Olympic thoughts while trying to survive winter
I'm writing this from Base Camp 2 of the giant snowhill in the east quadrant of the Walgreens parking lot, so bear with me if it makes even less sense than usual.
BTW:
To all those who plow snow: Thank you!
Now get some rest, cuz you know there's more coming.
Random Olympic thoughts:
• Isn't it amazing how absolutely flawless announcers are when they're on tape delay?
• Shani, Shaun, Julia, Bode … this gold-medal thing just ain't working out as planned, is it?
• I can't believe it's happened, but I've grown to really enjoy slopestyle skiing. Having said that, thank God hockey has started.
Wait, what?
Question: Which network carried all three Winter Olympic Games of the 1990s?
Answer: CBS.
Yeah, I don't remember that either!
Not liking - Olympics version:
Formulaic foreshadowing.
If you're watching the intro of a taped event in which you don't already know the outcome, it's not too hard to figure out.
That's because NBC will always focus on four or five competitors, including a couple of U.S. athletes. It's your job to figure out which of them will win, which of them will crash and who will be the heartwarming story of the event.
It's like separating the McGuffins from the real criminal in a rerun of "Matt Helm."
What?
Liking a lot - Olympics version:
Those commercials in which we see - via clever use of old home movies - how Olympic athletes developed their love and dedication for sport … and adventure, for that matter.
Very well done.
But nothing:
And I mean nothing, will top the Russian Police Choir's rendition of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky."
So awesome.
The DePaul question:
What exactly did Cleveland Melvin do?
A sadder follow-up question:
Why do so few people seem to care?
That's so Cubs:
Having a spring-training facility that is way more user-friendly than your major-league park.
On this date:
This week in 1990 Buster Douglas pulled off one of the biggest upsets in sports by defeating Mike Tyson.
I remember it distinctly because me and a buddy went to a local bar/restaurant to watch the fight, not realizing the place had a dress code.
Suffice it to say, we witnessed history while wearing establishment-provided Festrunk Brothers pants (aka: "We're two wild and crazy guys!").
A simply ridiculous night.
But a great fight.
Things I don't understand:
Why in the world is anyone paying attention to anything Jerry Angelo says?
I know, I know:
Because it concerns the Bears.
And it's mid-February.
And there's nothing else to talk about.
Here we go again:
Another year, another Yankees superstar on a retirement tour.
First it was Mariano Rivera, now it's Derek Jeter
Just what do you get a guy who has everything?
Perhaps a gift basket … to go?
Question:
If the Yankees don't get something for Paul Konerko, do the White Sox have an obligation to get Jeter anything?
Leftover Super Bowl thought:
Always nice to see how a new championship city celebrates creatively with fire.
And finally:
If you're aching for some live hockey, the Wolves are at home against Milwaukee both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
Check 'em out.
mspellman@dailyherald.com