Brigita's Blog: June 2008

I am sure there are many of you dissappointed in Big Brown's major loss on Saturday at the Belmont.

For those of you that don't follow horse racing or the race for the Triple Crown, an undefeated horse was favored to win the Triple Crown on Saturday.  There has not been a Triple Crown winner since 1978.  Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness with no effort, but came in dead last in the last leg of the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes. 

The veterinarians checked him out at the end of the race and found nothing physically wrong with him.  Why such a terrible performance at this last race?

Was it the heat?  The temperatures were in the mid-90's that day with humidity making it feel like it was over 100.  Could that have been a factor?

Was it the fact that the horse was just plain tired?  The horses race 3 long races within a month's time for the Triple Crown.  Were these races just too much for him?

Or, was it the fact that he lost a few days of warm up to fix the quarter crack on his hoof?

Could it have been that he was not on steroids for the race at Belmont?  Talk has it that that may have been a possibility.  Some states have a ban on steroid injections, but Kentucky, Maryland and New York do not.

Was the race fixed?

We may never know for sure.  At least we have to give the jockey credit for pulling the horse up because he felt something was not right with the horse.  At least he put the horse before everything else.  The horse's life, to him, was more important than winning the race. 

This year's Triple Crown races are bringing up many concerns about horse racing that need changes.  Hopefully the changes will be for the better.

It's that time of year again when the carnivals will be occuring everywhere. 

Nazareth's Carnival will be held Wednesday, June 18th until Saturday, June 21st.  It will be held at the Nazareth Borough Park, Wednesday thru Friday from 6PM until 11PM, and Saturday from 4PM until 11PM.  It is sponsored by the Nazareth Vigilance Hose Co. #1 and the Nazareth area Kiwanis club. 

The Carnival will have lots of rides and attractions, entertainment and plenty of food.  You can play Bingo nightly from 7 - 10 PM.  Plus, parking is FREE. 

Thursday & Saturday are "Ride Nights".  These nights you can ride on all rides for $15 with a wristband. 

So, Come on out to Nazareth and join in the fun and games during Nazareth's Great Carnival.

I was just recently tagged for a Super MeMe by BLR Guy.  Thank you for the tag.  I too was MeMe'd 3 times before so, I guess it's time for the SUPER MEME.  Well, here goes:

1.  Who is your favorite Musical Artist?

That all depends on what kind of a mood I am in.  I have always liked Led Zeppelin, The Moody Blues, Enya, and Cast in Bronze.  Cast in Bronze plays music  on the Carillon (large bells, and I mean LARGE) accompanied by other musical instruments. I had first seen him at Musikfest several years ago and enjoyed the music.  It is really neat. 

2.  Who is your favorite Artist?

I don't have any one in particular, but I prefer art that is more reality based.  If I had to choose an artist, I would say my daughter, Julie.

3.  Who is your favorite Blogger?

This is a toughy.  There are so many that I enjoy, the list would just be too long.

 4.  If you could meet anyone (alive or dead) who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them?

I think it would have to be Princess Dianna.  I really loved the fact that she was always caring and helped others in need.

5.  What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a famous horse trainer and ride in the Olympics (did you ever think otherwise?).  My other choice was to be an artist, since I do enjoy sketching.

6.  What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know?

Did you know a horse has 5 hearts?  Horses have a big heart in their chests and at the bottom of each hoof is what is called a "frog" which pumps blood back up a horses leg every time the horse takes a step.  Since it pumps blood, you could consider it a heart.

7.  If you could live in any period in History...when would it be and why?

I would love to live back in the 1950's, when everyone had respect for others, people seemed to be friendlier back then and everything was affordable.  Plus, the government did not have their hand in everything.  I think we had more freedoms back then than we do now.

8.  What is the most interesting job you have ever had?

I have worked so many in my lifetime.  I guess I have to say my first job when I worked in a bank in downtown NYC as a Customer Service Representative.  I was amazed to see the many different types and personalities of people there, from bag ladies all the way up to high class business people.   Boy, do I have stories to tell!

My last step is to pick 8 of my closest blogging buddies.  Let's see.  I tag . . . .

Linda Tremblay

Michael Thornton

Martin Abeshaus

Jeannie Kontis

Janie Coffey

Adam Waldman

Jason Crouch

Charles McDonald

Can't wait to hear more about you.

Saturday, May 31st, my daughter, Julie, celebrated her 25th birthday.  I was unable to spend the day with her since I was unable to get away for the weekend.  Being that she lives 3 hours away, I like to stay for the weekend, especially with the escalating prices of gas.  I did speak to her that day to wish her a happy birthday, and my thoughts were with her that day.

In thinking about her on her special day, I thought that I would dedicate this to her as her birthday gift. 

Julie is my only daughter and she is special to me in many ways.  We went through a lot as she was growing up, and even as an adult she still turns to her mom during her difficult moments.  I am proud to say that I have attended 99% of the activities both my children participated in.  And that includes horse shows and school activities.

Julie was a shy girl growing up.  The only time she gabbed non-stop was at home.  Whenever she was out in public, she just smiled a lot.  She loves horses (do you think she takes after her mom?) and riding, and has a natural talent for art.  She enjoys being creative, so I guess art is a good way to express your creativity.  I have quite a few of her art pieces from her art classes in college.  They are all great! 

I am very proud of Julie.  She has turned into a responsible, respectful, considerate and hard working woman.  She has managed to purchase her own home (she's quite frugal with her money) and has a good job.  She is also considering going back to school part time to finish her education in art.  

The times we do spend together, we have a great time.  Even if it is just hanging around.  I have to admit, I do miss our times together, but I cherish the moments we do share.  I have so many wonderful memories and I look forward to creating even more.

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY, JULIE!  

Big news for the Lehigh Valley area.  We are being invaded by the Transformers!!

Well, not really.  It turns out that the new "Transformers 2" movie, set to be released during the summer of 2009, is being filmed in south Bethlehem, where the old Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces are.  Filming started last night and will continue this evening and Wednesday evening.

The Bethlehem Steel plant is being transformed into a fictional, war-ravaged Chinese city or the movie.

The scenes from Bethlehem Steel will be featured in the opening of the movie, along with giant shape-shifting robots.

Many spectators from the area lined the streets to watch.  Some even traveled from Harrisburg, which is about 1 1/2 hours away, to see the movie making in action.

This is not the first time Bethlehem Steel has been featured in the opening scenes of a movie.  In 1992 the movie "School Ties" begins with a lingering scene of the Bethlehem Steel smokestacks along S. 3rd St. before heading up to Northampton's Roxy Theater.

The Lehigh Valley has been included in dozens of movies in the past, starting with Charlie Chaplin's movie in 1914, "His Prehistoric Past".  Henry Fonda's movie "The Farmer Takes a Wife" (1935) was filmed at the Lehigh Canal, "Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows" (1968) used the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dorney Park for some of the scenes, the amusement park scene in "Hairspray" (1988) was shot at Allentown's Dorney Park, "Signs" (2002) and "The Sixth Sense" (1999) included many shots in Bucks County.  The movie, "The Happening" due to open June 13th, was also filmed in Bucks County.

As you can see, Hollywood has included the Lehigh Valley for quite a number of movies.  You might say that the Lehigh Valley is used as the midsize Eastern city for movie making.

So, when "Transformers 2" is released next summer, pay special attention to the opening scenes and you will see the old Bethlehem Steel cokeworks plant.

FYI - Bethlehem used to be the largest manufacturer of the nation's steel at this plant until it was shut down a number of years ago.  Bethlehem Steel was losing money to imported steel and cheap labor overseas.