Saturday, February 12, 2011
Who are you cheering for for the Iditarod?
First and foremost Mitch and Dallas Seavey - but don't let them know that! Since I have a knack for jinxing my favorite athletes/teams, I've been forbidden to cheer for them... but I can't help it. Dallas is really on the upswing the last couple of years, and he's been labelled as one of the race's next big stars, so I have a lot of faith in his team and their ability.
I also have a soft spot for John Baker and Martin Buser... Then there's Sebastian Schnuelle, Hans Gatt and Hugh Neff.... yeah I have quite a few I'm cheering for... (Newton and Wattie are fan favorites, and mine!)
But, really, as long as Lance Mackey's team is in the mix I think we know who the champion will be... they're an amazing combination, don't know what he's doing that gets teh wins, but whatever it is, I've no doubt he'll continue that magic.
New 30 Days after the last one...
The skating one ends tomorrow, so to keep myself blogging I'm going to do this one I just found. 30 Days of Disney! score! (Yeah, you're not excited, so what, it's my blog.)
Here's the run down
Day #1: Your favorite character
Day #2: Your favorite princess
Day #3: Your favorite heroine
Day #4: Your favorite prince
Day #5: Your favorite hero
Day #6: Your favorite animal
Day #7: Your favorite sidekick
Day #8: Your favorite villain
Day #9: Your favorite original character (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc.)
Day #10: Your favorite song
Day #11: Your favorite love song
Day #12: Your favorite villain song
Day #13: Your least favorite song
Day #14: Your favorite kiss
Day #15: The first movie you saw
Day #16: Your favorite classic
Day #17: Your least favorite classic
Day #18: Your favorite Pixar film
Day #19: Your least favorite Pixar film
Day #20: Favorite sequel
Day #21: An overrated movie
Day #22: An underrated movie
Day #23: A movie that makes you laugh
Day #24: A movie that makes you cry
Day #25: Your favorite scene from your favorite movie
Day #26: Saddest death
Day #27: Your favorite quote
Day #28: Your favorite Disney animated TV series
Day #29: Your least favorite Disney animated TV series
Day #30: Your favorite live action Disney Film
Here's the run down
Day #1: Your favorite character
Day #2: Your favorite princess
Day #3: Your favorite heroine
Day #4: Your favorite prince
Day #5: Your favorite hero
Day #6: Your favorite animal
Day #7: Your favorite sidekick
Day #8: Your favorite villain
Day #9: Your favorite original character (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc.)
Day #10: Your favorite song
Day #11: Your favorite love song
Day #12: Your favorite villain song
Day #13: Your least favorite song
Day #14: Your favorite kiss
Day #15: The first movie you saw
Day #16: Your favorite classic
Day #17: Your least favorite classic
Day #18: Your favorite Pixar film
Day #19: Your least favorite Pixar film
Day #20: Favorite sequel
Day #21: An overrated movie
Day #22: An underrated movie
Day #23: A movie that makes you laugh
Day #24: A movie that makes you cry
Day #25: Your favorite scene from your favorite movie
Day #26: Saddest death
Day #27: Your favorite quote
Day #28: Your favorite Disney animated TV series
Day #29: Your least favorite Disney animated TV series
Day #30: Your favorite live action Disney Film
30 Days of [Figure] Skating: Day Twenty-Nine
Day 29: Favorite Skater of All Time
She's back! I will update on the trip eventually.... I hope... but for now I've got two more days of skating meme before Iditarod, work, and photo editting take over my life! LOL
Anyway, back on topic. Favorite skater of all time is going to be Scott Hamilton. Pretty sure I've said that several times throughout the 30 day meme (which has spanned over two months now, but oh well.) Without Scott i'd not have fallen in love with the sport of figure skating. Sure, I put skaters above him - now - in terms of skill and what not, but Scott will always hold that special spot in my heart. He was my hero growing up, and someone I continue to follow and get excited for when he's in the news doing something good. I pray for him, and send him well wishes and support/encouragement, and go totally fan girl when I am in the stands and he's commentating.
I've gushed on him earlier in this little meme thing, so I won't rehash all of that, but for me Scott Hamilton is figure skating. His name is the first that comes to mind when someone begins talking about the sport.
She's back! I will update on the trip eventually.... I hope... but for now I've got two more days of skating meme before Iditarod, work, and photo editting take over my life! LOL
Anyway, back on topic. Favorite skater of all time is going to be Scott Hamilton. Pretty sure I've said that several times throughout the 30 day meme (which has spanned over two months now, but oh well.) Without Scott i'd not have fallen in love with the sport of figure skating. Sure, I put skaters above him - now - in terms of skill and what not, but Scott will always hold that special spot in my heart. He was my hero growing up, and someone I continue to follow and get excited for when he's in the news doing something good. I pray for him, and send him well wishes and support/encouragement, and go totally fan girl when I am in the stands and he's commentating.
I've gushed on him earlier in this little meme thing, so I won't rehash all of that, but for me Scott Hamilton is figure skating. His name is the first that comes to mind when someone begins talking about the sport.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Where we will be @ Disney!
Since I've been asked by friends and family asking when I will be where, here's teh ONLY things that are scheduled. the rest will be on the fly
Feb. 3 - Ariel's Grotto @ 11:40 (closest to "lunch time" as I could get)
Feb. 4 - Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Crown Package @ 9:30am
- Birthday Party w/ Pat E. Cake, Plaza Inn @4:15
Feb. 5 - Storyteller's Cafe w/ Chip and Dale & Friends - 9am
Feb. 7 - Goofy's Kitchen @ 6pm
Feb. 3 - Ariel's Grotto @ 11:40 (closest to "lunch time" as I could get)
Feb. 4 - Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Crown Package @ 9:30am
- Birthday Party w/ Pat E. Cake, Plaza Inn @4:15
Feb. 5 - Storyteller's Cafe w/ Chip and Dale & Friends - 9am
Feb. 7 - Goofy's Kitchen @ 6pm
30 Days of [Figure] Skating: Twenty-eight
Day 28: Favorite & Least Favorite Costume
Gonna do one for each disipline, because I can.
Gonna do one for each disipline, because I can.
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| Favorite Ladies: Katia's Mahler Costume, 1996 |
 |
| Least Favorite: Oksana Baiul's Hit Me Baby One More Time |
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| Favorite Mens: Kurt Browning Funky Music |
 |
| Least Favorite: Evgeny Plushenko Sex Bomb |
 |
| Favorite Pairs: Jaime Sale & David Pelletier's Jalousie |
 |
| Least Favorite: Yuko Kawaguchi & Alexander Smirnov... um yeah |
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| Favorite: Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto Yankee Polka |
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| Least Favorite: Oksana Domina & Max Shabalin Aboriginal Folk Dance |
Sunday, January 30, 2011
30 Days of [Figure] Skating: Day Twenty-Seven
Day 27: Favorite figure skating moment of all time
Well considering today was an amazing day for US men's figure skating I'm riding on such a high that I have to say today was the best moment. For two reasons.
First off, Ryan Bradley winning the National title. It wasn't his best performance, but he never gave up. The fact that he skated lights out for the short program and then came back after wonky quads in the long really showed that he wanted this like no other championship. Let me preface by saying I was not a Ryan Bradley fan when it was cool to be one. I remember hearing all the girls our age gush about how cute he was and how awesome his skating was back in 2000/01. I didn't get it. He was a nice looking face but that was it to me.
Then he found his niche as a performer and suddenly I was taking an interest. Seeing him at nationals in 2006 sealed the deal. I became one of his fangirls from that moment on (it didn't hurt when I met him with a friend that it was more like just a few young people hanging out and not fangirls meeting their dreamboat ha ha!). Fast forward to tonight when Bradley won after wanting to quit after last season and I was a ball of emotion. Nervous, heart broken when he fell, and elated when he still managed to win. No one deserves it more. It was a bittersweet Galindo moment, but one that still deserves its place in hearts and memories. The bashing has already started elsewhere, but for me - yes a fan girl- I can honestly say I couldn't be more proud. I want to thank Ryan from the bottom of my heart for not giving into the naysayers, and for giving us this moment. Is it too early to beg for a repeat next season?
My second favorite moment also comes from this night of skating. Keegan Messing not only made the final flight of skaters, but he had a fantastic nationals from start to finish. I got really choked up for some reason as I listened to Scott Hamilton commentate his long program. Keegan reminds me a lot of Scotty in skating style (maybe it's the shortness thing) and Scott's energy in the mic translated to what we were seeing on the ice. I've watched Keegan and known he was special since 2004. He was just a little guy, then, but he loved to entertain and he was quick... and light on his feet and in the air. He started making waves at nationals that year, and has been climbing steadily up the ranks ever since. I have high hopes from our Alaskan skater, and want so badly for him to have his own Ryan Bradley moment (or better yet, lets have him be the next Scott. 4 time world champ, olympic champ, and biggest male skating personality in the US).
Well considering today was an amazing day for US men's figure skating I'm riding on such a high that I have to say today was the best moment. For two reasons.
Then he found his niche as a performer and suddenly I was taking an interest. Seeing him at nationals in 2006 sealed the deal. I became one of his fangirls from that moment on (it didn't hurt when I met him with a friend that it was more like just a few young people hanging out and not fangirls meeting their dreamboat ha ha!). Fast forward to tonight when Bradley won after wanting to quit after last season and I was a ball of emotion. Nervous, heart broken when he fell, and elated when he still managed to win. No one deserves it more. It was a bittersweet Galindo moment, but one that still deserves its place in hearts and memories. The bashing has already started elsewhere, but for me - yes a fan girl- I can honestly say I couldn't be more proud. I want to thank Ryan from the bottom of my heart for not giving into the naysayers, and for giving us this moment. Is it too early to beg for a repeat next season?
Saturday, January 29, 2011
30 Days of [Figure] Skating: Day Twenty-Six
Day 26: Saddest Day in Figure Skating
I could go with a number of answers. 1961 plane crash, death of Sergei Grinkov, death of Carlo Fassi, death of countless skaters before their time... but I'm not going to, because a lot of thsoe happened before I was old enough to really understand what was going on - or in the case of 1961 well before my time.
No, the saddest day for me was when Scott Hamilton "retired" from touring. I had an incling the year prior when he skated the group number in SOI entitled Old Friends which was a medly of Simon and Garfunkel hits. Scott's part was looking back on all the good times and all of the fun... I remember turning to my dad and freaking out saying "IS HE GOING TO RETIRE?" everyone said I was nuts.
The following year Scott announced that the new season was his final one touring with SOI. I was vindicated, but not happy. Scott Hamilton had been my hero, my idol, my favorite for so long and it was finally happening. He was finally leaving me. It was the end of an era and I was not happy to see it come.
I watched that show with a lot of emotion. When they got to the finale and he handed the reigns over to Kurt and Kristi and Tara, and they were all misty I lost it. I was home alone (well I was babysitting Duane who'd fallen asleep after Kurt's routine) and I didn't care. Tears rolled.
Scott's retirement also seemed to mark the end of the Golden Era of skating in North America. Many blame the new judging system or MK's disappearance from the international scene, but I think it was just time for that era to be finished. Scottie leaving just made the void bigger...
I could go with a number of answers. 1961 plane crash, death of Sergei Grinkov, death of Carlo Fassi, death of countless skaters before their time... but I'm not going to, because a lot of thsoe happened before I was old enough to really understand what was going on - or in the case of 1961 well before my time.
No, the saddest day for me was when Scott Hamilton "retired" from touring. I had an incling the year prior when he skated the group number in SOI entitled Old Friends which was a medly of Simon and Garfunkel hits. Scott's part was looking back on all the good times and all of the fun... I remember turning to my dad and freaking out saying "IS HE GOING TO RETIRE?" everyone said I was nuts.
The following year Scott announced that the new season was his final one touring with SOI. I was vindicated, but not happy. Scott Hamilton had been my hero, my idol, my favorite for so long and it was finally happening. He was finally leaving me. It was the end of an era and I was not happy to see it come.
I watched that show with a lot of emotion. When they got to the finale and he handed the reigns over to Kurt and Kristi and Tara, and they were all misty I lost it. I was home alone (well I was babysitting Duane who'd fallen asleep after Kurt's routine) and I didn't care. Tears rolled.
Scott's retirement also seemed to mark the end of the Golden Era of skating in North America. Many blame the new judging system or MK's disappearance from the international scene, but I think it was just time for that era to be finished. Scottie leaving just made the void bigger...
Friday, January 28, 2011
30 Days of [Figure] Skating: Day Twenty-five
Day 25: The Quad. Give your opinion.
The quad is just another revolution in jumps already well established. I think it is a huge feat for any skater to land one consistently, more and more skaters try and fail... and it's been over 20 years since Kurt Browning landed the first ratified one, and thirty years since they were reportedly being attempted by some of the top names of the day.
I don't think it's the ugly stick of skating, I would agree that skaters obsess over it a bit too much, but that's only because I think fans and the media start the mania. There's a huge debate over whether or not you're not a man without one (so what does that make all of those men out there who aren't figure skaters? do they never get to even attempt manhood because they can't jump and spin four times in the air and land on a skinny little metal blade?).
I don't think it takes any more out of the program to set up the quad as it does for a triple axel or other triple jump. I've seen some skaters telegraph from one end of the rink to the other to hit a triple toe. Where as some quads seem to burst out of nowhere in comparison. I would argue that, without commentators saying "here comes the quad attempt" most fans wouldn't even know they were telegraphing for a quad.
So here's to the quad, just another exciting element to an already exciting sport!
The quad is just another revolution in jumps already well established. I think it is a huge feat for any skater to land one consistently, more and more skaters try and fail... and it's been over 20 years since Kurt Browning landed the first ratified one, and thirty years since they were reportedly being attempted by some of the top names of the day.
I don't think it's the ugly stick of skating, I would agree that skaters obsess over it a bit too much, but that's only because I think fans and the media start the mania. There's a huge debate over whether or not you're not a man without one (so what does that make all of those men out there who aren't figure skaters? do they never get to even attempt manhood because they can't jump and spin four times in the air and land on a skinny little metal blade?).
I don't think it takes any more out of the program to set up the quad as it does for a triple axel or other triple jump. I've seen some skaters telegraph from one end of the rink to the other to hit a triple toe. Where as some quads seem to burst out of nowhere in comparison. I would argue that, without commentators saying "here comes the quad attempt" most fans wouldn't even know they were telegraphing for a quad.
So here's to the quad, just another exciting element to an already exciting sport!
California, here I am!
The trip yesterday was... taxing. I didn't sleep well - who really can on an Airplane? And Haille didn't want me to sleep at all so she kept jabbing me in my side when we were in the car being driving from the airport to Grass Valley. I ended up crashing in my cousin's bedroom for about four hours once everybody wound down. And after a good 9 hours of sleep last night I am feeling more human. Once I shower I should be ready to truly greet the day. I can't wait to start shooting photos around here. I haven't been to Grass Valley since 2006, and I'm here for almost a week so I'm going to make teh most of it. Thankfully Judy bought an external travel hard drive at Costco yesterday and so I will be able to keep all of my files safe as I have a feeling that I'm going to really put my camera to work on this trip.
Today is the final shopping day and wedding rehearsal before the big day tomorrow. My biggest complaint? I'm missing the Men's short programs at US nationals to eat pizza. Life's rough, eh?
Today is the final shopping day and wedding rehearsal before the big day tomorrow. My biggest complaint? I'm missing the Men's short programs at US nationals to eat pizza. Life's rough, eh?
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