What a day.... USA Swimmers were hot. Erik and I were there. Meanwhile, Catherine and Grant were at the men's team gymnastics where China got first, then Japan. The USA was so excited and happy to get third.
Then we went to see the whitewater canoe and kayak races -- a 70-minute bus ride outside the city.
I've got lots of photos. Plus, video. But, they'll have to wait. I'm going to crash. And, the story as how we got there was a bit of a tale as well.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Spartans keep Schenley name - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Another sign that Pgh Public Schools cares little about sports. Fumble.
Spartans keep Schenley name - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "High schools have dropped football programs before. But to have a program without a school, well, that's as rare as a Chicago Cubs World Series win.Next week they'll tell us that Fifth Avenue High School is the favorite to win the city league title and South Vo Tech hopes to be .500.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Beijing Olympic 2008 opening ceremony giant firework footprints 'faked' - Telegraph
Humm....
Sports are games of time, space and relationship. In the world of entertainment, the space and lines between space and time are not real.
One can watch a movie and have the exact presentation over and over again -- without a worry of time. Same too for space. Watch the movie in a cinema or at a home in any city -- and it is nearly the same.
No so with sports.
I am not worried about the fireworks being 'fake.' However, we must be certain to never let our sports become 'fake.'
Now, it is off to artistic gymnastics -- a sport more sporting than professional rassling.
Beijing Olympic 2008 opening ceremony giant firework footprints 'faked' - Telegraph: "The fireworks were there for real, outside the stadium. But those responsible for filming the extravaganza decided in advance it would be impossible to capture all 29 footprints from the air."this is why I love 'sports.' Sports are not fake. Meanwhile, entertainment can be -- and is.
Sports are games of time, space and relationship. In the world of entertainment, the space and lines between space and time are not real.
One can watch a movie and have the exact presentation over and over again -- without a worry of time. Same too for space. Watch the movie in a cinema or at a home in any city -- and it is nearly the same.
No so with sports.
I am not worried about the fireworks being 'fake.' However, we must be certain to never let our sports become 'fake.'
Now, it is off to artistic gymnastics -- a sport more sporting than professional rassling.
new adventure -- getting more money onto our China Net Account
In Beijing, you can buy access to the internet on a card, like a phone card. These are sold at news stands. When you get the card -- you need to call a number and have them activate the credits to your account based upon your home phone nummber.
The IP address is tied to the phone account.
You pay for internet by time. We don't know the rate.
I did this all today, with a good bit of help from the guy at the news stand and the fellow from the hotel that walked with me to help me buy the cards.
The people of Beijing are wonderful.
The volunteers at the university who were returning from tennis were "worn out." Long days for them, for sure. The bus ride is more than an hour. I've been most impressed with the university students.
Only one in eleven who applied to be a volunteer got 'hired' for these no-paid jobs. They get a shirt, one meal a day and a fanny pack. Some get slacks with zippers to make into shorts. They are trying to navigate a complicated network of events and venes that are the Olympics.
It rained all night last night. Some into the day. Today was 'puddle day.' Some rain returned tonight at 8 pm.
Yesterday it rained as we came home from water polo. We were soaked. No problem.
Our bikes might rust to nothingness in another week. Cerain bolts and bits of the bike are not as sturdy as others. Went to my new best friend to get a new bike seat and bike seat post so it can be raised. I don't like to pedal with my knees under my chin. But now I'm high and can't touch the road while seated at a stop. Comfort wins. I'll make a bigger drafting wake for Grant to glide within.
Talked to a guy at the 'bike shop' who was in Pittsburgh two months ago. Small world. He was here to serve a deligation of folks that visited CMU to talk about ways to better manage computing and community elements. How one person's comments can be tracked to the various conversations. Go figure. That group also spent time in the state of Washington at Olympia. They were here as the Arts Festival was in town.
Our swag rocks. More on that with another post. We are keeping a list of who gets one of our gifts.
Twitter had tip about Wolf Wigo's film showing and Stanford.
Softball's #2, batting 3rd, is a fried of a friend.
By the way, water polo was amazing. I'll need to dedicate that to its own post too. We talked with all the team's players and their families. Photos, etc. They are such a nice group of people.
We saw USA beat China in the opening game of the pool play. At one point, the game was tied 3-3. Great USA Goolkeeping throughout.
Both Erik and I were able to lift today. Working out on weights at a local 5-star hotel. Didn't swim as we didn't bring our swim caps. But, Erik and I both had a bit of tummy troubles too. Won't get any more dumplings from the street vendor.
Good night.
The IP address is tied to the phone account.
You pay for internet by time. We don't know the rate.
I did this all today, with a good bit of help from the guy at the news stand and the fellow from the hotel that walked with me to help me buy the cards.
The people of Beijing are wonderful.
The volunteers at the university who were returning from tennis were "worn out." Long days for them, for sure. The bus ride is more than an hour. I've been most impressed with the university students.
Only one in eleven who applied to be a volunteer got 'hired' for these no-paid jobs. They get a shirt, one meal a day and a fanny pack. Some get slacks with zippers to make into shorts. They are trying to navigate a complicated network of events and venes that are the Olympics.
It rained all night last night. Some into the day. Today was 'puddle day.' Some rain returned tonight at 8 pm.
Yesterday it rained as we came home from water polo. We were soaked. No problem.
Our bikes might rust to nothingness in another week. Cerain bolts and bits of the bike are not as sturdy as others. Went to my new best friend to get a new bike seat and bike seat post so it can be raised. I don't like to pedal with my knees under my chin. But now I'm high and can't touch the road while seated at a stop. Comfort wins. I'll make a bigger drafting wake for Grant to glide within.
Talked to a guy at the 'bike shop' who was in Pittsburgh two months ago. Small world. He was here to serve a deligation of folks that visited CMU to talk about ways to better manage computing and community elements. How one person's comments can be tracked to the various conversations. Go figure. That group also spent time in the state of Washington at Olympia. They were here as the Arts Festival was in town.
Our swag rocks. More on that with another post. We are keeping a list of who gets one of our gifts.
Twitter had tip about Wolf Wigo's film showing and Stanford.
Softball's #2, batting 3rd, is a fried of a friend.
By the way, water polo was amazing. I'll need to dedicate that to its own post too. We talked with all the team's players and their families. Photos, etc. They are such a nice group of people.
We saw USA beat China in the opening game of the pool play. At one point, the game was tied 3-3. Great USA Goolkeeping throughout.
Both Erik and I were able to lift today. Working out on weights at a local 5-star hotel. Didn't swim as we didn't bring our swim caps. But, Erik and I both had a bit of tummy troubles too. Won't get any more dumplings from the street vendor.
Good night.
Quick Update from the end of week one
We lost the internet for a couple of days. Sorry about that. Guess I shouldn't go to rouge video sites sorta like Utube-ish.
Out of the blue, Grant crashed on his bike (again). A bit of road rash is on his leg and arm. We've started a list of all the things that Grant has crashed into. I got really mad at him today as we started out and he did the old classic -- "Look mom! No hands." But he doesn't know the joke. The jokes on us. Ouch.
Catherine and I were headed to WalMart on foot to buy a little table for our meals and playing cards -- and we ran into two women who were looking for the weight lifting venue. They had just taken the subway here and were turned around. We walked them to the venue, knowing a short cut even. And, they had two extra tickets. But, most of the session had already happened. Anyway -- we got to see some weightlifting -- on a lark.
They were headed next to the canoe venue and I just got some great suggestions on getting there. Our tickets are to canoe in the afternoon. We have three tickets in the moring to Artistic Gymnastics. Trouble is -- it takes more than an hour to get to canoe. And, we live in the North East/Central, while artistic gymnastics is south west and the canoe is past the airport at the north east.
One tip was to take the subway (train) to the airport and then get a cab to the canoe venue. Most of the cabs don't want to drive all the way to the canoe venue. The charge is about $70 from airport and $120+/- from Beijing at the end of the subway line.
Needless to say, we can't bike to the venues tomorrow.
Out of the blue, Grant crashed on his bike (again). A bit of road rash is on his leg and arm. We've started a list of all the things that Grant has crashed into. I got really mad at him today as we started out and he did the old classic -- "Look mom! No hands." But he doesn't know the joke. The jokes on us. Ouch.
Catherine and I were headed to WalMart on foot to buy a little table for our meals and playing cards -- and we ran into two women who were looking for the weight lifting venue. They had just taken the subway here and were turned around. We walked them to the venue, knowing a short cut even. And, they had two extra tickets. But, most of the session had already happened. Anyway -- we got to see some weightlifting -- on a lark.
They were headed next to the canoe venue and I just got some great suggestions on getting there. Our tickets are to canoe in the afternoon. We have three tickets in the moring to Artistic Gymnastics. Trouble is -- it takes more than an hour to get to canoe. And, we live in the North East/Central, while artistic gymnastics is south west and the canoe is past the airport at the north east.
One tip was to take the subway (train) to the airport and then get a cab to the canoe venue. Most of the cabs don't want to drive all the way to the canoe venue. The charge is about $70 from airport and $120+/- from Beijing at the end of the subway line.
Needless to say, we can't bike to the venues tomorrow.
Swimming Success - #2 gold for Michael, thanks to Jason
We were screaming with great might -- in our apartment. I think the entire building could hear us. What a race. What a finish.
Great summary from another blog:
Great summary from another blog:
It appeared though that the best was yet to come. The men’s 4X100m freestyle was spectacular. The Aussies kicked things off, as Eamon Sullivan pipped Phelps in the first leg with a world record time of 47.24. It was the French though who gained control after stunningly consistent swims. Alain Bernard was a length ahead with 25m to go, and it looked like Phelps’ attempt at eight golds was undone on day two of finals. Jason Lezak had other plans.
Swimming Success Swimming with a style that looked like he was trying to climb on the back of Bernard and drown him, he produced a superhuman effort that defied hydrodynamics and dragged himself into contention. It all came down to the touch, and the American got there 0.08 secs quicker. The world record time was an obscene 3:08.24 min - 4.93 seconds quicker than the winning time in Athens 2004!
The 4X100m freestyle is one of the two events in Athens where Phelps failed to win gold. His celebrations at the end, flexing his torso, suggests he knew this would be tough. If he goes on to make history, he’ll be forever indebted to the powerhouse Jason Lezak.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Contact Us - Beijing Traffic
Contact Us: "Please send your suggestions, comments or questions, as well as messages for the Director General and other Beijing Traffic Management Bureau officials, to jgj@bjjtgl.gov.cnAsking them about cycling competition today.
off of the Olympic site.
'Beijing Tour' Special Media Outings Registration FormWonder if the folks there would handle non media on a tour for a fee?
Updated: 2008-08-04 09:45:46 "Beijing Tour" Special Media Outings
Registration Form
Media
Name Nationality
Mobile E-mail
Please mark √ to choose the tour line: 1 2 3
1. Route of City Bus Tour: The city sightseeing on tour bus
Date: August 5, 2008 Departure Venue: News Desk of MPC
Departure Time: 1:30 p.m. Return time: 6 p.m.
2. Route of Museums: The Capital Museum, The Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall
Date: August 6, 2008 Departure Venue: News Desk of MPC
Departure Time: 1:30 p.m. Return time: 6 p.m.
3. Route of Cultural Heritage: The Great Wall—Badaling
Date: August 18, 2008 Departure Venue: News Desk of MPC
Departure Time: 1:30 p.m. Return time: 6 p.m.
Remark:
* Above tour service provided for the registered journalists for free.
* Ten or more registrations are needed to form a group; otherwise, tours will be cancelled.
Contact with:
Yang Wen 13601338207 or Amily Sun 13381068163
wen@btmbeijing.com amilysun@btmbeijing.com
FAX: 86 10 84371065
Judo became more of a story
Suddenly, men's heavyweight judo became much more exciting: Georgia's Lasha Gujejiani, Russia's Tamerlan Tmenov are both medal contenders.Figures the media is going to be all over this like white on rice.
USA Swimming hosting parties around USA for Olympics
USA Swimming - Lanelines: "Ten major parties:
IRVINE – Monday, August 11, 9pm-12am PST
BALTIMORE – Wednesday, August 13, 8 pm – 12am ET
MIAMI – Sunday, August 10, 9pm-12am EST
CONCORD – Monday, August 11, 12pm- 1pm PST
HOUSTON – Saturday, August 16, 12pm-1pm CST
INDIANAPOLIS – Saturday, August 16, 9pm-12am EST
CHICAGO – Friday, August 16, 9pm – 12 am CST
SAN ANTONIO – Monday, August 11, 8pm – 12am CST
WASHINGTON DC – Friday, August 15, 9pm – 12am ESTTen major parties:
IRVINE – Monday, August 11, 9pm-12am PST
BALTIMORE – Wednesday, August 13, 8 pm – 12am ET
MIAMI – Sunday, August 10, 9pm-12am EST
CONCORD – Monday, August 11, 12pm- 1pm PST
HOUSTON – Saturday, August 16, 12pm-1pm CST
INDIANAPOLIS – Saturday, August 16, 9pm-12am EST
CHICAGO – Friday, August 16, 9pm – 12 am CST
SAN ANTONIO – Monday, August 11, 8pm – 12am CST
WASHINGTON DC – Friday, August 15, 9pm – 12am EST"
IRVINE – Monday, August 11, 9pm-12am PST
BALTIMORE – Wednesday, August 13, 8 pm – 12am ET
MIAMI – Sunday, August 10, 9pm-12am EST
CONCORD – Monday, August 11, 12pm- 1pm PST
HOUSTON – Saturday, August 16, 12pm-1pm CST
INDIANAPOLIS – Saturday, August 16, 9pm-12am EST
CHICAGO – Friday, August 16, 9pm – 12 am CST
SAN ANTONIO – Monday, August 11, 8pm – 12am CST
WASHINGTON DC – Friday, August 15, 9pm – 12am ESTTen major parties:
IRVINE – Monday, August 11, 9pm-12am PST
BALTIMORE – Wednesday, August 13, 8 pm – 12am ET
MIAMI – Sunday, August 10, 9pm-12am EST
CONCORD – Monday, August 11, 12pm- 1pm PST
HOUSTON – Saturday, August 16, 12pm-1pm CST
INDIANAPOLIS – Saturday, August 16, 9pm-12am EST
CHICAGO – Friday, August 16, 9pm – 12 am CST
SAN ANTONIO – Monday, August 11, 8pm – 12am CST
WASHINGTON DC – Friday, August 15, 9pm – 12am EST"
Battle erupts over Georgia rebel region - Russia- msnbc.com
Battle erupts over Georgia rebel region - Russia- msnbc.com Battle erupts over Georgia's breakaway regionWars are to end, not begin, when the Olympics are held. Did they not get the memo?
Russia troops reportedly move into separatist capital amid attack by Tbilisi
[412] Hello from Beijing, China -- the Olympics are here and this city is buzzing
[412] Hello from Beijing, China -- the Olympics are here and this city is buzzing: "I'm sitting with my wife and sons in our August 2008 apartment in
north central Beijing. We had another great day on our bikes learning
about the city and the cultures of the world. This is so exciting.I'm sitting with my wife and sons in our August 2008 apartment in
north central Beijing. We had another great day on our bikes learning
about the city and the cultures of the world. This is so exciting.
north central Beijing. We had another great day on our bikes learning
about the city and the cultures of the world. This is so exciting.I'm sitting with my wife and sons in our August 2008 apartment in
north central Beijing. We had another great day on our bikes learning
about the city and the cultures of the world. This is so exciting.
So weird to live blog Opening when the content is invention of paper
Live blogging -- really will put it all on Twitter.
Meanwhile, China invented paper.
Scroll unfolds....
dots get typed.....
Pinch me when life gets any better.
Meanwhile, China invented paper.
Scroll unfolds....
dots get typed.....
Pinch me when life gets any better.
List of swim pools in Beijing where we might workout
A new friend from Mexico sent along a list of swim pool for our consideration. We need a place to swim and do our workouts. Grant, Erik and I would love to have a 90-minute workout once a day.
I'm offering to teach or coach for 30 minutes as a trade our admission to the pool. I could come earlier or stay later -- or even do it within the 90-minute time block.
I'm offering to teach or coach for 30 minutes as a trade our admission to the pool. I could come earlier or stay later -- or even do it within the 90-minute time block.
Perhaps we'll go to them all. Thanks for the pointers Carlos. If anyone else wants to go or meet us, call. Email might be okay too. Our local phone numbers are listed in the blog below.
Friendship Hotel
Friendship Hotel, Baishiqiao Road, Haidian District
6849-8888, 10 am-11 pm, 30/2 hours
Fragrant Hills Hotel
Fragrant Hills Park, Haidian District
6259-1166 x 3243, 10 am-1 am, 30
Sino-Japanese Youth Exchange Center Swimming Pool
40 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District
6466-3311 ext. 3185, 1-9:45 pm, 50
Dongdan Swimming Pool
A-2 Dahua Road, Dongdan, Dongcheng District
6523-1241, 10 am-10 pm, 30
Overseas Chinese Village Swimming Gymnasium
Inside Overseas Chinese Village, Jianwai Avenue, Chaoyang District
6515-0615, 10 am-8 pm, 50
Tiantan Swimming Pool Gymnasium
4 Tiantan East Road, Chongwen District
6701-7562, 12 pm-1:30 pm, 7:45-9:15 pm, 10
Yingdong Swimming Pool
Inside Olympic Stadium, Chaoyang District
6491-0468, 11 am-11 pm, 30
Thursday, August 07, 2008
8-8-08 is here and we're headed out on our bikes
I picked up a few others to follow on Twitter.
Putting on sun lotion for the big day. Will spend some at "Car a for" a French owned mega super market. This is near the electronics mall part of the city -- North West corner. The torch may be there at noon-ish. Will try to confirm with an Information booth (so nice).
Putting on sun lotion for the big day. Will spend some at "Car a for" a French owned mega super market. This is near the electronics mall part of the city -- North West corner. The torch may be there at noon-ish. Will try to confirm with an Information booth (so nice).
Unraveling the mystery of the Hamm twins. - By Josh Levin - Slate Magazine
Unraveling the mystery of the Hamm twins. - By Josh Levin - Slate Magazine: "The 2004 Olympics
Are Paul and Morgan Hamm identical twins? Their parents say no. Science says yes."
Both are out of the Olympics now. Are their injuries identical or fraternal? (stolen line from twitter)
Are Paul and Morgan Hamm identical twins? Their parents say no. Science says yes."
Both are out of the Olympics now. Are their injuries identical or fraternal? (stolen line from twitter)
Amanda Beard's Olympic PeTA campaign cancelled | The News is NowPublic.com
Amanda Beard's Olympic PeTA campaign cancelled | The News is NowPublic.com: "Amanda Beard's Olympic PeTA campaign cancelled"
Surface to air missles sit between Birds Nest and Water Cube. Welcome GWB
US President, George W. Bush, is now in Beijing. His father had
already arrived. Perhaps we'll see W on a bike ride in the morning.
already arrived. Perhaps we'll see W on a bike ride in the morning.
CCTV (China Television) reported that there are two surface to air
missles on the Olympic Grounds next to the major outdoor stadium, the
Bird's Nest. It is also very close to the Water Cube.
Seems that because the world has GWB, it might also have the other.
Are they linked?
In the run up to the games, they said that there would be no 'kites."
I'm not sure when and where there was a kite ban. But today, we saw
two. One was very high.
How in the world do you use Twitter from cell phone in Beijing
I really could use some hand holding on getting my twitter to accept
my updates from my cell phone.
my updates from my cell phone.
I think it can be done. I must use text messages to a phone number.
They they get re-displayed. Thanks for the help in the comments or
with a call later.
Group Protests Taser Death Of Swissvale Man - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh
Celeste gets in the news.
Group Protests Taser Death Of Swissvale Man - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh Investigators are waiting for autopsy results to determine if it was the jolt from the Taser that killed Thomas or a medical condition.She and they take it to the streets -- and into the halls of government. That's the one-two message that must happen. Don't just whip the people into a frenzy and cause street theater. Go those extra steps to hear from and demand behaviors of those who emply the police and their superiors.
Protesters said they are bothered by how Thomas might have died. Shouting slogans and displaying banners, they called for prosecution of the police for their use of Tasers.
'I'm not saying the other ones aren't important, but there's something about this one that's bad,” said protester Celeste Taylor.
As the group gathered outside the borough building, reinforcements were called in from other municipalities and some Swissvale residents, fearful of retaliation, found courage to speak up.
But the protest wasn't just on the streets of Swissvale. Neighbors voiced their concerns to borough supervisors at a regularly scheduled meeting.
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