Ugh!

Oh my goodness! USFSA...it's time to pick a city! I'm really going to give going to the Olympics in 2010 a shot. In order to do this I need to start arranging my schedule now! That includes knowing the host city for the 2010 U.S. Nationals (because of course I'm going to that event!).

In the past, about 2 1/2 years (give or take) before the event they've made the announcement, but now there is this unusual delay. There are sponsors to get, hotels to book, volunteers to find, LET'S GET THE BALL ROLLING!

At this point I may make plans to go to the 2010 Canadian Nationals (no, seriously!). I sincerely hope a venue has already has been chosen and they are just holding back the info for some big press release in St. Paul at Nationals. I just hope it's somewhere warm...Miami ever hosted Nationals?

Can I vent some more?

And why is it that this season, all but one of the Junior Grand Prix events were in Europe...ummmmm...what's the deal?

Can I vent?

I'm less than impressed with USFSA's changes as of late. I'm not a fan of the move from ABC to NBC with the coverage (I know, I know...you gotta go where they'll take ya!). It will simply be odd to see competitive skating on NBC. I'm not a fan of the bottom group of ladies at this years National Championships in St. Paul Minnesota having to skate in the early morning with the top group skating in primetime live.

But what really gets me upset is how icenetwork.com is basically taking over the USFSA website, and they aren't just allowing it, they're condoning it! You can't click on a link on the site anymore without being switched to an icenetwork.com site. Competition results, previews, videos, and now even discussion boards are on icenetwork.com.

USFSA...take back control of your content! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Political Poo

After posting the below post concerning Senator Levin's legislation. I proceeded to contact my senators and was treated to a reply by Senator Durbin of Illinois:

Dear Mr. Harris:

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for efforts to expedite Tanith Belbin's citizenship application. I appreciate hearing from you.

I understand your desire to assist Tanith Belbin. Ms. Belbin is a world-class athlete who wants to become a U.S. citizen so that she can represent the United States in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. She is not currently eligible to receive U.S. citizenship until after the 2006 Olympic Games.

Although Ms. Belbin has expressed disappointment over her ineligibility for the 2006 Games, she has been quoted as saying that, "You don't absolutely need the Olympics to be the best in the world." Ms. Belbin will still be able to represent the United States at other international events, and is on track to compete in the 2010 Games as a U.S. citizen.

I will keep your interest in this matter in mind. Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,


Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

Political Poo I say!