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Post by gailkate on Aug 6, 2012 14:06:42 GMT -5
Is it too late to start a thread on the Games? I realize some of the stuff people were really excited about is over, but I keep finding things to hook me into the excitement. The equestrian events are really stunning. It's one of the few competitions where the athletes - both horses and riders - can be quite Old. Rachorses are considered to be at their peak at age 3, but some of these jumpers are 10, 12, even 16 years old. And they're superb! Some of the riders are in their 50s. Great Britain just won a Gold against terrific teams that were all breathtaking. Catch it on your cable replay if you have that service.
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Post by Jane on Aug 6, 2012 15:14:29 GMT -5
Tom started calling it The Olymkins when he was 6, so it's always the Olymkins to us. (And he was excited when USA got a gold in "Turtleing")
I haven't watched much as sport is so not my thing. But it is exciting and inspiring. My b-i-l suggests that they pass on all the events and just give medals for the most compelling back stories.
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Post by BoatBabe on Aug 6, 2012 15:56:36 GMT -5
Mom and I were just watching an equestrian competition between Great Britain and The Netherlands. We both decided we liked the feel, the ride, and the touch with the horses best with the Great Britain riders. It's a really fun worldwide time for us. Now we are on to volleyball, rooting for USA, of course. We make up back stories, like, "How come one of those guys on both teams is dressed in white?" I can't repeat some of our homemade theories.
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Post by gailkate on Aug 6, 2012 18:22:14 GMT -5
We make up back stories, like, "How come one of those guys on both teams is dressed in white?" I can't repeat some of our homemade theories. What a great idea! that would fill the time in some of the more boring events or when the scoring takes forever. Yesterday I even watched some women's beach volleyball and am happy to report they are wearing more clothes this time around. Maybe that's only when it's chilly, though. I must admit to having more respect for them since learning that the sand can be cold and wet to the point of numbing. One woman had to ask for a medical 5-Min. break while they massaged and warmed her feet. Now she's keeping heated slippers by the bench for quick warm-ups as she can't get another medical break. Doesn't that seem unreasonable?
Babe, we were watching that equestrian event together. Tell Rula 'hi'. In fact 'hi' from all her adopted kids here on Chatter.
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Post by gailkate on Aug 6, 2012 18:24:07 GMT -5
Turtleing?
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Post by doctork on Aug 6, 2012 18:45:15 GMT -5
It's never too late for starting a thread about the Olympics! And there are still plenty of wonderful events, don't fall for that Hollywood entertainment line that all we care about is swimming, gymnastics and girls in bikinis.
I watched the women's weight lifting yesterday, and it was amazing. That young woman who has been lifting competitively for only 4 years and made it to the Olympics! Wow. Everyone in America had to be rooting for the "fat girl made good." She is heavy but she is fit and strong, and an Olympian, take that all you skinny movie stars. I thought that was quite the back story.
Now I was upset that NBC will show medal ceremonies only for US gold winners, with an occasional Brit thrown in for good measure since they are the hosts, and our presumptive (R) candidate insulted London's capacity to adequately host the Games. So for Camille Muffat, a Frenchwoman who won 2 gold medals in swimming, I had my own computer ceremony for her. I watched video clips of her swimming while playing a YouTube clip from "Casablanca," the scene where Victor Laszlo flattens those Germans singing "Die Vaterland" by instructing the band to "Play La Marseillaise." One of the best scenes in the movie!
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Post by Jane on Aug 7, 2012 12:40:26 GMT -5
Turtleing?
Hurdles.
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Post by Jane on Aug 7, 2012 19:13:46 GMT -5
My sister has been avidly watching all the dressage she can find, as this is something she does herself. However, as a devout liberal, she could not find it in her soul to cheeer on the Romney horse.
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Post by Jane on Aug 8, 2012 17:16:57 GMT -5
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Post by BoatBabe on Aug 9, 2012 9:20:45 GMT -5
;D
We all watched the USA vs USA beach volleyball last night. Good game, Mom announced.
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Post by doctork on Aug 9, 2012 20:52:03 GMT -5
Sounds like fun, and I am sure Mom did a great job. And since the USA players were 30-something moms, let's hear it for all moms, while we are at it!
But there does seem to be a whole lot of beach volleyball. Who knew?
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Post by doctork on Aug 9, 2012 20:57:16 GMT -5
And as long as we're on moms, let's segue to women in sports. This is the first year that every single country competing has at least one woman in their contingency. Even Saudi Arabia.
[Now gk, you would really have a fit in Saudi - not only are there severe restrictions on clothing, but they have real clothing police who patrol all public areas and point out to you if you need to uncross you legs, cover your wrists or ankles...]
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Post by gailkate on Aug 10, 2012 0:17:45 GMT -5
Yep, I knew about the prescribed (and proscribed) attire in Muslim countries. How could one not? But crossed leg police is a new one on me.
I noticed the Saudi women wore an unusual combination of traditional and athletic clothing in their competitions. Fortunately, London's temps allowed the poor runner to complete the race without suffering heatstroke. Still, at least one was referred to as an "Olympic prostitute" in the hometown press.
The gaggle of little girls with whom I went to church often included at least one who'd forgotten her hat. Holy Perdition, Batgirl! Damned if you do (enter the church hatless) and damned if you don't (fail to attend Mass and just go home). If no one had an extra scarf or hanky, the last resort was a kleenex. I wonder if a leaf or a candy wrapper would have served but don't remember anyone having to go that far.
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Post by doctork on Aug 10, 2012 0:23:47 GMT -5
If you cross your legs, your ankles show! The Horror.
I remember the threat of Kleenex head covering, never had to actually do it. And this was Episcopal church, not RC.
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