For me this National Championship will always be the feel good year. Today we crowned Ryan Bradley as our National Champion! He's the sweetest, kindest, funniest and most entertaining fellow. I've never heard a bad word about him.
The Spectacular was really fun. We moved back down to the second row so we might even show up on TV. Lots of great skating including Evan Lysacek, our Olympic Gold medalist, boy, has he gotten expressive.
My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. Do I hear a song?
This week will be all about getting ready for the new gallery. I'm starting to get a bit nervous now about the amount of work I have to do before next Monday. No hyperventilation allowed. I'm moving outside my comfort zone but it will be good for me.
No worries, I'll get it done. Why are all the things that are good for me so hard? Yikes! Now I wish I had someone to hug me and tell me I can do it. Personal pep talks are just not as helpful. Send me a strong shoulder please, I could use it.
Peace
Exceptional jewelry and life with Corgi's.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Final Day
One more day here in North Carolina. One more Champion to make today. Yesterday was a fine day for skating. This is becoming the feel good Nationals.
In Pairs we have a new Champion Team - Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin. Their heartbreakingly beautiful skate to Ave Maria was dedicated to his mother who recently passed. The emotion of that skate was so overwhelming I could not help but cry.
In Dance we have Meryl Davis and Charlie White, returning Champs who have captured our hearts with their intricate and beautiful dancing.
In Ladies we had a fine battle between three Champions, 2008 Mirai Nagasu, 2009 Alissa Czisny and 2010 Rachael Flatt. Alissa knocked us out with her grace and beauty and seems to have conquered her demons. She is a Champion well worth having.
Today is the Men's event. Ryan Bradley in first after the short is my choice for Champion. We shall see.
And tomorrow I head out to the airport and home. This has been an incredible week. I've loved seeing so much great skating. I've had the opportunity to spend good quality time with a friend. I've heard the music of southern voices and eaten some pretty decent food.
On the other hand I've done a hard separation from a sweet soul of a man. I needed to move on. And again, when one door closes several more open up. I continue to be amazed and pleased by the effects these fine people leave on my life. It truly is a learning process, usually something that I needed to learn to grow and mature as a human. Each person leaves a mark on my heart, some small and some large. Love fills us, expands our hearts in painful ways but makes room there for more to enter.
In Pairs we have a new Champion Team - Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin. Their heartbreakingly beautiful skate to Ave Maria was dedicated to his mother who recently passed. The emotion of that skate was so overwhelming I could not help but cry.
In Dance we have Meryl Davis and Charlie White, returning Champs who have captured our hearts with their intricate and beautiful dancing.
In Ladies we had a fine battle between three Champions, 2008 Mirai Nagasu, 2009 Alissa Czisny and 2010 Rachael Flatt. Alissa knocked us out with her grace and beauty and seems to have conquered her demons. She is a Champion well worth having.
Today is the Men's event. Ryan Bradley in first after the short is my choice for Champion. We shall see.
And tomorrow I head out to the airport and home. This has been an incredible week. I've loved seeing so much great skating. I've had the opportunity to spend good quality time with a friend. I've heard the music of southern voices and eaten some pretty decent food.
On the other hand I've done a hard separation from a sweet soul of a man. I needed to move on. And again, when one door closes several more open up. I continue to be amazed and pleased by the effects these fine people leave on my life. It truly is a learning process, usually something that I needed to learn to grow and mature as a human. Each person leaves a mark on my heart, some small and some large. Love fills us, expands our hearts in painful ways but makes room there for more to enter.
“Love is not written on paper, for paper can be erased. Nor is it etched on stone, for stone can be broken. But it is inscribed on a heart and there it shall remain forever.”
Who knows what the future holds? Makes me smile just thinking about it. I love rising each day to greet the day, smelling the first coffee, feeling the cold deck on my bare feet, hearing the hawks call as they ride the wind, feeling the beat of my heart as I walk those trails, loving fiercely, laughing hard, being thankful for it all.
Peace
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Two more days...
Oh, the bliss of sleeping well and now having coffee and the Country Music Channel on TV.
The excitement is building. Today we crown National Champions in Pairs, Dance and Ladies.
Last night's Men's short program was great, with lots of really good skating. The crowning moment was having Ryan Bradley pull out all the stops and rise to the top. He's a crowd favorite and known to be a genuinely nice person. And of course, landing a monster quad didn't hurt him any either. I hope he wins the whole thing, he would be a Champion we could be proud of. We have to wait until tomorrow to see.
And I'm so excited to get back home. I've got some nice things to look forward to and a challenge or two, but I think I'm up for it. I'm developing a sense of lightness that I hope continues to grow. Spring is just around the corner which is sure to bring some fresh things for us all.
I've been searching out quotes lately, some make me laugh, some make me cry. I just keep browsing until one catches my eye.
Here's a good one for today:
The excitement is building. Today we crown National Champions in Pairs, Dance and Ladies.
Last night's Men's short program was great, with lots of really good skating. The crowning moment was having Ryan Bradley pull out all the stops and rise to the top. He's a crowd favorite and known to be a genuinely nice person. And of course, landing a monster quad didn't hurt him any either. I hope he wins the whole thing, he would be a Champion we could be proud of. We have to wait until tomorrow to see.
And I'm so excited to get back home. I've got some nice things to look forward to and a challenge or two, but I think I'm up for it. I'm developing a sense of lightness that I hope continues to grow. Spring is just around the corner which is sure to bring some fresh things for us all.
I've been searching out quotes lately, some make me laugh, some make me cry. I just keep browsing until one catches my eye.
Here's a good one for today:
“Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.”
I'd like to find a love like that.
Happy Day to you and yours, love from me and mine.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Marathon Skating
One event down, one to go today. Twelve hours of events tomorrow then two on Sunday and home on Monday.
I am completely enjoying every minute of this trip but come Monday I will be extremely happy to get back to the Sacramento airport. I've been thinking how great it's going to be to fire up my Ace and head back up into the mountains. My two fur faced friends will greet me leaping and barking and trying their short best to lick my face. I'm going to pour a large glass of water (time to dry out) and stand out on my deck and just breathe in the quiet and the clear sweet air.
On Tuesday I'll take them for a really long walk, probably down to the Yuba River. And then I will disappear into my studio for the next week. I've gotten into an artist's coop in downtown Grass Valley and will be moving my jewelry in on the following Monday. Lots to do in that week, it's going to be fun and productive.
Life is good, there is a lot to look forward to, new places, new people, new experiences, it's good, walking through the fire is hard but can be done.
Peace, sometimes we give it, sometimes we take it, sometimes we make it.
I am completely enjoying every minute of this trip but come Monday I will be extremely happy to get back to the Sacramento airport. I've been thinking how great it's going to be to fire up my Ace and head back up into the mountains. My two fur faced friends will greet me leaping and barking and trying their short best to lick my face. I'm going to pour a large glass of water (time to dry out) and stand out on my deck and just breathe in the quiet and the clear sweet air.
On Tuesday I'll take them for a really long walk, probably down to the Yuba River. And then I will disappear into my studio for the next week. I've gotten into an artist's coop in downtown Grass Valley and will be moving my jewelry in on the following Monday. Lots to do in that week, it's going to be fun and productive.
Life is good, there is a lot to look forward to, new places, new people, new experiences, it's good, walking through the fire is hard but can be done.
Peace, sometimes we give it, sometimes we take it, sometimes we make it.
Quote for Friday
“To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.”
Good morning world!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Downtown Greensboro
Wandered around downtown this morning. It's very pretty and thankfully the bad weather has broken so today is sunny and warmish.
We found this wonderful little alley that had been turned into a work of art. I particularly liked that it coordinated well with my brown and blue clothing. :) The gate was divine, I had to touch it.
I'm already on total people overload. All the good events are coming up but it's all I can do to stay. I love the up front seats but have to move up higher to get away from the crush of people. Jeez, I'm turning into more of a hermit than I thought. I can make it, really, I think...but four days in a stadium is my limit from here on out.
Peace
We found this wonderful little alley that had been turned into a work of art. I particularly liked that it coordinated well with my brown and blue clothing. :) The gate was divine, I had to touch it.
Peace
Quote for Thursday
“Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed.”
For you, peace.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
National - Day Four
Well, only four more days to go after this and the Senior events are coming closer and closer. I'm finding that taking pics of Pairs and Dance is fun, they are always doing something interesting. I have only taken photos during the warm-up so far.
Brave little girls and very strong young men.
A death spiral.
This is a pic of a young man I know from the Eastern Iowa Figure Skating Club. He's a great kid and I'm so glad he's doing so well. They are in second after the Short Program.
So, Pairs and Dance today and right now we're getting ready to head back for the Junior Ladies Final Free Skate, which should be good.
I wish you Peace.
So, Pairs and Dance today and right now we're getting ready to head back for the Junior Ladies Final Free Skate, which should be good.
I wish you Peace.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
On Loving
I've been thinking about love lately. (Can you tell?)
In my wild child, hippie chick youth I read Atlas Shrugged and Kahlil Gibran and all the Herman Hesse books and Anais Nin (great erotica). I loved Kahlil Gibran. Sometimes I'm not really sure what I think about love, it's a pretty confusing emotion, but I do like that his writings make you think hard and they are poetic and quite beautiful. I believe any true romantic would appreciate the writing.
An exerpt:
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
Pretty stuff, isn't it?
May your day be peaceful and your heart filled with love.
In my wild child, hippie chick youth I read Atlas Shrugged and Kahlil Gibran and all the Herman Hesse books and Anais Nin (great erotica). I loved Kahlil Gibran. Sometimes I'm not really sure what I think about love, it's a pretty confusing emotion, but I do like that his writings make you think hard and they are poetic and quite beautiful. I believe any true romantic would appreciate the writing.
An exerpt:
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
Pretty stuff, isn't it?
May your day be peaceful and your heart filled with love.
Quote for Tuesday
This cannot be more perfect, both for my life and for those who are competing this week.
“I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed: and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I fail and keep trying.”
Insert fall for fail and it's even better.
Peace
“I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed: and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I fail and keep trying.”
Insert fall for fail and it's even better.
Peace
Nationals - Day Three
Just a photo from last night's Junior Ladies event. Wow! They were just fabulous. The winner was a darling skater who is coached by John Nicks.
My friend and I are continuing to solve the problems of the world, fueled by the usual liquid gold.
I've met so many lovely people, the accents are superb and everyone is gracious and kind. We're making plans to hit the music scene sometime this week after a late night event.
Peace
I've met so many lovely people, the accents are superb and everyone is gracious and kind. We're making plans to hit the music scene sometime this week after a late night event.
Peace
Monday, January 24, 2011
Nationals - Day Two
Technical difficulties have kept me from posting actual Nationals pics and fun so I posted a couple of quotes instead.
But, I'm back and rolling. The competition is wonderful. The Novice level in all four disciplines, Singles Men, Singles Ladies, Dance and Pairs have gotten REALLY good and worth watching for sure.
I got a couple of decent ice dance pics today.
And this pic is the team who won the event.
And one more of a North Carolina sunset.
Right now I'm relaxing in my hotel room, drinking some JD and eating a brownie covered in whipped cream and chocolate sauce, some things are good for the soul, if not the body. But what the heck, life is short, eat dessert first.
Seeing lots of people I know here, everyone looks good and seems to be enjoying themselves. And I'm excited that I got invited to be on the team for Adult Nationals in April, only as an alternate but you never know what will happen. That's in Salt Lake City which would be really fun, wish me luck as I'm missing my figure skating family.
Peace to you and yours.
But, I'm back and rolling. The competition is wonderful. The Novice level in all four disciplines, Singles Men, Singles Ladies, Dance and Pairs have gotten REALLY good and worth watching for sure.
I got a couple of decent ice dance pics today.
Right now I'm relaxing in my hotel room, drinking some JD and eating a brownie covered in whipped cream and chocolate sauce, some things are good for the soul, if not the body. But what the heck, life is short, eat dessert first.
Seeing lots of people I know here, everyone looks good and seems to be enjoying themselves. And I'm excited that I got invited to be on the team for Adult Nationals in April, only as an alternate but you never know what will happen. That's in Salt Lake City which would be really fun, wish me luck as I'm missing my figure skating family.
Peace to you and yours.
Quote for Monday
"You can close your eyes to the things you do not want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things you do not want to feel."
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Quote for the day
"I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."
North Carolina - Arrival
Laughter really is the best medicine. It was a long day yesterday but we are here.
I have this theory, which I'm sure is fueled by an exhausted brain, that airplanes don't actually move. I think its all a big Disneyland ride that covers up the secret of teleportation. Ha, think about that huh?
We met a very nice limo driver who has promised to take us to find some good blues music and the best Carolina bar-b-Que. This could be a fun week.
More later...
Peace
I have this theory, which I'm sure is fueled by an exhausted brain, that airplanes don't actually move. I think its all a big Disneyland ride that covers up the secret of teleportation. Ha, think about that huh?
We met a very nice limo driver who has promised to take us to find some good blues music and the best Carolina bar-b-Que. This could be a fun week.
More later...
Peace
Friday, January 21, 2011
Two parts hopeful.
Two parts hopeful has risen to the surface today and has brought a good bit of happy with it too.
I've made the decision to choose me, finally. I'm not going to live for anyone else. I'm not going to wait for anyone else. I've got to let go and move on. It's tough but it's best for me. I am angry with myself for spending so much time being confused and sad when there are so many people out there fighting for their lives and their jobs and their homes and their loved ones. I'm better than that.
It's nice to know there are other women out there who understand the things I write. It makes me hopeful that we will be able to come together as friends and find our way to greater things. We have to stop and remember how valuable we are, to ourselves and to others, but only if we know down deep inside our own worth. I find when I connect to that sense of worth it becomes easy to make decisions, even the hard ones.
Here's to endings, to new beginnings, to self worth, to kindness, to friendship, to hope.
Peace
I've made the decision to choose me, finally. I'm not going to live for anyone else. I'm not going to wait for anyone else. I've got to let go and move on. It's tough but it's best for me. I am angry with myself for spending so much time being confused and sad when there are so many people out there fighting for their lives and their jobs and their homes and their loved ones. I'm better than that.
It's nice to know there are other women out there who understand the things I write. It makes me hopeful that we will be able to come together as friends and find our way to greater things. We have to stop and remember how valuable we are, to ourselves and to others, but only if we know down deep inside our own worth. I find when I connect to that sense of worth it becomes easy to make decisions, even the hard ones.
Here's to endings, to new beginnings, to self worth, to kindness, to friendship, to hope.
Peace
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A very fine day!
One month exactly.
Darkness and light with feathers of wishes anchored by warmth.
My best, always!
My best, always!
Two more days...
I'm not packing yet but I'm thinking about it. The important things are arranged, tomorrow I'll toss everything that fits into my suitcase and be done with it.
On Saturday morning bright and early I board my plane to North Carolina for the United States Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro.
Of course it will take me 11 hours to actually get there by the time I leave my house to arrival, oh goodie! The great thing is that I'm meeting a very good friend. We first met at Nationals in St. Louis and for the first time we're going to spend the whole week sitting next to each other doing our best bitchy fashion police routine. I can hardly wait.
One of the things I miss terribly about living out here is good girlfriend company. I much prefer the company of men, you know, cars, guns, outdoors, scratchy faces (!) I've never had a lot of girlfriends but those that I do are the old and best friend variety, the ones you may not see for three years but you pick up right where you left off, laughing. And this will be one of those meetings, sharp and intuitive dialog, wicked barbs, endless chuckling and guess what, she likes Jack Daniels too!
I'm always sad to leave my home when I travel but once I'm in my car I'm happy for my adventure to start. (Which reminds me, gotta take my Swiss Army knife out of my purse, this one is special.)
Happy Day to You!
On Saturday morning bright and early I board my plane to North Carolina for the United States Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro.
Of course it will take me 11 hours to actually get there by the time I leave my house to arrival, oh goodie! The great thing is that I'm meeting a very good friend. We first met at Nationals in St. Louis and for the first time we're going to spend the whole week sitting next to each other doing our best bitchy fashion police routine. I can hardly wait.
One of the things I miss terribly about living out here is good girlfriend company. I much prefer the company of men, you know, cars, guns, outdoors, scratchy faces (!) I've never had a lot of girlfriends but those that I do are the old and best friend variety, the ones you may not see for three years but you pick up right where you left off, laughing. And this will be one of those meetings, sharp and intuitive dialog, wicked barbs, endless chuckling and guess what, she likes Jack Daniels too!
I'm always sad to leave my home when I travel but once I'm in my car I'm happy for my adventure to start. (Which reminds me, gotta take my Swiss Army knife out of my purse, this one is special.)
Happy Day to You!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
I love the smell of gun oil in the morning.
Or in the evening as the case may be.
Growing up with my Dad meant you starting shooting cans in the desert as soon as you could reliably hold the firearm. And if you happened to be a tomboy sort you were all the more welcome on those shooting expeditions. I still remember the first time I got to shoot a .45, it was better than the dance I never got invited to, who needed that mushy crap anyway?
Dad gave me my first rifle when I turned 16. I still have it and can shoot a squirrel out of a tree at 25 yards. A year or so ago I re-discovered how much I liked to shoot but the last year has been sort of traumatic, dramatic and too damned busy so I haven't had a chance to get back into it.
Tonight I started a Basic Marksmanship class at the local shooting range. I loved every minute of it. Except for military shooting I don't have much experience with indoor ranges so I took the class to learn the rules and protocol. I found that the people there are very nice. I love the concept of shooting, the precision, control and concentration needed to be good. I also like the idea of competing against both myself and others. This is going to be fun.
(And ladies, the place is crawling with men.)
Full moon tonight, the goddess shines, peaceful dreams to you.
Growing up with my Dad meant you starting shooting cans in the desert as soon as you could reliably hold the firearm. And if you happened to be a tomboy sort you were all the more welcome on those shooting expeditions. I still remember the first time I got to shoot a .45, it was better than the dance I never got invited to, who needed that mushy crap anyway?
Dad gave me my first rifle when I turned 16. I still have it and can shoot a squirrel out of a tree at 25 yards. A year or so ago I re-discovered how much I liked to shoot but the last year has been sort of traumatic, dramatic and too damned busy so I haven't had a chance to get back into it.
Tonight I started a Basic Marksmanship class at the local shooting range. I loved every minute of it. Except for military shooting I don't have much experience with indoor ranges so I took the class to learn the rules and protocol. I found that the people there are very nice. I love the concept of shooting, the precision, control and concentration needed to be good. I also like the idea of competing against both myself and others. This is going to be fun.
(And ladies, the place is crawling with men.)
Full moon tonight, the goddess shines, peaceful dreams to you.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Brave and independent...
You know, sometimes if you act with intention it can become reality. I act brave and independent because I need to be and sometimes I almost fool myself.
But don't we all do that? Am I the only one who puts on a front in hope that it will become reality? Probably not.
The truth is, out of 10, I'm four parts happy, two parts lonely, two parts hopeful, one part uncertain and one part scared to death. I'm not always entirely certain which parts will rise to the top. It all depends on the happenings of the day.
I can't be any more honest than that. How about you?
Pax
But don't we all do that? Am I the only one who puts on a front in hope that it will become reality? Probably not.
The truth is, out of 10, I'm four parts happy, two parts lonely, two parts hopeful, one part uncertain and one part scared to death. I'm not always entirely certain which parts will rise to the top. It all depends on the happenings of the day.
I can't be any more honest than that. How about you?
Pax
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