I just wasn't sure. I mean, we're not talking some basketball rival's hallowed hall, like all the Chron'-ings before it... This was Andy's TV. If I went inside -- if I even set foot in the parking lot -- it'd be completely new territory. The thing is, the Andy's facade has been a shiny, nostalgic gem, hovering in the back of my East Louisville psyche ever since I can remember. And I had to ask myself whether I was willing to risk that gem as it was, not only for myself, but for all you 'cloids, too.

So I took a deep breath:

"Hello! Are you the owner?"

"Yes..."

"Ok... this may sound silly..."

Completely surrounded by wires and screens and a giant 3-wall pegboard, fully stocked with new components, the two men set the massive flatscreen down on the cushioned cart. I introduced myself. I met Larry Strelsov and Keith Montgomery, a.k.a. Andy (III) and Andy (Jr.), respectively. Larry asked almost right out of the gate "Are you the man who wrote about Andy's on the Louisville website?"

He told me all about how his son, a huge cards fan, had called him up from Chicago and told him how the site had paid homage to Andy's TV. He also readily admitted he hadn't the slightest idea what on earth the connection was, or why Andy's should ever be mentioned on a sports blog. I told him I thought it had something to do with childhood and community and the mystery of the soul. And I had to admit that no, I was only an avid reader.

But, despite the puzzlement, I said if I could just get a picture, he could make my day.

"Ever hear that word, Photo...grovo...lenda...herjic?" Larry jested in a mildly exasperated Ukrainian accent.

"Photogenic?" I played along.

"That's it. I'm really not that."

But I politely insisted that he'd be doing something seriously awesome, and he kindly relented. This slice of awesome followed:

CHRON'D.

And now Andy was feelin' it. He suggested we get one with the sign in the background... Even better!

The whole time he was fairly flabbergasted to be in the CC spotlight, but man, was he genial about it! Super nice guy.

We took one more photo with Keith in, whose father was apparently THE Andy. I thought it was seriously cool that not only was this a thriving small business, but the skilled craftsmen inside were so clearly doing what they loved, with Keith being well past the retirement age of lesser mortals.

Then we parted ways, the Andys getting back to the task at hand. I wished them increased success, and thanked them sincerely, my head spinning with "what just happened?" as I walked back to the car. I think the end to this story lies in our hands, 'cloids. Let's just make sure we keep Andy's TV around for a long, long time.

Go Louisville. Go Cards.

Chronicloids, you have two options:

1) Card Chronicle merch for every dude and ladybird, from t-shirts and baseball shirts to coffee mugs and all kinds of swag (check out that sweet water bottle under "gifts")!  Buy it and help support the best Cardinal athletics blog on the web.  SHOW YOUR CC PRIDE.  http://www.cafepress.com/CardChronicle  Note: these shirts are not available with anything printed on the back.

2) Card Chronicle T-Shirt: I Am AnVillen Edition.  This shirt is awesome, and exclusive!  You can only get it by walking into the cafe press store at 2048 Hurstbourne Pkwy in Louisville (next to Pier1 Imports), and asking for the shirt under my name, "Sohl."  Sadly, purchasing this edition does not contribute financially to Card Chronicle (nor to me).  But it does evoke the man(?)-myth-legend that is AnVillen, as well as the incredible Yum! Center comeback vs. Marquette, at which it debuted.

I repeat: CARD CHRONICLE, SHOW YOUR PRIDE.

So as I posted previously, I am incredibly lucky to be connected to the man who owns arguably the four best seats in the entire arena.  And I was even luckier to get the best two of those seats for this unforgettable game.

I was given the tickets back in Nov and I planned to make a real day of it with my best bud wscii, who, along with his scholar/saint of a father, has taken me to 80% of all Louisville home games since 2006 at least.  Mike was kind enough to allow me to create these T-shirts with the CC logo for the occasion.  More on obtaining one for yourself later... You know you want one.

We began the day with kegs & eggs at 9 at BBC.  16oz Mimosa FTW (I hate bloody marys).

Walked over shortly after the doors opened, hoarding the time to soak it all in.  Cool things happen when you're on the floor early...

Like Steve Masiello drawing up a play with Chris Smith and George Goode RIGHT NEXT TO YOU!

Or meeting Bill "THE TIN!" Raftery -- really nice guy.  "Look at THAT STUD in the middle, there!" said Bill.

Things got moving and all the usual Cardinal icons became close enough to touch (or high five, in the case of the Cardinal Bird):

It came time for the tip and from then on I was fully focused.  Sorry all, I'm not much for taking photos during the action. I leave that to Sam34gtr.  But here's some vanity in action from the DVR when I got home!

Pretty sure these are Uncle Jack's seats at the Staples Center.

One of my favorite moments: wscii instructing Buzz Williams to "POLISH MY BEEF HELMET!!"  Followed up by "did you like what I just said to Buzz?" I love this man.

We all know what happened in the final six minutes of the game, and then there was this: 22,000 people losing their minds with pure, concentrated victory.

Heroes.

That's about all I've got.  Thanks for taking in my little slideshow.  Here's the deal with the shirts: you can get them by going to the Cafe Press brick and mortar store on Hurstbourne (by Pier1 Imports).  They're under my name, Chris Sohl.  Cheap they are not, but hey, they got shout-out after smirk after nod at the arena today because Mike writes the best damn Louisville blog, nay, content on the web, and everyone knows it. I'm also going to set up an online Cafe Press store in Mike's name and let him sell them, in thanks and appreciation for the time and passion he pours into this thing every single day.  So buy them with your moneys!

Wscii and I will be on the floor tomorrow.  I'll be leaning my right elbow on the sportscasters' table.  Suffice to say my boss's boss's boss has more money than most lesser deities.  

So why am I telling you this?  I just wanted to let you all know we'll be repping CC with a purpose, and you should keep an eye out.

No, that does not mean I'm going to go all Titus Teague on Buzz in a dance-off (though I would serve that sucka' like a turkey dinner).  

You'll get it when you see us.