Medal Ceremonies

Wierdest thing.  The first time I tried to post this morning's blog, my menu indicated a blog was already posted for today.  Impossible, I say.  I've been sound asleep.  Not a single ray of light shinning anywhere in my house.  It's a good thing the Olympics are coming to an end.  This sleep deprivation is beginning to take its toll!

C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S 

YOU MADE IT!

We started the decathlon with 21 decathletes.  

Two weeks and ten events later, we finished with 9 creative, competitive, and tenacious participants.

Create - a - Caption

ChampionCHIP Bake-off

Lunch With Yin and Yang

Feng Shui This

Boggles The Mind

Name That Tune

The Incredible Edible Discus

Bullseye

A Big Haiku To You

Record Time

Join me in congratulating the decathletes on their success and in thanking them for letting us watch their friendly competition.  It was truly fun. 

Special Congratulations

to our ...

Highlowaha

DECATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Cheryl

Gold Medal Winner - 38.9 points

Cassie

Silver Medal Winner - 47.4

Peggy

Bronze Medal Winner - 52.6

Medal winners, your packages will either be delivered or mailed this weekend

Congratulations, Treye who won our Haiku competition.  

(Your patch is on the way)

OVERALL DECATHLETE STANDINGS

Heather 53.3

Kat 55.5

Tera 59.6

Julie 62.1

AZLori 62.6

Brian 77.9

And, a heartfelt congratulations to the other decathlon winner, Bryan Clay, an AMERICAN who won by the biggest margin since the 1972 Munich Games (and is only the second American to win since 1976).  Cheryl, you are in good company!

Resting up and signing off until Monday...

Decathlon Day #10: Record Time

The ChampionCHIP Bake-off had me up later than normal.  The lack of sleep is my excuse for any and all typos you find today.  

You will be happy to know the treats were a hit  and judges left feeling sufficiently guilty about all the calories they consumed.  Ballots are in and votes have been tallied.  The results from Bullseye and the ChampionCHIP Bake-off have been calculated and are posted below.  Points from Haiku You and today's event will be tallied and then factored into the decathletes final scores.  The winner of the gold, silver, and bronze medals will be announced tomorrow.

 Congratulations in advance to all the decathletes who were able to stick it out and make it to the final day.  I realize, in retrospect, what a big commitment this has been on your part.  I thank everyone for indulging me and participating - whether it be as a decathlete or a spectator.  Brian, a special note to you.  Your cookies did not arrive in the mail yesterday, so you did not have an entry for the ChampionCHIP Bake-off.  I am keeping on the decathlete roster, hoping your cookies show up today.  If so, I will keep you in the decathlon, but I will have to assign you nine points (total number of decathletes still standing).  

Announcements and Decathlon Standings at the end.  

Now onto today's big event.  

Highlowaha.com

D*E*C*A*T*H*L*O*N

Day # 10

1500 Meters, Record Time

Today's event is about stamina.  Just like the decathletes who, after competing vigorously in 9 other events, must dig deep to compete in a 1500 meter run - so too must you dig deep.

Today is not so much about running 1500 meters in record time.  No.  This day is about re-cording time (long e, not short).  Fifteen times during the course of this day, decathletes must arrange to make a post in the comment section of Highlowaha.  Details below.

Each decathlete begins with 15 points (think of them as hurdles).  Your goal is to "clear" as many hurdles as possible.  Each time you "clear" a hurdle you LOSE a point.  Clear all fifteen hurdles and end the day with zero points added to your final score.  

Now the big question?  How do you "clear" a hurdle?  Decathletes clear a hurdle by making a post in the comment section of today's blog, between the hour and the fifteen minute mark.  Here's what this will look like.  Sally Jane (a good neutral name) might make her first post at 7:10 (remember, posts must be within the first 15 minutes of the hour - in this case the 7:00 hour).  Sally Jane might make a second post at 8:07; then 9:12; 10:04; 11: 13; 12:00; 1:02; and on and on until she has made her fifteenth post.

What should your post say?  Your post should indicate where you are and what you are doing at that moment.  This way, we get to learn more about how many of you spend your days.

Hopefully that is clear.  One post per hour, between the hour and the fifteen minute mark, for 15 hours.  Hurdles can be cleared between 7:00 a.m. and midnight YOUR local time (this will level the playing field for AZLori who's on the west coast)!

Good luck and see you on the other side.

Unsportsmen-Like Trivia Question of the Day:

Olympic athlete, Rogers, spent five figures and one and a half years building what in his backyard?

  

Announcements:

Bullseye: Julie did, in fact, find a Montanan to post during yesterday's challenge.  Alice S., her native Montanan, is not computer savvy enough to know how to make a post on a blog, but she did send an email.  As someone who understands computer illiteracy FIRST HAND, I have decided to count Alice's submission. 

Helping Hand:  Votes are in and we are just waiting to hear from our fearless leaders about (1) the outcome and (2) next steps.

Reading Raynbows: Don't forget to check in with today's Book Club discussion, based on Pausch's book, The Last Lecture.

Decathlon Standings After Bullseye Event:

Cheryl: 27.2

Cassie: 33.1

Heather: 41.3

Peggy: 43.1

Tera: 47.3

Kat: 47.5

Julie: 49.6

AZLori: 51.1

Brian: 52.9

Decathlon Standings After ChampionCHIP Bake-off

Congratulations to our winner, CASSIE (with her yummy chocolate eclairs)

Cheryl: 32.9

Cassie: 35.4

Heather: 47.6

Peggy: 48.9

Kat: 50.5

Tera: 51.6

Julie: 55.1

AZLori: 55.9

Brian: I will keep you on the roster, assuming your cookies will arrive today.  

Signing off until tomorrow... 

Decathlon Day #9: A Big Haiku to You!

Welcome to another busy day on Highlowaha.com. We have a decathlon to get to, but first some fun announcements. Decathlon Standings and other important announcements are at the end.

Welcome MONTANA!!! It took you half a year to find us, but now that you've arrived we fully expect you'll be great and contributing members. You entered our community in the middle of a ten day Decathlon, but stick with us because starting Monday we'll return to our more traditional exchange of creative ideas. IN THE MEANTIME... let us know you're out there today, by posting a comment (maybe even a word of encouragement for the decathlete you helped yesterday). Be the first "Montanan" (is that right) to post and receive a highlowaha treat in the mail.

North Dakota AND South Dakota also logged on yesterday! These are two states we don't hear from frequently. Do you think they were jealous of all the attention Montana was getting? No worries ND and SD. There's plenty of highlowaha love to go around. Welcome to you too!

Ashlee, Lori, Julie, Tera, Kat, Peggy, and Cheryl... rest easy knowing your entry for the ChampionCHIP bake-off is safe and sound and in my possession. Cassie, Heather, and Brian... I'm waiting with baited breath. A special note to Julie. You make me laugh! Julie baked a cake and LITERALLY slipped it in a post office box to be delivered... from PENNSYLVANIA! To satisfy your curiosity. Your cake made it, though I think it is safe to say... not in the original state you mailed it. Taste prevails, however, so all hope is definitely not lost. Now to the business of the day!

Highlowaha.com
D*E*C*A*T*H*L*O*N
Day #9
Haiku

To date we've tested you creativity through humor, baking, innovation, word-smithing, music, crafts, problem-solving, and today... POETRY.

We will honor the Asian culture today by challenging Highlowaha readers and decathletes to craft a haiku - a Japanese form of poetry. I consulted a syllabus found on-line to brush up on my understanding of haikus and to find an explanation more coherent than anything I could present. Here goes...

"Haiku is a poetic form and type of poetry from the Japanese culture. Haiku combines form, content, and language in a meaningful, yet compact form. Haiku poets, which you will soon be, write about everyday things. Many themes include nature, feelings, or experiences. Usually they use simple words and grammar. The most common form for Haiku is three short lines. The first line usually contains five (5) syllables, the second line seven (7) syllables, and the third line contains five (5) syllables. Haiku - to put the poems meaning and imagery in the readers's mind in only 17 syllables over just three lines of poetry!"

An example...

The Rainbow
Curving up, then down.
Meeting blue sky and green earth
Melding sun and rain.

Your task... create your own haiku about a high, low, or aha. Submit by posting in the comment section before 10:00 p.m. today.

Unsportsmen-Like Trivia Question of the Day:
While diver, Laura Wilkinson's, coach blamed her right tricep for early semi final struggles, Laura attributed her struggles to which other part of her body?

Announcements:

• Farewell to Stacie: It was particularly hard to watch Stacie bow out of the Decathlon yesterday. She's been a strong competitor from the beginning, sitting in either gold or silver medal contention all along. Thanks for being such a strong competitor, Stacie.
  
• Note to Decathletes: Tomorrow is the last day of our decathlon. Rise and shine early to make the most of your time.
  
• Calling All Readers: Remember, you can compete in an event even though you are NOT competing in the decathlon (to be a decathlete you have to compete in all 10 events). Event winners receive a winning patch for your patchwork jeans or jacket. Want to know more about Patchwork? Check out the blog from August 7.
  
• Reading Ray: Thanks to readers Julie and Melanie, we'll continue discussion on Pausch's book, The Last Lecture, this Friday. Just click on Reading Raynbow's (top right hand side of my page) to learn more.
  
• Helping Hand: Votes are in and soon we will learn from Sue, Brian, and Maureen what the upshot will be for our holiday service project. Toni challenged us today to THINK BIG about our ability to have broad-based impact.

Decathlon Standings
Congratulations to Peggy for winning first place on The Incredible Edible Discus Challenge. Competing against Peggy in this challenge was, in some ways, was like going up against Bobby Flay in a Food Network Throw Down. Cheryl, you lost by only .5. Congratulations, Peggy! Another patch is on its way to you.

New Standings:
Cheryl 26.2
Cassie: 32.1
Heather: 40.3
Peggy: 42.1
Brian: 43.9
Tera: 46.3
Kat: 46.5
Julie: 48.6
AZLori: 50.1

Signing off until tomorrow...

Bullseye

Decathlon Standings and Announcements at the end...

A moment of recognition for a fun and important fact. Today is HALF WAY through the year of posts for Highlowaha. That means for all the fun we've had, we still have that much ahead of us! Good news, I know. Now onto today's Olympic events.

Highlowaha.com
D*E*C*A*T*H*L*O*N
Day #8
Bullseye

Today we pay tribute to the Javelin - the art of throwing a spear-like instrument with the intent of having it land point down... and in a particular location. Our Javelin Throw will be virtual. We too will take a pass at having our "spear" land point down and in a particular location.

Today we will test how creative and resourceful you are. Creative because you must develop a sales pitch, compelling enough to recruit a new visitor to our highlowaha community. Resourceful because the new visitor must come from a particular state in the country. It is the ONE state for which - half way through the year - we have NEVER had a single visitor.

When you're done rolling your eyes, focus on this bit of reason. We are ALL somehow connected to a group larger and more expansive than accessed in an average day. You are bound to people in other states whether it be by a professional association, a national soccer league, the National Parent Teacher Association, an organizational like Girl Scouts or Cub Scouts, a web-site, an alumni association, or a religious network.

This event, late in the decathlon, will undoubtedly build suspense... as it is the only "all or nothing" event in the series. You will earn an ideal 1 point for successfully having a resident of the state make a comment on today's post. If you are unable to have a resident of the state post a comment, 10 points (the total number of decathletes still standing) will be added to your score. IN ADDITION, you must send me an email telling me from which city in the state your resident will be posting.

How will I know? My trusty Googleanalytics program tracks daily the locations from where our highlowaha readers are coming. As residents of this state post on your behalf, I can cross reference Googleanalytics for their locations. Or, I can rely on what I know is a strong sense of ethics shared by our extraordinary readership and know you wouldn't compromise your integrity for something meant to be fun.

I'll warm your brains up this morning by letting you unscramble the letters to determine which state will be today's object of attention.

O*T*N*M*A*A*N

The Unsportsmen-like Trivia Question of the Day:
What was notable about the kite strings shown in the special interest story covered by Mary Carillo? Also, anybody want to take a guess at what was said to Nastia by the man presenting her with the silver medal for her bar routine? I'm dying to know.

• Decathlon Standings: Congratulations to HEATHER, our winner of Monday's event - Name That Tune. Standings as of last night.

Cheryl: 23.4
Stacie: 25.1
Cassie: 27.3
Heather: 32.5
Brian: 37.4
Kat: 39.7
Peggy: 39.8
Julie: 40.8
Tera: 42.3
AZLori: 44.3

• Make Your Mark: Knock, knock, who's there? No one!
• Olympic Correspondents: Don't forget to check out Amy and Alden's daily Olympic post. If you've been following their travels, you know how much fun they are having and what a knack they have for sharing their experience with us.

The Incredible Edible Discus

Highlowaha.com

D*E*C*A*T*H*L*O*N

Day #7

The Incredible Edible Discus

The seventh event of the Decathlon is the Discus Throw.  The event is designed to test an athlete's arm strength, by requiring him to throw - with accuracy - a disc weighing 4 pounds, 7 ounces.

Yadda, yadda, yadda.  That's all well and good, but we're not about sheer strength of body.  No.  No.  We are creathletes... as concerned about the strength of mind and creativity as we are about strength of body.  Yes, we want be strong and healthy, but primarily so we can execute on the countless number of creative ideas generated here at highlowaha.

So I'll test arm strength and raise those decathletes... imagination.

Today's event...

Flex those scissor cutting biceps and forearms.  Stretch those glue applying triceps. And, get ready to prepare for National Cream Filled Donut Day.  Your task is to design - inside and out - a greeting card to be presented to a fellow highlowaha reader on Sunday, September 14.  Cards will be judged not only on design, but also on the quality of caption inside.

You will do two things with the cards.  First, scan and email me the front of your card, along with the caption (by 10:00 p.m., as usual).  Second.  Mail the hard copy of your card to me at Claudia Beeny, 4012 Harvestwood Court, Grapevine, Texas, 76051.  Cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, August 20.

Un-Sportsmen-Like Trivia Question of the Day:

What unexpected fan was spotted in the stands watching Nastia perform her uneven bar routine?

Announcements:

• Christmas Service Project:  Sue, Maureen, and Brian are closing voting booths at end of day today.  Go to top right hand side of my blog and click on Helping Hand.  Cast a quick vote, by posting, to let them know if you would prefer to collect items for an agency or a family.  We must make our final decision this week.
  
• Make Your Mark: Today I mailed 75 postcards soliciting teacher stories from friends and family.  Have you written yours yet?
  

    9 sold packages; 91 more to go!

   Have you mailed your story yet?

Signing off until tomorrow...

Name That Tune

Decathlon standings and other announcements at the end... except this one...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM.  I LOVE YOU!!!

What an exciting weekend of Olympic activity!  My family and I went to a dinner party on Saturday night, but we were home and perfectly positioned in front of our t.v. by 9:55 when Phelps made history by winning his eighth gold medal of the games.

We had a big week on Highlowaha last week, launching our very own Olympics chock full of challenge and creativity.  We kicked the week off testing wit, by having readers complete a caption-less cartoon.  Tuesday we introduced the ChampionCHIP bake-off (to be judged THIS Thursday).  Wednesday you worked with Yin and Yang to invent a craft project; Thursday we tested principles of Feng Shui by creating something from a toilet paper roll; and Friday our ability to get creative with letters was tested as you readers competed in an Olympic game of Boggle.  Things will heat up this week as we try to find out exactly how creative, resourceful, and tenacious our readers really are.  Hopefully all of you - especially our Highlowaha decathletes - are rested up and ready to compete in another fun-filled week.

Highlowaha.com

D*E*C*A*T*H*L*O*N

Day #6

Name That Tune

Today we will test your creativity with music and lyrics.  I'm in the market for a Highlowaha jingle and I believe you can help.

Using the tune from the Beach Boys song, Kokomo, write a jingle about Highlowaha.  Submissions should be posted by 10:00 p.m.  Below is a music video of the song.

Un-sportsmen Like  Trivia Question of the Day:

In an unusual turn of events a female gymnast scored "0"  in an event last night.  Which event and why?

Announcements:

• Decathlon Standings:  Once again, proof that it's anyone's game.  After Thursday's event Heather was in last place, but after placing FIRST PLACE in Boggle, Heather is now in 5th place.  Congratulations Heather.  Special thanks to Cassie P.  and Ashlee for competing in Friday's event, even though you are no longer competing as decathletes. 
  

Stacie: 19.8

Cheryl: 21.1

Cassie: 23.6

Brian: 29.4

Heather: 30.5

Jayme: 31.8

Tera: 32.3

Julie: 34.5

Kat: 34.7

Peggy: 35.8

AZLori: 36.0

• Taste of USA Trip to Philly:  So far our participant list consists of: Claudia, Cheryl, Amy, Katie and her two new fun friends from James Madison, Tera, Treye, Julie, and Heidi.  I'm feeling hopeful about Jayme who has convinced her husband to visit family in Philly that weekend - and Maureen who will either bring her daughters AND/OR Layne (another fun reader!).  This is shaping up to be a big crowd.  My task for today is to determine a reasonable hotel close to Temple University where we will hold our fun day of activity.  What we do know is things will get underway at 10:30 and wrap up around 4:00.  That... and, of course, that it will be a FUN, FUN day!
  
• Make Your Mark: NO MAIL for me this weekend!  Our goal is to have all letters in hand by this Friday, August 22.  Later this afternoon I will mail 70 postcards to people I know soliciting their inspiring letter.  Who can you ask for a letter?  Remember... collect 5 letters from people you know (along with $5.00 per letter) and earn a patch for your highlowaha jeans!  Want to pass the instructions along to someone?  Check out the post from August 5 (Now I've Gone and Done It).
  

Decathlon Day #4: Feng Shui This!

Highlowaha.com

D*E*C*A*T*H*L*O*N

Day #4

Feng Shui This!

Whereas yesterday we considered concepts of Yin and Yang, today we will work with Chinese principles of Feng Shui.

Based on a general overview from www.librarising.com: 

"The basic principle behind Feng Shui is to manipulate your physical environment in a way that maximizes the positive flow of the universal life force rather than the negative.  This is a done by understanding a few basic principles such as element, color, light, shape, weight, size, and direction.  Basically, light is better than dark, round is better than straight, large is better than small, and light is better than heavy."

So... today we work with the only round item I have in my home, I could assure that you would have in your home.  A toilet paper roll.

Today's decathlon event.  Use your toilet paper roll to create something functional that can be used in your home or office.  A photograph of your entry must be emailed to me (cbeeny@lslog.com) by tonight at 10:00 p.m. (CST).

The Un-sportsmen like Trivia Question of the Day:

What Asian delicacy did Mary Carrillo try to get Bob Costas to eat during last night's Olympic coverage?

Announcements:

Alden and Amy: Check out the latest post made by our very own Olympic correspondents.  Just click on the link, "Amy and Alden," in the top right hand corner of my blog.  Consider leaving a comment, so she knows we're checking in.

Decathlon Standings: Based on the number of entries yesterday, it seems as though we have thirteen decathletes competing, as of today.  Decathlete standings based on yesterday's Yin and Yang event will be posted on Friday morning.  Standings after today's event will be posted on Saturday morning.

Make Your Mark: Please remember to mail me your story of a favorite teacher, along with $5.00.  We are trying to reach 100 stories by August 22.  Stories, coupled with a box of markers will be mailed to randomly selected teachers around the country.

Taste of USA: Katie recruited yet another fun participate to join us in Philly.  Kristen, we are looking forward to meeting you!  Jayme, did we know you lived in the Pittsburgh area?  Does that mean we can expect to see you on Saturday, September 6?  Beekayroot... you too!

Signing off until tomorrow...

Decathlon Day #3: Lunch with Yin and Yang

Decathlete Standings listed below, under announcements.

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D*E*C*A*T*H*L*O*N

Day #3

Lunch with Yin and Yang

While we won't whack anything today, I think I've figured out a way we can invite von Oech to participate in our olympic fun.  But first... an overview.

Today's competition will loosely relate to the Chinese concept of yin and yang. Samantha Austin's book, China: Secret of the Dragon explains that while both yin and yang are opposites, they are energies that complement and rely upon each other, constantly in motion and flux.  Yin is associated with the night, darkness, the moon and women, whereas yang is associated with day, lightness, the sun and men.

Our friend von Oech discusses an idea loosely related to yin and yang.  He advocates for the idea of "cross-fertilization.  He suggests that some of the best ideas come from cutting across disciplinary boundaries and looking into other fields.  Author, von Oech challenges readers to consider what advances could be made if, for instance, a bull fighter and a gardener brainstormed over lunch.

I wonder the same thing.  What new innovation would await us if seemingly opposite people sat down to lunch and brainstormed?  Having said all of that, here is today's challenge....

In consultation with your lunch mates - Ying and Yang - innovate the next best craft supply to hit stores before Christmas.  Our judges will vote on which innovation they would most likely purchase.  Innovations must include a product name and description.

Today's Unsportsmen-like Trivia Question of the Day:

While winning his fourth gold medal of the 2008 Olympics, the commentator mentioned that Michael Phelp's mother did what as her job?

Announcements:

Make Your Mark:  Imagine my excitement when I arrived at my mailbox this afternoon and found an envelope filled with FOUR favorite teacher stories from Maureen.  Then Cheryl showed up at my doorstep with the fifth story of my day.  I think that gives us a total of 10 stories.  Only 90 more to go and ten days to go.  That means an average of nine a day.  Have you written your story yet?  See below.

Patchwork: Earn a Make Your Mark patch for your jeans by gathering five Make Your Mark stories from friends, colleagues, or neighbors and mail them to me (along with $5.00 per story, to cover makers, postage, and mailing envelope).  Mail stories to me at Claudia K. Beeny, 4012 Harvestwood Court, Grapevine, Texas, 76051.

Click on:  When logging on today you might have noticed the three new links on the top right hand side of our blog.  Hopefully the links will allow you to easily access information about our highlowaha book club (Reading Raynbows), our Christmas service project (Helping Hands), and our trip to Philly (Taste of USA). 

Decathlete Standings:  For the purposes of our decathlon, the LOWER the score the HIGHER your standings!  Names are listed in ascending order from first place to last.  Remember, this is the first of TEN events.  Anything is still possible.

Julie 6.0

Jamie 6.3

Stacie 7.0

AZLori 7.0

Kat 7.7

Tera 8.0

Cassie 8.0

Mike 9.3

Cheryl 11.3

Ashlee 11.7

EKnox 11.7

BKRoot 12.3

Creighton 12.3

Cristine 13.3

cspgrad 14.0

peggy 14.3

Cassie P.  14.3

Heather 14.7

Britcole 14.7

Melanie 14.7

Matt 15.3

As Prize #1, Julie wins the first of 10 Asian patches, meaning "prosperity," 

Signing off until tomorrow...

Decathlon Day #2: ChampionCHIP Bake-Off

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Today is the most elaborate of the ten events and your creation is NOT due today.  I am introducing it early in the competition to assure decathletes have plenty of time to participate. Read on!

Highlowaha 

CREATIVITY

D*E*C*A*T*H*L*O*N

Day #2

ChampionCHIP Bake-Off  

According to S. Austin, author of China: Secrets of the Dragon, 

"The kitchen in China is the center of the household: it is the space where the family gathers and where the most concern and energy is devoted to when building a home.  In traditional China, a household is defined through the stove and, thus, through the kitchen, food, and eating.  Those who share a stove are considered family and likewise, those who are considered  to be family are considered so precisely because they share the household stove.... Hence, food is the center of home life in China and is that which binds family members to each household."

So, today's challenge is a test of your creativity... in the kitchen.  We, after all, are like family.

For Highlowaha Decathlon Event #2, you must create a baked good.  Three stipulations.  

• First.  Your entry must include one secret ingredient: Nestle Toll house Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips.  
  
• Second.  Your item must be delivered (mailed or hand delivered) no later than noon on Thursday, August 21.  An extended panel of judges will convene at my home beginning at 7:00 p.m. to taste and evaluate your creations.  If you are mailing from out of town, a postmark of Monday, August 18 will have your package here on time
  
• Third.  Your "batch" should feed a minimum of eight judges (who might need a second taste to assure it's as yummy as they thought the first time!).  I am not a judge, so peanuts are welcome!
  

Important Reminder:  In order to compete as a decathlete you must have an entry in all ten events.  If you are short on time, stay in the game by submitting a batch of pre-made Nestle Toll house Cookies.   Remember, you do not have to place in the top of all ten events in order to win.  Similarly, if you want to bake your entry early and deliver it this week, I will freeze your entry and then pull it out of the freezer next Thursday. 

Let us know you're out there today, by telling us which camp you come from... crunchy chocolate chip cookies or soft.  Me?  Crunchy all the way.

The Un-sportsmen Like Trivia Question of the Day:

The sports caster of Women's Volleyball announced last night that Misty May did what four years ago after winning the gold medal?

Announcements:  

• Patchwork: Remember, you can earn a patch for you Patchwork jeans just by gathering five statements from friends, colleagues, or neighbors describing their favorite teacher.  Mail them to me in an envelope with $5.00 per letter (to cover cost of markers, mailing envelope, and postage) and I will mail you your patch.
  
• Taste of USA: Katie recruited a friend and prospective highlowaha reader to join us in Philly.  We are looking forward to meeting Nicole. 
  
• Correspondent Update: Alden and Amy made their first post.  Check it out... http://aainbeijing.blogspot.com/2008/08at-airport.html

Signing off until tomorrow...

Decathlon Rules of Play

Cheryl, Drew, and J.B. at last night's HLA party

Remnants from Peggy's HLA Party

Good morning, everyone.  If you were an early bird, you noticed that I slept in this morning.  All our partying last night wore me out.  As it turns out, I couldn't turn off the olympics. I was afraid I would miss something.  I was glad I got to see China enter the stadium and yes, the lighting of the torch was really something.

Part of last night's fun was the announcement that beginning Monday, highlowaha readers will compete in our very own decathlon.  Today I thought I would talk a little more about the rules of play.

Announcements at the end...

Highlowaha Decathlon Overview

In the spirit of the true decathlon - an event combining ten track and field events - highlowaha readers will compete in ten events.  Unlike our decathlon teammates in China, we will not compete in our events over a two day period.  Instead, our ten events will be spread out over ten days, excluding Saturdays and Sundays.

While our Beijing counterparts are competing in a menu of events designed to test an individual's speed, strength, skill, endurance, and perserverance... our decathalon will test an individual's creativity in a variety of areas, including skills such as creative use of words, "craftiness," and problem solving.  

As is the case with decathletes, you do not have to be amazing in any event to be a champion of the 10 events.  Instead, you must range from adequate in your weak events to good or better in other skills.  It is in fact true, that because decathletes must do well reasonably well in all ten events, he/she has little opportunity to perfect any one event.  Such is the case with you.  The champion will have the highest AGGREGATE score.  You have probably surmised by this point that a decathlete must participate in all ten events.  If for some reason, time is limited on a particular day, it is still better to make a fast and feeble attempt, than to make no attempt at all.  You might not win that day's event, but you will be registered as competing and you can make up for it another day in another event.

Here's my pledge to you.  I know we are all busy, so I have tried to come up with a menu of events that range in difficulty and time required to complete.  Events range from 10 minutes to longer, depending upon how involved you chose to get.  Only one event will require a commitment of time on your part, but I will give you plenty of notice to complete the event should you be interested.  The events will, however, require some endurance and perseverance on your part.  The decathlon winner is traditionally given the title of "World's Best Athlete" and, we too, want the title, "Highlowaha Decathlon Champion" to really mean something.  

Besides, highlowaha decathletes will be competing for a GOLD medal package from me, complete with your very own, authentically purchased Olympic PATCH from China (thanks to Alden).  Actually our gold, silver, and bronze medalists will receive Olympic patches from China (for you patchwork jeans), but only for the gold medalist will it be accompanied by a package that is good as GOLD!  ...One other small departure from the Beijing Olympics, where medals are only given at the end of the ten events.  In our decathlon, a winner of each event will be named (and receive a prize), but still ONLY THE PERSON WITH THE GREATEST AGGREGATE SCORE WILL BE NAMED HIGHLOWAHA DECATHLON CHAMPION.  My point.  Jump in and participate!  

Entries for a particular day's event will have to be submitted no later than 10:00 p.m. (CST).  I have arranged for three Olympic judges to review daily entries, but because their schedules are also busy, winners will not be announced until the following evening (and then again the next morning).  For example... the winner from Monday's event will be announced Tuesday evening and then again on Wednesday morning. 

If you have questions, feel free to post them at any point this weekend.

Now Announcements:

• With 22 entries in last night's fortune cookie contest, we have our winner.  Congratulations Heather!  You are the lucky recipient of the P.F. Chang's $40.00 gift certificate and free appetizer.
  
• I have one more gift card for a free appetizer (lettuce wraps) at P.F. Chang's.  It will go to the first person who can recall the answer to this question, based on information provided during last night's coverage.  Because China does not have an alphabet, and the order of countries is usually determined by first letter in the alphabet, how did China determine the order in which countries would enter the stadium?
  
• Cheryl inquired as to how you might acquire the number patches for your jeans.  There is a Girl Scout Store not far from where I live, so I will purchase them on your behalf and then send them to you.  Make a post letting me know you want a set to give me some idea of the number I will need to order.
• Speaking of number patches... I happen to have an extra set in my hot little hands.  Lets award those to the first person who can tell me the designer responsible for the outfits worn by USA athletes.
• Ray's taunting me.  He tacked this to my door yesterday with a note that says something about having "Fun in the sun", and that he would be heading north for some cooler air.  Do any of you know anything about this?  Where in the world is Ray?

Get some rest and get those creative juices flowing.  I'll meet you back here on Monday and we'll let the games begin.