Argento E Niente

I hostessed a party at my house to watch the Ladies Final last Thursday night. About ten of my girlfriends came over to watch on my small screen TV. One, N, wore her tiara. We stayed up for the whole thing, and of course, were disappointed to not see an American win the gold!

Do I Hear A Waltz?

Okay, I went ice dancing yesterday for about an hour and a half inspired by the compulsory dances last Friday night (the only portion of any ice dancing competition I actually try to watch), and got to do the European Waltz with a decent partner that was worth the whole outing. I love the flow of this dance because it requires a lot of turning and spinning. You and your partner have to check against each other through all the turns, channeling the centrifugal force to move you faster over the ice versus down into a spinning heap. Yes, it feels like a roller coaster ride and is probably one of the most freestylish of the dances I know. And that, I suppose, is why I like it best.

At the end of the session, I did some spins, just to make sure I still could. Maybe one of these days I'll try to jump, like maybe really jump.

Still Life

Isn't life exciting with its highs and lows, joys and sadness, sweetness and sorrow? Kind of like the Olympics, but more intense.

My candidate has started a blog (how cool is he?), so if you get a chance, check him out (hopefully he'll post something soon), welcoming him to the blogosphere.

Also, please excuse my many typos lately. Here's a picture so I won't have to worry about them for a while:


*Be still and still moving* -- I think that's T. S. Eliot. My new year's resolution was to stop multi-tasking, but I can't seem to get away from it.

Valentine Poncho

Here's the knit poncho I did for my little Valentine. It looks better on, of course, and the yarn is soft and comforting (Bernat Satin). I will have to use that type for another project soon, though at this point I am vowing never to knit another stitch because I can't tell you how many times I had to rip out and redo the botton lace before finishing.

Back To Bugaloo

I got some awful news a couple of days ago concerning J's dad. You've all been so kind with your thoughts and prayers for me lately. Please now say a prayer or two for him, too. Thanks very much.
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Heart Of A Champion

That's the title of the young adult autobio by Michelle Kwan published by Scholastic a few years ago. Yes, I have it in my classroom.

I feel so bad that Michelle's had to drop out of the competition. Her Olympic dream, what she's be working for all her darn little life by waking up to skate in the cold mornings, commuting to Lake Arrowhead, and having her family make crazy sacrifices, is all over. . . and she didn't even get to skate for it.

When you train to compete, there are two goals even the youngest skater has in mind: First, you want to win the Olympic gold, and second, you want to skate your very best performance in the Olympic spotlight. Michelle didn't get to do either.

The first time I saw her skate was at Nationals in Arizona, in 1993. Michelle was just thirteen and already so good. She didn't make the World Team then (and those who did weren't very good as I recall), and I kept thinking, they need to send that little one 'cause she'd do way better.

I guess the ancient Greeks believed the trait that makes a hero a hero is HUBRIS, or arrogance: a mere mortal will take on what he or she knows only gods can do. Michelle pushed the sport and herself to the limits, perhaps out of hubris, and I have enjoyed watching her every minute! You go gal! We all love you!

Russian Pairs

The reigning World Champion pair's skating tonight in the short made me swoon, continuing Russian dominance of this discipline! How I wished to be a Russian pair skater when I was a little girl. The great champion when I started competing was Irina Rodnina, who I believe won 3 gold medals and 10 World titles in the 70's (with 2 different partners).

I hope Michelle Kwan will be okay. If not, it would be nice to see Emily Hughes have a go.

Missing from this evening was US pair skater Garrett Lucash who with his partner did not make the Olympic team. Too bad -- Garrett was just starting to compete for the Skating Club of Boston when I was there and I really liked him and his family.
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Do I Look Fat?

I rarely ever post pix of myself, but wild me, here I go out on a limb: Just got this from M who took it in the fall, and forgive the navel gazing, but I absolutely can't get over how old I look. This is probably on my mind 'cause next week's my birthday, and here I am standing next to my friend T, who I always think of as my cute senior year Christmas Ball date. . . forever young. However handsome he still may be, T now has wrinkles and gray, too. HA!

Workin' the Communion Line

A guy from church put in his papers to run for mayor and just after, about 2 weekends ago, he was busy at mass shaking hands, trying to smile and making eye contact with everyone. . . in the communion line (yes, I'm serious) and outside for both the Sunday 9:30 and 11 o'clock! A mutual friend has since sent around a couple of emails asking for support on church yahoo groups, and yes, a few eyebrows have been raised. . . y'know, separation of church and state, etc. Personally, I'm finding it hilarious. Every time I see the guy, I try to shake his hand and wish him *GOOD LUCK, DUDE*.

Won't give out his name here because I wouldn't want to embarass him. ;-) He seems like a nice guy, but his politics aren't necessarily mine. I'll wait and see where he stands on the issues, though, before making a decision.

Another friend, S, just filed to run for city council. Now he's someone I would support without hesitation though he's not running in our district.

Yet Another Blogger Blogger

Here's the link to another friend who's just come into the blogosphere.

Dining Al Fresco

It's so warm, I'm eating dinner outside: large falafel and a banana shake. Yum.
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Antique Show

We had the annual Antique Show at St. C's this weekend. I volunteered in the Sweet Shoppe after mass yesterday. My Surf and Turf dinner from the restaurant was delicious, and we had drinks at the bar afterwards.

J is playing basketball again this winter. She had her first game yesterday afternoon. Thankfully, it's not as competitive as soccer (which will start again next month) -- they don't keep score in this league. J was happy because she had an assist, though the basket is at regulation height, so there's no way in the near future she's be able to actually make one herself. We'll have to work on that.

Sun's out and it's about 65 degrees. Going for a walk now to get my melatonin stimulated. Still have a slight cold, but am not at all as sick as I've been.