Bode Miller is 0 for 5. He's overweight and for all the salt and swagger, he has amounted to nothing in front of skiing's largest audience--the Olympics. While taking joy in other people's failures is not a characteristic I pride myself on, I am glad he has failed to perform. I'm sure Nike is scrambling to figure out how to get back some of the money they offered him for their sponsorship.
Why am I glad this has happened? Because there's few things more annoying than people who achieve on talent alone and then have throngs of other people thinking they are somehow an exception to practice and hardwork as well. It's no different than people who smoke and refer to some 90 year old relative who smokes two packs a day and doesn't get cancer. Of course, there's always powerball and being a meat packer.
Currently my roommates and their friends are preparing to see a Journey cover band, by listening to Journey in the living room. They invited me along, but I've never been one for cover bands, aside from Confederate Fag. I feel like I'm 10 again and at some gathering of my parent's in which I'm not really apart of the festivities because it all seems really boring. My roommates are all nice people. I wish I lived alone.
Today I ran 8 miles for the first time in a while, and I know everyone is laughing at my running tights as they drive by. I don't have any real retort, except yes, I'm wearing tights and it is daylight, and yes, that is my junk protruding.
Now my roommates and friends are watching Austin Powers, and quoting it.
If anyone is selling an NAD C320BEE integrated receiver, let me know.
Last night I was supposed to go to Reggie's birthday party, but fell asleep after consuming a three course Indian meal. Sorry again Reggie.
nathan [email] said at 10:06 PM 02-25-2006: This is the #1 American opinion. All the media is glad he screwed up. OK. So far as a lack of hard training, this photo seems to negate that idea.
nathan [email] said at 10:14 PM 02-25-2006: What the fliP? Wrong photo, swinging on a rope with a watch on doesn't look like hard work. But pushing a 600-pound roller while doing 200-yard sprints does this one . He's obnoxious, but the way the media obsesses over his drinking seems a little priggish.
brandon [email] said at 1:32 AM 02-26-2006: 8 miles! In tights? You are a running fool and I admire your determination.
I haven't watched the Olympics this time around, other than a few people posting here, I don't know anyone else that has.
Other than swimming and some track events, I've never really cared to keep up with it. I think I was turned off by the overblown nationalism of it all as a kid.
anthony [email] said at 1:24 PM 02-26-2006: I think if you've ever participated in a sport that is based upon endurance and timing then the Olympics are much more interesting because you realize how phenomenal these athletes are. It's also great to watch because most of these sports are not money making sports and these people have sacraficed their lives at a chance to be the greatest in the world at something as trivial as say speed skating or the luge.
brandon [email] said at 7:46 PM 02-26-2006: I have actually competed in sports based on timing and endurance. And I have great respect for them. They are phenomenal. But, for a person's sacrifice I couldn't care less, especially when on the other side of Olympic glory lurks corporate sponsorship and endorsement (even the niche guys get their chance to stump for specialized footwear and equipment) Any more than I would expect someone to care about my own search for excellence in whatever venue I pursue it.
Like I said, I have some issues about the way the Olympics are played off and presented, and, especially for the Winter Olympics, the triviality of it kind of bothers me - and I threw shotput and discus for three years. Just a personal preference.
From what I've read about this skier, though, he was the embodiment of hubris, who can help but gloat to see a braggart frustrated
art [email] said at 10:09 AM 02-26-2006: But you know - the Media declared Bode God, Bode didn't. The guy genuinely doesn't care about winning. He just wants to have a good time. Bode never brags about his skiing, he never says he is going to kick ass. He just wants to ski and for some reason the media-drones can't understand why this guy isn't obsessed with winning. It's a different attitude to be sure, but it's one he has always had.
anthony [email] said at 1:20 PM 02-26-2006: I understand the media played a major role in promoting this, but at the same time, he did nothing to discourage the coverage he was getting. You would also think that representing your country would bring some sort of responsibility along with it to actually finish a race course even if it was in last place.
art [email] said at 3:54 PM 02-26-2006: I agree with you. He needs to understand the Olympics mean more than just what you do for yourself - and in that he failed miserably
