Closing Ceremony

Today, the Winter Olympics of 2010 reached their climax.  What a day it was!!  The U.S. hockey team gave Canada a run for their money.  Down 2-0, the U.S. rallied back to tie the game up at the end of the 3rd.  However, in overtime, Canada scored the winning point and celebrated.  The U.S. team looked so dejected and sad.  The goalie, Miller, looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.  They had nothing to hang their heads in shame for.  They put up a valiant effort and Canada didn’t take the game by storm.  We’re proud of you U.S.!! 

The recaps of the events were good as some of them were almost hard to remember since they happened early.  At the Closing Ceremony, the U.S. came out in style!!  They looked great and you could tell that they were all happy to be there.  Even Miller was there with a smile on his face.  I loved how the Canadians laughed at themselves over the malfunction of the Opening Ceremony.  And how cool was that, that the girl that didn’t get to light the flame did this time. 

I’m so proud of all the American athletes.  I think we did really well and put on quite the show.  They have a reason to stand proud and I’m proud of them.  They performed well and maintained a good standard of behavior and effort.  I think some other countries should be ashamed of things that happened over there…..that includes Canadians.  Canada put on some of the best Olympics I’ve seen, but the conduct of the Canadian female hockey team was outrageous.  We had an American asked to leave because of a “lude” photo in which everyone was clothed, but having a party to celebrate.  Yet those women were on the ice drinking beer (some underage) and smoking cigars.  Pretty classless and not an equal treatment.  Then there’s the Russian skater and I’m not even going to mention his name.  He was horrible and a sore loser and should have been punished.  After all, Bolt was for his celebration at the finish line in the Summer Olympics.  Come on IOC…..fare treatment here!!  Other than a few incidents like that….and they’ll happen anyplace….it was a great show.  Loved the events and looked forward to seeing what was going to happen the next night.

Alright, with all that said, I need to do the final medal count.  There was a total of 25 countries that won medals.  They were all winners though!!  The U.S. finally beat Germany for total medal count and Canada won the Gold medal count.  There’s a good variety of countries, including a few small ones.  I always love to see the underdog on the podium!!  Here’s the final medal count as I close out my Olympics updates….

 

Overall Medal Count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	9	15	13	37
2	Germany	10	13	7	30
3	Canada	14	7	5	26
4	Norway	9	8	6	23
5	Austria	4	6	6	16
6	Russia	3	5	7	15
7	South Korea	6	6	2	14
8	China	5	2	4	11
8	Sweden	5	2	4	11
10	France	2	3	6	11
11	Switzerland	6	0	3	9
12	Netherlands	4	1	3	8
13	Czech Republic	2	0	4	6
14	Poland	1	3	2	6
15	Italy	1	1	3	5
16	Japan	0	3	2	5
17	Finland	0	1	4	5
18	Australia	2	1	0	3
19	Belarus	1	1	1	3
19	Slovakia	1	1	1	3
21	Croatia	0	2	1	3
21	Slovenia	0	2	1	3
23	Latvia	0	2	0	2
24	Great Britain	1	0	0	1
25	Estonia	0	1	0	1
25	Kazakhstan	0	1	0	1

Just the Medal Count

 

Overall Medal Count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	7	9	10	26
2	Germany	7	9	7	23
3	Norway	6	5	6	17
4	Russia	3	4	6	13
5	Canada	6	4	1	11
6	South Korea	5	4	1	10
7	Austria	4	3	3	10
8	France	2	3	5	10
9	Switzerland	6	0	2	8
10	Sweden	3	2	2	7
11	Netherlands	3	1	2	6
12	China	3	1	1	5
13	Poland	0	3	1	4
14	Italy	0	1	3	4
15	Slovakia	1	1	1	3
16	Czech Republic	1	0	2	3
17	Japan	0	1	2	3
18	Australia	1	1	0	2
19	Latvia	0	2	0	2
20	Belarus	0	1	1	2
20	Croatia	0	1	1	2
20	Slovenia	0	1	1	2
23	Great Britain	1	0	0	1
24	Estonia	0	1	0	1
24	Finland	0	1	0	1
24	Kazakhstan	0	1	0	1

Ice Dancing into Everyone’s Hearts

Tonight was the final night of ice dancing.  It was quite the amazing show.  Personally, I think the crowd behind the Candadians helped them to win.  That said, they also deserved it!!  It was going to be a toss-up between the young Americans and the Canadians.  The Canadians won the gold and did it in prime fashion.  It was beautiful!!  However, the older American dancer, Belbin and Agosto, came in 4th.  That was wrong on so many levels.  I can’t tell you how upset I am that the Russians came in 3rd.  First of all yesterday, their costumes were hideous, to be nice.  The ice dancing wasn’t all that good either.  Then tonight, they come out and have costumes with belts on them so that they can use them during the ice dance program.  He hangs her out only holding her belt and she practically rips his pants down holding his belt.  I counted about 4 times they used these belts instead of ice dancing.  In the end, the announcers said that because of that, next year it’s expected the rules will change on the costumes.  They should have changed it this year!!  They use the belts as a tool to skate while everyone else IS skating.  And then the Russians had the nerve to say that the Canadians only won because they were home.  Now I think it helped, but it’s NOT the reason that they did.

US hockey was off today.  YAY!!  We’re kicking some big butts!!  In curling, the US men and women lost again.  I think all hope is gone now.  We’ll keep watching as we’re huge fans of curling, but somehow, our curlers just aren’t up to par.  We still have more skiing and more short track to come and that should be quite the show.

Well, I think that covers my synopsis tonight.  Here’s the final medal count….

Overall Medal Count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	7	8	10	25
2	Germany	7	9	5	21
3	Norway	6	3	5	14
4	Russia	2	3	6	11
5	Canada	5	4	1	10
6	South Korea	4	4	1	9
7	Austria	3	3	3	9
8	France	2	2	4	8
9	Switzerland	5	0	2	7
10	Sweden	3	2	2	7
11	China	3	1	1	5
11	Netherlands	3	1	1	5
13	Poland	0	3	1	4
14	Italy	0	1	3	4
15	Slovakia	1	1	1	3
16	Czech Republic	1	0	2	3
17	Japan	0	1	2	3
18	Australia	1	1	0	2
19	Latvia	0	2	0	2
20	Belarus	0	1	1	2
20	Croatia	0	1	1	2
20	Slovenia	0	1	1	2
23	Great Britain	1	0	0	1
24	Estonia	0	1	0	1
24	Finland	0	1	0	1
24	Kazakhstan	0	1	0	1

Photography Contest – Elements

Miss K’s photography class is doing another photography contest.  There was one a couple weeks ago, but I didn’t have enough time to post it because it had such a short duration.  That was due to lack of power here in town from that ice storm.  

Here are the letter and directions on how to vote from K’s teacher….  

Hello,

 

Our Photography Class is having another photography contest. The topic is “Elements”, which can include just about anything – but I think the students narrowed it down nicely. They chose natural elements to depict in their photos and I think they did a very nice job! Now we need YOUR help to determine which student should win.

 

To view the photos go to: http://www.seemyprints.com/photographer.asp?accountid=8000248

 

Choose ELEMENTS from the drop down menu.

 

Log in using your e-mail address or name – or just put anonymous in the blank if you would like . Once logged in you will see the entries. They are numbered #1, #2, #3 and #4.

 

Choose the BEST PICTURE and e-mail your vote to me at patty.patterson@sbcglobal.net  

 

Things to keep in mind are (1) How well does the photo fit the topic?, (2) Is the photo in focus?, (3) Is the focus on the subject itself or something else in the picture?, (4) Is the photo well framed? (5) Is the photo creative at all or does it look like a simple snapshot?

 

Please remember that some of the students are very young and they are using point and shoot cameras for the most part.

 

And please e-mail in your votes by midnight on Tuesday, February the 23rd.

 

Thanks so much,

Patty

 

Now, to tell or not to tell which photo is Miss K’s!?!?  HHMMM  Let me just say that hers is an element that would be found in or on the ground at her grandparents house.  It has a sparkle to it, but you can’t wear it.  HAHA  Alright, that’s all you get.  I do expect you to vote for the best picture and to be fair.  She did a great job though and I’m very proud of her for this one.  I love all her photos, but I know that she put extra work into this one.

So now, it’s time for out rundown of today’s Olympics!!  Our ladies won in curling for their first game.  The men changed their line-up and brought in the alternate.  However, I can’t tell you if it worked or not because I don’t remember the final score.  Canada is kicking some butt too!!  Our American men got silver and bronze today skiing. and competition started for ice dancing.  The skeleton was so much fun to watch.  I think that’s something I could try!!  HEHE  The Brits have gotten a medal now and we’re up to 25 countries with medals.  Awesome!! 

I just have to say this…..I’m so tired of that Russian skater, Evgeni Pleshinko, whining.  I swear he’s driving me nuts.  Yes, he did a quad.  So what!?!?  The rest of his program wasn’t as good.  He didn’t catch as many edges.  He wobbled.  And the end of the program was totally boring because he did all the big moves up front.  You have to keep it going, and you have to put the effort into the bonus part of the program.  Pleshinko got silver for pity sakes….that’s nothing to whine over.  Be a man!!

Ok, with that said, today’s medal count on Day 7 is….

 

Overall Medal Count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	6	6	8	20
2	Germany	4	5	4	13
3	Norway	5	3	2	10
4	Canada	4	3	1	8
5	France	2	1	4	7
6	South Korea	3	2	0	5
7	Austria	1	2	2	5
7	Russia	1	2	2	5
9	Switzerland	3	0	1	4
10	China	2	1	1	4
10	Sweden	2	1	1	4
12	Italy	0	1	3	4
13	Netherlands	1	1	1	3
14	Poland	0	2	1	3
15	Japan	0	1	2	3
16	Australia	1	1	0	2
16	Slovakia	1	1	0	2
18	Czech Republic	1	0	1	2
19	Latvia	0	2	0	2
20	Belarus	0	1	1	2
21	Great Britain	1	0	0	1
22	Estonia	0	1	0	1
22	Finland	0	1	0	1
22	Kazakhstan	0	1	0	1
25	Croatia	0	0	1	1
25	Slovenia	0	0	1	1

Medal Count for Day 6

Tonight was an awesome night for Olympics.  Actually, all day was!!  The American ladies won at hockey again, but our men’s curling lost by a point.  We’re now 0-3 and probably not going to medal.  Kiddo and I were watching curling while we had our teeth cleaned today!!  HAHA

Lindsey Vonn didn’t medal today in the combined, but the US lady that got silver to Lindsey yesterday got it again today.  I do wonder if she’ll wear her tierra!?!?  Men’s figure skating was fantasic to the end!!  Evan skated a great program, but it was doubtful that he’d beat the Russian.  However, the Russian program just wasn’t what it should be….very busy at the beginning and no enduring qualities in the end.  It was a great match-up for the gold though and worth watching every minute!!

Here’s the medal count for the end of day 6….

Overall Medal Count

Overall Medal Count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	6	5	7	18
2	Germany	4	4	3	11
3	Norway	3	3	2	8
4	Canada	3	3	1	7
5	France	2	1	4	7
6	South Korea	3	2	0	5
7	Austria	1	2	2	5
8	Switzerland	3	0	1	4
9	China	2	1	1	4
10	Russia	1	2	1	4
11	Italy	0	1	3	4
12	Sweden	2	0	1	3
13	Netherlands	1	1	1	3
14	Japan	0	1	2	3
15	Australia	1	1	0	2
15	Slovakia	1	1	0	2
17	Czech Republic	1	0	1	2
18	Poland	0	2	0	2
19	Belarus	0	1	1	2
20	Estonia	0	1	0	1
20	Finland	0	1	0	1
20	Kazakhstan	0	1	0	1
20	Latvia	0	1	0	1
24	Croatia	0	0	1	1
24	Slovenia	0	0	1	1

 

I just love seeing all these countries that are starting to medal now.  24 different countries so far and we even have a couple ties in the number of medals.  Even the Aussies got a gold in ladies snowboarding today.  Now how do those ladies down under get that darn good??  HAHA  We’re even seeing some of the smaller countries or countries with a small delegation get medals.  Events like this truly brings out the best in people.  You can help but be proud when you see your country up there on the podium.  Or even when there is no medal, you can see all that they’ve put into getting where they are. 

Stay tuned for my Olymics right here with the rest of the Commotion!!

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday and marks a very important time for Christians.  This is the day that starts the season of Lent.  Lent is a time where we all give something up….something that will make us better people.  There’s way more to it than that, but it a basic thing that we during this season.

Ash Wednesday means taking my class to mass.  I have to say that they were all really good tonight.  Even my goddaughter!!  It’s so hard to get them to say “Amen” when getting the ashes.  It almost overwhelms them, yet they enjoy it.  Of course, church was full.  It always happens on the important days because they all figure they’ll be saved by making it to these masses.

Lent will end on Easter Sunday.  That’s one of my favorite holidays.  That is, when you keep the commercialism out of it.  It’s the day we celebrate Jesus dying for our sins.  It’s the day that we’re renewed.  New life….spring….flowers…..warmer temps.  And who can resist candy from the Easter Bunny??  YUM!!  Yes, you can have the best of both worlds….in balance.

Finaly tonight, here’s the end of day 5….

Overall Medal Count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	5	3	6	14
2	Germany	3	4	3	10
3	France	2	1	4	7
4	Canada	2	3	1	6
5	South Korea	3	2	0	5
6	Austria	1	2	2	5
6	Norway	1	2	2	5
8	Switzerland	3	0	1	4
9	China	2	1	1	4
10	Italy	0	1	3	4
11	Russia	1	1	1	3
12	Sweden	2	0	0	2
13	Slovakia	1	1	0	2
14	Czech Republic	1	0	1	2
15	Poland	0	2	0	2
16	Japan	0	1	1	2
17	Netherlands	1	0	0	1
18	Australia	0	1	0	1
18	Estonia	0	1	0	1
18	Finland	0	1	0	1
18	Latvia	0	1	0	1
22	Croatia	0	0	1	1
22	Slovenia	0	0	1	1

End of Day 4

Today proved to be interesting and surreal for fans and athletes.  The US ladies and men kicked butt in hockey today.  Our hosts did as well against Norway too.  The US men and ladies lost at curling though.  Our best hopes for a medal in men’s figure skating didn’t fair so well and neither did our hope in women’s snowboarding.  I don’t know what happened, but Lindsey lost it!!  Such is amateur athletics.  I can just imagine what never have to be like and that kind of pressure.  I do hope that we have a better showing tomorrow though.  Our Canada friends did win Gold in the very same snowboarding that we didn’t finish, so CONGRATS to them!!

The final count today is…..

Overall Medal Count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Germany	3	4	2	9
2	United States	2	2	4	8
3	France	2	1	4	7
4	Canada	2	2	1	5
5	South Korea	3	1	0	4
6	Switzerland	3	0	1	4
7	China	1	1	1	3
8	Austria	0	2	1	3
8	Norway	0	2	1	3
10	Italy	0	1	2	3
11	Sweden	2	0	0	2
12	Slovakia	1	1	0	2
13	Czech Republic	1	0	1	2
14	Japan	0	1	1	2
15	Netherlands	1	0	0	1
16	Australia	0	1	0	1
16	Estonia	0	1	0	1
16	Poland	0	1	0	1
19	Croatia	0	0	1	1
19	Russia	0	0	1	1

 

And that’s it for tonight…..better days are ahead!!

Disappointing Day 3

I wasn’t crazy about most of the Olympic events today.  Loved watching the snowboarding, which we got a Gold in.  Not just because of that though…..it was fun and exciting!!  Cross-country skiing is a bit boring, but still has interest to it.  I couldn’t imagine enduring that!!  They made me tired just watching them and was surprised that more didn’t collapse as they got to the finish line.

Kiddo and I were most disappointed in the pairs figure skating.  I don’t know if it’s all the rules and regulations or if these couples were just that boring.  It seemed like all the routines were the same.  They just had different music.  All the skills were the same, with different arrangements….it was just lacking.  Oh, and all that grabbing the skate with one hand was just terrible!!  How can they get extra for that??  There’s nothing pretty about it.  It’s much more graceful when they have to move their arms and hands to express themselves.  Grabbing the skate is just done WAY too much!!

Tomorrow’s events look to be more exciting again.  We’re looking forward to watching them when the school work is done.

I also have to say that I think that Shani Davis is a bit of a prima donna.  They had problems with the zamboli today and it left the ice very rough and not skatable.  I understand how worked up these skaters are and the mental issue.  All of the speed skaters went through the same issue today and it was mandatory that the ice be safe.  It took alot of time to get it right.  However, after it’s fixed, Shani does one heat of the 500m and then leaves.  He withdrew from the second round.  I just think he’s a prima donna and loves attention.  I’ve watched him before and he just gives off that appearance.   If the rest of the skaters can endure, then he can too and he wouldn’t leave the impression that he did…..tough to practice or not!!

Alright, with all that said, here’s the current medal count…..

 

Overall Medal Count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	2	2	4	8
2	Germany	1	3	1	5
3	France	2	0	2	4
4	Canada	1	2	1	4
5	Switzerland	3	0	0	3
6	South Korea	2	1	0	3
7	Norway	0	2	1	3
8	Italy	0	1	2	3
9	China	1	1	0	2
10	Czech Republic	1	0	1	2
11	Japan	0	1	1	2
12	Netherlands	1	0	0	1
12	Slovakia	1	0	0	1
12	Sweden	1	0	0	1
15	Australia	0	1	0	1
15	Estonia	0	1	0	1
15	Poland	0	1	0	1
18	Austria	0	0	1	1
18	Croatia	0	0	1	1
18	Russia	0	0	1	1

 

Pretty much all the countries you’d expect to see listed.  I’m thrilled to see our friends from the land down under get a medal.  I’m also rooting for our host country to do well in the final count.  I did watch the ladies play hockey today.  Canada kicked the crap out of the Swiss!!  Switzerland was happy though and they should be.  They made it this far and earned it.  I’m still pulling for some of the other countries that only sent a delegation of 1-4 members.  Gotta love the underdog!!

Daytona 500 and Olympics

I’d like to wish all my family, friends, and readers a Happy Valentine’s Day.  This isn’t typically a day that we celebrate (as we got married on a different “holiday”).  However, I received a beautiful card from hubby.  Of course, he showed me up because I had nothing for him….but my love!!  HAHA 

I don’t think that there could be a better day!!  We got up and I started the VCR to tape the beginning of the Daytona 500.  I wanted the pre-race show and all!!  Then we went to church and out to lunch with some friends that are more like extended family.  When we got home, we were all full and comfy, so we sat down to watch the race.  Other than a couple delays to repair a hole in the track, it was a great race!!  Take a watch at these final laps [you only have to watch 2 to 2 1/2 minutes worth]….and pay very close attention to my man (Jr. #88) coming up from 10th to 2nd in 1 lap to finish in 2nd place !!

It was another good day for the Olympics.  We’re (USA) still ahead in medal count.  Still lots of sports to come though.  Our women kicked some butt in hockey against China today.  We didn’t fair as well in pairs skating.  Here’s the medal count so far and we see a couple more countries entering the medal scene….

Overall Medal Count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	1	2	3	6
2	Germany	1	3	0	4
3	France	2	0	1	3
4	Canada	1	1	1	3
5	South Korea	1	1	0	2
6	Italy	0	0	2	2
7	Czech Republic	1	0	0	1
7	Netherlands	1	0	0	1
7	Slovakia	1	0	0	1
7	Switzerland	1	0	0	1
11	Australia	0	1	0	1
11	Norway	0	1	0	1
11	Poland	0	1	0	1
14	Austria	0	0	1	1
14	Croatia	0	0	1	1
14	Russia	0	0	1	1

 

More yet to come!!

Day 1 – Medal Count

Today was a great day watching the Olympics!!  It was very exciting to see all the athletes out there giving it their best.  So many of them are very young.  We watched some that gave so much, it ended in falls.  We watched as Ohno placed 2nd, giving him a tie for the most medals won in the Winter Olympics.  He’s tied with Bonnie Blair.  His win was so sweet as the 2 Koreans trying to block him took each other out.  We also watch the U.S. take Gold and Bronze in the moguls. 

Here’s the medal count at the end of today’s events (at least at my bedtime):

Overall Medal Count

Rank	Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	1	1	2	4
2	South Korea	1	1	0	2
3	Netherlands	1	0	0	1
3	Slovakia	1	0	0	1
3	Switzerland	1	0	0	1
6	Canada	0	1	0	1
6	Germany	0	1	0	1
6	Poland	0	1	0	1
9	Austria	0	0	1	1
9	France	0	0	1	1
9	Russia	0	0	1	1