Synthetic Life, Wenlock and Mandeville

Something happened on my way to bed last night. Somewhere along the way my mental wires got crossed and I totally confused two entirely different stories. Have you ever done that? Have you ever been watching and listening to something only to get the words and pictures messed up?

Last night as I readied the house for nightly shut down and prepped the kitchen for the morning to come I switched the TV to a news channel. I just wanted my nightly fix before I went to bed but what I got almost kept me up all night.

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Winter Olympics: The Party is Over

Before the winter Olympics close tonight I would like to reflect on the images these games have left with me. There have been many moments and drama that have brought out a range of emotions from this ex-athlete. I do not get into the glitz and glamour of the competition but rather the competition its self, so let me reflect.

I would like to start with a few things I did like about these games, first and for most Canada. I have never been there, have always wanted to go and after seeing these people's spirit, I honestly feel now it is a must. They have taken the heat for everything from mechanical glitches to the weather and held their heads high. Kudos for the attitude, we could all learn a lesson from this.

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Canadian Duo Win Ice Dancing Gold; What Did America Do?

The Canadian pair competing in ice dancing won the gold last night and all of Canada broke out in joy. Boats in the harbor blew their horns, people in bars cheered and all across the Olympic village Canadians began singing their national anthem; as how it should be.

The Canadians are in the middle of the pack, medal wise, still they find pride in that maple leaf and applaud for anyone wearing it. Is this not a lesson for us all? I understand their social programs and their governmental issues leave a lot of them as upset as ours do us, yet they take pride in that maple leaf and continue to cheer it home. My observation was simple; could you imagine this happening here in the USA today?

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Olympics: You Call It Flash Mob, I Call It A Reason To Dance

Okay I know I'm over 50, I know I'm suppose to be responsible, I know I'm suppose to be grown up and set an example for young people; however. I just love the idea of "Flash Mobs." The concept of gathering as many people as you can in the middle of some town, at a certain time and then dancing for a cause, just blows me away. From Ellen to Oprah the promotion of dance is everywhere.

For those of you whom have no idea what I am talking about let me explain. The concept goes like this; plan a simple dance routine, pick a time and place, put it out on a social network or two, invite all your friends, show up at the scheduled time and place, then dance. Hopefully those around will also join in. The flash mob is such a simple concept that can reap huge rewards to both organizer and percipient.

I grew up in the disco era and dance was all the rage, had I had this option I probably would not have worried about getting into bars to dance. I would have just gone around joining flash mobs. It would have been a much better use of my time.

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Sledding Death at Winter Olympics

Okay, my first Olympic impression was not what I had planned on it being. I had settled in all prepared to rate, laugh and generally enjoy the opening of the games; but nooooooooo! This was not to be.

Right off the bat they had to ruin my entire evening with the sledding death. Not because I'm a softy or anything, but because they had to run the video of the actual wreck. I understand the need this generation has with the visual for everything but running that video was just in BAD TASTE!

Imagine your mother being way across the world, all full of pride, wanting you to do well, and bragging to all her friends; when the video of you crashing to your death comes on the television. I'm sorry but I would not want my mother to have to watch that before she was ready. They could have waited a few days; we did not even know the video existed.

Besides, what idiot designer put steel columns 10 foot on center, 2 feet from the track, with no safety barrier? I know they are saying it was the sledder who lost control but still the track was poorly designed. I do not think I have ever watched a sledding event where there was not at least one wreck. Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

Sorry for the sober thought, the whole thing just hit me the wrong way.

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Reasons To Watch The Winter Olympics

Ah, the winter Olympics start tonight. At least with the winter Olympics you do not have those obscure events like synchronized swimming or that ribbon gymnastics thing. In fact the only winter event I do not get into is curling. What exactly do you get from participating in curling?

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