Wonderful World Of Color

Disney Parks unveiled their latest nighttime spectacular this week with the Disneyland's California Adventure Park's "World of Color" inspired by the popular primetime television show Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. Just finished watching the video above, and I cannot wait to see it come February. If there's anything to be negative about, I feel that there's too much Pixar and I'm not sure why they put the Pirates movies in there. It seems out of place from the theme. But it is a big seller, and saved face (as did Pixar) for Disney in the 00s.

This is a much better new addition, in my opinion, than the talking Mickey Mouse from a few weeks ago.

Weird resemblances...

While working to get my figure skating tapes transferred to DVD (I have a lot of hours of coverage I am happy to say) I keep coming back to how weird/spooky it is that I've finding similiarities in some of my favorite figure skaters with some of the Iditarod dog mushers.

Now, mind you, I wouldn't take this entirely seriously, as I'm a little bit weird to begin with. But just hear me out and maybe you can reassure me that I'm not as crazy as I seem.

The first ones I've paired are 1992 Olympic Mens Figure Skating Champion Viktor Petrenko and four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser. Both would probably with the Mr. Congeniality awards for their sport. They're fun loving guys who may not be the best looking but they are so adorable with personality that you can't help but fall in love with them. They are serious about their sport, but also serious about having fun within it. Petrenko is dedicated to get people to laugh and smile these days as he skates in shows as a professional (when not coaching) and Buser is known for caring for his dogs and making sure that every mile of the Iditarod trail is a fun one.

Martin is one of my favorite mushers though I typically have other mushers I cheer for more. He is not a native Alaskan, but we've adopted him as one of our own. Definitely one of the most loved champions of the last great race on Earth even if he hasn't kept up with the pack in the most recent years. He runs Happy Trails Kennel out of his home in the Big Lake area, and continues to be a champion for the sport. Watch a video of Martin here.

Petrenko has always been one of the skaters who I've found to be entertaining, whether he's skating to the Twist in some really outlandish costume, trying to be the Ukraine version of Michael Jackson, or skating with a doll strapped to his front doing the Mambo #5, he's always in it for the fans. A great champion (he was the main rival of my all time favorite skater back in the day, though Kurt saw more success at Worlds and as a professional). Watch a video of Viktor here.

Most recently, while working at Wildride, I have noticed a similiarity between Iditarod musher Dallas Seavey and US Figure Skater Ryan Bradley. Both men are entertaining, so much so that they're more known - I think - for that than their athletic accomplishments. Seavey is a third generation Iditarod musher who has just recently becoming incredibly competitive within the sport (he beat his dad, 2004 Iditarod Champion Mitch Seavey, for the first time in the 2010 Iditarod!), and it was only the last three years that Ryan Bradley became a contender on the national and international scene (he is most likely retiring from competition). However, they both have been hyped as the next big thing, and they both get a lot of attention from the opposite gender. ha ha.

Dallas Seavey is one of the most fun people I know. He's very passionate about what he does, and he loves to have a good time. He's a great friend to all, and is very 'giving' to his fans (or guests of his show). He's his own musher, not just a shadow of his dad or grandfather in style. He's personable and I think it's his personality that not only sells people on the show but on the sport of mushing. Watching him interact with the tourists and locals alike that come to our show is a sight. Watch a video of him with his dogs here.

I met Ryan Bradley, briefly, in 2008 at the US figure skating national Championships and I was instantly drawn to how genuine he seemed with his fans. He doesn't just treat them like outsiders, he engages them as if they were every day friends. He LOVES to put on a show on the ice, and has been considered one of the best things for skating in a long time. In the years of the code of points where it's all about numbers, and so few really take the time to be creative, Bradley stands alone with his programs (though Takahashi comes close, he's still mathmatical in the process). His presense will most definitely be missed if this does turn out to be his retirement year. Watch a video of his 2010 Long Program.

Belbin & Agosto turn Professional

The five time US Ice Dance champions who are touted as the team that changed the course of the sport for America, Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, announced this week that they are retiring from the Amateur competitive circuit. The team's meteoric rise to the top of both national and international podiums turned the heads of many with their clever choreography as well as their youthful expression. They claimed Olympic silver during the 2006 Turin Games, and barely missed the podium in Vancouver.

The duo paired up in 1998 and began seeing early success in the junior ranks, which led to a lot of hope and hype following their jump to the senior level. Much ado was made, and they quickly saw positive returns, in just their first year they came second to the more mature and more polished Lang & Tchernychev. The next few years made for an exciting national competition with Belbin and Agosto continuing to close the gap. They easily took US Skating to the next level after taking their first senior title in 2004. They were also seeing a great amount of success in international competition, knocking down doors and barriers many believe could never be penetrated by a young North American team.

The team is now looking at professional pursuits. After spending the spring touring with Stars On Ice and a subsequent break from the ice, they announced on Thursday that they were ready for the next phase of a skater's life. Tours are in their future - no doubt they will be fixtures in Stars On Ice for some time to come - and with talk of Scott Hamilton bringing back the professional competitive circuit there are likely to be many opportunities for Tanith and Ben to continue to expand and grow with their skating.

They state on their website: "After 12 incredible years skating together, we have decided to announce our retirement from competition. We have accomplished and surpassed so many of our goals, from participating in two Olympic Games to pushing ourselves and developing our skills in this sport we love so much. With that, we feel we can move on from our competitive careers without regret. May our fans rest assured, we plan to continue skating together in the professional ranks for years to come."

US Ice Dance is now in the capable hands of the reigning Olympic and World silver medalists of Meryl Davis & Charlie White, but it will surely miss the excitement and spunk of Tanith and Ben.

Continuing the Job Hunt

I just finished applying for a position with the Department of Health and Services: Public Assistance office in Kenai. The offices are in the same building as my dad's office (VA Clinic) so that would be cool. Plus I'd be back down home where more of my lifelong friends are. So I'm hopeful, but at the same time I am still looking for stuff here in Anchorage as well.

One thing that I would have to give up that I am not looking forward to if I were to move back to Kenai is giving up my job at Wildride. Even though it's already starting to drag me down (which is funny since I haven't really worked that much this summer) ha ha I will definitely miss it. I'd also not get to work as much with the Iditarod (probably would just go back to being a trail guard and nothing more). So there's a lot for me to consider.

In other news I walking down memory lane as I continue to put my skating tapes on DVD. Watching stuff from the 2002-2003 season at the moment. How I miss Jenny Kirk, Angela Nikodinov, Scott & Dulebohn and Orscher & Lucash... among others.

Sale & Pelletier Call It Quits

After months of speculation and rumor, the truth is finally out: the love story is over, Jamie Sale & David Pelletier's marriage is at an end. The duo have been seperated for eighteen months, according to their statement to the press earlier this week, and the announcement seems to be no more than a formality. This was the first marriage for Sale, and Pelletier's second (his first ended in divorce and it was soon public knowledge that he had entered a relationship with Sale).

The partnership was magic on the ice, but at times rocky off. Depending on if you are team Sale or team Pelletier it seems the story changes as to who is the one most to blame. Still, the pair is splitting amicably enough that they will continue skating together as well as sharing custody of their son Jesse (born in 2007).

As a fan of this pair I am deeply saddened by the turn of events. Having had to endure the long wait for the rumors to be proved true or denied, on one hand I'm relieved, but I was hoping for a better outcome. Now rumors abound as to who strayed from the marriage and with what other skaters. I say leave them be! Who cares! Me, personally, I'm hoping that through skating together they rekindle something, for the sake of their family. I'm one of those diehard dreamers who believes the fairytale.

It's another reminder that the era is over, I suppose.

Photo (C) Associated Press, 2002.

It's Oh So Quiet

I have a few ideas for blog posts, with very little time to get them done, so as you can imagine it's been very quiet on here but that's not what I want it to be.

Work is going well, still hard at work for the US Census Bureau. I was off for a week due to a horrible head cold/sinus infection thing. Had no voice, can't man the phones if I can't talk. Went back - finally - this Tuesday. Missed out on all of the fun summer weather we've been having along with the Memorial Day Weekend festivities. I did a ton of scrapbooking and am almost done with the family trip to disney in 2007 album. After that I will begin working on the album for my trip with Erin in 2009.

Wildride opened on May 20th. I was there for opening. There are a few minor cast changes (to be expected as Jen Seavey is pregnant so she is not the host this year, and since Fridge past away at teh end of the season last year the lead dog training is back to square one and Kosher is barely where Fridge was when we brought the scene to the show in 2008.), but basically it's all the same. They've added kennel tours in place of the morning show. I haven't gotten to work much, and that's in part to the fact that they haven't had as much interest so far. Hopefully that picks up as the summer kicks it into high gear this month.


so that's all for now. Hopefully I will be more active on the blog soon.

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/tonichelle

Brooke Castile & Ben Okolski Retire

The announcement made its way onto the USFSA's website on the thirteenth, 2007 US National Pairs Champions Brooke Castile & Ben Okolski are moving on. Both say they will continue with skating as coaches, and Brooke wants to also work as a choreographer. Ben is focussing on school as he wants to get a degree in accounting.

Much luck to this amazingly beautiful pair. No doubt they will succeed in whatever they tackle in life! It's been a great ride!

Wildride!!

This weekend my schedule is jam packed. I am getting a cell phone in my name - and a new phone - I'm booking the dining reservations for Erin and my trip in November to Disney World... but the biggest excitement (and this may sound really pathetic) is that Wildride starts next week and my involvement starts on Saturday with rehearsals. To say I'm overly excited is an understatement.

It's so weird that I'm still so giddy over this time of year. By the end of the summer I'll be dragging, as it looks like I'll be working more this summer than last, but I still have so much fun and miss it when it's over. *sigh*

Cannot wait. Photos to come as soon as I can shoot some!

Date released for the 2010 Iditarod Race DVD

The documentary entitled "Chasing History" from Iditarod Insider is set to release June 1! SO EXCITING! Make sure to get your copy!

Mickey speaks @ Character Meet & Greets

not sure how I feel about this. thoughts?

Czisny's new, surprising, direction

With Summer coming on quickly, even here in Alaska, figure skating fans begin to look back on seasons past while waiting to hear the news that determines what to expect for the season ahead. Competitive skaters have been free for over a month to take vacations, finish school, and tour before deciding what's next.

However a few skaters have already given details into what lay ahead for them. The most surprising, to most, following the USFSA skaters is that of Alissa Czisny's announcement that she is not finished with us yet and that she's made the difficult decision to part with her longtime coach and begin taking lessons from 1994 World Champion Yuka Sato and her husband, US National Pairs Champion, Jason Dunjen.

The announcement was made earlier this week in an USFSA press release.

"Having enjoyed taking lessons from Yuka Sato in the past, I am looking forward to working with her and Jason Dungjen as my full-time coaches," Czisny said. "I'm very excited for them to teach me everything they know."

Czisny's skating is very similar in style to Yuka's, where Czisny needs to improve is her mental toughness during competition. Working with Brian Boitano - probably the steeliest competitor the US has ever had other than Michelle Kwan - has not helped the 2009 US Champion, and she faltered this past season, not even coming close to making the Olympic Team.

It's not certain, Czisny's coming season, but a summer alone will probably not show much improvement in the headcase department - not when you consider Jeremy Abbott winning his second National title only to, once again, bomb at the bigger international events following Spokane (aka Worlds and that little competition known as the Olympics). A coaching change may be what she needs to keep motivated, but she won't get the results she's desiring until she gets those nerves under control. Not sure Sato & Dunjen are the ones for the job... but then, who is?

In other coaching changes news, World and US National Champion Kimmie Meissner has announced her comeback and a coaching change. She will be coached by Chris Conte in Virginia.

Movie Review: He's Just Not That Into You

Just finished watching the Romantic Comedy: "He's Just Not That Into You". This was given great reviews, and had a star studded cast. Yay for them.

It's based on a best selling book on Romance and the modern woman's role within it. To me it makes no sense, as basically the moral of the story is - don't wait out for "Mr. Right" so much as "Mr. Right Now" and that anything goes. We have Scarlett (The Harlot) Johanson who is looked on with sympathy as she plays the knowingly "other woman" who helps destroy a marriage. And she gets upset after a while when she realizes the pig played by Bradley Cooper would rather have his cake and eat it too, why any 'other woman' feels this way is beyond me. The guy is a cheater, DUH! He cares for only himself!

Ben Afflec and Jennifer Aniston play a couple who've been together for seven years. Afflec's character does not believe in marriage and makes the argument that who needs a piece of paper to show love and committment. Aniston kicks him out because she needs a marriage. She goes through the rest of the movie feeling she made a mistake, that Afflec was right, and takes him back (he finally asks her to marry him, so it's somewhat positive).

All in all the movie forces morality out the window. At the end it seems those that don't follow God's laws are the ones that win teh most. The wife who's husband cheats on her, and lies about smoking, ends up in a small appartment but throughout the whole movie is the one to blame for why he's left the marriage. She is too strict, not fun, and sees all of this at the end of the movie. Cooper's character comes out looking like teh humorous champ.


This is probably the worst chick flick I've watched in a while. Definitely not one to pick up, IMO.

Did you hear the sigh of relief?

Yeah, neither did I. Guess it just doesn't seem to be that big of a deal. However the few that were waiting anxiously for the decision, need not wait any longer: Rachel Flatt has announced what University she will attend.

Are you ready for it?




Still waiting???




Yeah, you're not reading further down either, because you don't care. But, I will tell you anyway. Because I can.

She's going to be a Stanford Uni. Freshman starting in the fall of 2011. She is taking a year off to, apparently, focus on skating.


Boy, aren't you glad she finally chose and then told the world?????

So much for the Truce.

They're at it again. Just when we thought the boys had become men and faced their differences and gotten over that hurdle and were basically ignoring each other... the media shows up, asks for a few soundbites, and they're back at it again.

That's right Johnny Weir and Evan Lysacek's in the press rivalry is back in action. Weir started it by answering a few questions about the Olympic Champion in several articles in the last month. It's actually pretty shocking that he's reverted back to the needless jabs after he seemed to praise Evan - however underhandedly - during the whirlwind of drama surrounding Lysacek's controversial win. Weir didn't side with either Lysacek or Plushenko in that debate, but he didn't dispute the outcome either.

It's no secret that Johnny Weir is miffed over, what he considers, a snub SOI gave him by not adding him to the cast line up. I have my own feelings on that one - SOI traditionally has a certain number of male performers to female. SOI also likes skaters who 'toe the line' when it comes to PR moments. SOI likes skaters to get along. SOI wanted an Olympic Champion. Evan gets the bill, Johnny can't play nice so he stays home. - but that's beside the point. Johnny has started the debate on if SOI is 'homophobic'/'bigotted' because of his 'appeared sexuality'. Well, Johnny, it's only 'appeared' to those of us not in the 'inner circle', but if you don't want people to assume you are one way, maybe you shouldn't hit every stereotype in the book.

Johnny's jabs also extended to particular skaters, not just the tour management. Scott Hamilton and Evan Lysacek have - apparently - fallen into his sights and there's no stopping his blasting them.

Evan followed suit over the last week and blasted back at Johnny saying his skating wasn't up to par. He has since retracted his earlier quotes, but the damage is done, and I'm sure Johnny is sitting at home in his bubble bath with his boy toy smirking away. That Evan would allow the media and Johnny to get under his skin, is not overly suprising, but it is disheartening. Though I can't totally BLAME him for speaking out, at the same time he needs to stick with facts and not just try to insult his insulter. It doesn't work that way especially when we all know (including, I'm sure, Evan) that Johnny's SKATING or even his PROGRAMS are not what keeps him from SOI.


I'm disappointed in the boys this week. I'm not surprised at Johnny showing his true colors once again, but I'm still bummed and annoyed. so much for maturity.

I was humbled today...

Today on my lunch break I made my way over to Midtown to get Burger King. Yeah, I'm on a very unhealthy junk food kick lately. But that's not the point today. As I got back onto Northern Lights after going through the drive through, I noticed a few homeless men standing on the corner. They are always there and I'm always pondering if I shouldn't give them something - not money, but maybe my fries, and today was no exception.

This afternoon, though, a family pulled up next to me waiting for the light to change so I could turn and head back to the office, and they honked their horn, rolled down the window and had a couple of hot meals to give them. A FULL MEAL, not some fries, or a bag of chips.

Why am I not more outgoing and willing to do this? It was humbling realizing just how selfish of a person I am. Sure I'll pray for them, but I still look at them thinking they are just wasting their lives and our time. That they're all smelly drunks who dirty up Anchorage. I'm sure 99% of us think that. But they're still human, and at any moment that could be someone I actually know. Life changes just that quickly and challenges come up that we aren't prepared for.

Here I am griping about how much a dog's vet bill is going to be - yet I'm blessed with a job and a place to live that gives me the priveledge of being able to afford a dog. I gripe about situations at work and yet I still have that job.

It was eye opening to say the least.

The Brian Orser Debate

Poor coach Orser, he's found himself in a little bit of media controversy this week. The rumors are flying thanks to a couple of less that reputible Korean media outlets saying he has agreed to take on Yu-Na Kim's main rival Mao Asada on as a new pupil. He's being hit hard by Kim's fans/supporters for not even considering her needs, wants, whatever in his decision. Mind you, all three parties are denying that any such arrangement has been made, but because the Korean Tabloids have proclaimed it, it's being taken as Gospel.

Say what you will about Orser as a skater, or a coach, but one thing he is not, is stupid. There's no reason for him to choose to take on Asada when that would mean a move on one of their parts, he's in charge of the skating program at his rink - why would he want to leave that for Japan? Mao Asada's main coaching issues are she does not want to live anywhere else but home. So hmmmm. This does not seem like a smart move.

Skating message boards now have a conspiracy going that it's IMG that is calling the shots - and not the Japanese federation - because they "hate" Yuna and want only bad things for her. Because Orser was once an IMG skater, it makes sense that in passing it was brought up, but I can't see this being anything but rumor fodder brought on by the Korean media to play up this rivalry that has gotten so old that I can barely stand to go on message boards.

I have a feeling it's going to be a long off season. *sigh*

Movie Review: Death at a Funeral (2010)

Thursday night a friend and I had a girls night and went out to see the new comedy, Death at a Funeral starring Chris Rice. It definitely had us laughing - sometimes to the point of tears - but it is not for the faint of heart, and certainly deserves its R rating for language alone (there is also drug use, nudity, and sexual situations).

Chris Rock plays the dependable and responsible son who is tasked - as the eldest son normally is - with being in charge of his father's funeral. The first scene shows Rock waiting for the funeral home to deliever his father's casket to the living room, whereupon he remarks "that's not my father." which sends the Funeral Director out to "one of two locations that he MIGHT be." This, in turn, sets teh course of events that make the funeral go from bad to worse as Rock's family begins to arrive.

The first half of the film, for me, was rather slow as there were many characters teh film had to introduce. Each having their own issues, personalities, and mini stories that were to play out during the film. We meet Tracy Morgan and Luke Wilson - best friends who are also family friends of the deceased's family. Morgan is a hypocondriac who has about as many brain cells as he has fingers. Luke Wilson is an unemotional, self-absorbed workaholic who's main focus is on keeping up appearances without working at all. They are set up with the task of picking up the deceased's brother played by Danny Glover (who completely stole ever scene he was in). Glover is a grumpy old man whose body has failed him. He's in a wheel chair, but carries a cane, and doesn't have a nice word to say about anyone. Poor Morgan's character gets saddled with Glover throughout the film, and it's a perfect combination of insanity.

Zoe Saldana & James Marsden are a bi-racial couple who are on their way to pay respects to Saldana's uncle. Marsden is nervous because her father is none too happy with their partnership, so when they go to pick up Saldana's brother (played by Columbus Short) he takes what Saldana thinks is a valium. It's later revealed that Short's character - a pharmacy student - has a little drug making business on the side and what Marsden thought was a valium is infact ACID. Marsden's subsequent drug trip is probably one of the most comedic parts of the film.

There's also a scene involving Tracy Morgan getting pooped on by Danny Glover and the whole disgusting scene goes on for about four minutes in which the entire audience is laughing too hard to lose their cookies (but you really want to). Again this is just one of the few gems that made the movie actually worth watching.

The film is actually a remake of the 2007 movie of the same title which was directed by Frank Oz (you know, Jim Henson's right hand man... the voice of Yoda in the Star Wars films). That movie, like this one, is not something to really write home about. And sadly is not one I will be buying to add to my collection.

The movie MIGHT have made it to my collection if it weren't for the fact that the language is just thrown in there for, I don't know, a higher word count. The F-bomb and Mo-Fo phrase were used so many times that I couldn't even keep count if I'd wanted to. There was no reason to use it other than the fact that they didn't know what else to say. It could be argued that it made sense in a couple of scenes where road rage or indignation happened, but it was thrown around like a common every day word. This is by no means a family friendly film, and was not good enough elsewhere to be able to glance over the swearing.

Overall, if nudity, sexual situations (did I mention that the deceased had a midget gay lover?), and language don't bother you - wait and rent the film when it comes out on DVD. If not, skip it entirely.

Had a great time with my friend, though. We can make anything fun (we survived Anthro 101 that way!).

Oh those... pants...

The other night a close friend and I were reliving my childhood ;) (sorry, girl, I had to give ya a hard time on that one hee hee!) and thinking back to some of the great moments skating brought in teh 'early stages' of our friendship. That's right, one of my closest friends I have never met face to face but I love and adore her like a sister (maybe more so because I'm a rotten sibling lol). She is a joy and a blessing and I guess, in a way, we have figure skating (or maybe just Kurt?) to thank for that.

I got back into skating fandom in 1999 after Scott Hamilton and Katarina Witt got together and brought a skating show to Anchorage Alaska. I got online, looked up all I could on the sport... and found a great friendship with several people on a little skating board called Skate Forum (one of the original skating centric boards that is now gone. I miss it.)

Anyway in a round about way I'm getting to the main topic of this rambling. I met "Binky" on skate forum on my first day, and she was so sweet and it wasn't long before we were IMing each other, emailing, and sharing random inside jokes on the board. One of our main topics that we had MANY inside jokes about was none other than Kurt Browning. Yes, I'm going to talk about him again. If you're shocked, well, I don't know how you could be.

Last night while I was converting old tapes to DVD I came across a competition where Evgeny Plushenko (you know, that Russian skater who's still P.O.ed that he wasn't just handed the gold medal in Torino.) skated to Nyah from the Mission Impossible soundtrack (you know, that movie with another stuck up celebrity as it's main character - ie Tom Cruise, he knows medicine better than Matt Lauer, cuz he reads books).

That got Binky all fired up as the ONLY skater allowed to skate to that music is, of course, Kurt Browning - who has a signature piece with that very music. It was choreographed by a dancer who is in the same Ballet Company as Browning's wife... and it's quite possibly the closest a skating routine will ever come to actual DANCE on the ice.


Thank you, Sonia Rodreguez-Browning for making your husband go to the gym and bulk up. In the words of my 'sister': Mmmmm. Shoulders. ;)


But this program is NOT the one I want to gush about... at least not tonight. No, tonight I do not want to talk about the Artist Browning... but the Playboy Browning. In his 'role' in SOI Kurt normally found himself as 'the playa' or playboy of the troupe. Most women (and some men) didn't complain, we'd take all we could get. One of Kurt's 'big break' numbers was to the song "Brickhouse". The show's costume designer, Jef Billings, went all Saturday Night Fever for the number putting Kurt in a flowing cut down to there polyester white shirt... with midnight blue SKIN TIGHT pleather pants. All the girls swooned and a professional star was born.


My brother used to know all of the choreography by heart and would 'skate it' on the kitchen floor in his socks. Duane absolutely ADORED Kurt growning up, and still considers him a sports hero (doesn't hurt that Kurt sent him a gift for his birthday in 2006 - no one is more genuine than Kurt).

But, still, that is not my most swoon worthy. No. A few years after the Brickhouse sensation (and a score of memorable numbers such as Serenade to Sonia, Summertime, and Antares... to name a few) came "Brickhouse 2" which was skated to "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)". It's teh first program I can remember drooling to. I was 13 or 14 at the time and had just - apparently - discovered what made all of the ladies on TV start screaming and swooning the minute Kurt took the ice.

There were those midnight blue pleather pants (but with a brown cut down to there polyester shirt). Oh. my. word. It's probably the most swoon worthy - for me - of all of his pieces (ok, swoon is not the word. Let's face it, when I watch this program I am in full out lust mode. Especially when the butt wiggle happens lol). He can play sweet, sassy, masculine... he can do it all... but he took it to a whole new level with Funky Music.


Oh... those... pants.

Dateline: To Catch a Predator

Anyone who knows me or my best friend knows we're a little bit... off. Erin and I have weird things that we like. One of them is To Catch a Predator - a defunct series Dateline produced a few years ago catching men who are perverted enough to solicit minors for sex. You may remember the series.

Anyway we call it 'Pervy men' and get super excited for Sunday nights when MSNBC typically runs about three hours of specials. They're all repeats - the series was cancelled/ripped from the dateline headlines after a scandal happened in Texas surrounding the operation - but we can't help but watch them over and over and be shocked at teh stupidity.

Well, now we're watching one that says it's new - and there are a few we don't recognize - and we are now planning to stay up late to watch them. Is that sad or what?

Book Review: Lynn Austin's Fire By Night

I just finished rereading the novel Fire By Night written by Lynn Austin (not to be confused with JANE Austin, whom my fingers keep typing). It's a story based on events during the Civil War (my favorite part of history for historical fiction novels) and focusses on the lives of two young women as they try to follow God's path for their lives even when society frowns upon it.

We first meet young Julia Hoffman, a lovely rich socialite who has her eyes on a young preacher. Her goal in life is, like most girls her age who have grown up in church, to become a wife and mother to a Godly man - even preferably a preacher - and she is content to do so - until she finds out that the man she's been trying to win over thinks not-so-highly of her or the other young ladies in her social class. His bluntness is not directed at her, but she overhears it none the less and is bound and determined to prove him wrong and then throw it in his face. She convinces her father to let her join the nurses in Washington, he believing she will tire of her dream in short order.

The second heroine in the tale is feisty, tom-boyish Phoebe Bigalow. She's a country girl who has every intention of joining up in the war. Left to tend a family's children while her three brothers go off to join the Union Army, it takes Phoebe all of one day to make up her mind to cut her hair, run away, and join the Yankees fight Johnny Reb. Phoebe's main reason? She's too tall and homely to ever be loved by a boy, so why not pretend to be one and at least have a purpose in life.

While their backgrounds are completely different, both women find themselves realizing and finding themselves once they are out of their element. Julia, who has had everything done for her, realizes she's far more capable than she knew. Phoebe, in turn, finds herself in a quandry when she finds herself falling in love with her best friend in the army. Both tell 'white lies' to get into the positions their in, and both are fearful of being found out.

The book takes a number of twists and turns not so much in the main characters, but certainly with those around them. The author is very good at keeping the reader within the mind of the two women and introducing the outside characters and their personalities in a similar way that the women might also have met and evaluated said characters. Julia Hoffman works with a cantakerous young doctor - James McGrath - whom is rumored to be a drunk and a murderer... the reader is fairly sure he isn't a murderer, but there is so little known for most of the story that you don't see the truth until the author reveals it in full.


I'm not a big fan of romance novels, Christian or otherwise, but I do find myself getting into this story for a number of reasons. This book centers around, as I said, one of my favorite parts of history. I'm totally into reading about the Civil War. Like all Historic Fiction novels, it does take a fair about of creative license, but overall the history is sound enough to keep it real. The second part is the selfish girl inside of me who understands the plight of both women. Phoebe for being a tom-boy and not fitting into that girlish mold that so many try to put her in, and Julia for being the good little Christian girl who's been told her whole life that her lot in life is to be the keeper of the home and a mother. While there is nothing wrong with that, it seems to demean the idea of all of what God had wanted.

Neither woman is against marriage, settling down, having a family and that being their primary goal. But, as Julia will come to realise - just because you're married you are not just another of your husband's apendages. You do not lose your identity. And there's a lot of God's work to be done by men AND women. Going against society's norms is sometimes needed if we are to do as God has called.

Over all it's a quick and enjoyable read. It's nothing steamy, it's sometimes cheesey, and yes it's one of those 'Christian Novels that try so very hard to not be the same as what the world would have in this same type of genre'. At least it's clean.

Alaskan... spring?

Sitting in my room watching the large, clean white flakes fall from the light grey sky, I have to ask: where is spring?

This happens every year - for at least as long as I can remember - the battle between spring and winter starts late february and goes all the way through May until, quite suddenly, summer comes out of nowhere. While most of the rest of the world enjoys four distinct seasons, Alaska is a mystery. There are only two true distinct seasons - summer and winter - with fall and spring meshing interestingly with winter. Who knows why God works it that way up here, but I think it's mirrored in the Alaskan emotions...

Or, well, at least mine.

I am ready for spring/summer. Warmth. Biking. Walking. Taking the dog to the dog parks and letting her romp, off leash, without the worry of moose sticking to the trail - or the dog getting too cold five seconds after getting there.

At the same time, there's an excitement and joy I get watching the large flakes come down - if they're small it's not as pretty, nor is it as much fun to watch - I'm not sure if that comes from the fact that I'm having a hard time letting go of my childhood, or if it's because it's a strictly Alaskan thing that snow means a whole lot more than cold.

Sure, I gripe about it right along with the next guy, but deep down there's something special, beautiful and exciting about the event of a freak spring snow storm.



Though if it all melts by morning so the roads are clear so I can get to work, I won't be complaining.

A is for Axel

I've been redoing my room tonight, and I ended up stopping and reading World Figure Skating Champion Kurt Browning's children's book A is for Axel: An Ice Skating Alphabet. I was fortunate enough to snag my copy at a book signing he did at the 2006 US Figure Skating National Championships. It was probably the greatest 'celebrity' experience of my life and sealed Kurt into the number one spot on my favorites list. I don't think there's a more genuine skater on the planet. The fact that he was able to boot Scott Hamilton out of that spot is probably the best indicator of how much I truly appreciate Browning as a skater and a person.

The book itself shows just another side of Kurt's talent, and brings a little light on his passion. As a father of two, it's obvious Kurt revels in his role as dad - his eldest is even featured in a couple of the book's illustrations. The simple poetry for each letter is sweet, and the tidbits on the history and technical side of figure skating - while simple in explanation - make the book good for kids just learning their letter to just starting to read real books... and is a great addition to any figure skating fan's collection.

Now, if we could just get Kurt to write a second autobiography that takes off where the one from 1992 left off, I'd be a happy fangirl.

Movie Review: VeggieTales' Pistachio

The VeggieTales gang has been given a make over to finish out the new decade. This is showcased in the introduction to their newest straight to video release, Pistachio, The Little Boy Who Woodn't. I haven't laughed this hard during a VeggieTales video in a good long while, the Introduction was a spoof on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - complete with a Ty Pennington look-a-like. Even if you don't watch the full video, watch for the introduction/spoof. It's perfection.

The story itself is also very well done. There is a lot of humor for little kids and adults alike - all in the clean Christian fun VeggieTales is known and loved for - and the message is pretty clear. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." (Ephesians 6:1-3 is quoted as the Biblical text for the story) Pinochio, which is what the Veggie movie is based on if you haven't already guessed, teaches the same basic principle - though the fairytale does not get into the Biblical aspect of why it's important. VeggieTales does.

Pistachio takes many creative liberties with the original Fairytale of Pinochio, but over all, it's a great veggietale on a classic story. It's definitely one I am now a proud owner of, and one I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good children's story.
Veggie Tales: Pistachio

Applications...

So last week, very late last week, I was informed that there is an opening at the Kenai court for a receptionist type position. I've been debating actually applying for it, but decided tonight that 'what the heck' I can try.

I had researched a bit on where I could live, there were some really nice homes - not apartments - in my price range... in *gulp* Soldotna. Not sure if I could ever live there and love it, but then again there were some REALLY nice places on craigslist. One of them was right on the river, but I am pretty sure it's been snatched up by now.

So yeah, I'm fixing up the ol' resume, got me some updated references. I'm all set to go (and if Mark is reading this - no I haven't talked anyone in the office into breaking the rules and giving me a professional reference) with other requirements. So I should be able to send it off before the April 8th deadline. I hope.

Prayers would be much appreciated in this. It'd be back in Kenai, same amount I make a month now - but with benefits and vacation/sick leave - I'd be in Kenai, it's permanent, and - oh yeah - I'd be in Kenai.

formspring.me: Who do you want to win Dancing with the Stars? ;)

Well, considering I don't watch DwtS even with one of my favorite figure skaters on there and don't vote, I guess you could say I don't care. But if Evan wins I will be happy ha ha!

Ask me anything

Hmm. Which one, which one.

Seems to be the debate of the day for my brain. Between work, and then a ton of retail therapy (all of which was something that I needed not wanted... well, okay, I WANTED these things, too, but they weren't just on a whim decisions) it was debating which to do/get/etc.

Now I'm online researching travel bags/backpacks/cases for my camera, and lenses. Yup. Gotta get this squared away while I can. They are important decisions. I really need a new lens or two, and I need a better way to transport my stuff on airplanes, road trips, hiking, etc.

So that's what I'm doing at 8:40pm. Not going to get anything for a couple of months yet, but gotta start budgetting and saving now! I want to get a sports lens and a portrait lens. I'm thinking a canon 100-400mm and then for portraits I'm still debating. If/when I do another skating event I'll still have the lens I use now as I can only shoot up to 200mm lenses when I'm attending (though maybe if I get my sports lens I can talk someone into getting me a press pass and shoot it officially. That'd be cool.)

I'm not drinking enough water these days, getting back into bad soda habits. Gotta change that, I can definitely feel the effects my legs are always cramped.


Random musings tonight, that's for sure. I didn't get anything done today that needed to be done, but I went shopping and some planning, so the night was not a total loss. Now, it's off to bed... off to bed.

Mmm. Blue.

Not that anyone reads this anywhere but facebook as I have it imported into that application, but I changed my layout again to just a simple blue theme. I love the color blue. It's crisp, it's refreshing, and it can bring a wave (pun intended) of emotions and thoughts. I think it's quite possibly the most artisitcally expressive color.

How's that for an introspective moment?

Not much is going on in my life, the mushing and figure skating seasons are pretty much over with the big competitions coming to an end this month. And, let's face it, it's spring, winter sports wind down just due to the fact that their sports arenas melt away! Honestly I'm more sad to see the mushing season come to a close more so than the figure skating one. This happens to me every olympic year. I guess the emotion runs too high or something.

And I don't get why I'm so upset about the sled dog races coming to an end. Now it's the summer months to look forward to with sled dog puppies! and SUN! and WARMTH!

yeah, okay, I'm actually ready for summer with a great passion. I want warmer weather and sun and an Alaskan's version of a tan!

History in the making.

Yes, Lance Mackey winning four Iditarods in a row is amazing and ground breaking and blah blah blah.

But can I just say what's even greater? It looks like this will be the first Iditarod in memory where there have been no deaths on the trail! While a lot of sled dog "saviors" can't WAIT to read about the first death so they can begin their plight to "save the sled dog" (why is it only THEY get excited about something like that, it's almost as if they want it - wait, they DO!). Forgetting them, though, that means the trail was awesome and the mushers involved knew what they were doing. Looks like some of the steeper restrictions worked in everyone's favor.

Take that PETA/Friends of Animals/Save The Sled Dogs - you can't do your 'death dance.'

Lance Mackey is Iditarod Champion... again.

Same song, different verse. Mackey was untouchable as he rode into Nome at 3:58pm today. It's a huge accomplishments on many levels. Four wins is huge enough, four in a row is unheard of...

Of course, until today, that is.


Lance almost beat Martin Buser's fastest time record. Wow. And, what's better for the sport and for Mackey - he did it without the drugs. Maybe now he'll realize he doesn't need the stuff in order to function. Then again, I doubt he needs the excuse as is.

Mackey states he's in it, for sure, next year. After that who knows. Anyone want to bet we'll be seeing much of the same reporting when it comes to Team Mackey come this time next year?

Lance to enter the 4 time champion ranks.

Barring a leap off of some random cliff before hitting Nome, it's pretty much a done deal: Lance Mackey Iditarod 38's Champion. He will be the first to win four consecutive titles, and joins the likes of Jeff King, Martin Buser, Susan Butcher, Doug Swingley and Rick Swenson (the only one with five). Jeff's last stretch strategy, once again, has thwarted all efforts to overtake his team. It's almost anticlimactic when you think about it. This whole race was a who's who of champions and going to be champs and one by one those teams faltered, all the while Lance was steadily running in the mix.

If he keeps the pace he's running now I expect him into Nome tomorrow between 2:30 and 3:30. Iditarod veteran Perry Solmonson predicted this afternoon that Lance should be in by 3pm. While chatting with Perry we both see it as possible that Lance could tie, or BEAT Martin Buser's record winning time. This year's race has been fast, the trail was great for fast moving teams, and we're seeing them all benefit from it!

Congratulations, Lance. It's a huge accomplishment.

Is this 2009? 2008? 2007?

It's Mackey and King one and two... this is starting to get pretty predictable. King is an hour behind Mackey running out of Shaktoolik. You would think that King would remember how he lost the race the last three years. Running behind Mackey is not going to win you the championship here, buddy!

According to the GPS tracker, King is running 6 miles behind Mackey at this point, and his team is also running slower - how is that possible? King's team is always faster. Oh well, if Mackey wins his fourth and King once again comes in second at least we'll have a legendary rivalry in this decade.

Seavey's seem to be losing a little bit of steam. Mitch is now sixth after running steadily in 4th up to now, and Dallas is in 14th and I don't see them moving too much further up (but hey if I'm wrong I will gladly eat my words). Still they've raced extremely well again this year (Dallas was absolutely fantastic getting first to Cripple), but it's a little diappointing when they're the ones I consistantly cheer for. Seeing Gebhardt as far down as he is, is also disappointing. Come on Peninsula Mushers! lol

Can't believe the race will be over by midweek for the front runners. It's exciting - if they keep up the speeds and times that they are, they could possibly rival or beat Martin Buser's record time - but depressing. All this build up and they're just zooming through this year.

Top Ten reach Unalakleet

First four are out. Do I even need to give you their names at this point?

Looks like it's a strong group of teams this year all vying for that first position. I don't want to say it's once again a Mackey King love fest, because Hans Gatt and Hugh Neff are definitely making it difficult for the two champions to run away with the game again. Seavey and Baker are also still in the mix, though they may be stuck duking it out for fifth at this point.

This race is going to be another nail biter (I would love to see King and Mackey take a run for a win like Lance's dad and Rick Swenson did twenty some odd years ago.) and what a way for Jeff to retire from the Iditarod (though I'm still in denial that he won't be in the mix next year. How can he just give this up?).

Unlucky thirteen is the number of teams scratched with Judy Currier joining the unlucky ranks. She injured her back earlier in the race, and by Galena the pain was just too much. Speedy recovery, Judy! May you come back next year stronger than ever!

Warren Palfrey scrathes.

And then there were twelve. Palfrey is the latest to scratch on the Iditarod trail. It's yet another team that has ended its quest because the "dogs were no longer able to continue to be competitive."

What does that mean? It's not like they were up there with the leaders anyway. So what does it mean to be competitive? Was it the musher who was discouraged because, once again, he paid a boatload of money to run this 10 day race and he wasn't getting anywhere in the standings? Seems a little silly and very anti-mushing.

So is it because teh dogs didn't want to pull/run anymore or because they're ill? In that case he should be commended. At least he didn't go the Ramy Brooks route and try to beat running into the dogs.

Still, it just seems odd - the reasons being given for the scrathes this year.

There are bets beginning on when DeeDee will be forced to scratch, she's still got a third leg to go and she's down to eight dogs. What gives?

Reddington is the 11th musher to scratch.

News just broke that Ryan Reddington scratched this afternoon citing concerns for his dogs - they reportedly were not feeling well. This brings the number of teams to not finish this year's race to 11.

The leap frogging has been going on all day for the top mushers as well as the middle of the pack. It's still anyone's game, though Mackey is making it clear it's his to lose at this point. He is fiercely determine to get four in a row, a feat not accomplished by any musher. It will also solidify that he needs no drugs to enhance his performance (nevermind that's not what the ITC says the drug testing was about).

Continuing to follow the GPS tracker and waiting for official reports to come out via Iditarod.com... it's gonna be a long night, I can tell ya that much!

Mackey takes the lead.

Around lunchtime today, Mackey made his move. Up to this point it was anyone but Mackey leading the pack, concerning some that he may not make it to the finishline in first this year. Mackey's strategy was definitely kept hidden until he made his move just a little over an hour ago.

King led the way into Kaltag where he still sits, while Mackey came up behind and blew through the checkpoint. Both men have taken their manditory 8 hours on the Yukon, so the next time they must stop will be towards the end when they stop for 8 in White Mountain before continuing on to Safety and Nome for a victory.

It's definitely becoming a story of Deja Vu. What will we do without Jeff to challenge Mackey next year?

Neff and Seavey are still sitting in 3rd and 4th respectively. Seavey's team is slowing down a bit compared to the other teams, but it could be the veteran musher's strategy to slow them down and let them haul out a little bit later on in teh trail. Who knows. Seems the only mushers the media focusses on these days is Mackey and King.

Not that I blame them, this rivalry ranks right up there with Butcher and Swenson or Swingley and Buser/King... maybe it even tops it.

Dog Drop

Last night while volunteering at the sales table I took a break and went out to see the dog drop area. This is my first time ever seeing the operation, and I apparently missed most of the action of the afternoon when they had about 60 dogs at one time waiting for pick ups. Several of the dogs were definitely wanting to be left alone, but most were incredibly energetic which makes you wonder why they were there in the first place.

One such dog (the one in the picture above) was one from Jeff King's team. Don't know his name but he was absolutely adorable. Totally into attention seeking. He was playful, upbeat, and having a heck of a time. I loved on him quite a bit before moving on and taking photos of other dogs, but he would have none of it. He kept mouthing me arm and when I finally walked away he played tug-o'-war with the back of my jacket! Loved my time with "greatness" (as I told the pup). How many people get to love on a Jeff King Iditarod dog?


I'm going to to into rant mode for a moment now. I've read a lot of stupid things on the internet about this race over the years. Lies about how dogs are destroyed/killed if they can't finish the race, dogs dying at the hands of volunteers, dogs being put down when they are too old to run anymore. It's simply not true. I'm sure someone somewhere is a cruel and heartless musher, but not those that run the Iditarod year in and year out, and it's certainly not the volunteers that hate these dogs. I would venture that it's "Friends of Sled Dogs" and "PETA" and the like that hate these awesome athletes. Why would you deny an animal what it was bred to do. These aren't pugs that are bred to be lap dogs, these aren't labradors that are bred for companionship and hunting, these are dogs that are bred to run as a team, to pull, to run.

The saddest looking dogs may in fact be the dogs in the dog lot that were left off of this year's Iditarod team. The dog drop dogs might be a little sad, or even feel they let their pack down, but there was also a sense of pride in most of them like they'd done their job and now it was time to rest. They are well cared for while they wait for their turn to be picked up and put on the dog truck. This isn't for show or for pulling the wool over someone's eyes. There were no 'spectators' where I was, there would be no reason to hide "evil" if we were all the cold and heartless volunteers that PETA, Friends of Animals, and Save the Sled Dogs would have you believe.

I've had the priviledge to work within the Seavey Kennel, and I've seen how those dogs are treated. They may not get to be couch potatos, but I can't see a single one of them wanting to be either. They're very well cared for, very well respected, very well loved. I've seen the mushers be devastated over the loss of a teammate, and I've seen them be overjoyed at what some would see as a minor triumph but to them it's a "king of the world" moment. It's the stupidity of these groups that hurts the sport with their hate and lies they send to sponsors and fans every year, those of us who have seen it first hand know the truth.



In race news, Dallas Seavey is back in teh top ten (in tenth) and really not a lot else has changed since yesterday. It's still King in first, Mackey second, Neff third and Mitch Seavey fourth. Hopefully we'll see some mushers pull out some tricks so that we can see some movement in the places!

10 teams have scratched, but really it's been a pretty positive race for all.

King first to the Yukon!

As expected, Jeff King was first into Ruby which means he's the one that gets the tasty prize of a nice hot meal provided by the Millennium Hotel's top chef! If being first along the way wasn't incentive enough, the food would be!

While Jeff is eating his 7 course gourmet meal, the rest of the mushers are also fine dining on the trail thanks to sponsors and family alike keeping them fat and happy with their meals tucked away and kept safe with vaccuum sealed baggies. Click here. All of the meals sound tasty... except Paul's Grape Jelly and Miracle Whip sandwich. YUCK!

The top teams are picking up speed as they head on up the trail. Will Baker and Dallas be able to keep up?

Can you say Deja Vu?

And the race begins! Jeff King is first out of Cripple, with Mackey right on his heels. Though, in years past it's been King chasing Mackey. Still, it's starting to feel like old times with King and Mackey leading the way to Nome racing nearly neck and neck. Hugh Neff and Mitch Seavey aren't too far behind, either.

Back in Cripple still waiting for their chance to continue: Dallas Seavey, John Baker and Martin Buser - don't count these guys out. They've got an obvious strategy for the second half to wait until Cripple to take a break. It will be interesting to see if it costs them later on in the week, but the teams - especially Seavey's and Baker's - look really strong. It shouldn't be too big a deal, these mushers know what they're doing. (I hope lol)



In other news - Karen Ramstead has reportedly scratched from the race in Nikolai stating "personal reasons."

"Leaders" set to take 24 hour rest while others head up the trail.

Dallas, John and Martin will all have to wait and watch as some of the other top teams run out ahead of them tonight in Cripple. It's all about strategy at this point, there're obvious reasons why the leaders chose Cripple for their layover destination. Of course, they're not sharing that strategy with the rest of us.

While they are resting, Mackey, King, Seavey, and Schnuelle came pounding up the trail. All are in Cripple taking a breather before pushing on to Ruby. Last night's leaders will have to wait until Friday around 1:30am before continuing on. With King's impressive speeds, Dallas will be lucky if he stays 7 hours behind the 4 time champion. But Dallas has the drive and the energy to keep up, so long as the dogs hold out.


In other trail news, a seventh musher has scratched - bib #2, Linwood Fiedler, scratched in McGrath the official reason given by the press release was "best interest of the dogs". He had 11 dogs still racing when he scratched.

Speaking of dogs, if you see a dog named "Whitey" running by himself somewhere near McGrath, contact Justin Savidis who is hanging out in McGrath on his 24 hours hoping Whitey will return. If the dog is not found soon the team will have to withdrawl/be disqualified.



Some decent articles from those professional reporters (even if they don't do basic fact checking.)

Young Seavey has drive - ADN.com
Cripple has a long history of taking the steam out of teams! - IditarodBlogs.com
Pack of icons bears down on leaders - ADN.com

Dallas Seavey First In Cripple

After the confusion of last night, we still have no communication as to what was wrong with the GPS reporting - if there was any. ADN.com is reporting that Baker and Seavey are out of Cripple and that they just breezed through, which is in start contrast to what Iditarod.com's current standings are reporting. It can be assumed the leaders at the moment are taking their 24

Dallas Seavey was first into Cripple this morning with John Baker just 11 minutes behind. In third place, somewhat of a happy surprise, is Martin Buser.

King, Seavey, Neff, Schnuelle and Haltman are all out of Takotna after taking their 24 hour manditory layover. Wonder what Mitch thinks of his kid taking the lead at this point.


It's gonna be another great race day!

Where on the Iditarod Trail is John Baker?

Leave it to the GPS system that gives online viewers a 'live look' at the positions of the mushers on the trail. Of course, Jeff King's has been on the fritz since day one, where it won't update for hours on end... and now, it seems, John Baker is ahead of the half way point check point of Cripple - yet the Iditarod has no record of him making it into the checkpoint.

For that matter Dallas Seavey - about an hour behind Baker - is also apparently MIA after it was reported that he was expected sometime around 8:30. The Iditarod does not have any update to suggest either team has made it in.

John Baker blew through Takotna and Ophir setting his eye on being the first into Cripple. Now it appears he's missed that mark and is headed up the trail. Is he truly lost? According to his facebook fan page, the GPS is not set properly for Cripple and that is the explanation one has for why it's not reporting correct data. But is that the only reason we have for why it shows him being where he is?

In 2004, Mitch Seavey followed the wrong set of trail markers for a good 15 to 20 minutes before he realized he was on teh wrong trail - it was a mistake that could have cost him the Iditarod title. Thankfully he was able to correct the mistake before another team took advantage of the situation.

Is this another case of a musher being misinformed? Is it the GPS? No doubt this will be a hot topic as the night/morning goes on.

Just where is John Baker?

Let the 24 hour rests begin!

We're hitting the part of the race where mushers must start taking their manditory 24 hour rests. It doesn't feel like it's time yet for them to be hitting Takotna and Ophir, but apparently the mushers disagree with that idea.

Jeff King was awarded with Penair's "Spirit of Alaska" award last night after he ran into McGrath - though he didn't stay much longer than the presentation before heading onto Takotna where it's reported that he will take his 24 hour layover.

Hans Gatt and Cim Smyth blew through Takotna during the night and are sitting in Ophir. Both are down to 14 dogs, while King is still holding on to 16. This is around the time that mushers drop dogs maybe not due to illness or injury but simply because they don't need that much dog power. Many of the teams are running at 14 dogs. Click here to read adn.com's article on Gatt's run into the Ophir checkpoint.

Seems John Baker doesn't want to take advantage of all the hospitality Takotna has to offer, either, though he did stay for almost six hours (no doubt eating their wonderful pie offerings) he's on the trail headed up to Ophir. John's team is looking REALLY strong this year. Here's hoping he can finally make that win happen.

Dallas Seavey is somewhere between McGrath and Takotna running in 25th place according to the musher standings on Iditarod.com - the GPS tracker page won't come up for me this morning, drat!

Buser's team seems to be lagging back in 28th place, there's still a slim chance he can make up the time, but at this point I think we're just going to see a top 10 finish from him once again. At least teh dogs are having fun, and that's really all that matters (especially to Martin).

I have another stint at the Iditarod HQ tonight so this will probably be teh only update I can squeeze in. Keep watch at Iditarod.com, AlaskanDispatch.com and ADN.com

Pat Moon is 5th musher to scratch.

After this afternoon's mini rant about the confusion of reports on the trail, it was confirmed that four mushers had scratched. ADN.com reported the four mushers were out of the race as of about 3 in the afternoon.

Tonight's scratch is heartbreaking as Pat Moon's story is one of true inspiration. Moon is currently battling cancer and is taking a break from treatment in order to run the Iditarod. He was not in it to win it, but just to have the experience. Pat Moon is currently at Providence Medical Center here in Anchorage, follow the adn.com story here as the story develops.

Jeff King is letting his presense be known as he is currently leading the pack heading to McGrath leaving out of Nikolai in the first place position this afternoon. Schnuelle, Baker, and Mitch Seavey (who have been consistently in the top five the last 48 hours). Debates can be had about how long they all can keep their dogs up front, but it seems to be working so far. Lance Mackey is also in the hunt, though farther back, he seems to be waiting out the ride so far. Buser, Dallas Seavey, and Jonrowe are also back out on the trail headed up to McGrath. You can read about today's leap frogging and trail reports in this article from the ADN.

DeeDee has the running tally of most dogs dropped to this point, which is interesting so early on in the race, but chances are this is her plan. However she's at a low number so soon - at this time she's running with 11 dogs. There are no reports as to the reasoning, so one can assume this is part of her strategy and not due to injuries or illness.

Some mushers are having helpers keep us up to date on their races on their websites:
Martin Buser
Team Seavey
Jeff King
DeeDee Jonrowe

It's too exciting not to follow!

As many as five reported as scratched.

Confusion has begun for spectators relying on the internet and other news sources as reports begin to swirl about a number of teams scratching today. Iditarod.com's message boards are a buzz with the idea that so far there has been no one to scratch, but on facebook mushing groups this morning it was reported that Kirk Baunum of California had withdrawn, Anchorage Daily News reported three different mushers as scratched, and it's rumored elsewhere that another unnamed musher has also scratched from the race.

This is the first year in recent memory where so much confusion and miscommunication in regards to teams scratching. For fans stuck in their cubicles or homes living vicariously through the Iditarod Insider and other sources, one would hope to be getting the very best coverage. Can't blame it all on financial downfall, so what gives?

At this time it looks like Karin Hendrickson, Michael Suprenant, Zoya DeNure, and Kirk Barnaum have all reportedly scratched.

Weir withdraws from Figure Skating World Championships

US figure skater Johnny Weir announced today that he would not be attending the World Figure Skating Championships later this month. Weir finished sixth in Vancouver during the Winter Olympic Games. Since then Weir, like teammate and Olympic Champion Evan Lysacek, has made the rounds in Hollywood enjoying the stardom that comes to many Olympians returning home from the Games.

Weir stated that he will be training through Worlds and hopes to work out the kinks in his wrong technique so that he may become a top contender and continue to win medals for the US next season. How one is going to do that while attending all of the fun hollywood parties, one can only wonder. However, after two Olympic Games and multiple national and world championships Weir deserves a little time off. Though, he seems to take quite a bit of time off to play around in the glitz and glam every season.

The announcement is good news for fans of other skaters, with Lysacek pulling out of Worlds to take full advantage of his new found fame by joining the cast of Dancing with the Stars, as it stands the unofficial World Team for the Men's event will be Reigning US Champion Jeremey Abbott, Ryan Bradley (fourth at the last US Nationals), and Adam Rippon (said to be the US' next big star). So far the USFSA has only confirmed Rippon's addition to the team.

Gotta wonder if we'll see three spots on the world team slip through our fingers when the men take the ice in Torino.

Photo (c) Getty Images c/o DayLife.com.

Top Mushers in the Burn

It seems most of the top names have gotten out ahead of the massive storm that hit south central last night and are now in the burn. Reports are that the Burn is almost without snow, which means it will most likely be slow going - though there are some meteorologists predict that it could have gotten upwards of two inches of snow dusted on it last night. Still, most of the teams are keeping a steady pace of 8mph.

Both Seaveys are in the burn (Dallas is apparently resting at the moment according to teh GPS tracker), as are Gebhardt, Schnuelle, King, Mackey, Steer, and about 13 others.

We're moving right along in the race!

New Poll!

Make sure to come to the main part of my blog and vote for who you believe will win Iditarod 38! If you don't find your musher choose other and then comment below with your pick!

Highlights from the Ceremonial Start of Iditarod 38

The ITC could not have ordered a more perfect day. It was overcast, but not too warm or cold, and the few snow flurries that happened throughout the day just made it feel more "Iditarod".

Dan Seavey was the first of familiar faces to come down the trail. He drove a traditional looking freight sled while his dogs wore dog coats with the Iditarod name on them. Conway Seavey - Mitch's youngest - rode the second sled (brake sled).

Being a trail coordinator was fun and challenging. A lot of people couldn't make it after signing up (though only four informed me ahead of time) so we were a little taxxed on manpower - next year I am going to do a whole lot of recruiting and we'll just wean the list down with whomever does not show up (without prior heads up).

I want to give a thanks and shout outs to:

Jeff Reitter
Alan Reitter
Sue Reitter
Duane Reitter
Ed Mallott
Tom Frolich
Gary Caddell
Lori Cochran
Charmaine Ramos
Judy Imperiale
Danielle [sorry I forgot your last name! ack!]

All were vital to the success of the Tudor Crossing event, and I'm sure your contributions were appreciated by all involved!

The hay bales that seem to be a thorn in the side of certain others in our group (and the trail committee) went off without a hitch, and the area where they were placed was great fun. Jeff, Alan (my dad), and Duane (my brother) all helped in that section and, while there were some spectacular crashes, there was no problem and no injuries (mushers have scratched due to problems on the ceremonial start). My parents and brother were 'rookies' to the modern trail guarding duties and had a blast. I think we have some new diehards now!

All of the teams look great, and I love the ceremonial start for the celebration atmosphere. Jeff King riding the front of his sleds on skis using a rudder to steer his sled while the Make-A-Wish rider sat safely and warmly under a black bear rug of a blanket. DeeDee Jonrowe and her fullout pink team. Booties were flying, hot dogs were sizzling... fantastic, wonderful day.

Wonderful even when Dallas Seavey's team went running at me while I took photos, and then as he laughed (oh the joys of knowing a mischevious musher) he knocked over a hay bale (no doubt he wasn't paying attention to where his sled was going, but he still claimed to have done it on purpose). That's what the ceremonial start is about, having fun - and, apparently, having 16 dogs try to dog pile in your lap (I got out of the way in time).

All in all it was one to go down in the books as one of the best of all time.

Can't wait to see how the race turns out!

Great Time

Photos and 'review' to come later, but tonight I leave you with a shot of Dan & Conway Seavey - and team! I feel very fortunate to know the Seavey family.



Visit Team Seavey's website by clicking here, and make sure to cheer on both Mitch and Dallas during Race 38!