Friday, August 08, 2008

Confession Time

I am here to confess that I am, unequivocally, without embarrassment, no-doubt-about-it...

an Olympics Nerd!

It started out quite early in my life, actually, with what I think could be my very first memory. I remember doing cartwheels and somersaults in my Grandma Sloan's living room. I remember watching Olga Korbut competing in gymnastics at the Olympics and I wanted to be just like her. I'd do a flip, then "stick" my landing with my arms up high. I'd hear the crowd screaming in my mind, and the judges giving me a 9.2 (although that would have been 1972, and I would have been only four; and I'm not sure that my grandparents actually had a television station that would air the Olympics...but that's my memory and I'm sticking to it).

And it continues today, when you will find me watching Bob Costas updates at 3 in the morning; and watching every moment of every swimming event; and cheering on the gymnasts; and crying at the human interest stories the reporters will inundate me with; and cheering on the athletes in the sports I'd never watch otherwise (let's hear it for synchronized swimming! archery! rowing!); and regaling Gary with stories about Michael Phelps' quest for 8 gold medals and the cross country runner who battled childhood disease and poverty and now is in the Olympics (or some other sort of sob story like that); and getting all misty eyed whenever the flag is waving.

I'm trying to put politics aside (although I am seriously doubting that China can pull this thing off--oh, the smog!--and I think it was a shaky decision to have it there in the first place) and will instead jump up and down crazily in front of my television. I will yell "Run!" "Jump!" "Flip!" "Swim Faster!" and "That was SO good!" and "How could she get a higher score for THAT?" and "Oh no!" and "Yes!!" at the television, and my family will think I've gone crazy.

I'll then yell at them for not getting into the Olympics like I am. I'll tell them how they'll sure regret it someday when they can't remember where they were when the American gymnast pulled out a perfect score on the last event of the evening to snatch the gold from the Chinese (I'm hoping something like that happens); and then I'll watch their eyes glaze over as I tell them how I will never forget the USA-Russia hockey game, or the moment when Keri Strug stuck that landing with a broken ankle, or when Greg Louganis hit his head on the diving board. Oh yeah, I remember every precious moment of those things...because I AM an Olympics Nerd.

But that's okay.
It's what I am,
and I admit it,
and I'm--perfectly, like as perfect as a Perfect Ten--okay with it!

--------

Edited to Add:

The Olympics are NOT disappointing me whatsoever!! In fact, the Olympic Nerd inside of me is extremely happy!! The opening ceremonies were awesome; just beautifully done; the lighting of the torch was pretty danged incredible! Mostly, though, because of THIS ...go watch it if you weren't captivated watching it live in front of the television last night...and the fact that we were all jumping up and down, screaming, and high-fiving because of a SWIMMING event. Probably the best swimming race in history (and made all the sweeter because of the fact that the French had said they would "smash" the American team. Yep, I am not apologizing to my French blogging friends--LOL--for my entire family yelling "Smash that!" after the race was over.) It was awesome, and totally illustrates my fascination with the Olympics! (Did I already tell you that we were screaming like maniacs over a SWIMMING race??)

(Go HERE to read a great story about the race!)

And, oh yeah...THIS is making me happy too. My favorite humor writer, Dave Barry, is blogging from China and his take on the Olympics and China and everything that goes along with it is classic.

Hope you all are having a good Monday. See ya soon!

17 comments:

hippo chick said...

I was once the same Olympic nut you are. Somewhere in the past few years, I've become a cynic and I hate it. I am being very political about this year's Olympics and wonder if I'll watch it at all---but then there is Michael Phelps; and the 41 year old mom who is going for gold -- and I think, wellll maybe!

Have fun and keep me posted. Jim will be glued to the set for the duration. I'll just peek in now and then.

Have a fun weekend.

~hippo hugs~
Pam

Anonymous said...

I've never been a true Olympic nerd although I do love me my gymnastics during the summer and my ice skating during the winter!

Bums me out about the Hamm boys!

Jax

Unknown said...

I hardly ever watch the Olympics. The only parts I will even stop channel surfing for are the figure skating and the gymnastics. The rest is totally BORING to me. ROFL! But, I am NOT a sports person.

I think it's great that you can remember all of those things. I can't even remember things from last week. Maybe, I need to start doing some memory exercises or something? LOL!

Anonymous said...

I remember as a little kid I used to dream of being Nadia Comaneci! I was a complete Olympic nut. Even though I've never been a sports fan, there is something about the Olympics...it's for dreamers! And I am a dreamer! :D

My neighbor's sister is in the girls soccer team this year again. Last Olympics they won the gold. Not sure how they'll do this time, but I think they lost the first game so gold is out.

My neighbor is in China and he had promised to send some pictures, but of course he hasn't yet! LOL.

Adrienne said...

I've never been a nerd but I do love to watch!

Monogram Queen said...

I like the winter olympics - summer not so much!

Leah said...

I love watching the summer Olympics! Especially gymnastics and the swimming/diving!

cinnibonbon said...

I'd of given you a "10"

I started watching them in the last several trails. My kid however is coocoo about them...The swimmers..nope I take that back. one swimmer. Check it out!

http://luckyducky317.blogspot.com/

You're no nerd. I posted about the opening ceremonies a few days ago too!!!!

Greta Adams said...

i am so freaking mad i missed the opening ceremonies...GRRRRRR!!!!

Edleen said...

Cheryl, i would not miss watching the gymnastics as those would be my Fave to watch!

the Opening Ceremony was fantastic! what do you think? ;)

have a great week ahead!

Kimberly said...

I remember watching the Olympics as a child too...we only had three channels so it was sometimes the only thing on! LOL!

Dawn Bibbs said...

You're so funny, Cheryl.

I'm not quite sure what's going on with me...I can't seem to get into an Olympics mood. But I will admit, the opening ceremony was simply AMAZING!!! That just put the big, shiny, chrome pick up trucks that we/GA had in our opening ceremony a few years back to SHAME!!! HAHAHAHA

Nina Diane said...

oh Cheryl.....you're not alone! My house is full of Olympic nerds! We LOVE it......love em all, all the sports, winter and summer....everything about them!!

Mississippi Songbird said...

for some reason, I just cannot get into the Olympics this time..
I hope you enjoy them though...I will look at them once in a while...

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

Oh no. An Olympic Nerd. I had no idea. (sigh) Well. I'm generous of spirit and extremely tolerable to boot so I can get past this part of you. LOL Just kidding. Hope these Olympic games thrill you silly and that you enjoy every single moment of them!

Kari

Nancywithajones said...

Ill come sit by you cuz I LOE THE OLYMPICS I hvae been watching it on and off the entire time. John has been laughing at me yellin at hte tv.

Auburn Kat said...

I planned my vacation around the Olympics, if that doesn't qualify me as a geek I don't know what does!