Saturday, August 9, 2008

Bandwagon

Well I am probably one of eleventybillion people who will be commenting on the Olympic games...so since that many people will be talking/blogging, I just had to join the bandwagon. Not that I have that much to say, but I thought you might be interested in the perspective of this Olympics from a past Olympian...what?!, I've never divulged I am a past Olympian?! How could I have overlooked that?...Yup...I sure am...In fact, here's a picture of me during my glory days:





That's me 3rd from the left in the shiny swimming cap...Wasn't I SPEC.TAC.U.LAR?!!



Okay, so may be not 100% true...I never made it to the Olympics nor have I ever participated in synchronized swimming, HOWEVER, I have been in a pool and worn a swim cap (not a shiny, sequiney one though)

So a layman's, just general run-of-the-mill, plain-Jane, American perspective...


I love the opening ceremonies...I'm always excited about the parade of athletes and the pride for my country that it brings me. I usually forget there is some kind of show prior to the parade, but it's initially a welcome surprise. Then I start reacting like I do when I see a fireworks show...Love Them...for about 10 minutes, then I'm done.

So....finally after 2 1/2 hours of watching (really reading, snacking, commenting...) the parade of athletes begin...My favorite part! I quickly realize I do not know where 1/2 of these countries are!!! Elementary & High School geography just didn't cover where Nauru is or what I call people from Myanmar . So then I start to feel stupid and depressed because Bob Costas just has to share all the downer information he can come up on these countries!

Even with all my faults and irritations, I do enjoy the grandeur and pride of the Olympic games. I am attempting to share the concept and trying to build that pride in my children about what these other Americans have accomplished. I look forward to watching my favorite sport...Swimming. Winning gold at McDonald's (they better be running that contest again; I've been playing since I was 12. You can not beat the pride you get when an American athlete has won gold and you get a free Big Mac!) And in 17 days, I will be glued to the screen for the 15 hour closing ceremonies!


Funniest comment of the night comes from my husband...after the 15th fireworks display, my up-to-then silent husband says straight faced, "Okay, we get it, you invented fireworks..." I hope this translates...I thought it was comical, but then again I am pretty sleep deprived.


12 comments:

Jenny said...

Aaahhh yes. The opening ceremony.
I still have not watched it - I have it recorded.
I love all the dancers, and history etc. shown in the opening ceremonies, but am having a few issues with human rights in China (a bit 'heavy' hey?). Mind you, all my righteous feelings will probably go out the window soon as I get caught in front of the box soon.

morewineplease said...

It was a beautiful show... but soooooooooooooooooooooooo long!

Shannon said...

I missed the ceremony last night. But I will be watching pretty much all of the prime-time coverage. I like watching swimming, diving and gymnastics.

Lori said...

You SO had me going at first! I had to hop up from the computer to change out some laundry after I looked at the picture, and the whole time I was in the laundry room I was thinking, "No way! I've never met an Olympian before. I should've suspected, though, Kelly looks like one of those healthy active types. She's probably TALL too."

*sigh* Oh well, I still love you.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

My husband and I went on a date last night. But I watched a bit before we left. Even gave my girls the opportunity to stay up late and watch - but they chose to fight so were sent to bed. But before we left - some of what we saw was just, just amazing. The drums that started it off. And omg...that people in the "boxes" thing - was AMAZING. And the precision of everything. I thought for sure it was electronically done until the guys popped out.

After watching what I did ... all I could do was dis my own country - and think about Atlanta's horrid opening ceremony. With pick up trucks.

Unknown said...

It was one of the best opening ceremonies I've seen...I was on-call for work last night which meant I had to sit with my laptop infront of me while I watched. I pulled up encarta maps and looked up the countries I didn't know-and there were a ton of them-and shared it with my 8 year old! I would say to my hubby, "Hey wasn't that a place on Survivor?" No idea where it was, butrecognized the name!

Cheryl Ann said...

Thanks for the comment on you Friday foto!

Boyfriend and I watched the OC's last night...possibly one of the coolest game openings I've ever seen. Very long, and yeah--LOTS of fireworks (wonder what that cost?).

Jamy said...

Okay, clearly I am entire too gullible since I believed that first part!!! ;) Cute blog! I loved your post '6 UN-spectacular things about me'. Very funny!

Jen said...

We did not watch yet but we plan to. We are trying to get Hayden excited about it but he just looks at us like we are crazy.

Shannon said...

Man, now I'm bummed I missed it! Even my husband said it was good... probably the best opening ceremonies he's ever seen. Maybe I can catch it on YouTube or something. Or do you think NBC will rerun it?


Oh, and congrats on being a Saucy Blog!! :)

Jennifer said...

I haven't watched yet and I doubt I'll see too much of it. I think my kids are into it thoughg--so I might catch a little w/ them!

P.S.--I love sequined bathing caps!!

Angie's Spot said...

I thought the fireworks comment was pretty comical too! I just watched Michael Phelps win his 4th gold of this games. Pretty exciting stuff!