The 2008 Olympic Games

I am relatively excited about this years Summer Olympics. I think it highlights a lot of great things for our global community, and reminds everyone in the world, even if only for a moment or two, that we're all in this together.

Not only do I enjoy that the Olympics bring about this universal awareness of each other, but I enjoy the progression of the games as well. The opening ceremonies were gorgeous, and I'm a little disappointed that I didn't get to watch the first 20 minutes. BUT, with the wonder that is the world wide web, not only can I catch recaps and highlights of the ceremony, but I can, at any given moment, log into the 2008 Bejing Olympics homepage and watch an event going on, streaming live, free of charge (right now I'm watching women's soccer, Japan vs. US - earlier it was men's badminton and women's Judo) But events that I never cared about (interestingly enough, all the one's that got crap coverage on the t.v. stations) are now pumped with a new life, because it's given it's own moment in the sun via internet. Just fun, fun stuff.

The games really are a wonderful thing, and I think we'd all do well to take a moment and remember that they are just that - games. Medals, pride, and stiff competition aside (though that IS the lifeblood of these events) they are just games, and what we're really doing is coming together, for maybe a few hours at a time, looking someone else who doesn't speak a lick of your language right in the eye, and squaring off, to essentially say, "Hey, look - we both enjoy doing the same exact thing."

Then comes the excitement. Thanks to this streaming coverage deal, I tune in to every event going, "I wonder if the US has gone yet," and find myself twitching with sophomoric giddy when I see a US contender. I mean, in a day and age where it's almost shameful to admit your American in a global setting, it's nice to have something to root for. It doesn't make me hate politics, or wish things were different. It's just nice to ROOT for the US instead of cringing for it.

Either way, these games will be a refreshing few weeks of entertainment at least. Plus, the night owl in me greatly appreciates the around the clock coverage. haha.