Icewind's Ramblings: 2007-04-08

Icewind’s Ramblings takes a look at the oddities in life through humor, stories, and observations on the human condition. It can cover almost anything and is seen through the eyes of a Southerner who now lives in Alaska experiencing life from a “far Northern” perspective. Laughter and a smile is the best medicine for the long dark winter nights in this wonderful world.

Southern by Birth, Alaskan by the Grace of God.
Officially billed each year as “The Arctic Man Sno Go Classic” this crazy event in its twenty second year is a combination of downhill skiing and snowmobile racing, a wacky team sport in the wilds of Alaska. It is a week long event where over 13,000 adventurers head out in motorhomes, campers, and rigs (trucks) pulling snowmachines to a narrow gorge in the Hoodoo mountains approximately 200 miles from Anchorage.

The Arctic Man takes place each year close to mile 196 of the Richardson Highway, near Summit Lake, Alaska, and this years is the second week of April. Despite the sometimes extreme cold weather there is a party you have to see to believe.
The Arctic Man is a race for teams of two skilled competitors that tests the strength of an athlete and the horsepower of a snowmobile.

Courage and training are essential elements of this team of snowmobile and skier.

Probably the World's Toughest Downhill Ski race and an exciting snowmobile race, rolled into one event. Truly the ultimate adrenaline rush for spectators and competitors alike.

The last couple of year’s spectators and competitors came from around the nation and Canada to enjoy this spectacular Alaskan event. The snowcapped peaks and the surrounding beauty make this spring event one that you will treasure for a lifetime. Both men and women snowboarders and skiers can take part in their various disciplines and the scenery is breathtaking, making it some of the best snowmobiling country in the world.

And what do these athletes do in The Arctic Man? Well established on the extreme sports calendar, the event’s Friday race is the highlight of a fun packed weekend. The Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic is a race which tests the power of a snowmobile and the strength of the skier being pulled behind.

Besides the crazy fun of this Alaskan sport compared to the other , what makes people want to compete? I guess it is the prize purse beginning at $25,000, and growing with each team entry fee of $900, the racers are more than willing to risk life and limb. I’m hoping that some video footage from this year’s event ends up on YouTube.

The fun of the party . . .

the roar of the engines constantly going . . .

the thousands of snowmachines of the non-competitors heading off into the mountains to cut high marks along any fresh powder . . .

the shear thrill of it all is what makes this a fun and fascinating springtime event each year.
He who laughs last,
thinks slowest.
I’m glad to see the weekend as it’s been a busy week.

It was so busy I did not realize that it was Friday the 13^th until almost the end of my workday. So much for superstitions today.
Ideas are for the weak!

Real thinkers have Observations.
Over the last several days I have observed many ‘out there’ things in this world around us.
Another was called for his comments on the air that took away the ‘moment’ for some women athletes.

It’s about time that a penalty is paid for mistreating our fellow man (or woman).
Now what do we do about all of the rappers and comedians who dish others without anyone calling them out on their words or lyrics?
Several weeks ago I had jury duty and I saw a man with huge ears in the elevator.

I mean he had really huge ears. It reminded me of when I was a child and I wondered if he could fly.

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I saw one full-grown man pinch another full-grown man in the butt.

The former winked and the latter giggled with pleasure. I did not know what to think of that other than its more fodder for the debate on same sex marriages and benefits.
Climbing up the overpass at the Tudor Road exit, I smiled at this lady going my way, except I realized afterwards that I didn't know her at all.

She smiled back and turned the opposite direction.
And lastly, I found out today my brother in law could not pass through Canada on his way to Alaska. Maybe its time the USA closed down our borders for the next couple of years to keep out the riff raff.

It reminds me of the old song/movie from 1965.

I have a sick friend who is part of a gaming Community I play with and over the past several years her condition has gone through the ups and downs of long term diseases . .

. the highs of being more healthy for a short period and the lows of many hospital visits or stays. It is extremely hard on her and her family as the medical community in our country many times fails those who contribute the most to that system.

The countless paperwork and phone calls to hear some lame excuse about what ‘form’ is needed or some other doctors written statement before the needed medicine or treatment is carried out.
It sickens me sometimes that we treat each other this way . .

. people suffer and our system of medicine lacks the help it is supposed to give that most of us pay for each month.
Luckily in our gaming Community there is support and people who care .

. . not just in the virtual world but in our real lives too.

This Community is about Friendship and Love . . .

because many people have the opportunity to express it on our forum boards and my friend has many blessings of knowing how much we care.
I am reminded of my favorite film of all time, Shawshank Redemption.
Here's a film that's worth watching over and over.

It is about Friendship and Hope.
Much like what her thread has become on our gaming forum in the last few weeks. Twenty pages now and still going strong .

. . just shy of 6,000 views now.

Everyone drops by each day or night and continues to keep the fires and the vigil going until she is better. It is her infectious smile and voice on teamspeak that lifts our spirits . .

. like a much anticipated book you return home to quickly browse the pages for the next chapter . .

. we walk this path together with her as friends do.
I had never really given much attention to novels by Stephen King other than The Shining until this movie was released.

It did not do all that well in the limited release in movie theaters at the time but developed an almost cult following in the home market with Blockbuster, Net Flicks, and all of the mom and pops video stores.
The script, the extraordinary acting, the cinematography, the symbolism, the music, everything comes together perfectly in a cinematic experience that moves me every time I see it. The thing that sets this movie apart is the narration throughout the film by Morgan Freeman, who plays Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding.

I could write a lot about this film but I would recommend that you just go watch it if you haven't ever seen it and give it another look if you’ve seen it already. Just remember it is about prison life and it is not all happy times. It's tough and sometimes gritty with some scenes of violence that are pretty gut wrenching, however, the scenes of prison brutality are necessary for the final redemptive pay off at the end.

Stuck up banker Andy DuFresne, played superbly by Tim Robbins, is sent to Shawshank prison for two life terms for murders he didn't commit. While there he is put through hell. He faces the worst kind of corruption, violence, religious hypocrisy and brutality .

. . but through it all he hangs on to hope.

Hope is the theme and Hope is the final word.
In the midst of a world of stone, Andy retains a heart of hope.


One of the best moments for me in this film?

Apart from the overwhelming relief of the twist ending, it's when Andy locks himself in the warden's office and plays a duet from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, then decides to broadcast the music across the prison's courtyard PA. The hardened prisoners' faces light up with wonder and innocent joy. It's unforgettable.

Music is a common denominator throughout the world.

I'm sure that scene will go down as one of the greatest moments in cinema. It not only captures the theme of the whole film in one delicious, everlasting grin of a moment, but it also conveys the inexpressible beauty, poignancy and redemptive quality of music for all humanity.

More than that, the theme of hope is communicated in a way beyond words.
Over the last several weeks we have set up camp to maintain vigil and support as the time passes and the different medical procedures are preformed. We continue our time there checking in frequently for any news or possibly to catch an update from the family.

We stay . . .

and keep the fire burning . . .

and the coffee and doughnuts ready for the weary. The fire burns brightly tonight as the campers enjoy the nice time together getting to know each other or renewing old friendships . .

. Family we are.
In the movie’s closing scene you hear the narration of Morgan Freeman’s character Red, speaking of Friendship and Hope
".

. . I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head.

I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel,
a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. . .

I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. . .

I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. . .

I hope."
The only thing worse than a quitter,
is the man who is afraid to start.
This is Easter weekend and there are so many traditions and events that usually occur this time of year.

One is the kid’s faces waking up on Easter morning and seeing things that brighten their uncomplicated day.
Another is , the special golf tournament founded by Bobby Jones that brings together the world’s best golfers for a trying week of mental exercise played out on one of the world’s most beautiful and trying golf courses.

once said, "Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course, the space between your ears.

"
I enjoy the game . . .

I’m not that good but I do enjoy the time outdoors. It has some great things to teach you about yourself that I always find interesting . .

. how people score themselves . .

. how different people approach taking that shot from 130 yards out from the green . .

. the excitement watching a long put with a good break in the green slowly wind its way into the cup. Sunday at The Masters on eighth hole Rory Sabbatini’s long curving putt.

I have only played a couple of rounds in the 80’s so you can see that I’m not in it for the fame or money . . .

but I have been lucky to hit a hole in one during a business tournament a few years ago when I live in Utah. It was almost anti-climatic as the ball gracefully sailed through the air on line to the pin. It hit in front of the hole and rolled out of sight down onto the lower terrace where the pin was placed.

You could not actually see the hole from the tee box so as we made our way from the tee we looked around for my ball not knowing it had gone into the hole. One of my teammates looked into the hole and found my tee shot had gone in and started yelling for everyone . .

. In that one instant, for me . .

. I had hit my perfect golf shot.
I have been close several other times since but not perfection.

I try to remember what GOLF spelled backwards is so I can stay grounded playing the game.
But it is The Masters Sunday and the weather is great today in Georgia . .

. it is a little cooler than normal but the flowers and smells are probably how I remember them the several times I had the opportunity to watch The Masters live from the gallery and the two times I actually played the course . .

. it was magical . .

. extremely difficult but the history and hallowed ground still sticks with me today after over 20 years since I played there.
Thanks gentleman Bobby for such a wonderful place .

. . Augusta National Golf Club for it’s continued integrity .

. . and a wonderful week in springtime Georgia.

It’s the best.
Now for all of you who watch the television broadcast I can only say that we are probably a lonely bunch, as who watches golf on TV? Who do you know that calls eight friends over and gets a keg of beer (Guinness) to come over to watch golf?

The only ones I can think of would possibly be landscapers. I can see them sitting there around the TV, yelling, "Will you look at that golf path? Pure pea gravel.

" Or screaming at every brought up by the players.

This year’s so far could be anyone’s game . .

. some new names . .

. some old ones fallen by the wayside . .

. and always Tiger . .

. lurking in contention . .

. but not the precise machine of years past. This is probably the greatest ‘holiday’ of the year for people of Christian faith and I will pass along blessings to all for Easter.

I pray that everyone has a wonderful and love-filled day. Hopefully with family if possible but for many . .

. that is not possible so be mindful of our loved ones in other places . .

. and if in harms way, safe.
May all of us be mindful of what Easter truly means - the almost unfathomable blessing that God has granted us through the resurrection of His Son.

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written . . .

"Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, Where is your sting?

" 1 Corinthians 15:54-55
Because Jesus has conquered death and has paid the price for my sins, I no longer need to fear death. May everyone have that same comfort in your own life . .

. Today is a day to celebrate and to proclaim:
Where’s my . .

. that other tradition we celebrate today.