Jim came over today and so we watched the Olympics together. I was really blown away by women’s figure skating ..it was inspiring ..they nailed the ‘compulsories’ with abandon ..like they had no fear. I remarked how ‘Zen-like’ it all seemed. “What are you talking about..?” Jim asked. “Well, they all seem to be skating in the moment." “Bill, what you’re saying has nothing to do with Olympic competition ..it’s all about conditioning ..physical conditioning.” “You don’t think there’s a mental side to it ..?” “Well, yeah ..their routines are committed to memory ..but that’s what conditioning is all about.” “Then why do skaters sometimes skate way beyond their level of training ..?” “They have a good day, they take chances and get lucky ..who knows.” “I’ll tell you why ..‘inspiration’ ..it’s not something they do ..it’s something they tap into ..like Zen.” “Bill, this is the Olympics ..not new age philosophy. You know what’s really destroying the Olympics these days .. snowboarding ..ever since they got into it ..competition has gotten shabby ..the Olympics are definitely not what they used to be.” “Oh yeah ..? What’s wrong with snowboarding ..?” "Their hair is too long ..their clothes are too baggy ..and they talk like they’re from Huntington Beach ..you know ..down by the wharf. This one guy was wearing an IPod during competition the other day ..for chrissake.”
Jim is generally a progressive thinker ..but there are some traditions he doesn't like to see messed with .. the Kentucky Derby ..and the Olympics. As for me, I love snowboarding events ..particularly because of their hair ..the baggy clothes they wear ..and the way they talk. I think half-pipe is awesome.
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