I’ve written before about my time in Texas. I was sleep deprived, money deprived, with no deprivation of stress. But there was a lot of fun and good friendships in Texas too. We were hanging out yesterday morning and watching silly YouTube videos when I came across an oldie, but a goodie.
Having a friend like Gant made life a bit easier down south. Gant is an all around Renaissance man and always up for a silly video.
OH! Even though I had a heads up that Alan was going to be pulling us over at some point, when he stepped out of his car with a ginormous, pink and sprinkle frosted donut, I lost it. That’s good stuff right there.
So don’t forget to have fun. At the end of the day, those are the memories we want to last.
Madge turns 55 today and she’s still rockin’ it. This was one of the videos that launched a career; a fashion trend; and many parents wondering what their world has come to that their kids listen to this crap. (Ok, that may have been just my parents.)
Hear how high her voice is? Funny. Say what you want, she’s aged well. I thought she kicked Superbowl arse two years ago (at least she didn’t cause a power outage anyway.) She owns who she is, weirdness and all, and seems content to just live her life. Her way. Respect.
So Happy Birthday Madonna. Thanks for the music.
Best of luck also to the World’s Strongest as they begin competition over in China. The updates from Lauren Hollands have been hilarious and she’s included some very nice pictures over the last few days. Strength and health to her man, Terry; our pal Loz; Z (my fav); our local fav Brian Shaw; our Hungarian favorite, Akos; and the rest of the men. And for dogsakes, some one bring something normal for Lauren to eat. She’s starving over there. Heh.
Enjoy the Weekend.
I never had a rivalry with Madonna. You don’t knock another sister; ever. There’s room for everybody on this planet; you don’t have to be like anyone else.
The upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics have been getting quite a bit of attention lately on the interwebz due to Russia’s currrent Anti-Gay laws that, according to Russia, will be enforced during the sports festival. So people are pissed off now. SRSLY. Now? We’re a half a year away from opening ceremonies and you’ve decided to be pissed off now?
The B word has been thrown around already, yup, Boycott. How very Cold War of those folks. People have already stated they won’t be watching any of it, blah blah blah. First off, it’s the Olympics so there will only be a few events on the television wrapped around 140 hours of stupid background stories, problem solved. Secondly, it’s in Russia, so all the good stuff is happening when we’re sleeping anyway. Third of all, did you honestly believe Putin was a good person before this? Really? Really.
Lastly, how does any of this serve the athletes. Ya know, the one’s who the event is actually for? The one’s who have been working their asses off to get to there? Ya know, the one’s who actually take part in this party? See? It’s not about you. If there is a homosexual athlete who decides, on principal, to not partake in these Olympics due to political policies of their hosts then that is certainly their right. I support that, 100%. But you? Couch potato you? Who really just wants to yell and scream about perceived injustices that have no bearing on your daily life? Shut up. You’re boring. Make life better here, for you; for those around you; for family and friends and strangers. There are hundreds of cases of injustice happening right in your neighborhood, do something if you’re so angry.
Anyway’s.
Here is a clip of commentary from a, now fired, Russian News host who openly announced he is gay on air about a boycott:
“Russian gay people need international support, but international support is not a boycott of Sochi Olympic games, because Olympic games is an international event. It’s not a Russian event, it’s not a personal event of Putin, it’s an event of millions and millions of people … 7 million people in Russia are gay. If you want to boycott Olympic games in Russia, you’re trying to boycott 7 million gay people in Russia. You want to boycott me.
He gets an opinion. Cuz he’s there and he lives it. He’s still not an athlete who has worked all his life for this goal, but he has a far better understanding of the situation than American’s on the FB.
Everyone is so ready to jump down someone else’s throat these days. Settle down people. This contentious America we live in now perpetuates the myth that we are placed on this earth to fight. Overreactions have become the norm. Screaming has replaced reasonable conversations. Keep Calm and Shut Up, where’s that shirt? That’s one I’d wear.
And laugh more. JHMFC, people, laugh more.
If you fear making anyone made, then you ultimately probe for the lowest common denominator of human achievement.
Some of the World’s strongest are sitting on airplanes right now on their way to China for the WSM 2013 contest that begins on Saturday. The communication coming out of China can be a bit spotty so those in the know have been making use of their last few hours of the Facebook. What we know so far…
Loz already misses Liz (they’re pretty much the cutest); Lauren Hollands forgot her electric fag so look out to those around her (she’s hilarious, I really would love to go for drinks with her); most of the Americans were on the same flight…hopefully not next to each other; due to Visa struggles this year so far, we’re just hoping Misha is on a plane; Callie Marunde Best has packed more shoes than clothes; Rob Oberst’s wife is joining him thanks to the (odd) generosity of donors; and the eerie silence coming out of Lithuania sets the tone for how Z approaches this contest. Heh.
The groups are set, some have arrived and bets can be placed. The qualification round kicks off on Saturday with the Super Yoke (good for Loz) and ends Tuesday with the Atlas Stones. Of course we have our favorites and will be paying close to Marunde-Muscle and Sugden Barbell forums for updates. I’m partial to Sugden because I read it in their British accents. Word.
Best of luck to all of the competitors, hopefully PR’s and intact tendons are plentiful.
The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.
tosabarbell 