It’s Hump Day Miscellany time and of course I have my own Olympic tidbits to share. I’ve mostly focused on the swimming for obvious reasons.
1). If you are having stroke issues try watching this all underwater version of the spectacular Mens 4 x 100M come from behind relay. Watch how these guys grab water and pull themselves through the pool while rotating their bodies. Beautiful
2). That particular relay was especially exciting for me as my son was the Jason Lezak of his relay team at the All City Meet the summer after his junior year in high school. This meet is second only to the end of summer conference and features about 20 swim teams. He swam anchor and when he went off the block he was close to a body length behind the leader. He had only 50 yards to work with. After his streamline following the 25 yard flip turn he was at the guy’s ankles. After that he pulled himself forward, centimeter by centimeter to take the lead in the last 10 feet. Everyone at the meet was on their feet screaming and the boys set a new meet records with that race. It was a glorious day in my son’s life and an incredibly proud Mama moment. I have some idea of how Debbie Phelps must feel.
3). There’s a guy on the Olympic team named Ben WildmanTobriner. My son raced him for 2 years at the high school regional championships. Although Travis couldn’t beat him in an individual event, his relay team took first at least one of those years, possibly both.
4). Am I the only one who gets a little sad every time they play the VISA ads with Morgan Freeman’s voice in the background? The poor man fell asleep at the wheel recently and had a bad car accident. He’s going to be okay but I’m sure it was terrifying.
5). Worst ad award goes to Hotels.com for that awful thing with the guys blowing bubbles into some man’s bath. EW! That’s just creepy.
6). Most idiotic commentary goes to the guy who when describing an incident in which Kerry Walsh lost her wedding ring in the sand prompting an all out hunt with metal detectors and an army of volunteers remarked, “I’m not sure what’s so special about this ring”. Hmmm… maybe it’s because it’s her wedding ring that her beloved husband gave her and that is inscribed with a special saying. That might make it special, don’t you think?
7). I am 100% hetero but I have to admit to loving watching the women’s volleyball. Oh those incredible bodies in those teeny little suits! What’s not to love? Oh- and the winning. We LOVE the winning!
So to wrap up HDM on a positive note I give you this:
21st-century-mom.com 
ok, what is with me? i got all teary eyed watching that and its a HAPPY clip. i can’t even imagine the dedication to their sport that it takes to get to the olympics – and to be at the top of their game – well, there have to be very few experiences that would beat that.
too cool about your son’s relay team. i scream like a banshee when the kids make a point in a game too. it must be the cheerleader in me. 🙂
thanks for sharing, p! here’s to hdm!
I love the swimming underwater video of that race-I didn’t realize they really don’t swim with their fingers totally together. and those flip turns and swooshing through the water with kicking blows me away! Thanks for sharing that. It will be forever my favorite race!
Humfp! I hate those girls in those teenie weenie bikinies. Oh maybe i am just jealous of their age/bodies.. 🙂
When I get that body, I’m totally switching to volleyball!
holy cow, your son!!!! that short description had me on the EDGE of my seat! that was the most incredible race i’ve ever seen!
the olympics always makes me cry. if only i could see more of it. damn training!
Today I am going to try and come off the wall sideways with a dolphin kick just like Michael! I am SURE I will look just as good if I were video taped! HA!
Poetry in motion!
I too love to look at the women’s level of fitness in their bodies…and I am not gay either.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that!
And what’s with the men having to wear JERSEYS when the women are half-naked out there? A little bit of the old double standard??? Geez Louize!
Oooo, When I saw that ad with the guys blowing the bubbles I had it on mute and was so freaked out that I didn’t look to see who the ad was for!
Also, at first when I saw the 2-man volleyball I was angry, I was all, “women leaping around in 2-piece swim suits; I wonder who thought THIS up??” but then I really got into it chearing them on, and appreciating the skill.
Here in LA there’s a RV dealer going out of business (so how can they afford all these commercials?–or a single commercial with 2-3 airings every. single. commercial break), and the voiceover whistles the letter s most of the times he says it. *gnash*
The bad commentary for me came from the woman commentator on the first night of 3m diving. Negative, negative, negative. I had to turn it off.
The bad commentary for me came from the woman commentator on the first night of 3m diving. Negative, negative, negative. I had to turn it off.
my girly crush is on blanca vlasic. i think i remembered her name right. i just remember blanca. easier to spell and part of casablanca.