I Want To Be A Gymnast

It's no secret that the Olympics inspire me. Watching the athletes compete makes me hungry to take care of my body and stay in shape. During the Athens 2004 Games, I was moved to take up swimming. Goggles? Check. Swim cap? Check. Affordable membership to someplace with a pool? Forget about it. My dream was short-lived.

I decided that, after watching the Men's Gymnastics competition in these Beijing 2008 Games, that I would look into some gymnastics classes for adult beginners. Surely NYC, if anywhere, would have something like this. After all, it is the place where dreams come true. Chelsea Piers offers just the course I was looking for. Last night, I went with my buddy, Will, to this gymnastics class and it was awesome!

Understand, I have NO gymnastics experience. Didn't matter here, though. We learned forward handsprings, back handsprings, jumping forward rolls, and some other stuff, too. It's the ideal place to learn because the whole place is padded and you just practice again and again and again without worry of hurting yourself (too) badly. I managed to sprain my thumb early on, but I persevered through the pain and finished the night strong. If only Bela Karolyi had been there to carry me off the mat.

The other cool thing is that, in this same gymnastics room, is all of the Olympic apparatuses. There were guys there who were practicing on the high bar and still rings. These fellas look like Olympic hopefuls. It was amazing to watch them practice. Who knows, maybe we'll see them in the 2012 games?

If you're inspired by the Olympics like I am, ride the inspiration and go pursue your athletic dreams. I'll never be Olympian, but at least I can say I gave gymnastics a try. No regrets.

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

I love the Olympics. Love, love, love them. The pomp and ceremony is unparalleled: trumpet fanfares, waving flags, matching uniforms, global community. It brings tears to my eyes every time.


My all-time favorite Olympic sport to watch is the Men's Gymnastics. More specifically, the still rings. The Maltese cross, where the athlete holds himself in a straight position, parallel to the ground, blows my mind. You can actually see their muscles quivering to maintain the body in perfect form. The way that these guys (and all the other athletes gathered in Beijing) train and discipline their bodies is nothing short of amazing. That's the only word I can find for it: amazing.


Did you see the men's gymnastics team finals last night? Team USA pulled off an upset by clenching the bronze medal. More impressive, though, was Team China's performance. Their coach said that if his team comes home with less than 5 gold medals, he will deem it an unsuccessful Olympics. Oh, gosh. That's intense. I'm glad they won.


Joe, an avid Olympics fan, blogged recently "What one thing do you wish you could excel at that you don’t already?" For me, it would be gymnastics. I would love to have that much control over mind and body. And would love to look that good in navy blue and red spandex.


Another one of the reasons I love the Olympics is for the music. It's quite majestic. If you're interested, most of what you hear on NBC intros and outros can be found on John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra: Summon the Heroes album, originally composed for the Atlanta 1996 Games, available on iTunes.

And now, to capture the Olympic Spirit, I leave you the lyrics to the Olympic Hymn:


Olympian flame immortal
Whose beacon lights our way
Emblaze our hearts with the fires of hope
On this momentous day

As now we come across the world
To share these Games of old
Let all the flags of every land
In brotherhood unfold

Sing out each nation, voices strong
Rise up in harmony
All hail our brave Olympians
With strains of victory

Olympic light burn on and on
O'er seas and mountains and plains
Unite, inspire, bring honor
To these ascending games
May valor reign victorious
Along the path of golden way

As tomorrow's new champions now come forth
Rising to the fervent spirit of the game
Let splendour pervade each noble deed
Crowned with glory and fame

And let fraternity and fellowship
Surround the soul of every nation

Oh flame, eternal in your firmament so bright
Illuminate us with your everlasting light
That grace and beauty and magnificence

Shine like the sun
Blazing above
Bestow on us your honor, truth and love

Makes Me Laugh Out Loud

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Thanks, M.

I'm done

I'm done catering to people's comfort levels. I'm done squashing my own self in the name of respect for others' opinions. I'm done with euphemisms. I'm done keeping my mouth shut. I'm done.