Olympics Without Cable

We're about a week into the Olympics, nearly half way through and I thought I'd talk about what I've been able to watch.  You may remember that we got rid of cable about a year ago.  That means that I've only been able to watch what is on NBC proper.  (I've also worked through the primetime viewing period four days this week so that has limited me.  Add in the kids lack of patience for dad's turn with the TV too.)  The only consistent time block I've had is at 11p.
That means I've been able to watch:
  • Some skiing.  Moguls, which I don't care for.  Downhill, which is pretty good TV.  Slaloms, which aren't that great TV.  
  • Cross country skiing.  This doesn't seem like it should work on TV but it does.  Maybe in part because I can see my kids competing in it some time in the future.
  • Biathlon.  More cross country skiing, but this time with the added tension of sharpshooting.  I'll admit, I don't get all of the rules here, especially with the penalties, but it's entrancing television.
  • Slope style skiing.  I'm not a fan of X-Games style stuff.  This doesn't really do it for me either.  I spent some time yesterday really trying to figure out which jumps looked better than the others and I couldn't do it.  
  • Figure skating.  I've had it on, but haven't watched much of it.  I mostly try to figure out the music and look up when I hear the 'ooooh' from the crowd. 
  • Speed skating.  I love the speed skating.  I love the long form, with pairs.  (I root for the Dutch.)  And I especially love the short track with all of the graceful cat and mouse.  Can't get enough of this!
  • Skeleton.   The one Olympic sport I would love to try.  Much moreso than luge or bobsled.
What haven't I seen?  Not one minute of curling.  I've enjoyed it in the past.  I'm amazed that every four years we get this big groundswell of support for people watching it and then it disappears.  Why doesn't some network put this on every Saturday night?  (I wonder the same thing with women's volleyball.)  Anyway, it must be on one of the other NBC channels because I sure can't find it.
I also haven't seen any hockey.  I'm not a huge fan so this isn't a big deal.  But . . . well, if it was on in the morning, I'd probably have it on my TV.  This morning I followed the US vs Russia game on Twitter and it was highly enjoyable.

There are 98 medal events in this winter Olympics.  In 1980 there were 38.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2024 Olympics?

Next week the US Olympic Committee will decide if they'll bid on the 2024 Olympics (I'm betting they will) and may decide on which city they'll put forth to host.  There are four cities on the host list: Boston Los Angeles San Francisco Washington DC I've long believed that if the US bids on 2024, they will win.  The US hasn't hosted an Olympics since Salt Lake City in 2002 and no summer games since Atlanta in 1996.  Given the importance that the US has, particularly in funding, a 28 year gap is a huge one. So who gets the nod?  I have absolutely no insider knowledge but I'd like to make some guesses.  Pure speculation to follow. San Francisco is an interesting choice.  The Bay Area is certainly beautiful.  I'm guessing (I haven't checked into it) that there are enough venues in NoCal to satisfy the sporting requirements.  Between the professional teams (six?) and the number of big time colleges, there must be.  Throw in the big mo...
Read more

Box Elder Bugs

Yesterday morning's breakfast started badly. I'd split my bagel in half and was ready to toast it when I noticed a BOX ELDER BUG sitting on the toaster. The FP Gal tried to help remove him but it looked like he went into one of the slots. Not cool. She then shook out the toaster over the garbarge while I helpfully supervised from the other side of the kitchen. After that we couldn't see it in the toaster. So...we did a test run to smoke it out. Nothing. After careful inspection I finally toasted my bagel. Carefully checked it for embedded insect. Found it clean and ate it. Whew! This morning I sliced my bagel. And found another Box Elder bug on the toaster. The FP Gal was still asleep so I had to take care of it myself. Kleenex over mouth, eyes barely open and a quick paper towel latter it was gone. Seriously, if I find another one tomorrow we have to sell the house.
Read more

Scenes from a MOA

Now that the weather has turned bitterly cold and deep snow has limited our options we've been spending a lot of our free mornings at the Mall of America. It's close to us, there is ample parking (if you get there early) and there is mucho space for three year olds to run around. Some random notes: We usually park in the Arizona lot, which is denoted with a cactus. Relia desperately wants us to park one floor down on the 'pineapple lot' but the entrance there isn't very stroller friendly. Someday, I tell her, she will be the driver and then she can park on the pineapple lot. We use the double stroller and recently we've moved Felix into the front seat. He loves it! He can see stuff and smile at everyone. Good stuff. Presented without further comment: Relia refers to Victoria's Secret as 'the boob store'. On most trips we go and visit the fish. Carrie recently wrote about her trip to Underwater Adventures and she does a pretty good sales job....
Read more