Katie 3 - My Trip to Indiana

I know what you’re thinking - this isn’t the schedule! But Lucas decided to go play Pokemon tonight last minute, so he asked me to switch with him. And I’m a nice fiancée so I said yes. 

We’ve had a LOT of really great trip recaps on the blog, from Aruba, to Pokemon Regionals, and now NYC. So I thought why not give a summary of my recent work trip to…. *checks notes* Batesville, Indiana. Oh boy. 

DAY 1

I know what you’re thinking. Wow, only corporate baddies get to go to a place as sick as that. Just you wait. 

Day One of the trip was a Monday. I left home at about 12:45 for my 3:50pm flight from Orlando to Indianapolis. This was certainly a bit too early, as it took me less than 30 minutes to get from parking my car to chilling at the gate. I pounded a 3 dollar Uncrustable before boarding (really hit the spot) an away we went. 

On this Southwest flight, I was B49 (one minute late on checking in because I was pulling weeds), so naturally I took the first window I saw with a nice couple from Indiana. They took the aisle and middle but really should have taken the window and middle because this man kept leaning over to look out of the window. But honestly it was pretty funny because he was so excited. I enjoyed a little rewatch of Knives Out on this flight as well, very nice.

I arrived in Indianapolis and was blown away with how pretty this airport was. I can’t see myself ever coming back here, but if I do, I would come back to this airport.

But that joy was short lived as I got to the rental car counter. Here, they told me I could either take a minivan or a pick-up truck and I said uhhhh, huh? Do I look like a woman who wants to drive a pick up truck or a mini van around the city? After some back and forth, I agreed to wait for additional cars to be brought up, and ended up with a large SUV, a Ford Edge to be exact. 

Once I finally had the car, it was time for the hour drive from Indianapolis to Greensburg, Indiana where I would be staying for the next 2 nights. It was a quick, easy drive through the country, where my main thought was… I can’t believe these people in the middle of nowhere are an hour in either direction from two separate NFL teams, The Colts and The Bengals. 

I checked into the Hampton Inn and began my search for a dinner, as I was starting to feel a bit hungry from my last uncrustable meal. This town did not have many options, so it was time to hunt. Luckily, I found a place up the street called “Wings and Rings”, which seemed like a Buffalo Wild Wings Midwest equivalent. They had cauliflower wings on the menu, BINGO! 

I placed my order for medium buffalo cauliflower wings, potato wedges, and buffalo onion rings and then set out to pick up. 

Wings and Rings was solid. Cauliflower wings and wedges were fire. The rings were a little too spicy for me, unfortunately. But overall, if you’re ever anywhere with a Wings and Rings, I recommend it. 

DAY 2

I woke up bright and early to kick off my day. I work remotely for my company, so I would be meeting a lot of people for the first time today in person, including my prior manager of over a year and a half. This is a bit anxiety inducing for someone like me.

I went downstairs for hotel breakfast and ran into Kevin, who is one of my coworkers I have actually met in person a few times. He caught me up on his recent trip to Dollywood with his daughter’s marching band and his more recent efforts to make sets for her upcoming school theater production (he’s a good dad) while I enjoyed a peanut butter waffle. 

We decided to carpool and I made Kevin roll through the Starbucks drive thru with me (sorry Kevin). It was another, you guessed it, 20 minute drive to our primary destination, Batesville, which has a population of 7000 and apparently an office for my company. 

I had lots of introductions to people I’ve actually known and been working with for a few years, which is an odd feeling. Particularly my old boss, Chris, who as I stated before, I had never actually ever met in person while he was my boss. 

We got to work (lame!!). For lunch, they provided us a taco bar (yay) and I drank a Coke Zero way too fast and had hiccups for the next hour (boo). 

Finally, it was 5pm and time to go to our group dinner to a local steakhouse. Although there were some fish options on the menu, I wasn’t feeling too keen on middle-of-Indiana fish, so decided to go for a mushroom and chicken Alfredo, hold the chicken. We got some curds to share as well (delicious). I was sat by a nice man from Nepal and bonded over love for Imagine Dragons. Overall, a great time! Didn’t get any real pictures for today, but I was clocked in, as you can imagine.

DAY 3  

The last day is here! This time when I headed down for breakfast, I ran into Chris. We had breakfast (a peanut butter bagel today) while discussing his upcoming trip to Disney World with his family. He’s been studying Lightning Lane strategy and I told him it was sure to pay off. 

We carpooled into work and had a long, busy day solving issues and strategizing, etc, etc. Lunch today was a stir fry bar, which for me was just some fried rice and noodles with sauce, but pretty decent all things considered. This time I only drank half the Coke Zero, very slowly. 

Finally, it was the end of the day and time to head back to Indianapolis for my 8pm flight home. On the way, I faced my biggest fear (getting gas by myself in the rental car), and made it with plenty of time until boarding. I enjoyed a lovely $17 grilled cheese for dinner and reminisced on my delightful trip. 

I bought some M&Ms for my in flight snack and approached the gate, only to find a great fear come true: an entire high school marching band was on this flight from Indianapolis to Orlando. Bravely, I took my place in line (A31, let’s go) and hoped for the best. By some miracle, I ended up with an empty seat next to me on board and locked in for a viewing of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. I love this movie, another top recommendation from me for a plane movie.

We landed softly down in Orlando early. The children on the plane clapped, and I agreed with the sentiment. Boy, was I happy to be home. 

I dragged myself off the plane and eventually found my car. The drive home wasn’t too bad, and I was so delighted to see my lovely fiancé waiting up for me… or so I thought. Turns out, it was Nintendo Switch 2 release night, so he was just waiting up for that and now I was his accomplice and was not able to go to bed. We waited until midnight, only for things to become a mad scramble. He had 2 separate orders get cancelled. But I, by some miracle, was able to secure us a family Switch 2. 

It was time to rest on a grateful universe, or whatever.

Good night! 

Katie 2 - My Middle School Fanfiction (TW: Cringe)

Happy Easter everyone. Since everyone else is sharing their youth internet lore, I figured I’d throw my hat in the mix and share with you all something truly unholy for this day: my fanfiction.net account. 

I actually got into fanfiction in elementary school, thanks to my childhood bestie Kelly. We became besties because we were both obsessed with Harry Potter, and she’s the one who introduced the now semi-defunct website fanfiction.net to me. Although reading fanfics became a hobby of mine late elementary school, I wouldn’t start publishing my own fanfiction until 2011, when the Hunger Games phenom soared through my middle school. 

I was afraid it would be gone, but I have managed to track down my fanfiction.net profile: https://m.fanfiction.net/u/2974147/?a=s

My username is “katieandthediamonds”, yet another relic of my middle school passions. You see, in middle school, fresh off her debut album, I became obsessed with Marina and the Diamonds (now just known as “Marina”). She’s still around and coming out with her 6th album this summer (queen). 

I only have 4 published stories. I could have sworn I had written more, but I must have deleted or maybe they were deleted by this half defunct website (hard to say). Let’s (PAINFULLY) go through and review them, shall we? 

STORY 1 - AIMLESS: THE 48TH HUNGER GAMES - PUBLISHED JUNE 14, 2011. 

FANDOM: HUNGER GAMES. 

Age at publishing before we rush too hard to judging here: 12 

Now this is a great example of where every young author should start: the CLASSIC Mary Sue fanfiction. This story follows my original character (Aimee - you see what I did with the title), who is reaped in the 48th Hunger Games. We still don’t have canonical information for the 48th Hunger Games, so who knows, this could be canon. 

Guys, this one was a really tough read, some of my favorite aspects are: 

• She was basically Katniss, but in District 7. Able to swim, hunt, shoot, you name it. Also had a little sister she was raising on her own. And everyone told her how pretty she was a lot lol.
• Her district partner was described as the “town cutie”. 
• Of course they fall in love (in fact he’s obsessed with her already), and they spend a whole chapter going to a swimming pool in the Capitol together (????) and then they kiss :) 
• Main character automatically understands all the Hunger Games meta one might need, gets a 10 in training due to setting off bombs?? In the training center (which auto clean up the destruction they cause)???
• During the Hunger Games she knocks 2 people out with shoes, and then they end up getting killed by the careers right after she knocks them out. 
• She ends up accidentally killing her boyfriend oops!! And he dies telling her he loves her wow :( 

Unfortunately, I never finished this story, it ends mid-Hunger Games soon after she kills her man. Assumption is she ends up winning, but who can say for sure!! 

This section made me actually laugh, give it a gander: 

"I-I had to climb the fence behind our district to find food for Angie and me. I can run really fast. I can climb trees. I can jump and flip easily. I can do a lot," I shrugged, "I might be able to win." He nodded.

"Well, why don't you show me?" As soon as he said this I ran towards the other side of the room and back. I smirked at him as he gawked in amazement. "I'm going to go get a stopwatch…" He left the room and came back. I ran again. Almost 100 yards in 6.7 seconds. Record baby.

Overall, I think I give this a 4/10. Solid start for a 12 year old here. 

STORY 2 - THE END OF THE BEGINNING - PUBLISHED OCTOBER 7, 2011. 

FANDOM: PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS

Age at publishing: 13

Switching up the fandoms already, wow! What makes this story fun is it is a “SYOC”, or “submit your own character”. So at some point, I must have made a call to collect characters from other people who I would then use in my story. This was popular at the time on the site to generate some interest and stakes in stories from fellow authors and I remember really enjoying submitting my characters to them. 

Unfortunately, here we are with another Mary Sue fanfiction. I hope I grow out of it soon. Here’s the highlights. 

• Chapter 1 is just a character breakdown, which is very helpful. My main character (my original character) is a Daughter of Artemis. Canonical impossibility I’m ignoring for funzies I guess (I’m 13, it’s fine). Her flaws are described as: “Her flaws are guilt, she is a terrible liar, and can fall for anyone, who could betray her.”. These obviously aren’t good, real character flaws. 
• Her best friend is a daughter of Hera, also a canonical impossibility. But a submitted character (not mine).
• I do write my own prophecy, which honestly is pretty impressive. 

I only write about 8 chapters of an alleged planned 27, so the story doesn’t get pretty far. My canonical impossibilities main character and her bestie make it to Camp Half Blood, meet the other characters, then its over. The writing is certainly a clear improvement over my first story though, so that’s nice to see. Overall I’m giving this one a 5/10. 

STORY 3 - THE SUMMER IS UPON US - PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 12, 2013. 

FANDOM: THE HUNGER GAMES. 

Age at publishing: 13 

We’re back to the Hunger Games! This is another original character story, this time set in the 123rd Hunger Games. This time it is about a character from District 11, how fun. 

• I only write 2 chapters of this, so really there’s not much to talk about unfortunately. 
• The first chapter did remind me that this was based off a character I wrote a bunch in a Hunger Games RP Forum on fanfiction.net, which unfortunately I was unable to find to show you guys any of that cringe, sorry :(. I’m not sure if it was deleted or again, archived by this terrible half shut down website, but truly a disappointment. I’ll never get over it. I actually met my first real internet friends on that forum. 
• The first chapter is really just poetry. It is showing that maybe I do have chops here. It is good to see! 
• And the only other chapter is an intro, which isn’t bad, but again, just an intro.

There really isn’t much to go off here, but my writing has clearly improved a lot in just a few months here. The first poetry chapter isn’t half bad. I’ll give it a 7/10 for that. Wish I would have finished one damn story here. 

STORY 4 - CONVERGENT, PUBLISHED JUNE 25, 2012. 

FANDOM: DIVERGENT. 

age at publishing: 13 

Now this is truly the saddest sight of all. I started (and wrote ONE chapter) of a fanfic of the 3rd Divergent book before it came out. I read it but honestly, wasn’t great. Divergent phase in general wasn’t amazing. Overall, this gets a 5/10. Girl, do better. 

And that’s it for my published fanfiction! Honestly, surprised there isn’t more!!! Don’t know what might have happened to it. Maybe next time I’ll have more childhood internet cringe to share, don’t worry there’s plenty more (my lore goes crazy). 

Bonus - I have 17 favorited stories. The fandom breakdown is as follows: 

• Hunger Games - 8
• Harry Potter - 3
• Divergent - 6

Katie: 1 - Special Interest Corner: The Quad Axel

 

Hey guys, Katie here. Thanks for letting me join the blog, I’m excited to share something with you all every 10 days. As many of you may know, I have a lot of special interests. I hope to share some of them with you here, and I also hope at least one strikes your fancy as remotely interesting. :)

Today, we take on the figure skating special interest. Enjoy!

Introduction

Just this past weekend, the figure skating world championship took place in Boston. Every four years around this time, figure skating re-emerges as a special interest of mine, just in time to engage with and watch the Winter Olympics.

Perception of figure skating as an event of art and beauty and boring snooze fest music is true, but over recent years the sport has absolutely transformed into one that pushes the boundary of human athleticism (and allows music with words, as of 2014). In particular, today I’d like to highlight the quad axel. If you’ll be tuning into skating next February for the Olympics, it is sure to be a hot topic.

What Does Quad Axel Mean??

If you wanna learn the boring blah blah blah of the history of someone really old landing this, check out Wikipedia. That ain’t this kind of blog post. I’m getting right into the big stuff here. 

In competitive figure skating, there are 6 different types of jumps to be completed. We can separate them into 2 categories for our purposes today: 

• The Axel - Takes off forward facing, lands backwards. Looks different than the others because of this.

• All 5 Others (Toe Loop, Loop, Salchow, Lutz, Flip) - Takes off backwards and land backwards, differences between these 5 being in how they take off (edge vs toe pick, blade assist vs not, etc). Hard to tell them apart unless you really know what to look for.

The Axel is generally considered to be the most difficult of all jumps as the forward take off adds a half rotation to the successful jump (i.e. The Triple Axel is actually 3.5 full rotations before landing). 

Triple axels have become a standard part of men’s figure skating programs at the highest level since the 90s, and have continued to be a rare, impressive feat in women’s skating. If you’ve seen “I, Tonya” starring Margot Robbie, you know this. 

(As a sidebar to this, check out Midori Ito’s triple Axel. The first woman to ever complete it in 1988 (only 25 have completed it since), and still the most impressive by a mile: https://youtu.be/ik3kW_k5wXQ?si=SzeKk3_IqXgsalaa)

But, the quad axel, with a staggering 4.5 rotations before landing, has eluded even the greatest jumpers of this generation, and as of today, only been landed successfully by ONE person.

Who Has Done It and A Look Ahead

Only three skaters have attempted quad axels in competition in history, the first of which was only in 2018. In this first attempt, the skater fell and the attempt was ultimately downgraded to a triple axel due to under rotation prior to the fall, so didn’t truly count. I don’t even know his name and idgaf.

The second skater to attempt the jump was Yuzuru Hanyu. He made this attempt at the 2022 Olympics as the 2-time defending gold medalist, determined to put his name in the history books again as the first to land the jump. Unfortunately, he fell during the attempt, but this attempt at least did count as a quad axel - no downgrade.

The attempt is at about the minute mark of his program: Hanyu Yuzuru's #Beijing2022 free skate ⛸

Though he fell on multiple jumps including this one, he still went on to place 4th overall in this event, very impressive in and of itself.

But, in September 2022, just a few months after Hanyu’s attempt in Beijing, 17-year old American Ilia Malinin became the first (and still the only) to successfully landed the quad axel in competition.

The jump is at about the 20-second mark: Ilia Malinin produces first Quadruple Axel in Figure Skating Grand Prix history! | Eurosport

Over the past three years, many in part to his impressive jumps, Ilia has become a leader in men’s skating. He is the first to land every kind of quad in competition. Now at 20 years old, leading into the Olympic skating season, he is the two time world champion - to secure both of these wins, he landed the quad axel. 

2024 World Championship - 1:05 mark for the QA. No HQ vids of this skate because broadcasting hates to see people watch things on YouTube but he does skate to Succession music, I know y’all go crazy for that - Ilia Malinin Six Quads at the ISU World Figure Skating Championship in Montreal on 3/23/2024

2025 World Championship - 1:20 mark for the QA. This skate is to some cute lil emo song and at around 4:25 mark he also does a backflip (cool): Ilia Malinin lands 6 quads, backflip to defend figure skating World Title | NBC Sports

He is obviously the favorite for the 2026 Olympics in Milan and it really is his gold medal to lose with an advantage like a difficult jump no one else can compete. There are rumors of a few talented jumpers who are rumored to be training it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to bring it out to help squash Ilia’s advantage with it. 

Anyway, that’s it for me. Tune in next time for more special interests. Thanks for joining today!