Ice Dance Diaries julia radlick

Taking a break

2009-02-17T12:25:00.000-08:00

We are taking some time off from ice dance. Much to our dismay, life got in the way this year. Combined with job changes and life changes, Jordan and I decided we needed some competitive time off.

It's all well and good, though! We still skate together when we feel up for it and life is going great! I am newly engaged and getting married in 2010! Yeah! Jordan's business is surviving the real estate crash and he is loving his vacation home in Whistler--hitting the slopes as much as he can.

The new news is that my fiance and I are trying to move to Bend, OR so skating will be less and less for Jordan and me. In the meantime, we are enjoying the skating time we do get to spend together and setting goals to learn new CD's. So, competition may be off our plate for now, but that's not to say it won't happen again. Jordan and I are just too competitive to stay out of the game for long!

So this year, we cheer on all the other adult dancers who will be attending Nationals this year! We are so excited that Free Dance has been added to the requirements. I wish I could be there to watch!

We are also excited to watch all the Senior level dancers take on the new Finnstep. What a cool dance!

Thank you to everyone who has cheered us on in competition. We are truly blessed to have such amazing friends and family. We LOVE you!

Julia & Jordan.

I'll get to it. I swear...

2008-04-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

Catching up is so painful.

I will post more images and info. I will. I promise. It's just really slow. I leave my full-time job of 11 years next week and preparing for the big day is wearing on me a bit. I'm a little overwhelmed!

I promise I won't forget to post more from Adult Nationals. Daphne at www.ice-dance.com is still waiting for Championship Dance photos from me too.

Thanks for your patience!

---J

I'm horribly behind!

2008-04-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

So SORRY!
It's been a whirlwind weekend and Jordan and I just returned home to Oregon late last night.

Unfortunately, we were forced to withdraw after the initial rounds of competition, something both of us are heart-broken over. Jordan fell incredibly ill and could barely walk let alone skate. It's been such a hard-luck season for us and honestly, I really didn't feel like blogging after all that happened this weekend.

However, I did continue to shoot lots of images and I will update throughout the week with stories from LP. Even though it ended up being kind of a crummy season for us, we still had a great time in LP.
Plus, it's NOT about what happens to you in life, its about how you REACT to what happens.

Positive thought & Onward to next season!
Stay tuned for updates this week and next!
Until Next Time,
---J

Centennial Dance!

2008-04-10T16:25:00.002-07:00

Sally & Stan Urban are in 1st place. Lauren and Mike are in 2nd and Margaret & Chuck are in 3rd. What fabulous event!
They dance the foxtrot and the Tango today. Lauren and Mike took the orginal route and did the former Tango pattern, putting the mohawk right at center rink. Gorgeous!

Silver and Pre-Gold dance IR's were this afternoon and I took lots of pics, but I ahven't proofed them yet, plus we have practice in about an hour. Tomorrow, Gold and Championship rounds begin, so I'll try to keep posting as much as I can, but forgive me if my events sidetrack me!

Thanks for looking!
---J

Centennial Dance!

2008-04-10T16:25:00.001-07:00

Day One...Competition Begins....

2008-04-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

And we're still blowing off steam! Why? There's no dance today...only freestyle events (but keep scrolling down for LOTS of pics!)
Even without the great Kia and Molly here to keep us organized, we still managed to get the dancers together for the annual Ice Dancers dinner. We went to a great Italian place called Milanos. There were only a few of us, but that's ok. It's hard to do the dinner without the people we know and love who are normally present to enjoy it with us. Teri and Tim are sorely missed, plus Julie and Mike are arriving late. Word got out kind of last minute too, so that made it hard, but we made the best of it!

Of course lunch didn't help much as Lorna and I proceeded to PIG out on brownie sundae (she talked me into it, I swear.)

We drove to Plattsburg early today because it was the only place we could get ICE! Now that the competition has begun, practice ice times have been cut to only 20 minutes and you are only allowed to buy one. Argh!
Check out the line to try and purchase extra ice! Forget that.

Regardless, we managed to buy private ice for 7 dance teams in Plattsburg (thanks to Lorna A.)and we had a great TWO hour practice. It was fabulous.

Not that is mattered to Margaret. She won her Bronze Freesyle event today. National Champ, baby!!!
We are soooo proud of you! CONGRATULATIONS!! She even has a gold dress to mach her medal. Hmmm...psycho-analytical judging influence? Nah! Just Margaret's pure talent!

Ok...so lots of pictures from last night's practice. Please keep in mind, I am not a sports photog. I do portraits. Plus, Ice rinks are challenging to shoot in. Bad light, white ice, dark subjects and fast moving objects---grrr....
So, these aren't the best. I odn't have the great sports lenses needed for this kind of work, but I know the pics are what everyone loves. So here ya go! Enjoy.

Oh and here's Bob, scoping out the competition! Hee!

Oh and last, but not least....Jordan's new red shoes. Aren't they cool?

My partner is so hip.
Until Next Time,
---J

PS Dance competition begins tomorrow. Oooh! I can't wait to take more pics!

3 Olympians...and lil' 'ol me.....

2008-04-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a night.
I got to hang out with three 1980 Lake Placid Olympians--Pairs Champion Michael Bottecelli, Dance Champion Lorna Aldridge and Men's Singles Champion Charlie Tickner.
I can't even BELIEVE it!
And you what was so great? They are so passionate about us adult skaters. Adults! We are not future Olympians. We are not elite athletes. We are working moms, dads....career folk...ordinary people who just happen to love skating.
Michael B said it so well,
"Adult skating is one of the few remaining purest forms of the sport left."
Yes, we do it because we LOVE it. We may make complete idotis out of oursleves, but we don't care. We may flop. We may trip. We may cruise at a snails pace out there. But, who cares? All we really want at the end of this thing called "Adult Nationals?"

We want to FEEL good. We want to FEEL like we skated our best and that all the hard work and goal setting got us somewhere.

How pure is that? And these three people right here, people who are at the top of the sport understand that and revel in it.

This night was one of the best in my "adult" skating life.
Thanks Mike, Lorna and Charlie. You have inspired me beyond what I ever thought I could imagine.

Michael Bottecelli in 1980 at the Olympics:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JPCCWijylsY&feature=related

Lorna Aldridge, then Lorna Wighton at the 1980 LP Oylmpics:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pM6fqEfcq2A

Charlie Tickner:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1AVcwz_jtgI

We are competing on the same ice as these great legends. Wow. How cool is that?
Until Next Time,
---J

P)S. I took TONS of pics of Dance practice tonight, plus video. I'm just too tired to post it all tonight. I'll do it tomorrow. I promise! Goodnight blog world!

Pics, Pups and Perks....

2008-04-08T14:12:00.001-07:00

Lots of pics today!
The Gaultiers looking prepped and ready...

New Pre-bronze team ...the Laura and Beshara.

The beautiful Maragaret who has lost 10 pounds! Doesn't she look divine?

Dancers: waiting to get onto the practice ice session.

The LP Dance Mascot AKA Hercules. I couldn't help but take his picture. Too cute!

So this is what pulled up in front of our condo today. Bob and Marilu in the Mafia Mobile!
Gotta love it!

Bob took Marilu and i to get our nails done. We of course had a blast, however I must admit, my typing has slowed considerably!! They won't stay on long.

Beautiful Marilu!

More to come later tonight. I am still toling with the video I took yesterday. See? I really did shoot video. Bob took the pic to prove it!

Stay Tuned!

Until Next Time,
---J

We Miss You!!!

2008-04-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

Just a quick shout out to the wonderful teams who could not be here this year in dance due to injury.
I receieved this photo from Bob Raemer. It's Molly, Kia, and Lana. Both Molly and Lana were sidelined with yucky injuries and we miss them horribly here at LP. The competition is just not the same without them.

We love you so much and wish you were here!

From Kia:
Training for a whole year: $20,000
airfare, entry fee, etc.,: $3000
Heart break of missing Adult Nationals: $500,000
Picture with a fellow ice dancer also on crutches: PRICELESS

Until Next Time,
---J

Lift-a-matics

2008-04-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

ok....so tonight we had practice from 10:00 pm to 10:45 pm. We worked on our new OD.
We still have the old "culprit" lift (the one we had a serious crash with at Sectionals) in our program.

So, we decide to put it up.
Keep in mind:

1. I enter this left traveling backwards. Jordan forwards.
2. I end up upside down looking at Jordans feet with my legs up in the air.
3. I can VERY CLEARLY see Jordan's feet gliding along the ice.

So, we put it up. Jordan's feet wobble. I hold my breath (remember, bad experiences die hard). He keeps it steady and sets me down.

"Nice save," I say.
"Oh I was strong. Fine for me," he responds.
"But, that one foot wobbled."
"Well then, close your eyes!" He says.

Yeah, right! Upside down with my eyes closed??

NOT!!

LOL. I really do trust him with my life.

Until next time,
---J

First Day....First Page (for Jordan that is!)

2008-04-07T17:10:00.001-07:00

So get this...we slept in until Noon. Yikes!
I guess that just reaffirms what a long day it was yesterday. So, first off today....we went to lunch and guess who we run into?
Cookie "Monster" Man, Jay! I always run into Jay first off every year. His cookies are to die for. He bakes dozens and dozens of them every year and just hands them out to evveryone. LOVE it! The funniest part is he always has boy cookies (with nuts) and girl cookies (without nuts). Hu-lar-i-ous. (oh and that's me with him....He is one tall dude!)

We also ran into Marilu and Bob aagain at lunch. Marilu had her hockey shirt on that all her students signed before she left for Nationals. How awesome is that? Her interpretive program is about the 1980 hockey win here at LP.

Isn't downtown LP just adorable?
Ok so get this---
We (adults) have our VERY OWN logo out there ON the ice! They painted it HUGE in the middle of the 1980 rink. This is where we are competing. OMG! I feel like it's the Olympics or something!
I don't think they've ever done that before. The rink is HUGE. It's Olympic size and has lots of seating as you can see. It's a bit intimidating acutally, but man I think it's going to be really fun.

Of course, everyone is in awe of it and taking pictures just like me.

Of course, while I was doing that....Jordan was one the phone. Working.....bless his heart. This man is a work-a-holic! Maybe that's why he's such a great partner. He's a Type A....just like me! LOL.

Practice was pretty good today. The first one is always a bit shaky. You see all the other teams and the adrenaline starts to rush. I have to say, I adore Lorna Aldridge. That woman is the sweetest and most enthusiastic coach. I wish I could pack her in my suitcase and take her home with me. Thanks Lorna!
Finally, we got around to registering. The registration crew was awesome. Everything is super organized and very efficient. It always amazes me every year how these people manage to keep the hundreds of competitors in check. Kudos to them! Yeah LOC!
We got a neat CD case as a competitor gift, plus a really cool set of ear phones for our Ipods. Love it!

Oh and get this....regarding yesterday's post about Jordan's book? He just waltzed into my room opened the book and wiggled the page. He says,

"Look. I've touched a page!" with his sheepish, you-can't-beat-me grin.

Note to self: Never give that man a challenge. He WILL rise to the occasion. Let's just see if he reads more than ONE page!
Ha!

Until Next Time,
----J

P.S. Lisa, I get the stats from Google Analytics. You have to install it on your blog. It's pretty easy to do and it gives you all kinds of stats about the folks who are visiting your blog.

Carl, We wish you were here! I miss you!

I took video today. Apparently, I'll be able to post it onto the blog, so stay tuned for that. Please leave your comments. I love to read, respond and it makes me want to post more....so keep em coming!

Check out our stats!

2008-04-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

We're getting hits from all over the world! Too cool.

All the coutnries in green have visted our blog in the last couple of weeks. The darker the rgeen, the more hits. Thanks everyone!
---]

13 hours later....

2008-04-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

We're here. Phew!

What a looooong day.

And my skates made it! yeah. There is ALWAYS, EVERY year that small inkling of fear that they won't arrive. But look! The red bag is mine!
Bob and Marilu were on our same flight and it was great having the company.

Please forgive the quality of these images. I simply grabbed my point and shoot for these and used flash. Ah! I know....on camera flash. What a sin. Hey, at least I have pics to post.
Like this one: Me obsessed with making sure my luggage arrived safely.

I prefer to refer to it as an artistic "self" portrait! LOL
Oh and then there's the rental car drama. We got our car, our map, Jordan is there in the background looking quite happy, and we were on our way!

Then, there is Jordan's neverending book saga. And I mean that literally.

This is the book that travels on every trip. It's been to Whistler, BC seven times. Colorado once and now Boston and New York. Has he even begun to read it? No. it just accompanies him! LOL. I bet him today that he won't touch one page while we are here. We'll see....!
Oh and finally check this out:

What is it you ask? It's a cell phone tower diguised as a tree! LOL. There it was right smack in the middle of I-90 in Massachusetts. I laughed so hard I could hardly take the picture. You have to undersatnd, coming from the Northwest, we love our trees. Imitations just don't cut it---even if they are supposed to be cell phone towers.

Come on people! A few more brancehes at least? It would have done so much for it!

We head to the rink to check out the lay of the land tomorrow. I'll report back as much as I can. We have practice at 3 pm. In the meantime, feel free to comment below. I LOVE the feedback and welcome any suggestions and requests for info!
Until Next Time,
---J

8.5 hours until departure...

2008-04-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, so talk about a crazy day: This is how it went down--

1. wake up at 5 am.
2. at work by 5:30 am.
3. on the air until 9 am.
4. head to Safeway to pick up last minute shampoo.
5. head home to pack.
6. finish laundry.
7. file client info.
8. e-mail clients waiting for info.
9. cook Winston's food for next week.
10. pack up Winston's supplies and write up care plan.
11. organize camera gear and clean house.
12. head back to work 2:30 pm.
13. Stop at Verizon store and Mac store.
14. Work until 6:30 pm.
15. Head home for dinner.
16. Load up Winston and take him to Diane's house.
17. Head home.
18. More packing....one suitcase or two?
19. Head back to work pm.
20. Still not done packing!

Flight leaves at 7 am tomorrow and I won't be in bed until 1 am. Go figure.
I'm exhausted. I'm so tired I keep fooling myself into thinking that I'm hungry.

Well, tomorrow will be an even longer day. We land in Boston at 4 pm. Then we pick up a rental car and drive 5 hours to Lake Placid. Why on earth are we flying into Boston, you ask? It's the closest direct flight (little risk of luggage loss), and I'm a freak on an airplane. I readily admit that I HATE to fly. The less I have take off and land, the happier I am. So, one flight only please! The good news is Bob Raemer, our other Portland dance team member is a top notch pilot and on our flight too (you think I didn't plan that?? hee!). He could take the reins of that 737 if he has too. Thank goodness for him! On top of it all, it takes the same number of hours to connect in another city and into Albany, as it does to fly direct to Boston and drive. Lake Placid is pretty far out there.

So, by 10 pm EDT, we should be there. Wow, that's a long day. I plan on doing some serious sleeping in on Monday!

My issue is always what to accomplish on the plane. Normally I take my rhinestones and glue them on my costume. It's mindless, tedious work and makes the time go by faster. This year, it's done already. There's nothing to do! I'm afraid I'm going to be bored out of my mind on a 5 hour flight. Anyone have any suggestions? any good books I should pick up at the airport? Help!

I guess I'll just have to try and sleep. Fat chance.

So, I'm bringing the video camera. Blogger has updated since last years National's blog. I can now upload video to Ice Dance Diaries. Woohoo! Hopefully I'll be able to tape some of the practices and/or performances. Any requests? Post 'em in the comments section!

I may not get a chance to post much tomorrow if I don't have internet access on the road. I'll do my best. If you don't hear from me, we'll see you in LP!

Excuse #6
I'm not READY yet!

Until Next Time,
---J

Another 6 am day...

2008-04-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

This whole "wake-up early" thing....really isn't my thing!
We practiced at 7 am this morning. It's soooo hard to get going that early, however the Gold dance event is that early next Friday so I guess I'd better "practice" it.

Terri was kind enough to work with us again today. She looked at our OD and really liked it. Phew! She said,

"You're skating this a whole lot better than the other OD."

So that's a great sign (hang, on the dog is commanding my attention).
...anyways....everyone we have shown the dance to really thinks it was a good move for us, so we are now much more comfortable with the dramatic change than we were before. Terri has been amazing. She thinks the Paso is better and helped us out a lot with it. The Starlight is still questionable, but isn't it always? That dance needs to be in Gold. The outside edge mohawk on the end pattern after the 3's is just killing me. And then the timing? Oh Lord? Please help me learn to count? It's not that hard really.

1...2...3...1...2....3.....1.......2.............3..........1...2..1...3...2..3...1
Yeah, you get my point.
Tell that to a Preschooler!

I spoke with Kevin today at US Figure Skating about changing our official program component sheet and our OD theme write up, and I think he may have just about had a heart attack when I told him we were switching from Hip-hop funk street dance to an Asian Japanese flower dance. LOL. I have to admit, the reaction from others is probably the most entertaining part about it!

The washing machine in my basement is now in overtime mode. I am a laundry-doing woman! The spin cycle is having an absolute kin-ip-shin on me and the washer just about rattles off its rocker everytime the spin cycle hits (I've been known to rattle off a rocker or two myself....giggle...so I can relate). Yeah, I know. Balance the load, but I'm in a hurry. Who has time for balance? It's also so loud it reminds me of my toepicks during our straightline footwork sequence. Yeah, it's that loud (my toepicks, I mean). LOL. I also have a washer from the dark ages, but hey if it works? Don't fix.

Tonight and tomorrow are packing days. I have to work at KATU Saturday, so I have to make sure everything is in order before Saturday. We leave at the crack of dawn Sunday. We will undoubtedly forget something. So if anyone has any reminders for me, I welcome them!

Basic List:
Skates
Gaurds
Costumes
Tights
Music
Make-up
Hair thingys

Sanity....

Excuse # 9
There's no way I fit it all in my suitcase.

Until Next Time,
----J

It Takes Two....

2008-04-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

Excuse # 11
My partner is being a PITA.

LOL! Ok...so getting and keeping a partner in the adult skating world is like trying to get a Polar Bear to survive the Sahara. It's really hard. So when you find one, you feel blessed. Even though I appreciate my partner so much, he can be a real pain sometimes. However, please note, I can be even WORSE in return. I love Jordan like he is my brother. In fact we have a great relationship and have become quite close over the years. I'll tell him stuff I don't tell ANYONE.

Today, however, I just about wanted to wring his neck. He looooves to find my buttons and PUSH them! LOL. Then, he giggles at me when he knows he's gotten under my skin. Argh! I just want to punch him! Oh but I love him!
Argh!!!

We are a stubborn twosome. It's the way we work, but then we start giggling after a big blow up and laugh about how stupid we are being. Today it was over our circular footwork. It's not an easy sequence and we have now placed it at the very end of the program. To follow the beat of the music or connect with each other even if we end up behind the music when we are tired? Well, we need to do both, but try to telling that to Jordan or getting me to compromise on the issue is like telling that Polar Bear he can't go home! LOL. Ah, to be in a dance partnership! We'll get there eventually. It's the nature of the game.

Our new OD costumes are complete! I am so excited because they look amazing. Up above is a pic of last years costume. We'll be wearing this shindig for the Gold compulsory dances, the Starlight Waltz and the Kilian. Unfortunately, we don't have any pics of our Championship costumes yet because I didn't get a chance to order any at Sectionals before the legendary crash.

So we have our last practice with Leone tomorrow. She is heading out of town, so we'll be flying solo the last few days before we head to LP. The plan is to fly to Boston and then drive to LP. The Boston flight is direct. I do NOT want to risk losing skates and costumes with connecting flights! So we'll drive 5 hours from Boston to LP on Sunday night. It'll be a looong day.
Our first practice is Monday afternoon in the 1932 rink. I can't wait!

Until Next Time,
---J

PS. I forgot the video camera this morning. Sorry. Hey, it was 6 am. My brain doesn't function well that time of day. LOL!

The clock is ticking....

2008-03-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

T minus 6 days until departure....

Wow....we leave soon and I'm not ready! I still need to rhinestone the costumes...chances are....I'll be doing it on the plane like I always do. Nothing like killing a six hour flight with glitter and glamour! Thank goodness the glue is only 4.5 oz. Granted 3 oz is the standard allowed, so I'll have to do some sweet talking with the TSA officials. Rumor has it, we can take our skates on as carry on, but for some reason I just don't trust it. I don't want to end up in Brent Bommentre's situation!

No practice today. Have to work. That's where I am now. Sh! Don't tell anyone (sorry, blond moment). We'll start fresh tomorrow at 7 am. Thank goodness it's at Lloyd Center ice and I won't freeze solid. However, it's also a rink filled with kids in the morning. Not that I mind kids. I LOVE kids. I photograph them for a living! However, they always manage to squeeze themselves right in the path of your impending lift which you end up having to bail out of at the last second, or they plant themselves right in the path of your Paso Doble pattern. They "appear" to be traveling one direction, and then Bam! They switch to another route. Gotta love those kids! They are lucky they are so cute....

New news: We have secured the great Lorna Aldridge to help us at Nationals! I am so excited to work with her. She is amazing and so generous to make herself available to us during the week. We are thrilled. I would go to LP for a week just to work with her let alone for Nationals.

So I have had multiple requests here on the blog for pictures. You'd THINK that since I am a professional photographer that I would have lots of pictures, however it's just like the old saying about the cobbler. His kids don't have shoes! I have no pictures!
Well, here it is.... I promise I will be posting LOTS of images. I'll start by taking the video camera to practice tomorrow. I'm not sure I'll have the guts to actually post what we capture of us, but if you all berate me enough....I could be convinced. Photographers prefer to be behind the camera! LOL.

Excuse # 11

That little girl is standing where we need to put the Paso Doble break-away!

Maybe we should just teach her how to do the dance? Or better yet, let her be there and work around her. She is more important than our silly little dance anyays!
---I'm such a softy for little kids.

Until Next Time,
---J

Practice? With all the other stuff I have to do?

2008-03-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

Ok....so leaving your job, starting a new career, selling your house, moving and trying to keep up with skating practice....it's a little overwhelming at times.
I woke up feeling almost sick this morning from lack of sleep. To get ready for the transistion to my new life, I have basically been working around the clock.
So, I canceled skating practice this morning. I know. I know....bad me. But I need a nap, and Jordan is holding an open house here at my house today and I have to clean. I don't want dozens of strange people seeing my dirty laundry. Gross!
PLus, I have a costume fitting this afternoon and a photography convention tonight with one of the most amazing and world reknowned children's photorgaphers on this earth! Can't wait for that!

Excuse #12.....
There are not enough hours in the day!

Why can't I just function with no sleep? It would make life so much easier to use those hours productively! I think I have "Type A" disease. I can't stop going and going and going and going....

...I'm gone.

Until Next Time,
---J

Look up, Lutz!

2008-03-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

So changing your choreography, your music and your costumes four weeks before the National Championships does not come without its hang ups. We are actually really lucky the music fits as well as it does because we are able to keep several of our elements. It's the linking footwork that has changed the most. And of course, putting it to a different tempo makes all the difference in the world. When you're used to skating it at one tempo and then have to alter to a different beat, it's a bit frustrating.
I fell on my fanny twice today. Hard. It hurt. What's with me and falling lately? I even knocked the wind out of myself again today. The excuse? There was a nice big Lutz hole in the ice and my toe pick caught it (a lutz hole is a large jagged hole in the ice that results from a freestyle skater who jams their toe pick into the ice to launch themselves up into a jump). How boring is that? Wham. I hit the ground. Grrr... No glamor or anything. Just a simple...whack! One minute your up, the next your down. You know it's bad when folks come up to you afterwards and say,

"Wow that looked like it hurt." Ummm... yeah! It did. I feel like a complete moron too! LOL.

Overall? I'm really happy with the new program. Leone is kicking us in the rear to get our heads up and stop looking at the ice.

"What's down there?" she asks.
"Paperclips?"

Funny how the minute your eyes look up, your head comes up and your core stablizes and your knees bend and your center aligns. Hmmmm..... and you skate a WHOLE lot better! Maybe it's just me looking for those darn Lutz holes.

If there's one thing we've really improved upon these last few weeks, it's confidence and presentation. This dance feels like us. We can express it so much easier. We feel like we know what we are doing, even if we don't. Does that make sense? Strange, I know. No one ever did call me normal.

((giggle))

We've been spending a lot of time at Lloyd Center lately and I have to say, the warm rink is really nice! What's even nicer? Skating with Tim and Terri. Terri, of course, is judge-extra-ordinaire, dancer and co-moderator of Ice Dancers Online. She has been invaluable to us in these past weeks. The other morning, she insisted on being late to work so she could help us with our Paso Doble and Starlight Waltz. What awesome tips she gave too. Now all of sudden, the cross rolls on the Paso are MOVING forward! I love it. Jordan is having a ball and realizing that Lloyd Center, as small as it may be, is a pretty hip place to hang out as an ice dancer. Yeah, you have to do your program in pieces because it won't fit across the entire ice. And there are several times when we have been flying across teh diagonal at full speed only to yell,

"Boards!".... and come to screeching halt, but hey. It makes skating more interesting. Certainly more of a contact sport. Ouch. ((giggle)) It's also just nice to have another team on the ice to skate with. Talk about competitive motivation!

We have to thank local judge Becky Post too. She has spent time watching and evaluating as well. To have all of this input in one city is just incredible. The Portland community is so generous, forthright, constructive and positive. Could a dancer ask for a better place to skate? No Way.

We leave for LP in one week. Oh what a week it's going to be.
Stay Tuned.

Until Next Time,
---J

Back to The Big Rink

2008-03-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

I have to say, I've been spoiled the last couple of weeks. We've been practicing at Lloyd Center where the rink is inside a mall. It's nice and warm. That sure feels good at 6 am instead of 30-something degrees. The only issue is that rink is teeny weeny. It's not regulation size.
So, back to Mt. View we go. Time to practice in the big, COLD rink now. I'm supposed to be there at 9:00 am. Can you tell I am procraastinating??? LOL.

Excuse # 16

The rink is too cold!!!

Until Next Time,
---J

Amazing New Costumes

2008-03-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

OK...so since we've decied to change EVERYTHING at the last minute, that means costumes too. Our seamstress, Kathy is truly amazing. In the course of two weeks she has transformed us from hip-hop funk to Asian Sensations! My dress is this gorgeous kimnono style with a bright orange Obi. Our dance marks the arrival of the cherry blossom, so I will be wearing them in my hair. I guess I have to just give a big shout-out to Kathy because she has truly been our advocate, rock and just an all out awesome person to help us at the last minute like this.
Meanwhile, the program is coming along. We still need an ending. We have NO choreography for the ending. It's a bit frustrating because both Jordan and I feel like the ending has to have some pizzaz and make a big imapct.
We've been taking some lessons from other coaches just to get a feel for what we're not doing right and man! What a difference this is making. All of a sudden we are more aware of our feet! Our backs are straighter and we are actually presenting the dance to the audience instead of staring at the ice! LOL.
Well, gotta head to practice,
Until Next Time,
---J

Excuses just don't seem right anymore...

2008-03-23T13:40:00.001-07:00

Life is just not the same without Otis. Rob and I are struggling to make sense of it, accept it and overcome it. It's hard losing your best friend.
Jordan and I did skate today. We are keeping to our practice schedule. It's a good distraction, really. Staying busy helps.
The OD is coming along. We have completely changed it. New music, new choreography, new costumes.
One piece of good news: We put the culprit "lift" from Sectionals back on the ice today. It was smooth as silk.

I miss you, Otis. I love you.

Until Next Time,
---J

The excuse is real today..

2008-03-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

We lost our sweet, dear Otis last night.
We are heartbroken. I wish I could be sure he is ok now.
We love you, hunny. You made our lives incredible. Thanks for giving us so much- for making us laugh and love.
We will miss you so much.

For those of you who own Pugs, please do your research on Pug Dog Encephalitis. It happens so fast and unexpectedly.
Until Next Time,
---J

Excuse # 21

2008-03-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

Do I have one?
Yes.

I have a day JOB!

((giggle))

Excuse #26

2008-03-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

The music player won't play our CD!

How many buttons do we have to push to get that dang thing to work? I think it's time for a replacement (hint, hint).

Until Next Time,
---J

27 days to go....

2008-03-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

Ok....so practice can get pretty tedious and there's nothing like a good excuse to get OUT of doing a program run-through. EVERY skater (and don't let them tell you they haven't tried!)attemtps to get out of doing a run-through now and then because let's face it: It's hard work!

And let's face it: There's always a good (or cheesy) excuse!

So 27 days until we compete, 34 excuses. The count down to U.S Nationals is here. Bring it on! LOL

Excuse #27:

There's lutz holes in the ice. I'll catch a toe pick!

Until Next Time,
---J

So we bombed...

2008-03-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

Sectionals... that is.

We kinda knew it would happen, but oh well. Unfortunately, we took quite the dramatic crash during our Original Dance. I ended up in the hospital. However, I have to point out that we finished the rest of our program! I just kept thinking.... during that pivitol (what seems like slow motion) moment right after you fall and you have to decide if you stay down or get up... if we don't finish, we don't qualify! So we kept going.
The good news....we qualified. We're going to Lake Placid and the National Championships.
The other good news? Nothing's broken. We are just both banged up and bruised. Based on the fact that we were in the middle of a scary, upside-down lift, it could have been much worse. Thankfully it wasn't. And many, many wonderful people were kind enough to help me out afterwards when I wasn't feeling so hot.

So, the BIG news? We're changing our whole program! Yep, four weeks before Nationals and we are changing music, changing costumes, changing everything! Sectionals was a real wake-up call that the music we're skating to now (street dance/hip-hop)doesn't really suit our skating style. And we learned the hard way that you just can't fight that. So, we're changing. Big time. We'll be skating an Asian folk dance to beautiful, soulful music. We love it already. It's a little scary to change things last minute like this, but we also know that if we don't, we won't fare any better at Nationals. And we want to go feeling like we have a chance, and feeling good about how we skate.
So, onward! Practice, practice, practice!

Until Next Time,
---J

Competing in Two hours!

2008-03-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

Holy Cow. It's the Pacific Coast Sectional Championships. This will tell is if we qualify for the National Championships! We are competing two compulsory dances today; the Paso Doble and the Starlight Waltz. There are five teams up against us and the pressure is on.
So, our costumes are complete. There are more than 2000 rhinestones on my Paso Doble dress and we are set to go. Are we prepared? Not really. Do we expect much? Not on your life! I fully expect we may end up in last place, but do I care? NO! What a blast this is! I love the nerves, the excitement, the TENSION......

OoooH! So fun. Anyways it's great to see all of our Adult competitor friends again.
So, wish us luck! I'll report back on the results and have pix tonight or tomorrow.

Yeeeha! We have officially kicked off the Adult National Qualifying season! Somebody help us! LOL.

See ya later!
---J

Celebration!

2008-02-10T09:56:00.001-08:00

So, every year Diane and Bob kick off the competitive season with a Pre-Nationals party. This year, it started early! LOL. All the competing dancers from Portland hang out and have fun. We all stress over the fact that our programs are not ready and we gab about going to the US Nationals destination city. This year, it's in Lake Placid, NY. We get to compete on the 1980 rink where the US HOckey team won the Olympics. Too cool! I just bought the plane tickets this week. Hoepfully, we'll qualify!
Here are some pics form the party.

Until Next Time,
---J

I'm a bad blogger....

2008-01-13T20:23:00.000-08:00

I have been neglecting this blog haven't i?
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Ok, you can stone me now.
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I promise to update more. Jordan and i are in FULL training for Pacific Coast Sectional Championships which will be held right HERE in Sherwood! March 8-9th 2008!!! We are entered, and competing. Will we be ready? Who knows? We're working on that.
Life is very busy right now. I am selling my house, moving across town and looking for studio space for my portrait photography business. It's quite the whirlwind at the moment. We have increased our training time to four days a week and the program is completely choreographed. Now it's just a matter of connecting it all and making it look good on the ice. Not an easy feat!

We'll keep working on it.
Until Next Time,
---J

Just some old pics...

2007-10-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

From Nationals this year. We were in Chicago. That's Sears Tower.
Jordan couldn't lift me that high. Bummer.

Maybe I'll have to find a new partner. ((giggle)

Until Next time,
---J

Circular Footwork

2007-09-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

Ok...so we are deep into choreography. We have to do several required elements, one of which is our circular footwork. The footwork is a series of intricate steps and turns performed on a circle. Both partners have to turn individually and as a team...and in both directions while maintaining the circle shape which extends between the edges of the arena. The partners cannot lose their hold with one another and the edges must be deep and flowing.

Here is me and my coach....JUST setting and learning the footwork sequence. It sucks here, but at least we've got some steps in the works. It will be moving to the music at about two to three times this speed.

I told you we got a video camera!!!!

2007-09-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

Ok...here we are:

This is our "Shoot the Duck" goof off (remember my old post?)!!!

We are still trying ot figure it out at first, then...we get it! Notice how we undeniably CRASH at the end!???

Yes, that is ME squealing in the background!
I Love this video blogger thang!!!
Until Next Time,
---J

What not to do....

2007-08-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

Yikes!!!

Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt!
Oh and no, I have not forgotten about the video thing. Still working on it.
Until Next Time,
----J

We Got A Video Camera

2007-08-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, I realize this post is WORTHLESS without PICS!!
Sorry, but the fun .....news is we got a new video camera to tape our workouts and memorize our choreography. It's a great help to tape the compulsory dances and then watch yourself and critique your performance.
The point of this post? Yes, I will eventaully be posting video chronicles of our progress! Please be forgiving as we really stink right now and it may be a bit embarrassing at times to post, but the hope is that we'll be able to track our training and actually see improvement! That's the hope at least!

We don't practice again until next week, so MAYBE I'll post a video next week when I can figure out how to upload to YouTube!!

Until Next Time,
---J

On Our Fannies...

2007-08-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

So Jordan and I spent most of practice today...on our butts! We are determined to do this cool, special move in what's called a "shoot the duck" position. All you skater folks know exactly what that means, as it is a move you learn right off the bat when you are a kid, but as an adult it's a bit more challenging!

Basically, you glide on one foot and then slowly sink down on that skating foot as you pull the free foot out in front of you parallel to the ice. You end up gliding on one foot in a very low sitting positon across the ice. Hard! It's hard to balance. It's hard to keep your skating blade from wobbling. It's hard everything. And don't even begin to tell me about trying to rise up out of it! Argh!

Anyway we are doing it, and today we managed to do it opposite one another (me gliding backwards, Jordan forwards) and hanging on to one another. Whao! That was COOL! Although we did it so much and landed on our butts so much, I have many bruises tonight and my pants were soaking wet by the time we were done. With "shoot the duck," it's pretty much a given that you will land on your fanny a lot. :o)

We start formal choreogrpahy training next week! Music is cut. Footwork is done. Spin is picked and lifts are picked. Now we just need to get it all into 2:30 min!

Until Next Time,
---J

We have music!!!

2007-07-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

So I have been crazy busy lately with my new business. Sorry to be slacking in the posts! Here's what I have been doing: www.jewel-images.com It's my new portrait photography business! It has kicked into high gear and my clients are taking a lot of my time!

But not so much that I can't skate or decide on music for next years Orginial Dance.
So after weeks and weeks of hunting we have decided on.....(drumroll please)
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Street Dance!
Holy cow! We are going to be hip-hopping, locking and popping on ice! What a departure from the norm huh? We are skating to Usher's "Yeah!" and Eminem "Lose yourself". Woa!

Well, The ISU defined street dance as folk music, so we picked it! Check out wikpedia's definition:

And of course the ISU communique(see page 3):

"The arrangement of the chosen music should give a genuine feel for folk/country dance. It should be very distant from the feeling of the Grand Ballroom. Examples include: Village, Square, Street, Barn dance, Hoedown, Mazurka, Polka, Tarantella, Hula, Hora, Csardas, Kalinka, Gapak, Gipsy, Syrtaky, Scottish, Irish, Jig, Reel, Guajira, Cumbia, Jarabe, Fandango, Aborigines Dance, Chinese minorities dances, Lesginka, Country Waltz, Flamenco etc.
Tango is not included in the above mentioned Folk /Country dances as it was the rhythm used in the previous season.
The folk/country dance character and style must be translated to the ice by flow and use of edges.
Vocal music is permitted. Variations of tempo within one selection of music are permitted. Each selection of music may have different tempo."

We are so excited and really hope this well challenge us as dancers and really get us working harder on the ice. Our coach Anthony Darnell is perfect for this type of choreography and we can't wait to start learning the new moves!

Until Next Time,
---J

Local Competition in 2 weeks!

2007-06-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted. Sorry....
I've been on vacation for the last 10 days and been out of town. Needless to say, Jordan and I are competing in the Ice Spalding Classic June 15th! It's a local competition here in Portland. We will be competing next year's compulsory dances; The Starlight Waltz and the Paso Doble. We've only been working on the dances for about a month and a half, so we'll be really rusty, but we're going to do it! It will be practice, practice, practice for the next two weeks straight! Some of the other local teams from around the area are joining in too. It should be pretty fun. The plan is to compete July 4th weekend at the Portland Ice Classic, but we'll see how we do in two weeks. The goal is to compete a lot MORE this year! It's hard to fit it all in with work schedules and life taking over. That's the plight of an adult figure skater!

Until Next Time,
---J

Holy Sheep! We're In The Paper!

2007-04-24T16:28:00.000-07:00

So the Columbian Daily News came out today, and right there on the front page of the Sports section was a HUGE picture of me and Jordan. Whoa! That is soooo cool!

The photo was taken by Columbian Photographer Janet L. Mathews.
Paul Danzer, sports writer for the Columbian, wrote a geat article on all five dance teams who arrived home from Chicago with medals. It was so touching and we are all tickled!
Here's the link: See The Story

The article took up half the front page of the sports section and half the back page as well and included four great pictures. Thanks Paul!
Just goes to show...it doesn't matter how old you are. You CAN start and be somewhat successful in a competitive sport when your all grown up!

Until Next Time,
---J

We are so blessed...

2007-04-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

Reflecting on this last season tonight, I was inspired to write a new entry. The topic: Gratitude.

Thanks....

Thanks to our family and our friends. You know who you are and I hope you know how much Jordan and I appreiate all you do for us.
I was reading all the comments you have all left on our website. Some of them made me giggle and laugh. Others made me nostaligic and one of them even made me tear up. Some of them came from people we met long ago and lost touch with. Others have come from nephews, nieces and friends from far away. Some of them are co-workers and fellow competitors.
Even though I DON'T know many of you personally, I want to tell you how much your support means to us. I am touched that people who have never even met me can still take the time to write well wishes and good luck notes. It amazes me that you are willing to do so, and that you think so highly of Jordan and I as a team.

It means so much to us and we are so grateful.
So, thank you to everyone out there.... known and unknown.

You are in our hearts with humbleness and gratitude.

---J

Folk Music???

2007-04-17T22:04:00.000-07:00

It's back to the grind. Time to focus on the year ahead. That means finding music.

Key word: FINDING.

The ISU has set next year's Original Dance rythm to Folk/Country music.
Folk-slash-Country?? What on earth is that?
That's not even traditional ballroom!

Well, apparently it's "root" music---music that reflects the "roots" of a culture or country.
I have now spent several hours trying to find decent, dance-able folk music. It's challenging to say the least. Not that folk music isn't dance-able. Atfer all, that's what it was designed for. But it was designed to be danced very fast on a FLOOR! Trying to transfer that to ice is well, challenging to say the least! LOL.

I have a few ideas that aren't too bad, but I'm still looking for more. If you know of any good folk/country music or sources of it(it can be from any country in the world), let me know....
I'm killin' myself here!

Help?

Until Next Time,
---J

Nationals Blog!

2007-04-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

PLEASE SEE LINK BELOW FOR UPDATES FROM FRI April 6th -SUN April 15th.

Ok so I'm really going Gung-Ho on this blogging thing. I have created a new one JUST for the 2007 US Adult National Championships! I'm bringing my laptop and my Nikon D80 with me to Chicago, so it will be lots of pictures and lots of fun!
Get a Behind-The-Scenes look at this years competition! Check it out while we're there!

http://adultnationals2007.blogspot.com

In the meantime, I'm still putting hundreds of rhinestones on my dresses. They're starting to look pretty cool! The skates are sharpened and I've started to pack. We have one more practice tomorrow before it's off to the races!

Until Next Time,
---J

Sick.....Ugh!

2007-04-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

Jordan and I are both sick. He's got it worse than I do, but why now?
Poor guy. His voice is off...he's exhausted. We can't practice and we leave in FIVE days! Hopefully, tomorrow will be a different day.

On a lighter note....the Columbian Newspaper out of Vancouver,WA wants to do a story on the five teams heading to Nationals from our area. Yippee! I know. I know. I'm on TV everyday. Why do I care? Cause it's the NEWSpaper! So cool....
Alas, the grass is always greener, right?

Tonight, is rhinestoning night. I plan to put the equivalent of about 2000 rhinsstones on my costume before we compete. Yikes. I have a lot of work to do. I may be doing it on the plane as we fly to Chicago. I'll post before and after pics...just for kicks and grins!

Until Next Time,
---J

Sharpen, Wax, Tape...

2007-03-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

So...we leave in a week. Now it's time to get everything organized and ready to go which means doing SOMETHING with these....

They are a mess. I haven't sharpened them in almost 6 months (I know. I know. I'm terrible at taking care of my equippment)! The leather is torn and scratched (because Jordan and I constantly knick each other)and my laces are ripped in some spots. Plus, the heels and soles need to be waxed so water doesn't invade and hurt my boots. The tongues are broken down...basically, they're a mess. But I LIKE THEM THAT WAY!
Unfortunately, judges do not. They may be more comfortable to me, but they're yucky looking. Sooo in comes this lady....

Camera shy Vicki Zander! BTW, I took these with my phone, so forgive how crappy the photos are. Vicki is skate expert extraordinaire and saves my butt every time. She is now in the process of frantically sharpening my skates so that they will cut your finger like a razor blade if your run your skin across them. It's important for her to do it now because I have to skate on them a few days before we actually compete. They are REALLY sharp when you first use them and it makes you catch weird edges like crazy. Not what we want when we have to go out there and give it our best!

So, Vicki is sharpening away, waxing my soles, replacing the fleece on my tongues and making them look somewhat white again! Vicki....just about ROCKS the world! I couldn't do what I do without her. Thanks V!

Unitl Next Time,
-J

Steppin' It Up!

2007-03-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

We did TWO back-to-back run throughs of our OD today! Wooohoo! And get this....the second one was better than the first! My on-going gallactic battles with lactic acid and asthma are gradually coming to an end! We're still struggling with speed issues, but overall...HUGE improvement from last week. We finished our introductory steps to the Quickstep and the Argentine Tango which are the compulsory dances we have to do (it's the first round of competition), so that's another hurdle we have overcome. Yeah! For those you who are not linearly challenged ...here's what the steps look like on the ice. Yeah, I know....it's certainly not the English language!

Just for reference: LFO means "Left, Forward, Outside" (it refers to: the foot your on, the direction your going, and the edge your skating on.)

Argentine Lady's Steps:

Quickstep Both Partners:

Until Next Time,

--J

Two Weeks to Go....

2007-03-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

We leave in two weeks for Chicago and the countdown is really ON!
We are now on the ice at least 10 hours a week...and it's coming down to the wire.

We are doing complete run-throughs of the program, but it's not consisitent yet. I get really tired by the time two minutes rolls around and the last 30 seconds of the program is sooo challenging! Not to mention our coach is demamding more SPEED!
SPEED! FLOW! COVER THE ICE! All he does during our run-throughs is yell, "BREATHE!!!"

And yes, we have crashed a lot this week. I now, officially, have a bruised butt. Probably a little too much 411 there, but hey. It is bruised and it hurts! Both Jordan and I have lacerations on our calves. The Tango OD requires us to do a lot of leg locking and we keep knicking each other with our blades. OUCH! Oh and I whacked Jordan in the head the other day when I twizzled...oops!

The last lift is getting better. I can now get Jordan off of the ice pretty easily. Yeah! Strong woman! Yes, I DO lift HIM in this program (see pic below). The hard part is.....that lift is at the END of the program....during that critical last 30 seconds when I'm so winded and so much lactic acid is running through my body it feels like the incredible hulk has his hands compressed around my chest. The picture directly below here? That's the first lift in the program ...and no the camera is not fooling you. I AM upside DOWN!

Until Next Time...
--J

We Did it!

2007-03-18T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally put our Original Dance on the ice in front of an audience. It was rough, but we did it! I'm pleased that we actually got through the thing without eating it! LOL
It's a fairly hard program and we got good comments, but it does need some mileage. That's what we plan on doing for the next three weeks before heading off to Chicago!

The exhibition was all part of SCORE's (Skating Club of Oregon) Nationals send off party. The club hosted a full blown shindig for us! It was so great! Jordan and I just love our club. SCORE's support is undeniably generous and inspiring. Thanks Everyone! Pictured here are Lauren Zell, Jordan, myself and Bob Raemer. We along with six other skaters form Portland will be heading to US Adult National Championships in three weeks! It's so close!
(Thanks to Diane Adkin for all these great pictures!)

Preparing Practice. Huh?

2007-03-10T20:19:00.000-08:00

Jordan and I are frantically preparing for Nationals. We are very behind and were a little concerned, but this week was great! For those of you who don't know...injuries have plagued us this year. We have only been on the ice since mid February after 3 months off! We did our first program run through Friday and even managed to put in a few elements with it too! We are exhibiting the program next weekend at Lloyd Center. It probably won't be that great, but it's pushing us to get ready. That's for sure. The feed back has been good as well. Lots of: "It's so dramatic!" ....and "Oh the expression you have!" Hopefully , they aren't just saying that to be nice. You know how it is....
I ordered the Rhinestones for my costume last week. They cost twice as much as the dress!! Agh! I'll be frantically be-jeweling away this week before the exhibition. It's going to be gorgeous, though. A little re-vealing, but hey? What's dance for anyway, other than the great costumes, right? LOL!
Thanks to our seamstress Kathy Duvall for her fabulous work. She truly is amazing. I'll try to post some pics next week. Here's one from last year...just for peeps and grins!

Kicking off 2007

2007-03-01T15:56:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I know. It's March, but so what! Welcome to our new blog!
We also have a new web site design thanks to Daphne Backman and www.ice-dance.com.
Thank You Daphne! Check it out at http://radlick-johnson.ice-dance.com

Jordan and I have been through a lot the last few months and are really trying hard to get to US Nationals this year. We have been through injuries (I tore a ligament in my lower back. Jordan broke his foot), work problems and house issues (Jordan's house has flooded several times this winter), but we will prevail! We love our Tango OD this year and we are really excited to perform it. There is nothing like the power of positive thinking.
We're doing an exhibition trial run for the OD at Lloyd Center Ice rink here in Portland. It may not be pretty, but we'll get through it! All in all this year, we have FIVE ice dance teams heading to Adult Nationals this year. Wow! That's a record. All of us will be exhibiting Saturday March 17th and we hope you can make it.

Thanks to the Skating Club of Oregon for their continued and undying support of adult skating and we hope we can represent the Northwest in a way that makes everyone proud!