Random Bits of Stuff

I'm probably the last person on the planet to finally read JUST THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE by Julie James, but I finally did. Not only a very nice ending to my February reading, but I think I can just about finish her second book, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT before her new release SOMETHING ABOUT YOU makes an appearance on Tuesday.

I'm still working on my January reading list. Hopefully I'll get it posted this week and February directly after it. Reading has been interesting lately. I've purchased a few books, but have found myself turning to re-reads and my tbr tubs.

This past week I was in training. The class I attended had about 30 cops and me. I'm definitely not a cop. Whatever I thought I knew about peace officers did not come close to some of the things I learned this week. I was most struck by this thought, we don't appreciate them enough. Sure I met a couple of jerks too, but for the most part I was blown away by their dedication to serving the public. Now I'm not saying they love the public, but they are dedicated to serving and protecting us from the bad guys. I met some really good men and women this week and it was a balm to my cynical heart.

I also put up with quite a bit of good natured ribbing about working in a fire department. It appears there's a teeny tiny bit of a raw nerve about all the love people have for "America's Heroes" ...the fire fighters. It was a hoot to hear the sarcastic remarks and teasing. I may have mentioned how much I love sarcasm a time or two, haven't I?

After being away for a week I'm expecting to be really slammed this week at work. I am, however, also determined to have a life. I just get so caught up sometimes with work. It's a good thing I have sons to heap on the guilt and a patient spouse who smacks me upside of the head to remind me of a few salient facts.

You probably don't care, but I only got to swim once last week (stupid rain) and was ever so relieved to find that I didn't gain any weight while at class. All that sitting around!

GG just informed me that Canada got the win in hockey in overtime. Congratulations Canada, you hosted one hell of an Olympics and a memorable one. What an ending!

All Work...No Play...Incomplete TBR AGAIN!

I seem to be going through a particularly busy time again. The days are full and flying by. My stack of books is getting higher and Emily wonders why I don't lay on the floor and play with her any more. Heck, GG wonders why I don't play with HIM any more.

It's taking me too long to figure out my new balance in life, but I will. Never say die. Never surrender to THE MAN. At least that's what Shmoo tells me.

There are more books stacked on my bedside stand than there have ever been. It's ridiculous. I'll take care of the "piles" over the weekend. Hopefully I'll finish my tbr read so I can do a book report for next month. Hopefully.

Thank God the Olympics will be over next week and the TV will go off again. At least that's my plan. TV has been a big distraction and I'm annoyed at myself for getting sucked in. Although GG is pretty sneaky about turning on the TV while I'm doing my evening chores. One minute I'm folding clothes, getting stuff ready for work the next day and the next I'm on the edge of my seat watching some athletic event in Beijing. God bless 'em but the Olympics are killing me.

Maybe we need to go into training to watch the Olympics. Months in advance we can start adjusting our sleep schedule to that of the Olympic venue, eating less because we will be grabbing snacks so we can stay glued to the TV to watch specific events we MUST SEE.

Maybe then one wouldn't wake up one morning a week and a half into this grand world wide sporting event and wonder where our life went.

Maybe.

Phelpsian

Phelpsian? New word? How would you use it in a sentence?

What am I doing awake?

I'm crazy that's what. I have to be up in 5 hours for work and stayed up to watch the women's all around competition in gymnastics at the Olympics. Tears were involved. I'm such a sap! But her Dad was a gold medalist 20 years ago and he's her coach. Her Mom can't stand to watch (that would be me!)... Yeah I'm sentimental...so what?!

Watching the balance beam and realizing that they are tumbling on a 4-inch wide beam reminded me that they tumble down a piece of wood roughly the same width as my blog post column. Ho-lee!

That's a bit surreal.

Congratulations to Nastia Liukin on her gold medal and to Shawn Johnson for winning the silver. Way to go. I'm in awe of your discipline, skill, grace and aplomb in an intense international arena. Bravo!

P.S. GG the heretofore Olympics watching addict/machine was asleep. How wrong was that?????

Sunday = Reading

Just GG and I at home again. This is so weird. Quiet. It's bittersweet. I miss Beanie like crazy even though he's been gone less than a week. I've seen him once and talk to him everyday. I figure it's an adjustment period.

Just finished reading Turbulent Sea by Christine Feehan. Don't ask me why this book when I have other awesome books to read. That I'm dying to read. I guess because it's pink and was on the top of the pile. That and I've barely gotten all the booty from RWA unpacked.

I'm happy to report I'm caught up with posts on google reader. I need to get Twitter off my sidebar. I think. Maybe I'll leave it up for awhile. I don't know what I want to put up there. With more people using Bloglines, Google Reader and other feed readers I've become lazy about keeping my page up to date. Of course, I'm still thinking about changing it, but then quite a few people I met at RWA remembered my page because of my banner. My meditating chickie is memorable and I love her. Who knows what I'll do. I'm still ruminating.

Now I'm running off to read the rest of the day. GG is glued to the Olympics. I like them, but only particular events. He watches it all. Sculling? Seriously? Dude!

I sorta get it. The discipline. The focus. The resulting body with rippling abs... but to watch? A real yawner.

Yeah, give me a book every time.

Winter Olympics

So it's here...the Winter Olympics. Have you been watching? We watched part of the opening ceremony. Frankly, we thought alot of it was awful. I'm half Italian, and all I could think about at the beginning of the ceremony was how the late night comedians were going to have a field day with jokes about Italians.

Imagine my surprise when the LA Times gave it pretty glowing reviews this morning. I guess I should have watched after the parade of nations...which for me is usually pretty fascinating because there always seems to either be some newly formed republic that was formerly something else. I like getting a little geographical and historical update while watching. But this year, I just couldn't stay awake for it. So I missed the torch lighting, the fireworks, and Pavaroti. Can anyone tell me why he dyes his hair so black?

While I did make it through all the ceremony in Salt Lake City four years ago, I thought the little "child of light" thing was hokey. This time those guys in red with the rocket fire bugged the crap out of me. Was there any real point? Does the opening have to be a bigger and bigger spectacle to get viewers? I always wonder what people in other countries are thinking. Are the Olympics over produced every where or just here in the good old USA? Why is it that we have to be so unbiased in our reporting. Is every other country's coverage about their own atheletes or about all the world atheletes? Are we reporting the Olympics for the world? Really I don't know the answer and could be arsed to find out. I'm just wondering.

Of course so far we've loads to be proud of...one skeleton competitor banned because of a hair growth product that masks steriods. For God's sake, how do you get all the way to the the Olympics competing around the world in world class events and not know the drug you are taking for your hair growth is going to get you banned. I don't feel sorry for the athelete, I feel sorry for his family, friends and community that have supported him all these years to find out he can't keep track of the rules.

Then there's Bode Miller. Isn't he a surly gem? Shut up and ski! If you don't like the press...shut up and ski! Oh? You want sponsors? They want you to cooperate with the press? Then just shut up!! Skiing has given you a great life. Get over yourself, make nice so you keep your sponsorships, and go ski...which is what you say you want to do. He is 29 years old for crying out loud. Grow up!

Which brings us to Michelle Kwan who took an Olympic spot and petitioned to go to the Olympics without competing nationally because of an injury. She was granted a position on the US Olympic team and now she's had a tough first day practicing and is considering dropping out. Okay, I listened during tonight's telecast to Scott Hamilton who said "until you've walked a mile in those shoes". This is Michelle's third trip to the Olympics. She didn't know she was going to be scrutinized and have pressure? Come on! While I do believe the pressure is pretty intense for her and she is, rightfully so, concerned about her groin pull, I can't believe she wasn't aware of these issues before going to Torino. Now she's "listening to my body"? Take a private practice and chill out! If she is going to drop out I hope it's sooner than later so someone else gets a chance to prepare and participate.

So, when I'm usually pretty enthusiastic to watch the Olympics...winter or summer...the US atheletes in Torino have me in a bit of a snit. Hopefully over the weekend watching and reading about the events I will lose some of my cynicism and enjoy the games. So are you watching the Olympics?