All eyes on Beijing
It’s a no brainer that I’d want to watch athletic men play sand volleyball.
Merrr!!!
But why am I also tuning in to watch swimming? It’s like watching little splashing toys move back and forth on the TV screen, but I’m hooked. I haven’t watched this much TV in weeks.
Friday night’s opening ceremonies in Beijing were amazing. My brother and I watched every minute. We might never see anything like it on TV again. To actually be there must have been incredible.
Then, in total contrast, a tragic story unfolded today about the stabbing death and injury of the parents of a former American Olympian.
China is already under scrutiny by many for its human rights and environmental issues.
I'm sure any piece of negative press won't be taken well by some.
But I'm going to keep trying to think positive about the games.
I like the Olympics, because I feel the event tears down political borders and -- for me, anyway -- gives a sense of a unified world.
It feels to me like it's a couple of weeks where we can just be humans, who live together on the only planet we’ll ever get.
That’s why I like the Olympics. I'm going to keep thinking positive. What about you?
Aug 13, 2008 at 10:46 a.m.
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One intriguing story I read was that the restaurants in Beijing stopped serving dog; as they figured it would be offensive to the western world.
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I'm just picturing some real prissy, elite, pc, American going over there, and going to a fine Chinese restaurant.
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Sitting down for dinner....
mmmm, this is outstanding. These egg rolls are fabulous.....This pork stir fry is the best I have ever tasted....
mmmm, the tufu and rice is beyond belief...
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mmmm, and what exactly is this? Whatever it is, it's delicious...Waiter, what is this delicious tasting meat?....
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Why yes madam, that would be our saluted poodle! Only the finest
Aug 12, 2008 at 6:32 a.m.
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I never paid a whole lot of attention to the Olympics as a kid. I mean, I remember them being on TV (the earliest I can remember--barely--is Seoul in 1988), but we only had it on randomly in the background.
Being from Minnesota, land of the frozen tundra, we were always more interested in the Winter Olympics, anyway.
But I found myself watching more attentively this year, which I'm sure is because the opening ceremony was so absolutely fantastic.
Also, it's allowed me to participate in the first conversation I've had about sports in like five years. :-)
Aug 11, 2008 at 1:08 a.m.
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How about the French talking smack that they would "smash" our relay team in the 4 x 100. Have the French ever smashed anyone since napoleon retreated from Russia? What on Earth were they thinking? Clearly they were not. A full length lead on the final leg, with their top gun coming home, only to see Jason Lezak of team USA peg him at the wire, and SMASH the world record in the process!
Another choke job and DEFEAT of the French! Does it get any better?
Aug 10, 2008 at 9:14 p.m.
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I completely agree. I always get all cheesy about things like world harmony and the "power of the human spirit" at Olympic time. I've pretty much spent the last two and a half days glued to NBC.
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