Olympics Day 1 in review

In case you missed it, here are the highlights:

- The American women were off to a good start in Beach Volleyball. But the men were defeated in their very first match, against the 23rd seed - Latvia. I blame it on the fact that they weren't wearing Speedos. And Todd Rogers agrees - at least with the shirtless part.

- There was a Cycling Road Race. Which bores me to tears for the first 50 hours or so - it's only exciting in the last 5 minutes.

- The men did their short qualifying routines in Gymnastics. Considering they are extra short and not exciting, it was obvious NBC was adding them to the schedule this year so they could stretch out gymnastics to every day. Why couldn't we have seen a little Judo or Equestrian events instead?

- Meanwhile, the American women swept the medals in the Individual Sabre event for Fencing. Way to go Mariel Zagunis (2-time champ), Sada Jacobson, and Becca Ward!

- There were qualifying heats in Rowing. *snore*

- Swimming was where the other exciting action was last night. Michael Phelps easily scored his first gold in the 400 IM, while the American women fell short in the 4x100 Freestyle Relay, as the Dutch took the gold. Most impressive of the night was Australian Stephanie Rice who killed it in the 400 IM for the women. She's adorable! Sadly, Oussama Mellouli fell short of winning the first ever swimming medal for Tunisia (that would just be neat), but it was no less impressive that Park Tae-hwan brought home the first ever gold for South Korea (400 Free).

- Early games were played in Volleyball, and the US women are looking very strong, with a team that includes several players that have been to the Games often. They held off a strong Japanese team to win their first game. Meanwhile the men held off Venezuela to advance. The cutie team captain's name is...Lloyd Ball. No comment.

Up for today - more Swimming, the start of Diving with the Synchronized Women's event, and I'm hoping for at least 5 minutes of coverage on Archery!

Olympic Fever!

It's that time again! Time for me to obsessively watch the Olympic games in Bejing. In case you hadn't heard about it previously, I am a 100% certified addict of the 'lympics. It's really the only time you'll ever see me voluntarily watching sports.

Last night the games opened with a really spectacular opening ceremony put on by the Chinese. Although the huge spectacle was fantastic, what really impressed me was that so much was done by massive coordination of people, not machines. Hopefully it reminded everyone what is good and strong about China, setting aside the obvious issues the country faces in this century. Oh, and we kicked off the night by having Chinese take-out - of course!

On a side note - will someone please put Sarah Brightman into a home? It's unfair to continue unleashing her on an unsuspecting world.

The parade of nations continues to be fun. I think my favorite outfits were those worn by the Marshall Islands - tropical splendor! But what were the Hungarian women thinking with those crazy red flowered get-ups?

And yes, I got all misty when the torch was lit. I always do. Such a sap.

Let the Games begin! Today it's all about volleyball (I love watching women's indoor) and swimming (I don't care about the hype - Michael Phelps rocks). What will you be watching?

photo courtesy of New York Times

I'm sad, America!

I can't believe it! Bernie Mac, who had a TV show that was enjoyable, and also appeared in the Ocean's 11 film series is dead at age 50 from pneumonia.

Read more about it here.

Bernie could be very funny at times, and I will miss having him around. Let's have a moment of silence, America.

The iPod shuffle challenge - part deux

Well that was a fun (and popular) post. So I thought I'd continue pricklygirl's lead and post another 20, as things are a bit slow in my entertainment life this week.

21. "Everyday People" - Sly & The Family Stone

This isn't just a car commercial jingle - it's also a cool "diversity is good" song.

22. "Send Me On My Way" - Rusted Root

For my inner hippie. And no, I have no idea what the lyrics actually are.

23. "Avenue P" - Carole King

This is from King's kiddie musical, Really Rosie, which was I think the first school musical I did in elementary school. Those songs really stuck with me.

24. "Walkin' After Midnight" - Patsy Cline

When I go to eat at Hard Times Cafe, I fully expect to find this on the jukebox, or I'm sad.

25. "Band of Gold" - Kimberley Locke

She's still my all-time fave contestant formerly of American Idol. I loved when she covered this song on the show.

26. "What Have You Done For Me Lately" - Janet Jackson

Remember the video? And that Paula Abdul was in it before she had her own career? Good times.

27. "I Believe" - original Off-Broadway cast of Altar Boyz

What is awesome about this musical is that it both skewers and lauds modern religion. Hilarious! The Jewish guy was totally the hot one.

28. "You Go To My Head" - Sarah Vaughan

I do like Ella, Dinah, and Billie, but the singer of the age for me was totally Sarah. Her music goes down like a smooth glass of Frangelico.

29. "On The Willows" - original Broadway cast of Godspell

Wow, what's with all the religion-themed musicals? This song makes me cry when I see it performed live. Every time.

30. "Brokedown Palace" - Joan Osborne

I simply adore Joan Osborne, and even really get into this album which is all country and bluegrass-tinged soul. That raspy voice just rocks.

31. "Then He Kissed Me" - The Crystals

My all-time favorite "oldies" song! I can't help but bounce around and sing, just like in the start of Adventures in Babysitting.

32. "La La" - The Verve Pipe

This was my college band, by which I mean they got their start in my college town when I was there. I saw them oodles of times live (for free!) at the bars & clubs in Kalamazoo. They were so very cool. I'm sad that mainstream success ultimately spelled their demise.

33. "When Doves Cry" - Prince

No one does it better than purple royalty.

34. "Good Morning Baltimore" - original Broadway cast of Hairspray

Who knew John Waters' screwball movie would make such an infectious musical? This song makes me want to wake up for sure.

35. "Padam Padam" - Edith Piaf

We got way into Edith after seeing La Vie En Rose, and this is totally her best song, in my opinion. It makes me want to go back and take more French classes.

36. "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" - Paula Abdul

Oh hello, embarrassment. OK, I admit it - I heard Paula put out a new single, and I totally bought it immediately. And I tap my foot when I listen to it. So sue me!

37. "Land of a Thousand Words" - Scissor Sisters

Funny, this was on Joyous' list also! We are big, big fans of the Sisters - we've seen them in concert several times. And they put on a good show.

38. "Over The Moon" - original Broadway cast of Rent

I'm sad the show closed, but it will live for ages. A modern classic! And this song is great fun - it's always interesting to see how different actresses will interpret it.

39. "Beyond The Invisible" - Enigma

I have all of Enigma's albums. It's good mood music for the background, but also good for choreography.

40. "It's De-Lovely" - Rosemary Clooney

Finally! I thought Rosemary would never make it into the shuffle. And I have a lot of her music on my iPod. This track is from a live performance she did at the London Palladium, where she performed a Cole Porter classic.


So anyone want to share 20 more? Or how about this other challenge - what's the most recent song you bought, no matter how trite or trendy?

I just bought "American Boy" by Estelle. It really gets in my head. But warning if you download it from iTunes - it is not clean.

The iPod shuffle challenge

OK, I'm game. ScottE sent me this little challenge from pricklygirl. I'm sure it will be embarrassing, but here we go!

If you are in shuffle mode, what are the first twenty songs that come up on your iPod? And no skipping past the embarrassing stuff. I usually run mine in shuffle mode on some general song list (i.e. show tunes, not show tunes, pop/rock/soul, 80's). But this is the whole enchilada! Ready?

1. "Being Alive" - original Broadway cast of Company

We've greatly enjoyed the soundtrack with the 2006/2007 Broadway cast starring Raul Esparza. But I wanted more, so I got the original cast as well. This is the show closer, and it's a doozy!

2. "Dangerous Game" - Gloria Estefan

I know she's not everyone's cup of tea, but I've been a big Gloria fan for ages. This is off her most recent album, and it's got a mellow sound I enjoy.

3. "Icicle" - Tori Amos

Tori is brilliant on the piano, and this is one of her best off my favorite album - Under The Pink.

4. "Blue Wind" - original Broadway cast of Spring Awakening

If you haven't seen this show, you're missing out. This soulful song is what made me fall in love with Lauren Pritchard.

5. "Little Perennials" - Indigo Girls

My favorite band ever, this is the first single off their latest album. And it's catchy.

6. "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" - Queen Latifah

She was a rapper first, but it's become accepted that Queen is also a smooth jazz singer. I've enjoyed her last couple albums that showcase this talent.

7. "Rhode Island Is Famous For You" - Blossom Dearie

Don't recognize the singer? You might know her better from her work on Schoolhouse Rock! - remember "Figure 8"? Or "Unpack Your Adjectives"? That childlike voice of wonder is hers, and this cute song makes me smile.

8. "The Ballad of Czolgosz" - 2004 Broadway cast of Assassins

At this point if you're shocked I have so many show tunes, you don't know me very well. Loved the show (saw it at Studio 54), especially Neil Patrick Harris, who sings this one. And he says "Michigan" in a song, so I've got hometown love.

9. "Locklat Africa" - Zap Mama

Zap Mama is a unique Belgian group of women who fuse European and African styles. I bought this album (Sabsylma) for the choreographic possibilities, but still listen to it for fun as well.

10. "The Dock of the Bay" - Otis Redding

The classic summer song of chillaxin'.

11. "Shattered Dreams" - Johnny Hates Jazz

Ah, the carefree and bizarre 80's. It was such a simple and...odd time. This particular song was great while driving with friends at night.

12. "You Can't Hurry Love" - The Supremes

Classic Motown never goes out of style. And no I do NOT have the Phil Collins cover on my iPod!

13. "Lorrell Loves Jimmy" - movie soundtrack for Dreamgirls

I love this movie musical even more than Lorrell loves Jimmy. Also, Anika Noni Rose is totally my BFF, in case you hadn't heard. (In my head, that is.)

14. "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" - Kathy Mattea

Somber bluegrass-tinged folk music isn't my usual thing, but I heard Kathy perform songs from her new album (Coal) live, and it was entrancing. It's sad, but it's beautiful.

15. "I Feel The Earth Move" - Carole King

Carole King is an amazing songwriter. My first memory of this song was some random singer (maybe Helen Reddy?) performing it on The Muppet Show. Actually I have far too many memories of classic songs being sung on that show...

16. "Midnight Radio" - movie soundtrack for Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Hard to explain the plot of this movie musical, but let's just say it involves hard rock and a botched sex change operation. Anywho, this is my favorite song. Lift up your hands.

17. "Hey Genius" - Rebekah

I first heard for Rebekah when I got a sampler cassette at my first Lilith Fair. I bought the album, and this song is my favorite - strong singing/songwriting.

18. "Liza with a 'Z'" - Liza Minelli

This makes me really super-duper gay, I know. But it's an adorable song, regardless.

19. "Members Only" - Los Angeles cast of Naked Boys Singing!

No comment.

20. "Turn! Turn! Turn!" - The Byrds

For everything a season and a reason. What an appropriate way to end my list.


All right, I've laid my iPod bare - how about you?