Ted Stevens HOOPS!

Our longest serving Republican US Senator, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, hoops!

Well, sort of.

While getting ready for a fierce craft competition at the Anchorage Craft Mafia Smackdown last weekend, Sen. Stevens warmed up by giving the hoops a few spins.

Cosmic Hoops was there to provide him with the hoop, and some hooping instruction.

At first he was wary of trying it because of "three lower back surgeries." But when I handed Sen. Stevens the hoop his eyes lit up and he said, "Let me see that thing! I used to hoop for hours when my daughters were young!"

He grabbed the hoop, and wound up for take off like a pro, and then let the hoop fly. A little more practice and we might see him rockin' it on the senate floor, who knows!

Hoops for Peace!

This weekend was Winter Carnival, and we created a float for the parade with the theme, "Hoops for Peace." Seven or eight women from my HoopGroup showed up in bright 60's attire, and donned some extra wigs for the occasion. We quickly rehearsed our dance to "Dancing in the Streets" (the 60s mo-town version), and then headed out in the the cold, snowy day to hop aboard the float with our hoops.

The flat-bed trailer was 8x20, and a little slippery to stand on because it was covered with a thin layer of snow and ice, so we all had to find our footing before the truck pulled away and into the parade. After we got moving and were on Pioneer Ave., we found our groove, with each person strategically positioned on the trailer hooping and flashing peace signs to the entertained crowds. It was pretty cold - maybe 10 degrees F - so we really had to keep hooping to stay warm!

By the time we got to the judges stand, my hands felt almost frozen stiff! But, not too stiff to "Dance in the Streets." So we did our dance in front of the judges and then kept on moving down the street in the parade. The whole thing went by pretty quickly - much quicker than when I walked and hooped in the parade for the 4th of July. And besides being a little cold by the end, I think we all had a blast. I was proud of the ladies who showed up, some of them just brand new to hooping, to strut their stuff in the parade.

And it turns out that we won first place in the parade, too!

Congratulations, Cosmic HoopGroup - you rock!

Hoopies

A few weeks ago Hooping.org hosted the 2008 Hoopies Awards!

If you haven't had a chance to check out all the nominees and the winners, now is the time. The list is really a who's who in the hooping community.

I was honored to be nominated (if only for a few hours) as Outstanding Newbie Hooper. Sadly, I was disqualified because I had actually picked up a hoop prior to 2007. Nonetheless, I was honored to be consided among so many talented hoopers.

Have you just picked up the hoop this year? Who knows maybe next year, you could be nominated for being an Outstanding Newbie Hooper!!! Keep on Hoopin'