Vexillology
It’s finally here: 08.08.08. How cute. If I were the marrying kind, perhaps I would choose to have a wedding on this oh-so-memorable date. But you know, I’ve always loved October. Maybe I should shoot for a wedding on 10.10.10. It’s a Sunday. Consider this my save the date – groom to be interpolated later. Maybe I’ll be like the presidential candidates, saving the grand REVEALING of their running mates until the last possible second.
Surprise, Mom. It’s Mick Jagger.
Today marks the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing. I’ll be honest: I have not been excited in the slightest about this summer’s Olympic games. There has been so much controversy, from political tensions to riots at the torch relays to steroids to the revoking of Joey Cheek’s visa… Why should I get excited? There’s not exactly a lot to celebrate in our world right now.
But this morning on the Today show, I heard that out of the 205 countries that are participating in this summer’s games, 87 have never won a medal. Not one. Ever. For the overwhelming majority of the athletes who will march into China’s National Stadium today, they have no chance at winning; rather, this is the achievement – simply to be there. We might not ever know their names or their stories, but they have worked and toiled and sacrificed for years to reach this point. And that is worth both my attention and my accolades.
I understand that Michael Phelps has the very good chance at winning 8 gold medals in the various swim-events. And wouldn’t that be amazing? Making him, an insanely ripped man in a Speedo, the most decorated Olympian EVER, in all of history? However, always one to root for the underdog, part of me wonders if anyone might have the chance of beating him. Because wouldn’t THAT be even MORE amazing?
It could happen, you know. Because for some absurd reason, Phelps is currently sporting some Fu Manchu action. Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t swimmers go to great length to SHED all of their hair? Anyway.
I’ll be watching tonight, if for no other reason than the fact that my Word of the Day from Dictionary.com is:
vexillology \vek-sil-AHL-uh-jee\, noun:
The study of flags.
It’s a sign.
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And finally, as a follow-up:
Turns out I was wrong:
I am dark enough for beige.
I stand corrected.
share:
personally, i’m shooting for 11.11.11. Man in the tux, also TBD.
I’d rather shoot for 09.09.09… but I’m impatient like that.
And I’m all about the under dogs. Maybe my 09.09.09 mystery man will be an under dog… a hot under dog. Yes, that’s what I want…
Who is that?! I didn’t even recognize Michael Phelps! What has he done? Have you ever thought he kind of looks like John Krasinski? Just a little? Hmmmmmmmmmmm… :-)
He looks like Ben Stiller’s character in Dodgeball!!!
Jason, you mean: “Dodgeball: A True UNDERDOG Story”? Yessssss – see, everything within the blog comes full circle.
Ben Stiller = WHITE GOODMAN.
your follow up cracked me up! i am a beige girl too…
In 1972 US Swimmer Mark Spitz wore a moustache and went on to win 7 a record 7 gold medals and broke the previous time records in all of those events. He told the press Jokingly that it was the moustache that helped by deflecting water away from his mouth, but in 1976 the whole Russian Mens Swim Team (And maybe even some of the women) had moustaches.
ok, just found this: http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=40084536.
I actually know this guy… kind of funny…. but please note the John-Michael comment!!!
Your blog this morning made me laugh! I’m not digging the handle bars on Michael Phelps at all but, I think he compensates in other ways. Mick Jagger…hehehe…or maybe Slash from Guns N Roses. I’m sure my mom would have loved it if I would have married him instead :)
Way to use your word of the day! I have an upcoming blog regarding keeping one’s mind from becoming senile and one of the suggestions is USING your word of the day. Way to go. Of course, we’re talking old people, here, but you might as well start now to sharpen those already sharp wits of yours….
I knew it! I knew you could wear beige! ;)
I’m an October kinda gal, too. I’ll fight you for the date…although I’m not too keen on Sunday weddings, just for accessibility sake. Friday, yes. Sunday, notsomuch.
By the way, the weather is AMAZING in PA right now. Upper 70s/lower 80s, sunny, breezy, low humidity…VERY unusual for August. I’ll take it. And amazingly enough, just as I said that our neighbors air conditioning unit kicked on. What are they THINKING?!
i guess i just came to my internet, online savvy senses and said, “hm. if annie can meet people through my blog, i guess i could do that through hers too…”
i met shannanhannon last night, another fantastic thing to add to my cool things i’ve done in the nw list.
so here’s to you, annie.
thanks.
question: how can there be 205 participating countries in the Olympics this summer if there are only 194 countries in the world?
Did you see “Slap Face”, the Office promo during the opening ceremonies? If not check it out at OfficeTally.com So, so funny. It made me miss the office so.
9.9.9 would be good – right near my birthday – how fun. man also tbd. 8.9.10 or 9.10.11 mighbe okay, too.