearing a Hawaiian shirt and flip flops--my usual summer costume. The voters were apparently unimpressed with my casually elegant, bohemian look. Oh well.

If I had been voting (and thus ineligible to vote for myself), I would have cast my vote for Rick Pitino, the impeccably dressed coach of my beloved Louisville Cardinals. He always looks fabulous, even in a white suit.

And he always looks really, really outstanding in March.

2009-02-26T17:12:00.000-08:00

PLAYING FOR CHANGE

Check out this awesome video that was sent to me by my cousin and friend, Rebecca Sanders-Plummer. According to the accompanying story, this video was made by two guys who went around the world getting street performers to all sing or play the same song, and then they dubbed them all together into one version of that song. The result is really cool.

2009-02-23T14:16:00.000-08:00

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Long ago, Abraham Lincoln set forth the following advice for his fellow members of the legal profession:

Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser--in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man.

Honest Abe's words are just as true today as they were then. Any attorney who does not adhere to this maxim does a tremendous disservice to both his clients and the legal profession. Undoubtedly, most lawyers know this advice to be true, and utilize it in practice, although there will always be a few who just don't get it.

In my years of legal practice, I have found that a willingness to compromise can often save people time, money and heartache. It is the attorney's job to point this out, even though it may cost him or her a fee.

2009-02-20T08:08:00.000-08:00

REALLY?

As I was perusing the Courier-Journal this morning, I noticed in the section called FROM THE WIRE DISPATCHES a short news account about the execution of a death row inmate in Jarratt, Virginia. The article, entitled, "Killer executed; had to be carried to gurney," contains the following opening sentence:

An inmate declared his innocence yesterday after he was forcibly carried into Virginia's death chamber and executed.

Really? He continued to declare his innocence even after he was executed? That must have been some declaration, and I'm sure that it was very surprising indeed to those assembled to witness the proceedings.

2009-02-17T14:17:00.000-08:00

ELECTION OF INDIANA SUPREME COURT JUSTICES?

The Indiana legislature has recently been considering House Joint Resolution 9, which calls for the election of Indiana Supreme Court justices. Currently, potential justices are carefully considered and selected by the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission, which then submits the names of finalists to the governor for final decision without regard to political affiliation. This is known as the merit selection system, and it has been in effect in Indiana since 1971. For a variety of reasons, I think that Joint Resolution 9 is a bad idea, and I am glad that, as of late this afternoon, the bill had not made it out of committee for consideration by the full House.

My primary reason for opposing the bill is that it would require potential justices to wade into the muck and mire of the political arena. They would have to organize extensive fundraising campaigns. They would be forced to solicit massive campaign contributions, and to court the approval of special interest groups who would hope to gain from the election of favorable justices. Rather than exercising only their independent legal judgment, they would have to be concerned about following the political mood of the day, and about pleasing their campaign supporters. All of this strikes me as being inherently bad.

The author of the bill, Rep. Craig Fry, D-Mishawaka, has said that its passage is necessary because the justices are not currently accountable to the political process. I for one think that is a good thing. Our neighboring states that have systems for elected appellate judges have seen literally millions of dollars poured into the campaigns of candidates by special interest groups hoping to influence election outcomes. That situation has to undermine the public's confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary.

For the most part, Indiana's merit selection process has worked very well over the years. The Indiana Supreme Court is greatly respected for its independence, fairness, and high ethical standing. I believe that our merit selection process is fine just as it is. I'm thankful that, at least for the time being, the House's Government and Regulatory Reform Committee apparently agrees.

2009-02-15T20:56:00.000-08:00

A SPLENDID SERENADE AND A WONDERFUL DAY

When I went out to retrieve my Courier-Journal this morning, I was rewarded with a most splendid serenade from the birds around my house. It was the most fervent morning chorus that I've heard this year, and it was a reminder that spring, in all its glory, cannot be far behind. I can't wait to get out in the woods on a bright spring morning to feel the wind on my face and listen to one of the most beautiful sounds that nature has to offer. Being out listening to the birds is a grand feeling, and one that makes me feel truly alive.

*************************************

This afternoon, I had the pleasure of going with my son, Collin Matthew, to watch the U of L Cards dispatch DePaul in fine fashion on the hardwood. It was a much-needed win by the Cards, and the crowd was rocking. Collin and I enjoyed it very much, as it was a very entertaining game for Cardinal fans.

In a matter of months, Collin will be graduating from high school and heading off to college. He is the fourth and last of my children to do so, and I know from experience how much I am going to miss him once he departs. That's one reason that I will always cherish today's experience with him.

2009-02-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

THE JONESY UPDATE

***I remain very pumped about the U of L Cards in basketball this year, notwithstanding their recent meltdown against Number 1 ranked U-Conn. My partners and I bought season tickets this year, and I am glad that we did. The Cards seem to have been developing a mental toughness that was not evident at the beginning of the season. And the team's depth has been coming along nicely. At the beginning of the season, it looked as if the team had no depth in the middle at all. Samardo Samuels, it seemed, was destined to be the Cards' only option at center. Fortunately, Terrence Jennings and George Goode are proving to be warriors under the boards as well.

I also like the guard rotation that Coach Pitino has finally settled upon: Edgar Sosa and Jerry Smith starting, and then the "microwave guys"--Andre McGee and Preston Knowles--coming off of the bench with smothering defense.

But of course, T-Will remains the heart of this team. If he and Earl Clark can get it in gear at the same time, the Louisville Cardinals will be a dangerous team for the rest of the season.

***Last night I finished another rather thrilling page-turner: Perfect Nightmare, a novel by John Saul. I found myself actually chilled with goose bumps as I got to the exciting denouement. If you are looking for some entertaining escapist fiction, you might want to check it out.

***As I have dealt with a very difficult time in my life recently, I have been amazed at the extent to which the sympathy and good wishes of others have uplifted me. I never realized before how profoundly effective a smile, a hug, or a word of encouragement can be to someone who is feeling bereft. I will remember this lesson, and do all that I can in the future to help others when they need it.

2009-01-30T20:04:00.000-08:00

THE LARK

The waves, they wash o'er me
as I trudge upon the sand.
They seek to overwhelm me,
but I fend them with my hands.

They shall not overcome me;
I will not let that be.
For a gentle lark, she guides me.
She seeks to set me free.

Yes, she has always been there
to guide me every day.
She taught me how to soar
and how to make my way.

She wants me to fly high now--
to give her no remorse.
But she knows that I grieve so,
as that was too her course.

And so I will fly on now
and soar above the waves.
But I shall miss the gentle lark
until my dying day.

2009-01-28T13:45:00.000-08:00

IT'S YOUR SHIP

The recent winter storm has afforded me an opportunity to stay inside to finish a book that I've been enjoying for a while now. It's Your Ship, by Captain Michael D. Abrashoff, promises to teach the reader "management techniques from the best damn ship in the Navy." As a guide to leadership style, the book doesn't disappoint.

Captain Abrashoff is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. After serving as an officer on several ships, he was selected to be the military assistant to U.S. Secretary of Defense William Perry. He ultimately was chosen to be the commander of USS Benfold, which he transformed from an average ship into an award-winning model of efficiency. He did so by earning the trust and respect of his crew, and by managing them in a way that inspired each crew member and junior officer to give his or her very best for the good of the whole team.

It's Your Ship (copyright 2002), is an entertaining read, and it provides great insight for those who are charged with the responsibility of managing and motivating other people. Its lessons transcend the Navy experience, and would be useful to any manager in the business world. This highly acclaimed book was on the BusinessWeek, Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestseller lists.

For me, the book was especially important because it was given to me as a Father's Day gift by my son Brendan (now in his second year at the U.S. Naval Academy) and his siblings: Tristan, Caitlin and Collin. I thank them all again for a great and thoughtful gift, and I recommend it to you if you are at all interested in management and leadership techniques.

2009-01-25T16:02:00.000-08:00

THANKS, MOM

For forty-seven years, I have been blessed with the most wonderful, caring and loving mother imaginable. My mother--LeEtta B. Perdue--has always been my anchor in life, and she has been there for me whenever I've needed her. Over the years, I have tried to tell her often how much she has meant to me.

Mom passed away two weeks ago, on January 11th. My grief has been more overwhelming than I could have imagined. I know that I will miss her every day for the rest of my life. I am determined to carry on and be strong, though, because that's how she raised me and it's what she would want.

In the end, I am thankful beyond words to have been blessed with such a wonderful mother, and to have had her in my life all these years. To anyone reading this who has a loving mother still living in this world, I would urge you to tell her how much you love her at every possible opportunity. Some day, you will be glad that you did.

2008-12-26T11:03:00.000-08:00

WHITEOUT!

My professional responsibilities have not left me with much time for leisure reading of late. I have, however, recently managed to read a very good novel that is worthy of mention. Whiteout, by Ken Follett, is an engrossing page turner that provided me with several hours of reading pleasure.

I have written before about my fondness for Ken Follett's writing. He has a rare talent for creating characters who capture the reader's interest. As I am reading one of Follett's novels, I often find myself genuinely intrigued in his characters, wondering what they are thinking and what they will do next. The characters in Whiteout fit that description, living through a plot that is both unpredictable and thrilling.

The novel is set around a medical research laboratory in Scotland. Much of the action takes place during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. The plot is frightening largely because it deals with the threat of biological terrorism. When coupled with the evil that we have come to understand to lurk in the hearts of men, this presents a truly terrifying scenario that seems all too possible and realistic in our modern world.

The action in Whiteout revolves largely around Toni Gallo. She is a strong, athletic and resourceful person, a former police officer, who now serves as the director of security at the laboratory. The reader develops a significant empathy with and for Toni as she struggles to combat the evil forces that seek to unleash biological terror upon the unsuspecting world.

Whiteout is a very good read indeed. Its plot twists and turns will have you reading from the edge of your chair. I strongly recommend this novel to you for the next time you have an opportunity to escape into the world of well-written fiction.

2008-12-20T08:39:00.000-08:00

MILK, HONEY AND CAP'N CRUNCH

Today is my birthday. I am the same age as our country's president-elect. I have much to celebrate this year and intend to do so, at least in part, by enjoying a big bowl of Cap'n Crunch cereal. I have loved Cap'n Crunch since I was a kid, but I almost never allow myself to have it because of the calories and high sugar content.

But I will allow myself a special dispensation today. And if you are inclined to celebrate with me, then I invite you to pull up a chair and enjoy a delicious bowl of Cap'n Crunch for yourself. As the folks at Schlitz used to tell us: You only go around once, so you've got to go for all the gusto you can.

To everyone reading this post, I wish you much gusto in life, now and always. Skoal!

2008-12-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

THE VERDICT IS IN

It has now been one month since the new YMCA opened in New Albany, and I am ready to declare it an unqualified success. The facility is beautiful, spacious and inviting. It has been host to amazing crowds thus far and, if the initial trend continues, I foresee a much more healthy and fit population soon in Floyd County and its environs.

I have been hitting the new Y at least three or four days a week, although I intend to increase it to five or six soon. I am enjoying the cardio equipment, and especially the elliptical trainers. (I have a good supply of weightlifting equipment at home, and so I usually do much of my lifting there.) I have also become very fond of the yoga classes. I had always wanted to try yoga, and am finding that I enjoy it very much. It is cleansing for both the mind and body. It challenges my muscles in a way unlike anything that I've ever done before.

The only negative comment that I have about the new facility concerns the men's locker room. It is too small and cramped. The lockers themselves are too small. The locker room seems to be poorly designed, and it cannot comfortably accommodate the number of patrons jockeying for position on a daily basis. I'm hoping that the problem will be alleviated somewhat when the initial excitement about the facility wanes, and others are not visiting quite as often.

The problem with the locker room notwithstanding, I am very enthused about our new Y. It is a local treasure. And it was worth the wait.

2008-11-19T14:15:00.000-08:00

THE TICKET GOES DOWN

How's this for timing? I just wrote on November 7th about how much I enjoy listening to sports talk radio on 93.9 The Ticket in Louisville, and now comes word that the station will be completely abandoning its sports programming effective this Friday. The local shows are already off the air, leaving us with national ESPN radio programs running for the time being. According to Angie Fenton's column in today's Courier-Journal, the rumor is that the station is going to change its format and play oldies. Yes, oldies.

In the immortal words of the adventurous Bill and Ted: BOGUS! No more ESPN radio in Louisville? No more Dave and Scott in the mornings? No more Bob and Will Show? No more Front Row or Freak Zone? Bogus indeed.

Surely some insightful station will step into the void created by this change in format. The Ticket has been an outstanding sports station during its relatively short tenure. Many of my friends are regular listeners. The Ticket carried the Cincinnati Reds games, as well as Indiana University football and basketball and southern Indiana high school sporting events. Its hosts were insightful and knowledgeable, and they brought on an exciting and diverse array of guests.

The Ticket was a great way to pass the time whenever I happened to be traveling in my car. I listened to it every morning, and at other times throughout the day. I will miss it, and I hope that someone in the Louisville area seizes the opportunity to replicate it. Soon.

2008-11-14T06:23:00.000-08:00

A GOOD QUOTE FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th

"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."

--Dale Carnegie

2008-11-07T13:51:00.000-08:00

JONESY JABBER

And now for some random thoughts, reflections and happenings from your humble (and lovable) Meatbe:

***One interesting fact about the recent presidential election is that the winners, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, are both lawyers. The unsuccessful candidates, John McCain and Sarah Palin, are both non-lawyers. One has to wonder whether that fact came into play as voters weighed the perceived qualifications of the candidates.

***I have found that I really enjoy listening to The Dennis Miller Show on radio. The national broadcast airs locally on weekdays from noon to 3:00 on 970, WGTK. I sometimes listen to it during lunch. Miller is a comedian by vocation, and his show is laugh out loud funny. Although he is a conservative commentator, his show lacks the vitriol that is present in other programs. It is an amusing and entertaining show, whether or not one happens to agree with Miller's political views.

***I also enjoy listening to sports talk radio. 93.9 "The Ticket" in Louisville rocks. I particularly enjoy listening to Dave (Ragone) and Scott (Padgett) in the mornings. While neither of these guys will ever be called upon to teach an English grammar class, they are both knowledgeable about sports, and both are humorous. They are also both former professional athletes. Of course, Dave played football at Louisville, and Scott played basketball at Kentucky. There's an intense but good natured rivalry there.

***I am looking forward to the opening of the new YMCA center in New Albany next week. I joined over a month ago, and have been working out at the Clark County YMCA in the interim. It will be splendid to have such an attractive exercise facility so close to my office. There will be no excuse for me not to be a workout warrior once it opens.

***At the urging of my cousin Dena and my good friend Melissa, I recently joined Facebook. For those who may not know, Facebook is an online social networking site. I believe that it was originally designed for college kids, but now it's available to old fuddy-duddies like me. I'm still trying to figure out what it's all about, but so far it looks like an interesting way to stay in touch with friends and relatives.

I wish a grand weekend to all CoffeeSpoons readers. Skoal!

2008-10-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

THE CASE OF THE DISINTEGRATING CASKET *

William Henry, age 49, was a retired car dealership executive in the Indianapolis area. Emotionally devastated by a diagnosis of and unsuccessful treatment for terminal liver cancer, William took his own life on March 11, 2002.

William's family purchased a mausoleum vault from the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens cemetery in Greenwood. The plan was for William to be interred in a temporary vault while the construction of a permanent vault was being completed. The family purchased a wooden casket for $3,678.00, and William's body was placed in it and then put in the temporary vault.

Over a year later, the permanent vault was ready. William's family gathered at the cemetery to watch and to honor William as his body was moved to its permanent resting place. William's adult son, father, sister and nephew were all there for the occasion.

The solemn ceremony soon became a disaster. During the transfer process, the handles of the casket broke off. As a result, the casket fell to the ground and broke into a number of pieces, exposing the contents. William's horrified family members were able to see the stained cloth liner of the casket, a blanket covered with black mold, and portions of William's physical remains. The odor of decomposed flesh overwhelmed the family.

William's family filed suit and sought recovery for their emotional trauma. They proceeded to trial against the cemetery, criticizing it for failing to provide a temporary vault that would repel water and prevent decay of the casket. They also complained against the cemetery for failing to ensure that the casket was structurally sound before attempting to move it, failing to use a tray to guide the casket out, and failing to cover the casket with a sheet. Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens defended the case and denied any fault.

The case was tried for two days in Indianapolis. After deliberating, the jury returned a verdict for the family in the total amount of $300,000. William's son and nephew were each awarded $80,000, while William's father and sister were each awarded $70,000. A judgment was entered by Judge Gerald Zore of the Marion Superior Court on August 27, 2008.

There is no word yet as to whether the cemetery plans to appeal. Based upon my knowledge of the case, however, I think that an appeal is unlikely. It is within the province of the jury to determine appropriate damages and, given the horrendous facts of this case, a verdict of $300,000 does not strike me as excessive. Indiana courts have a long history of compensating bereaved family members where the mistreatment of a corpse has taken place. It is possible that there could be some procedural grounds for an appeal, but that also is probably unlikely. I know the attorneys for the family in this case, and I would be very surprised if there were any procedural irregularities.

I will let you know if I should learn that the case is being appealed.

*The basis for this account was originally published in the October, 2008 edition of The Indiana Jury Verdict Reporter.

2008-10-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

AN IMMODEST PROPOSAL

The Indiana Court of Appeals recently decided a case that, in my view, involves an important but infrequently debated aspect of personal liberty and freedom. See what you think.

The Case: June 10, 2006 was a warm late spring evening in Warrick County, Indiana. It was so nice, in fact, that Chad Weideman decided to step outside of his house to enjoy the evening breeze. Since it was already dark out, he decided to dispense with the formality of clothing, and he walked outside in the nude.

By all indications, Chad had no intention of being seen by anyone else that evening. There were no outside lights on. He was in a secluded part of his side yard, standing near a fence by his property line and enjoying the pleasant night.

Gerald Bowser lived next door to Chad. At about 8:45 p.m., Gerald and his girlfriend Patty came out to get into Gerald's truck that was parked on the street. Even though it was dark out, Gerald and Patty could sense someone standing by the fence as they got into the truck. Gerald then drove his truck up onto the sidewalk, causing his headlights to illuminate Chad.

Gerald and Patty saw Chad standing there naked, with a look of panic or surprise on his face. Chad immediately dropped and rolled into a nearby ditch and crawled on his hands and knees to the back of his property. Patty called the police, and Chad was charged with public nudity as a Class B misdemeanor. He was convicted in the Warrick Superior Court, and appealed.

The Statute: Indiana Code 35-45-4-1.5(c) provides: "a person who knowingly or intentionally appears in a public place in a state of nudity with the intent to be seen by another person commits a Class B misdemeanor."

"Nudity" is defined as: "the showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering, the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple, or the showing of covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state." It's true, friends. I'm not making this up. Pitching a tent in public is illegal in Indiana.

Chad appealed his conviction on the basis that there was no evidence presented that he appeared nude in a "public place," that the statute is unconstitutionally vague because it does not define what a public place is, and that there was no evidence presented that he had the intent to be seen by another person on the evening in question.

The Decision: The Indiana Court of Appeals decided the case on July 16, 2008. The court held that the statute is not void for vagueness, because a person of ordinary intelligence can understand its meaning. The court stated that the phrase "public place" is not vague, as it is commonly understood to mean a place that is available to all or a certain segment of the public. The court further held that, although Chad was not actually standing in a public place when he was seen by Gerald and Patty, he "appeared" nude in a public place because he was visible to persons in a public place.

The court did conclude that there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Chad had the specific intent to be seen while in a state of nudity. For that reason, the judges remanded the case to the Warrick Superior Court with instructions to reduce the judgment to a Class C misdemeanor and to resentence Chad.

My Opinion: I think that it was a stretch for the court to find that Chad appeared nude in a public place while he was in a dark and secluded area of his own yard. Still, it's hard to find major fault with the Court of Appeals' interpretation of the statutes. My problem lies with the statutes themselves. In my opinion, the law in Indiana pertaining to public nudity is outdated and draconian. It is a vestige of our puritanical past, and it needs to be modernized.

I have to ask: Why are we as a society so threatened by the showing of the human body? Who was Chad hurting? Was it necessary to prosecute him criminally for this incident? We tend to be so very narrow minded in our society, leading to unwarranted feelings of guilt and shame. Public breastfeeding has even come under fire recently.

Why are we so ashamed about our bodies? The Super Bowl incident involving Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction comes to mind. Why do we believe that children will be traumatized and irreparably harmed if they should happen to see a woman's breast, a person's buttocks or, heaven forbid, genitals? To the contrary, I think that the human form is something that should be celebrated. It should not be hidden at all costs as something deemed to be shameful and indecent.

Of course, I understand that I am way ahead of the curve on this subject. I first had this debate, literally, when I was in a debating class in high school. I could not, and cannot, understand why people find public nudity to be objectionable. I know that it is difficult for people to open their minds to a new way of thinking. The legislature in Indiana is conservative beyond compare, and I do not expect them to become enlightened anytime soon. But this is one area in which I wish that it would.

You may disagree, but I believe that this is an issue of personal liberty and freedom. I believe that, eventually, our society will realize that the human body is not something of which we should be frightened and ashamed.

2008-10-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

THE ILLINI BRETHREN RIDE AGAIN

Late tomorrow afternoon my pals Rags, Bret and I will embark upon our annual pilgrimage to the rolling plains of Illinois. We'll be visiting Rags' brother John and his charming wife Linda, who live in a picturesque house nestled on the shores of Bayles Lake. The setting is tranquil and perfect. On Saturday, we'll be on hand with a huge crowd of Big Ten crazies to watch the fighting Illini take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Champaign.

The game promises to be a good one and, no matter what happens, a good time is assured. Because of our tradition of heading to Illinois for a football game on an annual basis, the three of us have become known to some of our friends as The Illini Brethren. We look forward to this weekend all year long. I have a mediation in Bloomington tomorrow, but will be meeting up with my orange clad brothers at Tristan's house in Indianapolis once that concludes. From there, we will head to the land of Chief Illiniwek.

On Sunday, I will be home in time to watch the final performance of Twelve Angry Jurors at Providence. The weekend promises to be a memorable one. As Don Cornelius of Soul Train fame used to declare, "You can bet your last money....It's gonna be a STONE-GAS, Honey!"

2008-10-04T09:59:00.000-07:00

TWELVE ANGRY JURORS

Tonight is the opening of Twelve Angry Jurors in the new Ray Day Little Theater at Providence High School. The play is a reenactment of Twelve Angry Men, a play made into an award-winning classic movie in 1957 starring Henry Fonda, Jack Klugman and a host of other Hollywood legends. It is a powerful, riveting work dealing with prejudice and preconceived notions by jurors in the American legal system. I think that the movie should be required viewing for anyone planning to serve on a jury in a criminal case.

Here is a compilation of interesting clips from the movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaiEiOVwSDg

I am especially eager to see Providence's production of the show because my son Collin, who is now a senior at the 'Dence, plays the role of Juror Number 8--the role played by Henry Fonda in the movie classic. I can't wait to see it.

Once again, I say it: Break a leg, C-Bear. You always make me proud.

2008-10-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

'VILLE GRADS TO THE RESCUE!

Regarding the recent national financial crisis, I haven't found too much to enjoy. In fact, the whole debacle has been downright depressing, and I have questions as to the wise course for our country to take at this point. I must confess, though, to taking a certain measure of pride in my alma mater last night as I watched Senators Chris Dodd and Mitch McConnell on our nation's high dais announcing the bailout legislation passed by the U.S. Senate. Dodd seems to have been the primary figure in the negotiations, and McConnell also obviously played a key role. Both senators are graduates of the University of Louisville. Frequent CoffeeSpoons readers know that I am quite a fan of Dodd, and I probably would have supported him for president. While McConnell doesn't strike me as too much of a groovy dude, I am proud that he too is a 'Ville grad.

Now if only our football team can get a win. Skoal!

2008-09-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEK'S PIGSKIN RUMINATIONS

After last Wednesday's big Cardinal victory, I was psyched and ready for more football fun this weekend. Here are some of my thoughts and observations:

*On Friday night I attended the national marquee matchup of of Louisville Trinity versus Cincinnati St. X at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. It was a very entertaining game, with Trinity beating the favored St. X, 17-6. Trinity's Jordan Whiting is a truly outstanding linebacker. Next year he will be playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes, but I wish that he had signed with the 'Ville. He could have been a hometown hero.

On Saturday my second favorite college team, the Navy Midshipmen, defeated Rutgers, 23-21. John McCain was on hand to cheer on Navy, his alma mater. Under most circumstances I would hate to see a Big East team go down, but this was an exceptional situation. Go Navy!

The Colts and Bengals both lost heartbreakers today. Boo to that. However, the bright spot is that former U of L great Sam Madison made some key defensive plays for the New York Giants to secure their victory over the Bengals. I've always enjoyed Sam Madison. He brings great credit to the Louisville football legacy.

Speaking of former 'Ville greats, I was driving along tonight and heard Ray Buchanan hosting a national sports show for Fox Sports Radio. He sounded good. As you will recall, Ray played defensive back for Louisville from 1989 to 1992, and then had an outstanding career with the NFL's Colts, Falcons and Raiders. His brother is current U of L starting safety Bobby Buchanan, number 34. Like his brother, Bobby is a hard-hitting assasin on defense.

Tonight's Sunday night game features the Green Bay Packers against the Dallas Cowboys. I dig the Packers because they have three former 'Ville stars on their roster: Starting offensive lineman Jason Spitz, QB Brian Brohm and offensive lineman Breno Giacomini. I must pull for any NFL team that has that many former Cards on the roster.

Don't forget: This Friday night, the U-Conn Huskies come to town. Get your popcorn ready. It's high time for a Papa John's butt whipping. Go Cards!

2008-09-17T20:49:00.000-07:00

VICTORY!

It was a splendid, impressive win for the Louisville Cardinals tonight, as they smothered the Kansas State Wildcats 38-29 in a nationally televised game on ESPN 2. A few initial thoughts:

*It was a breakout performance by Victor Anderson. The redshirt freshman running back from Louisville St. Xavier was unstoppable. Future defenses had better beware.

*Brock Bolen was also impressive. He is a work horse, and he is very tough for most defenders to bring down without assistance.

*The receivers are coming along very nicely. Doug Beaumont has emerged as the go-to guy. I love the way he plays. He has a great attitude. I also dig Josh Chichester. He had a couple of drops tonight, but some key receptions as well. As he gets more experience, he will be hard for opposing defenses to handle.

*Woodny Turenne is finally starting to show why he was so highly touted as a phenom coming out of junior college. His two interceptions tonight will cause the talented Kansas State QB to have nightmares about Turenne's stingy defensive attitude.

*Eric Wood is, without question, a stud of a center. He is the anchor of the Cardinals' offensive line, and everything starts with him. He has become a beloved Cardinal who will always be remembered for his grit and determination to win.

*Right after the final gun tonight, Tom Jurich was out on the field congratulating our coach for a job well done. Let's stay on board with Coach K. This was an impressive performance on national television. The tide may finally be turning our way.

Next up: The UConn Huskies come to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Let's rock the house. It's time for a little payback for last year's unjust debacle.

2008-09-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

THE SUPER BOWL SHUFFLE

Here is one of my all-time favorite musical productions. When it was created, it was the first of its kind. The Super Bowl Shuffle was performed by the Chicago Bears prior to their colossal 46-10 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots on January 26, 1986. Many people think that the 1985 Chicago Bears were the best team in NFL history. Those Bears were good, and they knew it.

Please pay particular attention to number 55 in the video. That's Otis Wilson, one of the great linebackers to have played at the University of Louisville. I saw him play in college many times. I met Otis Wilson once, long ago, and he was perhaps the most physically imposing man that I have ever met. We had much in common.

The video is pure fun and bravado. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJNC3dgreaU

2008-09-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

NAVY v. BALL STATE

The Navy Midshipmen will be coming to Muncie tonight to play Ball State in football, and your humble Meatbe will be there in attendance. Several hundred Midshipmen have been granted special leave from Annapolis to attend the game, and Brendan will be among them. I can't wait to see my son. He won't be back in Indiana again until Thanksgiving.

The game, which begins at 7:00, will be nationally televised on ESPN. Check it out if you have the opportunity. I understand that they are expecting around 30,000 fans to attend, and I feel confident that there will be a strong contingent of Navy fans there making their presence known. It should be an interesting spectacle. Look for me in the stands; I'll be in blue.

Go Navy!

2008-08-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

OUCH!

The Cardinals lost to the Wildcats this afternoon, 27-2. It was a tremendously disappointing loss, and I am very bummed about it. I will not lie to you about that.

Still, I believe that we Cardinal fans must remember that this was our first game with many, many new changes in place. Considering the Cardinals' personnel changes, the defense performed extremely well. In fact, the Blue Bellies didn't take anything that Louisville didn't hand to them on a sliver platter. Kentucky scored off of Louisville turnovers, but could not generally score on their own merit. U of L's new linebackers all performed better than we could have imagined. Louisville's defense held a powerful and experienced group of Kentucky running backs to a total of 63 yards rushing. For the whole game. That was impressive.

On offense, our Cardinals struggled more than most of us ever could have imagined. Hunter Cantwell looked like a fish out of water. Let's give credit to Kentucky, though: They have a very good defense. Very good. Like ours, apparently. And Doug Beaumont and Josh Chichester are exciting new stars.

Yes, this is a very hard pill to swallow. Still, I believe that the Cardinals can learn and grow from this disappointing loss.

2008-08-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

HE'S BACK!

My Dear CoffeeSpoons reader:

Please excuse the rather lengthy delay since my last posting. Things have been somewhat hectic in my life of late, and continue to be so, but I have resolved to resume my CoffeeSpoons postings nonetheless. I'll begin with a few short Jones Bits to bring you up to date:

***I have just returned from a visit to my father in Halifax, Virginia. It was refreshing to spend time with my dad, his charming wife Linda, and my brother Dave, who lives a couple of hours away in Louisa, Virginia. Unfortunately, there is still no word about the whereabouts of my oldest brother, Ray, who vanished from his rural Virginia home over six years ago now.

While in Virginia, I had the opportunity to go to the Blue Ridge Parkway and hike to the summit of Sharp Top Mountain, elevation 3,875. It was a splendid, rugged and challenging hike that afforded stunning views of nature, and I loved every minute of it. I would heartily recommend a climb up Sharp Top Mountain to any well-conditioned hiker traveling through the vicinity of nearby Lynchburg.

***Shortly before heading to Virginia, I enjoyed a lunch outing with my cousin Becca at the new Bristol Bar and Grille in Jeffersonville. Becca--or "Bakeen," as I nicknamed her many years ago--is now a bank vice president and mortgage loan officer in Louisville. We grew up together, and have been making it a point to try to get together for lunch every couple of months or so. The day that we went to the Bristol was a delightful one. We chose to eat on the outdoor patio, and I was very favorably impressed with the place. Becca and I both found the food to be excellent, and we enjoyed the panoramic view of the Louisville skyline. I'm sure that we'll go there again sometime.

***Five days. Only five days remain until the annual football grudge match between my beloved Louisville Cardinals and their arch rival, the Kentucky Wildcats. I am an alumnus of the University of Louisville, and I have been a Cardinals fan all of my life. While this game may not mean that much to some on the national scale, for me this is the most important, vital, gut-wrenching contest of the year. My stomach tightens every time I think about it. Five days. Go Cards.

2008-07-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

THE CASE OF THE OFFENSIVE MOON

People often ask me about the kinds of legal cases that I handle. I usually tell them that I am the opposite of The Tiger and The Heavy Hitter, in that I typically defend those who are being sued. Over the years I have represented many doctors, hospitals, restaurants, trucking companies, airlines, department stores and other such entities in personal injury and wrongful death matters.

There usually aren't many laughs in the cases that I handle. I was thinking earlier today, though, about a rather humorous case that I defended some fifteen years or so ago. I was representing a restaurant that had a food counter at the front where solo customers could sit and dine. The chairs at the counter had slats in them, so that the customers' backs were visible to the rest of the restaurant's patrons. The other customers sat at tables or booths.

As it so happened, one evening a rather overweight gentleman was sitting at the counter eating his dinner. As he sat there, his pants were not sufficiently pulled up, thus allowing his bare buttocks to show. According to deposition testimony, the man's entire rear end was on display for all to see. By all accounts, this was a less than pleasing sight, and it created quite a stir in the place. Another fellow in the restaurant took strong offense. He loudly told the mooner, "Hey buddy, pull your pants up. I can see your ass!"

The mooner ignored the request. He continued eating, as if he had heard nothing. Enraged, the offended fellow then took his pocketknife--which he had been using to cut up an onion for his bean soup--and went over and began slashing and stabbing the mooner's exposed buns through the chair slats. The other diners watched in stunned silence as this was taking place.

After the initial knife-to-buns assault had taken place, the mooner ran to a pay phone outside the restaurant in order to call the police. While he was dialing, the assailant came out and finished the job by punching the mooner in the face, inflicting a fairly serious eye injury.

The restaurant was sued for alleged negligence in failing to protect its customer from the assault. I initially thought that I would be able to obtain summary judgment for my client, until testimony revealed that the assailant had previously warned waitresses of his intent to "take care of the problem" if the mooner didn't pull up his pants. Because the wait staff delayed after the assailant had issued his warning, there was a factual issue that precluded summary judgment. For that reason, we settled for a nominal amount prior to trial.

2008-07-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

JONES BITS

***My son Brendan has been home for the last month. It has been wonderful to have him back in town. Alas, he must leave to go back to Annapolis again tomorrow. He's getting ready to go on a Navy surface cruise next week before his classes resume in the fall. I will miss him. I'm hoping that he might get to return to Indiana very briefly to attend the Navy-Ball State football game in Muncie on September 5th. A limited number of midshipmen will be allowed to attend. Otherwise, he will not be home again until Thanksgiving.

***The Globe Players have completed their run of Twelfth Night in Louisville's Central Park. I was blown away by the performances. (I attended every one.) The shows were truly outstanding. Bravo!

***I'm starting to get excited about this year's Louisville-Kentucky football game. I was entirely frustrated and disappointed by the Cards in football last year, but I sense that they may be on the upswing--despite the departure of a whole lot of players. Eric Wood (starting center) was talking on the radio this morning about how hungry and driven the returning players are to prove themselves. Meanwhile, I'm starting to sense vast overconfidence on the part of the Blue Bellies. This will be a hot topic until the game is played in Louisville on August 31st.

***I'm really into bird watching these days. I've been getting up and walking before work every morning, and the birds have been very active. I love to see them, and to hear their vibrant morning chorus. This morning I saw a bright red cardinal, which means that it was a VERY GOOD DAY. I actually recognized him by his song before I saw him.

***I'm tired of hearing about Brett Favre. In March he held a tearful press conference in which he declared that his heart was no longer in the game. Now he wants to return, and can't understand why he is being so "mistreated" by the Packers because they are not welcoming him with open arms. My biggest concern is that, after Favre had announced his retirement, the Packers drafted Brian Brohm of Louisville to begin the season as their backup (and potentially future) quarterback. I don't want Favre's shenanigans to mess up the situation for Brohm. That would not be cool at all.

2008-07-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

TWELFTH NIGHT BEGINS!

Every summer, the amphitheatre at Louisville's Central Park becomes the setting for a number of marvelous Shakespearean productions. Shakespeare in Central Park, produced by the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, has become a revered theater tradition in this region. The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival is now in its forty-eighth year of operation. Each year, accomplished actors from across the country come to vie for roles in the Bard's greatest works at this highly-respected venue.

http://www.kyshakes.org/

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of seeing the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival's production of Julius Caesar in Central Park. It was, as expected, an outstanding and memorable production.

It should be noted that there is a youth branch of the program. This week, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival Globe Players will present Twelfth Night; or What You Will, by William Shakespeare. The Globe Players are an advanced theater company consisting entirely of high school students. Admission into the company is competitive. I am particularly excited about seeing Twelfth Night because my son Collin is a member of the Globe Players this year. He will be playing the role of Antonio when the show opens this week. I know that Collin and the rest of the cast and crew have devoted many, many hours to insuring that the performances will be first-rate theater. I can't wait to see it all unfold.

Twelfth Night previews in Central Park this Wednesday, July 16th. The show runs July 17-20, with all performances beginning at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Break a leg, C-Bear!

2008-07-05T11:27:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER GOOD ONE

I have just finished another outstanding novel. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by Mark Haddon, is undoubtedly one of the most unique novels that I have ever read. The book, loaned and recommended to me by one of my sons, provides a captivating tale, and it is truly difficult to put down once you have begun it. The novel won the award for the 2003 Whitbred Book of the Year, and I can see why.

The unusual story is told through the eyes of Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old special needs boy. The reader is provided with a unique perspective, and is able to view the world through Christopher's eyes. The action takes place in the town of Swindon, England, as well as in London. I will not reveal the plot to you, as I don't want to spoil it. Suffice to say that the story is one that will not soon be forgotten.

This novel is a gem. I'll give it four and a-half out of five Js. JJJJj

Happy reading!

2008-06-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

PROFILE PHOTO EXPLAINED

At the urging of my friend the White Rabbit, I shall tell you the story of the photo that now accompanies my profile on this blog. I admit that it is a rather unusual picture.

The photograph in question was taken at Jenicca's Cafe and Wine Bar in Louisville. There is a festive annual event at Jenicca's called "Painted Alive," in which models are paired with local artists to create human exhibits. In a rather painstaking procedure, the artists apply body paint to the models, who are then on display for the remainder of the evening. The event typically draws a huge crowd of art enthusiasts, as well as the just plain curious. Photos are taken of the final creations, and then the photos are put up on display at Jenicca's for some while.

Last year, I was paired with J.D. Dotson, a well-known artist and gallery owner in Louisville. It is J.D.'s work that is visible in my new profile photo. This photo was on display last year at Jenicca's web site. I decided to use it in my profile now because I was in the mood to go with something different, and perhaps to show my artistic/creative side. Pretty wild, eh?

2008-06-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

JONESIN' AROUND

--I think that I jinxed the Reds with my last post. They haven't won a game since! But I still haven't lost my optimism. They are an exciting and fun team to watch. Last night, young Johnny Cueto was on the mound for the Reds. I love the way this guy throws. He's full of life on the hill. Watch out! The Reds are coming on, I tell you.

--After watching the Reds lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers last night, I finished the novel Gone, by Lisa Gardner. It was the first Gardner book that I had read, and I did enjoy it. It had some enjoyable plot twists. One thing kind of bothered me, though. She overused the phrase, "in the good-news department." This phrase was used numerous times in both the narration and in the dialogue. At first I was kind of amused by it, but then it became something of a distraction to me. Still, I would recommend the book for its entertainment value. I'll award it three out of five Js: JJJ

--Not to get too much into politics here, but I thought that the fist bump between Barack and Michelle Obama was a really neat moment. It seemed to be a display of genuine euphoria and celebration. Maybe I relate to it because Obama and I happen to be the same age, and the fist bump is a gesture that I have used many times to display affection and celebration with another person. So it must be cool, right?

2008-06-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

THE REDS

Call me an optimist, but I am still excited about the Cincinnati Reds this year. True, they are still in last place in the National League Central, but I am maintaining hope by virtue of the young talent that they have amassed. The Reds have some talented young players to go along with some reliable veterans. I have faith in Dusty Baker as a manager. Last night's 3-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox was, I hope, an omen of things to come.

Pitching is always the name of the game in baseball, and the Reds have a staff that appears to be capable of pulling things together down the stretch. Aaron Harang put on a masterful performance last night against perhaps the toughest hitting lineup in the majors. Edinson Volquez is a remarkable addition to the staff, and he appears poised to take off. And of course, Jay Bruce and Joey Votto are now showing why Reds fans have been excited about them for some while.

Yes, Reds fans, it is time for optimism. Our team record may stand at 33-36 at the moment, but I expect that to change.

2008-06-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

THE USS SAN ANTONIO

My son Brendan has now successfully completed his first year at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He is now training aboard the USS San Antonio. He'll be on it for the next several weeks. It is an awesome ship. Check it out.

2008-05-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

SOME GOOD READS

After a long day of presenting oral arguments, deposing witnesses or meeting with clients, I like nothing better than coming home and settling down for the evening with a good novel. I am particularly fond of those authors who are capable of vivid development of the fictional characters presented and the environments in which they exist. I've recently come across two novels in this mold that I enjoyed very much.

Just last night I finished The Distant Echo, by Val McDermid. Ms. McDermid has become one of my favorite writers. She is particularly adept at creating plots that are filled with intrigue and suspense. McDermid is from Scotland, and her novels are typically set either there or in England. While reading her books, I enjoy becoming immersed in her terminology from the United Kingdom. I've been heard recently speaking about pulling my vehicle into a car park (a parking lot), snacking on some crisps (potato chips), and picking up a pack of fags (cigarettes). The unusual terminology is never distracting to me. To the contrary, it seems to add to the flavor of the novel. The Distant Echo is a good read indeed.

I also recently read Beyond the Stars, by William David Ross. I had not previously read anything by Ross, but I found this book to be quite worthwhile. (My brother Jonathan turned me on to it.) Beyond the Stars is a historically based novel about Native American Indians and their struggle to survive in the high Dakota plains after the arrival of the white folks. It is well-written and thought provoking. The book is described as an epic of the American West. Reading it made me want to head out west for a hiking and camping trip. It also made me want to learn more about Native American heritage and traditions. Reading it was time very well spent.

I heartily recommend The Distant Echo or Beyond the Stars to you for the next time you are preparing to settle down into your favorite reading chair. While you're at it, you might just want to enjoy some crisps.

2008-05-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

JOHNNY WEST

Does anyone else remember Johnny West? He was a toy action figure, similar to G.I. Joe, except that he was a cowboy. When I was a wee lad growing up on Borden Road, he was my constant companion. I concocted many imaginary scenarios for him, and we had numerous exciting adventures together in my bedroom and in the woods behind my house. Oh, the battles that we fought!

As I recall, there were a variety of other characters available in the Johnny West collection, including some other cowboys, indians, soldiers, and even some cowgirls. I believe that I had only a horse and an indian to go along with my Johnny, but I longed for all of the figures. As it was, Johnny and G.I. Joe sometimes found themselves paired, either as allies or as enemies.

I don't know whatever happened to my Johnny. He was probably discarded as I grew older and graduated on to books, sports and the like. I'm not sure what made me think of Johnny West today, but I'm glad that I did. After all, he was an old friend.

2008-05-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

THEY'RE ENGAGED!

Congratulatons to Tristan and Mickey, who recently announced their engagement. They plan to be married in July of 2009, and I couldn't be happier about it. Mickey is a great guy, and I am looking forward to having him as my son in law. More details later.

For now, I am off to Annapolis to watch Brendan participate in the legendary Herndon Climb tomorrow. Once the climb has been completed, he will be a Plebe no more. I'm looking forward to it.

2008-05-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

SPORTSMANSHIP OR FOLLY?

The following unique story, recently documented on You Tube and around the Internet, has been the subject of much debate lately among sports enthusiasts. Some feel that the assisting players from Central Washington are heroes, having demonstrated great unselfishness and sportsmanship. Others feel that they gave too much, undermining the serious nature of their sport. After you watch the video, let me know what you think.

As for me, I vote that they are heroes. I think that the players and coaches from Central Washington demonstrated great character, and didn't give away anything that hadn't been rightfully earned. This story makes me feel "EXTRY" good, as Andy Griffith would say. I can tell you that I would be quite proud of Mallory Holtman, if she were my daughter. The same goes for Liz Wallace, the shortstop. Your thoughts are welcome. Did Mallory and Liz go too far? Or are they a great example of what sportsmanship is all about? What think ye?

2008-04-23T07:51:00.000-07:00

A MAGICAL EVENING

The air was crisp, the beer was cold, and the bats were sizzling. It was a grand time at the old ball park last night as Rags and I went to Jim Patterson Stadium to watch the Louisville Cardinals play the Kentucky Wildcats before a regular season record crowd approaching 4,000 fans.

After we settled into some seats along the first base line, Rags and I began to notice the crowd. There was Brian Brohm, future NFL quarterback, strolling in with some friends to view the action. Next came hoopsters Terrence Williams and Andre McGee, signing autographs as they sought their seats. Angel McCoughtry and the entire women's team were there, and they were introduced to the crowd before the first pitch. As U of L football coach Steve Kragthorpe entered and walked by, we couldn't help noticing his unusual ensemble: baseball cap, polo shirt, gym shorts and tennis shoes.

Once the action began, it was riveting. Kentucky initially built a 3-0 lead, and it looked like the night was going to belong to the Wildcats. The Cards kept fighting back, though, with their comeback anchored by a clutch RBI double by Drew Haynes, the freshman center fielder from New Albany. In the end, Louisville won 6-5 in dramatic fashion, when third baseman Chris Dominguez singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

It was a glorious and memorable spring evening. The weather was perfect, and the game turned out just the way I wanted. More than that, though, was the fact that I got to share it with my bosom bud and life-long pal, Larry Ragland.

2008-04-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

THINGS THAT IRK ME

Ever since I was a little boy, I've been known to be rather particular about some things. Some aspects of human behavior--and particularly those things that seem especially rude and insensitive to me--really get under my skin, and irk me to no end. I thought it was about time that I shared some of those things with you now. These are everyday things, and they are not major felonies. Still, I would urge you to think about them. I know other people who are bothered by these things too, and so I implore you not to dismiss them as the unjustified idiosyncrasies of a random nut. (Although I do admit to being kind of a random nut on occasion.) Any road, here are three things that really cause my skin to crawl:

1) Chip Chomping. I absolutely love to eat at authentic Mexican restaurants. To me, no grub is more satisfying. And of course, part of the pleasure of eating at Mexican restaurants is receiving a bowl full of fresh warm tortilla chips and salsa to enjoy prior to the main course. Everyone seems to enjoy the chips. In this setting, nothing is more rude, annoying and distracting to me than having to endure the sound of someone nearby loudly chomping on the chips. Please!

Why do some people feel that they should bite into the chip with a fully opened mouth, causing shock waves to reverberate around the restaurant? How rude! Please, break the chip in half and close your mouth before you take a bite. There is no legitimate reason that anyone at an adjacent table should ever be subjected to the sound of you devouring your chips.

2) Failure to use turn signals. Our vehicles are equipped with turn signals for a reason. When we activate them, we make other drivers aware of our intent to either change lanes or to complete a left or a right hand turn. Turn signals help to avoid accidents, and they also help to let people know our intent so that they don't have to sit there like dummies waiting to see what we are going to do. Turn signals are a wonderful invention, and thoughtful motorists use them without fail prior to making a lane change or a turn. More and more, however, I encounter inconsiderate drivers who act as if using a turn signal is too much to ask of them. They can't be bothered to flip their wrist to activate the turn signal. How rude! Please, think of others and use your turn signal every time you are planning to change lanes or make a turn when other cars are around.

3) Public nose blowing. This one may seem funny, but it encompasses a life-long mystery to me. For the life of me, I cannot understand how it ever became a socially acceptable practice to blow one's nose in public. Really, could anything be more disgusting and gross? I literally cringe whenever I witness such a coarse and vulgar act. It is particularly revolting when people blow their noses in restaurants. Grotesque! I can't imagine doing that. If I ruled the world, I would mandate that anyone needing to blow his or her nose be required either to go outside or to the nearest restroom to complete the task. As Charles Barkley once observed in a commercial, "Anything less would be uncivilized."

And there you have an initial list of three things that really, truly annoy me. I humbly suggest that if people would be considerate and refrain from doing these things, the world would be a much better place.

2008-04-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

PRIVATE COURTYARD, ANYONE?

I regularly work with a group of artists at the Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center. The artists are all creative, friendly and absolutely delightful people. The sessions are usually held in a large life drawing studio at the center.

Now that the weather is getting warmer, the group is looking for a place to have some outdoor sessions. A private courtyard, patio area or meadow would be ideal. If you have any suggestions for such a location, or if you are an artist and would like to participate in the sessions once a suitable place has been found, please let me know.

2008-04-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

THE BOYS OF SPRING

Thus far, I have made it to three University of Louisville baseball games this year. Today, my brother Jonathan and I were on hand to see the Cards dispatch highly-ranked St. John's, 10-3. It was an unbelievably glorious day. Going to Jim Patterson Stadium has become a splendid spring pastime for me. Today's seventy degree weather and brilliant sunshine made the experience all the better. I truly love to feel the sun warming my skin as I watch the Cards zipping the ball around the infield with well-honed precision.

I am enjoying the Cards all the more this year because of Drew Haynes. Drew is the starting center fielder for Louisville. I have literally watched Drew play baseball since he was four years old, when he and Brendan were T-ballers together at the YMCA in Jeffersonville. Over the years, Drew and Brendan played on many New Albany Township all-star teams together. They have been friends for many years. I know that Drew is not only a fine athlete, but a great young man as well. His parents, Richard and Paula Haynes, are wonderful people. I shared some warm, reflective moments with them at yesterday's 'Ville game.

Today, in addition to covering center field like the dew, Drew had two hits and drove in a key RBI against St. John's. It is fantastic to see him excelling on the collegiate stage. I also love being able to chat with Brendan about Drew's success. I know that Brendan enjoys reading about Drew on-line, and hearing about his play from afar at his dorm room at Annapolis.

I can tell you this: I will continue to be at Jim Patterson Stadium to support Drew and the Cards whenever possible. I hope to see you, dear CoffeeSpoons reader, at the ol' ball park soon.

2008-03-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

THE PROGENY UPDATE

For the many friends and family members who view this blog, I wanted to provide you with a brief update as to the latest happenings of my kids.

Collin is preparing to finish out his junior year at Providence High School. He'll be in the upcoming production of Peter Pan. Collin is again visiting France this week as part of the Clarksville Sister Cities exchange program. He'll return home this Saturday, March 29th. Bon voyage, C-Bear!

Brendan recently enjoyed a well-deserved spring break from the U.S. Naval Academy. He and the other plebes from his company spent a week soaking up the sun in Jamaica. Word from the Hunt-Man is that they had an absolute stone-gas. (What else is spring break for, eh?)

Caitlin completed her student teaching this past fall. She'll receive her bachelor's degree from Bellarmine University on May 10th. She'll turn 22 on May 19th. Caitlin and Rocky will celebrate their first year of wedded bliss on June 16th. They are the happy parents of two beautiful dogs, Blue and Leo.

Tristan is continuing work on her master's degree at the University of Indianapolis. She is a full-time employee of the university now, but hopes to be teaching next fall. She and her significant other, Mickey, have been house hunting and recently made an offer to purchase a house in Indy. Tristan will turn 23 on April 22nd. I can't believe it.

Where does the time go?

2008-03-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

MARCH MADNESS BEGINS

For sports fans, this is a truly magical time of year. March Madness arrives in earnest on Thursday with the beginning of the NCAA basketball tournament. As always, I will be rooting for my beloved Louisville Cardinals. It is no overstatement for me to tell you that the Cards have been a life-long passion for me. I live and die by their victories and losses. The Cards begin the tournament this year by playing Boise State on Friday night in Birmingham, Alabama. I wish that I could be there.

Of course, bracketology is a major part of the fun of March Madness. This year, I have submitted my brackets for a contest being hosted by Kaiser's Tobacco Shop. My chosen final four are: (drum roll please!) Louisville, Kansas, Pittsburgh & UCLA. I picked Kansas to win it all, though I hope that I am wrong on that, and that the 'Ville proves that I should have chosen them to go all the way.

As I've discussed with several friends and colleagues lately, I think that the Cards do have enough weapons to allow them to win the championship this year. On the other hand, if they turn cold, they are capable of losing in the first round. It is comforting to know that Rick Pitino will be in charge. There is a reason that he's been able to take three different schools to The Final Four. I look for the Cardinals to be ready to go.

I'm also excited about the U of L women's team. They drew a 4 seed, the highest in school history, and they too are well-coached and poised for a potential deep tournament run. I hope that they make some serious noise, and show the rest of the country that this truly is the basketball capital of the world.

Go Cards!

2008-03-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

THE SKINNY ON JONES

Greetings....And welcome to spring! (Feels like it anyway.) I'm sorry to have delayed in posting, but I've been working on a rather intense wrongful death suit of late, and that has been consuming most of my time and energy. Any road, a number of people have asked me for an update regarding the call back auditions at CenterStage, so I thought I'd better report back on that now.

I have now been offered a role in The Full Monty. It is not, however, one of the roles that I really wanted. I've been asked to play the part of Tony Giordano, who is the owner of the bar where the action takes place. It is a small part, and not nearly as appealing to me as one of the main characters would have been.

I must decide whether to accept this role by March 21st. I'm somewhat torn at the moment, primarily because I think that if I reject it I can almost certainly get a larger role in another production elsewhere within the same time frame. On the other hand, it would be a foot in the door at CenterStage. That appeals to me, as CenterStage seems to be a first-rate organization, and the acting company there is very impressive. I would like to work with them.

I'll let you know what I decide.

2008-02-26T19:06:00.000-08:00

THE CALL BACK

As I have previously reported, I recently participated in the auditions for the upcoming theater season at CenterStage in Louisville. I went there with the intention of auditioning only for The Full Monty. That audition was kind of a rude awakening to me, in that I was unpleasantly surprised by the existence and intensity of the dancing portion of the audition. I was quite unprepared for that aspect of the audition, and felt that I had probably blown it. I was then unexpectedly asked by the director whether I might be interested in participating in the fall production of Angels in America.

This afternoon, I received word that I've been invited to the call backs for both The Full Monty and Angels in America. Both call back auditions will take place this coming Sunday.

I'm surprised to receive invitations to both of these call backs. There is certainly no guarantee that I will ultimately land a role in either production, but I am honored to be considered. Wish me luck. I may end up in Hollywood yet. :-) I'll keep you CoffeeSpooners informed.

2008-02-18T14:23:00.000-08:00

LADY PANTHERS FALL; JONES STUMBLES

There was a rockin' crowd in the stands in Jasper on Saturday to watch the Corydon Central Lady Panthers take on Vincennes Lincoln in the high school basketball regional. Larry Ragland, a.k.a. "Rags," is the coach of the Lady Panthers. Rags has been my bosom bud since we were twelve years old, so of course I was on hand to cheer on his team. Unfortunately, the Lady Panthers got off to a sluggish start. They fell behind by 16 points. They came storming back in the second half, and had an opportunity to tie the score with just seconds left. They couldn't do it, though, and ended up falling, 65-60.

I did have a lot of fun cheering on Rags' team this year. The sectional victory was a special moment. I congratulate Coach Ragland and all of his players on a successful season.

Yesterday, I did go to audition for "The Full Monty" at CenterStage in Louisville. That was somewhat of a mixed bag. The advertisement that I saw said to prepare a one-minute monologue and sixteen bars of a broadway-style musical for the audition. As it turned out, there was a huge crowd of people there to audition.

For my monologue, I memorized a passage from The Invisible Man, by H.G. Wells. For my musical selection, I obtained and practiced up on "The Sidestep," from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. When I went to the auditions, I felt very confident about my monologue, and moderately confident about my musical selection. And of course, I was quite confident in my willingness to shed my duds in front of an audience. What I didn't realize, though, was that there would be a dance audition.

I fancy myself to be able to move pretty well on a dance floor, but this audition was totally unexpected and foreign to me. The leader demonstrated a series of steps and moves, and then asked us to follow along with her. I felt that I was doing fine as I was doing the moves with the instructor. The problem came when she stopped doing it, and instructed us to proceed on without her. I had no idea that was going to happen, and I had made no effort to memorize the steps. My attempt to reconstruct them was something of a disaster. I must tell you that it was a truly humbling moment.

In any event, the moment was saved, somewhat, after I performed my monologue. I think that the director was impressed, and he asked me if I might like to be in Angels in America, which will be produced next fall. I will probably pursue that option further. Angels in America is a serious drama, with no singing or dancing in it.

2008-02-11T15:37:00.000-08:00

LADY PANTHERS ROAR!

Congratulations to Coach Larry Ragland and the Corydon Central Lady Panthers on your sectional championship. You have played with class and an indominable spirit. Good luck at the Jasper regional. I'll be there cheering you all the way. Go Panthers!

Mackenzie Dyer eyes a three while
Coach Ragland looks on.

2008-02-06T05:55:00.000-08:00

THE FULL MONTY?

I'm thinking about auditioning for a part in "The Full Monty" next week at CenterStage in Louisville. I'm planning to call the director later today to get more info about the auditions, including the performance dates, rehearsal schedule, and so on.

"The Full Monty" is a musical with a unique plot. It involves six blue-collar men who resort to performance art (stripping) after they are laid off from their jobs. As everyone knows, the play does contain some nudity. I've been an artists' figure model for years, and am a nudist generally, so the idea of appearing on stage in the buff doesn't faze me. It's actually the music that causes me some concern. I've performed in musicals before, but singing is really not my strong suit.

We shall see.....

2008-01-23T19:54:00.001-08:00

QUESTIONS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM

Regular readers of CoffeeSpoons will undoubtedly have noticed that I have been having an on-line dialogue recently with Andrew "White Rabbit" Keogh. Andrew is a London barrister who discovered my blog and began to comment on it; he maintains a fine blog site of his own, and we've been exchanging comments and observations over the past couple of weeks.

The exchange has been fun. It has become obvious that, despite the similarities between our two countries, there are different customs and terminologies that sometimes interfere with our understanding of one another. This became obvious when Andrew posted an interesting commentary about the dearth of good salads in the United Kingdom. I responded, noting that one of my favorite salad ingredients is garbanzo beans. This was a term previously unfamiliar to Andrew. When I told him that they are sometimes referred to as chick peas or hummus, he immediately knew what I was talking about.

In further discussing the differences in terminology and customs, one of Andrew's regular readers quizzed him as to whether he knows what "cilantro" is. Of course, as one who loves Mexican food the way that it is served in the United States, I was immediately familiar with the term. It turns out, though, that the substance that we call "cilantro" in the United States is referred to as "coriander" across the Atlantic.

If I understand correctly it also appears, to my surprise, that those in the United Kingdom sometimes put mayonnaise on salads. I've never seen that done here.

In his most recent comment on CoffeeSpoons, the White Rabbit asked me several questions. These pertain more to me personally than to anything dealing with our culture generally. I answer them now for the edification of any who may be interested.

Question 1: What on earth is a garbanzo bean?

Answer: See above.

Question 2: Can a vegan eat honey? I suppose it's a kind of animal product.

Answer: I think that you are right. While I doubt that a true vegan would eat honey, I don't feel qualified to answer this question. I am actually a vegetarian, but not a vegan. I don't drink milk or eat eggs by themselves, but I do consume some animal products. I discovered early on that it is almost impossible to completely avoid them. Accordingly, I do eat cheese sometimes and, undoubtedly, I occasionally consume some items that have milk and eggs in them.

Question 3: Why has a vegan (vegetarian) got the handle "Meatbe?" I can't see past the 'meat' bit.

Answer: That is funny, isn't it? The nickname actually has nothing to do with my dietary habits. It goes back to when I was in junior high school. I went by "Matt" in those days, and some of my buddies changed it, for whatever reason, and started calling me "Meat." It evolved into "Meatbe," but there's really no great story behind it. My oldest friends call me Meat or Meatbe to this day. One blogger in my home town suggested a year or so ago that they should now change it to "Vegbe," which I found to be a very clever suggestion.

Question 4: I'm curious to know what the sporting event in the background in your profile pic is. Having said that, sport causes even more transatlantic confusion than food methinks.

Answer: In the picture, I am attending a college football game at the University of Illinois. There were almost 60,000 fans at that particular game. College football games are very fun and festive events here. If you ever have the chance to go to one, I would highly recommend it.

Thanks for your questions, my friend. I look forward to continuing our conversations.

--Matthew, a.k.a. the Meatbe

2008-01-18T18:12:00.000-08:00

THE TEMPEST

While most of Cardinal Nation was busy cheering the U of L men's basketball team to a victory over Marquette last night, my son Collin Matthew and I were engaged in other pursuits. We were taking advantage of an opportunity to see The Tempest at Actors Theatre of Louisville. We had been looking forward to seeing the show, and I'm pleased to report that we were not disappointed in the least.

The Tempest is a wonderful, imaginative play. It is generally considered to be William Shakespeare's final solo work. The play is a "magical comic romance," filled with poetic imagery and powerful evocative language.

Having been banished to a deserted island the protagonist, Prospero, conjures up a storm to exact revenge upon those who have betrayed and banished him. Collin and I both felt that the cast did an outstanding job of creating the story, using all available theatrical tools to great advantage. We felt that Henry Woronicz was very compelling in the role of Prospero. Overall, the cast was strong, and the performance was memorable.

Special thanks go to Susie and Mike Stewart (who were busy attending the 'Ville game) for making the tickets available to us. This was a special evening for father and son. I loved getting to share the experience with Collin, and I won't soon forget it.

2008-01-16T19:51:00.000-08:00

THE NEW GYM

It isn't every day that my mug appears on the front page of the Indiana section of The Courier Journal, but it happened back in September. The occasion for my appearance in the limelight came as a result of the unexpected closing of the gym where I had worked out regularly since 1992, The Fitness Zone on Spring Street in New Albany.

No one was more surprised about the gym's closing than I was. I showed up at noon one Monday, ready to work out as usual. To my dismay, the gym was locked. A terse hand-written sign informed me that the facility was being closed indefinitely because the owners had lost their lease. There was apparently no way for me to recoup the dues that I had paid in advance for my ongoing membership. A C-J reporter, Ben Zion Hershberg, happened to be there investigating the closing. He interviewed me and snapped my photo for the story.

I was very dismayed about the closing of The Fitness Zone. It was a great gym. Those who worked out there were generally pretty serious about their training. It was close to my office, and I had many friends there.

The day that The Fitness Zone closed, I began looking for a new gym. Working out is something that I cannot do without. If I go more than a day or two without hitting it, I begin to feel like a slug.

I ended up settling on Total Fitness & Wellness. It is Dr. Stanley Schooler's gym, located on Charlestown Road behind Kohl's. It's a nice place. It is much smaller than The Fitness Zone, and much less convenient for me to travel to from my office, but it is clean and the people there are friendly. I've been hitting it four or five times per week, and I've kind of gotten used to it now. It doesn't feel like home yet, but I'm getting more comfortable there.

I really miss The Fitness Zone, and I wish that it were still open. I'm looking forward to checking out the new YMCA at Scribner Place when it eventually opens, and I can envision joining there if it fits my needs. For now, I am happy to have found a suitable place to work out.

2008-01-13T16:46:00.001-08:00

THE SMOKING BAN

The city of Louisville has reinstated its smoking ban, and I couldn't be happier about it. Now, without exception, patrons are barred from lighting up in public venues, including bars and restaurants. Once again, we can go in and have a beer and/or a meal without having to worry about someone else's smoke invading the air that we are trying to breathe. I enjoyed that very privilege yesterday, going into a Louisville establishment to enjoy the NFL playoffs in a busy bar that was delightfully smoke-free.

To me, the smoking ban makes absolute sense as a public health measure. Some say that it should be left up to the individual bar or restaurant owner to decide whether he or she wants to permit smoking on the premises. I strongly disagree. Why should it be permissible for anyone to be allowed to emit a dangerous carcinogen into the public breathing space? Why should workers be forced to endure a dangerous and unhealthy working environment?

I hope that the city of New Albany will join the rest of the civilized world and enact a similar ban soon. To its credit, the city of Jeffersonville does have a smoking ban, but it unfortunately does not extend to bars--at least not yet.

This is not an issue of civil liberties. Those who wish to smoke are entitled to do so within the confines of their own homes. They are not, however, entitled to invade the space of others and pollute the public air.

2008-01-10T19:21:00.001-08:00

INNS OF COURT

Tonight, I participated in a meeting of the Sherman Minton chapter of the American Inns of Court. The Inns of Court is an organization in which lawyers and judges have monthly meetings to socialize and share legal education programs for the betterment of the local legal community. Participation is voluntary. All of the local judges are members, though, and so most of of the leading lawyers in Floyd and Clark counties are members as well.

Each month, a different team of members is responsible for presenting a continuing legal education program. It was my team's turn to present the program this evening. My team is comprised primarily of litigators, and so it was our assignment to present a program relating to the requirements for introducing evidence at trial.

I think that the presentation went very well. My particular topic was "Impeachment by evidence of prior bad acts." I researched and wrote a paper on the subject, and then gave a talk about it during our meeting. Some debate was called for, and I was enthused that Judge J. Terrence Cody, Judge Dan Donahue, Judge Jerry Jacobi and trial lawyer extraordinaire Jim Bourne all participated in some spirited discussion on my topic. It was fun.

My group was led by Dick Mullineaux, a good friend and a very well-respected veteran of many jury trials. Dick did a great job of getting our group of attorneys organized to present a cohesive and beneficial program. Dick and I were both very close to Sam Day, who passed away almost five years ago now, and we share a special bond because of the bereft feeling that we share at his loss. Indeed, Sam and I presented several Inns of Court programs together. I suppose that I will never attend a meeting there without having his memory evoked.

I think that Sam would have enjoyed tonight's program. I wish that he could have been there.

2008-01-09T20:21:00.001-08:00

TASTES LIKE CHICKEN

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the day that I last tasted meat. Since January 10, 2007, I have not gnawed on an animal carcass or nibbled on dead animal flesh of any variety. I have not swallowed a teaspoon of milk or eaten a deviled egg. Steak, chicken, and fish of any kind have been off limits. Not one piece of shrimp, no chicken nuggets, and most definitely no hamburgers. And I must tell you that it feels great. I feel a great sense of accomplishment at having been strong on the vegetarian front for a full year, and I'm full steam ahead with that program for the foreseeable future.

Many people cannot understand my conversion. I have explained several times on this blog why I decided to eschew the consumption of animal flesh. For me, it was primarily a decision to strive for healthy living. After battling high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure with limited success, I decided to take control of the situation. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Bryant Stamford, a professor at Hanover College who (via his C-J column) turned me on to The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell.

In The China Study, Dr. Campbell debunks the myths that we have been fed about nutrition in our society. Contrary to popular belief, animal proteins are bad, bad bad for us! We have been sold a bill of goods, encouraged to drink milk and eat fish and other meats, not realizing that these substances are killing us. And this important health information has been kept from us because billions and billions of dollars are being made courtesy of our blissful ignorance. The dairy industry, meat producers and most especially the pharmaceutical companies to not want us to discover the truth that we are killing ourselves by consuming animal proteins.

I did not come to this realization easily or lightly. For 45 years, I drank milk and ate meat every day, convinced that those foods would cause me to be healthy and strong. I couldn't have been more wrong.

A diet consisting primarily of whole foods, fruits and vegetables is the key. The evidence is clear that in societies where milk and other animal products are not a substantial part of the diet, and where whole foods, fruits and vegetables are emphasized, there is a much lower incidence of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other devastating health problems. It also turns out that the consumption of slaughtered animals is injurious to our environment--in case anyone cares about that.

I would urge anyone within the sound of my voice, or within the reach of these written words, to read The China Study and decide for yourself.

2008-01-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE TO THE C-BEAR!

Today is the seventeenth birthday of my youngest child, Collin Matthew Jones--or, as I have affectionately called him for many moons, the C-Bear. Collin is a true delight, a source of absolute pride to me, and a character who brings smiles to the faces of all who know him. Collin is a true renaissance man. He is an accomplished actor who is as comfortable with Shakespeare as he is with modern day comedic writers. He has been a varsity football player and wrestler, while at the same time honing his skills as a musician on the piano, the guitar, the cello and, more recently, the ukulele. While taking breaks from his studies at Providence High School, he writes poetry and short stories. He'll be visiting France for the second time this spring. He also has a lovely and delightful girlfriend, Sarah.

Happy birthday, C-Bear! I hope that it is a great one for you. I'm especially pleased on this January 5th that the Cards were able to deliver a big win in basketball over our rival Blue Bellies. (O.K.--I understand that this win is much more significant to me than it is to you, but I trust that you are psyched about it as well. Hoo-Yah! Go Cards!)

My dear C-Bear, I hope that this is a special and fantastic year for you. When 2008 ends, you will be a senior, well on your way to your college destination, wherever that may turn out to be. You have some big decisions ahead. I hope that you know that, wherever your path may lead, I will always be with you. I am proud of you and I love you.

2007-12-08T17:26:00.000-08:00

POPS KNOWS BEST

One day, when my daughter Tristan was about 15, I was performing one of my usual chauffeur duties and transporting Tristan and her good friend, Brian, to play practice or some such extracurricular activity. In those days, I used to listen in on my kids' conversations with their friends during such rides, though I would rarely spoil the teenage groove by entering the conversation myself. I always enjoyed picking up juicy tidbits when they didn't particularly know that I was listening.

Anyway, on this one occasion, Tristan and Brian were talking about some relationship issue. Someone had disrespected someone else, or some couple was breaking up, or they were fighting, or something like that. I really cannot remember what the specific issue was, or who was involved. What I do recall is that, at some point, I felt compelled to join in on the conversation and make a comment. I had to give my take on the situation. I don't remember what my take was, or what I said.

The thing that I recall most is the way that my comment was received. While Tristan was stoically silent in response--as was her wont in those days--I heard Brian whisper to Tristan, "Your Pops is pretty sharp."

I liked hearing that. As parents, we often worry that we might be out of touch with our teens, that we are viewed as old fuddy-duddies who don't know what's going on in today's world. Brian's comment made me feel a kind of validation. It was an affirmation that I really might have something to offer to the younger generation, and particularly my own children. It may seem trivial now, but it was significant to me at the time. It was significant enough to me that I well remember it now, some eight or nine years later.

2007-11-30T19:05:00.000-08:00

A LESSON BEFORE DYING

And now, I have just finished reading A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines. Once again, I find myself overwhelmed by the power of literature to convey and illuminate the human condition.

Gaines is known for also having written The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, among other works. His writing is powerful, and it illustrates with unmistakable clarity the struggle that many African Americans have had to endure in American society.

A Lesson Before Dying is set in rural Louisiana in the 1940s. The protagonist, Grant Wiggins, is an educated black man who has to endure repeated indignities in order to survive in that society. He becomes a teacher, although he hates teaching, because that is the only profession that is open to a man of color in that culture in that day. He is called upon to try to help make sense of the death sentence imposed upon a young black man in his community.

This novel is filled with powerful imagery and symbolism. It won the 1993 National Book Critics Circle Award, and I can see why. Long after finishing this book, the reader will be thinking about its powerful message. How can it be, we must ask, that America was like this not so long ago? I can tell that this one is going to haunt me for a good while, as a good book should.

2007-11-28T08:20:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRENDAN

Hey Son--I hope that your nineteenth birthday is the best ever. It is difficult for me to have you so far away on your b-day, but I look forward to celebrating with you when you come home for Christmas. In case I haven't told you lately, I love you and am exceedingly proud of you.

Enjoy the big game in Baltimore this Saturday. I will be looking for you among the Midshipmen on TV. Go Navy! Beat Army!

2007-10-31T20:41:00.001-07:00

LIFE OF PI

I have just finished reading Life of Pi, a 2001 award-winning novel by Yann Martel. Martel is a wonderful storyteller. His book is a fascinating tale and a great read.

The story is deeply thought-provoking. It causes the reader to evaluate his own role in the universe--a sensation similar to the one that I experienced the first time I read one of my all-time favorite works, The Open Boat, by Stephen Crane.

I was totally captivated by Life of Pi. I consider it to be a fine work of literature, something far more enriching than the typical piece of fiction. I heartily recommend it to you.

Before I forget to mention it, Martel provides an observation in his Author's Note at the beginning of the book that truly struck home with me. I quote it here: "If we, citizens, do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams."

Amen to that.

2007-10-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

DREAMS OF RAY

It has been over five years now. Over five years since that fateful day when I learned that my oldest brother, Ray, had seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth. He disappeared without a trace on a chilly spring morning from his home in rural Virginia. He disappeared, leaving behind a baffled wife and two adoring stepchildren.

We have no idea what happened to Ray. We all have our theories. To be perfectly honest, I suspect and fear that he suffered the worst imaginable fate. I would like to think that he is sunning somewhere on a tropical beach --but I seriously doubt it. Ray is--or dare I say was--a truly great guy, and a wonderful brother, but he had his enemies.

Ray's mysterious disappearance, with no word or explanation, has been a tragedy for the entire family. It is really unfathomable. The tragedy has hit our dad the hardest of all. Having now turned 75, Dad is absolutely bereft, imploring the stars to know what fate has befallen his namesake, his eldest child.

Last night I dreamed of Ray, as I often do. In my dream, Ray appeared out of the blue back here in New Albany. I ran into him in a local bar where we used to meet when he lived here. After chastising him for disappearing, I invited him back to my house and welcomed him warmly. I wept tears of joy at seeing him again, and knowing that he was alive. He didn't really tell me what had happened to him, but that was okay. It was a strange and crazy dream.

I only hope, with all of my being, that my dream comes true some day. And I hope that our dad is with us to celebrate the happy reunion.

2007-10-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE!

The Providence Players (at Providence High School) are currently performing A Midsummer Night's Dream, by William Shakespeare. I personally believe that this is one of the most hilarious plays ever written. The show is excellently produced and performed, and I would highly recommend it to you for a good evening of entertainment.

The cast consists largely of seniors, although there are some juniors in the production as well. My son, Collin, plays the role of Bottom--a verbose and overbearing actor who is transformed into an ass. (No type casting there!)

The play began last weekend, and will be perfomed again this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All performances begin at 7:00.

2007-09-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

CHEERING FOR THE ILLINI

This weekend, Rags, Bret and I will embark upon our annual journey to Illinois for an Illini football game. Rags' brother, Johnny, works at the University of Illinois. He and his lovely wife Linda live on a lake not too far from the campus. It is our annual ritual to go to the elder Raglands' manse to enjoy a time of football, fun, and general debauchery. The tailgating scene in Champaign is quite impressive. The lake fest atmosphere around Johnny & Linda's beautiful home provides the opportunity for a significant stone-gas as well.

After the dismal start for the 'Ville, I can use the break. Unlike the Cards, the Illini have gotten off to a better-than-expected start. On Saturday, we will watch them square off against Joe Paterno's Littany Lions. I'm looking forward to watching Rashard Mendenhall, the Illini's elusive and powerful running back, doing battle with the always-tough defense from Linebacker U.

It should be an interesting weekend. Cheers, y'all.

2007-09-23T18:11:00.001-07:00

LOYALTY IS A TWO-WAY STREET

When Coach Bobby Petrino decided to leave the University of Louisville football team last year to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, he was roundly excoriated as a modern day Benedict Arnold. How dare he leave, we 'Ville fans questioned, after he had been given such a golden opportunity to shine on a national stage? Where was his sense of loyalty?

Enter Coach Steve Kragthorpe, an up-and-coming head coach from Tulsa with experience in the NFL. Hand-picked by mastermind Tom Jurich, it was widely felt that all Kragthorpe had to do was to come into Louisville and hold onto the reins while Louisville glided to another BCS victory. Only it didn't quite work out that way.

The new-look Cardinals have stumbled out to a terrible beginning. Shockingly bad, to tell you the truth. After unimpressive victories over outmanned Murray State and Middle Tennessee, Kragthorpe's Cardinals lost to....gulp...Kentucky. Yesterday, they dropped a shocking loss to 0-3 Syracuse, a game in which the Cardinals were favored by almost 37 points at home. The word is now officially out: This team is not as good as advertised. Far from it. And for some, that means that heads must roll.

The chants and internet missives have begun. Many Louisville fans want Coach K gone, and gone right now. The evidence has been weighed, the verdict is in, and many in the U of L jury seem ready to sentence Coach K to walk the plank. When we consider the alleged "betrayal" by Coach Bobby Petrino last year, this rush to judgment strikes me as rather ironic.

Don't get me wrong. I am as flabbergasted about the poor start for U of L as anyone else is. I am bummed, steamed, whizzed and downright honked off. I am very concerned. Still, it seems strange to me that, after expecting uncompromising loyalty from Bobby Petrino, we are now ready to scrap the career of our new coach after only four games.

I wonder: What does that say about us?

2007-09-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

A HUMBLING DEFEAT

As you might imagine, I am very BUMMED about the outcome of the football game last evening. For anyone who doesn't know, Kentucky beat Louisville by a score of 40-34. I truly thought that the Cards would win, although I admittedly had concerns about the Louisville defense and the new coaching staff. I am still optimistic that the 'Ville can have a good season. But the fact that Louisville's national championship hopes have been dashed by our bitter rival is truly a bitter pill to swallow.

Once upon a time, I may have tried to diminish the accomlishment that the Cats achieved on Saturday evening, and perhaps I would have made excuses for this loss. My conscience will not allow me to do so now. As Muhammad Ali once said, "The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life."

Congratulations to the Kentucky Wildcats. They showed that they are an excellent football team. I hope that they go on to have an outstanding year, thereby showing that my beloved Cardinals were beaten by a worthy opponent.

2007-09-12T21:08:00.001-07:00

RIVALRY WEEK PREDICTION

Tick, tock.....Tick, tock.....Oh boy! It's almost time! Almost time for the annual football holy war between the University of Louisville Cardinals and those blue bellies from the east, the University of Kentucky Wildcats. To put it mildly, I have an extreme passion for this game. This is a great football rivalry, and I really love it. I'll go ahead and admit it that, for me, this is the most anticipated, most exciting and yes, most important game of the year. I think of this game all year long, and there are many like me. Every minute that this game gets closer, I can feel my blood pressure rising in nervous anticipation. It won't be long now.

I bleed Cardinal red. I always have. And there is much about this year's game that causes the Cardinal faithful to be alternately confident and concerned.

U of L has completely owned this rivalry in recent years. There was much hype and excitement going into last year's game, and the Lexington propaganda machine convinced me that the Wildcats might actually win. Once the game started, however, the Cardinals dominated as usual. The final score was 59-28, but it wasn't that close.

This year, Louisville has a team ranked in the top ten, but they also have a new coach and a defense that has looked very shaky in wins over Murray State and Middle Tennessee. Kentucky has a prolific offense, and the 'Ville defense will have to seriously step it up if they hope to stop Andre Woodson, Rafael Little, Keenan Burton and their mates. The game will also be played in front of a rabid, hostile crowd in Lexington, and that fact causes some concern for me.

In the final analysis, though, I believe that the Louisville offense is just too powerful to be outscored by the Wildcat offense. The Cardinals' offensive line is huge, mobile and experienced. Jeff Brohm is the best passer in college football, thowing to three of the finest receivers in Harry Douglas, Mario Urrutia and Gary Barnidge. Anthony Allen is a human wrecking ball, a brute of a runner who chews up yardage and punishes those who tackle him. I don't think that Kentucky will be able to stop him.

I think that it will be a good contest, an exciting fray, but that the Cards will have too much in the end. My prediction: Louisville 58, Kentucky 41.