One of the most frustrating things about the Olympics is that I love the pageantry and commentary and competition, but I can never see enough of the sports I love, and always end up watching too much of other sports so that I begin to dislike them Not the sport itself, I guess, but the being forced to watch it because what I want won’t be shown.
Not to mention all the commercials! Has television always had so many commercials? Yeesh. As a kid I didn’t notice so much. Some of them are funny (the first and second time anyway), but egads, what an insipid waste of Olympic time and my brain cells. Good reminder to me of why we do not own a television.
But once or twice a year (Superbowl, Olympics, presidential inaugurations) I will borrow a TV or hang out with a friend who has one. The rarity of my television time means I really do resent the commercials. And when it’s the Olympics, I really do want to see certain events, and care less and less about events that are pushed on me.
One event in Beijing right now that I would dearly love to see is not sponsored by the Olympic Committee, but it ought to be required viewing for every Olympic athlete (and fan for that matter): Scribble, by Urban Poets.
I am privileged to know several of the Urban Poets personally, and have seen many of their shows over the years. I have NEVER been disappointed. Every time they surprise me with their passion, excellence and insight. You’d think I would get used to it, but unlike the clever Olympic or Superbowl commercials, they are a moving target, always changing, morphing, improving, adapting to their audience or the occasion.
Their presence in Beijing is a gift to China. I dearly wish I could watch it unwrap. But Scribble is one event I’m sure the networks will neglect. Guess I’ll go see if synchronized diving is over yet.
