Blogs: Ice Ice Billy - Las Vegas Sun News

Blog

Ice Ice Billy

Seeking Fame in Barcelona

By Billy Johnson · May 20, 2013 · 11:30 AM

Paul Shortino is a rock star. He has rock star hair. He has rock star clothes. He has a rock star glasses. He has a rock star voice. And for as recognizable as he is, and even though I have his rock star phone number, I can’t seem to find him in Barcelona.

It’s a time for heroes in Spain

By Billy Johnson · May 15, 2013 · 1 PM

I come at this from the standpoint of an avid Formula One fan. So it’s not surprising that when given a chance to see the Spanish Grand Prix last Sunday, the biggest challenge was finding a position on the airplane that didn’t put my knees in the armpits of the chap reclining into my lap.

A plea for Monday’s game three

By Billy Johnson · April 4, 2013 · 2:44 PM

Back in Las Vegas, the Wranglers — plagued most days with their own number of inspirational and grotesque injuries — begin anew the trek to win 16 more games in a quest for the Kelly Cup. Step one is the best-of-seven opening round against the Stockton Thunder. Games 1 and 2 are in Stockton, this Friday and Saturday. Game 3 is Monday.

It’ll be just my luck to live longer

By Billy Johnson · March 6, 2013 · 12:20 PM

Nothing good ever happens to me. Nothing. And now, recent word from the American Psychological Association indicates that pessimism may up my life expectancy.

Todd Snider had me at ‘hinges’

By Billy Johnson · January 29, 2013 · 5:22 PM

Todd Snider had me the first time I heard, “Say, girl, you’re hotter than the hinges hangin’ off the gates of hell.” That’s kind of how most things strike you, don’t they? Someone paints a picture, you look a little harder, and the next thing you know you’re reading all of Vincent van Gogh’s letters to his brother Theo.

Bed-ridden and bored is a time for learning

By Billy Johnson · January 23, 2013 · 11:45 AM

Don’t let the diagnosis of “acute bronchitis” fool you. It’s very a long way from utterly drop dead gorgeous. It’s not cute at all.

Tony, bony, phony, stony: Who is Tony Clifton?

By Billy Johnson · December 28, 2012 · 9:56 AM

As a child, Saturdays often offered a greeting through the tiny speaker of a plastic, wood-pattern encased picture tube. The picture itself presented an image cast in green until, at least, my dad, brother or I slapped its right side with palm-stinging force about one-third of the way down from the top of the console. “Yyyello again everybody,” professional wrestling announcer Lance Russell would say in all his nasally theatrics. “And welcome to another” something-or-other about “CHAMP-yun-SHIP wrestling!”

As celebrities go, the Stanley Cup is perfect

By Billy Johnson · November 28, 2012 · 10:28 PM

The Stanley Cup will make an appearance Thursday night during the Las Vegas Wranglers game, where it will be displayed and accessible for all fans to see and touch and take photos. No one can understate the meaning it has for so many.

Continue reading... 1 comment

Ice Ice revisits a year of blogs

By Billy Johnson · November 1, 2012 · 4:46 PM

It has been pointed out to me by a figment of imagination, a trick of the brain and a voice in the night that since November 1, 2011, there are untied strings that, unless promptly knotted, may require a late adoption of Velcro technology. And so, here now is a bit of useless follow up, save an item or three.

Villaluz wore a tux every night, and sang the anthem right

By Billy Johnson · October 24, 2012 · 2:38 PM

I was summoned to hear Paul Villaluz’s national anthem audition at the Orleans Arena sometime in 2003. Leaving behind frenzied activities held captive in the windowless Las Vegas Wranglers offices wedged beneath the arena’s eastern concrete risers, I walked briskly to the top of section 101. I looked down at Villaluz, gave a thumbs up, and he performed the Star Spangled Banner to an empty 7,000 seat arena.

Continue reading... 1 comment