I love the Olympics, and I am now in a house with eight other people who also love the Olympics. While I am waiting for them to get up (damned time change wreaking havoc on me), I thought I’d share some Olympics-related things in hopes of starting a mini-conversation, perhaps.
We started watching the Olympics in Germany this year, which meant a) we’d get to see more events at the actual times they were happening, and b) we would understand approximately 0.5% of what the commentators were saying. We also got to see some sports that America, in its Phelps-phury, is clearly not into: handball, martial arts, scullery. It was fun to catch glimpses (and a bit of a glimpse of the opening ceremonies — wowee!) at hotels and hostels, but of course the real fun started when we got back to the USA-centric style of American coverage.
Two days ago, I caught a bit of a badmiton match (on afternoon tv, of course; badmiton is just not prime time material), and the commentator actually used the words, “puttin’ the hurt on the feathers.” I have no comment.
This Phelps phenomenon is enough to make the hardest cynic crack, in my opinion. Well, just listen to our very own John Ellis, who uttered these words the other day: “Maybe if I eat 12,000 calories a day I will look like Michael Phelps…100% pure American man.” Keep in mind, this is the John Ellis who gave the following exchange just last night:
[Caroline, the two Hannahs, and John are sitting on the couch, watching commercials and waiting for Phelps to return; a commercial featuring two enthusiastic actors sitting at a news desk is played.]
Hannah J: That guy has really expressive eyebrows.
John [without a blink]: Yeah he needs to shave ‘em off. [all of us crack up...what?!] I hate people like that.
Note on John Ellis: it has been years since I have seen him, and now I’m in town for his sister’s wedding, and he has grown into a fantastic person! Cynical, but fantastic. Love it when that happens.
Anyway, all of us girls have analyzed Michael Phelps’ physique to death (it happens when he’s on 24/7…and when you’re in a house full of girls), and we all agree, he’s adorable. You can’t hate the guy. And, as the media keep proclaiming, he is the Greatest Olympian Ever!
But how about those underage Chinese girls? No good.
OK, people are starting to get up…schedule for the day: luncheon (with blueberry waffles!), manicures/pedicures, rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, then home to rest and watch Phelps. Yes, even the night before a girl’s wedding, she’s gotta watch.
