Random Thursday: The Monday Olympics Edition
We're back from a vacation in the Texas Hill Country, where the agenda consisted of three items: bicycling, eating, and watching the Olympics – although not necessarily in that order. I hope to post a report, including riveting video of Paris, the cow-herding Yorkie. I hope you can stand the suspense.
- I find it ironic that the world's biggest athletic spectacle – the one that should inspire all of us to get out and "just do it," is instead the world's greatest incentive to couch potato-ness. When it comes to making a choice between getting out and sweating or staying in and watching, say, American women's beach volleyball, there's really no competition.
- And speaking of women's beach volleyball, the mere existence of that sport is ample evidence that there is a God and He is benevolent.
- Another great thing about women's beach volleyball: it probably ensures that the Olympics will never be held in Tehran, Riyadh, or Islamabad.
- I'm impressed by the arrangement of The Star Spangled Banner that's being played for the medal ceremonies. It's quite elegant and has a dynamic range that's inspiring. Not everyone agrees, though.
- And speaking of women's beach volleyball, I've decided that volleyball (in all of its various incarnations, not just the ones that feature scantily clad and ripped female physiques, not that I've even noticed) is my favorite Olympic sport. It's fast-paced, the scoring is decisive, and not burdened by overly-complicated strategies. The sport is also accessible. Almost everyone has or could get out and whack a ball over a net. Despite its seeming simplicity, the athleticism and lightning-quick reflexes of the participants is amazing. I was also mesmerized by some of the badminton matches, an under-appreciated sport in the States, to be sure.
- My favorite commercials thus far are those for Visa, narrated by Morgan Freeman, and especially the ones where still shots of the athletes have been captured and set into magical golden-hued music box settings. It's not often that one can accurately refer to a TV ad as beautiful, but the one featuring American gymnast Nastia Liukin merits that description.
- It occurs to me that any American kid burdened with the name "Nastia" really needs to develop a world-class talent in something (preferably tae kwan do or karate).
- I'm very impressed with Michael Phelps, and he deserves all the accolades he's being showered with, and I won't debate that he's right up there with the greatest Olympic athletes in history, and perhaps even merits the title of the greatest. But I'm not willing to concede that his accomplishments exceed those of Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, or even Lance Armstrong. Your disagreement, however, is not a test of fellowship.
- And speaking of women's beach volleyball, you don't need a high-speed camera to confirm who won an event, as we saw in Phelps's 100 meter butterfly race. But that close finish made me wonder about the cameras that were in place as backups to the touchpads that register the official finishes in the swimming events. The standard frame rate (frames per second, or FPS) for broadcast TV is about 30, meaning that the normal TV cameras might not have captured the precise touches of Phelps and Serbia's Milorad Čavić, the two being only 1/100th of a second apart. So it occurred to me that the monitoring cameras were surely faster than that. Yeah, just a bit. Try 5,400 fps for a high-def signal, and up to 675,000 fps at reduced resolution. If a finish require something more precise than that, let's just call it a draw, shall we?
In closing, props to NBC for broadcasting the entire women's marathon live. I doubt that it was one of the more popular events from a viewership perspective, but my wife and I found it fascinating.
We obviously share an appreciation for the finer things in life.
Posted by: Eric at August 18, 2008 09:13 AMWith you on the "Nastia" name. Perhaps there should be some check on immigrants as they enter the company, an Undersecretary of Unfortunate Nameage, that can nudge those new to our shores with, "Errrmm, let me explain why now might be a good time for a name change".
As to beach volleyball, it's fun to watch. I have to admit, I don't understand why the sport requires a skimpier uniform than the women swimmers wear. For that matter, how do wedgies improve female gymnastics performance?
Keep pondering the imponderables for us.
Posted by: Kelly at August 18, 2008 10:11 AMthat's so funny! i always call it "nude" or "naked" volleyball.....but only for the women. I swear their "uniforms" get smaller each year, while the men's shorts get longer. ??? whatever, still a great sport to watch - those women are fierce!
Posted by: Shana at August 18, 2008 10:18 AMUndersecretary of Unfortunate Nameage
Love it. An alternative might be "Administration of Appalling Appellations."
I don't understand why the sport requires a skimpier uniform...
It must be a volleyball thing. Even the high school girls teams wear outfits that wouldn't be tolerated in any other sport. You can understand the beach variation dress, in the context of its origins, but the indoor v'ballers uniforms have evolved in the opposite direction from the basketball equivalents.
As long as we're on the subject, it's just as puzzling that the women marathoners were, for the most part, wearing what appeared to be bikinis. I can understand sprinters wanting to be as aerodynamic as possible, but wind drag at a 5:30/mile pace is just not a huge issue.
Posted by: Eric at August 18, 2008 10:24 AMShana, it sounds like you're lobbying for equal coverage. Or, lack of coverage, as the case may be. ;-)
But you're right; the girls can smack that ball with a vengeance.
Posted by: Eric at August 18, 2008 10:26 AMNow we all know how to get your attention..."Speaking of women's beach volleyball, could you please do the dishes?" is bound to become a new favorite in your household, I'm guessing. :)
Is it horrible that I haven't watched any of the Olympics yet? Honestly, I still feel so let down by Greg Louganis, who I idolized as a child, that I just can't muster the energy to care.
Posted by: beth at August 18, 2008 11:02 AMoh no no! ha ha - the men can keep those longer shorted uniforms -- even the swimmers don't appear to be wearing little speedo's anymore.
Posted by: Shana at August 18, 2008 11:59 AMI still feel so let down by Greg Louganis...
I dunno, Beth. That's like saying that you're not going to vote for Obama because you were let down by Jimmy Carter, and, um...well...uh, never mind. ;-)
Shana, you perhaps haven't heard the story behind those $550 suits that most of the elite swimmers are now wearing. Speedos are much too lo-tek.
Posted by: Eric at August 18, 2008 12:39 PMoh i have, i have. :) and they are a definite improvement, visually, too! ;) :)
women's volleyball: less is more efficient
men's swimming: more is more efficient
women's volleyball: less is more efficient
Yes, and I'm so impressed by the sheer efficiency of those women! ;-)
Posted by: Eric at August 18, 2008 01:15 PMlol
Posted by: Shana at August 18, 2008 01:22 PM"But I'm not willing to concede that his accomplishments exceed those of Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, or even Lance Armstrong."
Hmmm....but can they win while wearing goggles full of water?
My 6 year old son told me that Tiger Woods can hit a golf ball with his eyes closed. So he tried it one night at dusk using his dad's old clubs. We found the ball a few days later across the road. Keep in mind we live about 80 feet from the road. Dad went out and purchased a set of clubs for the boy.
Posted by: Cindy at August 18, 2008 02:34 PMSo he tried it one night at dusk using his dad's old clubs.
The real question is whether he can hit the ball with his eyes open. ;-)
Posted by: Eric at August 18, 2008 02:37 PM"but my wife and I.." Hmmm not to read too much in a series of words but was there toooo much togetherness on ye ole vacation??? Isn't that usually "mlb"??? LOL
Posted by: lyle at August 18, 2008 02:57 PMI have no comment other than to advise you not to watch too much women's beach volleyball. ;-)
Posted by: Eric at August 18, 2008 03:37 PMWomen's beach V-Ball forever!*
*That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Duke Kahanamoku was the greatest swimmer of all time. Champ for over 20 years and it took Tarazan to defeat him.
Posted by: jeff at August 18, 2008 10:45 PMBoth being runners, the hubby and I were glued to the TV for the women's marathon - awesome. You have to hand it to Paula Radcliff, the woman was in pain but determined to finish. I really would have liked to see Deena Castor do well. Wonder how bad her foot was broken?
We have also wondered why the men run in the equivalent of bicycle shorts and the women in bikini bottoms?? I myself do not like contending with the "wedgie" factor mentioned above.
Posted by: TracieC at August 20, 2008 08:45 AMTracie, the women's clothing in the marathon is obviously a matter of personal choice, as there were more than a few who wore regular running shorts and some even wore compression shorts (granted, the latter were probably mostly from Muslim countries, but, still).
Perhaps they thought it would be hotter than it turned out.
As for the seriousness of Kastor's injury, I can't find anything more current about it. Her website hasn't been updated since before the race.
Posted by: Eric at August 20, 2008 08:59 AMKuddos to the Women's Beach Volley Ball for winning the gold! My only beef with beach volley ball is - how come the women wear bikinis and the men wear loose baggy clothing? Guess I'll have to stick to swimming and Speedos to get my kicks.
Posted by: Suzanne at August 21, 2008 02:02 PMSuzanne, the guys don't even wear Speedos (in the traditional style, at least) anymore. You may have to switch your allegiances to sumo wrestling. ;-)
But, yes indeed, the women were impressive in winning gold last night.
Posted by: Eric at August 21, 2008 02:05 PMAnother great thing about women's beach volleyball: it probably ensures that the Olympics will never be held in Tehran, Riyadh, or Islamabad.
Are you sure? Given the deference the IOC has shown the home country this year, who knows? Maybe they'll have it in Riyadh - wearing Burqas.
Posted by: soccer dad at August 22, 2008 02:08 PMWell, you may be right. Sometimes, I think the IOC makes the UN look competent and assertive.
Posted by: Eric at August 22, 2008 03:16 PMAbout the publisher
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Beach volleyball forever!
Posted by: Jim at August 18, 2008 09:09 AM