Olympics thread

[AvoidingRealWork]

btw great pic of you and freckles

Misty May and Kerri Walsh. Nipples rule!

They just happen to zoom in on their bottoms as they're adjusting them.

 

[jomar]

They just happen to zoom in on their bottoms as they're adjusting them.

I thought it was just good camera work.

 

[jomar]

So how old are the Chinese women gymnasts? I can't tell if they're nine or eleven.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

So how old are the Chinese women gymnasts? I can't tell if they're nine or eleven.

Hard physical labor delays puberty. They may indeed be sixteen but their little bodies are still little girls'.

 

[Trombonus]

Hard physical labor delays puberty. They may indeed be sixteen but their little bodies are still little girls'.

They had an interesting commentary during the USA vs. China men's basketball game about the Chinese having great big men, but no strong Guards. They get placed into certain sports from a young age, and so kids that may be better suited to play basketball end up playing tennis or soccer or something else instead.

I'm kinda intrigued by the idea of placing young kids into a sport they're well suited for. How would you do that? Surely after a year of gym class you could tell what sports they play well, or what they're physical and mental strengths would be. That is, of course, assuming that the teacher keeps track of that stuff. Of course then you take away the kids choice to play a sport they may not do so well in but enjoy more.

We did that at the band program I student taught at this year. We tested them before they got to the middle school, then had them try out all the instruments. They were given ratings from 1-5 on each instrument, then asked to choose one brass and one woodwind instrument (possibly percussion if they qualified). Then we go through and pick what they're best suited for. The result is one of the best middle school music programs I have ever seen. These kids can out play many high school bands. They also feed into a high school program that is considered one of the best in the country, and played for the USA in Beijing for the opening ceremonies. Of course, we got a lot of kids coming to us asking if they can change instruments, but most of them stick with it and come to enjoy it. I just wonder if that's possible to do with sports as well.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

They had an interesting commentary during the USA vs. China men's basketball game about the Chinese having great big men, but no strong Guards. They get placed into certain sports from a young age, and so kids that may be better suited to play basketball end up playing tennis or soccer or something else instead.

I'm kinda intrigued by the idea of placing young kids into a sport they're well suited for. How would you do that? Surely after a year of gym class you could tell what sports they play well, or what they're physical and mental strengths would be. That is, of course, assuming that the teacher keeps track of that stuff. Of course then you take away the kids choice to play a sport they may not do so well in but enjoy more.

We did that at the band program I student taught at this year. We tested them before they got to the middle school, then had them try out all the instruments. They were given ratings from 1-5 on each instrument, then asked to choose one brass and one woodwind instrument (possibly percussion if they qualified). Then we go through and pick what they're best suited for. The result is one of the best middle school music programs I have ever seen. These kids can out play many high school bands. They also feed into a high school program that is considered one of the best in the country, and played for the USA in Beijing for the opening ceremonies. Of course, we got a lot of kids coming to us asking if they can change instruments, but most of them stick with it and come to enjoy it. I just wonder if that's possible to do with sports as well.

Well, you guys are building a strong music program using the same techniques the Chinese (and all the other old Eastern Block countries) use for athletics. Reduced choice but a better result. Who's to say it's a bad idea? Of course, I'd never have been in band at all but would have gone straight to choral music . . . and been happier for it!

 

[Trombonus]

Well, you guys are building a strong music program using the same techniques the Chinese (and all the other old Eastern Block countries) use for athletics. Reduced choice but a better result. Who's to say it's a bad idea? Of course, I'd never have been in band at all but would have gone straight to choral music . . . and been happier for it!

I have mixed emotions about the process, but the results speak for themselves. I'm leaning towards implementing a similar system whenever I get my own teaching job. Doesn't look like that will be this year though.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I have mixed emotions about the process, but the results speak for themselves. I'm leaning towards implementing a similar system whenever I get my own teaching job. Doesn't look like that will be this year though.

Find a district you like and sign up to sub. Take every job they send you and make a really good impression on your favorite schools. That's the fastest way into the profession. And you may as well get your MA while you're at it. Don't wait until you're as old as I was. Phew!

 

[Trombonus]

Find a district you like and sign up to sub. Take every job they send you and make a really good impression on your favorite schools. That's the fastest way into the profession. And you may as well get your MA while you're at it. Don't wait until you're as old as I was. Phew!

I just interviewed for a job with an independent music program involving a few schools in the area. We'll see if I get it but my chances seemed really good after the interview. We'll see how my schedule is and then maybe I'll do some subbing if my schedule allows it. It's a weird situation. Unfortunately I'm teaching a very specialized subject so I'm guessing my opportunities will be few and far between. At least I could sub for some other classes. We'll see what happens.

In other news, men's synchronized diving is on. One of Britain's divers is only 14!

Also, my dad bought me some Transformers completely out of the blue! How awesome is that?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I just interviewed for a job with an independent music program involving a few schools in the area. We'll see if I get it but my chances seemed really good after the interview. We'll see how my schedule is and then maybe I'll do some subbing if my schedule allows it. It's a weird situation. Unfortunately I'm teaching a very specialized subject so I'm guessing my opportunities will be few and far between. At least I could sub for some other classes. We'll see what happens.

In other news, men's synchronized diving is on. One of Britain's divers is only 14!

Also, my dad bought me some Transformers completely out of the blue! How awesome is that?

Understood. Dad taught music for nearly 30 years, though he had to start in the classroom first. In fact, one of my woodworking buddies was an old student of his.

 

[jomar]

Hard physical labor delays puberty. They may indeed be sixteen but their little bodies are still little girls'.

They must be 16 - their Chinese passport says so. Despite conflicting birth dates on other documents.

A former Chinese gymnast just confessed she was underage when she competed in the Olympics.

 

[Liar]

Just spotted my first Olympic crush.

This...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e394/mi_liar/landstrom411.jpg

...but covered in a sheen of sweat, wearing a short sleeved jersey soaked by the damp, hot air in the Beijing arena, strands of wet hair clinging to her neck...

What I'd want to do with her is probably illegal in China.

 

[Trombonus]

Looks like the US men's basketball team might be getting a bit too relaxed. They only won their game against Angola by 21 points, and failed to break the 100 point mark. No offense to Angola, but really they should have been blown out by far more. It should have been a slaughter, but maybe the US just kinda took it easy. They better not do that against Greece.

 

[Belegon]

Re: Liar's post...

I've seen many Women soccer stars that had that "yummmm" factor for me. I love athletic women, always have. Brandi Chastain stands out... not because of the jersey-ripping thing but because I took a clinic with her and she was as attractive in personality as in face and body.

The Olympics always have that extra appeal for me.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Re: Liar's post...

I've seen many Women soccer stars that had that "yummmm" factor for me. I love athletic women, always have. Brandi Chastain stands out... not because of the jersey-ripping thing but because I took a clinic with her and she was as attractive in personality as in face and body.

The Olympics always have that extra appeal for me.

I'm with you. Health and vigor beat Goth or Waif or . . . anything!

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Hey, those synchronized divers look as young and cute as the gymnasts, but they have womanly bodies instead of waifish ones! Wow!

 

[SeaCat]

The video was okay, but I would much prefer to see the gymnasts doing the uneven parrelel bars or the Beam in the nude. On the other hand the gymnasts are much too young to get my erotic attention. Dana Torres on the other hand, she is truly edible.

Cat

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

OK, those uneven parallel bar routines are clearly animation, because no human being can do what those little girls appear to be doing.

Wow!

(The probably created the animation in same studio where the moonshot videos were made. )

 

[voluptuary_manque]

OK, those uneven parallel bar routines are clearly animation, because no human being can do what those little girls appear to be doing.

Wow!

(The probably created the animation in same studio where the moonshot videos were made. )

Huh! You wan' impossible? How about that ring routine the Chinese man did?

 

[only_more_so]

Huh! You wan' impossible? How about that ring routine the Chinese man did?

yeah, the men's rings is nuts! Nuts!

 

[Selena_Kitt]

yeah, the men's rings is nuts! Nuts!

Among other things... oh yes!

 

[jomar]

Phelps

Does the athlete find the sport or does the sport find the athlete?

Phelps, who will emerge as the greatest swimmer of all time has the body of a freak. But it's a body ideally suited for swimming.

He has the legs of a six footer, the upper body of a six foot, eight inch dude, and a 6'7" wing span. And big feet and hands. And big ears, which are beside the point and are tucked into the cap anyway.

I, and you, have also noticed different body types in other sports. Interesting to me.

And I'm annoyed when headlines say Phelps is the greatest athlete in history. To my way of thinking his performance means he's the greatest swimmer in history.

Discuss.

Oh. And Shawn Johnson is so cute I want to pinch her cheeks!

(Though I prefer Luikin's body shape - more graceful to my eye.)

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Among other things... oh yes!

We knew you'd notice the relevant . . . bulges.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Does the athlete find the sport or does the sport find the athlete?

Phelps, who will emerge as the greatest swimmer of all time has the body of a freak. But it's a body ideally suited for swimming.

He has the legs of a six footer, the upper body of a six foot, eight inch dude, and a 6'7" wing span. And big feet and hands. And big ears, which are beside the point and are tucked into the cap anyway.

I, and you, have also noticed different body types in other sports. Interesting to me.

And I'm annoyed when headlines say Phelps is the greatest athlete in history. To my way of thinking his performance means he's the greatest swimmer in history.

Discuss.

Oh. And Shawn Johnson is so cute I want to pinch her cheeks!

(Though I prefer Luikin's body shape - more graceful to my eye.)

And then there are those of us with body types that fit a sport that must have not been invented, yet.

 

[desertslave]

Or those of us who 'useta' but don't anymore. Equestrian, skating and swimming here. I have thighs of death, and there's still muscle in there.....somewhere. <sigh> Let's not talk about my knees, though.