2008 Summer Olympics

The Olympics is a wonderful event. Thankfully we have moved beyond the Cold War era of bickering and boycotts. China has put on quite the show. The architecture of these games have been wonderful highlighted by the Cube and Bird's Nest.

And to think the two defining athletes of this Olympics found gold (and World Records) in these two venues. Phelps 8 golds (7 WRs and 1 ORs) will probably be the US's memory of these games but the world will probably remember Bolt's dynamic coming out party. The pure speed of Bolt on the track is a sight to see. The 100M run was amazing in just how much faster than the rest of the world he was and the 200M was just as crazy (23 mph!).

The world will also remember some 50 odd gold medals for the Chinese, the underage gymnasts, the potential air pollution which never seemed to be that bad, and the 100 million dollar opening ceremonies. Things that mattered to me"

Best Smile - Shawn Johnson Most Heartfelt Moment - Stephanie Brown

Haiku Wednesday

Democrats

Jefferson's Party
New Deal, Great Society
Obama's Future

John Birmingham - Designated Targets

Book 2 in the Axis of Time series. Been a while since I read the first one so it took a bit to get back up to speed. Not for sure why these books give me so much anxiety to read them. I mean alternative history books mess with what you know is real so maybe that is it. This book isn't so blatant in its racist viewpoints. Still very violent in some places. Thought the Elvis and Marilyn sightings were fun. Probably should read Book 3 sooner than later. Not a big surprise that England gets invaded and Hawaii as well. Will the nuke make an appearance next book?

Rox Talk

A 4-2 week against the D-Backs and Nats. The Roxs currently stand at 57-69. Eight games back from division leading D-backs in third place. Currently 34-29 at home and 23-40 on the road, the Roxs have been outscored by its opponents 591-654 (expected wins is 57 versus historical wins at 59). On pace for 73 wins with 760 runs scored and 841 runs against.

Weekly WPA leaders (overall as well):

The inconsistency of this season is just plain maddening. Up and down, win and losing streaks, offense then pitching. There just doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason to this season. As a fan you get a little excited and think the corner has been turned only to have them fall on their face for the next few games. Gotta love baseball...

La Ronge

Another journey to our northern cousins. This time I was accosted by the Canadian Customs. Guess they don't like American workers coming in and potentially taking away Canadian jobs? Flew to Edmonton then to Saskatoon then drove to La Ronge. Big country up there. Lots of water. Very pretty, very remote. Some observations:

No cheese-its in Canada. M&Ms tough to find. Gas is $1.34 a liter, the air traffic seems to work a whole lot better (all my flights were on time!), Air Canada is a nice airline, what the heck is Tom Horton (they are everywhere!), Canada security doesn't make you take your shoes off!, Canadians seem to drink alot, it can get to -50 deg C in the winter, and the metric system is great but it sure makes you think when driving 160 km/hr!

Good things I found

Michael Chabon - Maps and Legends

Not a real exciting book just a collection of non fiction work from Chabon. A lot of what he has written, he actually used it in his talk last year when I saw him at the Tattered Cover discussing his book, "The Yiddish Policeman's Union" Also a fair amount of work on his love of Sherlock Holmes. Did find some of his analysis interesting and especially his difficulties in writing his second novel. Wow to write 1,500 pages and spending almost 5 years writing something and having it just collapse and not go to a book. Interesting...any good book notheing very jaw dropping but overall a good simple book.

Haiku Wednesday

Olympics

Spotlight on athletes
It brings the world together
Idealistic peace

Magazine Wrap Up

Just some quotes that were MAKE magazine attributed to Picasso(?)

He can who thinks he can, and he can't who thinks he can't. This is an inexorable, indisputable law.

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

Action is the foundational key to all success. (or as Mike Shanahan says "Preparation is the foundation of Success)

All creative endeavor begins with just fooling around, not doing much of anything, just noodling and letting the different parts of your mind talk to each other. Did you follow your weird -- Cory Doctorow

Rox Talk

A 2-5 week against the Nats and Padres. Tough week and have to admit this pretty much ends the any sort of hope that the Roxs can make a run of it. To go 2-5 against the two worst teams in baseball and have it done at home is just pathetic. The Roxs currently stand at 53-67. Eight games back from division leading D-backs in third place. Currently 33-27 at home and 20-40 on the road, the Roxs have been outscored by its opponents 557-628 (expected wins is 53 versus historical wins at 56). On pace for 72 wins with 747 runs scored and 847 runs against.

Weekly WPA leaders (overall as well):

Last Sunday was Faith Day? Faith Day? Guess this was the 4th annual one at the ballpark. Look I don't have any problem having promotions but I think the whole ideal is a bit funny especially with one of the Monforts leading the way. Does Monfort think that simply faith (i.e. Rockies fans, baseball) going to win baseball games for you. Somehow I think God might have better things on his mind than what the Roxs are doing on any given day. Of course that is a good thought, who would God root for? Maybe last year the Roxs had a little luck but to carry this thought it would seem the Monforts and the Roxs are kind of like that televangelist. You know the ones that plead for your money, take it for their own purposes, and not really give anything back. Two million fans show up and all we get is a lousy 54 wins? Maybe a little more work and a little less faith and we could build a winning ball club.

This Week in Comics

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #17

Okay we don't need a a couple of page set-up like Claremont used to do but come on - Joss - I have no clue who Fray is. Discovered that the girl who looks like Buffy is actually her sister Erin? And Fray has a brother who has the slayer memories? Ughhh loved the "ride me" quote and Xander and I guess this is all leading to a show down with the good and evil Willow....

Invincible Iron Man #4

Fraction is doing a heck of a good job. It is always tough (I would think) to reboot a hero) especially one who had such a great movie opening. Anyway Tony comes out swinging finally and Pepper and him continue a really weird relationship. Now that she is magnetized I can only imagine what the dynamic dual will be doing in upcoming issues!