08.08.08

today is the opening day of the olympics in china. I guess today was chosen because, according to wikipedia, "The number 8 is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture." That must have been so cool to be there! The torch was lit at 8pm their time which, if my math is correct, was about five this morning for us. the 'bird's nest' stadium is beautiful. especially when it is exploding with chinese fireworks!



i'm already overwhelmed by all the stuff on the internet about it! i wish there was a website where you could just get the highlights and it wasn't some crazy bombardment of hundreds of images and little moving pictures and links everywhere. it is too much man. i feel like an 80 yr old man who's never played a video game sitting down and trying to play halo III or something. maybe i am just extremely computer illiterate and not wanting to see it. i just want to see a video of the opening ceremony but alas. i have to go to work soon and no luck. aahhhh! this is frustrating. here are the categories i think are sweet and will be keeping up with:
-swimming. there is a lot of history with america being kind of an underdog and coming to the table with a bad-ass hunger for gold and i think there is a lot of expectation for greatness here. we have a former gold medalist, michael phelps, who will be closely watched because he is at the brink of becoming a legend. then there is the new-comer/underdog who just found out he has cancer and now has all kinds of reasons to be a great success story.
-long distance running. this is mostly because ryan hall, a big bear native and class mate of josh, joey, and brianna's is going to be competing and there is a huge possibility for gold in his future.
-gymnastics. i know that sounds kind of wussy but it is actually the opposite. did anyone see the last olympics in greece? the swimming and the gymnastics were some of the most entertaining things i have ever watched on tv! i was on the edge of my seat with sweaty palms and grinding teeth, i was on my knees ripping out my hair and screaming and cursing at the olympics gods the next and then jumping up and down and cheering and hugging my dog another. definately looking forward to this one.
-then there are all the other categories that just seem like they would be cool to watch like sailing, kayaking, archery, badminton, and high diving.

so for the next few weeks i plan to have my face glued to the screen watching the news on all of this craziness.
or there is this alternative


The Beijing Olympics: Are They A Trap?

courtesy of josh talbot