Olympics Schmolimpics

Every four years I tell myself I’m not going to watch. I’m really not that into watching sports on television, with the exception of Florida State Football (Go Noles!). And truth be told even my my interest in the Seminoles has waned since becoming a Mom, a shocker considering I always pictured myself still going to games at age 90…

This year I was sure I was going to completely skip it. I didn’t know the name of any competing athlete besides Dara Torres, but then again she’s been around almost as long as I have. Between cleaning out my Dad’s house and trying to get my house ready to go onto the market while trying to give Son some semblance of a good summer, it didn’t seem likely. I knew the opening ceremonies werwe happening, but I skipped them. Eh. I don’t watch halftime at the Super Bowl, either.

And the NBC coverage is just too much. I’ve switched to Good Morning America this week because I can only take so much. Pssst NBC! Lay off Michael Phelps, will ya? It’s okay if he doesn’t get 8 gold medals. If he does, yay! But could you shut up about that already?!!!

Even Project Runway had an Olympics theme this week. Egads! Though we did get to see Apolo Ohno. He’s just dandy.

Still, I’m really not interested. Really.

Then I go over to my sister-in-law’s and they’re watching rowing, which I always think is cool, and water polo. Water polo has to be the most exhausting sport there is. Sixty minutes in the water without your feet ever touching the bottom. It’s like running through mud, for goodness sake. I was totally exhausted watching them. I had to go home and take a nap.

But still. That didn’t count as watching because I was at someone else’s house. I had no plans to watch purposely.

But then.

Then I’m home, and I’m flipping channels and there’s a swim relay going on.

Yup. I get totally sucked in. Watching swimming is so exciting to me – well, at least the shorter races. I start thinking about those amazing athletes, sporting 1% body fat and more determination, strength and passion in their left pinkies than I have in my whole 98% body fat body. I’m not jealous, I’m excited for them! I’m rooting for them! My heart is beating almost as fast as theirs, as I sit there on the couch in my nice air conditioning with a cool drink and watch them strive to do what they’ve spent most of their lives training to do – win. And I feel a part of it. Their win is mine, too. And if they lose I feel that, too.

And then Men’s Gymnastics comes on, and I watch those boys moving their bodies in ways you usually won’t see outside Cirque de Soleil. And I get totally sucked into their back story – how they’re not supposed to medal (see, I even know the jargon!) because they’ve lost their top 2 athletes to injury, and they bring home the bronze anyway.

And you know, I really like Bob Costas.

So. I’ve just watched synchronized diving and now volleyball is on, and I think women’s gymnastics is going to be on later. And I’ve for my USA shirt and my USA shorts and my USA cap and I’m waving my flag and I’ll be rooting for my teammates to win, win, WIN!

When does track start? I’ve gotta see track!

I LOVE THE OLYMPICS!

But not winter. Except for ice skating…

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