Facebook Throw Back Thursday; Meaningful Skating Memories

I enjoy Facebook’s Throw Back Thursday for various reasons. Sometimes longtime friends post pictures from bygone days, I post childhood photos of myself and my children, and the really interesting pictures are those of objects that most kids of today probably have no clue what they are.

Some of the interesting “old timer” items: typewriter, pencil sharpener, television rabbit ears, etc.

Figure skating has changed through the years just like everything else.  Techniques change and instruction has changed drastically.  A visit several years ago to one of my home rinks made me realize how teaching skating has changed.  For beginning skaters’ who may have a difficult time standing on skates most rinks have an apparatus made of PVC pipe much like walkers for elderly people. They scoot rather easily along the ice while providing ease to stand up for those who are not adept yet.  When I took my first steps on the ice I walked along the railing until I felt comfortable and then ventured out further and further until I was skating on my own. I fell a few times but as they say “you must fall a few times, get back up and go on”.

Recently I came across a picture on Tai Babilonia’s Facebook page (shown below) of a routine 78’ record. Way back when I was a young skater most if not all rinks had an area where a record player sat along the ice rink railing or off in a small room close to the ice surface. Hours and hours were spent listening as is still the case music joinders’ from classical to show tunes to current hits. Once the coach/student decided what music they were doing, a routine record was recorded. These records were played over and over and over again. Most competitive skater’s had several copies made so one was for competition and one for just in case the needle stuck. My competitive career did not start until cassette tapes so I never had a 78’. With the evolution of music now it is all about music played from your phone, ear buds, CD’s and digital rink systems.

Photo by Tai Babilonia

While going through my closet recently I came across my scribe. What is it you ask? Well along with the massive changes in skating one big one happened starting in figures in 1968. In competitive skating it accounted for 50% of scoring. Then again changes were made in the 70's and 80's to now compulsory figures or no longer included in ranking competitions. The only hold out group that still continues to enjoy the mastery of figures is adults who can still compete in competitions recreational with the ISI (Ice Skating Institute). The scribe device was a great tool to help you master the two or three circles used in figure skating. The size of the circle was based on your height and the scribe could be used before or after your initial tracings. Some skaters would resort to using it first to make the circles to trace, most instructors preferred that you trace the circles yourself first and use the scribe to trace over and see if you were accurate in the sizing. Most of the time my figures looked more egg-shaped (which was not good).  Compulsory figures used to be the separator of the men from the boys so to speak. Today with the scoring system it's about who can do the bigger quad. 

My scribe will go back in its comfy place in the closet along with my skates in their bag. Oh that has changed too. I had to hoof the bag on my shoulder, now they use roller bags. What won't they think of next?

Leave it to Oscar to Create a Social Media Firestorm

Although I only saw one of the Oscar nominated movies (Gone Girl), I still enjoyed the Red Carpet Highlights and the Academy Awards this past weekend. Although the fashion was a little blahh for my taste, I enjoyed getting on Facebook and conversing with a friend about some of the fashion hits and misses.

Although I have not seen the movie Boyhood which took twelve years to complete, I have followed a little of the actress who played the mom and also won the Supporting Actress Oscar, Patricia Arquette. She is from an acting dynasty. Grandfather, Cliff Arquette (Charlie Weaver) was best known to me as a regular on Hollywood Squares. Dad, Lewis Arquette, played J. D. Pickett for many years on The Waltons.  Her brother is actor, David Arquette and a sister, Rosanna Arquette.

I always enjoyed Patricia's role on the program Medium and I am looking forward to her new role in CSI Cyber. In any interview I have ever seen of her she always seems to be a very soft-spoken woman. I am sure when you win the top honor of Academy Award and you have that short window spotlight on you many struggle with the thank yous to family, agents and everyone you ever have worked with.  She did all that and then some in my book. After her thanks to all the really important people in her life, she chose to end with this.

"To every woman who gave birth, to every tax payer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else's equal rights. It's our time to have wage equality once and for all and rights for women in the United States of America".

Of course social media exploded after her speech. Some positive and of course the naysayers were also quick to add their two cents worth. The first that popped up for me was a piece on Fox News by news contributor and actress Stacy Dash (ironic that she played in the movie Clueless) and that she was appalled at Arquette's speech. Dash insinuated that Arquette needed to "do her history" because in 1963 President Kennedy passed an equal pay wall that is still in effect. I think if I hear this 1963 quote again in 2015 I will choke.

Yes, it was passed but what people both men and women still seem to ignore is it is outdated, laws are broken each and every day.  Yes, the National Partnership for Women and Families, according to a recent study (more recent than the 60's or the last census) women make on average 78 cents for every dollar paid to men amounting to a yearly wage gap of almost $11,000 per year. 

The next day after the Oscar's I posted my displeasure about the Stacey Dash comment. To my surprise a dialog/debate started about men and women and equality.  I realize men and women are  different. We process things differently, we approach things differently. We work differently. But, in the end if we tackle a task and come out with a successful result shouldn't we get paid the same??  I realize today equality should also include gender, race, religion etc. Society seems to be on super fast forward and our laws and thinking sometimes stays stuck about 10 or more years behind. 

Today the burn your bra group and the sports bra groups seem to be in completely different universes. As I said in my Facebook post: "I have a son and daughter and two granddaughters and two grandsons. I would hope that by the time they go into the workforce that they can say, "ERA oh yes I remember my grandma talking about it and how hard it was to get equality, but we have it NOW".

Facebook has many pages if you are interested in learning more about the causes: 

The Alice Paul Institute-located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey helps to educate the public especially young girls about equality.

ERA Now-is a advocacy community that shares information regularly about equality

ERA Once and For All-based in Newport Beach, CA is another source of great information on equality

I always like to share a story about equality that took place in 1982. I was a young, civil servant that volunteered to help with our office relocation across town. Single, unmarried and weekends free I chose to spend a Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the office. A young, handsome man from a state contract authorized moving and relocation company and about 25+ young men made the move happen. This young, ambitious woman flitted here and there for hours on end making sure boxes, furnishings and records got securely on the truck and sent over to the new facility. I would enter and exit the door many times. Each time I did this I would see most of these same young men, taking smoke breaks, getting refreshments and standing around.  The young, handsome man finally after many long hours of work, made this statement "WOW you work harder than most of the men I have here today, for a little thing you work hard".

Today, 33 years later I still work with that man 24/7 365 days a year. I may not work as fast or as hard as that little thing I used to be but the determination will be with me until the end.

Thank you the Patricia Arquette's of the world for speaking from the heart and believing it can and will happen someday soon.

The Shortest Month of All can Sometimes be Very Long

Some years you are lucky and February has 29 days and then there is the 28 day one like this year. You wouldn't think that two or three less days would really matter that much, but they do.

The rare time that it was a good thing was when I worked (we only got paid once a month) and it was nice when the 28 or 29 days would wiz by until another pay day. Guess that also works both ways. You just get done with January bills and February has three less days in which to pay bills for the month.

It is great that February is during the winter months because Groundhog's Day is the first day of February and we wait patiently to find out how much more winter weather is in our future. We have been fortunate this year that we haven't had it really bad, thankful for that at least.

As we get older the days seem sometimes to fly by, this month is almost over with only a few days left until we will be into March and spring and day light savings will be here. I am ready for those few more hours of day light and sun.

I am sure for the east coast they are also waiting patiently either to dig out from all the snow they have had or to at least not be home bound for what seems like the entire month of February.

Two holidays in February (Valentine's and President's Day) is also unusual as most month's have only one.

No morals to this story, just observations. Life is short, and so is February. On to March.....

What is in a Name? Unique or Euphonious

On my morning journey to and from daycare to drop off #1 granddaughter I listen to Kid Kraddick in the Morning. I find myself laughing out loud sometimes to some of the things they talk about. It takes me back to when I used to make my hour plus commute in Los Angeles and I would listen to Mark and Brian (my LA people will remember them both).

One of today's topics talked about child naming. It made me think of an episode of  I Love Lucy. The one where they are trying to come up with a name for the arrival of Little Ricky. Lucy keeps changing her mind and says she wants a name that sounds Unique or Euphonious. Ricky comments, "Well if its a girl name it Unique and if its a boy name it Euphonious". Back in those days these names were not popular.

When we were expecting our son I just remember hearing from someone in the family (not sure who) just don't use a name that has already been used. There was no real reason for naming him Matthew other than it was a name we both agreed we liked. When it came time to name the second baby; mind you this was back in the day when you were lucky to get one ultrasound and they did not give you a copy or multiple copies as they do today. I was pretty sure I was destined for another boy so we planned Kevin Wray for a boy and Jennifer Elyse for a girl.  We didn't go the unique or uncommon route.

One of the DJs on the show commented how hard it has become when you go to buy general personalized items how names can be hard to find. I even have a hard time now finding things with my name on it much less any of my grandchildren. Both of my kids have picked very unique names for all the kids: Hadleigh, Greenlee, Greyson and soon to be Gentry.  He also stated how difficult it is sometimes they way people spell names phonetically just to throw you off.

Whatever the case unique names can be euphonious in today's world.

Just Do Something-2015

Well as figured this year didn't start off as hoped. But do they ever? No resolutions, too difficult to keep. Everyone has a new spin on how to live life, improve your outlook, and just go on.

I am an avid Pinterest pinner and two things came my way recently. One was, "Do Something Different or New in 2015". I am always tired of the same old, same old so this got me seriously thinking. So far a few items pinned I have followed through on or am working on. One was to utilize the Christmas tree for other holidays throughout the year.  This might prove to be a little interesting finding articles to decorate the tree with but I have some ideas in mind. Guess those creative juices better not be frozen by the winter weather.

The other item I pinned so far was Word of the Year. It took me a while to really think this through. Finally it came to me. My word is HOPE. I can only hope things are not always what they seem and improve over time.

The other pin was "100"+ Things to Do Before You Die". Humm probably not the best title for someone over 50 was my first thought. Some call it a Bucket List. I went through the 100+ items on the list just to see what might be accomplished (some are pretty lofty and expensive. Must have  money, time and really be an exceedingly adventurous individual). Many include being able to swim (which I can't do and won't be one of the things on my list to learn at this late stage. No 

problem with using a life vest where water is involved).

I was surprised at some of the items on the list I have accomplished already:

Watched Cinderella Castle Fireworks

Made a Snow Angel

Made Own Pizza

Been to a Broadway Musical

Dog Sledding

Rode Vespa/Moped

Feed Giraffe

Finish Book in One Setting

Prepare Care Pack for Homeless

Experience Northern Lights (faintly)

Stand Under Hollywood Sign (Think that as illegal although I have been close to it several times)

Night in Teepee (thanks to Scouts)

Visit 50 States (well almost all of them 45 is pretty close)

Helicopter over Volcano (very small plane)

Many of the items call for traveling to far off lands. While picking a few on the "To Do" List. Some I think may not be as hard to possibly accomplish.

Stay in a Treehouse (Pete Nelson here we come)

Eat a Cronut

Go Lavendar Picking

Leave Your Mark in This World

Dance in Rain

Stay in Overwater Bungelow

Zipline

Go to Lock to Love Bridge Paris

Ride in Hot Air Balloon

Bathe in Milk

Jump in Pool Full of Jello

Make a Rainbow Cake

Create an Ice Cream Flavor

Celebrate 50th Anniversary (30 already accomplished)

Eat Vanilla Pudding in Mayo Jar in Public

Make Gingerbread House

Make a Rainbow Rose

Be in a TV Audience (came close several times)

Make Family Recipe Book

Pay a Strangers Restaurant Bill

Visit Chocolate Factory

Swim with Dolphins (with a life vest)

Travel Somewhere New Each Year

Name A Star

Send a Message in a Bottle

I will be knocking off one of the items tonight. Bathe in Milk sounds wonderful.  I hope many more get checked off this list over the coming year also. What ever you call it have a list of things and make an effort to put a check before it and after it.

By the way this original post on PopSugar.com was posted by someone very young and would really like to see how many of these items will be checked off the list in her lifetime. Stay tuned.

Out Like a Lamb, In Like a Lion? 2014-2015

Usually this adage is set aside for springtime. I just decided to use it now because at this point it looks like it could be a very, very long winter in the Midwest. I have my fingers and toes crossed that it will whiz by without too much of an issue, but I am a realistic and pessimistic person.  So far with all the illnesses and uproar the last few weeks  it looks like if you are a gambling person it could be a real crap shoot. One wonderful positive note was an addition of a first grandson and announcement of another grandson on the way in 2015.

For the last several months social media, news and just personal observations have been littered with anger, unrest, varied opinions, violence, etc. Don't think I haven't noticed or have my own opinions, I do. Yes, our society needs change but society is also going about it in a very destructive way that will only make matters worse.  How much worse does it have to get before it gets better? Only time will tell.

 I have personally experienced many "isms" in my lifetime.  Where I grew up it was very ethnically diverse but not without being called whitey, honky, cracker and the spanish slang "puto/puta". At the time my only thought was yes it bothered me but you took it on the chin so too speak and went on about your day and life.  One of the "consider the source" situations. Once I went into the working world at the time I figured name calling would be a thing of the past.  I figured "grownups" were much more adult and didn't treat issues the same. Sadly I was wrong. It then became more competitive and chauvinistic.

One of my first unfortunate experiences with  a co-worker I will probably never forget.  Each year at this time she would grab her calendar and pick all of the days off throughout the year that usually included Christmas and other holidays. One year it became a battle of wills between her and another co-worker on who would take off the two weeks of Christmas and New Years. It didn't really matter to me at the time because I was not married or didn't have children and they both did. The situation went on for several days and finally the one lady decided to basically give in to the seniority worker. Unfortunately, what the senior worker said I  wish I hadn't heard. Another co-worker asked her if she had finally decided what days she would get off. Her comment, "oh yes we were down to the wire but hey if "whitey" gives I take.

Societies peaks and valleys really haven't changed much over the years in that you have your tough times, tough nuts to crack, some nuts are not worth your time and effort, issues change for the good, some heartaches will pop up when you least expect and joy will come in little clouds when the rain or snow falls. Things will change if you want it to. Those who don't want some form of change will sadly be lonely beings.

Photo in Dana Point, CA Photo by Tony Tribolet

Growing up in California we were just a few miles away from beaches in any given direction. Although my visits when living their were few, I always knew it was their and a car ride away. The picture above was taken by a client  in California. Several years ago when I saw this picture he posted on Facebook I told David the next time he saw Tony to tell him how beautiful this picture was that he captured.  I was very touched when unexpectedly he sent me a copy. Today, it proudly hangs in our family room on ironically a west facing wall. Even though I am miles away I can look to the west and see the sunset on the beach. This is probably the only thing in life you can truly count on.

The sun will always rise in the east, and set in the west.  I hope the lion of winter will keep its roar quietly like a lamb for 2015 and think before it strikes.

The Party is Over

Wow my last post was in mid-November. Little did I realize that so much would be crammed into the month of December. I had my list out of what had to be done and pretty much right off the bat the list went by the way side. Early in December what I thought was a little scratchy throat turned into full blown bronchitis and the hack remnants still linger. I, like many winter season babies (of which both of my children were and now two of my grandchildren are) will be ever blessed with never knowing if you will make it through the winter without sickness lurking.

Down for almost two weeks with no desire to shop, decorate or deal with Christmas thank goodness this year we planned ahead in our business. Almost every year for as long as we have been in business this month almost always includes our beloved beastly truck getting sick and coughing into a repair shop. We vowed this year that with the arrival of our first grandson and third grandchild that David would take off from work the entire month of December. Something that was on the list that was fully accomplished.  He stepped in and decorated outside (yes Clark Griswold is alive in well in Sedville) and we pretty much had things up on schedule. A little ironic since we were not going to be home this year for Christmas due to the early delivery of said grandson (Greyson Matthew). He was to arrive on December 25th but due to obvious reasons expressed by my son and daughter-in-law of doctor being out of town then and prior complications from daughters' arrival it was best to plan ahead his delivery.

Papa and Greyson

Greenlee and Greyson

Hadleigh and Greenlee

Now that we have three grandchildren and one more due next year, I reflect back to my time growing up as an only child. My family nucleus was a total of five including my parents and grandparents. Each holiday no surprise guests, quiet, fun and without any drama. At that time I thought every family enjoyed the peace and tranquility. BOY WAS I WRONG!! For the past 30+ years each year has been a surprise, noisy, sometimes catastrophic, drama, suspense, sometimes reading like a soap opera. Truth yes, I would sometimes like to go have the quiet peaceful days. I don't always adapt to unexpected surprises well (unless they are special gifts that my husband showers on me each year for unknown reasons) its at that time I realize his appreciation on how hard it can be for me and his undying support during the difficult memories I go back too.  Our lives are filled with most things we rarely expect, those circle of life moments you have no control over. The older we get not always the easiest to except. Trying to find the little bit of joy the holidays are suppose to bring, sometimes are overshadowed by people and things no matter if its the holidays still create heartache.

I have vowed next year to start shopping earlier. Yes, even though he was home we seemed to procrastinate at things until the last minute which I rarely enjoy doing. My goal will be to have ideas, wrapping the whole nine-yards done in a reasonable time. Who am I kidding, it probably will never happen. Something always gets in the way and change is hard.

As the year draws to a close I look back, the gifts are unwrapped, the decorations are still up yes the party is over. But, really things have only just begun.

May 2015 be less drama filled,  good times abound. I will try my very best to make life a better party. Will you?