The most glorious words you can hear in the morning? In my opinion, they are these: "Would you like a Bloody Mary?" This question is always a lovely one, but is especially welcome on New Year's Day.

• "West Virginia University athletic officials spent most of Tuesday preparing to leave the Big East Conference for the Big 12. The Mountaineers’ athletic director, Oliver Luck, was so sure of the move that he tipped off Big East colleagues Monday night and told staff members Tuesday. But everything changed Tuesday evening, as the Big 12 backed off its assurances to West Virginia. Hard lobbying from another candidate from the Big East, Louisville, has created a heated race for the remaining slot in the Big 12 that Missouri is expected to vacate soon.

• "Between July 1, 2006, and his exit from office last December, [former Louisville Mayor Jerry] Abramson spent more than $214,000 from his discretionary fund on such things as sponsoring brunches to honor state legislators, buying $13,000 worth of T-shirts for a Hike and Bike event, putting $15,000 toward the cost of bringing the Idea Festival to town, helping support a child welfare agency and supporting a domestic violence summit.

Two Louisville chefs have been named semifinalists in an acclaimed national awards competition.

Chef Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia and Chef Anthony Lamas of Seviche are semifinalists in the annual James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards. Lee and Lamas are nominated for Best Chef: Southeast.