China vs U.S. and the Olympics
The emphasis on the State vs the individual is glaringly made clear during these Olympics.
China's goal was to win more gold medals than the U.S., and the pressure on their athletes during this final week is enormous. Liu Xiang, the star Chinese hurdler, was an example. He fell during the 110 meter hurdles. Just before the start, the Chinese broadcaster said, "Liu is not as perfect as he used to be" referring to his injuries during the Beijing Olympics four years ago. So, with that perhaps ringing in his ears, Liu fell early in the race.
Last week, 23-year-old weight lifter Wu Jingbiao, apologized for winning the silver instead of the gold medal, and did this bowing before the TV cameras. And a younger female weight lifter was referred to by some Chinese newspapers as "One of the countries biggest failures."
Not all the Chinese news media were so harshly critical, some calling for change in the quest for global recognition via the state system of sports and the training and expectation of their athletes. Some even referred to Liu as "Brave Liu."
Here, of course, we are disappointed when our athletes don't do well, but we all understand that our disappointment does not come close to the disappointment the athletes themselves feel after years of practice and sacrifice. Adding to that would be cruel, in my opinion, and we do not humiliate these athletes. The puritanical years, where people would be put in stocks with signs around their neck listing their sins, are over.
The contrast between the two systems is stunning.
These are my thoughts relating to an August 8th article in The Wall Street Journal.
Note: One day later, August 9th, 2012. China is now "PR-ing" and replacing photos of Liu's falling with praise for his past successes. Perhaps they read The Wall Street Journal.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444246904577575121874341572.html
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Marilyn: Still remembered 50 years after her death, August 5, 1962
Today I am re-printing a short story I wrote about Marilyn Monroe.
M is for Marilyn or:
The Seven Year Itch
Joe always hated his name. That is, until he found out that his beloved Marilyn had been married to Joe DiMaggio–imagine that, married to a "Joe;" she must have loved him, he thought. " Joe, Joe, Joe" she would have said, and through time, those words drifted over to him, resonated in his mind and became her words to him.
It was the white dress that did it. When he saw the movie, "The Seven Year Itch," and saw her standing over the transom, her hands holding down the white, accordion-pleated dress, as the skirt blew around her, her red lips parted in a huge smile, obviously enjoying the sensation. She was pure sex and he felt pure lust. He fell in love.
From then on she became an obsession. Her image engraved in his brain. Every photograph, every bit of trivia that he could afford, he carefully collected and displayed. Many evenings at home, he would rearrange his Marilyn memorabilia over and over again--photographs, books, dolls, so many things. His favorite was a Marilyn wall clock-- her legs were the hands of the clock, and some of the positions were quite erotic–his favorite ebay acquisition.
Sometimes, feeling especially lonely and vulnerable, he would stare at his favorite photograph of her–looking sad and lonely too. She understands, she knows how I feel, he thought.
There were times when a very strong feeling would come over him; it was hard to describe, it was as if he became someone else.
He opened his closet door. . . . . . . . .
Time passed.
The door of Joe’s row apartment opened, and a very attractive blond walked out. It was a warm summer evening and she wore a clingy, jersey dress that accentuated her curvy figure. Her makeup was carefully applied, the red lips accentuated into a pout. Was that a mole on her lower cheek? She walked down the street with small, sometimes unsteady steps, and disappeared into the night.
M is for Marilyn or:
The Seven Year Itch
Joe always hated his name. That is, until he found out that his beloved Marilyn had been married to Joe DiMaggio–imagine that, married to a "Joe;" she must have loved him, he thought. " Joe, Joe, Joe" she would have said, and through time, those words drifted over to him, resonated in his mind and became her words to him.
It was the white dress that did it. When he saw the movie, "The Seven Year Itch," and saw her standing over the transom, her hands holding down the white, accordion-pleated dress, as the skirt blew around her, her red lips parted in a huge smile, obviously enjoying the sensation. She was pure sex and he felt pure lust. He fell in love.
From then on she became an obsession. Her image engraved in his brain. Every photograph, every bit of trivia that he could afford, he carefully collected and displayed. Many evenings at home, he would rearrange his Marilyn memorabilia over and over again--photographs, books, dolls, so many things. His favorite was a Marilyn wall clock-- her legs were the hands of the clock, and some of the positions were quite erotic–his favorite ebay acquisition.
Sometimes, feeling especially lonely and vulnerable, he would stare at his favorite photograph of her–looking sad and lonely too. She understands, she knows how I feel, he thought.
There were times when a very strong feeling would come over him; it was hard to describe, it was as if he became someone else.
He opened his closet door. . . . . . . . .
Time passed.
The door of Joe’s row apartment opened, and a very attractive blond walked out. It was a warm summer evening and she wore a clingy, jersey dress that accentuated her curvy figure. Her makeup was carefully applied, the red lips accentuated into a pout. Was that a mole on her lower cheek? She walked down the street with small, sometimes unsteady steps, and disappeared into the night.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Summer Olympics, continued:
After all the sad and negative news from Colorado, it's such a relief to read about our own Missy Franklin, the 17 year old high school student from Colorado who won 2 gold and a bronze medal, so far. She is a great example for all girls and all of us. Missy is a tribute to her own hard work, her parents, and her coach. Her parents chose not to send her to an elite swimming school or to hire a famous coach, so she stayed in Colorado and honed her swimming skills. She and her team mates have a good relationship too, which helps. They have fun; they dance; they enjoy just being there, being part of an amazing time in their lives.
I am writing about an American woman; there are terrific athletes from all over the world, so please add your comments about them. Of course, our newspapers here in Colorado emphasize our athletes.
I would love to be in the UK now, I have to admit. Nothing would match being there in person.
Note: I received a "warning" about using intellectual property without permission, which means photos scanned from magazines and YouTube, I guess. So now I am bereft; I know how much illustrations add to posts, so I am thinking about how to add a little color to my posts, and unfortunately am not as creative as one of my favorite blogs, "Clay Baboons." I have a few ideas, though.
After all the sad and negative news from Colorado, it's such a relief to read about our own Missy Franklin, the 17 year old high school student from Colorado who won 2 gold and a bronze medal, so far. She is a great example for all girls and all of us. Missy is a tribute to her own hard work, her parents, and her coach. Her parents chose not to send her to an elite swimming school or to hire a famous coach, so she stayed in Colorado and honed her swimming skills. She and her team mates have a good relationship too, which helps. They have fun; they dance; they enjoy just being there, being part of an amazing time in their lives.
I would love to be in the UK now, I have to admit. Nothing would match being there in person.
Note: I received a "warning" about using intellectual property without permission, which means photos scanned from magazines and YouTube, I guess. So now I am bereft; I know how much illustrations add to posts, so I am thinking about how to add a little color to my posts, and unfortunately am not as creative as one of my favorite blogs, "Clay Baboons." I have a few ideas, though.
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