I keep a list of places (mostly food related) that are of interest to me which I use when I've got time and am out of ideas for where to go or what to do. These places come about in many different ways, not least of which is from television. Yes, I will take note when watching a t.v. show of where they're eating and if it's somewhere nearby and it looks good, I'll add it to my list. Ok, I'm totally shallow, but at least I know it, right?
Anyway, I'd heard of Crumbs but I'd not paid much attention until last week when I was sort of watching, ahem, Beverly Hills 90210 (though I think as part of the renovation to make it cooler and more relevant, it's been renamed just 90210, I'm not sure). In all honesty, I don't watch this show regularly. It was on as background noise while I stalked people on Facebook last week. Honestly.
In any case, there I was stalking away with the t.v. on in the background when I hear one of "my" little known bands, Blind Pilot, playing on the television. I have crazy music hearing abilities, as I've mentioned in another post-- I'm hyper aware of music being played anywhere, anytime. Especially artists I know that no one else seems to have heard of, so of course, my little ears perked up and I turned to see what was going on. There, on the screen were three very skinny girls seated outside of Crumbs enjoying some cupcakes, except I don't really think they showed them take a bite (though I could be wrong). After clapping giddily at the fact that Blind Pilot was actually being played as background music on t.v. (even if it was that show), I googled Crumbs and proceeded to drool for a good ten minutes after adding it to my list.
If you're reading this, Google it! Or, click on the link above! Tell me those cupcakes don't look ridiculously delicious. I was all about the Caramel Apple Cupcake. For about a week, I'd been salivating, dreaming and talking about that damn apple caramel cupcake. I could not stop my mouth from watering every time I talked about it and it sped Crumbs to the top of the list of places to try.
So, Sunday, there I was standing in the store at the Americana in Glendale, giddily staring at the display case where three Caramel Apple Cupcakes sat flirting with me. Only, we'd just eaten dinner and I needed to walk some of it off, so we left the store. We left the store! My friend actually mentioned that they might run out and I said, nah, it'll be fine, we won't be too long. I'm not making this up. Any of it.
On the way out of Barnes & Noble where we'd wandered to "walk it off", I see a guy walking with a clear plastic container full of cupcakes in hand, one of which is Caramel Apple, and I start to panic. I practically run back to the store where to my relief there is one Caramel Apple Cupcake left. There are two people in line in front of me. And yes, you guessed it, the person at the counter took the last one. I honestly almost cried. I actually contemplated trying to talk him into switching it for something else. And, most embarrassingly, I almost decided to throw a hissy fit and just leave because, why would they not have more cupcakes in the back, when there were still three hours until closing time?! How could they possibly not make enough to last the day? I was so pissed.
Of course, we didn't leave. There were three of us and we each got a different one so we could try as many as possible. We got Boston Cream Pie, Chocolate Pecan and Half Baked. Despite being ridiculously sweet and rich- especially the half baked, they were as good as you'd expect them to be for almost $4 a pop. I can only imagine (quite literally) how good my caramel apple would have tasted!
From top left: Half Baked, Boston Cream, and Chocolate Pecan
I will be back, Crumbs. And you better not be out of Caramel Apple cupcakes or I will throw a full fledged tantrum right there in the middle of the store- and nobody wants to see that- least of all me!
When I love something, however trivial it may be, I truly love it, like, for life. Smurfs still make me giddy, Felicity is still my fictional BFF, and Dylan McKay and Brenda and Brandon Walsh will always have a place in my heart.
For that reason, I am still just as fascinated by Jem as I ever was. Jem, yes that eighties cartoon with all the crazy-color haired characters and those evil Misfits. When I watch clips on Youtube (oh, yes, I do that) I remember how it felt to watch it when I was a little kid and I still enjoy it. I'm not entirely sure what that says about my mental and emotional development, but I'm not willing to delve too deep to find out.
Anywho, a couple of years ago I decided I had to have it on DVD. I thought it'd be fun to pick up the first season, get a couple of girlfriends together, mix a batch of margaritas and watch a couple of episodes. We we are all eager and willing but there was a glitch in the planning.
To my disappointment I found that while the first two seasons (I believe) were available at some point on DVD, they no longer are. The only way that I know of to get them is to keep checking E-bay where they do eventually pop up but at ridiculously expensive prices.
Not too long ago I was at Amoeba (a music/DVD store here in L.A. which sells both new and used stuff- which rocks, by the way) and did my customary check only to find I was about a day late in getting a copy. Yes, they'd had one, which they'd had in the fancy "Rare stuff" case, and it'd been snatched up just the day before for the "bargain" price of $60. I thought the sales guy was worried I might cry. Hell, I was worried I might cry. So close!
I don't know who has the rights to the cartoon or who's in charge of distribution out there but to them I say: Way to crush the young, pink haired, rocker girl inside me! I've looked around and I think there's interest. I don't know how much interest would be needed to get them to distribute more, but I know there are some hardcore groups out there who would love it. So, seriously, Jem owner/distribution people: Get on it! GIVE US OUR JEM!
Until then, I will keep making due with some crappy quality versions on Youtube, which after all, is better than nothing!
Seriously, if you grew up with this, don't you see this and get all giddy like a school girl?
Sunday night I got my Gomez fix at El Rey theater. In my opinion, Gomez is one of those bands no one knows about but really should. Though they've been moving away somewhat from the kind music they made when I first started liking them, they're still so good- especially live.
Sunday night I ended up going with a friend I'd been trying to get to listen to Gomez for years. I still don't know why he never gave them a chance, but on this night he was only coming as a favor to me because the person I had originally bought the tickets with couldn't make it.
I get nervous when I take a non-fan to any kind of show. Only because I worry they'll be bored and then I end up not having as good a time as I would have liked. As it happened, I need not have worried, and really, I should not have doubted Gomez's ability to win over a non-fan.
We watched Family of the Year, who I'd never heard of but really enjoyed, open for them. We then edged our way to the front of the stage, about 3 people back from the stage which is the closest I've ever watched a Gomez show from- by choice. I get really uncomfortable sometimes being that close because I can't help but think: they cansee you! Makes me nervous. I can't help it. As is quickly becoming evident in this post: I'm a nervous worry wart. But I knew that. It also didn't help my nerves that by 10:15 they still hadn't taken the stage and my friend was getting antsy. Especially since he had to be at work especially early the next day.
I have a horrible memory for setlists, but I can say they opened up with Revolutionary Kind which was a mellower choice, but as soon as that was over, a guy behind me shouted "Ok now, here we go!" which was exactly how I felt. They delved into Shot Shot and all of a sudden we were all dancing and I forgot all about my friend not being a fan or having to work early in the morning. As he was dancing too, I figured it was a good sign.
It was the last night of their tour and the entire band was in good spirits. There was a lot of onstage banter between all of them. Tom was charming the crowd and getting us to clap along, as usual, sometimes coordinating a goofy dance with Paul while they jammed. They called out a friend who was having a birthday and handed her a tambourine to play during a song (again, horrible with setlists, so I don't remember what song it was!), letting her also sing a little backup, and just before a song towards the end of the show when everyone was staring at Ian waiting for him to start he turned to the crowd and said something to the effect of "I don't know what to do, this thing is fucked" looking a bit frustrated by his laptop then turning to the crowd again and asking if anyone knew about computers or worked for Apple specifically, then asking us "What should I do? Just reboot?". After a minute of awkwardness as they tried to figure it out, Ben just delved into Black Dog until the problem was fixed.
I was disappointed they didn't jam to How We Operate as they had when I saw them last or in the DVD I have, but I'm guessing that was due to time more than anything else. Despite the fact that they only played one of my top five Gomez songs, I really enjoyed the show. And obviously watching them from that close helps a lot since you tune out everyone else (except on occasion the incredibly annoying over-dressed, under 21 goofy girls that wouldn't stop giggling and being goofy) and just focus on them and what they're doing. It was awesome!
Needless to say, my friend is now a full-fledged fan. Since that night he keeps texting me with how great certain songs are that he's just now listening to. To this friend I say: You're welcome!
Here are some pics taken with my camera phone (so not so great):
This past weekend I met up with a bunch a friends to celebrate one of their birthdays. I will not talk about the debauchery that took place as that should go without saying. What is really on my mind is the issue of sleep, or lack thereof.
Here's the thing: every night we would all go out and pretty much expend the same amount of energy, drink relatively equal amounts of alcohol and eventually go to bed anywhere between 4:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. and yet, every morning I would find these people up and about the next morning by around 10:00 a.m. ready for breakfast and looking relatively well-rested and fresh faced. To look at them, you wouldn't guess they'd been up most of the night consuming large quantities of alcohol. I, on the other hand, looked like a train wreck.
How? Why? First of all, I don't want to be up that "early" if I've gone to bed at 5:00 in the morning. Secondly, if I have to be up then, you can sure as hell bet people will know I was up until 5:00 in the morning just from looking at me! There's just no camouflaging it. No amount of make-up can realistically cover up the misery that is my face. And I'm just dragging. I not only do not have any energy but I am really, really cranky.
This happens to me every time we go to Vegas and I'm honestly baffled. It irks me. Is there something wrong with me for wanting to get my eight hours? Not only wanting them, but needing them in order to function properly? And what's with my friends that they seem perfectly okay without the sleep?
I honestly haven't met anyone who is as miserable as I seem to be without enough sleep and it's plain bugging me now. I just can't stop thinking that there's something fundamentally wrong with me that I can't seem to get it together like everyone else does. I hate being left behind sleeping while they go to breakfast buffets and poolsides. I know that I'm missing out and still, I can't make myself get up and join them. I would feel loads better if they spent half the day in bed, like me!
Actually, there are no other things. It's just those two. They are both, without a doubt, guilty pleasures. I hate that I'm too weak to just say: Yes, I read Twilight and I think Robert Pattinson is hot. So what?
But you see, it's not that people are indifferent about these two things. They don't just take it or leave it. Those that love them, passionately and unconditionally love them, while those that don't, don't just hate, they loathe. I've not met people who simply say "eh, it's not my thing" and leave it at that. It's pure hostility that comes out of those who don't care for it even if a lot of them haven't so much as read the books or watched the movies. The amount of anger they elicit frankly scares me. I want none of it directed at me so I cower in a corner pretending I know nothing of this Twilight phenomenon everyone speaks of, or the guy in the leading role.
When I first heard of Twilight I wanted nothing to do with it. I am an avid reader and though I read the occasional chick lit, I mainly read "acceptable", serious things, including the occasional feminist non-fiction. I had no interest in young adult vampire fiction. It was so not my thing and I couldn't understand what people were going on about.
I belong to an online book club and it was some of the women in that group who finally broke me down and got me to at least try the first book. I dutifully went to Borders and bought a copy. At the time, BreakingDawn was about to be released and the book seller asked if I wanted to pre-order it. I rolled my eyes and told her I'd be surprised if I could get through the first one. Well, my story is much the same as most people who've read it and loved it: I started it on a Friday, was hooked right away and stayed up almost all night reading. The next day despite still being about 150 pages from finishing I went and bought the next one in the series, New Moonand eventually Eclipse. And yes, when Breaking Dawn was released about a week later, I showed up at midnight to get a copy.
At that time I didn't yet realize the hate that would come, only because the movie wasn't out yet. But then it was and it was time to choose sides. Hate or love it, but no room for indifference. That was about the time I realized I couldn't just admit I was a fan. I just couldn't. I could see what it looked like to the non-fans: The screaming fan-girls, the cheesy movie with the awful make-up and the bad acting. If I'm being honest I'll say I'm still not a huge fan of (the movie) Twilight. Too many things about it bother me, which don't seem stop me from watching it over and over again.
As far as the books went... well it was hard to argue with people who thought it was plain bad writing. In truth, I don't try to defend it. Do I believe it's prize-winning literature? No. But I do think it's fun and a great love story (which I'm a sucker for) with some very lovable characters who do what they're supposed to do: take my mind off of real life and transport me to a place I like spending time in.
Then, there are always those ridiculous debates about Bella being weak and Edward being too controlling and how these books give girls the wrong ideas about what relationships should be and so on and so forth. I just roll my eyes. I mean, really? But to be a fan of all that, well, how to justify it? I couldn't.
And then, there was Rob. I admittedly was not a fan of Robert Pattinson right away. Yes, I thought he was incredibly good looking but I was one of those who wasn't all that impressed with his acting and I just didn't get him. The messy hair, the awkwardness, the rather weird interviews he seemed to give. I don't know, I just wasn't so sure about him.
Since then, I've seen a lot of footage of his interviews and read a lot as well (more than I'd care to admit, truth be told!), and I finally do get him. I feel badly that so many people don't though. He's genuine, down-to-earth and humble. And his awkwardness now just makes him endearing. He's in an impossible situation under an incredibly bright spotlight and not everyone could handle that as well as he has. How he's managed to keep it together under all the scrutiny is beyond me, but quite impressive, really. I want him to do well and make great movies that will hopefully get some of the haters to ease up on him a bit. Yes, it'd help if sometimes he'd shave or brush his hair before doing an interview, but he doesn't and everyone just needs to get over that- what's that we're all taught at a young age? Never judge a book by it's cover? People would do well to take that advice.
For the longest time, I had no one to talk to about the books, movies or Rob because I knew of no one who was a fan. It probably didn't help that I was in the closet, but who knows, maybe they were in the closet too? I'm fairly sure I'm not alone in this.
I now know two fans: A good friend of mine who is a few years older than me, and her teenage daughter. It makes all the difference having someone to talk to who is a fan as much as I am, and doesn't make me feel like there's something wrong with me for enjoying these things. I think it's brought the three of us closer and that's another great little unexpected thing that's come from all of this. Though I know I will remain in my little Twilight packed closet, I will still continue to be a big fan, just (figuratively) hiding under my baseball cap and sunglasses.
Further Reading: This guy hasn't written anything in a long time, which is a shame, but what he has written in hilarious. Twilight Denial was the first time I realized I was not alone: Twilight Widowers Anonymous
Last night I watched the Academy Awards. I like to. I'm not one of those people that complains about how bad the host is or how long it is (though I do think it's long). The problem is that a few weeks ago, I watched the BAFTA's (the British academy awards) for the first time ever and it helped me pinpoint my issues with our Academy Awards.
The BAFTA's, from what I gathered, are about the work. They don't waste time on unnecessary crap. They stick to the major categories, they play more than five second clips to feature the actor's work, or a particular movie and the winners don't have to worry about getting their speeches cut off because they go too long. To their credit, I find the Brits don't tend to spend half an hour of their speeches just throwing out names of people they just have to thank on air, which I thank them for. The BAFTA's are not perfect and admittedly, do not have the same grandeur, if you will, of the Academy Awards but I really think the Oscar's could take a few pointers from them.
Now, a while back I read a book about the Academy Awards (I wish I could remember the name). It talked about the whole process, from the voting to the production of the actual show. It gave you a sense of the importance of actually putting on a show, not just the awards portion. So, I get it. It needs to be entertaining and preferably original (as original as you can be while keeping it the same!) in order to have an audience while also getting the job done of handing out awards. The problem is that they try to cram so much in there while bringing it in in under three and a half hours which hardly ever happens, that it's ridiculous.
They've been doing it how many years? And they can't figure out to make that happen? Really? They either need to accept that it's really a four hour show or cut some of the crap out already. Well, Academy, here are my notes:
* Don't have a host take up 10 minutes right off the bat trying to be funny. A quick hello and a couple of jokes will do. If you're going to take up more time than that, make sure it's original and hilarious, otherwise, you're just wasting our time.
* Take out the short (documentary, animated and live action) categories. How many of the people watching at home ever actually see these shorts? No, really, how many?
* Take out the sound (editing and mixing) categories. I actually find the whole sound thing interesting, but if I'm being honest, when I watch a movie, seldom do I think about the fact that the sound mixing was so great they should get an award.
* Do we really need a dance number? Hoonestly? I think not.'Nough said.
* Lastly, to the winners: We know this is your moment. You've been dreaming of it and practicing it since you were five when the Oscar was represented by a shampoo bottle and now, you're holding the real thing, but remember, we have to watch too. Keep it short, or if you can't, at least keep it interesting. Don't just stand there hemming and hawing, naming everyone who's ever spoken to you on a set and everyone you grew up with. I bet when you were five holding up that shampoo bottle, you weren't thanking your accountant , lawyer or the Kraft services people. This particular year, that distinction especially would go to Jeff Bridges. Ugh. This is why I watch on delay, so I can fast forward through that crap.
Honestly, it would be next to impossible to make any huge changes to these awards shows. Too many people would get their knickers in a wad, and I know that, but as a regular watcher it's nice to imagine what it might be like if those changes took place. Realistically, I will keep watching on delay and fast forward to all the stuff I don't care for. At least I can do that!
It was in August of '09 and the video was You & Me from the Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King Album. A few days before the shoot I found out that someone I knew, worked with someone who was going to be in the video (this is not uncommon in L.A.). And that's how I knew where it would be.
Because it was such short notice, none of my Dave Matthews Band (DMB) friends were able to go. I ended up taking a friend who was visiting from out of town and staying with me but was not a fan. This may have been the best decision I made all day.
We showed up and parked about two blocks away from the hangar. The street was lined with large, mainly empty parking lots and a few hangars which for all appearances had long been converted into other things. Before we even made it to where we needed to be we could hear snippets of song: "You and me together can do anything baby! You and me together. Yes. Yes" being played loudly over and over again. My heart started racing.
I was crazy with excitement, but nervous because now here we were and I didn't know that to do next. The hangar was directly behind a small two floor office building that had seen better days. The front lobby area was open but there was no one to be found and the lights were off. On either side of the building were two parking lots which had entrances to the hangar. Also on both sides were a couple of security looking people standing around. Despite the area having the appearance of being open, there were gates (also open) which kind of signaled where we shouldn't cross. We stood there for a while not knowing what to do during which time a guy with a walkie-talkie kept walking back and forth eyeing us suspiciously.We tried to look friendly and harmless but I don't know that it worked.
Now that we were there it was looking kind of pointless. We were just too far from the hangar entrance and it was too hard not to look like stalkers just standing out there casing the joint. The other problem was that I had no idea how long they would be in there and just sitting there was not a lot of fun. There was very little going on out there. Couldn't even people watch. And I felt bad for my non-DMB friend. At least I had the hope of seeing the band at the end of this little "adventure", but for him, that meant precious little.
I decided that it was just a waste of time and that we could go, but before we did my friend and I stood there giving the place one last look, hoping for some way to get in there when a woman walked out of the building, purse in one hand, car keys in the other. I thought for sure she'd tell us to leave.
"Oh my God, I love that place!" she said pointing to my friend. I looked at him who looked just as thrown off as I did and he looked back at her, puzzled. "On your shirt. The place on your shirt. Have you been there?" She asked. Well. It was the name and logo of some dive bar near the city he's from which started a whole conversation with this somewhat eccentric lady.
And then, she said the magic words, quite as an aside: "I own this place, you know." I looked at my friend and we both did the big eye stare where it was obvious we were both thinking the same thing: Did she just say what I think she said? So, I asked "Seriously? You own this place?" Yes, she did. And I know what you're thinking: I'm making this up, but I swear, I couldn't if I wanted to. And I have no reason to.
She told us how they were shooting a video in the hangar, to which I replied that I knew. She was surprised and thought it a was funny coincidence that I was a fan and that I just happened to be walking by and heard the music. I explained to her it was not a coincidence but didn't tell her now I knew they were there (I didn't want to get anyone in trouble) and that I was a big fan hoping for a glimpse of the guys. I asked if she could get us in there.
"I'm actually headed home but just walk in there" she suggested ever so casually. Um, no I didn't think that would work. "No, really, just walk in there like you own the place. They won't stop you." Ha! As if. That's when my friend spoke up and told her that she did own the place and couldn't she please just get us in? She gave us a long appraising look. "You promise you won't get into any trouble?" My heart was racing. "We swear, we don't want to get in anyone's way or bother anyone, we just want to see them", I answered, practically jumping up and down with excitement.
She called over the walkie-talkie guy who'd been eyeing us suspiciously and told him to take us in. He looked at us with obvious doubt, then back at her and cocked an eyebrow in an "are you sure?" gesture. She nodded and told him we'd be fine and we'd promised to behave. After that, he was very, very friendly. He walked us in after making sure with the DMB crew that it was ok.
Let me interject to say: If you're skimming, at least read this part, it's funny:
Immediately upon entering there where rows upon rows of blue chairs lined up. The first six or so of which were filled with musicians holding their many different instruments. Walkie-talke guy (I wish I remembered his name!) suggested we take a seat towards the back. There were a few empty rows between us and the musicians. "Yeah?" my friend said to him, not quite sure. "Yeah, go ahead" he responded nodding encouragingly and then walked back out. I honestly don't believe he was being mean. I really do think he just didn't know...
So there we sat taking it all in. There were a handful of people talking to the seated musicians up front as well as some cameras. No trace of the band though... next thing we know they shout for everyone to be quiet and there's some activity up front. They were going to start another take. Just as quickly it stopped and one of the guys up front starts walking towards us. Uh-oh. The jig is up! I was sure we're getting kicked out.
"You guys are great. You look great and everything, but, you're in our shot" he says. Oh, dear god. Please say you're joking. How unbelievably embarrassing. The chairs were the "set". "Would you mind just coming to stand over here, please?" and he points to the front of the room, where the cameras are.
We get to the front of the room red-faced and mortified and there, dead center in the front row is Dave Matthews. To his left is Carter Beauford on his drums and in the next couple of rows behind him are the rest of the guys sprinkled among the other musicians. It was a mixture of absolute embarrassment such as I cannot properly convey, and excitement beyond belief. Above all, I cannot believe how nice they were about the whole thing and that they didn't kick us out on the spot.
Luck was once again, on our side. We watched them do what would be the final take with the entire band there after which everyone stood up and mingled. I was like a chicken with it's head cut off. There are currently seven members in the band and they were all in one room. I didn't know which one to go to first because they were leaving and I didn't think I'd get a shot at all of them. I literally kept turning in circles not knowing which direction to go in looking at my friend frantically hoping he'd steer me in the right direction. I'd met Dave several times before but I made a beeline for him first. As always, he was kind and absolutely down to earth. I had him sign the Deluxe box set of the Big Whiskey album I'd brought with me and left him to everyone else who had lined up to have him sign something. He kept my Sharpie which was fine because I'd brought a handful of them for exactly that reason!
At this point I realized Boyd Tinsely (violinist) had left. I also didn't see Stefan Lessard (bassist) which really disappointed me because next to Carter, he was the one I most wanted to meet. Carter, however, had a lot of musicians surrounding him so I then went to Rashawn Ross (Trumpet), followed by Jeff Coffin (Sax) and got pics with them. Then, I just stood around watching Carter chat with the musicians and sign things. He is, just as the rest of the band is, unbelievably gracious with his time and just as down to earth as you'd want him to be. I had him sign the box, took a pic with him, mumbled something about how much I loved him/them to which he said thank you and that they loved all of us and appreciated how much we support them.
My friend and I then went outside to the parking lot and were surprised to see all the band members who weren't inside out there talking to the musicians! I went to Tim Reynolds (guitar) took a pic, had him also sign the box, then, shaking, went up to Stefan and did the same. Once I'd gotten everyone's autograph and pic (except for Boyd, who had, in fact left), I just stood around and watched them talk to everyone else.
I am absolutely bummed that my brain just froze and I could not think of anything else to say to them. Nothing. I mean, really? They were just standing there, expecting people to walk up and talk to them and I might add, quite willing to take time with anyone who went up to them and I could come up with nothing! I just stood there smiling stupidly and watched! It wasn't just a couple of minutes, either. We were all out there a while and I absolutely froze. It was just too much. All of them there. Stefan with his base in it's case and strapped to his back easily chatting with a guy. Carter, directly in front of me holding his cymbals and laughing with some young kid. Even my non-DMB fan friend commented that, "that guy seems like a really cool dude" And I just stood there like a dumbass in too much of a dazed stupor to do anything else.
Except for my brain freeze, it was the most awesome experience. Thank god I took my out-of-town friend and that he wore that shirt of some dive bar I'd never heard of. Even he said he enjoyed himself and was impressed with how kind and accessible the entire band was. As you might imagine I spent the rest of the day calling my DMB friends and recounting the story in giddy disbelief.
When/if you watch this video and you see Dave in that jacket, keep in mind it was August, ridiculously hot and humid and that hangar was not air conditioned. It was unbearably hot in there. I don't know how he didn't pass out.
I wouldn't really say I'm an Olympic watching kind of person. I enjoy them, I suppose, but I don't normally watch more than an event or two from time to time. This year, however, for some reason that still eludes me, I watched from beginning to end, with the exception of a night or two.
I was following along primarily because of the death of the Georgian athlete just before it all started. I was saddened by it and horrified that NBC would show the footage of his death. I certainly don't ever want to see images of a man seconds before his life ends and the horrible way in which it ended. I actually looked away, but there was no getting away from the audio which was horrific as well.
I watched the entire opening ceremonies though I couldn't say how I was able to make it all the way through because I felt they were incredibly slow. And I feel badly saying that because I understood what Canada was trying to do but felt they just fell short. I sat there watching number after number thinking: Ok now something big is going to happen and nothing would, so the next one would start and again I'd think: Ok, now this is going to be it. But the big number, like the fourth arm of the Olympic Cauldron, just never came!
What the opening ceremonies did do however, was make me want to watch the Olympics in general. Seeing the faces of the happy, smiling, waving, incredibly young athletes really made me want to see them in their element, doing what they do best which was what made me tune in night after night after all. I'm glad I did! Despite not knowing what the heck I should be looking for on any of the given sports (except figure skating), I found it wasn't too difficult to get caught up in it all. Here are some random thoughts:
Evgeni Plushenko: Seriously sore loser. Yes, we get it, you have a quad. Guess what? It may have been good enough to win with four years ago, but times have changed and so has the scoring system. Quit your crying and go work on the rest of your program.And for the love of god, just quit your crying and shut up already.
Evan Lysacek: I give the guy a lot of credit for never letting all the media and trash talk get to him. He took the high road every time even when I think everyone would have understood if the threw a shot back. I never heard him say a bad thing about Plushenko, though the media gave him every opportunity to do so.
Lindsey Vonn and Julia Macuso: I was just so over all the talk of their rivalry. I wasn't aware of Lindsey Vonn before this so I felt over-saturated with coverage of her. I understand about her injury (or I guess, injuries) and I definitely give her credit for not giving up, but there was so much coverage, I just didn't care anymore.
Snowboarding: Loved watching it! It wasn't on my radar before the Olympics but I enjoyed all of it. I think one new favorite is Snowboard Cross. It was just so much fun to watch!
Ski Cross: My god, I'm shocked no one got seriously hurt. Exciting and terrifying! Another incredibly fun one to watch.
Sven Kramer: Dutch speed skater who was disqualified when his coach gave him the wrong information and told him to change lanes when he wasn't supposed to. Ugh. My stomach just dropped. I felt so badly for him. I just can't even imagine how incredibly frustrating that must be. It's not like he can go back and do it next year. Interestingly enough I felt badly for his coach as well.I cannot imagine the fallout from that!
Hockey: Well. What is there to say? Exciting game. Incredibly heartbroken for our boys. I so wanted them to win it but I'm happy for Canada. I can't imagine how that would have gone over had they lost.
Apolo Anton Ohno: I'd heard of him and knew of him but I knew absolutely nothing about his sport. Now I have to say in addition to the snowboard cross, Short track is my other new favorite. It was simply exciting to watch. I had no idea! I found myself yelling at the t.v. more often than I'd care to admit. During his disqualification I was so frustrated and disappointed for him I almost felt like I was more upset than he was! But I think that's when the crush developed. I was so impressed with how well he handled himself, how even-tempered he was and how he always seemed to have a smile on his face. I especially loved listening to him talk about his sport and how respectful, awed and proud he is of it. You can tell he's just happy to be there. Honestly, I am just enamored with him and his positive attitude. Love it. It also doesn't hurt that he's a good looking guy. I'm just sayin'.
