Thursday, February 19, 2004

Baton Girl

What's the deal with the baton girl? I went to the Illinois vs. Wisconsin game last night. It was a great game. Illinois started behind, but then took the lead near the end of the first half. They held their lead through to the end of the game.

Back to my original question. I remember being at football games and asking myself that same question. How does someone get started twirling a baton? What motivates them to keep doing it? I can see a little girl thinking she's a princess twirling the baton, ooh look at how sparkly it is, I'm so elegant, I'm going to dance around while I spin this thing! Then I imagine the girl growing out of it. Certainly they'd grow out of it before they went off to college. But...no. I don't get it. The baton girl just sort of runs around the court independent of everyone else. She's not part of the band, she's not quite a cheerleader and she's not part of the dance team. She is the baton girl. I don't get it.

In other news, I tried an elliptical machine today instead of a treadmill. I was able to cover more distance without that shin pain. Maybe I'll keep doing it. It doesn't feel as natural as running but I still burned a bunch of calories and worked up a good sweat. It kind of feels like running uphill but with an unnatural stride length.

I learned a new way to tie my shoes today. I was reading a Slashdot poll and came across a link in the comments. For years, I've double-knotted my shoes. Whenever I would tie a single knot, it would come undone. The problem with a double-knot is that it's hard to untie. Just wearing shoes with a double-knot can tighten the knot, making it harder to untie. I'm hoping that this new knot, which is only slightly different from how I normally tie my shoes, is the solution I didn't even know I was looking for. It unties with a gentle tug and so far it's held well. I tied my running shoes this way today and the knots held. I must say, it's a little awkward relearning how to tie shoes.

And that concludes today's random entry.

3 comments:

Travis said...

[Imported comment* originally authored by Erika .] Baton girl: haven't ever been one myself, but I can definitely see how being 'that' girl would be really cool. If you're a cheerleader, dance team member, etc. - you're just one of many. There is only one baton girl - and to be the only person performing that skill during the halftime show (I'd imagine to many baton-ers) is very prestigious (?)
Tying shoes: I still double knot laces, both mine and Aidan's. Bud always makes fun of me for it.

Travis said...

[Imported comment* originally authored by Iffy.] She's actually called the twirler. She's a part of the Marching Illini (in technicality. The Illinettes are as well). Twirlers are a big deal in most major college campuses. I believe all of the Big 10 schools that I've been to for football games had a twirler. Most also have an over-the-top drum major that goes along with the twirler. There are twirler competitions for all age levels, including college.

Travis said...

[Imported comment* originally authored by Renice .] I've never gotten the twirling thing, even as a little girl.
Re: the shin pain -- do you tend to pronate your ankles? Check these exercises out: http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/0161-shin-splints-treatment.htmWith the elliptical, tighten your core so that you don't rotate your hips -- it makes it harder but you'll avoid subtle damage to hip joints.