Comments on: Iditarod Background http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/ On-line Opinion Magazine...OK, it's a blog Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:38:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Bryan http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/comment-page-1/#comment-34754 Bryan Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:42:40 +0000 http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/#comment-34754 With the current price of gas, mushing will become a lot more popular in northern climes. With the current price of gas, mushing will become a lot more popular in northern climes.

]]> By: hipparchia http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/comment-page-1/#comment-34751 hipparchia Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:24:28 +0000 http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/#comment-34751 also, it was just plain idiotic to send a few people and their dog teams out into the cold frozen nothingness to travel 1000 miles as fast as they could. we love that kind of challenge, and that kind of nuttiness. also, it was just plain idiotic to send a few people and their dog teams out into the cold frozen nothingness to travel 1000 miles as fast as they could. we love that kind of challenge, and that kind of nuttiness.

]]> By: hipparchia http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/comment-page-1/#comment-34750 hipparchia Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:17:33 +0000 http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/#comment-34750 i see that, now that you mention it. most of them have generalized <i>human at computer table = paws off keys</i>, but this is a new size, shape and color keyboard, so a couple of them are starting over from scratch: <i>what? you mean small gray square = large black rounded? how were we supposed to know <b>that?</b></i> they also found the power and sleep buttons on this one before i did. oh well, given that their human also learns by the <i>what does this button do?</i> method, i can't really fault them. back on topic, how could people <i>not</i> show up for this? the iditarod holds any number of romantic associations for a lot of us mere mortals: alaska is still 'the frontier'; the gold rush; the diphtheria serum run to nome; and dog sleds... they've got horse-drawn carriages in central park, but how many people in the whole wide world have ever traveled even a few hundred yards by dog sled? not many, though it's gaining in popularity -- as competition, as recreational travel, as another mode of sightseeing, as one more fun activity to do with your dogs. in one of my english classes years ago, we had to pick out one book as 'the great american novel' and defend our choice. as might be obvious, i chose <i>the call of the wild</i>. i see that, now that you mention it. most of them have generalized human at computer table = paws off keys, but this is a new size, shape and color keyboard, so a couple of them are starting over from scratch: what? you mean small gray square = large black rounded? how were we supposed to know that? they also found the power and sleep buttons on this one before i did. oh well, given that their human also learns by the what does this button do? method, i can’t really fault them.

back on topic, how could people not show up for this? the iditarod holds any number of romantic associations for a lot of us mere mortals: alaska is still ‘the frontier’; the gold rush; the diphtheria serum run to nome; and dog sleds… they’ve got horse-drawn carriages in central park, but how many people in the whole wide world have ever traveled even a few hundred yards by dog sled? not many, though it’s gaining in popularity — as competition, as recreational travel, as another mode of sightseeing, as one more fun activity to do with your dogs.

in one of my english classes years ago, we had to pick out one book as ‘the great american novel’ and defend our choice. as might be obvious, i chose the call of the wild.

]]> By: Bryan http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/comment-page-1/#comment-34741 Bryan Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:37:35 +0000 http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/#comment-34741 Your kitties must have attacked your keyboard as I had to retrieve and edit your comment header. It's amazing how many people have shown up from around the world on this. Your kitties must have attacked your keyboard as I had to retrieve and edit your comment header.

It’s amazing how many people have shown up from around the world on this.

]]> By: hipparchia http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/comment-page-1/#comment-34740 hipparchia Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:38:28 +0000 http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/#comment-34740 ah, thanks for the tip. if you start from the ionearth site, you get sent to the 'subscribe' page if you ask about tracking the race. ah, thanks for the tip. if you start from the ionearth site, you get sent to the ‘subscribe’ page if you ask about tracking the race.

]]> By: Bryan http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/comment-page-1/#comment-34738 Bryan Mon, 03 Mar 2008 01:22:42 +0000 http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/#comment-34738 There is a subscription service that includes a lot of extras, including video, but I just checked the basic tracking site and all I've provided is an e-mail address. I'm not ready to pay for anything, like a constant update, because I don't have the time to monitor it. There is a subscription service that includes a lot of extras, including video, but I just checked the basic tracking site and all I’ve provided is an e-mail address.

I’m not ready to pay for anything, like a constant update, because I don’t have the time to monitor it.

]]> By: hipparchia http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/comment-page-1/#comment-34737 hipparchia Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:45:50 +0000 http://whynow.dumka.us/2008/03/02/iditarod-background/#comment-34737 i was thinking the same thing. apparently it's being billed as a pr thing this year, and so the popular mushers / past years' leaders apparently were the ones asked to participate in the pilot project. at least with this introduction of technology into the race, maybe they'll eventually break down and allow racers to carry their own gps units in the future. as far as i can tell, you need to pay the $19.95 subscription fee to follow the satellite tracking. i've been dithering all day about whether to do that. i was thinking the same thing. apparently it’s being billed as a pr thing this year, and so the popular mushers / past years’ leaders apparently were the ones asked to participate in the pilot project.

at least with this introduction of technology into the race, maybe they’ll eventually break down and allow racers to carry their own gps units in the future.

as far as i can tell, you need to pay the $19.95 subscription fee to follow the satellite tracking. i’ve been dithering all day about whether to do that.

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