Iditarod Mushers @ Alaska State Fair (Palmer)

Iditarod Champions Lance Mackey, Martin Buser, Dick Mackey, and Mitch Seavey will be on hand with Dee Dee Jonrowe, Ramey Smyth, Dallas Seavey and Hugh Neff


All will be at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer Alaska this Saturday (September 4th), from 1:30 to 5 pm to spend time with Iditarod Race Fans of all ages. This is a great opportunity for you to get up close and personal with these athletes as they share their stories of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The event takes place at the Borealis Plaza Tent on the green trail at the Alaska State Fair!

More Orser-Kim Drama

The figure skating community was rocked when news broke out yesterday that Brian Orser had been fired by his star skater, Yuna Kim. Details are, at best, confusing with several stories popping up depending on which media spin you are reading. Orser's camp & IMG make it out to be all Kim's mother's and agent's decision. Korean press are villifying the once highly praised coach saying he's blowing things out of proportion, that it was a mutual decision, or even that it's his fault. The only one not talking, it seems, is Kim - though she apparently tweeted for a "B" to stop telling the lie. At this time the tweet no longer appears but several bloggers and webzines already glomped onto the quote.

One thing is certain, no one is coming out of this without hurt feelings. Orser's shock and disappointment is evident in all of his interviews, and the twittering earlier from Kim suggests the same on her part. What's also evident is that the diehard Kim fans are frothing at the mouth and are horribly cruel once again. Fans need to calm down, this thing happens all the time. Coaches and skaters get hurt because the decision is so much out of their hands. It is shocking - much in the same way Kwan left Carrol shocking - but it is not the end of the world and there's no reason to villify anyone.

30 Days of Me - Day Four

Day Four: Favorite Book
I think Christians cheat a lot because they think they have to say "The Bible." Certainly, it should be number one for communication with our Heavenly Father, but I think to just call it a book when we know it's much more is misleading. Whenever I try to be 'religious' and answer with the 'christian' answer I go into detail and say my favorite book(s) of the Bible. (Job, Romans, and Revelations for those who are curious.)

However, I enjoy other books as well. I'm not sure I can say I have a favorite book as there are many I've read cover to cover multiple times. There's Winterdance by Gary Paulsen which is probably my favorite book that focusses on the Iditarod. I also like his junior novel The Hatchet, I read that quite often in grade school. Rifles for Watie was the junior novel that got me hooked on the Civil War, and The War With Grandpa pretty much sums up favorite book of childhood. Thank you, Battle of the Books!

I'm a huge fan of autobiographies, Scott Hamilton's Landing it and Kurt Browning's Forcing the Edge were two books I just finished rereading, and Jeff King's Cold Hands, Warm Heart was also great. And don't even get me started on the Star Wars collection I have!

I mainly stick with autobiographies, biographies, and historical fiction (mainly Civil War and Alaskana). And I guess I don't have just one favorite. *shrugs*

30 Days of Me - Day Three

Day Three: Favorite TV Show
This would probably be M*A*S*H. Yes, it's anti-war, anti-republican, anti-Christianity... or at least modern American "Christianity"... but it's hysterical and it speaks more truth than we all care to admit. The casting was spot on, and even when, mid series, some of the core cast left (Good-bye Ferret Face) we got some fantastic replacements.

30 Days of Me: Day Two

There are no words, right now, on Senator Stevens Memorial. I am deeply honored to have shared in the memorial. More will follow when I get my thoughts in order. So, for tonight, I will continue the 30 Days of Me.

Day Two: Favorite Movie
This is just as difficult as the favorite song question. However I guess Disney's Sleeping Beauty should get the nod. I've loved that movie longer than I can remember. I don't know why it's my favorite, it's so girly - which I am not - but I love the entire film. It's got a great villain, wonderful music and animation, and it never ceases to crack me up. Merryweather is a fairy I can identify with.

Senator Ted Stevens' Memorial

I have the honor of being part of the some 200 volunteers at teh Anchorage Baptist Temple tomorrow. I went to the meeting tonight and then went out to the street to see the motorcade pull up. I took pictures (202 in total) which I will edit.

Just got the email with a list of the Dignitaries who will be present:
Representing the United States Senate
The Hon. Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
The Hon. Daniel Inouye
The Hon. Mitch McConnell
The Hon. Orrin Hatch
The Hon. Thad Cochran
The Hon. Chris Dodd
The Hon. Arlen Specter
The Hon. Kit Bond
The Hon. Bob Bennett
The Hon. Pat Roberts
The Hon. Lisa Murkowski
The Hon. Mark Begich
David Schiappa, Secretary to the Minority
Terrance Gainer, Sergeant at Arms
The Hon. Howard Baker
The Hon. Norm Coleman
The Hon. Alfonse D'Amato
The Hon. Dennis DeConcini
The Hon. Pete Domenici
The Hon. Larry Pressler
The Hon. Fritz Hollings
The Hon. Nancy Kassebaum
The Hon. Mack Mattingly
The Hon. Frank Murkowski
The Hon. John Sununu
Elizabeth Letchworth, United States Secretary for the Majority and Minority, Ret.
Walter Stewart, Secretary of the Senate, Ret.
Representing the United States Armed Forces

General James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
General Norton A. Schwartz, USAF, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force
General Douglas M. Fraser, USAF, Commander, U.S. Southern Command
Lieutenant General Dana T. Atkins, USAF, Commander, Alaskan Command
Lieutenant General Charles H. Jacoby, USA, Director of Strategic Plans and Policy (J5), Joint Staff
Lieutenant General Daniel Darnell, USAF, Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
Rear Admiral Christopher C. Colvin, USCG, Commander, 17th District, U.S. Coast Guard
Major General Thomas H. Katkus, The Adjutant General for the State of Alaska, Commander of the Alaska National Guard, Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Brigadier General Raymond P. Palumbo, Commanding General, U.S. Army Alaska

Due to the vice president being present we are having to dance to the Secret Service's tune (not surprising) it makes ABT look like it's being selective in what's going on but at this point they have no control over who goes where. It's all in the deal of National Security. But it's still really cool that he's hear. Biden was good friends with Stevens, so it's no surprise he's here to pay his respects. He will be speaking, Lisa Murkowski will be reading a poem... and I forgot the rest of the speakers. Prevo, an Arch Bishop and a few others are also speaking.

I'm there from 11:30am to whenever.

30 Days of Me - Day One: Favorite Song

So I'm jumping on the bandwagon. Derek and Amanda George have started it on their blog, and I thought it was a fun idea. It's neat to read their answers and get to know them, so I figured, what the heck let me do it too!

Day One is Favorite Song...
This is always so difficult because there are so many that really speak to me or touch me in some way. So many songs bring back a memory or a feeling, and I revisit often. Some are just funny, and some are perfect for what mood I am in. That's the great thing about the power of music. It's amazing the emotions and memories music provokes. I don't think I feel this way just because I grew up as a band geek - though I'm sure that has something to do with it.

I guess the song that I've been blasting lately would be Darryl Worley's new single "Keep the Change." I love that he has the guts to not only write the song but stand up and sing it. I am hoping to hear him sing it at the Palmer Fair on the 31.