Thursday, August 14, 2008

Olympic Thoughts

Please understand: I'm not real big on the Olympics. I don't dislike them. I just don't get all worked up about them. Still, even we casual watch-as-you-walk-past-the-tv types pick up on certain things.

I have to begin with the men's swimming, especially that 400 meter swimming relay a few days ago. That's the one the American team won after the French team said they came to the Olympics to, and I quote, "crush" the Americans. Now, I'm a New York sports fan, and trash talk is certainly nothing new here, but it still seems out of place for what the Olympics are supposed to represent. More important, though, is that it may be a good time for someone to give Pepe Le Pew a refresher course in manners, starting with the fact that if it weren't for the Americans, he'd be swimming for the German team.

Did a small animal die on Bob Costas' head, or does he just need someone to be really honest with him about toupees? It's hard to tell.

Seeing that between-the-events report the other day about the Chinese street-food-on-a-stick delicacies of scorpions, starfish, silkworms, political dissidents, and heaven only knows what else was like watching a bloody scene in a slasher movie, the ones that make you shut your eyes and turn away while listening for something to indicate when it's over. Not like the normal treats I grew up eating in Jewish delis, things like beef tongue and kishke. (The first is just what it sounds like, sliced thin and served warm on rye with a good deli mustard. The second - trust me, you don't want to know.) In any case, I really didn't need that close-up of the guy shoving a scorpion-pop into his mouth. And, so help me, I'll smack the first one of them who ever says anything again about what's in hot dogs.

Don't you love sportscasters who say that an athlete "settled" for a bronze medal? There are 6,000,000,000 people in the world. To get a bronze medal, you have to outscore all but two. I'd "settle" for that.

Explain it to me again: how exactly did beach volleyball become an Olympic sport?
 
Many Americans expressed disapproval of Bush's decision to go to Beijing to attend the opening ceremonies. Not me. I thought it was the right thing to do. My main disappointment was his decision to come back.

That little gymnast on the Chinese women's team is absolutely adorable, and an amazing athlete. So well preserved, too, for 16. You'd think she was ten or 11 at most. Must be the scorpion pops.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am not a big Olympics fan either, although I must say have enjoyed the cute little physique on Michael Phelps.  And don't get me started on the topic of so-called "women's" gymnastics.  I think to call something "women's" anything, there needs to be actual women involved -- even if they are really age 16, that still doesn't make it for me.  I missed the whole "scorpion pop" report.  It does sound gross, but then I helped my father make sausage on a few occasions and that would give you pause if you really thought about it.

Anonymous said...

I am not a big Olympics fan either, although I must say have enjoyed the cute little physique on Michael Phelps.  And don't get me started on the topic of so-called "women's" gymnastics.  I think to call something "women's" anything, there needs to be actual women involved -- even if they are really age 16, that still doesn't make it for me.  I missed the whole "scorpion pop" report.  It does sound gross, but then I helped my father make sausage on a few occasions and that would give you pause if you really thought about it.

Anonymous said...

-I really didn't need that close-up of the guy shoving a scorpion-pop into his mouth.

I read that those Chinese chefs are such nice guys that after you eat one of their dishes they will bring you your fortune cookie right to your hospital bed.   DB

Anonymous said...

Just doing catch up on friends who havn't posted for a while.Hope you are well.I have enjoyed every minute of the Olypics I love watching them.Loved your  wise crack on Bush LOL!!!! Take Care God Bless Kath astoriasnad http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

Hiya Ben, very witty - I know women's volleyball became an Olympic sport for the same reason we have cheerleaders at half-time?  This was the 1st year I didn't watch the Games, just something took the heart of it from me, maybe knowing what those Chinese athletics endure when the world's media all goes home.  Anyway I like your take on things and thanks for the visit to my humble place.  Hope I'm not too ponderous for you lol.  If so, stay away from the earlier posts!  Pace tua, Cathy

Anonymous said...

I wondered that about beach volleyball but I became very worried that they are calling BMX an Olympic sport.  For crying out loud..........!
Angie, xx