Inside the Head of a TV Junkie

Okay, so I just got done watching the Olympics on NBC this evening where they had women’s platform diving semi-finals.  Why do they have such crappy interviewers in Beijing?  Andrea Cramer interviews the 15 year old Haley Ishimatsu who just missed making the finals and asks her what’s going through her mind given she “just managed to miss the finals”.  Um, duh, she’s devistated.  Her Olympic dream is over.  Haley breaks down during the interview and Andrea just stands there, like an idiot, staring at her.  Haley apologizes and Andrea says “It’s your first time, we understand this” with, in my opinion, an uncaring tone to her voice.  Anyway, she asks Haley some other stupid question about “what she will take away from this experience” and Haley barely can get a complete sentence out she’s so emotional.  I was watching the interview thinking “For crying out loud, hug her already!  She’s sad for not making it and now embarrassed that she’s crying on national television.  Do you even feel?”  Why can’t Cat Deeley be doing the interviews for the Olympics?  At least she is good at showing that she cares when someone is hurting or is at least really good at faking it.

Wow, I must really be suffering from lack of sleep if I felt it was important to write about this before going to bed tonight.

Okay, the sheer number of Olympic hours on TV have won!  I’m so far behind there’s no way I can catch up.  I am fast fowardeding through many items.  I stop and watch a bit of canoeing/kyaking, wrestling, shooting, etc. and then I move on.  It’s kind of sad but I guess I can’t really complain.  These sports used to never be seen on the TV and now they are here for everyone to see.  Anyway, I’m thoroughly enjoying my Olympic viewing.  Maybe I can catch up this weekend, but who knows.  Okay, now I have to go back to watching my recordings - Team Badminton!!

Today the International Olympic Committee chose four cities for the short list to bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. These cities are; Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, and Tokyo.

My thoughts are that Chicago has the best chance of taking home the prize. The IOC will make their decision in October 2009. The last time the Summer Olympics were in America was Atlanta 1996. The United States is the largest market for the Summer Olympics and not having the games in the western hemisphere has hurt the TV revenues and ratings here in the states.

I believe that Chicago’s greatest rival for the nomination will be Rio as South America has never hosted an Olympic Games. The problem with Rio is that Brazil is a poor country, they have lots of crime, and pollution is a problem. After the Athens debacle (they’re still trying to pay for the games there) and the fact that Brazil will most likely get the 2014 World Cup, they will probably fall short of the Summer Games.

Madrid has no chance, as the Olympics were just held in Athens in 2006 and will be in London in 2012. The same goes for Tokyo, as the Summer Games are in Beijing this year. The IOC likes to spread the wealth around the world.

So, do you support a Summer Olympic Games in Chicago? The humidity will be stifling, but I think it would be good for the United States to host an Olympic Games again.

As many of you know, I love the Olympic Games. The idea that the world can come together once every couple of years and enjoy sport and put aside all issues is awesome to me. National pride isn’t a bad thing during the Olympic Games, it’s just viewed as cheering for your team.

So, now that the Olympics are taking place in Beijing this year the Olympic Torch Relay is being hampered by protests towards China’s stance on Tibet and their stance on basic human rights. See the images below. I find them exceedingly powerful.  I’m awaiting the pictures from the Torches visit to San Francisco on Wednesday.  Thoughts?

For some odd reason, the logo below is what was chosen for London 2012.  It only cost 400,000 GBP to create (WTF?!).  Money well spent… hahahaha.  Thoughts?

The XX Winter Games begin today! I can’t wait to see the Opening Ceremony tonight.

I leave in 6 days, I’m so excited!!

USA! Bring home the gold.

Canada, what’s this I hear about you wanting to bring home over 35 medals? A bit of a lofty goal, isn’t it?

Yes, it’s Torino, not Turin. Please, do me a favo(u)r and correct anyone who calls it Turin. How would you like it if the rest of the world called your cty’s name by something it’s not? Yes, I do refer to Milan as Milano and Rome as Roma. Why should we change it???

Anyway, enough ranting… I’m excited because of two things…

First - Torino has unveiled the Olympic Medals. I think they are cool. What do you think?

Second - Beijing 2008 has announced their mascots! Look at ‘em! They’re so cool!! Anyone know someone in Beijing that can get me these little guys??

Only a little over 2 months away! Check out what the tix will look like! I can’t wait!

*****CORRECTION*****

The IOC votes on the 2012 host in July, the 6 - 9th, so check back then for more info!

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Ok, first let me say, my house is coming along wonderfully! They finally opened the model homes and I was able to post pictures of that on my site. You should visit it again to check them out. I went and measured all the rooms in that place yesterday, now I can seriously plan on what sort of things I want to buy for it!

My new job at Head Penn Racquet Sports is awesome! I love it, the people there are great. Of course, for me it takes a bit of time to really get to know people but I think it’s going well. Also, there are travel opportunities that I may be able to take advantage of in my position… so we’ll see. (note to you Canadians, our office in Canada (Head Canada) is based in Guelph, so keep your fingers crossed, I could be visiting on my employers dime in the future).

Now, let me just say that I hate it when issues arise with friends. It’s annoying and it just makes things crappy. I’m sure you’ve all experienced this sort of thing before. Let me just say that I hate it when people act childish and when they don’t acknowledge the fact that they were being childish when you bring it up to them. Also, I hate it when guys act like girls (no offense) when it comes to dealing with issues, I mean, that’s one of the joys of being a guy. Some background info on what’s going on my be needed… so if you want it,email me (or call if you have the number) and i will share, I enjoy getting other’s opinions on the matter. Just do me one favor in all your dealings with your friends, if you don’t want to participate in the event that has been planned, just say so, don’t say that you’re interested and just blow the person off when the date arrives.

On another note, I made my final big purchase for my trip to Torino in 2006. I now have airline tickets to/from Italy. Yay! The months will just fly by now, I can feel it. It’ll be February 2006 before I know it. On the Olympic note, I believe next week is the announcement for the 2012 games. I just pray that Paris doesn’t get them. I’d really like for them to come to NYC but I don’t think that’ll happen because of Vancouver 2010. I’ll post the result on my blog when the news breaks, so if you don’t find out about the result on the news, you can come here for the info!

Ok, time to get ready to go to a movie with my sister and her friend. Later people.