Summer Interrupted: Olympics 2008

I'm not really a Summer Olympics enthusiast, but this year it's different. The sheer magnitude of the event has sucked me in. But I am more interested in the stories surrounding the games, than the actual games themselves. I have no real interest in archery, badminton and water polo. I may watch the swim meets and have my eye on the women's softball team since I at least can relate to that.

What I'm most interested in right now is everything else going on. The weather, the smog, the security and the fear. Mostly because this is the first time I actually KNOW someone who is there. I've actually even become a regular on the NYTimes.com website which is something I have never done before... EVER. I'll admit to wandering over to USAToday on occasion, but the Times? Land of "no hockey" coverage? Nope. I've had no use for them. Until now.

Knowing the media contingent they have dispatched to this far off land, I can't help but be interested. I also can't help but wonder how the heck China managed to get the IOC to allow them to host these games. It's mind boggling. The political strife, the recent earthquakes, the massive pollution. And yet the world's finest athletes will all be there competing, and trying to stay safe. Personally.... I don't get it.

The opening ceremony takes place on Friday, 8/8/08. At least it's not 6/6/06. We're being promised the most spectacular ceremony ever and over 2000 hours of coverage (which NBC paid through the nose for). So we'll interrupt our August vacation month and be bombarded with Olympic data. As long as it's not Olympic catastrophes, I will be happy.

Sandy, my thoughts and prayers are with you so far from home. I know you'll do a fabulous job and it will be the experience of a lifetime. I can't wait till we're sitting on the sidelines again on a softball field somewhere in po-dunk PA when you can tell me all about it.

Crap... did I just say that out loud? See what happens to a puck junkie come August?

At least there's the open house on August 9th when the Islanders introduce Doug Weight to the fans. It's a great way to spend the morning, since there's no way in hell I can possibly hit the Ice Girls tryout at Ice Works. Although if I could skate backwards.... I probably would!