annzeepark914

Yup. Too much talking by commentators these days. It is a sporting event, after all, so we need to have some comments made re: mistakes made during each skater's programs. But anything else needs to be relegated to the warm ups, skater's taking the ice, leaving the ice, waiting for scores, etc. I think the world of Terry Gannon (what other NCAA top athlete made an effort to learn about figure skating & highly respects skaters?) but he too needs to refrain from too much yakking. Big article in today's Washington Post re: a documentary, "Icarus", about the Russian doping scandal, & the production crew's protection of the whistle blower (two other Russians were killed). When I read/hear this stuff, I always wonder why it's so important for the Russians to win.

Whoa, Nellie! I just had a vision of two furious faces if that decision is made and H/D are left out of the team event.

I need this stove (but first I'd have to take a class in how to use it!)

Thanks, Mondrianyone. That's a good point. I think they sort of regretted taking on the job as it wasn't a huge challenge (compared with the previous week's dark green, shaky, scary hovel!!)

Still love this show (and continue to watch the re-runs) but last night, while watching another new Season 2 episode, I thought there was a bit of goofing around (OTT for these Mainers, IMO). I hope the producers of this show aren't trying to turn Chase et al into a bunch of Chip Gaines. These are such high quality people, so professional, nice and naturally funny, that it would be terrible if they were told to act up for the cameras.

Tonight will be grilled portobello mushrooms with sauted onions & peppers, and aioli on rolls + a tossed salad (with a new ginger soy dressing I made today). It's too cold to grill outside so I'll slice the mushrooms and cook on a grill pan on the stove. I love winter but geez...it's a tad bit too nippy for me this year.

I suspect Peggy Noonan just wanted to kick butt (the Post's, of course).

Doubt it. Gee--I had to stop and think, "If not Tara, then who (was the last US ladies OG medalist")? Sarah was not a memorable skater. In 2002, the door opened, she took advantage of it, and won.

Awww...this morning I just happened to turn on the TV and there was Ina, mixing up a watermelon inspired cocktail while Jeffrey was using the grill chimney to get the fire going (instead of setting fire to the charcoal bag). I love these two. They had a steak-grilling throwdown and Ina cheated (she put a pat of butter on her version which made her steak very moist & tender). Wish they were my neighbors...no wait! I wish I lived next door to them in the Hamptons!

Well yeah I was being sarcastic. We'd just been subjected, last weekend during Nationals, to a couple of pre-taped interviews w/ Tara (by Johnny) where she talked about her 1998 experience + Terry, over the years, seems to always remind Tara about her glory days prompting her to talk about them. For some of us, it is always just a dangerous bit too much ;>)

What??? We get to learn what the '98 O's meant to Tara???? Be still my heart cause I've always wondered ;>)

Tonight will be meatloaf (Bubbie's meatloaf by Dave Lieberman), Zucchini & Fennel Saute, and baked potatoes. Last night's dinner was a great clam sauce made with TJ's Arrabbiatta marinara, half a jar of Belletierre's marinara, some white wine (actually FRE Chardonnay) and seasonings along with clams.

Thanks for the review, Lonesome Rhodes. Think I'm going to give it a pass. Also, Sorkin has a reputation for injecting lots of fast talking in his dramas which I find so irritating (somebody once said that he comes from a family of fast talkers, the kind of folks where you can never get a word in). One thought about not using names of the real people who came to the games: could the producers have been sued? She mentions names in her book (which was a bit shocking).

Haven't seen it yet but plan to. I read the excerpt from her book in Vanity Fair a while back and was appalled by the obnoxious and cruel behavior of one well known actor who taunted her to dance on a table for them. Is this scene in the movie? Does one have to be a poker player to fully appreciate the movie?

It's going to be interesting to see how the powers that be maneuver team skaters around (taking turns doing SP; LP, SD, FD). In a way I like having the team event first because, selfishly, I get to watch twice the figure skating during the O's. But I am concerned about any "contenders" getting injured before the Big Event.

We thought it was good but the movie easily could've been a half hour shorter. Had a hard time understanding "Churchill" w/ all the mumbling and British accent. Wish they'd cast another actress to play the secretary's role instead of Lily James. I loved the initial V for Victory sign (until his secretary told him what was wrong with it). I guess you could say that one was for the Nazis!

Sorry about that, It wouldn't let me post anything under the quote (which has happened before...very weird!) Anyway...OMG, the thought of an All-Marie France podium. That will be truly depressing. But Tanith will like it because she loved H/D's FD today complete w/ all the smouldering angst. I've loved ice dance for the past 20 years or so but all the face grabbing/neck clutching crap turns me off. I don't wanna see a soap opera on ice.

Wow - the looks on the faces of the Shibs both after their FD and then when they learned they were not a three-peat champion team. I wonder what's going on. Their FD had to be changed since the GP finale. Why? I have to confess I was pulling for anyone but H/D to win today (I think their training up in Montreal has brought about a new "attitude", one I don't care for...but that's just IMO). So, although I loved getting to see so much figure skating this long weekend (hey, starting Wednesday night for goodness sakes!!), I'm not all that thrilled with the results (except I knew Nathan would win and rightfully so; hope he wins the Olympic gold next month). Looking forward to the O's (what time will we be getting them? in 2014, I was glued to NBCSN every morning and loving it).

Oh, yeah! It was getting really annoying after a while, hearing those quoted comments, especially coming from Adam Rippon. So y'all won't be satisfied with less than gold at Nationals? I realize they say that stuff to puff themselves up to face their competition (& bolster their nerves), but for goodness sakes, quit allowing the media to quote you with these inane comments. Here's hoping they go with the podium skaters. Other than 2014, I just don't recall any skater substitutes for the Olympic teams (unless an alternate had to fill in due to injury). Did this happen in the past and I just can't remember? And that holier than thou phrase, "body of work" is really getting on my last, very sensitive nerve! P.S. I did really admire Hubbell & Donohue until I saw the unpleasant expressions on their faces when they didn't beat the Shibs in the SD (which reminded me of another ice dancing team's behavior in the past). Go ShibSibs!!!

I hope they send the top three men to the O's. I sure don't want to endure another switcheroo (like in 2014) and have to hear about it, ad nauseum, for the next 8 years. If Adam couldn't pull off a pristeen LP here at Nationals, how will be do it with the world watching in Pyeongchang? At least Ross has a quad now (and let's hope he holds onto it!!)

I make the copycat California Pizza Kitchen chicken tortilla soup which is just like the original. Well, tonight I made Shrimp Curry and it will be the last time I do anything with shrimp. Why the heck can I no longer buy shrimp that doesn't taste like the smell of almost-past-it shrimp? It makes no difference where I buy it or the source (Wegman's, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods...fresh or frozen...Atlantic Ocean or a farm in Belize, etc). What are they doing to the shrimp after catching them??? I've bought shrimp for years and always had good luck but not in the past year or so. Something's going on.

That sure was a mystery to me when I think of all the beautiful musical pieces that have won Oscars over the years. You never hear the music from La La Land on any stations or anywhere else. It just drones on and on w/o a purpose (or a hook!!)

I'm sorry Ashley's skating hasn't been stellar this season but that new LP was, IMO, incredibly boring. The La La Land music isn't memorable (again, IMO)...I doubt anyone would walk out humming any of those tunes. But I'm happy for the ladies who made the podium and hope the three of them go to the O's. Fingers crossed that Mirai holds it together and nails her triple axle in South Korea!!!!!

Great interview. I've always liked D/W. They never took potshots at other teams, just focused on their own efforts. Meryl looks wonderful. Is it a new hairstyle? New make-up? She just looks so much prettier today (maybe not having to work so hard every day at the rink!!)