August 12 08

rant of the day…you know what i hate? bands that decide they need to start screaming 3/4 of the way through the song. yes, i’m talking to you, Foo Fighters. what the hell, Dave? hmm? Let It Die is a perfectly good song until you start SCREAMING for no reason at the end. seriously. stop. my ears are bleeding this morning.

so, i LOVE the Olympics. gymnastics. swimming. basketball. diving. high jump. long jump. pole vault. hammer throw. javelin throw. 4x100m relay. love it. i could easily plant my ass in front of my tv and just watch, watch, watch away in pure envy. i envy the strength, the ability, the determination of these athletes. i wish i was this passionate about, well, anything. and raw cooking dough doesn’t count. (and getting a gold medal in movie quotes just doesn’t seem as exciting, now does it?!)

in 1996, when the Olympics were in Atlanta, i was able to GET OFF MY ASS and go to the games in person. it was incredible. and, by far, the BEST thing we got to see were the Closing Ceremonies. we watched Boys II Men sing the Star Spangled Banner. we got to watch as Josia Thugwane, 25, stood at the center of the medal platform, and became the first black South African in Olympic history to win a gold medal. we got to take part in holding up a card to reveal an entire stadium-wide wreath. we got to watch 600 Atlanta children sing Celine Dion’s “Power of the Dream” and end it with “y’all come back now!”

and then, my brother and i, we stormed the field.

i swear. we jumped over security lines and somehow ended up in the middle of the chaos.

you see that chubby looking girl in the middle on the bottom row?

yes, that’s ME.

posing with Olympic athletes. shortly after the 1996 olympic torch was extinguished.

this year i got to take part in the Beijing Olympics too. and while no, i’m not there in China to witness it first-hand, i did get to be a judge in the Visa Olympics of the Imagination and i did get to send 4 Canadian students over there! which was both an incredibly fun and rewarding experience!

Go Canada! i know you haven’t won any medals yet, and 41 other countries have…but i’m rooting for you!!

Go USA! obviously, since i’m an American. and will always be an American, i’m rooting for the US as well.

mmm..
Michael Phelps…

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  1. I LOVE the Olympics too – I’m so jealous you were at Atlanta. We decided to go to the beach instead of the Olympics for our vacation that year… bad idea.

    I will challenge you for the Olympic gold in cookie dough eating – I’m just sayin.

    Also, Michael Phelps = yum. I saw him once – in person – in his speedo. Yummmmm.

    Sarahs last blog post..Get Your Vacation On, Part 2

    Comment by Sarah on August 12, 2008
  2. I’m not an Olympic lover, but I have ZERO problems looking at Michael Phelps’ body — even if his head kind of reminds me of a sock monkey.

    Comment by Nic on August 12, 2008
  3. I love the spirit of the Games, and while Michael Phelps looks more delicious than cookie dough, Alexandre Despatie anyone? HOT!

    Heathers last blog post..Taking it Slow

    Comment by Heather on August 12, 2008
  4. I love, love, love the Olympics, too!!! It’s great to be proud of the country you come from becuase of great althetes that represent it (makes me a little teary eyed sometimes). Also, I too dream of being a good athlete b/c of the Olympics…tennis or swimming (only to get closer to yummy phelps).

    Comment by Sarah on August 12, 2008
  5. those little pics of what pandas? are so darn cute!

    Comment by LAVENDULA on August 12, 2008
  6. I’ve been watching too and so far the best part for me was the synchronized diving. Those girls were amazing! The Chinese gymnasts though, totally not 16.

    Diannas last blog post..My top 5 list…

    Comment by Dianna on August 12, 2008
  7. When I was younger, I used to watch the Olympics and think “If I just focus, I bet I could do that!” Didn’t matter which sport, I just needed to focus and train. Alas, there were times I’d be eating cookie dough when I’d think that, so, yeah…

    If there were ever a cookie dough eating team, I’d dominate!

    differentkindofgirls last blog post..don’t call us, we’ll call you

    Comment by differentkindofgirl on August 12, 2008
  8. Michael Phelps, indeed!

    HeatherPrides last blog post..A Fair Day

    Comment by HeatherPride on August 12, 2008
  9. Mmmm…Michael Phelps.

    texasholly @ June Cleaver Nirvanas last blog post..Catalogs Save the Day

    Comment by texasholly @ June Cleaver Nirvana on August 12, 2008
  10. It’s not so much Michael Phelphs but Michael Phelps from the neck down. Ma gawd.

    Teris last blog post..Every 4 years

    Comment by Teri on August 12, 2008
  11. There is something to be said for watching the american male swim team.

    Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..Where Champagne Replaces My Morning Coffee

    Comment by Queen of Shake Shake on August 12, 2008
  12. I second that on MP from the neck down. And don’t let him open his mouth – he’s got major speech impediments (one of my pet peeves)
    Thankfully I am unemployed so I spend about 10 hours daily watching those heavenly bodies – though I have to admit sometimes its hard to tell the difference between the women and the men! They’re all boobless and clean shaven, very ‘Pat’ like (if you remember those SNL days)

    Comment by Pnina on August 12, 2008
  13. Look at you! Looking all cheeky! That is pretty awesome that you got to experience that. Your story gave me chills!

    Misss last blog post..Another “first” gone

    Comment by Miss on August 12, 2008
  14. I think you look adorable in that photo!

    Angellas last blog post..Delete The Reader?

    Comment by Angella on August 12, 2008
  15. I love the Olympics! I have been glued to the couch,but am ironically inspired to be active-and yet still sit on said couch. And Michael Phelps-yum!

    Sensibly Sassys last blog post..Sensibly Sassy Does Travel Tips

    Comment by Sensibly Sassy on August 12, 2008
  16. I’m loving the Olympics too even though normally don’t give a rat’s ass about any sport. So cool that you got to go on the field in Atlanta (and didn’t get like arrested or anything?)

    KathyMs last blog post..Giant explosion

    Comment by KathyM on August 12, 2008
  17. I think I have watched about 30 hours of Olympic coverage so far. Don’t judge me, I’m sick.
    I am seriously in love with the swimmers. They’re so yummy – I just want to bite each and every one of them. Also? I kind of hate the female beach volleyball players, if only because they have perfect bodies. Bitches. Clearly I’m all about the Olympic spirit.

    hillarys last blog post..I Need No Protection From My Bullet-proof Plan

    Comment by hillary on August 12, 2008
  18. Gord’s been keeping weird hours so he can watch the fencing. He’s addicted!

    I haven’t watched any.

    Teena in Torontos last blog post..Humber Bay Park East

    Comment by Teena in Toronto on August 12, 2008
  19. I second the adorableness of you in that photo. And the fact that that photo of Mr. Phelps nearly had me gasping for breath. I’m OK though. Totally fine. Just a little warm is all.

    Kerri Annes last blog post..And The People Who Left Me Keep Asking When I’m Coming Back To Town, Part One Of Three

    Comment by Kerri Anne on August 12, 2008
  20. All men should look like Michael Phelps, and also? Hairless. NNNIIIICCCCEEEE!!!!

    I adore the little Olympic characters, they are so cartoony tokidoki-ish looking.

    Sleepynitas last blog post..Feist Makes Sesame Street Cool Again

    Comment by Sleepynita on August 12, 2008
  21. Okay that looks NOTHING like you (although you don’t appear to be chubby there).

    And dude- I have a swimsuit calendar Mr. A was in when he was a swimmer. HOLY FUCK- why doesn’t he still swim?!?!?!?!

    slynnros last blog post..TRES ROMANTIQUE

    Comment by slynnro on August 12, 2008
  22. That is awesome you stormed the field!

    Okay, that Speedo is totally working for me.

    Comment by KC on August 12, 2008
  23. I KNOW, Michael Phelps is MMMmmmmmm!

    LOVE that pic. It’s awesome. Great post, Al. I always love hearing about your past — opening up more doors to Ali…. 🙂

    Comment by Haley-O on August 12, 2008
  24. I have been getting into the Olympics this year. We used to watch as a family for so many years. Then, like everything else – it becomes about the # of medals won by US, China etc…and not about the athlete’s stories. I am sick of that. And, watching our President wave his dinky little plasic American Flag the other night was embarrassing. Like a child that man is – like a child.

    Comment by swirl girl on August 12, 2008
  25. Mmmmm Michael Phelps is right! GO USA (AND CANADA!)!!!

    Camels & Chocolates last blog post..A Grandmother is an Angel in Training

    Comment by Camels & Chocolate on August 13, 2008
  26. heheh go you!! well done on the photo! 😀

    ohh yes… i support NZ, but Phelps = hotness!

    Bronnies last blog post..Juicy secrets; with a capital J

    Comment by Bronnie on August 14, 2008
  27. Every year I say I won’t get as crazy into the Olympics like I did two years prior and every Olympic year I’m a big fat liar. I have been up until almost midnight every night since they started because I. Can’t. Stop. Watching.

    Even though I am a tad depressed the swimming is all over with. 🙁

    Kristabellas last blog post..Weekend Update

    Comment by Kristabella on August 19, 2008
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