i'm as fat as i'm gonna get according to my genes (from what i've seen from 3 generations) so that's good. and to think i never broke 100 pounds until i was in the 10th grade! ah well, german engineering, that's what i call it!

did you just now do the snowflakes?

Yup just changed them to very small and changed the bars to black. The angel is the only part remaining until John is safely out of the storm. This is the dark of winter, even in Hawaii...

Oh, I did not weigh over 95 pounds until my son was in high school...

*jaw dropping* i just noticed the black bars (very sophisticated)....the snowflakes still look big to me though.....neat design in the middle, kinda artichoke looking (sp?)

I agree about the snowflakes. I'll downsize them a bit more. I would return the hummingbird since I know John is safe and healing (but hate that he has broken his leg!) But, I'll wait. I found these bars with the red ones I previously used and also a long dark green one just like these - but I have lost the location of the green ones. It does look good with this background, and all is so adaptable. I assume you are assembling your gifs for Mardi Gras? The first floats have made their appearance in New Orleans!

i'll bet the green ones are nice too. yeah, mardis gras officially started today - 12th night ceremonies and all. i have the gifs for mardi gras just no where to put them (email terry about it though). i've got to get a catalog with beads and stuff to order!

Ooouuuuuuu!!! You will out-dazzle the Hollywood glamourati! Looks like I 'd better check holidays and get searching for MardiGras gifs, too. I know there're out there. Are the snowflakes still too big?

no no, i think they're just right now!

=) black snow - just like in West Virginia !

*haha*

Is the Greek Key divider bar better or worse? I like it! It looks embossed and quite classic. Now, to do something about that black snow...

Fresh white snow is not as obvious, but a lot prettier!

i like them both! and the greek keys evoke a feel for egyptian archaeology.

How about Grecian antiquities? I think the Egyptians were too busy carving cartouches and painting 2-dimensional people in 3-D to make elaborate moldings, plinths, and such. Take a look at the pyramids, then look at the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. *SIGH* I like them, too.

true true, but they both have wonderful architecture for their times. on second thought, unless it's my screen, the white snowflakes look like they're missing to me (not see through), just like a cut out or something.

Hmmm... let me try to see them on internet explorer. I see them as vaguely white with sketchy edges. I need better graphics there. I'm working on it!

yup, they look like they are rougfhly punched out on IE. I will find the thing I want and post it ASAP *smile*

Oooh Sweetie, and Omega would be perfect for our alter-images. Let me know how it goes. I can always send you that next year... Sorry for the loss of word I caused you but I simply HAD to do it =)

Help! I'm neew here. I'm looking for the DDL board... obviously, I'm lost :(

DDL??? Darcy Drool Ladies? See http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new I started there. Enjoy!!!

Specifically, http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/112/new is Darcy Drool. Happy reading. You will see me there a lot in the past!

No, these are not the right torches, either. Back to searching and restoring the snowflakes.

i thought they were aztec motifs!

Oh Dear! No, alas, they are the Salt Lake City 2002 Official Olympic Winter Games Logo. I was going to put Athens 2004 laurel wreath up, but I could not find one good enough to copy. I had a torch there, but it was static and not very good. I'll keep looking...*sigh*

I think they're supposed to be snowflakes... I'm going back to the white snowflakes for now.

i'm having no luck finding olympic motifs such as the rings for you to use. torches are easy enough-in fact, i think i have one in my files. will check for you!

Thanks! I even tried borrowing one from an active website with not much success. I only managed to find a HUGS Olympic flag which was too large to use here. How hard can it be to make five interlocking circles? I'd like to use the Salt Lake City Logo if I could make it ANY other colors!!! I even tried white but the lines around it are not solid enough to look good. I will hunt further, also. *Hugs*, Wolfie! We have to be interesting to entertain John while he mends. I'll try to find interesting things for him to contemplate.

It is Treaty of Waitangi day in New Zealand and a day of significance for their nation. THE TREATY OF WAITANGI 1840 [English text of the Treaty] Her Majesty Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland regarding with Her Royal Favour the Native Chiefs and Tribes of New Zealand and anxious to protect their just Rights and Property and to secure to them the enjoyment of Peace and Good Order has deemed it necessary in consequence of the great number of Her Majesty's Subjects who have already settled in New Zealand and the rapid extension of Emigration both from Europe and Australia which is still in progress to constitute and appoint a functionary properly authorized to treat with the Aborigines of New Zealand for the recognition of Her Majesty's Sovereign authority over the whole or any part of those islands. Her Majesty therefore being desirous to establish a settled form of Civil Government with a view to avert the evil consequences which must result from the absence of the necessary Laws and Institutions alike to the native population and to Her subjects has been graciously pleased to empower and to authorize "me William Hobson a Captain" in Her Majesty's Royal Navy Consul and Lieutenant Governor of such parts of New Zealand as may be or hereafter shall be ceded to Her Majesty to invite the confederated and independent Chiefs of New Zealand to concur in the following Articles and Conditions. more... http://www.govt.nz/aboutnz/treaty.php3

OOps. not till February 6th. I'll try to find a flag to post tomorrow. Which flag is Politically Correct on this occasion? Rob, Help!

but will we have ftp tomorrow?

No, probably not ftp, and I thought I had it on my old files at Spring. I have everyone but NZ. I'll borrow one from somewhere on the net =) I'll also save it until such time as I can ftp.

Hmmm Is it big enough?

nah, a couple more inches and it'll cover the entire screen *laugh* did you post it in rob's topic?

Not posted yet in Rob's topic. My reason is because there is a lot of politics and racial overtones to this day just as there are certain Hawaiian celebrations. Post the wrong flag as we are all in for accusations of being politically incorrect. This national flag of NZ has the flag of the Union ("Union Jack") of the UK on it. I suspect to the Maori, it is less than welcome. Black with silver ferns? I am waiting to hear from Rob.

THE IDEA, ITS RELEVANCE FOR TODAY, THE SYMBOL OLYMPIC TRUCE - THE IDEA The tradition of the �Truce� or �Ekecheiria� was established in ancient Greece in the 9th century BC by the signature of a treaty between three kings. During the Truce period, the athletes, artists and their families, as well as ordinary pilgrims, could travel in total safety to participate in or attend the Olympic Games and return afterwards to their respective countries. As the opening of the Games approached, the sacred truce was proclaimed and announced by citizens of Elis who travelled throughout Greece to pass on the message. http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/missions/truce/truce_uk.asp

aha - I need to make the background transparent. =)

Now I need to be able to ftp them to Spring. *sigh*

the olympic rings are great!! (i know nothing about the correct flag for NZ)

It is the one I posted, though they are discussing alternatives now that they are distinct from the old Empire. Check this super source for flags of many sorts New Zealand: http://www.fotw.stm.it/flags/nz-mao.html

I have the olympic rings ready to ftp to Spring. I can get there but it won't accept anything I try to send.

that's the probs i've been having with it....

I can finally ftp to my sites but none of them show up on the net. Have they disappeared into Topic 65? *sigh*

The Olympic cauldron has been lit. The games are officially open. Geo has installed the logo and waits the rings created by John. I think it totally appripriate that he does this for us. After all, we are celebrating his heritage throughout the world. I just wish the Olympic truce existed for all time on the entire planet. Higher * Faster * Stronger Let the games begin May the best person win

Amen to that.

I am just now seeing the opening ceremonies. They, like everything else in Hawaii, are tape delayed. I am sharing this with everyone with tears of lost innocence in my eyes. The world is not united even by sport. I would live forever in the embrace of the Olympic Ideals. *Hugs* to you all !

Olympic Hymn The Olympic Hymn, played when the Olympic flag is raised, was adopted by the International Olympic Committee in 1957. The music was composed by Spirou Samara and the lyrics were written by Costis Palamas (spelling of their names varies in different sources). It was first incorporated at the Rome Olympics in 1960. In addition to the official anthem, each host city where the Olympics are held can also create its own anthem. "Bugler's Dream" by Leo Arnaud was introduced during the 1968 Olympic Games in Grenoble. Subsequently, John Williams composed the "Olympic Fanfare and Theme" for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. http://www.santacruzpl.org/readyref/files/m-p/olympichymn.shtml This is the most glorious music and the commentators talke all the way through it. I was NOT happy!

Now, if only someone recorded it and I can get hold of a copy. I will search for this, also!

If ever there was a reason for appreciating just what satellites can do---with the help of some high altitude aerial imagery, dedication, hard work, and a lot of expensive equipment---this is it! Here is a must see!!!! http://olympics.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Click on the animation and zoom away!

OLYMPIC GAMES - Not an Ordinary Competition The Olympic Games are about more than sports. The Games have always been about peace. The first known Olympic Games occurred over 2,500 years ago, in Olympia, Greece. A Greek king called for a truce, or pause from all fighting, so that the best athletes could compete against each other in peace. The truce declared: "May the world be delivered from crime and killing and freed from the clash of arms." The Games were held every four years until the year 394 CE. Over a thousand years later, Pierre de Coubertin suggested the world once again hold Olympic Games. He thought the Games would promote world peace and friendship. He designed the Olympic symbol of five interlocking rings to show the union of the different parts of the world. The ring colors are blue, yellow, black, green, and red. These colors were chosen because every flag in the world has at least one of these colors. Flags are an important part of the Olympic Games. When athletes win a gold, silver, or bronze medal, their country's flag flies proudly during the medal ceremony. In addition, the national anthem of the gold medal winner's country is played for all to hear. The Olympic Torch Lights the Way Since ancient times, the Olympic Games were opened by the lighting of an Olympic flame. For the past 60 years, the flame has been carried by torch from Olympia, Greece (where it is lit by the sun's rays) to whatever city in the world is hosting the Games. This year's torch traveled 13,500 miles. It went by car, plane, train, boat, dogsled, and snowmobile. But mostly, runners carried the torch. It passed through 46 of the 50 United States to reach Salt Lake City. There it is burning in a specially-designed cauldron until the closing ceremony on February 24. It is then put out with the promise that it will burn again for the summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in 2004. http://www.eduplace.com/ss/current/story.html

Olympic Hymn Adopted by the IOC in 1957 Cantata by Costis Palamas Set to music by Spirou Samara in 1896 Immortal spirit of antiquity, Father of the true, beautiful and good, Descend, appear, shed over us thy light, Upon this ground and under this sky Which had first witnessed thy unperishable fame. Give life and animation to those noble games! Throw wreaths of fadeless flowers to the victors In the race and in the strife! Create in our breasts, hearts of steel! http://www.athletics.org.nz/canterbury/olympics_hymn.html

OLYMPIC HYMN Ancient immortal spirit, unsullied father of that which is beautiful, great and true, Descend, make thyself known and shine hero on this earth and below these skies witness of Thy Glory. Illuminate the endevour of the noble contests in the running race, the wrestling and the throwing. Place a wreath of evergreen branch, creating the body as of iron and worthy. Vales, mountains and oceans shine with Thee Like unto a great temple of white and porphyry. To which all peoples hasten to this temple to worship Thee, Oh ancient immortal Spirit. sheet music for piano... http://www.forthnet.gr/olympics/athens1896/pictures/docs/hymn.html I really want this - done right!

(John in topic 65):"Perhaps between the spectators of the Olympic Athletic Contests exist more capable athletes but the glory is for those they battle in stadium." Ancient Greece said much about the human condition to help us know ourselves better. John's quote is pertinent considering how many single-participant "teams" were in attendance at the Olympics soon to conclude in Salt Lake City. We have learned to sit in chairs and criticize those who dare to compete and to put their best efforts before all mankind. How much better they are for the experience. The journey was heroic. The results are not nearly as important. I hope someday we will realize this once again. I've become a great fan of the art of chess on ice called Curling I was delighted when a team of Scotswomen representing Great Britain won the gold yesterday. They invented the sport. I will be watching the 4-man bobsleigh and cheering for the team from Greece. They als participated in the 2-man races and, like we did in some sports, did ot win medals but they did very respectably. Cheers to them for participating. I am sorrowful for the ending of the games so soon. I am also tired of the big-money high profile figure skating. It is no longer a sport. It has become a political and monitary game which is unworthy of the Olympics. When they eliminated the requried skill elements, they changed everything. I would be happy to be rid of them. I have also seen enough hockey with smashing and gouging to last a lifetime. They can get rid of that, soo. Million-dollar-salaried NHL players against small countries without as much money or aggression? I am offended just as I will be by the NBA players in Basketball in Athens in two years. Greece really cannot afford the Olympics in 2004. I have absolutely no doubt that they belong in Athens. I also think the host country, in this case, should not be funding the entire enterprise. I think, in gratitude, the entire world's teams should contribute richy to the efforts and save Greece from a huge debt they cannot afford to incur.

Greece continues to participate and despite the monumental obstacles put in their team's way, the flag bearer at the opening ceremonies, Lefteris Fafalis, did well for himself and for Hellas in Cross Country, and in Combine Pursuit(skiing). Their bobsleigh team also had a good showing. Four-man tonight to watch. unhappily, though teh NBC anchor was presented with a hat, they did not see fit to show any of their runs. That saddens me.

It's only a bit more than 900 days until the Athens Summer Olympics in 2004. I will be absolutely glued to any transmissions available anwhere. I might even consider obtaining a satellite dish just for that eventuality. Throughout the Olympic Games, three flags continually fly: the Olympic flag, the hosting country's flag and Greece's flag. How perfectly beautiful it is to see the American flag and the Greek flag either side of the Olympic flag in Salt Lake city. In Athens, will there be two Greek flags? Will the Greek team enter first or just their flag and, as the host country team, enter last? I am still hunting for the Greek Olympic Team webpage. I can find the Nagano website and the 2004 website. The Baltimore Orioles, along with Major League Baseball, have stepped forward in an effort to help the Greek government field a competitive baseball team for the 2004 Olympic Games to be held in Athens. http://www.geocities.com/baseballgreece/olympic.html

Greek-American Olympic hopeful Michael Voudaris, an Emergency Medical Technician, helped save lives at Ground Zero. Now competing in the skeleton event, he had planned to memorialize 30 Greek nationals, as well as fellow EMTs and alumni from his high school, who died during the Sept. 11th attacks. (He was not allowed to do this. IOC forbade it.) SAE, the organization for Greeks abroad, has announced that the official Volunteers Application form for the Olympic and Paralympic Games ATHENS 2004 is now available electronically at the Organising Committee's website www.athens.olympic.org in Greek and English, under Volunteers. Volunteers should carefully read the guidelines, before completing the Volunteers Application. Applications must be completed only in the language of the application (only Greek or only English). The electronic form of the Application must be received electronically. Photocopies or faxes of the application are not acceptable. If you submit the Application electronically you do not need to submit it in print form. http://www.helleniccomserve.com/headlinenews.html

Official website of the 2004 Athens Olympics http://www.athens.olympic.org/Page/default.asp?la=2

I always thought they used a laurel wreath. I was corrected by John who told me it was Olive. As you can see by their logo, there are little spheres between the leaves - ergo Olive it is!

This is my favorite summer Olympic event because I've participated in racing 470's. http://www.athens.olympic.org/Page/default.asp?la=2

http://www.ahepa20.org/events/greek_bobsleigh_team.htm

If I had only known, I could have been part of their Olympic Bobsleigh team's sled. *sigh* I will look for further opportunities to do this. It is amazing. I recall their showing the sled with the beautiful blue on which were laminated all of the supporting photographs. http://www.olympicdream.net/Events_schedule.htm

WHO DESIGNED THE WORLD'S LARGEST UNFOLDING STRUCTURE, THE ARCHED CURTAIN FOR THE OLYMPIC MEDALS PLAZA? Chuck Hoberman, world renowned inventor and toy designer, and trained as both a sculptor and engineer, was commis- sioned to design the Hoberman Arch, a semi-circular, web- like structure of aluminum backed with translucent panels that can be illuminated. It geometrically retracts in shape and size, its 96 panels, each with three-pinned joints, spiralling outward and upward in a radial motion to form a 6-foot-thick semi-circular ring. Hoberman is said to be fascinated with nature's moving parts, like the iris of the eye, and sees how small elements work to develop a bigger whole. WHAT ARE SOME TECHNICAL DETAILS ABOUT THE HOBERMAN ARCH? The Hoberman Arch spans 72 feet in diameter and stands 36 feet tall. There are more than 4,000 individually machined pieces in the Arch. It is held together by 13,000 rivets, and is powered by two 30-horsepower motors controlling eight separate cables. The moveable elements weight 15,000 pounds. HOW SMALL IS THE WORLD'S SMALLEST GUITAR? The world's smallest guitar is 10 micrometers long--about the size of a single cell--with six strings each about 50 nano- meters, or 100 atoms, wide. It was made by Cornell University researchers from crystalline silicon, and demonstrates a new technology for a new generation of electromechanical devices. WHY DID THE FIRST FEMALE AMERICAN TO WIN AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL NOT REALIZE SHE HAD WON? The 1900 Olympics in Paris were so poorly organized that many contestants did not realize they were participating in Olympic games. Part of the problem was because other sporting events were held in connection with the Olympics, and the 1900 games extended over a period of six months, unlike other Olympics where the games occurred over a shorter period. This caused much confusion. American art student Margaret Abbott entered a nine-hole "International Ladies' Golf Tournament" on a lark and won, though nothing she saw identified the tournament as an Olympic event. It wasn't until two decades after she died that historians identified her as the first female American "gold" medalist.

Olympic Hopeful? From my Alma Mater: MINNEAPOLIS -- Penn State pole vaulter Kevin Dare died Saturday after landing on his head during the Big Ten indoor championships. Dare was a sophomore from State College, Pa., with several years' experience in the often-dangerous sport. Another vaulter was killed in a similar accident in the 1993 Sioux City, Iowa, relays. "It's always in the back of your mind that you can get hurt pole vaulting," said Michigan State's Paul Terek, the No. 6 vaulter in the nation. "But you bury it deep in the back of your mind, even though 100 out of 100 pole vaulters have had some kind of accident in their careers. You just bury it, but it's been unearthed now, though." more... http://www.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/2002/0223/1339701.html

SALT LAKE CITY WINTER OLYMPICS-VERY INTENSE GREEK PRESENCE. (Cultural, Scientific & General News Category) February 2002: The 2002 Winter Olympics started on February 8th in Salt Lake City, USA. During his stay in Utah's capital the Greek Minister for the Culture inaugurated the Greek stand which is situated in Salt Lake City downtown and in which is displayed audiovisual material presenting the 2004 Athens Summer Games preparation and inform the audience about the targets of the Cultural Olympics. The Minister had also proceeded in the unveiling of a Prometheus statue during a symbolic ceremony organized by Greek-Americans. The Minister for the Culture together with the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs attended a Greek oriented exhibit where they were presented the works of the Greek painter Mina Valyrakis who was voted as the 'Sport Artist of the Year' by the American Sports Federation and of the Greek-American Euripides Kastaris, an artist connecting the Olympic ideal with the 2002 and 2004 Games. On the other hand, the Greek Minister for the Culture had an appointment with t! he president of the Peking 2008 Organizing Committee and discussed the future cooperation between Greece and China concerning the cultural dimension of the Olympics. The Chinese part was very interested about the philosophy of the 2001-2004 Cultural Olympics. In this direction, the president of the Peking 2008 Organizing Committee indicated Greece's knowledge and experience on Cultural Olympics and expressed the willingness of China to be helped by Greece in the organization of cultural exhibits. During the meeting was decided the sign of a protocol of cooperation concerning the Cultural Olympics. *********************************************************************

The Athens Summer Olympics coverage is now at the Sports Conference Topic 58 http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/sports/58/new

Marcia, I agree with many of your observations about the recently concluded Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. Concerning figure skating, you are absolutely right, it is no longer a sport. In fact, by removing the required skill elements; i.e., school figures, it is no longer even figure skating. Perhaps they should change the name now that true figure skating no longer exists. What they, especially the women, do now are some cheesy Las Vegas review numbers in gauche and gaudy costumes. As for the judging the rules are positively arcane. No one understands them. They have some bizarre thing involving ordinals. An example would be if Kwan had only lost the free skate to Hughes she would have still taken the gold medal, despite her fall in her free skate. However, since she placed after Slutskaya as well as Hughes, she, instead, took the bronze medal. I don't understand that, at all. Using ladies figure skaking as an illustration again. The last year that school figures were in the Winter Games was at Calga y in 1988. The winner of the ladies figure skating gold medal in that Olympic Games was Katerina Witt. What is interesting is that Witt only placed first in compulsory (school) figures. She finished second in both the short free-style program and the long free-style program. She was the gold medalist because she had the highest number of points at the end of the competion. It was a fairer system, more in keeping with athletics. Like you, I would be happy to be rid of them. While I'm venting on figure skating, let me expound on those annoying Canadian whiners who were, and in my mind, still are the silver medalists. They skated a technically easier and less "artistic" program than the Russians. This was also compounded by the fact that they had nowhere near the Russians' unison. Still, since the Russian pair had one of it's members land with slight mis-step, they Canadians were whining like babies that they skated a "perfect" program. Well, they had no mistakes in their boring, safe, and not particularly difficult program. They set they example of aim at the middle, be safe, and if you don't get what you want whine until you do. They disgust me. Lastly, the American network NBC's coverage was god-awful. It was so chauvinistic as to make me embarassed. They were only interested in competions in which Americans had a chance at medaling. They gave very little note to athletes who were not, at least, North American. It was shameless boosterism coupled with amaturish commentary. NBC needs to understand that the Olympics are an international sporting festival. Much of the joy of them is derived from seeing and learning about the great international stars. I'll stop grumbling now.

Yes Yes Yes, Cheryl. No school figures, no examining edges has turned it into entertainment but not a sport. Get rid of it. People who winge made me very biased against them. If I did not care about the medals to start with, they surely got my bias against them by their attitude (hers, mostly.) I agree totally that the Russian team won the gold medals hands down with skill level and technical difficulty. It is very sad. NBC was so appalling at the Sydney Olympics I listened to short wave and avoided the televised programming totally. I even wrote to Australia Broadcasting to thank them for their excellent coverage - and they read my letter on the air! This time AGAIN, NBC talked OVER the Olympic Anthem! That did it for me. It was down hill all the rest of the way. Worst of all, they will be the only way I will have to see Athens. *sigh* Perhaps rental of a satellite dish might be worthwhile for that ! *joining you on your soapbox*

Hi, Olympic games are really an international sporting festival in our days, but not only. An entire economic circuit functions simultaneously with aim the profit. They does not exist chaste ideals for distribution now. Ancient Olympic games were also an international sporting festival. But they existed ideals and messages for athletes and for Spectators (like �� ���������� = VERACIOUSLY CONTEST). The more important fact was that the wars they stopped at the duration of the Olympic games. They participated also there, athletes from belligerent countries and were absolutely respectable. The ancient Olympic games were a message of peace and modesty. John

i work with someone who plans to petition NBC to never do the Olympics coverage again! but they had to do something to make lots of money or else they couldn't pay the $1M/show salary for each of the members of Friends!!

i agree with the whining. although a guy i work with was there with his wife. they both thought there was something screwy about the judging and that the canadians did a better program. i don't know because i didn't see it.

*Sigh* That is why I posted the Olympic Truce twice here. I though it important enough to remind people exactly what the Olympics represented. It is enough that you have made the team and can participate in the events. All who attend are already winners. I am an idealist enough to wish they would return to this ideal. Like the man from Camaroon - the sole competitor from his country. He came in last in his event, but he was every bit as delighted to have participated as the gold medal winner. THAT was what it is all about. Participation, blending all cultures and ethnicities into one human population striving to do their best, rejoicing in the pacticipation rather than the outcome. Doing one's best for the glory of sport and fellowship. When money enters the equation it spoils everything. This year each medal came with a monitary award. I am far too idealistic for this world as it is now. Still, I cling to the Olympic ideal and pray each time that the goodness in mankind will rise to the challenge.

There is definitley something terribly wrong with the subjective judging. Publicity and pressure from both inside the IOC and from the public at large made them rethink their methods and to make changes. NBC is horrid. ABC with Jim McKay was always respectful and unintrusive. How sad they have the games until 2008. I think it is a fact of life that they paid billions do get them and they will not be moved by any outcries or protests.

With our current weather, perhaps Hilo should place a bid for a future Winter Olympics. We have more snow that Lake Placid or Toronto!

Wolfie, your point is well taken concerning your co-worker. Therein also lies much of the problem concerning the current sorry state of figure skating at the Olympics. Without school figures it very often comes down to a matter of personal taste at best, political one-upsmanship at worst. I think that seeing the two respective performances on television allowed me to be more objective than actually being there and being influenced by the crowd. My family used to produce rabid figure skating fans. They could really delve into the fine points of the sport. Unfortunately, nobody could really skate worth beans in my family, but I digress. The Canadians may have been more crowd pleasing; but it was largely a North American crowd. Thus, more likely to be disposed toward them. Their program was more "show biz" than that of the Russians. That does not make it a better program in terms of competition. The Russian pair skated a program of high technical difficulty in contrast to the Candadian pair's level of mediocre difficulty. The Russians skated with more speed and unison, as well. In terms of what makes a great team of pairs skaters in the sport of figure skating the Russians were the far better example. It is a shame that the Russian pair had to have their victory and ability cast into doubt by a shoddy judging system. Marcia is right the whole thing is a mess and they should drop figure skating from the Olympics as it can no longer be taken seriously as a sport. As for my family who used to adore figure skating. Essentially most of us couldn't possibly care less about the joke it's become.

John, you made wonderfully astute and valid points about the Olympic Games both past and present. Perhaps someday they will attain their full potential. Marcia, I grew up watching the Olympics on ABC with Jim McKay. I loved them and miss the respect and, yes, warmth that they brought to their coverage. Oh and congratulations Marcia on having your letter to Australian broadcasters of the Sydney Games read on the air.

PRAISE BE! I am not banned from Drool. Spring's happy family continues to be just that. I am still having problems with FTP despite terry's phone call. All's cool on the homefront, Terry!

Terry. FTP WORKS!!! Many thanks!!!

i love figure skating because of the difficulty of their maneuvers as well as integrating the "show biz" portion into it. i thought a well-performed routine combined them both. because it came on so late on the West Coast, i missed the whole program. i agree that if you set a rule, those rules should be followed to a 'T' and subjectivity should be kept to a minimum. i'm so glad you have ftp again marcia! (i haven't emailed the details yet) cheryl, thanks for voicing your opinions--i am in agreement and believe the games should be Good Will and not some kind of contest as they were originally developed!

Wolfie, thanks for bringing up the Good Will games (possibly unconsciously) because of the way they have developed (I promise not to mention Ms Fonda-Turner is you do, also.) I consider them preparation for the Athens Olympics. Ok Now I will post the logos from my space on the hard drive.

well, I managed to remove the background. Now I need to remove the left upright margin of the original. FTP is a GOOD thing!

so is having the rings without background

*Test*

Can I speak with this image? Also, put on the sound of your computer and Special construction for all of you in Spring. It is dedicated to all Geo visitors too. John

John, Your little floor element of gymnastics gifs are wonderful. Here we call that mounting the floow and first (element) run - usually a set of flips and summersaults from one corner to the opposite diagonal corner. Your dove is lovely, and belongs at all venues to remind the participants and their judges of what it is really all about. A music button that pushed itself?? How wonderful of it to play Zorba for us. *Hugs* for making our days so much better for your having been here. Onward to creating our best not as a competition, but as an offering to our readers. Kudos, John.

i don't want to talk about Ms F-T so i promise not to as well! and john, your graphics spoke volumes (as well as zorba).

Does this little excursion in the painful humor of teaching in the US appertain to the rest of the world? A History of Teaching Math Teaching Math in 1950: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit? Teaching Math in 1960: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit? Teaching Math in 1970: A logger exchanges a set "L" of lumber for a set "M" of money. The cardinality of set "M" is 100. Each element is worth one dollar. Make 100 dots representing the elements of the set "M." The set "C", the cost of production contains 20 fewer points than set "M." Represent the set "C" as a subset of set "M" and answer the following question: What is the cardinality of the set "P" of profits? Teaching Math in 1980: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20. Teaching Math in 1990: By cutting down beautiful forest trees, the logger makes $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the forest birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down the trees? There are no wrong answers. Teaching Match in 2000: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $120. How does Arthur Andersen determine that his profit margin is $60?

I want to see John doing his handsprings. I know how happy being able to FTP again made him. Me too!

John, thank you so much for the beautiful Olympic graphic complete with music.

I am so excited to see Greek gymnastics with a great coach worthy of their heritage. Perhaps NBC will finally televise a Greek athlete or two *sigh*

Hi Wolfie, Cheryl, and Marcia, I try to give you something different than simple words here. We can use different ways to express what we have to say. We can find beauty everywhere. We need a simple eyebeam and desire only. John

*Hugs* John. My delight is in sharing all things with you. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as we say. YOU are beautiful and Geo is honored to have your wisdom and perspective. *strewing rosepetals in your path*

From a Geonian who wants to remain anonymous, this truism" THE TRUTH IN 13 WORDS... Inside every older person is a younger person - wondering what the heck happened....

I would say, "We are a live library, which is travelling in the time. Our memories are a special window via of which we can see back in time and space. The most of the times it is not agreeable because we easily remember bad situations rather than agreeable moments" John

You are brilliant in your philosophy and observation of human nature, John. I am as guilty of this as is anyone, especially in the unfortunate manner is which I find my life. That is why I find more agreeable minds here than in my real life. We make choices and they are not always the best ones in retrospect. I choose to look to what is possible from now on to make my life better, to excite my curiousity, and to give me things to make me happy to wake up in the morning. Thank you for being part of that joy and anticipation.

Since the Orthodox Church uses a different calendar from the one we use in the West, they are just now having their pre-Lenten festivities: Carnival Time in Greece Guide picks Patras, Xanthi, and other cities in Greece go all out for the pre-Lent festival known elsewhere as Mardi Gras. Join in the fun! Carnival in Corfu Ancient and unique customs survive in the Corfiot carnival. Patras - General Info A look at this lovely city, plus a bit on the Carnival. Ragoutsaria This early celebration (January 6-8th) has many elements of Carnival, but also unique traditions dating back to the ancient Dionysian festivals of winter. Xanthi - Burning of the Tzaros Closing ceremony for the Carnival. Xanthi Carnival - 1999 Program Listing of cultural events held in conjuntion with carnival season. Check back for 2000 info. Xanthi Carnival - History Founded in 1966, the Carnival was a success from the start. Quick look, a few vintage photos. Xanthi Carnival - Mayor's Message Closing speech of the carnival, plus some photos. Xanthi Carnival Greek-only info on this untouristy Carnival. all links are hot at the website below http://gogreece.about.com/cs/carnivaltime/

For John, who cannot attend this year, a big hug of sympathy and many more years of Carnival in Patras for you! http://gogreece.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.proskopos.com%2Fpatra_en.html (I think it is like New Orleans is for Mardi Gras for the US.) Finally, the Carnival of Patras is an internationally famous event as well as a milestone in the city's life. It is carried out every year at the end of February or beginning of March (movable feast). Tenths of thousands of Patras' people -and not only- join each year the carnival groups (consisting of 150-300 persons) and with their own costumes participate in the various contests of the Treasure Hunt as well as in the parades. Groups and all kinds of Organizations and Associations organize their traditional "Costume Dances" in various night clubs and private halls. Highlights include the Night "On-Foot" Parade on the last Saturday and the Grand Parade on Carnival's last Sunday, when the whole city surrenders to a frantic continuous dance.

The Municipality of Patras, official sponsor of Patras' Carnival, keeps a discrete eye on the events and, along with the Carnival Committee, looks after the participants' safety at the same time it grades the quality of appearance of the groups. The Municipality as well takes part in the celebrations as it organizes the famous "Mbourmboulia", adult dances, at the Municipal Theater "Apollon".