"Firsts" for Both Cherie DeVaux and the Ortiz Brothers at the Kentucky Derby!

Now THAT was an exciting race!

They're always fun, but rarely that exciting, right?

Golden Tempo came from dead last to win it!

Congratulations to Cherie DeVaux, whose horse, Golden Tempo, making her the first female horse trainer to win a Kentucky Derby!

She's seen here with our governor, Andy Beshear, handing her the trophy (love him)!

Also, not sure many are aware, but congratulations also to the Ortiz brothers as jockeys, Jose and Irad, who came in first and second respectively, another first - the first time 2 brothers as jockeys have ever come in first and second at the Kentucky Derby!

Jose Ortiz rode winning horse, Golden Tempo, who came in first, and his brother, Irad Ortiz, rode Renegade, who came in second!

It was so cute/funny ...

So Irad on Renegade was actually trailing just a tad bit behind behind Ocelli (who came in third) - UNTIL - his brother was suddenly next to him Golden Tempo, coming up from dead last.

You can see Irad notices like "What the? Oh, it's on" - and then  suddenly they're off together, suddenly neck and neck, just like 2 brothers would do in a friendly, fun foot race as kids. 😂

But then when Jose crossed the finish line first, they did this ... 

Aw - sweet, right?

Made me tear up, actually, almost more than Cherie DeVaux winning!

Almost. 😂

Also note that they both used tiny little crops instead of whips. not even long enough to hit their boots, just hit their own thighs- Bravo, gentleman! 

So did you all bet Renegade "across the board," like I said in my prior post? 

That horse was bound to come in in the top 3 - he's the perfect combination of breeding, trainer, and jockey, and won the Arkansas Derby - you could not design a better horse or situation.

And they did try to box him in at the fence in the #1 post position,  when Renegade is actually a closer - but like I said, trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Irad Ortiz are too seasoned and good to NOT know how to get him out of that situation, which they executed perfectly.

Irad kept him behind for a minute in order to move him to the outside and came around that way, much like Golden Tempo did,  with that decision paying off for both in the end.

Sometimes the trainers get too much credit versus the jockeys, who despite training, end up having to make split-second strategic decisions at high speed against horses they've often never raced against before, whilst also trying to keep themselves, their own horse, and the others horses safe!

Also, though jockeys are paid better than they were even 25 years ago, (when they finally created a health pool fund for injury), the best jockeys only make about $100K a year, with the most elite jockeys, regularly riding in at least one of the triple crown races (, such as the Ortiz brothers) making up to a million a year *IF* they win a triple crown race. 

To you and I, that may sounds like a lot, but understand that's ONLY if they win a triple-crown race; otherwise, it's about 100K,

And when you compare it to the multimillions the most elite trainers make with bonuses included (Baffert, Pletcher, Chad Brown), and consider how much physical risk jockeys take onin compoarison, it's not a lot, right?

So I didn't bet this time, we're a little short this weekend, waiting for my financial aid to come in for school.

Plus I've lost that old intuition I used to have, so now I pick based on other reasons. 

You can see my picks from my initial derby post this week.

I said I'd bet Renegade "across the board" (meaning to come in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd) - you won't win much because he's the favorite, but you'll win.

My other 2 bets I would've made, like I said, I didn't really to win,  they would've been made out of friendship/loyalty So Happy and Pavlovian - because our friend, Doug O'Neill, trained Pavlovian, and So Happy, just because Mike Smith was the jockey and we love Mike Smith. 

Congrats to all!

Here's a video of the race from start to finish ... 

The Cost of Kentucky Derby Tickets ...

 

Happy Derby Day!

It's a cold one, here in Kentucky - just 50 degrees - which is unusual in Kentucky. Not the coldest Derby Day on record, but cold enough, after being 85 degrees 2 weeks ago!

So the trendy horse to bet on was "The Puma," and here's why - the horse was rumored to have a share owned by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, and when the trainer and jockey were asked about it, they said they signed an NDA and can neither confirm or deny, leading people to believe that it's true, but who knows?

Regardless, The Puma was scratched this morning due to injury, which is always the right thing to do when a horse is injured (Bob Baffert, I'm talking to YOU).

Otherwise, you can see my picks and why HERE. 

Now - despite living here for over 30 years, I have never been to the Kentucky Derby.

Why, you may ask?

It's pricey!

You can go the official Kentucky Derby website or Churchill Downs, but the tickets with descriptions are a little bit busy and confusing, as well as time-consuming to find out prices, so I'll break it down for you.

GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS:

The cheapest tickets are the infield tickets, starting at $132. 

I could have done that - but here's why I didn't.

Even the official Kentucky Derby website describes is as "chaotic." 😂

It's essentially a drunkfest, with or without full frontal nudity, sometimes with mud-sliding when it rains.

You are supposed to dress up out of respect for the tradition, but if you're going to the infield, you shouldn't - unless you're prepared to never wear it again - because you WILL get beer spilled on you, mud on you if raining, and possibly ripped/torn.

Imagine if the infield at the Indy 500 and Woodstock had a baby - that's the infield at the Kentucky Derby.

Also, you may or may not be able to see the actual race. 

If you're going to do it and actually see the race rather than just party, get there super early to pick your spot. 

It is officially labeled "standing room only," but you can bring your own chairs and there are picnic tables, but be prepared for whatever you bring to get knocked down, stolen or otherwise destroyed. 

Where is the infield?

This crush of people at the interior of the track ...

The next step up is still general-admission infield, but near the finish line, for which you are going to pay around $300. 

The next GA step is the "Walkabout" ticket for $700, but you can't see the race at all except on giant video screens, but you do have full dining and unlimited drink privileges.

You have full view of the paddock so that you can see/inspect the horses before they run and before final bets are place, and you have access to waging machines and betting booths. 

This is the ticket for serious betters/gamblers who could care less about seeing the race and it's more about the betting and food/drinks.

RESERVED SEATS/BOXES:

If you want a "box" or seats in the grandstand within the first few rows, it's about $900 to  $1800 per person, depending on whether it's covered or uncovered, and your view of the track (finish line being the highest).

If you want "the courtyard" at the starting gate, those go for $1017,

(So when you see people standing along the fence at the exterior of the track, those are Courtyard seats.) 

If you add dining/drinks to your reserved-seat and courtyard admission ticket, raise that price to $1500 to $10,000 - and yes, it includes drinks.

Now, you would think these are the best seats, like at a concert, but they're not because the "event" isn't fixed in one spot - and in fact, you can't see the full track, only the part of the track directly in front of you - which is why near the finish line are pricier seats. 

Thus, a little higher up in the reserved covered seating is the way to go (which is what I would do, if I had an extra $5,000+ dollars to spend).

You will need to buy your box seats for a group early to avoid getting separated.

SUITES AND CLUBHOUSE SEATING:

On the upper floors with suites, they can range from $105,000 to $400,000, with Millionaire's row at The Clubhouse near the finish line being the highest. 

Some of the boxes are glassed in, some of them have balconies for outdoor viewing - all have upscale catered dining and drinks, as well as tables, chairs, sofas, and TV screens to watch the race as well - just like a suite at the Super Bowl.

Thus, why I've never been to the Derby - I've never been able to justify spending even $1,000 on seats!

(Unless I go infield, which ... no, thank you!)

Otherwise, in just a few hours - Riders Up! 😊

Superintendent Liggins Agrees to a 10% Pay Cut ...

 

He announced to the LHL newspaper today - days after firing close to 300 employees over budget issues. 

This leads us to believe he didn't make this decision to cut his salary until after all the backlash or he would've done so already to try to prevent it?

I mean, parents are filing petitions on behalf of the people fired, as well as trying to get a no confidence vote before the school board - the backlash is really, really bad, because we're the second largest employer in the county (next to UK).

Now - the school reported to the LHL today that his base pay with benefits is $381,000, but prior articles with the LHL and elsewhere have estimated more. 

Regardless, he says it's a cut to his base pay rather than benefits, but I'm curious about that - because last I heard from a credible source, he initially refused to cut his pay at all, then agreed to 1 concession - giving up his "life-coach" benefit worth around $25K+.

But if we take it at face values and let's say it is his base pay - which the article says is about $275K -  that's still only about $25,000 dollars off salary  - and we're still in the hole by a couple million? 

Come on, now, Dr. Liggins -  you know you could still do very well here in Lexington on even $150K per year.

So ... that figure told to me of a concession of $25K for a life coach benefit is in the ballpark of 10% - so IS that the cut or is that in addition to the 10% base pay cut? 

I don't know, but for more info on the history here, read a few posts below.

Once again, we initially supported Dr. Liggins and wanted to believe all the backlash was simply racism and bigotry - until we were confronted with absolute proof he'd overspent on travel and personal luxury items.

And he refuses to take personal responsibility for it/blames everyone else, hired/refused to fire his unqualified crony hires (often MAGA people in leadership) who kiss his butt/enable him/tell him how great he is,, and uses social media to control perception.

Essentially, he's the black LGBTQ version of Trump - your garden-variety narcissist.

Narcissists can come in all colors, faiths, genders, sexual orientations, and political parties, ladies and gentlemen.

And who are the type of people with proven track record of willingness to look the other way on corruption and cronyism and pretend Emperors wear clothes for personal gain? 

Why, MAGA, of course - thus, they're mostly who's left 😂

As long as they keep singing his praises/telling him what he wants to hear, he doesn't care if you're qualified or not, or even if you're opposite politically -  even if you're privately racist and bigoted - just as long as they keep kissing his butt and supporting him (for  their own personal gain), he doesn't care.

Speaking of narcissists, MAGA  - at what point are you all going to finally admit one of your own is actually a narcissist and doesn't give a crap about anybody but himself and his own glory, like I just did one of ours, hmm?

It's not that hard - you just have to remove your rose-colored glasses and political hats first.

 

PS - My Personal Bob Baffert Story. And It's Not a Good One.

 

Making this easier for some, because I can see people searching for that story, after I said below you can find it in previous posts - but I realized later the original story, right after it happened, had been reparked in draft - sorry about that!

So I've reposted it, as well as copy/pasted it again below.

I can see that I tried to be nice about it and focus on the positive of that day, but here's what actually happened with Bob.

First, all of the stuff about what Doug O'Neill did for the kids - letting them sit on Derby winner Nyquist pre-Derby, feed him, pet him,. etc. - 1000% true. Doug is a very kind, generous man, and he's also hilarious, great sense of humor!

(I don't have any pictures of the kids on Nyquist, just Lava Man,  the visit with Nyquist was brief as he had a vet inspection to get to.)

So I mentioned Bob Baffert yelling "No, HELL no" - but I didn't go into the full story.

So Mark being in IT for the schools in 2015, when the Breeder's Cup was held here, he ran IT at The Stables, which is a FCPS school, but it's at the Kentucky Horse Park, and it's for special needs kids. 

Being that my husband knows horse Trainer, Doug O'Neill - whose horses "I'll Have Another" and "Nyquist" have won the Kentucky Derby - he asked Doug if the kids from Central Kentucky Riding for Hope could come see his horses.

Doug O'Neill and Mark 

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope is a foundation that provides horse activities for disabled and/or terminally ill kids or kids undergoing cancer treatment. (They've since added adults to the program.)

So Doug is SO nice that he actually gave us all stable passes to the Breeder's Cup, which is an honor - it's like being back stage at the Oscars, only for horses. 

(Maybe more like the Golden Globes, but yes.)

Doug's also really funny, by the way, but this story about his kindness and generosity, especially towards children. 

Anyway, the rest of that great story about Doug and the kids is below from the original post.

Here's the part I didn't go into detail on.

When we discovered that Bob Baffert's stable was right next door and that triple-crown winner, "American Pharoah" was in the stable, I walked over and asked the security guard if the kids could just have a peek at him - not touch him, just look, explaining the kids situation.

He spoke to the (Delaware) racing commissioner who happened to be standing there, and he said he'd ask Bob, Bob was just coming in now.

 (I'd forgotten it was him that asked rather than the security guard until I reread the story.)

Bob, and his wife Jill, pull up just then and get out of a fancy schmancy SUV.

The racing commissioner walks over to him and asks him. 

Bob literally yells "NO! HELL, no, no one gets near my horse!"

So loud the kids heard it.

I look at Jill - who is now wide-eyed, looks at me, then looks down. 

Now, I can't hear everything the RC is saying, just bits and pieces, but he says "Bob - some of these kids are terminally ill, one of them just came from chemo treatment. They're legit, it's on their passes. They will stay 5 feet away from the doors, I'll watch them, no touching."

Again, Bob yells "I said NO, I don't care, nobody near that horse!"

(This despite the fact that he literally demands that he inspect his competitors horses and touch them before races.)

So paranoid - a bit like a thief imagining everyone else is stealing from him, I thought.

At this point, I just keep staring Jill down until she finally looks up at me, looking sheepish.  She's clearly embarrassed. Then I just shake my head at her - hehehe.

Ain't I a stinker? 😂

Because who does that - to terminally ill kids?

Fine, nobody near your horses, despite YOU demanding to go near everybody else's - but you don't have to shout so the kids can hear you, waiting on an answer!

And that's the difference between Bob Baffert and ... everybody else in training horses.

He's a complete douche bag.

There were rumors for years about how many horses died in his care, as well as dirty he was - trying to get other trainers in trouble for stuff he did himself, how many horses died under his care, and n one did anything, how he demanded whipping the horses when others had moved on to whipping their own boot or just waving it in the air. How much of an A-hole he was in general interpersonally.

FINALLY - you may have read in the other posts while searching for this story about how he was banned from Churchill Downs for a few years because somebody FINALLY was brave enough to challenge him.

For starters, Triple Crown Winner Justify tested positive for scopolamine.

(Scopolamine is illegal for horses because it can be toxic in larger amounts and over time.)

Then 2021 Derby winner Medina Spirit died suddenly as well - amidst legal dispute, as Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone - a steroid which masks pain and can result in fractures going unnoticed.

Betamethasone is not illegal for horses in general, but during racing it is - because it masks pain and covers up pending/current fractures - forcing the horse to run despite danger.

WaPo reported that at least 32 proven horses have died in Baffert's care since 2000 - with a cluster of 9 dying within a few months of each other. 

The above article is from the Washington Post in 2021, and PETA actually reports the figures as being a total of 83.

At this point, the NY racing commission suspended him for a year, and here, Churchill Downs banned him from the derby for a few years - but now he's back. 

Sigh. 

And with that, I repost the original post, focusing on the positive of that day - because how great was Doug O'Neill to do that for the kids?

They otherwise had a ball 😊

________________________________________

On Saturday, Keeneland Racetrack, which is here in Lexington, Kentucky, will be holding the what is essentially the gold cup of world-class thoroughbred racing, The Breeder's Cup - for the very first time!

With very heightened security (the Kentucky National Guard is actually there as security detail), at the very last minute, legendary horse trainer, Doug O'Neill, called Mark personally to give us the green light that he had gotten approval for a few of the kids from the Central Kentucky Riding for Hope to come meet the newest 2015 Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame Inductee and Champion - "(Coach) Lava Man!"

Look at the look on precious C's face, aw - is there anything more wonderful in life than to see joy on a child's face? :)

C is one brave little girl, ladies and gentlemen - she just survived a brain tumor,  completing her treatment just a couple of weeks ago - and she adores horses and riding with CKRH :)

Lava Man, much like California Chrome (whom we met just a few weeks ago), loves attention and posing for the camera (note when you pull the camera up, he stands still and puts his ears forward)!

...but he's much calmer.  In fact, you would not believe how calm and gentle he was with the children, he was so patient. He wins the prize, by far, for the sweetest champion horse we've met yet :)

These days, he's a "stable pony" or "coach" - meaning he accompanies the up-and-comers during their travel and accompanies them up to the starting gate.  On Saturday, he will be walking up-and-comer "Nyquist"  :)

And he was so curious, about everyone and everything.  He especially like my hair, I'm not sure why, perhaps it was my new shampoo?  (I don't have a picture of him nuzzling in my hair, I was the one working the camera today.)

And these two twin sisters, S and S, had a great time -  the twin in white, on the right is blind - and it's like Lava could sense it and was especially gentle with her :)

The proud mamas and their babies from CKRH with Lava Man :)

Mark even got to lead him around a bit, he was in 7th heaven! :)

Look how happy he looks in this photo, he looks like a kid again!

I didn't lighten this photo, btw, it just came out like that, and it was the only one of us because I was behind the camera the whole time, except for the two seconds a Kentucky National Guardsman was kind enough to offer to get one shot in of both of us with Lava Man before the kids arrived.

 (Great photo of Mark, terrible of me - I haven't figured out how to do my new longer "wob" haircut properly/like she did at at the salon yet! Maybe that's why Lava Man was nuzzling in it, he was trying to fix it for me lol;)

Doug O'Neill had a meeting he had to attend at that time, but was so gracious in calling us several times to make sure the kids could meeting, I cannot thank and commend him enough - what a wonderful, down to earth man!

The above photo (not mine) is the man himself (a saint, as far as I'm concerned, after today) that made all of this possible today - Doug O'Neil - legendary trainer of "Lava Man" and "I'll Have Another"  

But he made sure Sabas took very good care of us:)

Sabas is Lava Man's groom and morning exercise rider - what a wonderful, patient man, he was, and so proud of his baby :)

I asked what it was like to ride him versus other horses and he said, "You know how riding in different cars can be different, right?  Lava's like riding in a lamborghini!"

Again, we cannot thank you enough, Doug O'Neill, Sabas and Sharla for arranging this for us with such heightened security (you would think it was Fort Knox at Keeneland right now)

The girls were absolutely THRILLED!!! :)

On the way out, we discovered that triple-crown winner, American Pharaoh, was only 2 stables over - so I thought:  "What the heck? I'm gonna walk myself right over and ask that important-looking man with the walkie talkie if we can snap a quick photo with him - the the worst they could say is 'no', right?"

Well, that important-looking man happened to be none other than John Wayne, Executive Director of State of Delaware Horse Racing commission, who was helping the Baffert team with security detail :)

John Wayne, Executive Director for the State of Delaware Horse Racing Commision (not my photo)


What a nice man, he was, he said he'd ask for us - but just at that moment, American Pharaoh's trainer, Bob Baffert, walked up to the stable with his wife, Jill. and son, Bode!

Unfortunately, Bob's answer was "NO ... HELL, no" -  apparently because they were in a big hurry as Am Phar had an evaluation and other prep things to do before the race just then.

But thank you so much to Mr. Wayne for asking for us!

Mr. Baffert seemed so busy and serious, at that moment, I figured I'd best toddle off rather than even ask to get a picture him, but he was standing 20 yards from me (that white hair is unmistakable) !!!!

Bob Baffert, legendary trainer of American Pharaoh,  Bodemeister, War Emblem and Real Quiet (not my photo)

As we were leaving, we turned around in our car just in time to see Breeder's Cup contender (coming in 4th in the Kentucky Derby and third at the Belmont) - "Frosted".

I don't know what it is, but I'm a sucker for a gray, I LOVE Frosted! :)

I am so glad the girls got to go and see all the hustle and bustle excitement - again, all thanks to Doug O'Neill Racing!

My Picks for the Kentucky Derby (UPDATED)

(Updated 5/1/2026: This post was written before I discovered Renegade was a "closer" - meaning he's trained to be on the outside and ramp up speed at the end. Thus, for him, being in the #1 post position may not be a good thing. It's a shorter run, but like I said, you can get boxed in very easily - especially horses trained to close from the outside, but we shall see.)

_________________________________________

Happy Almost Derby Day!

We haven't followed as much, this year, but here are my picks anyway? 

First keep in mind, I don't have the intuition I used to have on these - that went away with menopause? 😂

So this is just based on trainers, jockeys, sire/dam, winning record- and in the case of Doug O'Neill, Mark's friend and a great guy - even if a long shot, we always bet on a Doug O'Neill horse. 

Also keep in mind, we NEVER bet on Bob Baffert horses.

Yeah, he's allowed back now, after being barred from Churchill Downs for a few years for illegally drugging horses (and also over 20 horses have died under his training in the last decade). 🙁

Yes, he wins a lot -  but over 20 horses have died under his care in the last decade, he cheats by  illegally and dangerously medicating the horses (thus his suspension), instructs his jockeys to race dirty/injure, and we met him and I can confirm he's a HUGE A-hole.

So ... if I bet, I would do "Renegade" in an Across The Board bet.

This means Renegade can come in in any order (Win, Place, or Show or 1st, 2nd, or 3rd).

You won't win a lot of money that way, because he's the favorite with 4-1 odds, but barring some disaster out of the gate or during the race - you will win.

He's the favorite - for good reason - and it's NOT just because it's a cool name (though it is).

It's because you could not have engineered a more perfect horse or perfect situation. 

Todd Pletcher is the trainer, Irad Ortiz is the jockey, his sire and dam (parents) are proven winners, he won the Arkansas Derby - and best of all, he drew the #1 post position, which many say is the best possible position you can be in, because it means closest to the fence and thus the shortest run.

HOWEVER, it CAN result in the horse being "boxed in" by the other horses, and the other jockeys will try, but Ortiz and Pletcher have already planned for that, rest assured.

Also, he looks hand-sculpted specifically for racing  - this is one elegant horse!

Sleek front, but big, powerful hindquarters - this horse is perfectly "built" for speed.

(His delicate legs DO worry me a bit, especially his cannons, for easy fracture, especially his front cannons - but so far, so good.)

On paper, this horse should win - but as we know, things can happen, so we shall see!

I would also place a Trifecta Box - meaning the top 3 horses, but in any order (versus a straight Trifecta  alone, which is exact order).

Those 3 horses I would pick for my Trifecta Box (top 3, but in any order), are the following:

1. Renegade - Todd Pletcher,trainer; Irad Ortiz, jockey; Into Mischief, sire; Spice Is Nice (Curlin mare), dam, #1 post position - 4-1 odds.

 

2. So Happy - Mark Glatt, trainer (newcomer), Mike Smith, jockey (jockey legend, most winning jockey in the last 25 years); Run Happy, sire; So Cunning, mare - 15-1 odds. 

 

3. Pavlovian - Doug O'Neill, trainer (and Mark's friend); Edwin Maldonado, jockey; Pavel, sire; Mandy's Grace, dam  - 30-1 odds.

Now, common sense would tell me to place a bet on a Brad Cox horse or a Bob Baffert horse as well, of course, and if I really want to win over ethics, I would.

However, I've already told you why I don't support Bob Baffert.

So why these 3, you ask?

So I've already touted the wonders of Renegade.

So Happy - partially because of his sire, Run Happy -  but MOSTLY because you NEVER bet against Mike Smith, the winningest jockey in the last 25 years.

Also, Mike Smith avoids whipping the horses, he whips his boot instead or waves his whip in the air. 

(I used to say he "never" whipped his horses, but Bob Baffert insisted he whip Justify. Further proof as to what kind of person Bob Baffert is - AND note that Mike Smith doesn't ride for him anymore.)

Pavlovian - besides being a cool name, Doug O'Neill is a friend of Mark's and he really is a great guy (see prior stories on this blog about that, as well as a personal story about the A-hole that is Bob Baffert). Doug O'Neill also tries to instruct his jockeys to not whip the horse, whip the boot instead or wave in the air.

Despite being a long shot, we always bet on a Doug O'Neill horse regardless.

Plus it's not like he doesn't have a winning track record as well - Doug has won the Derby previously with "I'll Have Another" in 2012 and "Nyquist" in 2016.

(If you're interested, one of Nyquist's sons is also racing, but it's a Bob Baffert horse, so not going to give him any accolade - you can look that up yourself. 😂)

Happy Run for the Roses!

 

PS - I Stand Corrected 😉(UPDATED)

 

As of midday today, in addition to the people below, 6 departments and over 200 people were fired from Central Office thus far.

Though he said it would be administration, it was actually mostly administrative assistants, mail room clerks, dock staff - no one in leadership at all - as well as those close to retirement (who don't have a deal like my husband made, see below post).

And our superintendent, the highest paid superintendent in the state,  making by some estimates close to $600K a year with all the perks included - who tried to bail to another state when all of this started coming out - did make a sacrifice after all - he selflessly sacrificed his $25,000 life coach benefit! 😂

Let's all take a moment of silence for the loss of our school superintendent's beloved life coach being removed from the school's budget, as he was clearly doing a great job anyway! 😂

*sarcasm*

So now what, now it's your life coach's fault the budget is so screwed up and you spent too much on luxury items for yourself and travel?

____________________________________

PS - the LHL newspaper just sent an alert that the schools are are saving $1.9 million with staff cuts, but the schools refuse to say who and what was cut.

Oops, I just told you - here and in the post below, without giving specifics 😂

Sorry not sorry - because the lack of transparency with this sh*t is disgusting.

Also, $1.9 is not enough to cover the deficit, and had you cut some of the salaries and Hays-grade raises that you give to your "directors" - of which you already have too many - we'd be good!

One thing you definitely will not hear about in the paper, though, is the life-coaching benefit loss, but it's common knowledge at Central Office right now.

Life-coaching benefit 😂

Sigh, if you don't laugh, you'll cry ... 

___________________________

I used to support this superintendent when he first got here. I actually teared up, SO proud that Lexington hired a black LGBTQ male as our superintendent.

In fact, at first, I believed the backlash was racist, homophobic nonsense - until I could no longer deny it wasn't, the concerns are legit and there is proof. 

The backlash is legitimate over his luxury spending, cronyism (mostly MAGA people, white and black, believe it or not), his lack of transparency, his blaming others for all of it, and his efforts at perception control.

Essentially, he's like the black LGBTQ version of Trump.

FCPS Update: The Firings Began Today - And We're Now at National News Level

 

Not sure you all have seen it yet, but this budget situation at Fayette County Public Schools has now reached national  news level from MSN, AOL, and others. Not major broadcasting, no, but other national news, as well as national educational newsletters. 

In fact, Mark's friends in education in Michigan have texted him about it. 

So the good news is, my husband's job is safe - and he better be, because he stepped down/transferred departments as a compromise for NOT suing them over proven retaliation/ignorance of AMA accommodations.

In other words, my husband proved it and took a transfer rather than a lawsuit, because he didn't want to take money away from the kids, especially during a budget crisis - because that's the type of person of integrity my husband is and I'm proud of him for it. 

(However, it's less money and they still can't get his paycheck right - and worse, the guy is still there, though he had no qualifications whatsoever to do that job.)

Speaking of the budget crisis, the firings began today and it's extraordinarily sad. 

Worse, they all got emails rather than anyone telling them to their face. 

Mark's boss, though her job is safe, is literally crying at the people let go - she's a great lady.

I don't know the types of people fired overall, because the mass firings just began this morning, but of the ones I know, so far they are low level at Central Office, like mail room, custodial staff, dock staff -  and other people close to retirement, which is just  ... shitty.

One person has been the mailroom guy for 28 years and was going to retire next year was let go. He actually helped us move here in December, super nice guy. 

Also, no one less than 4 years and a day was safe.

Meanwhile, the superintendent - whom the LHL reported tried to run to a Missouri job when all of this started coming out -  is making $600K a year and has some special luxury perks people don't even know about yet, and if/when they do find out, people are going to lose their minds. 

Anyway, brief history of the situation and how we got here ...

Last fall, the superintendent begged the school board and the state for more money, saying we were in emergency status.

The school board was ready to approve it - the school board chair previously being a prima donna that threw tantrums when he didn't get his way, but had curiously become silent and started approving everything that THIS superintendent wanted.

 (Some credible sources say it's because they are in a relationship, but I don't know - but I DO know that the Chairman of the School Board is now in hot water, too.)

A few days later, a bombshell article hit the Lexington Herald Leader newspaper from the Budget Director and her lawyer, claiming she was put on leave for trying to warn the superintendent AND the Chairman of the School Board that the budget was in trouble last July.

She even provided the emails where she had done so.

Thus, she's suing for retaliation and the Whistleblower Act. 

So the state auditor started an audit.

The auditor found extravagant travel expenses and other purchases from our current superintendent.

The superintendent claimed no one below him told him of these problems.

At that point, the superintendent did NOT get the school board to approve his new plan OR his tax hike from the city, so he started threatening to cut teachers and paraeducators, and there was a huge uproar.

Then the LHL local newspaper published the story about our superintendent tried to run and get a job in Missouri and almost got it, until Missouri caught wind of the trouble here and grilled him over it.

A financial consultant - who has stepped in before with budget issues - came in 2 weeks ago and curiously blamed the CFO who had been here for over 20 years, for things she claimed happened in 2008 affecting current budget.

This, despite the fact that the audit already announced the current superintendent's travel and luxury expenses were a problem AND that this financial consultant herself has been here on and off consulting many times since and should've noticed that, then?

So, the CFO was escorted off the property this week, apparently placed on leave, after the superintendent and school consultant  successfully blamed him for something in 2008 - long before this superintendent's luxury trips and spending -  guess they needed a new fall guy to blame?

Then yesterday, there was a big school board meeting where they announced their plan - that teachers and paraeducators were safe, but they would let lower level employees go from central office and others.

None of these others has been anyone in management so far, despite the fact that due to Hays-grade raises, they all get guaranteed $40,000 raises per year.

It just sucks ... stomach turning.

And the lack of transparency about it is the worst. 

Super sad that these people were let go, just to continue to try to cover up the corruption and cronyism of our current superintendent, our School Board Chairman, and their cronies. 

_______________________________________

PS - Our school slogan is "It's About the Kids."

Is it, tho?

My husband asked for transfer, rather than sue - over his AMA precautions being repeatedly ignored and retaliation - and proving it with recordings - because he didn't want to take money away from the kids over it, especially while already in a budget crisis.

Because that's the sort of person my husband is, he has integrity and made it about the kids instead of himself and greed.

All y'all down there in leadership at Central Office should take a page from that, and the first thing you should've done is cut your own salaries or gotten rid of some directors, because you already have too many.(whom you give Hays grade raises to at $40K a year.)

 

PS - Final PowerPoint Presentation Projects

 

So here were the 2 PP presentations of the 5 projects due this past week.

Keep in mind, the modules don't open until the beginning of the week and were due by Friday and Saturday respectively (along with all other projects, assignments, and tests assigned this week.

Thus, no time to do all the bells and whistles I would've liked, but I got good grades on them somehow, nonetheless? 😂

The first one was for my Human Disease Class, it's a super long one, so don't expect everyone to watch the full thing, but Ziggy makes an appearance at the beginning to keep you interested? 😂

(Update: Though I didn't have time to add all the visuals I would've liked, my professor added in her feedback comment that I knocked it out of the park! She was SO kind and supportive.) 

Or you may just be interested on the latest info on Coronary Artery Disease?

Just an FYI, CAD is no longer a disease of the old and deaths by heart attack have decreased with new innovations - BUT - the rate has jumped up in people under 40 by 2% per year since 2011. 

Also, we have only recently discovered that men and women  largely experience heart attacks differently, so that may be of interest as well.

The good news is we have also learned more about prevention - specifically how a Mediterranean diet has decreased cardiac events - how to manage CAD better, as well as we have either fine-tuned our interventions or implemented new ones with greater success. 

Whew, feels good to have it all done! The second was for my Healthcare Applications class on the benefits of using patient portals, as if I was a health information technologist for a health insurance company.

Ladies and Gentleman, I got an A in Both Classes After All!

 

With it being a shorter week, the modules opening on Sunday - 5 projects due including a PowerPoint Presentation in 1 class due in 6 days, and a bigger PowerPoint Presentation plus my usual work in another class due in 5 days -  I got about 15 hours of sleep this entire week.

I may have stumbled very nongracefully over that finish line - but I somehow pulled off an A in both accelerated courses - whew!

via GIPHY

Now, pardon me while I sleep lol.

These next 2 weeks are the longest break we'll have all year except at Christmas, so taking advantage of it!

Kentucky Just Passed HB 312 Into Law, Lowering Conceal-and-Carry Age to 18 (Previously 21).

Governor Beshear vetoed the law, but it was passed into law anyway with 2/3 vote on April 15.

The licenses are provisional versus standard (not sure what that means), but regardless, it means that some high school seniors who turn 18 during the school year can potentially conceal and carry.

With all of the school shootings we have already, I am freaking out.

I understand the argument that some kids want them to protect themselves from school shootings, I do.

And yet they're not what worries me - it's the ones carrying them for other reasons that do. 

This worries me not only for the children and staff at schools, but for my husband, who helps check bags and wands students in the mornings for security.

If anyone could handle that, he could, and yet still, a new school policy has yet to be drawn up and they only have until July 1st. 

The current policy is "No guns at school" regardless, but what if somebody - and their parents - pushes that and says "Hey, you're a state-funded state institution, you have to let me conceal and carry."

Well, then we're in a pickle. 

I spoke to a classmate who lives in Wisconsin, whose husband is very conservative, asking for thoughts, and even he thought that was nuts. 

(In Wisconsin, the legal age is 21 and there are mandatory background checks when purchasing weapons from gun shops, but not with private sales).

Here in Kentucky, there are no background checks required at all.

Also, our training is less than other states.

For those who don't know, training, license, background, and mental health checks are controlled by the state - only things like types of guns allowed in the U.S. is controlled by the Federal Government; thus, gun laws vary from state to state. 

So I said "Good, then I'm not being THAT much of a "liberal snowflake" that this concerns me, right? 😂"

They laughed. 🙂

They said they could see the perspective where it could potentially save lives, but it's the not knowing their rationale for carrying a gun to school that is the issue. 

We don't normally discuss politics - we know what they are, and she doesn't push hers and me and I don't on her, and we like it that way, and we otherwise have much in common. 

I can deal with Trump supporters who don't push their stuff on me and call me names and tell me I'm unAmerican or unChristian for not supporting him - it's just that's rare here in Kentucky.

Here in Kentucky, they bring it up everywhere, walking your dogs, the grocery, the gas station, the line waiting to vote, you name it - and it makes me very uncomfortable.

We don't talk about politics. We know where everyone stands, so we just don't talk about it. 

Instead, our little group laughs and carries on about everything from what toys we played with as kids (Barbie is universal, regardless of age, race, political preference, or region of the country😂) -  to what celebrities everyone thinks are hot but we don't get (Timothee Chalamet?) and who we think is - to our kids, pets, work, class frustrations. 

However, on this one, I just asked for their thoughts on that, before I said my opinion, curious to hear other perspectives, to see if I was the nutty one for thinking this was rife with potential issues -  and I was glad to find out I wasn't! 😂

Also, immediately after this was announced at a security meeting at the schools, Mark said some kid came to school that day with a black trench coat on, though it was 75 degrees, perhaps attempting to look like Neo from The Matrix, but instead ended up looking Columbine-ish!

I mean, whatever your intent, you just don't do that since Columbine, especially not in 72-degree weather, which went up to 83 degrees by noon!

My husband signaled to his coworker to have him wanded.

Nothing was found, but somebody definitely needs to keep on eye on that kid.

Scared for a multitude of reasons - do you blame me?

Current Classic Playlist ...

 

This is what I play when I'm faced with what seems like insurmountable challenges. (Or family toxicity. They're also really good breakup songs, btw, but those 2 don't apply today.) 😊

Right now, it's about 6 projects, 2 of them PP presentations, all just opened up to work on over the weekend, all due before the last day of class on Saturday - with a special shout out to some classmates, doing all that plus kids and/or family or work drama, so special dedication for them.

These classic anthem songs, in this order - and of course, 3 of them are Tom Petty! 😂

You Gotta Be - Des'ree

Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead, release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be ashamed to cry

You gotta be
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Herald what your mother said
Read the books your father read
Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time
Some may have more cash than you
Others take a different view
My, oh, my, eh, eh, eh

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Time asks no questions, it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning
Can't stop it if you tried to
The best part is danger staring you in the face ....ohhh

Remember, listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
My, oh, my, eh, eh, eh

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Won't Back Down - Tom Petty

Well I won't back down, no I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
No I'll stand my ground, won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down
Gonna stand my ground and I won't back down

Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
Hey I will stand my ground and I won't back down
Well I know what's right, I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin' me around
But I'll stand my ground and I won't back down

Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
Hey I will stand my ground
(I won't back down)
And I won't back down

Free Fallin' - Tom Petty 

She's a good girl, loves her mama
Loves Jesus and America too
She's a good girl, who's crazy 'bout Elvis
Loves horses and her boyfriend too

And it's a long day, livin' in Reseda
There's a freeway, runnin' through the yard
And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart

And I'm free, free fallin'
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'

All the vampires, walkin' through the valley
Move west down Ventura Boulevard
And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows
And the good girls are home with broken hearts

And I'm free, I'm free fallin'
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'

Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a
Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a

I wanna glide down over Mulholland
I wanna write her name in the sky
I'm gonna free fall out into nothin'
Gonna leave this world for a while

Now I'm free, free fallin'
(Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a
Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
(Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a
Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)

(Free fallin', I'm-a free fallin', I'm-a)
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'
Oh!

Learning to Fly - Tom Petty 

Well, I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still

I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

Well, the good old days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
But I ain't got wings (Learning to fly)
Coming down (Learning to fly)
Is the hardest thing (Learning to fly)

Well, some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there

I'm learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up (Learning to fly)
Must come down

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
But I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
Around the clouds
But what goes up (Learning to fly)
Must come down
I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly, learning to fly)
I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly, learning to fly)
(Learning to fly, learning to fly)

I recommend when you get to Tom petty's "Free Fallin'," sing-screaming this part along with Tom, "I'M FREEEEE ... FREEFALLIN" super loud, it's therapeutic - dang the neighbors!

I miss Tom Petty!

But he left us some great stuff. 😊

In fact, let's let Tom Petty be our therapist, this week 😂

Good luck everyone! 

My Baller Brother-In-Law, Courtside At the Lakers VS. Rockets, Game 1 of the Playoffs ...

 

So my financial genius of a brother-in-law in LA (senior financial advisor for a major broadcasting/movie production company) took his son to the LA Lakers game, last night, to see Lebron James in the playoffs against the Houston Rockets.

First, we received this video of Lebron James warming up, up close and personal ...

Courtside seats, 1 row behind the players, baby!

Then, he sent a picture of himself with Imagine Dragons lead singer, Dan Reynolds, sitting near him ... 

(That's my BIL beside Dan, just blurred his face for privacy since he's a big-wig exec and all.)

His son, my nephew, said to Dan "I didn't recognize you with your shirt on." 😆

I asked if Dan's girlfriend, actress Minka Kelly was with him, and he said "I think so," but he wasn't sure he knew who she was? lol.

Plus she isn't in the photo and I don't see any paparazzi photos with her in them, so not sure if Minka was with him?

(BTW, in coincidence, Minka Kelly is Trevor Noah's ex-girlfriend from the post below.)

Those seats go for a minimum of $15,000 a piece during regular season, going all the way up to $100K a piece during playoffs and depending on the game/how are along they are in the playoffs!

Must be nice! 

Dang, M - rubbing elbows with the LA elite like a baller!