Yay photos

For my mothers birthday this week, I dug out all of the negatives I could find and have scanned them into the family computer. I thought that this would be a nice surprise for her to see all her memories on the computer, as a screensaver or just generally at her fingertips. Well I sat at the computer today for 8 hours and Ive managed to get through 13 whole rolls of film, I would guess that there are about 300 more to go. I dont think I'll finish in time. I'm actually really enjoying doing it, even though it taking me so long. Its great to look through all the photos from my childhood, Most of them Ive never even seen.

This meant that I got a chance to drop some of my OLD black and white negatives into the scanner. I have never really had a chance to develop 90% of my B&W photos. I had to choose three photos from the whole two rolls of film from this particular shoot, so I never

even got to see the majority of those photos fullsized. They aren't great photos, but there are a few I really love. These ones are from the 2004 Iditarod. Ive posted more on http://aisling86.deviantart.com/ As I said they arent great but I love to finally see

them bigger than a thumbprint.

It was pretty cool, watching the iditarod. People say that its cruel. That we force these poor animals to run 1100K through the snow, ice and horrible cold. That these poor animal

s are getting abused. I wasnt sure, what to think, going into it. Those dogs get the royal treatment. The best vets in the world are flown in to each night camp and all the dogs get checked out to be sure they are in top shape, if they arent the ride on the sled. They are fed the best food to keep them strong and healthy, they probably eat better than most people do. You cant say, that these dogs dont WANT to run. Its true that they are trained their whole lives for the race, but when your at the starting line, you can feel in the air the excitement that those dogs feel. Before the race, each dog has its own handler to hold it down, because they get too wound up, and jump over each other and tangle themselves up. They want so badly to run.

The race has two starts. One in downtown Anchorage where they race to another small town, then leave from there a few days later. The photos here are from the first start in Anchorage. this first start is used as a medial/fundraising event. Each team leaves Anchorage with two sleds, instead of the normal one. Both sleds have an open seat that is auctioned off to raise funds for different causes. They use the second sled because without the extra weight the dogs run too quickly for the media to get any decent photos of them. I didn't really beleive it but when you stand on the sidelines its nuts how little time you have to snap that shutter before they're gone. It is unreal to watch. You cant deny the anticipation these dogs feel before they get to go. They Love it. And yes the kennels look a little mean, but its really the only way to transport 14 energetic sled dogs.

So its been an interesting week. I sent in the last chance papers to the recruiter. For some reason it terrified me a little. Im getting nervous, over-thinking, worried. What the hell was I thinking signing up for this? What if they dont take me? What if I fail my PT test again? What if I fail the written test? What if I dont pass my physical? What if they accept me?

Anyway, I suppose it will be what it will. Lots of people Join the CF because theres nothing better to do, right?