You Gotta Root For Somebody, Right?

This image can be found at: http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/kty-m-baskbl-mtt.html

 UK Roster 10-11

The state of Indiana is into basketball like all of Pennsylvania is obsessed with the Steelers. Personally, I've never really gotten into watching sports in the past. Although, that, I believe, is about to change thanks to Joshua Allen Leach.

The basketball team he roots for is the University of Kentucky, better known as UK or Big Blue. As I write, they are up against the University of North Carolina, a.k.a the Tar Heels, for a spot in the Final Four. 

I played basketball for Homer-Center Elementary grades 3-6. At six years old, I stretched and tore a ligament, resulting in permanent knee trouble. Once I started playing basketball, my issues worsened and I eventually had to wear a knee brace at all times. Once opposing team caught wind of my injury, players started going after my knee every single game, which ultimately ended my basketball career for good.

As dedicated as I was to playing basketball, I never enjoyed watching it professionally. Upon seeing my first Kentucky game on TV Friday night, I decided to make a bet with Joshua.

If Kentucky defeats the North Carolina Tar Heels, I will officially become a Kentucky Wildcats fan (unless they play against a Pennsylvania team of course) and he will seal the conversion by buying me a  UK t-shirt. The catch is, however, if Kentucky loses, Joshua has to root for the Pennsylvania team of my choice. The kicker: I buy him a t-shirt that he must wear during all Kentucky games. It's quite lovely seeking this type of revenge against a man who always rags on Pennsylvania ;].

*

My parents are die hard Steelers fans. I can remember throughout the course of my childhood the constant flow of hoots, hollers, curses, and screams at the television during one of their games. It got to a point when I simply could not stand the noise, so I stopped watching the Steelers altogether. I would spend game time alone in my room, with the stereo blasting or headphones plugging my ears. 

This past February, I decided to watch the Steelers for the first time in six years, in their match against the Packers for the Superbowl. Upon the Steelers' pitiful loss, I asked my father why he continued to watch the Steelers after all these years. He didn't get excited about much these days. For most of my life, he pretty much stayed in bed or watched TV, for he became disabled back when I was about two years old. He responded to me without missing a beat, "You gotta have somebody to root for, right? Something to get you excited about life for a change. What else do I have to be happy about."

I thought about this for a moment, and understood  why my parents were so passionate about the Steelers'. They served for them an escape from reality, a chance to celebrate with them when they win, and cry with them when they lose.

*

"What the hell was that," I muttered under my breath as I watched Knight chuck the ball to some imaginary player standing at half court. The Tar Heels drives the ball down court. A player tosses the ball effortlessly into the air and towards the net, as two Kentucky players bat their hands across his arms like flustered birds senselessly flapping water off their wings. Kentucky, for the umpteenth time, has handed UNC another chance to secure foul shot points. 

"Really?!?" I exclaimed. "I'm gonna strangle your freaking team, Josh," I call into the phone. Joshua remains silent. "I swear, if they hand that team another point because they can't stop sissy slapping when UNC is at the net, I am gonna scream."

I immediately stop myself. "Oh my god," I stated flatly. "What is happening to me," I shuttered. I folded my face in my hands and shook my head, placing Joshua on speakerphone. He lightly chuckled on the other side of the line, "You are becoming a fan," he grinned. 

*

I'm pretty sure I want to go see UK play live sometime in the near future. I think it will be nice having someone to root for; maybe it will make me less bitter about things that don't go my way. Maybe, it will lighten me up a bit. 

My "going to a Kentucky Wildcats game" proposal has now been secured, for they just shut down the Tar Heels 76-69. 

It is now Facebook official: I am a Kentucky Wildcats fan. Big Blue is going to the Final Four, and I am actually excited about it. :].

This image can be found at: http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/032711aaa.html

Kentucky MVP DeAndre Liggins :)

"The more I see of men, the more I like dogs."

I am a dog person, as is my fiance. The two of us have owned dogs our entire lives, and simply put, we cannot picture a future without a couple of them running around a backyard.  Joshua and I have had dozens of conversations about what kinds of dogs we would like to own (upon my move to Indiana and finding our own place.)

Before I continue, I must say that the two of us technically have a dog together presently. Just before Christmas time, Joshua and I were looking into adopting a dog, for we had both lost our companions in one summer. My 11-year-old Black Labrador, Midge, passed away two months before I entered college. A few months prior, Joshua's red-haired Blue Tick named Thor, age 4, had passed on due to over a dozen consecutive seizures. Upon weeks of searching through many animal shelter's websites, we found Wolfie, a Siberian Husky, near Madison, Indiana.

This is what Midge looked like as a puppy.

Joshua and Thor

Wolfie Blaze

Wolfie is about a year old, and currently lives in a spacious pen with Mike's (Joshua's stepfather) dog, Peanut, age 4. The two of them get along pretty well, although we are still trying to break Wolfie of some food dominance issues. Wolfie absolutely loves the outdoors, especially playing in freshly fallen snow. He is surprisingly gentle with people. He doesn't bite or behave aggressively; he won't even take food from your hand unless he is continuously encouraged that it is alright.  

Peanut. I am pretty sure he is a mutt.

Save my infant years, I have become accustomed to family dogs living indoors. It was quite difficult for me to accept that Wolfie and Peanut had to live outdoors, even though they were properly provided for and perfectly safe. I am, however, constantly reminded that most Huskies prefer the outdoors to indoors anyway. I try to remember that, in spite of the absolute pain it brings my heart, in order to maintain peace of mind.

I have very thoroughly thought about which breed of dog I would like to make an indoor companion. I have also thought about what type of dog would make a nice playmate for Wolfie outside. I have considered the following breeds...

This picture can be found at: www.innocentenglish.com/funny-amazing-pictures-videos/cute-kitten-puppy-animal-pics/puppy-breeds/australian-shepherd-puppy-pictures-info.html

Australian Shepherd

I personally adore blue eyes on a dog. For years now, I've wanted an animal with brown fur (all of my past dogs have been solid black.)

This picture can be found at: http://www.dailypuppy.com/puppies/josie-the-labrador-retriever_2008-12-22

 Chocolate Labrador

Labs are one of the friendliest dog breeds I have ever come into contact with, and I have owned quite a few. However, they tend to be rather free-spirited: translation, they run off A LOT!

This image can be found at: http://www.dailypuppy.com/puppies/riley-the-nova-scotia-duck-tolling-retriever_2010-11-24

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

This dog seemed to be a combination of the above breeds: a reddish brown shade, blue eyes, and the friendliness of a retriever type.

Of course, Joshua and I have bounced different breeds off of one another. In doing so, we agreed upon two matters. One, we would not bring in another hound, for it would upset Josh too much. Two, we would not own any breed of dog smaller than a Beagle. Joshua's mother has a full blooded Chihuahua named Tessy, and apparently she is rather easy to trample (hence, why the larger dogs were kept outside in the first place.)

That being said, when I first discovered that Joshua's absolute favorite breed of dog was the Great Dane, I about had a heart attack. I'm fairly certain I will be able to sway him in the direction of one of my choices. After all, the woman rules, right? ;). Even though they are commonly regarded as "gentle giants," good lord, those things are ginormous.  

This image can be found at: http://www.salsabarrio.com/index.php?page=about

 Can you even image!?! Dear God, I'd be afraid that it would squish my future children.