The Olympics is cooler than football

If there was a gold medal for watching the Olympics, I might win. I'd at least get a silver medal. I've always preferred the Summer Olympics, mostly because there are more truly awesome sports to watch that I don't get to see any other time of the year. I love the winter ice skating, but ice skating competitions grace the television far more often that gymnastics, diving, swimming and water polo.
This Olympics, I watched the opening ceremonies, and was among the few people who didn't ask what the heck England was thinking. It was clear they were not going to be able to do what Bejing dad, as they have far less people, and even less power to require citizens to participate/kill them if they refuse. The symbolism of the whole London ceremonies was really incredible, and if the Brits have taught me nothing else in their movies, music and literature, they have taught me to appreciate symbolism. Plus, I am obsessed with Harry Potter; a Harry Pothead, if you will. A Voldemort recreation and J.K., in the flesh, made an appearance, so I couldn't have been much happier. Although, I did utter, "Where is HARRY POTTER???!!!", at least a dozen times.
Since the opening ceremonies, I've recorded every evening of coverage, and much of the day coverage to watch while the work babies snooze. I haven't checked any of the spoilers online, so I can capture those feelings of excitement, anxiety and joy, when I watch the events late at night. And most definitely, I am tickled that a few alum from my little college are in the Olympics and kicking butt!
The other night, as I was glued to the tv, the boyfriend mentioned that some sports writer couldn't believe that his wife complained about sports all the time, and when the Olympics came on, she followed the Olympics as hard as the paparazzi follows Alec Baldwin. I paused whatever event I was watching (I didn't want to miss anything!) and laughed at the irony. I also realized that the bf was on some level asking me why I'm the same way.
There have already been dozens of football season commercials and let's just say I am less than thrilled about it's imminent approach. Do we really need THAT much football??? We get Saturday college, Sunday aaaalllll day, Monday nights and some "surprise" Thursdays. I don't know if you're aware, but that's over half the week. Thank goodness my lest semester of school will be underway and I will potentially have one billion pages of reading to keep me from noticing that men in tight pants crashing into each other is constantly monopolizing my tv.
But seriously, why is that a problem for me?
I don't do nearly as much complaining during basketball season (more exciting), but I'm still tired of it come April. Then there's soccer. Don't get me started on how hard I find it to watch that. I went to a famous soccer school and I think, I might have gone to one game: one. It's usually in a different language, the field is so large and the camera so far away that I can barely see anyone and comment on things like, he's got good hair or hmm, good thing he plays soccer and isn't a model or ooooh, there uniforms are fab! These are truly the important aspects of sports, p.s. Baseball isn't a huge issue because the bf isn't after the American pasttime's heart, like he is football's. Still, I have no desire to turn on a baseball game every day. But the Olympics...bring it on.
I've pondered this intriguing debacle for a few days and here's what I've deduced.
1. The Olympics only comes every four years and stays for about 3 weeks. Think about that. All other sports come every year, for several months. That would be like if you has a mother in law that you only sorta liked and she came to visit every year for 2+ months at a time, OR she came every four years for 3 weeks- she's your bff now, huh?
2. The Olympic news writers have a way of toying with my emotions- highlighting athletes who've had more struggles than Ke$ha's career, thus making me feel for the person and wanting him or her to win, regardless of the country. Plus, they show moms and dads who've spent the past 15-20 years sacrificing money, time and sanity, just to help their kids win that shiny piece of gold.
3. Have you watched gymnastics?! It's about the coolest thing ever. I'm so fascinated by these tiny women, who age out of their dream by 20 and have spent years doing flips on a thin piece of beam, flying from one bar to a next and doing the craziest amount of perfection on the vault. It's just cool. Plus, there's the moment in 1996. That's why I love the Olympics. That, and Kerri Strugg's sweet hairdo.
4. The excitement of watching the Olympics take place in a new city each time is fun. And also troubling, because my "where I wanna go" list keeps getting longer and longer.
5. Diving. It's almost as cool as the gymnastics. Especially if you're me and just jumping in a pool seems scary. My stomach would leap out of my face if I had to be an Olympic diver.
6. I thoroughly enjoy the announcers. They are super into whatever event they're commentating and some of their reactions are down right hilarious. Speaking of reactions, did you catch a glimpse of Aly Raisman's parents? They have got to win a medal for "Most Supportive".
7. The reality tv worthy conversations that take place in my house during the Olympics. "Did you see that swimmer's shoulders? She's gotta be a man, right?"
"Did someone really name their kid after a tree?"
"Let's start training for the Olympics right now! What are we not too tall, old or imcompetent to do?" "How many girls do you think Ryan Lochte slept with?" "16" "No, I meant at this Olympics." "16."
8. Misty May Trainer and Kerry Walsh: BAMFS. (Regardless of Austria killing their perfect record)
9. This one is not necessarily why I love the Olmpics but it had to make the list for highest entertainment value: Ryan Seacrest. Ryan Seacrest was hired for some of the Olympic coverage. Seriously. I'm not sure why we needed him. Did the head honchos sit around and say, "there is only one man who knows the Olympics well enough to interview people. That's Ryan." or, did Ryan approach NBC and say, "Hey, I've got about 3 days off and I need something to do. Can I help cover the Olympics and then pay some of them to say Keeping Up with the Kardashians is their favorite show?"
10. The men and women are fun to watch. I think about 234 people watch the WNBA. Very few professional female sports get the attention their male counterparts do. But, the Olympics manages to transcend average issues for sports fans and gets millions of people to appreciate both genders and their incredible athletic skills.
11. Unlike other sports. the Olympics is not boring. They're constantly showing a new event, which means I know the yawn inducing cycling will be over soon rather than later. Put the Ritalin away, people. The Olympics knows how to keep your attention.
12. The Olympics is not football. <------- best reason of all.

Unfortunately, basketball is in the Olympics. For real?! First of all, what about basketball makes it a summer sport? The NBA season ends right when summer begins and it's played indoors, even in the Olympics. All the athletes wear shorts and tank tops, does that make it summer-y?
The USA basketball team is basically the usual NBA egos, all smooshed together into one team. As if all these superstars don't get enough attention, we send them to London to win gold medals. Well, I see enough of Kobe Bryant all year long and watching basketball players from other countries ask for his autograph, is just more than I can handle.

Are you watching the Olympics this year, what's your favorite event?

My sisters and I used to pretend we were gymnats, while we were supposed to be doing dishes. We'd do some leap in the air, spin in a circle, and pretend to do a soumersalt-pike-twist before jumping, and sticking our "landing" and winning gold for our team. Then we'd hear mom say, "I dont hear the water running..." and we were back to reality. Still, it's fun to pretend.

Did you ever have a silly dream of being an Olympian?