I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve got it pretty good.

I have a job that allows me to pay my bills.  I have a loving family that puts up with me.  I have a great group of friends.  And I get to cheer for the sports teams of the greatest University in this here land.

But I’ve gotta harp on something for just a minute…it really sucks to be me right now.

Admittedly, had things gone a little differently on Saturday night, I’d be singing a much different tune right now.  I’d be in the midst of giving you folks all of the Sammy that you could possibly handle – coming at you each day with laundry lists so full of things to do that you’d think you were Christmas shopping for John and Kate’s eight kids.  I would have loved it.  And you would have too.

But that isn’t the case.  As we all know, our mighty Cats fell one game short of college basketball’s final weekend.  And thus, I find myself fully embedded in the midst of the Worst Week Ever.

You see, I currently live in downtown Indianapolis – just a hop, skip, and a jump away from this weekend’s events.  I work just a couple of blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium.  I live just a mile from the center of all things Final Four related.

Everywhere I go, every time I turn around, there’s more and more Final Four paraphernalia for all to see.  I can’t get away from it.  Heck, things are so bad for me right now that I even have to drive under the large structure shown above at least twice a day during my daily commutes.

Last week that signage was a ray of hope, a badge that would forever be linked to my Kentucky Wildcats, much like the logos from the Meadowlands and the Alamodome.  This week, it’s nothing more than a somber reminder that the road didn’t end where it was supposed to for the most entertaining group of Wildcats I’ve ever laid eyes on (sans the Dance Cats, of course).   By now, I’m so tired of it that I think I might just pack some rocks and a slingshot tomorrow and test out the strength of that glass.  But I digress.

I can’t ask you to cheer up, fellow Cat fans…because, quite frankly, I have yet to do so myself.  But I would appreciate it if you paused for a moment to think of your fellow brother in blue, the one who is stuck right in the middle of the most depressing Final Four this side of 1997.

Much like the Grinch, I’ll be watching Whoville from atop my perch this weekend, envious of the happiness displayed by all.  You see, after Saturday night, I’m afraid that my heart is still a few sizes too small.

Tubby Smith identified and contacted by Oregon.

Steven Lavin headed to St. John’s.

Rick Pitino getting a 4-year deal and a $3 million dollar bonus.

Renegade Tim Floyd coaching at UTEP.

Billy-ray Clyde Gillispie still in the mix for Houston.

Central Arkansas hiring Corliss Williamson, yes, that Corliss.

Auburn firing Jeff Lebo, hiring Ex-Calipari player and assistant, Tony Barbee.

Skinner fired at BC.

Kevin Willard fired at Iona, only to take over at Seton Hall.

Cal staying at Kentucky, priceless!!! Remember, only one year ago today we were wondering what the future held. Funny how things work out. Thank god for our “savior”.

Evening Cats fans. After the performance we had I quickly found myself in a drunken haze for the rest of the weekend. (A little self medication to numb the pain of a horrible loss to “The Sweat Suite”)

So to swipe my blogger V-Card…here are my thoughts and memories about this year’s team:

Pat and his 3 pointers.
We were lucky to have Wall wear Kentucky over his superman logo.
Cuz is a beast.
Big Blue Madness. (My first one)
Senior Night featuring Pat.
Celebrities at the games other than the beautiful Ashley Judd.
Happy Bledsoe is turnover city so he comes back to play another year.
Orton has great potential, shot block extraordinaire.
Miller is only confidence away from a Jodie like performance.
The power and greatness of The Godfather.
The great feeling of being hated again.

Forgot one…Fred Cowgill’s post game coverage with fans yelling “Baba Booey, Baba Booey”