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Post by xenavirgin on Feb 21, 2006 16:40:57 GMT -6
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D !!!!!!!!!!WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOMEN WERE BORN TO PLAY HOCKEY!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D Boy oh boy has the Maple Leaf been waving over London today!!!!!!! Sorry about the bronze there my American buds, but I'm just bursting out all over that the Canadian girls kept the Gold!!!! Just wish they'd had it on tv over here. Now if the flippin men would just get there finger out, I might just be getting blotto this weekend down in Covent Garden at the Maple Leaf pub. DId watch a great game of Hockey tonight. USA v Russia. Wowo both teams were just incredible. It didn't look like the same Team USA that had played the Finns last night. The stick handling and play setting, god it was like a choreographed ballet. Brilliant. God I miss Hockey Night in Canada. Well, enough gloating for now. Back to more mundane things. Goh! Canada! XV
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Post by Phalon on Feb 24, 2006 8:57:30 GMT -6
I hafta say, the Olympics are cutting into the time I usually reserve for reading. I've got to get to the library today and renew my books before the Library Biddies send out the posse.
That's all I have to report at the moment.
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Post by xenavirgin on Feb 24, 2006 16:03:54 GMT -6
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Feb 24, 2006 21:16:18 GMT -6
I hope Wayne was wearing a cup.....
And I gotta agree with you one the Kanucks there XV....but at least they out classed the Americans...pfft....we suck @ss....Big time....totally disapointed that we got wiped out by some pidly damn countries who probably only play Hockey like once a decade....pfft again....and the RUSSIANS for christ sake!
*sigh*
At least we kicked butt in speedskating....
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Post by Phalon on Feb 25, 2006 0:20:44 GMT -6
Sigh. Tsk, Poppet. Piddly damn countries? There are no piddly damn countries; if there are, I can't find them on the globe.
Yeah, yeah...the Olympics are drawing to a close and kind of tired of all the hype about this and that. The speedskating thing between Davis and flash-that-million-dollar-smile Hendricks, (nice teeth). Dang...not only does being in the Olympics mean you are considered one of the best athletes in your sport, but it means you should show good sportsmanship. Leave the bickering to the lockerrooms or better yet, leave it unsaid.
Now for the real complaint of these games.... What's up with the women's skating outfits. Never mind answering; what's up is up theirs. Thongs. Sheesh. First my marathong friend, now Thongs on Ice. Ice thongs; good for picking. And the thongs they pick to skate to, pretty music; nice and uplifting.
I got my books renewed today at the Library.
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Post by Gabbin on Feb 25, 2006 10:19:46 GMT -6
I have an overdue and don't know where it is. I believe I shall have to enter the book diving competition to find it. The title doesn't even ring my bell.
Last night's competition was fierce so, I found out, via dictionary, that bobsleigh, a compound word, was not named after Herr Robertch, nor De Van Robeeertoo. It is in fact, from the Mediterreanean word (I spelled that wrong, didn't I?) word for Bob-a shortened version of Robert. Ha! Just kidding. Bob means to go fast, like the wind. I am assuming that is correct. Fast sleigh. Does that sound right? I may have to dig into luge soon.
Yes, skim is the word in figure skating. It is a bit different from regular fashion. Why no, like mini hip-hugging shorts with too-small-tops? Why don't the men wear baggies all falling off after a double lutz? Why don't we enjoy watching them hike them back up?
Cuz it looks way sexy, that is why. Street fashion, pffft. I think everyone should walk around in skater wear...skates and all-color color my world.
I super enjoy the women's skiing. Aren't they a fun bunch with their helmet wear.
I don't care much for the announcers and there poking questions. This is the Olympics not some bad show wear people are provoked to anger. Yick. Make them feel good for what they have done...congratulate them ask positive questions. I thought Mancuso should have decked the interviewer. Did anyone hear that question? Cheap. Harumph.
I would like to see the medal ceremonies. They are great. And not just the nose hairs of the winners, I would like to see all three at once.
The Oleo-mpics are one pretty late, for me. I cannot stay up for the end at all. Drat.
I sure like the bobsledders going around the corners with their heads all....bobbing. Maybe I should check the dictionary on that one again.
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Post by Phalon on Feb 26, 2006 11:47:38 GMT -6
Head-bobbing bobsleders? What goes on in those things anyway when they're tucked in?
I missed the final speedskating events last night. Dang. I would have liked to have seen those. I like Apollo Anton Ohno, (did I get that right - I seem to get names wrong; Hedricks, I think and not Hendricks as I last posted). A good sport either winner or loser, I think. And a nice smile.
Agree on the ceremonies and the media questions. I didn't see the Marcuso thing, but did manage to see Cohen, (er..uhm...the figure skater...again with the names), tactfully evade questions thrown at her about whether she'd grant the Flying Tomato, (name?) his wish of meeting her. A bad version of the Dating Game. Or Twenty Questions. I can't figure out which.
Tonight the closing ceremonies...and all the sentimental recaps; I like those.
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Post by Xenamoured on Feb 26, 2006 15:54:39 GMT -6
Hi Phalon, G-Stick, Xenavirgin. Xenavirgin, you must be an ex-pat Canuck living in the U.K. ! The Canadian Men's hockey team were defeated by the "fog effect" That is to say-"friends-of-Gretzky" He handpicked the team, and much of the responsibility for the loss must rest with him alone-too many oldsters. There were some glaring ommisions- Sydney Crosby among them. Oh well...sometimes we here forget that hockey is actually popular in other countries. I'm glad that the Swedes won it all.... I thought the Olympics were entertaining as always, but there didn't seem to be that huge media-grabbing story that most Olympics feature. The Canadian speed-skater Klassen was a huge story here with her five medals-but I don't think that NBC covered it that much. Did anybody agree with that assesment of the Chinese ice-dancers? You know, the one that fell to the ice and smashed her knee...does anybody else think that, although heroic, it seems kind of silly that they could still win a medal-that sort of break in the program should eliminate you from medal contention....but that's just me...
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Post by Gabbin on Feb 27, 2006 2:43:49 GMT -6
Xenamoured-I agree with you on that one. I think the judging should emphasize less difficult and more execution. Maybe if they try hard stuff and goof it should be no points at all.
She broke her knee cap? Ouch.
I didn't see that one, Gams. That is sweet that he wants to meet her. I think it is cute when stars want to meet other stars as we non-stars. Boll, at that sentence.
I made it through the closing ceremony. It just isn't keeping my attention much. Even Ricky Martin had a hard time keeping the audience. Did you notice the clearing out of audience? What was that about?
I think the athletes should do that ceremony. We could judge it on precision and compostion and singing etc...
Ohno is a nice guy. Yeah for nice people.
I was trying to think of a good rocker for a ceremony and couldn't come up with any. Ricky Martin would have been good if he had sung his most popular old tune. Hmm. I think ABBA....there aren't a lot of good singers out and about, I don't think. Joan Jett would be great. Bring it on Joan.
Canadian singers....Teri Clark? Celine Dijon mustard? Bryan Adams? KD Lang.
Okay, may I say......what the heck were all of those brides doing milling pitifully about? Desperate brides. And then a bunch of pilots came in in ancient goggles. I am puzzled. And then the brides formed a symbol of the Vancouver Oleo-mpics and what exactly was that symbol? I was trying ever so hard to figure it out.
Okay, well, that is that. Olympics done. We survived.
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Post by Phalon on Jul 1, 2008 5:01:19 GMT -6
Two years, and half a calendar later..... I've been watching some of the Olympic trials the last couple of days: track and field, and swimming. The Olympic Controversy of the Moment: the new LZR swimsuits. Not the Spitzing image of a Speedo that makes some cringe when worn by a swaggering, beer-bellied hairy man on a beach, with the skimpy material covering barely the grizzly-bear necessities. These are full-bodied, space-age, Nasa developed material suits. Oh, and I wanna be a LZR Material Girl! I've wanted a full-down-to-the-ankle model since this style of swimsuit made its first appearance a couple of Summer Olympics ago, (or a century ago, depending on how far back you want to go). Dang, what a multitude of tan-line sins it would cover! Shorts, t-shirt, and ankle-socks to work by day, and evenings at the beach in a bathingsuit, I look like I'm chopped in pieces with the weird tan lines I get in my work-attire. A full-bodied suit would eliminate all but my chopped-off-at-the-bicep arm look. Not to mention, the sinewy tendon-like design is just too cool. Spiderman! Spiderman! Does whatever a spider can. Just gimme a full-head cover-up with eye-slits and I wouldn't have to worry about the mess my hair turns into when getting out of the lake. Or anybody recognizing me. But at $550.00 a suit, and I suppose I'm sticking to the chopped look. Back to the Olympics.....It's the space-age material that's causing the controversy; the non-wearers are saying the wearers have an unfair advantage. www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=3943&u_sid=10368088
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Post by Siren on Jul 1, 2008 22:23:25 GMT -6
Makes me a bit melancholy, seeing Gabbin in these past threads. Here *kissing a handful of air and tossing it away* - just for you, dear Gaggie, my best wishes, wherever you are, for a complete and swift recovery. We miss your one-of-a-kind wit and perspective. I wish I was sitting on the couch with you, sharing a bag of Cheetos and watching the Games, plus a "Xena" ep or two. I'd even let you lick the orange Cheeto dust off your fingers, then dip back into the bag. Here's a great story from this year's games: a 41-year-old mom who has a good shot at making her 5th Olympic swim team: www.tampabay.com/sports/olympics/article655321.ece
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Post by Phalon on Jul 3, 2008 4:23:47 GMT -6
Yep, I miss Gabs' one-of-a-kind humor...it is...well, one-of-a-kind. Scary even, at times. She's haunting you, Siren. You should be frightened. Very frightened.
I watched the swimming trials again last night. I didn't see Dara Torres in the pool, or even mentioned. Maybe she swims tonight. Thanks for the link, Siren. I hope she makes it, and proves the skeptics wrong, and squashes all those suspicions. It's a shame that she has to.
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Post by Phalon on Jul 4, 2008 7:23:50 GMT -6
Dara came in second in the preliminary yesterday in the 100 meter free, beating out Katie Hoff, who seems to be the swim team's "Golden Girl" with the possiblity of her winning gold medals in all the events she's entered in. Katie is more than half Torres' age. www.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/sports/olympics/04swim.html?_r=1&oref=sloginWhat about our members here from other countries? Katina? Do you watch the Olympics at all, or does it interfere with the Cat's schedule? (how are those Cat's doing, btw? And you? Feline fine?) Vox and Moonglum?
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Post by katina2nd on Jul 5, 2008 0:09:17 GMT -6
What about our members here from other countries? Katina? Do you watch the Olympics at all, or does it interfere with the Cat's schedule? (how are those Cat's doing, btw? And you? Feline fine?) Vox and Moonglum? Yep, still enjoy em Lady P, looking forward to a good haul of Gold again, particularly in the pool, and nope, "nothing" interferes with the Cats schedule. How are the Cats and I doing, well let's just say we're both purring ............. check the "official AFL thread" aka "For Katina" for an update, thought last nights effort deserved a few words of praise.
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Post by Siren on Jul 5, 2008 9:17:21 GMT -6
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Post by Scrappy Amazon on Jul 10, 2008 10:21:29 GMT -6
*doing excited Olympic dance*
I can't wait!
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Post by Phalon on Jul 21, 2008 5:12:48 GMT -6
The Olympic torch is making its way across the eastern Chinese province of Shandong this week. Eighteen days, and counting....
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Post by Phalon on Aug 6, 2008 21:37:04 GMT -6
About 40 more hours to go until the Opening Ceremonies Friday evening.
The dilemma of the moment? Oh! the indecision! Spend the night - and a beautiful night it's supposed to be - outside, sitting on the lawn down by the marina and listening to a Bob Segar wanna-be belting out songs that everyone loves, knows all the words to, and sings along with? Or stay home and watch something on television, that only comes on once every four years?
I love the Opening Ceremony. I like seeing all the athletes from the different countries walking in, and I enjoy the 'back-stories' that come with these introductions; this is the first time I've seen or heard of a lot of these people. Hubs feels the same. This is the BIG night.
We've decided to stay home....that's the way we're leaning now, anyway. Neither of us are big Bob Segar fans, and it's not like we're seeing him anyway; it's a tribute band. The real show will be Saturday night, when "Rumors" plays at the marina. A Fleetwood Mac tribute band. LMAO. When is this town going to spring for the real thing? No, no, no - too small a town, and it'll never happen. We've seen "Rumors" play before; they are very, very good, and worth seeing again.
I wonder what we'll miss Saturday night. I bet swimming. Damn, I love swimming. Oh! the dilemma. Oh! the indecision!
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Post by Phalon on Aug 8, 2008 4:42:59 GMT -6
Mary Lou, 16 in 84; not 10, but 17 in 08. Huh? I hate numbers; they confuse me. I'll give this one a try though. Mary Lou Retton, who was 16 in the 1984 Olympics in Athens, would not have received a perfect 10, but using the 2008 Olympics scoring method, would receive a 17. I'm still confused. They changed the gymnastics scoring method when I wasn't looking - I only watch gymnastics every four years during the Olympics, and sometime within the last three years, they did away with "the perfect 10". The high score is now a perfect 16....unless a routine is way over-the-top, (and the gymnist still manages to catch the bar, and not go flying through the stadium and into the crowd). Over-the-top, and above-and-beyond a perfect 16, is an elusive 17. A perfect, perfect score? I'm still confused. Here's a link; maybe you can figure it out. sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/news?slug=ap-gym-notsoperfect&prov=ap&type=lgns
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Post by vox on Aug 8, 2008 14:41:54 GMT -6
I watched the opening ceremony of the olympics in Bejing today, what a fantastic spectacle! they certainly know how to start things off with a bang! (so to speak!) The colours were spectacular, the drumming sequence was really very clever and the painting, well, what more can I say! thoroughly enjoyable watch! (should have been working at the time tho!) I'mnot supposed to watch TV on my works computer! Lol
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Post by Phalon on Aug 9, 2008 6:09:11 GMT -6
I watched too, Vox. The artistry of the entire show was amazing - from the screen running across the top of the stadium, to the synchronized precision of 2,000 tai-chi performers, and the boat oars. The globetrotters were cool. I'd like to do that, and would prefer to be somewhere in the southern hemisphere - I've never been there, and it wouldn't be too far a fall. With my fear of heights, I could never do what the last torch-bearer did - be suspended that high! My jog around the upper reaches of the stadium would be a desperate crawl, all the while looking for something concrete and immovable to grab hold of! (kind of like that suspended in mid-air dangling participle on that last sentence)
Let the games begin!
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Post by Phalon on Aug 10, 2008 7:26:26 GMT -6
I caught just a little bit of the swimming preliminary heats yesterday between this weekends festivities, and after arriving home from the concert last night at 11:30, we watched the last half hour of prime-time coverage.
Did you see, did you see, Siren?!. The 41 year old Dara Torres, anchoring the 400m relay event, helped gain the U.S. Women's team a silver by posting what is thought to be the fastest relay split ever! Her split time wasn't official yet when we watched, but what an accomplishment!
We didn't see the actual event, but saw the U.S. women fencers interview; the three of them received gold, silver, and bronze medals. This was of special interest to LX, who's been bugging me for months to find her a sword fight instructor - not fencing, but yes, Xena/Jack-Sparrow-style sword fighting - as if sword fighting instructors are a dime a dozen here....or anywhere. She broadened her requirements a bit after seeing clips of the fencing events - I think it was the victory yell at the end of the fencing matches that did it for her. And as if including fencing now makes it any easier for me to find her an instructor. Why can't she just stick to easier to find instructors like volleyball, basketball or softball coaches......or kayak coaches; I'm supposed to find her one of those too.
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Post by Siren on Aug 10, 2008 22:43:16 GMT -6
Do the swimming events bring back memories for you, Gams? Maybe heading home from practice in the "Maneater"? Lol! That was a great story.
I didn't see Dara's and team USA's great swim, but read about the results later. It is truly amazing, what she's accomplishing. But the grumblings about performance-enhancing drugs continue to swirl around her. Though she's volunteered to be tested perhaps more than any athlete in history, no tests are fool-proof. I so hope she's not cheating. I think what she's doing is fabulous for all us over-40 folks. Go, Dara!!
If LX hasn't seen the original Antonio Banderas "Zorro" movie, Gams, by all means show it to her. Catherine Zeta Jones does some fancy fencing in it. That'll be a treat for LX. And Catherine and Antonio's amazingly sexy chemistry will be a treat for you!
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Post by katina2nd on Aug 11, 2008 22:28:17 GMT -6
Opening ceremony was amazing, probably the best I've witnessed, the mass drummers were a real jaw dropping moment. Watching plenty of swimming at present, enjoying the Aussie girls blitzing them in the pool. But the grumblings about performance-enhancing drugs continue to swirl around her. Though she's volunteered to be tested perhaps more than any athlete in history, no tests are fool-proof. I so hope she's not cheating. I think what she's doing is fabulous for all us over-40 folks. Go, Dara!! Dang shame isn't it, once tarnished with accusations/rumors like that they stick no matter how many tests come up negative, feel really sorry for those who are doing the right thing but still manage to get caught up in the mess.
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Post by Siren on Aug 12, 2008 21:20:57 GMT -6
Hey, kat, I just watched your Aussie homegirl, Stephanie Rice, win the gold medal in the 200 meter individual medley. Yaaaaay!
Kat: "Dang shame isn't it, once tarnished with accusations/rumors like that they stick no matter how many tests come up negative, feel really sorry for those who are doing the right thing but still manage to get caught up in the mess."
I'm with you, kat.
Gams, I just heard today that Oklahoma City has a fencing academy right here in town. Interesting, huh? The manager there says that when he tells people that he teaches fencing, they think he means baling wire or chain-link. Lol!
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Post by katina2nd on Aug 13, 2008 2:05:41 GMT -6
Yaaaaay! indeed Siren, bit close for comfort though, thought she was just going to fail to get there, and wasn't really sure she had till they displayed the placings, great effort.
Your guys were awesome in the Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Final, fantastic effort, smashed the world record by more then four and a half seconds; he can swim a bit that Phelps guy.
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Post by Phalon on Aug 14, 2008 4:58:34 GMT -6
I need to catch up in here....sometime before the Closing Ceremony begins.
I feel the same as both of you. There's that age controversary surrounding the Chinese women's gymnastic team - do they really meet the sixteen year requirement, or are they much younger. Papers have been shown to prove their ages, so regardless of what is thought, drop it, I say. There is no point for the media to keep bringing up the subject - and sixteen, or not, they have proven themselves as superior in their sport.
I'll have to look for it next time we're at the movie rental store, Siren. I looked up fencing on-line, and like the manager at the fencing academy near you, the first drill produced fencing-as-in-chain-link results. I did find a fencing-as-in-sword-fighting academy here - but it's about an hour and a half away; way too far to make practices on time. Back to the drawing board; kayaking looks like the way to go....she's already got the 'yaking' part down pat.
Watching plenty of swimming here too, Katina, and enjoying all of it. I saw your Leisel Jones....or is it Liesel? Lethal Jones in the water for sure; I like her nickname.
I've also seen some of the beach volleyball matches. Misty May and Kerri-or-is-it-Carrie? Walsh are quite the team. Wow, 104 straight consectutive wins, and looking to take home another gold. Two little human interest stories behind each player - I enjoy these kinds of stories better than those of controversy. The other day Walsh's wedding ring flew off her finger and into the sand. It took hours after the match for volunteers to finally find it; the 6'2" Walsh was grateful, saying it could not be replaced because of its sentimental value. "Six Feet Of Sunshine" is inscribed on the inside - a nickname her then future-husband gave her.
The tattoo on May's back is her mother's name with angel wings; her mother was her biggest supporter but never got to see her make the Olympic team. After they won the gold in the last Olympics, Misty sprinkled some of her mother's ashes in the sand. Mom came with her to these games too, and a bit of her will remain in China long after the Closing Ceremonies are done, and the athletes return home.
Yep, I'd say so. It was a thrill to watch him become the most decorated Olympic athlete in the history of the games, now with 11 gold medals. Quite an accomplishment....but will he beat Mark Spitz's record of seven golds in one game? Too bad Spitz won't be on hand if he does. Poor guy is complaining, (whining), saying that it's demeaning that no one invited him and gave him an all-expense-paid-trip to China. Sheesh!
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Post by katina2nd on Aug 14, 2008 21:48:58 GMT -6
Watching plenty of swimming here too, Katina, and enjoying all of it. I saw your Leisel Jones....or is it Liesel? Lethal Jones in the water for sure; I like her nickname. Not quite so lethal just an hour ago unfortunately Lady P, got beaten into second place in the 200m Breaststroke Final, then Libby Trickett suffered the same fate in the 100M freestyle; both world record holders in their events but just couldn't produce on the day ...... oh well thems the breaks I guess. Yep, I'd say so. It was a thrill to watch him become the most decorated Olympic athlete in the history of the games, now with 11 gold medals. Quite an accomplishment....but will he beat Mark Spitz's record of seven golds in one game? Looking like a formality now Lady P, smashing world records every time he jumps in the pool, guys simply a freak, either that or he's part fish. Too bad Spitz won't be on hand if he does. Poor guy is complaining, (whining), saying that it's demeaning that no one invited him and gave him an all-expense-paid-trip to China. Sheesh! Bit hard up for a buck is he?
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Post by Siren on Aug 14, 2008 22:09:46 GMT -6
I'm enjoying Bela Karoly (sp?) and his very frank analysis of the women's gymnastics competition. From the controversy over the Chinese gymnasts' age, to the American gals getting unjustly low scores in the individual competition, Bela calls 'em like he sees 'em. And that's a refreshing change from the network talking heads.
That was a cute story about our volleyballer, Walsh, and her wayward wedding ring. "Six feet of sunshine" - how could you resist a guy who could come up with that? She couldn't, and I don't blame her.
So, is everyone else as sick of hearing about Michael Phelps' caloric intake as I am? Good grief, must EVERYONE tell the same story, on national and local news, the tabloid programs, and the sports channels?
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Post by Phalon on Aug 15, 2008 4:13:24 GMT -6
So? I missed it. Tell me.....what does Michael Phelps eat?
No, no, no....just kidding. Drat. I fell asleep last night, and missed the Women's All-Around Gymnastic competition.
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