Mascot Fight

 I should have known last fall when they unveiled the 2012 Olympic logo. Chunky, ugly, 1980's crap style and colors (surprised they aren't neon)...and I am not sure why but when I see it I think of Saved By the Bell (maybe it reminds me of Screech's t-shirt or something).  I should have known that the mascots would also be horrible.  I thought I was prepared...I was not prepared enough.  Meet Wenlock and Mandeville.

Creepy right?  Doesn't inspire good feeling in me.  I guess the one big eye is supposed to a camera lens...I assume it means something like "Broadcasting to the world" or something but all I can think of is Big Brother always watching.  Especially since it is in London which has one of the highest rates of surveillance cameras per capita in the world. Unblinking, silent (no mouth) and always there watching and judging.  I wouldn't want one of those things in my room...creepy.  Not to mention that Mandeville (the blue accented one) looks like he wet his pants.

Horrible, awful design...I feel bad for all the people in London that will have to see these weird things all over the place for the next couple years.

I loved Canada's Olympic mascots this year...cute, friendly, welcoming.  They made me want to buy t-shirts and stuffed animals and maybe even an art print.  Just when I think Olympic design committees might be on the right path, London goes and totally proves me wrong.

Congratulations London, I think your awfulness even outdid ol' Izzy from the '96 Atlanta Olympics...and that is saying a lot.  At least Izzy looked happy and not like a mute peeping tom. You might want to try to get some of  that £400,000 you spent coming up with the design for Wenlock & Mandeville back, you didn't get your money's worth.  I think the fact that this design came out of more than 40 focus groups kind of proves my point about meetings from last week.

Olympic Dreams Crushed

A few weeks ago radio KXNO announced that they were going to host a curling tournament. My brothers and I were excited as we've enjoyed curling for years but never had a chance to play (a set of stones is outrageously expensive).  We turned in the registration form for our team of "3 Bros and a Ho" and were told that over 20 teams had already registered.  There was a limit of 30 teams, so we were looking forward to a good, full tournament.  We went about lining up our cheering section and letting everyone know about the glory that they would witness in 3 Bros and a Ho.  Having never played, we considered ourselves to be the obvious favorites.  I am a firm believer that if you haven't done something you should just consider yourself awesome at it until proven otherwise.  Who told you that you needed oxygen to breath?  Some loser trying to make you feel small.

Curling Stones Photo borrowed from Felix @ Flickr

Unfortunately, KXNO canceled the tournament due to "lack of interest."  Lack of interest?  With over 2/3 of a full tournament within two days of the start of registration?  No, I think it was more lack of preparedness on KXNO's part.  I had a bad feeling when there was next to no information on their website.  Rules?  Nope.  Schedule besides "Friday & Saturday"? Nope.  Equipment supplied or needed to bring? Nope.  Any of the many other details that you might need to know about a tournament?  Nope.  Their info basically was a PDF sign up sheet that asked your name and your shirt size.  It didn't seem well organized even from my first glance...but I hoped because I would really like to play.  I am disappointed and my Olympic dreams were crushed before they even started.  Boo to you KXNO.

The one good thing about curling being canceled is that I can now make the season opener for the Mid Iowa Rollers on Saturday night.  I love me a good roller derby bout.

Two Minutes Hate

The Eddie The Eagle Olympic Rule

Do you remember Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards in the 1988 Olympic Winter Games? If you watched the games at all, you probably do. Eddie was the first professional ski jumper from Great Britain. He competed in the 1988 Calgary Olympic games...and finished last in both events in which he competed.

But what is great about Eddie is that he was basically an everyman. He was self-funded, no corporate or government funding for his training. He is extremely far sighted and must wear these huge dorky glasses. he was also slightly heavier and less toned than the rest of the athletes at the games. You may think this sounds horrible, but it all added up to make him the ultimate underdog.

Eddie the Eagle (Photo borrowed from here at the BBC)

Every time Eddie jumped it was inspiring - seeing this normal guy (basically) going for his Olympic dreams. You knew he wasn't going to win...it wasn't even close. But seeing him try and try again with all his heart was magnificent. Personally, I thought Eddie was nothing but beneficial for the Olympics. It was one of the first times that I connected with the Winter Olympics since the whole "Miracle on Ice" thing, but it actually went even deeper than that. I think this was probably the deepest that I connected with any Olympics - Summer or Winter. I am not athletically inclined, I don't really have the genes for it. To me the Olympics always seemed like something that was for all these top 1% people...the people that just happened to be born with not only the right genes but also the right situation to be able to train constantly for the games. Eddie made it seem that almost anyone could be an Olympic athlete if they really wanted to be.

I think Eddie was also beneficial to the Olympics in another way. He provided a measuring stick for the other jumpers. I don't know about you, but watching ski jumping I really can't tell who is doing really well and who is doing poorly. When a half meter can mean the difference from Silver and 6th place, I can't really judge that by watching TV. They all look the same. Eddie provided a starting point to measure the other athletes. Seeing Eddie jump and then the other athletes jump 20-30 meters farther...you could easily tell the difference and it made the other athletes seem that more impressive and amazing.

However, many athletes and officials felt that all the attention that Eddie received was embarrassing and making a mockery of the sport and games. (I think a lot of the attention was due to the fact that he skied with heart and wasn't just a cold and calculating athlete.) So between winter games, the Olympic Committee enacted a rule stating that in order to compete in the games, that an athlete must compete in international competitions and either finish in the top 30% or be in the top 50 athletes, whichever is smaller. Note: Eddie finished 55th in the World Competitions in 1987. Eddie would not qualify for another Olympics.

If this rule was in place in 1988 - we also wouldn't have the Jamaican Bobsled Team. They were able to qualify for later Olympics (and actually end up doing fairly well), but they would never even have gotten a start with this rule. To me, this rule prevents start up athletes and programs and just tightens the grip of the big, wealthy, and long competing countries on their share of medals.

Although I understand that logistically there needs to be some limits on who can compete in the Olympic games, I also think there needs to be some way to get a few amateurs in there to help inspire people and also showcase how good the professionals really are. Some might argue that these people would become laughing stocks and it is better to save them from that...but I think these kind of athletes are the ones that would compete with the most heart and be grateful for whatever happened. It is impossible to mock someone when they love what they are doing. These are the people that most symbolize the Olympic Spirit in my mind.

Eddie, Thanks for the great memories!

End Hate

Ruined

I really wanted to watch the USA vs Canada Olympic hockey game yesterday.  Really, really did.  After all the hype that NBC had been putting into it the past few days, I just assumed it would be shown live on NBC...but instead Russia vs Czech, which was OK but not what I really wanted.  I don't get MSNBC, CNBC or whatever it was shown live on.  I had thought about going to a friend's house but wasn't feeling the best and just wanted to lie on my couch and wait for the tape delay.

I understand NBC wanting to tape delay something like that an show it in prime time for more viewers but for me they made it unwatchable.  Once I know the score to a hockey game, I just have no interest in watching the game...it loses all it's excitement and mystery.  I was trying to be careful - avoiding and TV channels that might have news, didn't listen to the radio, didn't check any texts from anyone that has an interest in hockey, watched most of the Russia game on mute since I didn't want the announcers making an offhand comment, didn't get online incase yahoo had a story on their front page, and I didn't log into facebook in case someone posted about the game. 

I thought I was safe in my hockey news free bubble.  I was wrong.  I stepped outside to get something from my car...just at the time that my two neighbors decided to yell to each other about the game.  Inside I was all "God Dammit Mother Fucker!" but I calmly walked inside - depressed that this hockey game was now dead to me.

Gold for Commercials

I usually think that Olympic commercials are pretty lame, Winter Olympics especially since it isn't as high profile.  I mean half the time it is just a normal commercial with "Proud sponsor of the xxxx Olympiad" tacked on the end...so lame.  Then the commercials that they try to make more relevant usually shows someone practicing hard at their sport...over coming that adversity, trying their best (rarely showing their faces as they usually don't use the actual Olympic athletes) and then saying some like "We are proud to support our Olympic athletes."  Just the most boring and generic commercials that you can think of.

However, I loved this commercial by Procter and Gamble about being a proud sponsor of moms.  Very cute and touching...it was a commercial that I actually wanted to see again, I even rewound on my DVR to watch it a second time when it premiered during the opening ceremonies.  Well played P&G, well played indeed.




And I don't even have kids!

Two Minutes Hate

Club Footed Figure Skaters


I enjoy figure skating...it is not my favorite Winter Olympic event but it is good to watch in small doses.  What I don't like is when the ladies wear tights that stretch over their skates.  It disturbs me quite a bit.  I'm sure it keeps their skates from clashing with the rest of their outfit and might even help keep their laces out of the way.  However to me, it looks like someone with big club feet sliding on ice.  There should be some kind of division between the leg and the skate...it is almost an exact picture of the definition of  "Cankle."  If it is supposed to keep the skates from distracting from the rest of the outfit, it has the opposite effect on me.  I can't stop staring at the seeming deformity.  My mind is drawn to the poor girl with huge feet that somehow has metal blades coming out of the soles of her feet.  These tights do not create a "clean" look, they create a deformed look.  Come on skaters - we know you are wearing skates, just show them.  It looks so much better.

 (Photo by: Mkendrab at en.wikipedia)

Sasha Cohen 2006 Nationals

(one of my fave skaters but better when not club footed)

End Hate

Leave it to the Sensible Canadians

I would just like to say that you to the Canadian Olympic clothing designer for showing how it should be done. The Canadian official clothing for the most past is simple, sharp, and patriotic. Just look at this stuff, there is no doubt what country you are supporting...but not in a gaudy way, in a clean but bold design. Who makes this clothing? I am unsure as there is not a huge logo plastered across it. But that is what is so great about it, you are showing support for your country.

I love this red and white sweater - it just looks elegant to me...almost vintage in it's style.  I think it definitely provides a classic look. They also have one that is opposite - red with white trim and letters (but I couldn't find a good picture).  I can't decide which one I like more, I find both extremely handsome.

 

And this hoodie is perfect in it's simplicity.  Available in a wide range of colors but I am pretty sure that 90% of the people are choosing this subdued red.  It is just such a rich warm color.  This hoodie looks awesome to just hang out and relax in...looks like it would be soft and keep you warm plenty warm.  I am a recent convert to the greatness of hoodies (I know, I know I am stubborn sometimes) but even if I was still a hater, I would find this an attractive option.

However, nothing is more iconic and striking than the red mittens.  These little mitten say a lot.  Simple but bold, these are beautifully symbolic to my mind...a rallying point for the people.  You don't need something large, fancy, or expensive to show your love of country.

Plus all proceeds from these mittens go to the Canadian Olympic team...and at just $10, nearly everyone can contribute. If I buy something from the USA store, am I directly contributing to the team? I am not sure...it could be all going into Ralph Lauren's pocket.  I just don't know because it doesn't say...plus there is not anything for Team USA that captures the spirit like these mittens do.  Team USA - please take note that this is how it should be done.  In the future, please remember that simple is more and create me some iconic clothing to show my patriotic support.

Good job Canada!  We look like corporate sellout whores by comparison.  Canada gets the Gold for apparel design this Olympic Games.

Have Not Sold Out....Yet

Today, I received my first email asking me to post something on this blog. I am sure it was a part of a data list created about blogger users - it included my first name and "Why I Suck"* both of which could have been gleaned relatively easily (as well as, my email address).

First of all - this is my blog and no one tells me what to post.

Secondly - if you suggest something I may post it if I believe in it.

This happened to be about "supporting Team USA in the winter Olympics" which I do believe in. However, since I can't believe they ever actually read this blog and it was just a mass mailing, I refuse to do it. Did they not see the last (and only I believe) post that had anything to do with the Olympics? Anyhow, I don't see how loading your banner ads and widgets will actually help Team USA.

Not a Widget

Let it be known however that I do wish the US Olympic Team and the US Paralympic Team the very best of luck. I hope you do especially well in Hockey, Curling, and Short Track Speed Skating (they are my favorites).

Now if only we could get some cash offers in here, then I could really sell out. Nuprin. Little. Yellow. Different.

*I must admit that it was pretty cool seeing "and your blog Why I Suck" in an official looking email. It made me giggle and I hoped someone had to type that by hand (although I'm sure not).