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.  

     

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.

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.  

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.