The True Spirit of the Games

I love the Olympics. Every two years, the best of the best suit up and battle it out for bragging rights until the next group of super-human athletes congregate a few years later. Winter, summer, that one summer one that was in winter somehow I think. I loved that figure skater from France who did illegal back-flips on the ice, Keri Strug who rocked that shit on 1 foot, and currently love the fact that 4 horses got thrown out for doping. The Chinese gymnasts are fetuses, but horses are getting tossed for being on the juice. Nice.

Side note: Learning about China = Conclusion that China is scary

I love my arbitrary selection of whom to cheer for. Will their outfit charm me? A haircut? Perhaps that fascinating thing those swimmers do with their hips when coming out from a turn? Their gold shoes? Or that British gymnast, Beth Tweedle, who has the best name ever and thus deserves my momentary support in the short time I'll be aware of her existence?

And I love track and field. People running and jumping over stuff and throwing things at other things will always be fascinating.

There's just so much to enjoy!

Except for the announcers. While watching synchronized diving (and totally into it) I heard the female announcer mention that one girl had moved from California to Indiana to train. She concluded that "it's much easier to train for this event when you're in the same place, at the same time, with your partner". (reproduced emphasis hers) While I don't doubt this at all, it just seems kinda obvious.

While watching the relay race tonight (again, totally into it, I'll be beside myself at rhythmic gymnastics, and I'm not kidding), the announcers noted that it was raining, and pontificating on its impact on the race. As they debate slickness of the road and visibility, they pause and note that three of the teams have dropped their batons. At the same hand off in the race. During the heavy rain. They start talking about it like it's a training issue. As if the teams skipped passing the baton class at relay race school. "It's really a shame, so many reasons that could have gone wrong." I just thought a metal bar could get slippery in the rain, thus leading to more droppability when wet and passed from one guy running in the rain to another guy, also running in the rain.

But I'm not an expert like those guys.

Alternatives to "And They Lived Happily Ever After"

"And sometimes she wondered whether a kiss that reanimated her from the dead was really grounds for a lifelong romance."

Think hard, Snow White.

A Moment With A Character In The Book I'm Currently Reading

"According to Jack, all of Rebecca's boyfriends were black, which seemed, if not racist, race-ish, and I wondered, Why the black guys, Becky? just as I'd wondered in the case of my friend Alex, Why the Asian women? Or in my own case, Why the pirates?"


The Wonder Spot
Melissa Bank