Random Updates

[blueeowyn]

Movie
I went to see "Because I Said So" with my Mom and P during the break. Some of the movie was quite amusing, some of it I couldn't believe that they went there. Some was predicatable, some of it wasn't. I loved watching the sisters talk among themselves. The spa was also amusing. Fun flick, glad that we went in the matinee time.

Skating
So, the World Championships of Figure Skating were last week. I watched all of the competitions as they were broadcast (I have not yet watched the Champions Gala but I plan to, possibly this weekend. There was a lot of talk about removing the compulary moves from the dance competition and I think that is a shame. However, they obviously didn't ask me. I found some of the dance competition exquisite (and found that one of the Russian dancers looked hauntingly like one of the knights during the Tango). I loved the 2 'young' teams and really enjoyed their energy and joy. The international standings of dance have really gotten shaken up with the new scoring system and the fight to keep the sport cleaner.

I really liked how the new scoring system allowed people some hope going into the final skate that wouldn't have had much chance (if any) under the old system. Now if places 1-6 are 5 points apart, any of them could win; with the old system only the 1st 3 had a really good chance (i.e. 4 could beat 1 on points but still not win due to the ordinals). I think it makes it more interesting. I do wish that more points could be alloted for some of the footwork and that the 'footwork into jumps' would need to be closer to the jump. I also wish that the 'footwork into jumps' could get more style points if it fit the music and not be a long backwards glide, one flip of the foot, glide, then jump.

Usually I like the Ladies best followed by the pairs, the men, and the dance. This year I was more interested in the dance, then the ladies, then the men and pairs were sort of tied.

Workshops
I am participating in some acting workshops. I am finding it challenging and fun. I don't have any real training in performance or acting; most of what I do, I have learned along the way with some one-on-one ideas thrown at me by experienced people but nothing formal. The improve was fun (but challenging mentally). The cold readings are really challenging for me but I think I am holding my own with the group. This is the same group that I am reading scripts for. Very very interesting.

Back
It was doing a lot better though it still has problems. Most of the problems exhibit themselves as pain in my right hip and stiffness. The visit to the barn last night did NOT help. Until then, I was doing a little more every day with less of an impact. Drat. However, the new bed helps even if I feel like I may need oxygen up there. Giggle

Games
Java and I are still playing board games. Currently Iron Dragon has been ruling a bit. Fun game and very good for playing while watching Skating or Buffy or Angel. I don't know which one(s) we will play with next.

History Faire
I went down to one of the local history faires as a judge on Saturday. I had Junior Group Exhibit to work with. I expected a bit more than I got but it was still fun (will judge for coffee cup). The theme this year is "Triumph and Tragedy In History" (for more on the theme/contest visit the national site National History Day. With a topic like that you expect to see certain things come up.

Expected/not-surprising - seen
The nuclear bombing of Japan
Elvis
Holocaust
Communism
Malcom X
Churchill
Anne Frank
Love Canal
Environmental stuff (DDT, oysters, etc.)
Vaccines
Henry Ford
Indian Reservations/Relocation
Titanic

Not strange but not expected either
Shakleton
Potatoe Famine
Dustbowl
Burning of San Francisco
MD Cecession (or not)
Seabiscuit/War Admiral (though I should have seen this one coming)
Yankees infamous World Series
McDonald's
Vietnamese Americans

Unexpected/new or rare topics
Molassas flood
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Project
Graneen Bank
Otto Lilienthal
Dale Earnhardt

Expected/Thought of - not seen (yet)
Beatles
MLK
Anne Bolyne
Voting Machines
Sufferage Movement
Watts Riots
De-Segregation
Martin Luther

Barn
Went to the barn with Mom yesterday (she is now allowed to walk since the pin is out of her leg). Ms. Echo was being worked outside for the first time in a VERY long time, it was cooler, the wind was blowing and the sun was setting. This made her a bit excited. Peter kept telling her to put her tail down. She pronked a bit but not tooo badly. (Though it was more than I think she should have done). After she was done (a huffing and a puffing because she was so excited) we went back into the barn and I couldn't get to her halter (Smiley was in those cross-ties). By the time I got her halter she was VERY impatient (she is OK standing on the cross ties but is NOT OK with just standing in the aisle). She thought it was time to go to her stall, I thought we were heading to the cross ties and she ended up running into me pretty hard from behind. Needless to say my back is NOT amused. Getting her boots off was an interesting challenge (and I had C. put her away for me). *sigh* We did get to see Cooper's first trip under saddle (he has such a good mind now). We also watched a bit of N & Justin's lesson. Justin is a hoot with his little white(ish) ears trying to figure out where they are going next.