It's been a while, but I haven't had much to say...
I have to admit, I’ve been pulled onto the US Ski Team bandwagon hook, line, and sinker. And it’s not for the reasons you might expect.
Why would a kid who grew up on the beaches of Charleston do such a thing?
Well, I love skiing, and I do it fairly well. I started at the age of four, the same age at which I was learning to read.
More than many things in life, I love hitting the snow (as I will this weekend) and reaching the bottom of a black diamond with the biggest smile I can manage plastered on my face. The ‘perfect’ run from my standpoint, even if I fell flat on my face. Thankfully that whole "falling" thing doesn’t happen often for me. The older I get, the more it hurts, so I try to avoid it.
On a side note, some friends were trying to talk me into wearing a helmet this weekend, but to be honest, if I go out skiing you can rest assured I was having the time of my life.
When I get to the Alps I’ll wear a helmet.
Moving on…
I respect athletes (hell, people in any profession) who push themselves not to fulfill the expectations of others, but simply for the great feeling they get from doing what they do. It’s why I love my job, and at times am frustrated by it.
Bode Miller does just that and it’s why he’s one of the best, if not the best, skier in the world right now.
I respect people in the vein of Miller who eschew conforming to the standards others have set for them and do what they do because a stirring in their soul, perhaps God, calls them to it. People who strive to live life on their own terms, doing what they love and pursuing it with all their heart. It’s the type of life I strive to live. It’s that mindset that pushes me to play guitar, write, and work toward my current goal of running a marathon.
Lastly, I’m on the bandwagon because several members of the women’s team are near my age and incredibly attractive (example - Julia Mancuso). An attractive woman who can ski well is immediately a medal winner in my book.
I’m honestly looking forward to the Olympics. I always do. This year’s team could be ‘the’ team to oust the dominance of the Austrians. Miller could be the first American male to stand on the medal podium after every race.
The Olympics and the 2006 ski team are good for a nation where there is a bitter divide between ‘right’ and ‘left’. Starting this weekend I for one will gladly turn on the television and alleviate my mind of frequent criticisms of our government, our current leadership, and their policies. Starting this weekend I’ll gladly put aside cynicism to focus on the many aspects of life in our nation of which we all should be proud. And, in the spirit of sport and the Olympic tradition, if not for our hot skiers, I’ll join the chorus of, “USA, USA, USA”.
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4 comments:
i miss skateboarding. i was never that good, which is why my right hip is worse for wear and i understand why you try and avoid falling.
my hip is only damaged because i tried to be better on the halfpipe. i don't regret anything.
and i could still turn a trick or two.
it's funny how there's this stigma to some sports: "look at that old dude, he looks a fool."
why shouldn't older people be able to enjoy sports. i mean, these kids forget their own rules when they're salivating over a tony hawks poster.
and chris, forget the helemt...this well definitely impress the ladies...but avoid trees and other solid objects.
Makes me think about 'Grandma Luge' in the Olympics this year. A 52 year old woman luging, how great is that? She broke her wrist yesterday and is out of competition. Saw her on tv today saying she couldn't remember how many bones she's broken since the number was so high. Inspiring for the 'older' crowd, I guess.
There's definitely a stigma out there. I see it in the divide between snowboarding and skiing. Nearly every snowboarder this weekend was a high school male.
Glad to say I didn't hit any trees and only fell once. I'm not sure if many ladies were impressed, but I did what I could.
i've been following the olympics and it's great to see people like that old girl. i mean, luge is quite dangerous as well. i'd say more dangerous than skiing or snowboarding i think you'd agree.
if someone is fit enough to do a sport they should do it and younger people would do well to show some respect rather than mocking them. we all get old sooner or later.
it's weird how this age stigma thing only attaches itself to some sports and not others.
in britain, sunday league football (soccer) is a major national pastime yet enjoyed by people of a wide age range.
you can go to any public park on a sunday morning and see people from a wide age range playing on the same team.
kids at 14 up to men at 60. a lot of the guys have huge beer bellies but they can still run around for 90 minutes and the youngsters appreciate it. although, i will say their are a few unfortunate cases of heart attacks each year, but at least these people die doing what they enjoy.
after the match everybody heads to the pub for a pint and the landlord usually puts some free snap (food) on. the men trough that, then go home, struggle to eat what the wife has cooked, then fall asleep for a couple of hours.
if other sports could at least follow the open-to-all ages thing like sunday league footy, it'd be great.
and the paralympics always amazes me. it's great, really inspiring.
i'm glad you enjoyed your skiing.
i totally love the winter olympics.
even the speed skating where they go around in little circles and look like they're going to wipe out at any moment.
they've got a lot of positive energy going.
e+
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