You ever have those moments where you just go "huh?" I get them a lot, even though people rarely surprise me any more, I still sometimes have to shake my head or raise an eyebrow. Then there's the weather. The weather in Texas this year has advanced me from head-shaking and eyebrow-raising to cussing. It snowed. In Texas. A lot. 12.5 inches to be exact. What the heck is that? The Sheltie had to wade to pee. We are simply not equipped for a foot of snow. On the upside, I got to work from home. On the downside, snow is usually associated with COLD.
Have you guys been watching the Olympics? I LOVE the winter Olympics. I think it's the thrill-seaker in me, because so many of the events are fast and frantic and on the verge of out-of-control. I am eagerly anticipating Sean White's snow boarding. That guy is amazing on wheels or snow.
So that being said, and I want to preface this by saying that it is extremely sad that an athlete died during luge practice - but I still love luge. Some high-placed political figure (I didn't get his position or name) from that athlete's country made the comment that "no one should die doing a sport."
Okay, seriously? Those guys are vaulting down a sheet of ice at 90 mph laying on a cookie sheet with knife blades on the bottom. People die from a fall in their bathtub every year - and I'll bet they weren't doing 90 mph on the way down. Reality is, if you are going that fast and you hit an immovable object, and you're not surrounded by a cage (as in auto racing), the energy has to go somewhere, and I'm betting it won't be the immovable object.
Many, many sports are dangerous. I am an extreme sports junkie, so everything I enjoy has that edge of danger to it. Let's face it, that's why I like it and that's why the athlete's do it.
Then there's the stupid comments about injuries. Someone (can't remember who) was talking about the awful fact that one of the American mogul skiers has had six knee surgeries and she's only 35. Well......yeeeaaaaaahhhhhhhh. Have you WATCHED them ski on moguls? There's no shock absorbers on skis, so what do you think is absorbing all that banging and twisting? There's one sport that I wouldn't even attempt. I've skied - sorta (whole other story) - but launching down a vertical sheet of hills on a couple of rulers in not going to happen for this girl. I can imagine the horror. I'd hit that first mogul and end up with a ski inserted so far up my hiney, it would require surgery for removal. And what amazes me the most is they'll wreck and slide 200 yards, then pop back up, still on the skis. Hell, no - I'd be laying there waiting for ski patrol, Vicodin and a scotch.
More speed skating tonight. I hope to see Apolo Ohno win another medal. Love that kid.
So what are you watching? Favorite events? Thoughts on speed or knee surgery?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Huh?
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15 comments:
I was addicted to the Olympics by Saturday morning. How about those opening ceremonies? Forget the faulty mechanics, I believe KD's version of that song plays on a loop at the Pearly Gates. *sigh*
I'm a NASCAR fan and while watching that short track speed skating, I couldn't help but feel like I was watching Daytona. Bump drafting and skaters in the wall. Come on! It was awesome.
The luge scares the bejeesus out of me. I couldn't believe that one dude lost control and then put himself back on the cookie sheet. Did you see that?! Whoa.
Hope the snow goes away quick and we all warm up. I am more than over this damn winter.
Terri - GREAT opening ceremony! I love the speed skating - especially short track. It's very exciting.
I DID see the guy recover his cookie sheet. Even after having participated in extreme sports, I am still constantly amazed by the things elite athletes can do at such speeds. It must be in the dna.
I am totally over winter too! Way too much cold, wet, ice and snow. Bring on 100 degrees. I promise, I won't even complain this year. :)
I've done nothing but lay on the couch and watch the olympics since Friday night. I'm so happy to have today off to continue. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Apollo! Love the woman who won mogul gold! Loved watching biathalon! Is there anything better???
Leslie - There is nothing better EXCEPT if I were young and athletic enough to be doing it myself. :)
great read. I would love to follow you on twitter.
I love the Winter Olympics, especially ice events! I missed most of Saturday due to plans with friends, but did watch the OC, Sweden/Switz hockey game Sat, US women yesterday, as well as most of the prime time coverage.
Heather - isn't the winter Olympics the best? I think I like it much better than summer.
Jana ~ Definitely the best! Growing up, my sisters and I were always sledding and skating in winter, so guess it's no surprise I tend to prefer the winter games over summer. :)
I am a total Olympics junkie! I watch everything!!! Even curling and I'm still not entirely what the point of curling is. *g*
Favorite events are skating (figure and speed both), snowboarding and skiing. Funniest moment, however, was last night after the pairs short program. NBC put up the list of where everybody was ranked. I kept looking at it thinking something wasn't right. Then I realized the had all the country flags wrong! The Chinese couple in first place had a Canadian flag and everybody else had Chinese flags! WTG, NBC! ROFL!!!
I'm following Speed skating and Men's ice hockey here.
Speed Skater Ryan Bedford is from my hometown of Midland, MI so we have to watch him. Speed skater Travis Jayner is also a member of the The Midland Speed Skating Club.
And, I'm a big Red Wings fan and 7 members plus the head coach of the Wings are playing for their various countries. (Would have been 8 but Holmstrom hurt his knee, speaking of knee injuries.)
I totally agree with you. Isn't that why most of us watch too because they do things that most people can't or won't. And besides the love of their sport, fame and glory are a big draw too. It's always tragic when something like that happens but that's the name of the game. Possibly they can improve on some things but there are always risks.
I love it all but especially the ice skating. And I am going to have to get KD's new CD - Recollection.
LOL Tori - I have ZERO idea what curling is supposed to prove. I hate cleaning - why on earth did they make sweeping ice an Olympic event? I think someone was REALLY drunk. :)
Ref - I love to watch speed skating - especially short track. It's so explosive and the precision of those skaters amazes me.
catslady - Well, I certainly watch because I am both fascinated and beyond impressed with what they do. And I think also growing up in the south where there's no winter sports to speak of makes it an even bigger draw.
If the element of danger weren't there then a lot of things wouldn't be as popular as they are and far more people could do them.
It's very sad, but at least everyone learns from things like that and hopefully makes improvements going forward!
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