How has your week been? Hopefully it was good. Next week I am out of town but will check in from time to time. Won't tell you where I am going, but let the guessing games begin!
I am the secretary for our homeowners association. The girl who works in the office at the management company has no clue when it comes to customer service. I've got a tree precipiously catching the top of a tree on my property. She says it's "not (her) problem." All I want is for someone to come out and look at where my neighbor's property line is so I don't encroach in case I have to call a tree removal service-or if my neighbor is responsible. What is it with people? Stay tuned.
I've got a minor beef with the human rights orgs-one in particular. We'll be discussing this in more detail next week.
MTV says they won't play Paula Abdul's new video. Remember when MTV used to play vids? Maybe they have passed their shelf life?
I don't like the new Cadillac Escalade commercial where the woman looks over at a bunch of guys and then floors the pedal. We just had a tragic accident recently with kids at an illegal drag race. What message is Cadillac saying to it's viewers? The wrong one!
What is the delay with "A Mighty Heart" not being on PPV or the cable channels? Too bad it did poorly at the theaters. It seems there is a delay on "PS I Love You" too.
If you have a US post office box to get your mail, renew your box now-I was told by my post office yesterday that rates are going up in May. Ditto about getting a new box if you haven't had one before.
See you next week---from a location due northeast. Start the guessing!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Women's ski jumping-what's the problem?
I don't understand this.
Can someone explain it to me?
The IOC's continued reluctance to offer women's ski jumping as a sport in the Winter Olympics.
The numbers for women's participation in the Olympics overall are at record levels. Having said that, I don't understand the continued stalling to get women's ski jump into the Games.
Jacques Rogge as IOC President has said continually about "scaling down" the number of participants. That also means scaling down opportunities to compete and that's just not acceptable.
The IOC is at a conjecture in it's history. It's future looks good, IF they continue to promote sport as opportunities for growth worldwide. But cutting back the available avenues to compete is never acceptable and in fact downright offensive.
It's time to be inclusive and not exclusive.
Something to think about-especially in this war-ravaged world. We need a break-and sport gives it to us.
It's the right thing to do.
Can someone explain it to me?
The IOC's continued reluctance to offer women's ski jumping as a sport in the Winter Olympics.
The numbers for women's participation in the Olympics overall are at record levels. Having said that, I don't understand the continued stalling to get women's ski jump into the Games.
Jacques Rogge as IOC President has said continually about "scaling down" the number of participants. That also means scaling down opportunities to compete and that's just not acceptable.
The IOC is at a conjecture in it's history. It's future looks good, IF they continue to promote sport as opportunities for growth worldwide. But cutting back the available avenues to compete is never acceptable and in fact downright offensive.
It's time to be inclusive and not exclusive.
Something to think about-especially in this war-ravaged world. We need a break-and sport gives it to us.
It's the right thing to do.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Singapore snags it
Good job to the Lion City!
The IOC finally did something right. Although I am not too keen on a Youth Olympic Games, I would have to say the winning bid by Singapore is a great start. It just might make me change my mind.
I've been there. It's a long trek from the USA, but well worth it. I've always wanted to go back. There is no doubt that the younger athletes will have a good time, win lots of medals and take home memories to last a lifetime.
Singapore has been handed a great opportunity. It just might work out and a Youth Games can peacefully co-exist with it's big brother.
The vote was close, only 9 votes separated Moscow from Singapore. Everyone is encouraging Moscow to bid again. Either city would have been fine with me, but with the Sochi Games so close, I just couldn't see a 2nd Olympics being awarded to the same country.
Well done all around. It's a great start, as as one Singapore official has said, "the real work now begins."
We'll be watching.
The IOC finally did something right. Although I am not too keen on a Youth Olympic Games, I would have to say the winning bid by Singapore is a great start. It just might make me change my mind.
I've been there. It's a long trek from the USA, but well worth it. I've always wanted to go back. There is no doubt that the younger athletes will have a good time, win lots of medals and take home memories to last a lifetime.
Singapore has been handed a great opportunity. It just might work out and a Youth Games can peacefully co-exist with it's big brother.
The vote was close, only 9 votes separated Moscow from Singapore. Everyone is encouraging Moscow to bid again. Either city would have been fine with me, but with the Sochi Games so close, I just couldn't see a 2nd Olympics being awarded to the same country.
Well done all around. It's a great start, as as one Singapore official has said, "the real work now begins."
We'll be watching.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Friday's Random Thoughts
The end of another week. Finally! I am ready to hit the road in about three weeks-and it can't come soon enough. Please keep the NIU students in your thoughts this week.
I love that Verizon Wireless commercial where the waitress says "More coffee princess?" to the burly trucker with the pink glitter phone. But what would be the male equivalent of the same phone?
Can my fellow Olympic writers say bobsled instead of bobsleigh? Santa drives a sleigh-and goes a lot faster than the sleds!
What is it with the recent spate of crimes against college students? Just the other night, several AIA students here had to jump out of a 4th-floor window when a gunman broke into their room and demanded cash. I am an AIA grad and when I attended, we had a secure dorm out in the suburbs who's front door was locked at 10PM every night. I was a dorm attendant and that was one of my responsibilities when I worked the 2nd shift after class.
I don't like Bill Maher's new "corporate" look on his HBO show. Say it isn't so that you sold out to the HBO suits, Bill!
Men: are you having to ask for the SI Swimsuit Issue behind the counter?
Eight cities have applied for the 2011 IOC Session. One of the cities listed is Hong Kong. God forbid we go there.
Sympathies to my friends over at Mizuno that had to withdraw as a Tokyo 2016 sponsor (due to the fact of supplying uniforms for the IOC in 2008.) The IOC ruled it a conflict of interest. I fail to see the connection, but I guess rules have to be followed. (And it took the IOC this long to figure it out?!?)
I keep hearing rumors we're ripe and ready for another IOC scandal. Perhaps during the summer. We're due for another one.
Kinko's has the worst service of any office-supply retailer ever. They never have enough employees. The UPS Store is much better.
I just closed on a piece of property this week. The title company refused to send the documents by USPS. Claimed it "was company policy." My policy says I don't have all day to wait around for DHL to show up which is what the title company wanted me to do. I said no way. And ended up sending the documents back by USPS myself (and filing for a refund of the postage with the company in question.) They ended up emailing the docs to me. Whatever happened to doing what the customer wants done?
Back on Monday-if you have the President's Day off, make it a good one!
I love that Verizon Wireless commercial where the waitress says "More coffee princess?" to the burly trucker with the pink glitter phone. But what would be the male equivalent of the same phone?
Can my fellow Olympic writers say bobsled instead of bobsleigh? Santa drives a sleigh-and goes a lot faster than the sleds!
What is it with the recent spate of crimes against college students? Just the other night, several AIA students here had to jump out of a 4th-floor window when a gunman broke into their room and demanded cash. I am an AIA grad and when I attended, we had a secure dorm out in the suburbs who's front door was locked at 10PM every night. I was a dorm attendant and that was one of my responsibilities when I worked the 2nd shift after class.
I don't like Bill Maher's new "corporate" look on his HBO show. Say it isn't so that you sold out to the HBO suits, Bill!
Men: are you having to ask for the SI Swimsuit Issue behind the counter?
Eight cities have applied for the 2011 IOC Session. One of the cities listed is Hong Kong. God forbid we go there.
Sympathies to my friends over at Mizuno that had to withdraw as a Tokyo 2016 sponsor (due to the fact of supplying uniforms for the IOC in 2008.) The IOC ruled it a conflict of interest. I fail to see the connection, but I guess rules have to be followed. (And it took the IOC this long to figure it out?!?)
I keep hearing rumors we're ripe and ready for another IOC scandal. Perhaps during the summer. We're due for another one.
Kinko's has the worst service of any office-supply retailer ever. They never have enough employees. The UPS Store is much better.
I just closed on a piece of property this week. The title company refused to send the documents by USPS. Claimed it "was company policy." My policy says I don't have all day to wait around for DHL to show up which is what the title company wanted me to do. I said no way. And ended up sending the documents back by USPS myself (and filing for a refund of the postage with the company in question.) They ended up emailing the docs to me. Whatever happened to doing what the customer wants done?
Back on Monday-if you have the President's Day off, make it a good one!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Steven Spielberg severs ties with Beijing organisers
Steven Spielberg severed ties today with the Beijing 2008 organisers, citing their reluctance to resolve the issues of Darfur as a reason for pulling out. His Olympics contract, which he has had in his office for one year, remained unsigned.
Mia Farrrow has said Spielberg's actions are "the equivelent of 100 people standing up and taking a stand." It's a courageous act, one that is long overdue.
It's refreshing to see someone of such stance in the international community take a stand as this. I only wish more would do this. There were some concerns when he was first approached to take this job, but in the interim, world opinion has changed dramatically and to the point where looking away is no longer an option for most folks of conscience.
My late dad used to say that "doing the right thing sometimes means not doing the most popular thing." Steven's actions are a stellar example---sometimes moral conscience is more important than all the money in the world he would have been paid to be the 2008 Artistic Director.
Can we get some others to follow in his footsteps?
Please.
It's not too much to ask---especially when lives are at stake.
Mia Farrrow has said Spielberg's actions are "the equivelent of 100 people standing up and taking a stand." It's a courageous act, one that is long overdue.
It's refreshing to see someone of such stance in the international community take a stand as this. I only wish more would do this. There were some concerns when he was first approached to take this job, but in the interim, world opinion has changed dramatically and to the point where looking away is no longer an option for most folks of conscience.
My late dad used to say that "doing the right thing sometimes means not doing the most popular thing." Steven's actions are a stellar example---sometimes moral conscience is more important than all the money in the world he would have been paid to be the 2008 Artistic Director.
Can we get some others to follow in his footsteps?
Please.
It's not too much to ask---especially when lives are at stake.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Colin Moynihan's double speak
The British Olympic Association(BOA)chairman Colin Moynihan has spoken up about a clause in British Olympic athletes contracts that forbid them from making comments regarding China's human rights record or other conditions. In a report in Around the Rings yesterday, Colin says that provision was withdrawn "as it was an incorrect interpertation of the Olympic Charter." He cited his own experiences speaking out against the Russian government of the time before he himself competed in 1980 in Moscow.
Don't bet on it. Looks like the BOA got caught with their pants down and had to backtrack. But it was quite clear from the beginning as to what the UK athletes were being asked to sign. There was no question-and it appears the BOA got hammered about this-big time.
I recognise double-speak when I see it. So apparently did the public, and the collective howl of world opinion made the BOA go back on what they originally intended to have happen. It's also in my opinion put a black mark on London 2012 (as if they didn't have enough issues already.)
It's only a short step from muzzled athletes to muzzled press. That's a dangerous line, and you don't want to go there-ever.
Shame on you BOA. What your athletes say is none of your business-but your efforts made to keep them quiet is ours with the written word.
Now go hang your head in the corner-and don't do it again.
Don't bet on it. Looks like the BOA got caught with their pants down and had to backtrack. But it was quite clear from the beginning as to what the UK athletes were being asked to sign. There was no question-and it appears the BOA got hammered about this-big time.
I recognise double-speak when I see it. So apparently did the public, and the collective howl of world opinion made the BOA go back on what they originally intended to have happen. It's also in my opinion put a black mark on London 2012 (as if they didn't have enough issues already.)
It's only a short step from muzzled athletes to muzzled press. That's a dangerous line, and you don't want to go there-ever.
Shame on you BOA. What your athletes say is none of your business-but your efforts made to keep them quiet is ours with the written word.
Now go hang your head in the corner-and don't do it again.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Friday's Random Thoughts
It's been a good week so far-how about you? But the flip-flopping weather is tiresome. Can't spring get here fast enough?!?
The US Embasssy in London has rejected Amy Winehouse for a visa to perform at Sunday's Grammy Awards. Knowing how that particular Embassy works in visa matters, they are one of the better ones to deal with. I am sure they explored every avenue to try to approve her application. Even Amy says she was treated fairly by them. I hope she wins all six of her nominations on Sunday. (Sat: 5:45AM: there is an article on the BBC website that says the Embassy "has had a change of heart" and approved her visa.)
I am tired of celebrities on the covers of magazines like Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Harpers Bazaar. Bring back the models!
I thought most City Halls had metal detectors. It was a tragedy what happened up in Missouri. Hope this makes city officials wake up and take their premises more seriously. My local city up in Michigan doesn't even have metal detectors in their courtrooms!
I just love that Toyota (?) commercial with the birds and various insundry animals singing along to Rock Me Gently. By the way, WEHT Andy Kim?
I don't understand what the big deal is about child car seats. I grew up in the sixties and we turned out just fine. AND we rode up front too!
We have some easing of water restrictions here. I wonder if there ever was a water crisis. Even in the 80's, we had some pretty devastating hot summers, but no talk of water restrictions ever materialised. Just asking.
We have a state legislator here who wants to require seat belts in trucks. I am not too fond of the seat belt laws in general and thankfully there are a lot of pols in the farm counties here in opposition. Maybe the first step to elimination of mandatory seat belt legislation in this state? We can only hope. (And how about elimination of mandatory insurance for good drivers? Are you like me and tired of p*****g away money every month on something you aren't getting any return on? I could have invested all that money that is currently wasted on premiums.)
I am looking forward to 2009 Sport Accord in Denver and the IOC Session in Denmark. I am getting a really creepy feeling about 2008 Sport Accord in Greece and decided to take a pass on it this year. I've learned to listen to my second sense. Can't put my finger on it. BTW, I love these type of events---but there are always a few folks around who think they are oh-so-important and try to impress others with their postition, job or stance in the international community. I for one am not suckered in by these people.
WEHT Eddie the Eagle?
My friend in the UK when I was looking to name this blog said I should call it "Five Ring Fever." I took a pass-sounded like a dreaded disease!
Why can't the gas company get the bill right? I've got to call them again on Monday.
Back on Monday (after I call the gas company!)
The US Embasssy in London has rejected Amy Winehouse for a visa to perform at Sunday's Grammy Awards. Knowing how that particular Embassy works in visa matters, they are one of the better ones to deal with. I am sure they explored every avenue to try to approve her application. Even Amy says she was treated fairly by them. I hope she wins all six of her nominations on Sunday. (Sat: 5:45AM: there is an article on the BBC website that says the Embassy "has had a change of heart" and approved her visa.)
I am tired of celebrities on the covers of magazines like Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Harpers Bazaar. Bring back the models!
I thought most City Halls had metal detectors. It was a tragedy what happened up in Missouri. Hope this makes city officials wake up and take their premises more seriously. My local city up in Michigan doesn't even have metal detectors in their courtrooms!
I just love that Toyota (?) commercial with the birds and various insundry animals singing along to Rock Me Gently. By the way, WEHT Andy Kim?
I don't understand what the big deal is about child car seats. I grew up in the sixties and we turned out just fine. AND we rode up front too!
We have some easing of water restrictions here. I wonder if there ever was a water crisis. Even in the 80's, we had some pretty devastating hot summers, but no talk of water restrictions ever materialised. Just asking.
We have a state legislator here who wants to require seat belts in trucks. I am not too fond of the seat belt laws in general and thankfully there are a lot of pols in the farm counties here in opposition. Maybe the first step to elimination of mandatory seat belt legislation in this state? We can only hope. (And how about elimination of mandatory insurance for good drivers? Are you like me and tired of p*****g away money every month on something you aren't getting any return on? I could have invested all that money that is currently wasted on premiums.)
I am looking forward to 2009 Sport Accord in Denver and the IOC Session in Denmark. I am getting a really creepy feeling about 2008 Sport Accord in Greece and decided to take a pass on it this year. I've learned to listen to my second sense. Can't put my finger on it. BTW, I love these type of events---but there are always a few folks around who think they are oh-so-important and try to impress others with their postition, job or stance in the international community. I for one am not suckered in by these people.
WEHT Eddie the Eagle?
My friend in the UK when I was looking to name this blog said I should call it "Five Ring Fever." I took a pass-sounded like a dreaded disease!
Why can't the gas company get the bill right? I've got to call them again on Monday.
Back on Monday (after I call the gas company!)
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
A Saudi Olympic Bid? I hope not
Jacques Rogge, the IOC President has come out in support of a possible Saudi Arabia Olympic bid. Does the possibility of a Games there make you nervous? It should.
I get nervous just thinking of Doha's bid. So many concerns, one of which is security. A Saudi bid makes me even more nervous.
In 2003, one of Saudi's government ministers turned out to be an Osama bin Laden supporter. Fast forward five years, with the world a more dangerous place, and you really don't know who's running the show over there now.
I find Dr. Rogge's Saudi support troubling. Very troubling. I think we need rock-solid guarentees if a Saudi bid comes to fruition about a lot of issues: security, women's rights, media access to name just a few.
The world is just not ready for a Middle East Olympics. Too many unanswered questions.
Take that into consideration Saudi in determining if you go forward with a bid or not.
We're not ready for Doha. And we aren't ready for you.
I get nervous just thinking of Doha's bid. So many concerns, one of which is security. A Saudi bid makes me even more nervous.
In 2003, one of Saudi's government ministers turned out to be an Osama bin Laden supporter. Fast forward five years, with the world a more dangerous place, and you really don't know who's running the show over there now.
I find Dr. Rogge's Saudi support troubling. Very troubling. I think we need rock-solid guarentees if a Saudi bid comes to fruition about a lot of issues: security, women's rights, media access to name just a few.
The world is just not ready for a Middle East Olympics. Too many unanswered questions.
Take that into consideration Saudi in determining if you go forward with a bid or not.
We're not ready for Doha. And we aren't ready for you.
Friday, February 1, 2008
What's with the weird email?
Got another one.
This time via India. India?!?
Don't know anyone there. But whoever emailed me must have had a lot of time on their hands to dig up a posting (Olympic-related) that I made in December of 2001. Heck, even I forgot that I wrote it. (Come on, how many of us even remember what we posted back then unless we go into search and actively look for it?)
I am not sure if this is related to the via-China email I got about a month ago. Not sure if it's the run-of-the-mill nutcase, or someone who's got some valuable info that is trying to suss me out.
I don't know what the deal is with this person(s). Whoever it is, I am not bashing them, just trying to figure out who they are and what their scene is. I know everyone in this business gets weird and crazy emails, but my gut feeling is that this one is different.
If there is something this person wants to tell me, they can do, in confidence.
If you are serious, don't be afraid to come forward. You may be a hero to someone else.
Or for someone.
If you're not serious and are just jacking me around, stop wasting my time and get a hobby, or do something.
Or stand for something.
Anything.
This time via India. India?!?
Don't know anyone there. But whoever emailed me must have had a lot of time on their hands to dig up a posting (Olympic-related) that I made in December of 2001. Heck, even I forgot that I wrote it. (Come on, how many of us even remember what we posted back then unless we go into search and actively look for it?)
I am not sure if this is related to the via-China email I got about a month ago. Not sure if it's the run-of-the-mill nutcase, or someone who's got some valuable info that is trying to suss me out.
I don't know what the deal is with this person(s). Whoever it is, I am not bashing them, just trying to figure out who they are and what their scene is. I know everyone in this business gets weird and crazy emails, but my gut feeling is that this one is different.
If there is something this person wants to tell me, they can do, in confidence.
If you are serious, don't be afraid to come forward. You may be a hero to someone else.
Or for someone.
If you're not serious and are just jacking me around, stop wasting my time and get a hobby, or do something.
Or stand for something.
Anything.