Blockheads Unite!

link to Reuters story this picture is related to, something about Clowns?

Those of you who know me well, or even not so well, realize that I would never consider myself a fashion maven, but REALLY, this is their uniform choice?!?  I am not making fun of curling as a sport (even though I am STILL STEAMED that the International Olympic Committee has gotten rid of softball), nor am I making fun of Norwegians (since I am 25% blockhead - I know there are those of you who might think that percentage is a little low..., but I'm just going with heritage, not general temperament).  My beef is that they are making themselves much less credible as athletes by attiring themselves this way.  

And yes, for all you NASCAR fans, I DO NOT consider race car drivers athletes.  I am sure we could have that debate for hours, so feel free to post some comments if you wish to engage in a discussion on that topic.

Maybe they should have had a little fashion discussion with the snowboard team before they chose their uniforms.  I am not a fan of the pants hanging down so you can see someone's boxer shorts, but something a bit more stylish than Norwegian flag checkerboard motif, PLEASE?  I have never curled myself (unless you count those unfortunate encounters with a curling iron in the 80s) but they do a lot of stretching and throwing (OK, sliding) those big old stones.  Those things look heavier than bowling balls, so I sure hope they have some nice wheeled luggage to transport them around Vancouver.

While I am ranting about the olympics, I really enjoy the snowboard events, but was it necessary to have that giant big screen TV behind the half pipe competitors showing their glamour shots?  I didn't get to see the Flying Tomato win, but when I was watching the women, it really annoyed me to see the glitzy video clips flashing behind them.  Isn't the event interesting enough?  Do the fans have to be entertained by video before the women start their runs?  Is this a sport, or another marketing opportunity?

OK, that was one of those stupid questions.......

Maybe that's it, someone gave the Norge curlers a big bag of money to wear those pants!!!  Or maybe that is what constitutes style in the Norwegian curling scene.  Anyone who knows the answer, please let me know!

The law of unintended consequences

The hubby and I watched this moment on television once we were somewhat settled in Juneau, but we had the good fortune to spend some time in Germany during the last world cup in 2006.  We saw two games, neither of which were played by any of the top teams, but it was an incredible experience, nonetheless.  We also got to spend some time with hubby's relatives, and explore a town where my ancestors had lived before my great grandmother emigrated to New York.

So when the opportunity to apply for tickets to the next world cup in South Africa rolled around last winter, it seemed like a good thing to apply for tickets again.  We weren't planning on moving in 2010, and the summer is the slow season in terms of my meeting schedule.  So I applied for the tickets, and then, because I wasn't getting any e-mails from the soccer (or futbol) gods, other than offers to buy more jerseys which spousal unit says I don't really "need", I figured we would just watch some of the matches on TV (or listen on the XM radio, which we did a great deal of during our Massachusetts to Alaska trip in 2006).

Then some things happened that we were not expecting.  Good things, all of them, but creating some difficult choices....

In late August we found out that I was getting promoted.  Quite a surprise!  This meant that I would have to find a new job at a higher rank, which usually means moving.  None of the jobs that I would have considered asking for in Juneau were open, so we had to cast the net a little farther.  I put in for a great job in Anchorage, but the USCG decided to extend a friend of mine who currently holds that position.

My financial advisor (hubby) was going thru the credit card bills recently, and he asked me, "What is this $748 charge that says world cup something?"  YIKES!  I open up the computer and start searching thru my e-mails.  I don't have any that say, "Congratulations!  You have just bought several hundred dollars worth of sporting event tickets!"  I did find one from last spring that said my application for tickets had been accepted.

I got on the FIFA website and put in the application number from the e-mail, and after a few frustrating minutes trying to navigate to the right information, I found that we got some tickets to all the first round games of Italy!!

So now we have to figure out how to get ourselves to South Africa for about 10 days, or get a refund......

My Review of Radiance Jacket - Women's

Originally submitted at Mountain Gear

Spend more time carving turns and less time warming up in the lodge with Mountain Hardwear's insulated Radiance Jacket, a pre-wired jacket using the Ardica Moshi Power System battery and Technology Connector (both additional) that not only heats your core, but can charge your iPod, phone or oth...

Radiance Jacket - Women's

Too early to tell

By aquagal from Juneau, AK on 2/2/2010

 

3out of 5

Fit: Feels true to size

Sleeve Length: Feels true to length

Chest Size: Feels true to size

Pros: nice features, Comfortable, Lightweight, Good number of pockets

Best Uses: Cold Weather, Casual Wear

Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer

The jacket is great, but the cover on the battery pack is peeling off after only one charge. Company has offered to send me a prepaid mailer to return the battery, which is great customer service. Jury is still out on how it will work in very cold conditions, as we are having a warm winter here in Juneau, AK.

(legalese)