Usain messes with the established sports narratives. The passion play of it. There's a moral imperative on striving continuously and pushing yourself, and the fact that he is fleet and winning and setting records minus that striving element flummoxes and upsets the sports writers and the sports narrative.
Which is not to say he doesn't try or practice until his muscles quake. I'm certain he does. But his approach or attitude is not congruent with expectations. Winning with joy and pleasure are not the Puritan values. It must be with blood, sweat and tears.
He reminds me of Daley Thompson, who blew his competitors out of the water and was either having the time of his life or grumbling about the 1500 meters. Not Puritan, not stoic. I like exuberance in track and field--and I like that Usain can big up himself without it sounding like trash talking, because he also seems sincere the times he's said he'd be happy to win, damn the records.
Part of the reason I could never be a fan of Pete Sampras except on paper. I didn't see joy there. I'd rather watch Safin storming or Monfils bouncing from side to side or Federer floating on air. Federer especially trains like a mofo, so you don't have to see that effort on court. You wouldn't dare say he didn't try. It just suddenly didn't look that hard, really.
Someone recently told me that if you hum the theme to the A-Team, it'll crack any earworm. And it works! When you can remember the theme to the A-Team.
The only thing I can think of when I hum the A-Team theme song is the rave episode of Spaced, when Mike ends up leading the ravers in a hilarious dance to the song.
InotTVN, Mom's up visiting, is not bothering me for not finishing with my cleaning before she arrived (early!), and paid for dinner out tonight, which was the best damn fish I have ever had in my entire life. Oh.My.God, was it good!! Alaskan halibut in a light crust, melt-in-your-mouth tender, moist, and delicious, on a bed of green beans with pesto which were almost as fabulous. And, Mom and I split a double-baked potato which was most excellent.
If anyone is ever in the North Shore area of Chicago's suburbs and looking for a fantastic restaurant, go to Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook--you won't be disappointed!!
I took my umbrella to work yesterday because it seemed like it might rain in the morning. .. then it didn't and I left it at the office and it's raining now. Sigh.
And I'm now inexplicably hearing Perkins' complaint to the tune of "Morning Has Broken."
Talk about a disturbing earworm.
Oh my god, Barb. NOW I AM, TOO.
And I'm now inexplicably hearing Perkins' complaint to the tune of "Morning Has Broken."
Morning can BITE me
Square on my big ass
Morning can suck it
un-til it chokes....
I resent getting up before the sun.
