The Shmolympics

I’m not the kind of guy who drops everything to watch the Olympics, but I must say — I’ve been somewhat intrigued by this year’s games.
Maybe I’m getting a kick out of the smog in Beijing, or perhaps I’m a closet synchronized diving fan … but for whatever reason, my wife and I have had the TV on NBC all weekend so far. In fact, little-miss-goes-to-bed-early stayed up to nearly midnight last night screaming for the U.S. relay swim team to win the gold — which they did.
“Take that, France!” I thought I heard her yell while I was nicely tucked under my covers in the other room.

The swimming part, for me, has been the most enjoyable to watch so far. I’m amazed at the speed these people are gliding through the water … and if I was able to trade my physique for any other’s … I’d trade it for a swimmer’s body (though I’ll be keeping my body hair, thank you).
The one event I did watch that I completely didn’t understand was the fencing (sabers). It’s one or two seconds of screaming, then a whistle … that’s it. It’s not like the sword fights from the swash-buckling films of long ago, and to me, that’s just disappointing.
I mean, sure, I’m glad we swept the medals in the women’s fencing, but it was kind of a bore. Maybe next Olympics we’ll have the technology to trade the sabers for lightsabers.
Then I’ll watch.

Feel free to agree, disagree or tell me what you’ve been watching. The eighth comment gets a U.S. Olympic volleyball signed by me.*

*- disclaimer: Volleyball is not a U.S. Olympic volleyball, nor does it exist.