Today is the last day of the 2024 summer games, the Olympics, being held in Paris. Did you watch much of it? It seemed like the first week had a bigger audience because it was the gymnastics events, and it is always very popular. The second week had all the water contests and track & field. And, of course there were many other ‘games’ from soccer to basketball to rugby, and ping pong, volleyball, and archery, and more. I felt both male and female events were televised pretty evenly. I’m happy about that.
Sometimes hubby and I just left the TV on and we would walk by and watch a bit of whatever event was airing at that time. Because of that, it was interesting to watch a sport I never thought about before. It also made me think how there are so many people, from all around the world, that work so hard towards winning an Olympic medal. They have other competitions in between but for almost everyone just the chance to participate, and maybe win, in an Olympic event is the epitome of their work and all the time they put into it. It’s wonderful to see the happiness in winning, but as an empathetic person I also feel really sad for those who didn’t get a medal. Some didn’t by tenths of seconds.
Most sports are for young people. And most Olympic sports are not something that will turn into a career and be financially lucrative. Basketball and golf are two exceptions. So, when you think about all the time, and the energy, and money that the athletes devote to their sport, it really is quite amazing.
The Olympics took up a lot of our TV viewing time the past two weeks. I admit at other times I have pseudo-news channels on during the day, and we watch movies or stream TV series at night. Right now we are in the middle of “Presumed Innocent” with Jake Gyllanhal, and it’s a really good ‘who dun it.’ It’s based on the John Grisham book of the same name, and I think I read it a long time ago, but I don’t remember the ending. So, that’s good!
Speaking of reading, yesterday was International Day of Reading. I have two books going right now. I’m reading “The Huntress” by Kate Quinn, and “Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?” By Alyssa Mastromonaco. Two very different books. “The Huntress” is fiction but based on some of the third Reich leaders who escaped after the liberation in Europe. One in particular was a woman, yes, the huntress. The other book I bought just last week, because I think I mentioned earlier that I have been enjoying a podcast called “Hysteria” and Alyssa is one of the podcast hosts. She spent years working first for John Kerry on his campaign, and then on Obama’s campaign – and she stayed with him working in the White House. This book is her autobiography and tells of interesting antidotes from her time in the political world. She is a witty writer. I’m enjoying the book.
I don’t mean to be a ‘book snob’ or really just a person who wants people to read more. But, maybe I am. A case in point this morning on a FB post someone wrote that they blaming Biden for the high gas prices and they wanted Trump back so gas prices would be down again. I have seen this post before online and so I am guessing this thinking comes from some of the conservative rhetoric out there. So, I took the time, googled, and found an article on Gas Buddy, which is an independent, non-political company that monitors gas prices and everything going on in that industry. The article was very clear about how presidents, any presidents, do not have the ability to change gas prices in America. The facts are that it is a global industry, and there is much to consider, like how much is exported vs imported, how much oil is needed vs gasoline refined for transportation, etc., and what is really a simple ‘supply and demand’ equation that can lower or raise the cost. I copied and pasted the article and simply said she should read it. Again, no president on his (or her!) own can change the prices.
We have so much out there pulling us into one of the two sides – and much of it is false. We need to fact check everything. We can’t believe anymore words used, especially what is headlined, without diving deeper. It takes some effort. But we must do it. We can’t be pawns to the whole political game out there. It’s worse than a game… it’s destructive in many ways.
So…. READ!!!
At least then you can have a real conversation and not look like a lazy person not interested in knowing the truth.
New topic:
It’s August already. I feel like I usually do this time of year, and that is that summer has gone by too quickly. Many schools have started back, and yes, they are on a year-round tracking program, but still when mid-August arrives I wonder what happened to June and July? What did I do during those months?
Community band rehearsals start up this week. We get our Fall and Winter music. Lots of patriotic songs for Veterans’ Day. Then the wonderful holiday music for our December concert. If you are local and are interested in playing, let me know. I’ll meet you at rehearsal and help get you set up.
Football is about to start up too! Well, preseason NFL games have already begun, but come the first of September college football and the pros will be back on the field. It’s something I really enjoy! As I say every year at this time: Go Gamecocks! Maybe this is the year! Let’s do it!
Happy rest of your Sunday to my readers. Thanks for taking the time to check in with me. 😊 ❤️
Marla’s Musings 