One World One Dream

It's that time again... time to spend about 4 hours every night, from the prime-time television hour until midnight, to watch the world's best athletes compete in the Summer Olympics. Of course, by the time 8pm PST rolls around, we've already accidentally seen the results from the event we will see later that night rolling across on the 'bottom line' of ESPN. (Kinda takes the excitement out of seeing Michael Phelps beat his own world record and win the gold medal in his self-described "toughest event" this season...) There are a total of 28 sports (and 35 individual categories) in the Olympics, but only about 5 of which that I will really watch... swimming, diving, gymnastics, track, and maybe some of the beach volleyball. P on the other hand, loves it all. He gets so hyped up for the Olympics, he's just like a little kid in a candy store! (Well, what else would you expect from a guy who went to school to study sports [and found he could do it in the form of the law]...?)

As a designer, I have to say that the most amazing part of the Olympics this year has to be the buildings on the Olympic Green! I mean WOW! They started transforming the city as soon as they were awarded the privilege to hold the 2008 Olympics, back in 2001. Can you imagine? (Oh, and to make over 6,000 medals with actual carved out dark green, light green, and the rare white jade on them? I think they would have had to start back in '01 to get them all done!) What I particularly find interesting is the aquatic center, or the "Water Cube" as they're calling it. Don't get me wrong, the "Bird's Nest" is really awesome looking too, but the aquatic center is just so cool since it was built in accordance with a water-saving design concept to be a gigantic green architectural wonder. (For the full article on the official Beijing Olympics website, go here: http://en.beijing2008.cn/cptvenues/venues/nac/headlines/n214241555.shtml) It seems like something Frank Ghery would appreciate... Simply stunning!

But by far, my favorite thing has to be the cute little Olympic mascots this season!!! Have you seen these? They've created these characters named Beibei (the fish), Jingjing (the Panda, and my personal favorite), Huanhuan (the Olympic flame), Yingying (the Tibetan antelope), and Nini (the sparrow)... when you put their names together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- they say "Welcome to Beijing." Completely the cutest thing ever, but hmmm... does it remind you of anyone? ;)

Well, I do hope you enjoy watching the Olympics this season... I know we will. And don't stay up too late - this is where the wonderful technology of the Tivo or a DVR comes in handy, especially when you'll be playing digital whack-a-mole (between what, 12 channels?) to find all of the events you'd like to see! While P watches the likes of all 28 sports, you'll most likely find me in the back bedroom keeping up on my Big Brother craze 3x a week, or at the computer playing Chuzzle, TipTop, or Insaniquarium!

Posted by: ~A*