Mornin!

Well, Ive been thinking this morning a little, with the Olympics going on, all the races around, residency, just getting finished with Indoor nats, etc.

First of, congratulations to all of the competitors at IDN, and a special congrats to the medal winners, and record breakers (theres alot!). Alot of the divisions were very close this year, and it could have been whoever who ended up medaling. Senior men for instance had at least 6-7 skaters that were easily fast enough to wind up in the top 3, but as we know, there is ONLY the top 3! Kevin Pearsall, i thought was the one to win, ans i would have put my money on him, but in the last race, he ahs a mental block and was not in the right place at the right time. It has happened to all of us, myself more than i want to admit too! It ended up that Kevin got a bronze medal, which is fantastic, but it could have been any of 6-7 skaters in that positition. Another division was freshman ladies, SUCH awesome racing, along with sophomore men, there were easily 4 skaters that could have won or got a silver, but with falls, dq's, and bad placement, it happened that 3 skaters were left looking at someone else skating up and getting the gold (yes, I'm proud, it was my brother Jonathan).

Point is, if you placed, awesome!, if you didn't, you are just about there, so work to get there! It really is a great feeling having your name called up to the podium, especially the top of it! Another thing, to the skaters that won, keep your head on straight, you have no idea who is looking at you wanting to be in your position in the next few years. If you act out in any way, that kid that idolizes you, might be disappointed, or worse, act the same way. Just because you won, placed, set a record, or even won your semi, you have no right to be arrogant about it, proud yes, but not arrogant. It might be how I was brought up, i try to be the to one to congratulate everyone, no mater if you, OR I came in first or last, but i have even had to check myself a time or dozen in the past and I'm sure i will in the future. Remember though, God gave you the ability, he can take it away in the blink of an eye!

I had more to write, but i will do it later Ive got to get back to building the boots by the skater for the skater... ;) take care and God bless