Olympics Update - Ice Dancing Medals and Plenty Of Spandex

What I've Learned So Far...

Olympics Update - Ice Dancing Medals and Plenty Of Spandex

Tonight I caught the finals in Olympic Ice Dancing. This sport has been evolving greatly over the past twenty years, to the point where these days there are a lot more creative costumes and routines and a lot fewer guys in greasy ponytails. I always make sure to watch for the quality of the side-by-side twizzles. The announcer told me to.

Two of the Ice Dance pairs are University of Michigan students. Meryl Davis and Charlie White went into the free dance with a good chance of winning a gold medal. Charlie recently said that about the only thing that could top a Michigan football game would be winning a medal at the Olympics.

The other couple, Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates (Evan is also a native Ann Arborite) never had a realistic shot at a top three finish, but they looked great and turned in a personal best. It kind of makes you wonder if the U of M should consider a establishing Department of Feathers and Sequins.

To make it more interesting, the Canadian team of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir actually live here in Southeastern Michigan and train with Davis and White at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Canton. While all this local connection is very cool, that is not really what kept me glued to the screen. And it's not that I am not a particularly big fan of ice dancing; I have never watched so much as a single twizzle that did not get twizzed on Olympic ice.

Read On...

 

Treat yourself to your own personal copy of What I've Learned So Far... Part I: Bikes, Docks & Slush Nuggets. It's like owning a leather-bound first edition of The Complete Works of Shakespeare, only in paperback and a lot funnier.

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- mike

Mike Ball

Author of What I've Learned So Far...
Winner of the 2003 Erma Bombeck Award

Web: whativelearnedsofar.com
E-mail: mike@whativelearnedsofar.com

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Writers - here is a great Conference opportunity!

What I've Learned So Far...

I know there are some talented writers among my readers. If you're ready to get to work on turning your talent into a paycheck, you will want to spend a day with Colleen Gleason. Pam Gossiaux, Darci Hannah and me at the:

 

The Road To Published Writers Conference

Learn What It Takes To Write, Publish and Market Your Work Successfully!

Saturday, March 6, 2010
9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Memories Lounge & Restaurant, Brighton, MI (click for directions)

 

Spend a day with successful published writers Mike Ball, Colleen Gleason, Pamela Gossiaux and Darci Hannah and learn the tips of the trade to make your dream a reality! Workshop speakers will share the ups and downs of their own journey to getting published, as well as lead you through hands-on writing exercises with time for critiques and discussion.

Conference topics include:

- Breaking into the Writing Business            
- Learn how to overcome procrastination
- Set a writing schedule that works             
- Banish writer's block            
- Write stronger and better prose            
- Knowing your genre/niche            
- Working Lunch and the Writer's Toolbox            
- Writing your Query Letter            
- Finding the right agent            
- Researching your topic            
- Public Relations and Marketing yourself  

Registration is $75, or $65 Early Bird (before March 1).

Invest a few hours in your future and see how you could see your name in print - and on a check!  You may be closer to success than you think! Go to http://roadtopublished.com for more information.

 

Treat yourself to your own personal copy of What I've Learned So Far... Part I: Bikes, Docks & Slush Nuggets. It's like owning a leather-bound first edition of The Complete Works of Shakespeare, only in paperback and a lot funnier.

If you enjoy What I've Learned So Far... and would like to see it in your local paper, just send the editor an impassioned plea and this link to my Web site.

Also, chase all your friends on over to my Web site to Subscribe (it's FREE!), so they can enjoy it too! They'll thank you, and so will I.

- mike

Mike Ball

Author of What I've Learned So Far...
Winner of the 2003 Erma Bombeck Award

Web: whativelearnedsofar.com
E-mail: mike@whativelearnedsofar.com

You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL:

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Winter Olympics, NASCAR, and Red Wings: the Perfect Valentine's Day

What I've Learned So Far...

Winter Olympics, NASCAR, and Red Wings: the Perfect Valentine's Day

This weekend my wife and I are enjoying a Perfect Storm of Really Cool Stuff.

On Friday the 2010 Winter Olympics* kicked off in Vancouver, British Columbia. There was a terrific Opening Ceremony highlighted by some teams marching in with hundreds of happy skiers and skaters waving at the crowd, while other teams were made up of a single athlete carrying a flag and followed by fifteen old bald government guys.

Canada, the host country, has been sounding uncharacteristically pugnacious about the competition this time around, but I'm pretty sure I saw the Canadian curlers using their brooms on the way into the stadium to tidy up a bit.

On Monday we will celebrate President's Day, a time when all Americans set aside a few hours to reflect on the accomplishments of some of our nation's most revered leaders, and to buy mattresses.

Read On...

*The joy of the Olympic Games has been sadly overshadowed by the tragic training death of Georgia luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. The one consolation I can find is that this young man achieved a goal in his short life that only a select few people in all the world have achieved - he was an Olympian. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow athletes.

Treat yourself to your own personal copy of What I've Learned So Far... Part I: Bikes, Docks & Slush Nuggets. It's like owning a leather-bound first edition of The Complete Works of Shakespeare, only in paperback and a lot funnier.

If you enjoy What I've Learned So Far... and would like to see it in your local paper, just send the editor an impassioned plea and this link to my Web site.

Also, chase all your friends on over to my Web site to Subscribe (it's FREE!), so they can enjoy it too! They'll thank you, and so will I.

- mike

Mike Ball

Author of What I've Learned So Far...
Winner of the 2003 Erma Bombeck Award

Web: whativelearnedsofar.com
E-mail: mike@whativelearnedsofar.com

You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL:

http://www.jmball.com/dlist/mail.cgi/u/wilsf/

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...Read more!