ESPN has set up camp in my living room
For the past week, at least, it's been sports channel 24/7 in my house. I've watched so much sports broadcasting I think my head might implode.
In addition to professional football, college basketball, college gymnastics(!), we have also the start of the tennis season. What does that mean? The Australian Open. And what does that mean? Tennis programming from 7:00pm-3:30am. If I don't know either of the players is, then I root for whoever seems likely to win in the fewest sets. However, since I'm still behind the curve on the influx of new players, sometimes I just pull for the familiar name. (Yesterday saw me rooting for Andy Roddick of all people, who went on to break my heart by losing in five.)
The Williams sisters' singles matches, specifically Venus's, are barely tolerable. It's like watching an ice skater and just waiting for the fall. (Sasha Cohen, by the way, recently failed in her attempt to earn a spot on this year's Olympic team.) The best thing about her matches tends to be her outfit, which is surprisingly sexy with its combination of flesh-toned fabric and actual flesh. However, that pain will all be over soon, as she's destined to meet Serena in the semifinals and I doubt Venus will be the one who walks out of the arena arm raised in victory.
Speaking of outfits, I'm strangely fascinated by Federer's duds. Plain blue polo and plain white shorts. He looks like he's just out for a day of hitting at the club. It's sporty but not sports attire. contrast that with Nadal, who wore an orange shirt with white sides, and white shorts with a light plaid-like design. Didn't seem to match, really, but definitely looked like something he'd been paid to wear. (Or not. I don't know if he's got a clothing endorsement deal. But I can tell you that Rafa retired with a knee injury, so Murray will face Cicic in the semifinal.)
Justine Henin has returned from retirement and seems to be carrying the banner for Kim Clijsters, who came back with a bang last year (winning the US Open), but was dispatched from this contest over the weekend. And Jie Zheng is carrying the banner for her country as well, being the first Chinese woman to make it to the semifinal of this event. I don't necessarily expect her bid to survive its collision with Henin, but hopefully it will be a worthwhile battle.
Speaking of college basketball... the Stanford men have won two games in a row. It's practically unprecedented.
Speaking of college gymnastics... it was interesting to note the commentators remarks that the road of an elite gymnast is quite solitary. So girls who fall off that track are often relieved to enter the college program and realize it's a family atmosphere.
Speaking of non-athletes doing non-athletic stuff... yesterday was the first ballet class. At one point, as I was trying to get into first position, or perhaps one of the other five, I remember thinking "My god! People do this for fun?!" But then the teacher said, "Very good." and I thought, "Yep, I guess they do." One week down, seven to go. If I am not more flexible then ever after these 8 weeks, I will really need to know the reason why.
In addition to professional football, college basketball, college gymnastics(!), we have also the start of the tennis season. What does that mean? The Australian Open. And what does that mean? Tennis programming from 7:00pm-3:30am. If I don't know either of the players is, then I root for whoever seems likely to win in the fewest sets. However, since I'm still behind the curve on the influx of new players, sometimes I just pull for the familiar name. (Yesterday saw me rooting for Andy Roddick of all people, who went on to break my heart by losing in five.)
The Williams sisters' singles matches, specifically Venus's, are barely tolerable. It's like watching an ice skater and just waiting for the fall. (Sasha Cohen, by the way, recently failed in her attempt to earn a spot on this year's Olympic team.) The best thing about her matches tends to be her outfit, which is surprisingly sexy with its combination of flesh-toned fabric and actual flesh. However, that pain will all be over soon, as she's destined to meet Serena in the semifinals and I doubt Venus will be the one who walks out of the arena arm raised in victory.
Speaking of outfits, I'm strangely fascinated by Federer's duds. Plain blue polo and plain white shorts. He looks like he's just out for a day of hitting at the club. It's sporty but not sports attire. contrast that with Nadal, who wore an orange shirt with white sides, and white shorts with a light plaid-like design. Didn't seem to match, really, but definitely looked like something he'd been paid to wear. (Or not. I don't know if he's got a clothing endorsement deal. But I can tell you that Rafa retired with a knee injury, so Murray will face Cicic in the semifinal.)
Justine Henin has returned from retirement and seems to be carrying the banner for Kim Clijsters, who came back with a bang last year (winning the US Open), but was dispatched from this contest over the weekend. And Jie Zheng is carrying the banner for her country as well, being the first Chinese woman to make it to the semifinal of this event. I don't necessarily expect her bid to survive its collision with Henin, but hopefully it will be a worthwhile battle.
Speaking of college basketball... the Stanford men have won two games in a row. It's practically unprecedented.
Speaking of college gymnastics... it was interesting to note the commentators remarks that the road of an elite gymnast is quite solitary. So girls who fall off that track are often relieved to enter the college program and realize it's a family atmosphere.
Speaking of non-athletes doing non-athletic stuff... yesterday was the first ballet class. At one point, as I was trying to get into first position, or perhaps one of the other five, I remember thinking "My god! People do this for fun?!" But then the teacher said, "Very good." and I thought, "Yep, I guess they do." One week down, seven to go. If I am not more flexible then ever after these 8 weeks, I will really need to know the reason why.