My bizarre and crazy happenings

That JUST Happened!

2012-02-05T19:03:00.015-05:00

#fakeracingmovies was a huge hashtag for racing peeps this week. Thousands of dollars were lost due to procrastination. I had fun and even made it onto a Top Ten List!
http://www.givingmytencents.blogspot.com/2012/02/fake-racing-movies-gone-wild.html

Thank you Chris @tencentcielo for the mad props and inflating my already huge ego just a bit bigger. I take all the small victories I can get in life.

Some of the awesomeness brought to you by Moi!
*Sex and The City Zip
*A Street Cry Named Desire
*Raiders of The Lost Arch

Creme de la Creme - Weekend At Bernardini's .

The whole thread was over 2,000 tweets and many super creative! This was a great opportunity for any reporter who writes about Thoroughbred racing to steal and archieve a good story headline.. So perhaps I (or really my #hashtags) may one day be in print.. Perhaps even I could sell them to the PR/farms representing these stallions..

Some of my other "winners" included..

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade(ers) Sword.
The Devil Wears Paddy O' Prado
The Magna Graduate
Shallow Hal's Image
The Shaw Shackleford Redemption
Pulpit Fiction
The Perfect Storm(y) Atlantic
An All American In Paris
Ghostzappeers
Jay And Silent Bob and John

My other Half..

2011-12-06T18:29:00.002-05:00

Is Charming..
Is Sweet..
Is Sexy..
Is Smart..
Is motivated in life..
Is more than a mear mortal..
Is why I look forward to waking up to see him..
Is why I lay down at night..
Is why I keep my phone bill paid on time..
Is who I need to cuddle with..

Is who I feel complete when I'm with.

He is all these things and more than I could ever hope so.. maybe that's why the search has lasted so long.

Meh, what can you do?
-Peace.

2011-10-04T12:08:00.002-04:00

Don't hate me because I forget I even have a blog.. Hate me because I'm fabulous and too busy to even finis

Silly Stallion, You don't have to sire racehorses to be a great sire..

2010-12-24T16:14:00.013-05:00

Is that what we will remember the most from the great Storm Cat? Or will we just remember the ego driven auction wars between the bloodstock agents representing their respected Irish and Arab connections?

Who will be the next stallion that will cause such a tornado effect at the sales, or will their even be one? The days of numerous multi million-dollar sales offerings are few and far between. The trend of purchasing high end prospects, developing a good race horse and campaigning to all the right races have been replaced with purchasing a stallion prospect mid-career or a stud already represented by foals on the ground.

Adding into the equation is where you are from and where you ended up. Ideally standing in KY and receiving the best mares for an astronomical stud fee is the mecca of stallion ownership. If you're not purchased mid-career by such an establishment that can provide you with the right support will mean you will be cast off the Bluegrass island into a regional program. Most likely you will be presented to a lack luster cast of resident mares. Many of which who went thorough a vigorous screening process of they have a pulse, uterus, and clean culture.

Needless to say, many regional sires do not get the sales attention if any attention at all compared to the cast of characters standing in Kentucky. They just need to be bred to mares who will foal out state registered and recognized racehorses who will earn breeders, owners and eventually the stallion owner(s) added or bonus state funded purse money. The cycle will continue for another year.

That upper echelon of stallions with the backing of owners who stand them in the central hub of the Thoroughbred universe of Kentucky. The pay day for their owners will come in the mail 30 days after a live foal has been foaled and has stood and nursed on its own means. Although the number of live foals born each year do count toward the stallions overall "numbers". Most stallion owners and managers will tell you his job is done once the mare is confirmed infoal. The rest of the gestation and birthing being "her job".

Once a foal owner has paid board and vet fees for the health and care of the broodmare carrying to term and foaling a live offspring, the stud fee will be paid and the mare will be rebred. The filly or colt produced, if one of the "beautiful people" of the foal crop will be headed to public sale. Either as a weanling or yearling preferably. An owner will elect to send a foal to the sale early to return as much profit (if any)as possible they can. Their expenses are doubled now that 2 horses are being paid for as Momma is baking a possible third.

Bring us back to Storm Cat. The lightly raced, Grade 1 winning son of Storm Bird. Grandson of immortal Northern Dancer and from a dam sired by legendary Secretariat. Storm Cat's bloodlines helped him command a record setting $500,000 stud fee up to his retirement in 2008. Well supported by the best mares of the time. Storm Cat has sired 20 crops of racing age. The last will be 2 year olds of 2011. (which will be 21 crops of racing age). Siring 1,449 foals, 1,080 starters(.74%), 174 black type stakes winners(.16%), 8 champions(.007%), 774 winners(.71) of 2,217 races. Those offspring have won over $123 million dollars. Many of those offspring have gone onto broodmare careers that have produced 128 black-type winners and multi million dollar earners.

Impressive numbers, but the majority of his success came from the commanding price of his offspring in the sale ring. $500,000 (plus expenses) was just a drop in the feed bucket to the multi million dollar sales figures his yearlings would bring at such venues as Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton during the market high of the early 21st century.

So, I tell you all of this not to sell you a season to Storm Cat in hopes of putting a down payment on the new water front property in Miami. I tell you this so we can both look at some of the sales figures of the 2005-2010 Keeneland September Storm Cat offspring and just chuckle. Chuckle and Envy perhaps. Envy those who turned their large investment into a MUCH larger ROI, and chuckle at the fools who paid so much and never saw anything but bills. So in the spirit of New Years.. Here are the TOP 5 FLOPS of each Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

2005

Hip #384. 2/15/2004 (Storm Cat x Tranquility Lake by Rahy). Price $9,700,000.
Name: Jalil
Purchased By: John Ferguson (1 of 4 Storm Cat purchases at the sale)

Comments: Out of the multi Grade 1 winning, millionaire earner TRANQUILITY LAKE. At the time of the sale this mares oldest foal was an unraced 2 year old. He (a full brother) would end up being Lane's End stallion AFTER MARKET. Tranquility Lake was bred to Storm Cat 5 times, producing 3 stakes winners.

Surprisingly Jalil did fairly well for himself at the track. Not $9.7 million-good. But would make a regional stallion owner proud. In 2006 he was sent to England to run once as a 2 year old (unplaced). 2007 made 3 starts in Eng. 1 win, twice second ($15,198) before moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2008 where he had a near perfect season of 3 wins from 4 starts. Jalil captured the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 [G2] (UAE)where he set a track record for 8.5 furlongs in 1:42.15 and earned $312,000. Afterward he took a plane ride over to Boston Massachusetts and ran 3rd in the Waquoit Stakes at Suffolk Downs earning $5,000. He returned to the UAE for lackluster 2009/2010 season making 3 more starts, none on the board and earning $4,000.
Total: 12(4-2-1)$336,198

Hip# 345. 1/8/2004 (Storm Cat x Secret Status by A.P. Indy). Price: $6,300,000.
Name: Objectivity
Purchased by: John Ferguson (agent for Sheik Mo)

Comments: Ch Colt, out of a Great race filly. Multi G1 winning millionaire SECRET STATUS. Who in her own breeding career will give us multi G1 runner up Dunkirk. Dunkirk, by Unbridled's Song was a KEESept 07' yearling purchase of $3,700,000 to Demi O'Byrne. If you sell one to the Arabs, you have to sell one to the Irish - Keeneland Fight Club Rule. ...Funny fact, 2010 KEESEPT sold the full brother to Dunkirk for $150,000. Hello!

Anyway, You would assume the purchaser of a $6.3 million dollar horse would provide the absolute best of everything to ensure his investment makes it to the track. As of Dec 31st, 2010 - he is Unraced. Pedigree Query notes that this horse was adopted out thorough Darleys retraining program. Click Here for picture. So someone out there is boasting they have a $6.3 million dollar riding horse. AWESOME.

Hip #380. 1/23/2004 (Storm Cat x Tomisue's Delight by A.P. Indy) Price: $3,900,000.
Named: Mr. Sidney
Purchased By: trainer John Kimmel, agent for Circle E Racing.

Comments: Hands down the best female family of the 3 so far. Actually one if not the best female family in the sale. Tomisue's Delight was no slacker on the track making over $1.2 million dollars and being a multiple G1 winner. She is also a full sister to another Lanes End stallion, Horse of the year and Champion older MINESHAFT. T.D. is out of the 2003 Broodmare of the Year Prospector's DELIGHT, multi G1 winner who earned over $432k and has produced multiple graded stake winners and dams of graded stakes winner.
Mr. Sidney made his presence on the track known by capturing the Maker's Mark Mile S. G1, as well as the Firecracker H. G2 and was 3rd in the Shadwell Turf Mile S. G1. All races 8 furlongs on the turf. Between turf, polytrack and pro-ride, Mr. Sidney only raced on real dirt once. He retired to Stud in France in 2010 to Haras du Quesnay, one of Frances' most prestigious stud farms.

Total: 13 (5-1-2) $486-875.

Hip #394. 3/11/2004 (Storm Cat x Warrior Queen by Quiet American) Price: $3.8 million
Named: Egyptian Queen
Purchased By: Demi O'Byrne for Irish breeders Symthson

Comments: Unraced and sent to Ireland. Talk about taking the chance. At the time this filly went to the sale her dam Warrior Queen had one other foal who was a 2 year old and had not started. (Remember we are in September now). Warrior Queen was not a bad race filly. She was a high weight filly in both England and Ireland and was group 3 stakes placed. The catalog page was light in the beginning however fast forward a year to the same sale and that previously unraced 2 year old (now 3) has become multiple G2 winner on both the turf and dirt, G1 Santa Anita Derby third place finisher A.P. WARRIOR. Early in his career was trained by Eoin Harty but then passed to trainer John Sherreffs. John is currently rejoicing in his Zenyatta fame.
Fast forward to November, 2010. Egyptian Queen is sold for $390,000 in foal to Sadler's Wells son Galileo. After having 2 previous foals by Galileo and her first foal who is by Montjeu is a winner at 3 in 2010 and has made almost $40,000.

Hip #74. 2/27/2004. (Storm Cat x Serena's Song by Rahy). Price $3.5 million
Named: Colourful Score
Purchased by: Johnny Ferguson for Sheik Mo.

Comments: Bred by Bob and Beverly Lewis. Racing royalty at the time. Undoubtedly out the best mare in the whole sale, who had already had major success with her other Storm Cat foals GRAND REWARD and filly SOPHISTICAT. Grand Reward now stands at Hill 'N' Dale farm in Lexington, KY and Sophisticat went on to produce Group Stakes winner in France, Ireland and graded stakes placed horses in the U.S. Serena's Song has produced fantastic runners but none have ever brought the price tag of this colt, who went on to race unsuccessfully in England in 2007 (3 year old). After having major gate issues, Colourful Score took all of 2008 and 2009 off before he showed up again in Dubai at Jebel Ali on 2/12/ 2010. In his one and only start in 3 years he broke his maiden by 7 1/2 lengths and earned $12,249. The only time in his life he earned a check.

Total: 3 (1-0-0) $12,249

A few photos from Breeders Cup Day - with Zen

2010-11-08T14:52:00.002-05:00

Breeders Cup weekend Nov 5-6th, 2010

2010-11-08T14:36:00.005-05:00

It was a late surprise being able to go to The Breeders Cup this weekend. Again, a major thank you for the tickets. I had a lot of fun and it was good to get out of town for a while. Fridays weather was less than stellar but the Clubhouse tickets with a great view made up for it.

Ramsey Farm Cattery - Ready to Purr!

2010-09-29T17:48:00.005-04:00

Ramsey Farm is offering more than just Barn Cats in the October Fasig-Tipton Lexington sale, held October 25th-27th, 2010. Ramsey Farm is offering 17 yearlings by their stallions CATIENUS and champion KITTEN'S JOY.

Among yearlings offered are Hip#399, filly o/o Glasgow. From the family of millioniare, Canadian Horse of The Year and Canadian Champion Grass Horse THORNFIELD. 4th dam in this family is also a Canadian Champion and the dam of G1 millionaire HAWK WING. *OUT*

Hip# 407 bay filly by Catienus out out the Carson City mare Golden Kitty may just be the cross of both families that could produce a champion runner. 3rd dam, That's My Hon who is the dam of G1 millionaire and sire DOWN THE AISLE. Down The Aisle is a sister to Kitten's First - The dam of KITTEN'S JOY as well as G1 millioniare PRECIOUS KITTEN and the granddam of Breeders Cup Juvenile Filly winner and Champion filly DREAMING OF ANNA. *$7,500*

A horseman looking for a long-term earner in their stable may want to pay attention to hip #749, a bay filly by Kitten's Joy o/o On The Bug by Ghazi. On The Bus who was a multiple New York stakes winner raced from ages 3 to 8, having just 2 other foals of racing age. (Transport The Joy .07 filly by Kitten's Joy and Vankatstick .08 filly by Kitten's Joy). Other notable runners in the family include multiple stakes winner PRIVATE LAP (raced 3-8), BOBBY'S BUCKAROO (2-8) and FIGHTING FAST, 10 wins 2-6.*$3,000*

A family that is moving from great to incredible is offered with Hip# 889, bay colt by Catienus o/o Silver Deputy mare Saint Chi Chi. This young mare is awaiting the first start from 2 y/o full sister Chia Cat.
Further down in the catalogue page we see MR. D'OR still running at age 7 and the G2 winner COFFEE BOY. Coffee Boy, currently on break in Ocala after talk of the Breeders Cup died down, will return this winter at Calder. Coffee Boy who has a half brother by Imperalism, RNA $62,000 (OBSApril #1133) is also scheduled to make his debeaute at Calder this winter. - Aptly named Mr. Dunkin. *OUT*

Altogether Ramsey Farm's consignment offers many different bloodline options for any level of play. Horseman should pay close attention at the quality of the stock offered at this sale. While prices can be unpredictable at any sale, Ramsey offers quality for your money.

... and they are letting the cats out of the bag.

Things you should never have to hear during an evening out.

2010-09-21T23:16:00.004-04:00

September brings change. Change in the weather, change in the scenery, and change in the people you associate with. It can be a positive, negative or just plain confusing change. So people go back to school or come back to work from a vacation, but everyday you wake up breathing you should strive for change.

September for me brings the change of focus from lazy days at the pool to tired legs and sore feet from walking the sales grounds and going out at night. My head hurts more from the going out at night as well. The change in company I keep also contributes to my head hurting. I have said I have stopped wondering about people a long time ago but there are some things that still make me wonder what makes people tick. I try not to form an opinion about people until I actually meet them and try to understand where they come from. Last week was a prime example of the question that crosses my mind every so often.. "What Were You Thinking?!?!".

I had met up with a few friends for an evening out at a local Hibatchi grill I had never been to. It had been an interesting afternoon at the sale which included hunting down a purchaser of a yearling filly my friend had been interested in. Having not known the person before this was the first time I had met this person. After introductions and ordering the first round of drinks the conversation began to flow. In fact it flowed into a direction no one ment for it to go to. Which leads me to my first list:
"Things You Should Never Have To Hear During An Evening Out"..

1) I have a foot fetish.
2) Addressing everyone at the table a "Hon" ... male company included.
2) Everyday I wake up and shave my entire body..

WTF, are you for real?!?
Point of Order: Personal Grooming Habits beyond what shampoo you use are not recommended dinner conversation!

When I say everyone at the tabled paused in silence for a moment I am not lieing. New York eyeballs were rolling after hearing that. YIKES. We all found humor after someone tried to break in with a question of "Do you do that like swimmers do?" The reply was "No I'm not a swimmer" ... Really, so you just do that for the fun of it? WTF.

So, as important as manners are in public, also remember good conversation speaks volumes about what kind of person you are and what memory of you people take away from meeting you..

So Mr. Body Hair.. this is the memory of you that sticks in my head like a wax strip. Oh and also if your wax you would not have to shave everyday.

My Captains :(

2010-09-09T21:29:00.002-04:00

I'm going to miss the "Night with Capt Sig & The Hillstrands" on Sat night in Lowell M.A. (stupid job!!)

WHY.. I move from Mass (You come visit)..

It's on a Saturday.. and I would have flown in for the weekend just to see you..

Keeneland didnt let that happen... FML..

A Girls Guide to Being Ms. Independant..

2010-08-21T21:01:00.009-04:00

So last night to celebrate the start (and almost completion) of my friends new tattoo, we decided to go out and dull her pain with a few drinks. I of course being the devoted friend I am, would dull my pain in her honor and a salute to her bravery. She didn't shed a tear, just a few choice words.

I did not put my full effort into "gettin' all purt-ted up" to go out, but I did change out of my work clothes and at lease looked better then I did and smelled better then I did. We decided to meet an old neighbor at a Downtown cafe (of the Atomic kind). A somewhat Island-esque eatery that has an out door bar, lounging and dancing area. The what I assume house band that was playing was a step off of Bob Marley but still alright for backround noise.

Now, perhaps Lexington Kentucky being such a college focused town (for lack of sports teams I'm guessing)..., I should have paid more attention to the fact it was "Move-In weekend" for the new class of students at UK. This gave the whole place a giant case of the "Frats". It also gave me a case of the "are you kidding me's?" and I think I could have become sea sick in the ocean of backwards hats, striped collared polo shirts, khaki shorts and sandles. That was just the men. The opposite sex must have made good on the latest pilgrimage to the early 20 something-college students Meca (Old Navy) when they were having one of their latest sales on late summer wear. TACKY DRESSES FOR ALL!!
I should actually clarify that only most of the female population that evening were dressed as such. There were a few that I noticed showed up at the bar looking like dressed down Ms. Kentucky pagent contestants. They were just missing a sash, a closed hand wave and the interview question answered by a wish for world peace. The two of us said early on we felt under dressed.

After almost a year in Lexington I have reconfirmed the stero-type to myself over and over the the majority of the female KY-born population has a certin "look" to them. Being a foreigner in this strange land I can spot them loud and clear without evening having to ask where they are from. These are the ladies who keep their local hair dresser in steady business just by having more blonde hy-lites then common sense. Their dentist doesn't think twice about his jet ski payment due to veniers and monthly bleaching. A consumer poll will tell you Mabeline and Rebal- mascara and eyeliner is a must have for all southern women. I think they give it to them for their 10th birthday as tradition. -anyway.

I'm happy for these college kids who get to see their old friends and revel in stories of going home for the summer and tan lines, but it made me feel old. Old not in a bad way, but old as in wiser. I'm not saying I have answers to their questions nor am I a life coach, but I see where they are going. The mistakes I made and learned life lessons from are in their near future (or even later that night, but for right now that mistake is having another yeager-bomb). I'm at a point in my life I just sit back, watch and laugh.

I laugh at the guys who think girls are impressed by how many beers they drink.
I laugh at the girls who still have drama over men.
I laugh at cheesey pick-up lines.
I laugh even harder at the people who fall for them.

If you can't find enjoyment in the behavior of others- good, bad or indifferent, you're not human. I did enjoy my night and more so once the shots and drinks kicked in. Just before departing I stepped outside and found a table to sit down at and have a smoke. I had come outside previously with Ann and a friend of hers so I had "posse security", this time I was solo - Ughhh yeah I see it coming. "It" was a college guy named Brian whom I learned was from MI, working in OH, and here with his boys. His posse was no where to be found. Perhaps off trying to get directions to the next party they were going to. Well, Brian was more drunk then he was charming when he asked me for a smoke. Being half way thorough my cig but still having a three quarter full drink I needed to consume in a timely manner as my friend was waiting on me to get going, I offered him what was left. We engaged in the typically bar talk. Where are you from, what do you do? Blah-Blah-Blah,
I wasn't interested from minute one. Brian showed a sign of weakness when he made a comment that exposed low self esteem and it elevated me to the alpha-dog in the conversation. It wasn't a power-trip for me but low self esteem is something that someone just meeting you for the first time should not be able to notice as your cologne.
I give him credit for trying but really after just a could of quips from me and you're telling me how smart and cute I am.. laughing and then telling me how nice my eyes are.. sweet but doesn't do it for me. Not total fail-whale, but just lame.

Annmarie swooped in at the most perfect time to end my encounter with Atomic-Brian. We parted ways and I was glad to be heading home. My bed was calling, my eyes were heavy and it was going to feel really good to wash my make-up off.

This is an excellent example of an Ms. Independant's night out. A night out that didn't end up becoming a mistake.. after all he was still at the bar when I left.

I keep going..

2010-08-13T20:53:00.003-04:00

I forget what number I left off on, so let's just start at 75.

75) My spelling is horrible.

76) As much as I like being single. It has it's down falls.

77) I still want to own a penguin one day.

78) someone buy me a penguin.. Please!

79) I swear to god, all I know how to bring for lunch is leftovers or a turkey sandwich..

80) I make a pretty awesome pot roast.

81) I'm turned off by people who cannot stand up for themselves.

82) I cannot play video games. I am SO absolutely horrible at them. I never got past the first level in the original Mario brothers.

83) I think Ben Stiller is a great actor.

84) I could sleep all day and still be tired.

85) Robin Williams is incredible and I hope to see him live one day.

86) I enjoy spegetti-os' for breakfast.

87) I love getting cards and care packages from my peeps from all over the world. (This mean YOU, so get a box to UPS will ya?)

88) My handwriting is.. unique.

89) my upstairs neighbors make a ton of noise.

90) "my cats breath smells like cat food" - Ralph Wigem.

91) I am a child of the 80s.

92) I love riding and miss it.

93) I hate camping, wilderness, type stuff.. It's like you want to throw away thousands of years of evolution and be a caveman all over again.. REALLY?!?!

94) I have 2 tattoos. Looking for more.

95) I only had a pierced belly button and eye brow... long gone, but the scars remain.

96) I'm not a real blonde, but I play one on tv.

97) I love foreign accents.

where I left off..

2010-08-09T20:32:00.007-04:00

41) I have a sick expensive shoe & purse addiction. Manolo, Jimmy, Christian, Coach, LV, Prada, the Laundry that is Chinese.. I love them all.

42) My dog means more to me than most people do.

43) I'm a diabetic. I dont like talking about it b/c it makes me feel old.

44) I drive around just to listen to the radio a little longer.

45) I laugh my ass off whenever I picture Betty White saying anything profane.

46) I one day will have my own reality show.

47) I drop the F-bomb and use the C-word more then I probably should.

48) I love being from Boston. Cuz I'm WICKED awesome!

49) Some of my favorite movies are Casino, Goodfellas, Gigli, Ferris Buller's Day Off, Joe Dirt, Talladega Nights, Stranger Than Fiction, Rainman, & Top Gun.

50) I think Britney Spears makes it even more un-popular to be from Louisiana.

51) I have no problem jumping in my car and driving 100 miles for no good reason.

52) "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard..."

53) I went trick-or-treating one year thorough the neighborhood on horseback with my friend Lauren. It was awesome and I got tons of candy. I fed everything I didnt want to my horse.

54) I crack my neck, knuckles, toes, ankles, pratically every joint I have.

55) Team Coco.

56) I have published writings in a regional Thoroughbred breeding magazine in NY.

57) I have been in The Blood Horse. :)

58) I love strawberries and raisins in my salad.

59) Skip Away is my favorite racehorse of all time.

60) I get the same Whopper Value meal everytime I go to BK.

61) I have a sick obsession for commercial crab fisherman.

62) I don't like eating lamb.

63) I have a crush on Vin Diesel.

64) I once made a art sculpture from melting a bunch of crayons and half used candles into a blob. It was cool.

65) I once learned drinking heavily the night before a horse show is a bad idea. Thanks Cindy.

66) Ferris Buller, you're my hero.

67) ...

Somethings you may not know about me, but most prob. already do.

2010-08-07T22:43:00.003-04:00

I've decided to hyjack this idea from another blog. It's kind of fun, like those surveys you get via email from people you know. They list things like .. duh, I knew that him as well as things like.. wow, why did you just tell people that. My rule of thumb is I never post anything I would cause my mother to be ashamed.. Luckily she has tough skin and a wicked cool daughter :)

So, let's commence shall we?

1) my name is Crystal Lynn Conway.

2) I was either named for Crystal Gail (the country singer) or Crystal Lake (in Maine).

3) If I was going to be a boy, my parents would have named me Toby... WTF were they smoking?

4) my BFF had a childhood imaginary friend named Crystal Lynn. How freaked out was she when we first met? hahaha but she is awesome.

5) I grew up in the 'burbs, north of Boston, Massachusetts. We had a big house on a lot of land that later in life we built a horse barn on. The land was in my family for a long time and it was used as farm land. Ghosts of previous farm animals haunt that hill.

6) Growing up I never liked being by myself but now I love it. I could be in silence for days and just be lost in thoughts in my own head and never be bored.

7) I met rockstar Marilyn Manson when I was in Highschool. I was much into that sort of stuff in HS. I think now I'm about the complete opposite.

8) I can eat a whole pizza by myself. In fact tonight I did. It was a med. hawaiian pizza from Donatos' and I swear it had a hint of cinnamin on it.. It smelled like cina-stix. It was great.

9) I <3 carbs.

10) I have fashion phobias.. Not of myself, but other people. I cannot stand
a) socks with sandles
b) socks with jesus sandles, any type of socks with flip-flops
3) turtlenecks with no sleezes
4) toe-socks
5) people who wear winter-fashion scarves with shorts.. WTF are you pretending to be cold?

11) The first love of my life was a bay QH gelding named Olly. Only one other has come as close to my heart as Olly did. Olly, Opal and Spanky I love you!

12) My best job ever was the last 2 summers working at Rockingham Park. Winning races left and right. Party, party, party, win races, party,party,party. I barely slept all summer, but did take enough time to go to the beach about 4x a week.

13) I've lived in like 5 different states. Bucket list includes living in a bunch more.

14) spring of 2006 changed my life FOREVER.. I was at home on a saturday with my dog, laying on the couch and a Deadliest Catch marathon came on.. I watched it into the night and my life was never the same.

15) Fast forward - may 2008,, my BFF and I met Capt. Sig Hansen.. Best road trip to Rhode Island EVER!!!

16) I sleep next to my Blackberry, dog, and cat.. no one else is allowed to spend the night. - House rules.

17) I love facebook, I like Twitter, I hate myspace..

18) Back to the topic of eating.. I make the best chilli EVER.

19) I know how to castrate a bull, horse, sheep, cat, and dog. I learned how to do it in High school and how many people can say that?

20) In high school I got to ride horses, groom dogs, and play with sheep.

21) I'm 28, but I've died once so I'm considering it a do-over. My first life was way more fun.

22) I am a strong person.

23) "I don't have low self-estem, I have low estem for everyone else" - Daria.

24) I'm truely a old soul. I think retirement is nearing.

25) I met John Lennon. Obviously not THE John Lennon, but a really cool gambler at the track. He was so much fun. I remember the last time I spoke with him on the phone before he passed away. I mentioned something about the KY Derby coming up and with as much breath as he had he said, "but there is no one worth betting on".. I havent played the Derby since.

26) My list of places to visit in my life include: Dutch Harbor, AK. Italy, Ireland, Austrailia, Nepal, and South Africa.

27) I love Spongebob.

28) I will one day claim my cat and dog on my tax return.

29) Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, The Beatles and Oasis are musical artists I can listen to 24/7/365.

30) I think I'm Polish, German, Scottish and Irish but I'm not sure..

31) My dad was the first one to take me to the track. Suffolk Downs..I think I was 10.

32) Thanks Dad.

33) I used to show AKC smooth coat chihuahuas in conformation events. I'm a better horse showman then dog showmen.

34) I do not believe in organized religon. My parents did not raise me to believe or not to believe in god. I have only been to church 3 times in my life. However my faith is based on the beliefs and princibles of the pagan and buddhist guidance. I believe in being a centered and grounded person who travels with their eyes and heart open to everyone and everything they encounter in life... except spiders.

35) Speaking of spiders.. I got bit by a spider while I was sleeping and it almost killed me.

36) I don't care if I ever get married. I'm not interested in having children of my own. The whole getting fat, and birthing idea sounds absolutely disgusting.

37) I used to dig guys who wore black eye liner.. Now the only guys I dig that wear make up are gay and Fabulous!

38) I remember where I was when 911 happened. Working at Rockingham Park, waiting on my bug boy to send my last horse out for the morning. He never showed up, and some kid with a helmet and a crop walked by. I waived him over and walked into the office to ask my boss if I could put that kid up on the horse. The 2nd plane hit the tower just as I walked in and the TV was right next to my head. I couldn't believe it was something that was going on in NYC. We all sat down and watched for like an hour. (I did untack the horse first). The track was silent all morning. Everyone was in the kitchen watching tv. The no-fly order made the sky silent,, but they didn't cancel live racing!

39) I would skip class in High school to go to the track and run horses for my boss. My mom knew but never said anything. One of my teachers also knew. When I had the morning paper with me checking out morning line odds in homeroom it was a dead give away. He knew I was smart from the stock market project we had to do : picking out own stocks and following them.. (again thx Dad), so checking out the odds was a dead give away. He didn't rat me out after I gave him a $800 trifecta tip.

40) To be continued..

Mom's visit

2010-07-29T19:09:00.003-04:00

My mother visited me recently. I bribed her to come see me because I got her tickets to see Ron White's comedy show "Behavior Problems" tour. A few years ago RW was at Fort Polk (Louisiana) and she missed it. I thought this would be a fun early birthday present. Great show, and boy does Comedy Central do a lot of PG- editing for that dirty old man.

check out my youtube videos.

www.youtube.com/shesunskippable

My Broodmare band Wish List.. Part I

2010-07-03T16:48:00.002-04:00

If Saint Fesitvus can fit the following broodmares into his holiday rambler and deliver them this year that would be great. If not this year, that's ok. It's a working "bucket list" anyway..

Broodmare by Tiz Now

Broodmare by Giant's Causeway ... or 3 year old, I'm not too picky on this one.

Broodmare by Runaway Groom.. (Check!)
Oh wait I already had one. Dancaway! You tool, you were an awful mare!

Broodmare by Sadler's Wells. (Gotta bred something with Stamina ya,know).

Broodmare by Danzig..
Yes, Danzig.. She might be older then dirt by the time I get her.

Broodmare by Dynaformer

She's Unskippable

2010-06-13T17:46:00.002-04:00

This week I changed my twitter name. No big deal but there is a little history behind it I thought I could put on paper... er blog.. whatever

She's Unskippable.. registered bay/white tobiano Paint-Arabian filly. Breeder: Crystal L. Conway.. owner: Unknown.

Barn names: "Spanky",, "Spanky, WTF did you do!", "Spanky, leave the dog alone!", "Spanky, quit playing with the hose!", "Spanky, quit eating Smokey's mane." "Spanky, I swear to god, tip the muckcart over once more and I will beat you senseless.".. Yeah she was my girl..

She was the only foal from my champion Arabian mare SHF Fire Opal. She had the most amazing color and 2 blue eyes that would make your heart melt. She knew how to bat her eye lashes at you and no matter what she had done it made you forget how mad you were and you would fall in love with her all over again. She was a horse that was more dog-like then horse-like.

She was Mommy's princess and I really regret ever selling her. You can't keep them all, that I know. After loosing her dam I relized how much I miss her and I know she is the last piece of my mare out there somewhere.

I really wish I could find her again just to make sure she was safe. After all,, She's Unskippable.

The life of a Gypsy..

2010-06-06T15:19:00.002-04:00

So it is even more apparent that the life of a gypsy has become the norm. Well, atleast to me it has. The idea of the settle and build a life is for the most part out the window for me and the travelin' life is more in favor. I thought it was the 20-something in me that just couldn't settle but I see it more and more in people older then me. My question IS,, WHY if it is working out well for so many people who are enjoying it and seeing the world is it STILL looked down upon by others????

I'm Sorry you have never left your little town, your little state, you little bio-dome that you have built for yourself. I have been out living my life. I have been visiting the places I want to see, making friends, making enemies, putting miles on my car, and memories in my brain. They are the the things I can reflect on at the end of the day or the beginning of the morning and be happy (or sad) with. I make mistakes, and I can't ganruntee I will learn from them. I won't know what mistakes I have made until I make them.

So again, if my mother can accept her daughter is not perfect and does not live a perfect life - WHY THE FUCK CAN'T YOU!?!?!?!

P.s. for those of you interested in submitting a "boyfriend application", please read the fine print.. "cuz I got your crazy"...

Something Deadly..

2010-05-31T13:46:00.003-04:00

Something deadly to ponder over..

I have been watching Deadliest Catch since Friday night.. 12 hours Saturday give or take some pool time. Pretty much 9 hours+ on Sunday, and now about 4 hours into a marathon grind for Monday. So after my mother and I discussed our favorite moments I relized I have been watching Deadliest Catch for over 27 hours. More then 1/4 of my holiday weekend has been spent crab fishing on the Berring Sea.. Why, might someone ask??

Well if you know me, you know why. I believe I have an addiction to this show.. like stocker type addiction. I made my BFF Robyn go with me to the Newport R.I. boat show to meet Captain Sig a couple years ago.. Still one of the greatest days of my life.

Some people may smoke crack, or have other addictions. My guilty pleasure is watching this reality show. It is a REAL reality show, not "NBC/MTV has put us in a million dollar house and our biggest challenge is not to sleep with each other " reality show. No it's real men, working a dangerous job, in dangerous conditions.

I have my family addicted to this show as well. So much so, my grandmother and I can communicate an entire afternoons worth of events in our own "Captains Slang". I could communicate to my family from the DEAD by signing something "F/V Tequila Rose".. (The made-up boat name I have, named after my dog: Tribal's Sweet Tequila Rose).. kind of like the "Jenny" from Forest Gump.

Father Find Me Now - The Coal Men.

Horsepeople are f*ckin' crazy!

2010-05-16T20:26:00.002-04:00

I've said it since I can remember.. I don't miss the barn drama. I feel for anyone who goes though it. I see it now thorough a friend of mine now. It's petty bull shit. Just Get over yourself.. Please.

May 14, 2010 - Skip Away dead of heart attack.

2010-05-14T10:12:00.002-04:00

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/57023/skip-away-dies-of-heart-attack

Best Grey Race Horse EVER!

I was supposed to go see,(was actually on my way) to see Skip Away in September when I got into the accident with my Jeep. I didnt end up going but said I always wood. Well, I lost my chance. Now all I can do is visit the spot where they choose to lay him to rest.. How sad.

Another week completed..

2010-05-08T12:05:00.001-04:00

Dear Mike Rowe,
Eww..

That is all.

I Miss Horse Shows!!

2010-05-02T20:01:00.003-04:00

I miss my horses Irish & Opal.

I miss the drama.

I miss the win.

Congrats Maggie, You did awesome!!!

2010-05-02T16:14:00.000-04:00

Catch Con photos

2010-05-02T16:11:00.002-04:00

Sunday starts the week of warfare

2010-05-02T15:28:00.000-04:00

HAHAHA - Once again victorious at Walmart. Could Walmart be considered the purgatory of earth? That would be my hell.
KY Celebrity look-a like sighting. Bob Baffart shopping for ice cream and onions.Post Derby sale of KY Derby stuff starts tomorrow at Kroger, learned that after going there Today.
Catch-Con,, JUST AMAZING!!! Day 1 Capt. Phil memorial and video tribute brought a tear to my eye when Josh Harris dedicated his Berring Sea mohawk to his Dad. "For You Buddy!" Cornelia Maria yearly Good Luck ritual of the crew. It always seems to work.

"You can watch things happen, you can make things happen, or you can wonder what the f*ck happened". - Phil Harris.