I beheld an irony on BBC the other day as a full sized man, a protester, grabbed the Olympic Torch from tiny British TV show host, Konnie Huq, as she relayed it through the streets of London last April 6.
This man apparently was trying to get the world to know about his stance on China's alleged maltreatment of the Tibetan cause. Well, although I wish things over there were settled diplomatically, these semi-violent acts of rebellion are not only quashing the spirit of athletics and thus human achievements, but are mirroring the very same actions they shout out against. It's quite easy to see where this is going. Big man = China. Little woman = Tibet. I am well aware and do not condone anything that takes away our very rights as humans, but there are always other ways of getting a message through, and not as blunt...or just plain stupid as this one.
Personally, I can't wait for the great drama to unfold in August. The Olympics is not just one big heralded tradition, but the coming together of people from varying degrees of life, different disciplines...all with one goal. Not just the gold, but that of personal excellence, and honor for your country. There is no better symbol of freedom than this. Take those placards to more political bastions and leave the five rings alone. China is just a country playing host to the great games, that's all.
Oh well there goes my rant for the evening, haven't had the chance to blog or stay more than ten minutes online due to my training schedule. It's wonderful how Michelle puts up with all of my training, and repetitive after training blabber...you can't find a better wife! Haha! Currently, I've kept my weight in check, and have quit munching rabbit food and have given in to a popsicle earlier. Well that's one of the advantages of working out year round. I hover at a maximum of 4 lbs over my fighting weight of 60kg (132lbs). I'm really really stoked to be at this level again. The national open. Man it's a dream. I work hard, keep disciplined and constantly pray that I am always at my best. Yeah, I'm saying it again. 20 days to go roughly and I'm blazing...and this flame will peak every time I step up to the ring.
Been playing Fight Night religiously too. I just get a kick out of it. Just finished Medal of Honor Vanguard the other week, and purchased some sh*t first person shooter that I damn near stepped on. I'm not freaky into gaming, I like simple stuff. So if anyone has any suggestions for PS2, please let me know.
Movies? Thoroughly enjoyed "Cloverfield". Yes the concept is far from unique, but there was something about J.J. Abram's monstrous creation that appealed to me. It's either that or I just needed a suspenseful diversion. Seriously though, it's worth the watch. Haven't come across any worthwhile indie flicks lately. Finally got a copy of "Volver", the only Almodavar I haven't seen, and didn't enjoy it. I'm somewhere in between the director's cut of "Cinema Paradiso" at the moment, and checking out oddball zombie/weird-flying-beast films (I love em). "The Mist", although typical provides for a must see ending, and another one...uh-oh. Boxerbrain forgot the title. A shot of eye candy on that one though, that always being sublime delight to even some of the most discriminating movie fans. Hey don't judge. I liked "Shoot Em' Up" and not because of Ms. Bellucci. I mean these impossible scenes and crazy blow em ups are there for a reason. To be bigger than life...and that's why they're up on the silver screen, not when you look out the window. I remember someone telling me when I was racing motorcycles a few years back that "Torque" sucked because everything was totally out of line and the stunts were all laced with CGI. I had the same reaction from a multi awarded race car driver about the Stallone film "Driven". About "Torque"? A dead end story with lousy characters. But as a motorcycle racer, I know I'll never be able to ride a Hayabusa atop a moving train and make a perfect landing in between the rails...and it's in those scenes I turn up the home theater so I can smell the tires burn! Yes. Incredulously Hollywood. We go to the movies to be awed my the existential possibilities and impossibilities, so it's up to us to be weathered in annoyance, or be awed for a few seconds. About "Driven"? Taking an indy car up on the road is something people imagine, and something that the great miracle that is a computer has brought to life for us. Yes "deep" and imaginative movies are soul food, but it's the crazy ones that keep us entertained.
As for TV, I'm currently following "Damages", a legal drama featuring Glenn Close (isn't that aswesome?) as a cut throat New York Attorney. Haven't quite made my mind about it yet, but so far it is slightly engaging. Can't wait for "Friday Night Lights" to resume!
Going back to the "more sensible" genre, I recommend Guillermo del Toro's "The Orphanage", and Mike Newell's excellent cinematic adaptation of Garbriel Garcia-Marquez' masterpiece, "Love in the Time of Cholera". Being one of my favorite authors, with the timeless "A Hundred Years of Solitude" my favorite book of all time, it's hard for me to spit the next few words out: I liked the movie better.
But in general? I like life the best.
Enjoy yours!
