Happy V-Day

02.14.2006

Went to Chicago, spent time w/ K8, returned from Chicago. It was a fun, quick trip involving a fondue dinner, some winter olympics (which I love more than the summer games, go figure), a small apartment party (I made sure to pick up some Tuborg Danish beer), and a screening of The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.

Three Burials was pretty good, though I think it was a bit heavy-handed with its themes at times. I also think Tommy Lee Jones did a good job directing, but I'd have liked to see some of the issues of his character as an old school cowboy (who was a bit out of place in his more "modern" world) played up. Especially since the plot borrowed heavily & visually from Sergio Leone westerns, and issues such as friendship & vengeance along the frontier.

And here's why I love the winter olympics: It's principally a series of obscure little sports. Sure, there's hockey. But many of the winter games are obscure sports that have no professional leagues, or even the chance go play at the collegiate level. Most colleges have track & field, diving, even synchronized swimming teams, but how many have a luge, curling, or moguls teams?

I most enjoy the obscure little sports. I can't imagine what it must be like to be among the best in the world, the very very best, at a sport that few people will ever even attempt. How does someone decide to dedicate years of their life to train for luge? Nike has all those slick ads about whether athletes play "for lover or money". There's no money in luge, the question isn't even relevant. BTW, there's a luge track in Muskegan (one of only three in the US). I totally wanna go.

Oh, it's also St. Valentine's Day. So from my girls to all of you, enjoy your day w/ someone. Me? I'll spend it w/ a few good friends & the cast of The Shield.

Posted by Miguel at 06:23 PM

Comments

You may find these sports obscure, but again from American point of view I guess. I am so happy about these winter Olympics 'cause I have an opportunity to follow again sport events I grew up watching and they are just not covered on any of my American Tv channels: alpine skiing, ski jumping, luge, bob, etc. N.

Posted by: Nenad at February 15, 2006 11:22 AM

If you come to Muskegon you'll have to visit me. The luge track you speak of is actually where Mark Grimette practiced.

I'll be in Kalamazoo this Wednesday and Thursday (weather permitting) so we'll have to meet up so I can finally give you those coins.

Posted by: Kara at February 17, 2006 10:11 AM