NBC, you are not my favorite.

Every 4 years we send our very best to compete in the Olympic games.  Every 4 years I watch the opening ceremonies and as the cauldron is lit, I cry.  My biggest wish and hope is that some day I get to go to the Olympics as a spectator.  I admit, the winter games are my favorite, but I watch the summer games just as avidly.

The Olympic broadcast day has just ended.  Team USA took a gold and a bronze.  I am so proud.  So very proud.  These two young people have accomplished what I don't even dare to dream of.  They are dedicated, they push themselves, they work hard, they sacrifice.  They are the best of the best in the world.  How did NBC celebrate their triumph?  With an abbreviated gold medal ceremony and no showing of Hannah Kearney's ceremony at all.  NBC, you should be ashamed.  Where is your national spirit?  Where is your show of pride?  Sage Kotsenburg took the first gold of the games and you didn't even show him receiving his medal, just the anthem and the flag.  Hannah Kearney has ended her Olympic career, we will not see her again, and I didn't see her receive her medal today.

My heart swells with pride that Hannah Kearney and Sage Kotsenburg belong to us.  We should be proud, we should celebrate them, BOTH.  I have never been good enough at anything to go the Olympics let alone be considered in the top three of anything in the world, how many of us have?  Very Very few, we know this because we know their names.

This time, I'm asking you to share my blog.  Let's let our Team Members know we are proud.  We are proud that you have persevered and followed your dreams to this most auspicious event.  We are proud that you are there, whether you end up on the podium or not.  Gold, Silver, Bronze?  We are proud.  Make us proud by comporting yourselves with dignity and good sportsmanship.  Make us proud by showing the metal of our people.  You are there, we are not.  We are proud.

Maybe someday I will get to be there.  You will know when I am, you will hear me cheering you on, louder and longer than anyone else there because I love you that much and I am just that proud of you, just that in awe.

Go Team USA!!!!!!

Being Neighborly Sucks!

It didn't use to, but it does now, there are just so many damned rules!  Case in point:  I have a new neighbor moving in.  I think she is a single mother.  I've seen two little girls.  I was sitting there thinking about taking over a little something to welcome them to the neighborhood.  Maybe a cake, or some cookies, perhaps, oh wait, hmmm.  Little children, might have nut allergies, or gluten allergies, or milk allergies, or.....Crap, forget it.  I'll take a scented candle, sure, that's it.  Oh, wait, might have perfume allergies.  Ok, keep thinking, keep thinking.  Some balloons?  Latex, crap.  What the hell can you take to say hello and welcome that might not kill them, or minimally send one of them to the hospital?  This is ridiculous.  How are we supposed to put a hand?  I don't know.  At this point I'm thinking about taking them a goldfish!  Crap, they might have a cat.  I am seriously out of ideas.  I've spent hours thinking about this and haven't come up with anything safe.  How is this even possible?

Maybe I need to make a questionnaire first.  Let's see, something like this:

Dear New Neighbor,

I would like to bring you a welcome gift, please answer the following questions to ensure the gift is safe:

1.  Does anyone in your family have a food allergy?  YES    NO
     If yes, please write all food allergies here: ______________________________________________

2.  Does anyone in your family have any material allergies?  YES   NO
     If yes, please write all material allergies here: ___________________________________________

3.  Do you have any pets?  YES   NO
     If yes, please list all pets here:  _____________________________________________________

4.  Do either of your children have any fear of anything, clowns, cars, or tax returns?  YES   NO
     If yes, please list here:  ___________________________________________________________

5.  Is there anything I need to know before I purchase a welcome gift?  _________________________

Thank you for your time and I look forward to bringing you a housewarming gift that will not cause harm to you or your family.

Best Regards,
Your Neighbor