Miss America

It is no secret. I love pageants. I have been watching them since I was a little girl. I would make paper sashes and wear them around the house until they ripped apart. Now as an adult, I have been photographing local pageants for work since 2000. You could say that is really the only girlie thing about me.

The 2012 Miss America Pageant was held Saturday at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada. And I watched it live, of course. Laura Kaeppeler, Miss Wisconsin, was crowned Miss America 2012 by Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011. Kaeppeler beat out first runner-up, Betty Thompson, Miss Oklahoma.

Kaeppeler started the competition off wearing a white bikini. During the evening gown portion, she wore a stunning black beaded gown with lace on top and short sleeves. Kaeplleler said the inspiration of her gown came from Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's wedding gown. I could see the similarities in the lace. For talent, Kaeppeler performed a beautiful operatic rendition of "Il Bacio". The last part of the competition was the onstage question. Her question was whether Miss America should declare their political affiliation. Keappeler answered, "Miss America represents everyone, so I think the message to political candidates is that they represent everyone as well. And in these economic times, we need to be looking forward to what America needs, and I think Miss America needs to represent all. "

Kaeppeler's platform is Circle of Support: Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents. She wants kids of incarcerated parents to feel less alone and to have mentoring and a relation with their parents. Her father, Jeff, served 18 months in federal prison for mail fraud when she was starting college.

Betty Thompson, Miss Oklahoma, was the first runner-up. Her platform is Milk: It Really Does a Body Good. Thompson started the competition as ABC's America's Choice pick. She was chosen online by viewers voting for their favorite contestant. Thompson wore a red bikini in the swimsuit competition and a white sequined dress in the evening gown competition. During the talent portion, she performed an Irish step dance to "Warriors" . Her onstage question was whether the government should weigh in on what we feed our kids. Thompson said, "I believe that parents should be the ones who are teaching their children how to eat and then it wouldn't be the government's responsibility to step in".

I was disappointed that two ladies didn't make it into the Top 15, Miss Michigan Elizabeth Wertenberger and Miss Kansas Carissa Kelley.

Wertenberger performed at a local pageant I was photographing last summer. She was intelligent, charming and could dance. I thought she had a chance of making it far into the competition. Wertenberger didn't walk away from Miss America empty handed. She was second runner-up for the Quality of Life award, which is for community service. She also won the Duke of Edinburgh award - Young Americans' Challenge. This award was created in 1956 by Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Young Americans' Challenge is a non-competitive, self-development program for young people ages 14-25.

As for Kelley, Saturday was the first time I had ever seen her. When she said she came from a state that had some characters like Amelia Earhart I instantly liked her. I am fascinated with Earhart. How did she just disappear without a trace? Anyway besides mentioning Earhart, I thought she was a stunning woman. Kelley's platform is "No Kid Hungry". A partnership between the Miss Kansas Organization and Numana, Inc., which holds food packaging events and sends meals to areas of greatest hunger, was set up. Kelley visited Haiti recently to meet with over 200 children who received the Numana meals. Besides the children in Haiti, she also has worked in food banks in Kansas.

After Kaeppeler's win, she has already started her year of service as Miss America 2012. Kaeppeler will travel the country to encourage all young women to pursue a college education and will focus on interest in the arts, science, technology, engineering and math, also know as STEM. She will also travel almost 20,000 miles every mouth to speak about her platform Circles of Support and as the official National Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

First photo: Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler reacts after being crowned Miss America Saturday at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. (Associated Press/Eric Jamison)

Second photo: Miss Oklahoma Betty Thompson competes during the 2012 Miss America Pageant Saturday. Thompson was named first runner-up behind winner Miss Wisconsin Laura Kaeppeler. (Associated Press/Eric Jamison)

Third photo: Miss Michigan Elizabeth Wertenberger (Alan Carson)

Books read in 2012

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling
Winter Season: A Dancer's Journal, Toni Bentley
Chasing the Runner's High, Ray Charbonneau

Currently Reading: The Perfect Mile, Neal Bascomb
Up Next: Cleopatra, Stacy Schiff

Olympic Marathon Trials

The Olympic Marathon Trials were held Saturday in Houston, Texas. The event wasn't carried live on NBC, but tape delayed. I needed to know what was going on. I followed the trials on twitter. I watched the whole replay Sunday morning.

The top three men and women's finishers will represent the United States in the upcoming summer Olympics in London.

The men started 15 minutes before the women. It was exciting from the start. Ryan Hall took the lead and laid down some super fast miles. Some of the splits for the early miles were 4:50, 4:51 and mid 4:40s. Close to the finish of the race, the lead pack was down to three. With less then two miles to go, Meb Keflezigihi ended up pulling away from Hall and Abdi Abdirahman, winning the trials in 2:09:08. Ryan Hall finished second (2:09:30) and Abdi Abdirahman was third in 2:09:42.

Shalane Flanagan won the women's marathon trials in 2:25:38. Coming in behind Flanagan, was the 2011 Boston Marathon runner-up, Desiree Davila in 2:25:55 and rounding out the team was Kara Goucher (2:26:06). Unlike the fast start of the men's race, the women's race started slow. The first mile was run in 6:11. Davila went to the front after the slow first mile and picked up the pace. The second mile was run faster in 5:49 and the third mile dropped down to 5:34. The pace continued to fall and the lead pack started to break up. By the fifth mile, the huge pack was down to nine runners.

I'm excited for the six team members. The US is sending the best team over to the Olympics. It would be awesome to have them medal. Besides feeling happy for the six runners, I was heartbroken for the fourth place male and female runner's.

Dathan Rizenhein ran with the lead group for a long time. He ended up getting separated in the later part of the race. Near the finish line, Ritzenhein closed a 30 second gap between him and third place Abdirahman. Ritzenhein finished only 8 seconds behind to finish in fourth. I felt so bad for him when he cried after the race. Amy Hastings was running with the lead group until about the 20 mile mark. She lost contact with the lead group and finished 1 minute 39 seconds behind Flanagan in 2:27:17.

Top photo: The top three men finishers, left, Ryan Hall-second, center, Meb Keflezighi-first, and Abdi Abdiraham-third pose after the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Saturday in Houston. (Associated Press/David J. Phillip)

Bottom photo: The top three women, left, Desiree Davila-second, center, Shalane Flanagan-first and Kara Goucher-third, pose after running the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Saturday. (Associated Press/David J. Phillip)

Favorite photos from January 9-13, 2012

Favorite photos from January 3-5, 2012

Olympic Marathon Trials

For the first time, the men's and women's Olympic Trails Marathon will take place on the same day and place Saturday in Houston, Texas. The top three men and three women will represent the US in the marathon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The men will start first at 8 a.m. The women's start will be fifteen minutes later at 8:15 a.m. The marathon course starts and finishes in downtown Houston in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center. They will run on a 2.2 mile inner loop through downtown Houston and then run an outer 8 mile loop to finish the marathon.

There won't be a live video feed from the race unlike the ING New York City Marathon. The marathon will be tape-delayed and shown later in the afternoon at 3 p.m. (EST) on NBC. I will be watching twitter and hopefully there will be updates there.

Looking forward to finding out which men and women will be representing the United States in the marathon for the upcoming Olympics.

The New Girl

I've been going to the same dentist office for four years now. The experience has been good. My teeth are in good shape. No cavities so far. The only major issues I had done were having my wisdom teeth removed. Other then that, I have only been in for cleanings and x-rays.

I have gotten along with my dental hygienist. She has been working on my teeth for the entire four years. We could joke with each other and talk about our lives. Earlier this week, it was time to head back to the dentist. I was sitting in the waiting room and I heard my name being called. I looked up and it was someone new. I was thinking to myself, "where is MY hygienist?"

As we were walking back to the chair, I asked the new hygienist where the other hygienist was. She said that the former hygienist left and she heard so many good things about her. The new hygienist offered to take my coat and my hat. I handed her my coat, but decided to keep my knit hat on. I wear my hat everywhere.

While the new hygienist was working on me, I kept thinking of what my old hygienist did. Their work procedure was very close, but different in a couple of areas. She did good work. But it really felt weird to me to have a stranger's hands in my mouth. When her hands weren't in my mouth, we made small talk. I know that she is married and has a dog.

After she finished, she rang for the dentist. The dentist came in and looked me over and said my teeth looked really good. Once the dentist left, I said that the old hygienist and I had a running joke. For the four years I've been attending that dentist office, I have only seen the same dentist twice. Every other time, it was someone new. The new hygienist asked if I had seen this dentist before. I said no. She said maybe we could have that running joke too. I told her we could.

The new hygienist was really nice and did a good job. I know I'll get used to her and hope we can have the same friendly relationship I had with my previous hygienist.

Tinker Tailor..

My husband and I drove up to Ann Arbor over the weekend to see Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. We went to Ann Arbor because the local movie theater in town didn't release it. That 45 minute drive one way was worth it. It didn't disappoint.

I read a review and it said that you have to see the movie twice to understand it. For me that is unnecessary. I understood the movie. I didn't think it was very difficult to follow. There are some flashback scenes. But I found it easy to know which was which was a flashback and what wasn't.

Gary Oldman was fantastic. Such superb acting. Not just Oldman, but the entire cast. This movie should get plenty of award nominations. If it doesn't, it will be shocking.

Now that I've seen the movie, I'm hoping to get my hands on a copy of the book. Should be a great read.

Books read in 2012

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling
Winter Season: A Dancer's Journal, Toni Bentley

Currently Reading: Chasing the Runner's High, Ray Charbonneau
Up Next: The Perfect Mile, Neal Bascomb

Weekend of sports

So many games were played over the weekend. One game that I didn't see, because I was away from the house and my DVR was recording two other programs, and three games that I caught a half of.

University of Michigan women's basketball team met #8 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday evening at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines swept the Buckeyes last year in regular Big Ten play.

UM upset Ohio State for a third straight time with the score of 73-62. Courtney Boylan lead the Wolverines with a game high of 19 points and six rebounds. Ohio State was lead by Samantha Prahalis with 17 points.

I was hoping that Big Ten Network would replay the game later in the evening. But they didn't. I was disappointed that I missed seeing this game.

Later that evening, the Detroit Lions played in their first wild card playoff game since the 1999 season.

I only watched the first half of the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints game. The Lions were ahead 14-10 at halftime. They were playing really well. Matthew Stafford was throwing passes to Calvin Johnson. The defense was stopping the Saints. Then reality set back in during the second half.

The Saints scored five touchdowns in the second half. When you score that many touchdowns, you are mostly likely not going to win. The Lions only scored two touchdowns in the second half.

As a Lions fan, I was happy with the season. They finally made the playoffs and had a winning record. Hope they can keep the winning going in the 2012-2013 season.

The University of Michigan men's basketball team played on Sunday afternoon. They hosted the Wisconsin Badgers.

I flipped it over to the game starting in the second half. I couldn't believe how low the first half score was. Michigan was leading Wisconsin 25-19. Michigan went on to defeat the Badgers 59-41. The Wolverines held the Badgers to a season low only allowing 41 points. Wisconsin's average is 68 points a game.

The other game I watched over the weekend was the Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos. I have never really been a fan of the Steelers, so I wanted the Broncos to win.

With less then three minutes left in the game, I said to my husband, "If Denver can hold onto the ball, they should win the game". On the next play, the Broncos fumbled. That fumble led to a Steelers touchdown and tie game at the end of regulation.

In overtime, Denver won the coin toss and elected to receive. On the first play of overtime, Tim Tebow threw to Demaryius Thomas for an 80 yard catch and touchdown run. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 29-23. It was a great throw and catch. I was happy for the Denver fans. At least their team won a playoff game. Next week, I don't think the Broncos will be so lucky against the New England Patriots.

Top photo: Michigan guard Courtney Boylan battles for a loose ball with Ohio State guard Maleeka Kynard during the second half of a NCAA basketball game in Ann Arbor Saturday. Michigan won 73-62. (Associated Press/Carlos Osorio)

Middle photo: Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson catches a second half touchdown as New Orleans Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson defends an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday. (Associated Press/Gerald Herbert)

Bottom photo: Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas breaks away from Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Ryan Mundy for the winning touchdown in overtime of an NFL wild card playoff football game Sunday. (Associated Press/Joe Mahoney)

Random things

I didn't watch the Sugar Bowl live. I had to work. Immediately after working, I ate dinner and went to bed. Before going to bed, Michigan was down to Virginia Tech 6-0. I watched the game off my DVR on Wednesday.

From what I saw of the game, the Wolverines were playing horrible. They had many three and outs, an interception and a defense that wasn't stopping anything. It was a very ugly game, but Michigan won 23-20 in overtime.

After the last two horrible seasons, it was so wonderful to see Michigan have a winning season. Brady Hoke turned around a terrible program and took them to a BCS bowl game in his first season. This year was a great. Hoping for another great season next year.

I watched the Rose Bowl Monday between Oregon Ducks and Wisconsin Badgers. I really liked Oregon's chrome helmets. They were unique, flashy and really cool. I hope the Oregon Ducks will play games with them again. The design is just really neat.

Finally! My husband and I will be going to see Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy this weekend.

Top Photo: Members of the Michigan football team celebrate after a 23-20 overtime win over Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans Tuesday. Associated Press/Dave Martin

Bottom Photo: Getty Images/Harry How

Favorite photos of 2011

Miles run in 2011 - final count

The past year has been very good for me. I ran a bunch of miles and didn't get injured. In 2011, I became an ultra runner. When I started running again in 2003, I never imaged that I would ever run that far. It took me years before I realized that I needed a new challenge and finally decided to do something about it.

I ran my first ultra in September, a 50K at Dances with Dirt in Hell, Michigan. It was a very difficult course and challenging race. During the race, I fell numerous times, walked through water, climbed up hills on my hands and knees and ran over rocks and tree roots. I finished in 7:01: 42. A couple of weeks later, I ran my second 50K (can Lake 50K) on the rural and very hilly roads of Canadaigua, New York. I finished the road race in 5:45:48. I was 12th overall, the 3rd overall woman and first in my age group. It was after that race that I knew I would be able to conquer a new distance: the 50 mile.

I will be running my first 50 mile race in March. I'm really looking forward to it. I still have a couple months of training yet to do. I really looking forward to running this new distance.

Total miles run for the year:
2011: 5745
2010: 2764.9
2009: 1257.9
2008: 960.2
2007: 573.7
2006: 470
2005: 350.8
2004: 318.6

Books read in 2011 - final count

Final count: 64

Favorite books of the year: Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, Dean Karnazes; The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After, Steven M Gillon; The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, Steig Larsson; The Hunger Games triolgy, Suzanne Collins; William and Kate: The Love Story, Christopher Andersen; Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher; My Story So Far, Paula Radcliffe

Least favorite books: The Laurell K. Hamilton books. They just weren't my style. I read them because my sister gave them to me.

1. The Laughing Corpse, Laurell K. Hamilton
2. Circus of the Damned, Laurell K. Hamilton
3. The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle, L.J. Smith
4. The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion, L.J. Smith
5. The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall, L.J. Smith
6. The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Origins, L.J. Smith
7. The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: Bloodlust, L.J. Smith
8. Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner, Dean Karnazes
9. The Kennedy Detail, Gerald Blaine with Lisa McCubbin
10. The Kennedy Assassination: 24 Hours After, Steven M Gillon
11. 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathon in 50 Days, Dean Karnazes
12. The Brotherhood: A Precinct 11 Novel, Jerry B. Jenkins
13. 127 Hours, Aron Ralston
14. JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters, James W. Douglass
15. My Life on the Run, Bart Yasso
16. On the Trail of the JFK Assassins, Dick Russell
17. Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss, Dean Karnazes
18. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Steig Larsson
19. Second Wind: One Woman's Midlife Quest to Run Seven Marathons on Seven Continents, Cami Ostman
20. The Scarpetta Factor, Patricia Cornwell
21. Dual in the Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley and America's Greatest Marathon, John Brant
22. Born to Run, Christopher McDougall
23. Iron Heart, Brian Boyle
24. Running With Joy: My Daily Journey to the Marathon, Ryan Hall
25. Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell
26. Predator, Patricia Cornwell
27. Port Mortuary, Patricia Cornwell
28. Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons, Ryan Powell & Eric Grossman
29. Running on Empty: An Ultramarathoner's Story of Love, Loss and a Record-Setting Run, Marshall Ulrich
30. I'm Here to Win, Chris McCormack
31. Book of the Dead, Patricia Cornwell
32. The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey to Ultra-Running Greatness, Pam Reed
33. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
34. Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
35. Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins
36. The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls, L.J. Smith
37. William and Kate: The Love Story, Christopher Andersen
38. Reading Jackie: Her Autobiography in Books, William Kuhn
39. My Story, Sarah Ferguson
40. The Diana Chronicles, Tina Brown
41. Diana and Jackie: Maidens, Mothers, Myths, Jay Mulvaney
42. Sarah: The Life of a Duchess, Ingrid Seward
43. Diana in Private: The Princess Nobody Knows, Lady Campbell Colin
44. Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
45. The Death Valley 300, Richard Benyo
46. Finding Sarah: A Duchess's Journey to Find Herself, Sarah Ferguson
47. Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail, Jennifer Pharr Davis
48. My Story So Far, Paula Radcliffe
49. Once a Runner, John L. Parker, Jr.
50. Again to Carthage: A Novel, John L. Parker, Jr.
51. Running Hot, Lisa Tamati
52. Confessions of a Backup Dancer, Anonymous
53. Killing Britney, Sean Olin
54. Devil Bones, Kathy Reichs
55. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, Gabrielle Zevin
56. Death Du Jour, Kathy Reichs
57. The Last Days, Scott Westerfeld
58. Bones to Ashes, Kathy Reichs
59. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling
60. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
61. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
62. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling
63. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J.K. Rowling
64. Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince, J.K. Rowling

Movies watched in 2011 - final count

Final count: 38

Favorite movies: J. Edgar, Love Actually, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Swedish & American version), The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Favorite documentary: Ultramarathon Man: 50 Marathons, 50 States, 50 Days

Least favorite movie: Drive

1. 127 Hours (2010)
2. American Experience: The Kennedys (1992) TV
3. Big Jake (1971)
4. Center Stage: Turn It Up (2008)
5. Conspiracy? - Princess Diana (2008) TV
6. Diana: Last Days of a Princess (2007) TV
7. Double Indemnity (1944)
8. Drive (2011)
9. Frank Sinatra: The Man and the Myth (2004) TV
10. Hardcore (1979)
11. Harlow (1965)
12. J. Edgar (2011)
13. Love Actually (2003)
14. MST3K: Ring of Terror (1962) TV
15. MST3K: Teenagers from Outer Space (1959) TV
16. Our Fathers (2005) TV
17. Out of the Past (1947)
18. Remember Me (2010)
19. Running the Sahara (2007)
20. Saved! (2004)
21. Somewhere in Time (1980)
22. Stolen (2009)
23. Strangers on a Train (1951)
24. The Conspirator (2010)
25. The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
26. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2009)
27. The Girl Who Played With Fire (2009)
28. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2009)
29. The King's Speech (2010)
30. The Other Guys (2010)
31. The Quiet Man (1952)
32. The Stranger (1946)
33. The Town (2010)
34. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011)
35. The Upside of Anger (2005)
36. Ultramarathon Man: 50 Marathons, 50 States, 50 Days (2008)
37. Young Adult (2011)
38. Zero Hour! (1957)