The Olympics

First off - kudos to Beth on such on awesome site. I've been heating up the posts lately - I usually write movie reviews at http://www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/member under Sebeq's River. (Think you may have to sign up to RT to view it but it's free and a very cool site) But I've been looking for a place to sound off about stuff that bugs me outside Holly-would so I chose here. Hope that's cool with everybody Wink

Ahhh, the Winter Olympics.
The only place where you can see people flying down an ice laden twisting track at speeds of 65 mph both on their back and on their stomach while a crowd a cheers for them to win and also not to seriously hurt themselves in the process.
A venue where woman can be scantily clad dancing on the edge of blade that makes walking the streets of New York in stilettos look like fun and be involved in tricks called death spirals .
It s a time when you watch people hurl granite weights down an icy stretch like balls on a pool table and actually try to understand and be excited about it.
What I don t get is that the Olympics used to be for the young. Now that professional athletes can play, which I m sure was a ploy by the networks for higher ratings; some of the joy has been sucked out the games in general. For example, our hockey team this year, which is nothing more than a collection of guys thrown together at the last minute, and I mean the last minute. Due to the blizzard up north, our guys got exactly two hours of practice together as a team before they went on to play Latvia. Whose fault is that? Well, it s a combination of the NHL and the Olympic committee: The NHL for allowing the athletes to compete in the Olympics at all and the IOC for letting professionals into the games in the first place. As a hockey fan (Go Flyers!) I m actually routing for the Czech Republic to win the gold. I don t even care to see Canada take it, just because I have never liked The Great (Big Liar) One. No, the Czechs deserve it more than anyone, followed by the Swedes. These are cohesive teams that have skated together for months preparing for these games.
And of course there is the media, always looking to find the story where there is no story. Take Lindsey Jacobellis. Yea she screwed up, but she won freaking silver for Christ sake. Let the girl at least enjoy that instead of asking her a barrage of embarrassing questions about her possible show boating that cost her the gold. And who cares about Shani not practicing with his team mates? I don t and neither do his team mates two have already won gold, we need to hear more about them.
Norway is kicking everyone s ass in the medal races anyway. Seeing as I m equal parts Norwegian, Italian, German and English, I find that refreshing. I also route for players from those countries. Why: because the Olympics are about cultural exchange, sportsmanship and shining through adversity. It s not about how many golds the USA takes home, it s about witnessing the world s greatest athletes give their all for the chance to go down in history as an Olympic champion. And that cats and kittens is why you should tune in not because NBC told you to.

Amen!

I keep hearing on ESPN and other show how the Olympics are losing out to American idol in the ratings.

You know what? Who gives a rats ass! This is the Olympics. This is about sportsmanship, this is about pride, this is about country.

Bode Miller blew it. Good. He's been talking smack and always covering himself by saying it didn't mean much to him that he's been losing. Then if you don't care Bode, step aside. Let the athletes who care if they win compete.

I can't say I agree with the new snowboarding stuff. Still looks like something on Mtv. But maybe it just needs a chance to grow. The races wher all the boarders are going at once was pretty darn cool to watch.
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Procrastinate now, don't wait until later.

when the cat's away...

Actually... I just called the hotel, and asked if they have wireless, and they said in selected rooms. I asked if I could have one of those selected rooms. They said yes. Then I thought, maybe I should buy something to use the wireless. So... I broke down and bought a laptop. I just hope it makes it here by Monday, I forgot Monday is Presidents day.... Check it out...

Acer Aspire AS3003LCi AMD Mobile Sempron 3000+ 15.0" XGA 256MB 40GB DVD/CD-RW Combo SiS Mirage 2 NoteBook

It ends up being cheaper then the one from Tiger, because there is no tax, or shipping charge.