Ramblings for the Evening (02/26/06)

So here I sit having finished my grading...more or less. There are some parts of my classes that I cannot add until after tomorrow (luckily grades are due on Tuesday).
With my wife out of town again (let me tell you something...it's a lonesome old town when she's not around), I'm just sitting here, having a glass of wine (If you MUST know, it's a Fieldstone Merlot), listening to some calming music (Songs of the Auvergne), and writing.
There's slim pickings tonight as I had to shun the outside world in order to get my students' grades together (yes, I did have everything together in my gradebook, but I had to get it all online).
So, without further ado: SKIIINNNNEER!
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Random Sightings:
Ok, my wife made me relax on Friday night, and we watched a few of the television shows that we recorded during the week (I do not want to use Tivo as a verb because the CEO of the company says he doesn't want it used that way). One show that we watch is 24. Is it as good as when it first started? No, but it's still great at making me bite my nails...occasionally. So, we're watching the show, but of course fast-forwarding through the commercials, when we see John McCain. That's right, Senator John McCain had a walk-on role on 24. His role? A lowly intern who delivers papers to another character. It's a blink and he's gone role.
This is a double-edged sword, as it were. On the one hand, it's kind of cool to see McCain. I really did say (out loud, I must admit), "Holy Hannah, that's John McCain." Then, I hit the rewind button (DVR...very cool). Now, the problem here, however, is that I found myself wondering, "how the hell does he have the TIME to go and do this?" Whenever I see someone in politics on a show or in a movie, I wonder when they find the time. Maybe I'm just naive about how politics works, but aren't these men and women on call almost 24/7/365? James Carville, who is supposed to be helping the Democrats win back some power, seems to have the time to appear in numerous films. Jesse Ventura, while governor of Minnesota, seemed to find time to work as a referee and film a few films. I could go on and on. Still, it was cool to see McCain.
Other sightings?
-Random as it may be, I ran into a girl I went to college with over the weekend. I'm at Home Depot buying some paint (I need to re-paint the guest room of my house) and I get hit from behind with a cart. It seems the driver was not paying attention. As I turn to begin a verbal lashing, I pause because this person seems REALLY familiar. Turns out she is. We had a few classes together in college. After a few "oh my, you seem familiar...oh sure we were in these classes together" moments, she tells me all about her life since college. It was not a happy story. Divorce, restraining orders, having to move twice because psycho ex-husband wants the kids...etc, etc. I feel bad just hearing this stuff. Why? Because my life is not so crazy. There were a few moments of guilt on my part, but I managed to quash them.
-A former student of mine accidentally walked into my class looking for another teacher. It was great to see her. She's currently in college and told me I really helped her. I needed that. The only downside? I allowed my freshman class to talk to her about questions they might have, and instead of asking about what they need to do to be successful, they asked about the "crackin' parties." (This from a little white boy). Another kid attempted to hit on her (Again, he's a freshman in high school....She's a freshman in college. Major differences in maturity). All I can say is que idioto. Still, it was great to see her, and she made my day.
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The Camera Crew:
I was unable to go and join the crew Margaret put together to point and shoot around town. My wife and I were indisposed at the time. A buddy of mine, however, said he saw them at the Basilica (I think he's full of it, but he SWEARS he saw them. He's also slightly stalking Margaret, but that's another story...which reminds me...where's my bat?) during their break. If I could have, I really think I would have dressed up as a homeless guy, waited across from the Starbucks, and taken some more photos for Slander A La Leab. (I mean, I could always use MORE legal trouble, right?)
Spring will come, they'll do it again. Then I can go.
and finally,
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The Olympics End:
Does anyone really care? Seriously.
What happened? When I was a kid, I used to LOVE watching the Olympics. There was something almost magical about it. These people were our emissaries, the very representation of what was supposed to make our country so great. Now? Not so much. If you go by these Olympics, then our country looks quite stupid. We get Bode Miller. A man who shoots his mouth off about skiing drunk, has a ton of Nike commercials talking about how great he is, then he does NOTHING. Not a single medal.
We get Lindsey Jacobellis who shows off at the finish line...and FALLS DOWN. She finishes second.
We get Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick. Teammates who openly and publicly feud with each other. Never mind that you represent the UNITED States of America. Never mind that you are on the same team. No, you can bitch and use the media. That's the American way!
And, my favorite, you get the American hockey team playing badly, then blaming it on everyone else but themselves. Mike Modano, a staple of the team, blamed it on the fact that the players' families were taken care of very well. Huh?
Look, once upon a time, it was an honor to be chosen as an Olympian. It was huge. Yet, it really seems that this year's athletes carried more about their possible endorsements instead of actually showing why they are the pride of America.
Was everyone this way? No. Look at Joey Cheek who donated his medal bonus to charity. That's great.
Except for his stupid feud, Shani Davis did something never seen before in Olympic history: A black man winning a gold medal in the Winter Olympics. That's huge.
In the end, however, the athletes I mentioned are the perfect representation of our current ways:
We talk big, but are unable to back it up.
We screw up at the last minute by not taking it seriously.
We remain individuals instead of teammates.
We don't take responsibility and blame it on others when we fail.
Maybe I'm being too harsh, but I really feel the spirit like I usually do. In '96, '98, 2000, and even 2002, I was pumped for the Olympics, and I saw these Olympians represent our country with dignity.
I didn't feel it this year.
Then again, what do I know? I'm not an Olympian, and I don't have a medal to use to try and "pick up chicks." I could be wrong.