Thank You Comcast

(Image courtesy of snowboardingtransworld.net)

Watching the Olympics coverage on NBC,

Wondering how those who don't have "Pause" for their TV

Make it through commercial breaks; there's more of them than snow.

Would we watch if we could not "Fast Forward?" I don't know...

I would hate to miss the drama we've seen every night -

Thrilling moments, joy and heartbreak... Triumph for Shaun White.

All the strength and grace and beauty on the snow or  ice -

But a couple dozen fewer ads would sure be nice.

I'd find it unwatchable without our D.V.R.

We delay the Games an hour and (at least so far)

We do not catch up until it's time to go to bed.

If we couldn't, we'd be watching something else instead.

PyeongChang 2018

Mr. S. can hardly wait until tomorrow night;

He loves the Olympics and has threatened that he might

DVR the whole darn thing and watch it night and day.

Doesn't want to miss a second of the Games they'll play.

After years of living with him, I no longer grouse

Even though the Winter Games, which so enchant my spouse,

Strike me as insanity...  A bunch of crazy kids

Hurtling down mountainsides on greased and fragile skids.

I feel for their mothers, holding their collective breath,

Fearing their beloved off-spring might be courting death

Flipping, flying, floating, freezing out there in the cold

Pushing past their limits in a quest to win the Gold.

I hope all the athletes who participate have fun;

Just the fact they're all in South Korea means they've won.

I'll be watching - cheering - warm and safely in my chair,

Wishing all the best of luck to everyone who's there.

Unsolicited Advice for the IOC from a Bostonian

A fresh coat of paint?  It could work. (Courtesy of/imagesdaily.blogspot.com)

Hopes for Boston 2024 have fallen through

Because local opposition to it only grew.

It became apparent that the city can't afford

Hosting the Olympic Games (despite claims from their Board.)

I believe the I.O.C. has got to reassess,

Sparing hosts, in future, from a huge financial mess.

Why not give the Games to Greece in perpetuity?

They could help to bolster up the Greek economy.

Winter Games on Mount Olympus* - Summers' on the isles...

Marathoners could retrace Pheidippides' long miles.

If the Games stayed in one place, a profit could be made

Which is not the case most times the modern Games are played.

*(Okay, not on Mount Olympus - but you get my point.)

Boston 2024 - 2.0

(Courtesy of/theawesomeboston.com)

I feel kinda bad for Boston 2024.

If I weren't so sure the Games are gonna cost us more

Than what they're predicting, I might even change my mind...

They're in need of all of the support that they can find.

Their new plan to spread the Games throughout the Commonwealth

(Hoping local cities see a chance to share the wealth)

Hasn't won them much support; the polls are trending down

'cause it's costly hosting the Olympics in your town.

Holes the size of stadiums appear throughout the plan.

They say they can solve the problems; I don't think they can.

Wish their proposition wasn't such a risky one;

Boston 2024 could be a lot of fun.

Boston 2024?

Boston 2024's a possibility

But not everyone is greeting that idea with glee.

Not sure that they want to see Olympic Games played here;

Worried at the massive costs, and that's well-founded fear.

New Olympic Villages and stadiums aren't cheap...

Have a look at London's Games before we take the leap.

Boston sees itself as Athens but just ask the Greeks

If their debt is worth the fun they had for those few weeks.

I would love the honor and excitement of the Games

But, if anything goes wrong, guess who the country blames.

We will have to foot the bill; Olympic Games ain't free...

Never mind the I.O.C., start by convincing me.

Farewell to The Winter Olympics

Photo/Courtesy of TheBigLead.com

I will miss the Sochi Games...  The stunning, mountain views;

Miss the way athletics could transcend the nightly news,

Miss the competition and the many acts of grace,

Miss the joy you'd see upon a medal winner's face.

Jumping off a mountain with a board strapped to my feet?

Closest that I'll ever come is watching folks compete.

I will never fly across the ice, but I can dream...

Full of awe and admiration for the U.S. team.

Each and every one of them has made their country proud.

Even when they didn't win a medal I was "wowed."

Russia topped the medal count, but I'm relieved they did.

If they hadn't, Putin might have really flipped his lid.

Sochi - Modern Day Bread and Circuses

Oohhh!  Look at all the pretty balloons at the Opening Ceremonies in Sochi. (Photo/Courtesy of NBC)

So much in the world is tragic - war, disease, and death.

Nations call for changes but I wouldn't hold my breath.

U.N. Human Rights Commission published new reports;

No-one paid attention 'cause we're focusing on sports.

Russia's at the center of the issues of the day,

But it's not just Winter Games that Putin likes to play.

Syria and North Korea count him as a friend.

Without his agreement, neither travesty will end.

Fireworks and "bread and circuses" - like ancient Rome,

Counting all the medals our Olympians bring home -

Easily distracted, we're ignoring basic facts;

Putin is supporting men engaged in criminal acts.

I don't blame the Russian people...  Them, I think I'd like.

I just wish they'd help us tell Assad to take a hike.

As for North Korea (if the Chinese aren't involved)

Send Kim Jong-un Dennis Rodman's drug stash...  Problem solved.

(Graphic/Courtesy of Owned.com)

Happy Valentine's Day? There's an App for That.

It isn't just the Olympic rings that are hooking up.  (Photo/Courtesy of Detroit.CBS.Local)

Looking for a Valentine?  I hear that there's an app,

Popular because it's making "hooking-up" a snap.

Olympians in Sochi have been using it - a lot...

All those healthy, pretty people gathered in one spot.

Tinder lets them see who else is looking for a date

When they aren't out on the slopes or on the ice to skate.

Shows whoever's close to them who'd also like to meet

In between those moments when they're scheduled to compete.

Talk about a "target rich environment" to use.

They can still find consolation, even if they lose.

(As for me, I found my love the good, old-fashioned way.

Thank you darlin' Valentine...  I love you more each day.)

The Winter Games?

Palm trees in Sochi. (Photo/Courtesy of SwissInfo.ch)

In Sochi, 'neath swaying palm trees,

The temperature's 60* degrees.

It's gotten so warm

Ice crystals can't form.

The Winter Games need a hard freeze.

The snow has been turning to slush.

Snowboarders are having to rush

Their tricks in the air

Afraid they'll land where

They'll lose all their speed in the mush.

It's making it hard to be bolder

Aware you could fracture your shoulder.

Let's send them our snow.

Surprising to know

The Summer Olympics were colder.

*(That's 16 degrees for you non-Farenheit people.)

The Winter Olympics - Are You Up For It?

Despite a slight glitch, the Opening Ceremonies were spectacular. (Photo/BBC.com)

I get too emotional about Olympic Games;

Choking up whenever they announce the winners' names.

Thinking of the sacrifices these kids must have made;

Hours spent in practicing whatever sport they played.

I have gotten dizzy and a little short of breath

When someone jumps off a cliff towards what seems certain death.

Nothing but a board or two - some flimsy bits of wood -

Stands between the athlete crashing hard (the way I would.)

Seeing as their parents, who are watching from the crowd,

Hold their breath and worry while their children do them proud.

My heartbeat's irregular at some ice-dance routines;

At that Russian skater who is barely in her teens.

I get weepy whether someone loses or they win;

When the notes of The Star-Spangled Banner first begin.

Even when you know who wins 'cause they're delaying tape,

Just to watch the Sochi Games you have to be in shape.

Although totally unfair, I thought this was hysterical. (Courtesy of Weknowmemes.com)

The Olympic Games and Black Widows Don't Mix

Be on the lookout.  (Photo/New York Post)

'though I plan to view Olympic Games, I wouldn't go

(And not just because I'm not that big a fan of snow.)

Sochi is the target for a terrorist attack;

If you plan on going there you'd better watch your back.

'though I know you go to see an athlete who competes,

Your eyes should be looking for Black Widows in the streets.

There are 3 they're searching for and 1 could be there now...

Figure skaters cannot execute a great Salchow...

Not if they are focusing on checking out the crowd.

Must be hard for athletes there to do their countries proud

Knowing any moment at the Games could be their last -

Talk about a motivating cause for moving fast.

Across the Pond - The London Games

All the local heroes from hometowns around the world:

Running, swimming, leaping, fighting, get a discus hurled.

Athletes cry on podiums and mouth their anthems' words.

Londoners remain polite despite the roving herds.

There have been some moments when I've shed a happy tear;

Caught my breath in worry with disaster looming near,

Or in awe as human bodies hurtle through the air.

People doing things that I would not do on a dare.

'though I've not seen all the Games - 'cause we were at the beach -

Even there (Perhaps the air?) Olympics news would reach.

No, I didn't watch it live when Phelps made history,

(I, instead, watched silver moonlight ripple on the sea)

Still, within the hour, I was told that he had won...

Watching the Olympics' what my nieces did for fun.

Now we're home and tuned in every night I have to say;

Even though I know the network has big bills to pay,

T.V. ads so often make the Games no fun to watch.

Wish that NBC'd agree to tone it down a notch.

Shows us sports we never see.  Perhaps some rowing heats?

Give us more Olympics. I don't care what Mike Phelps eats.