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snugglekittyLast night I watched the ladies' short figure skating program on television with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mrpet and movieguy13_5.
Watching figure-skating was a tradition in my family when I was growing up - one of just a few nights a year that the kids could stay up late. I didn't then and I don't now know anything about figure-skating, but I think it's cool to watch. It reminds me of dancing. Also, I like to see the outfits.
It interests me to think about what it must be like to be so driven in one aspect of your life. Most of the women who perform here are my age or younger. I know more about young competitive musicians, because my sister was one, but I imagine many of the same issues (nervous breakdowns, alcoholism, ulcers) probably apply in the sports industry as well. I don't think I've ever felt that passionately about anything. Well, maybe my job - I wanted to be involved in birth no matter how much it impacted the rest of my life. But even then, it was still on my terms - I never considered becoming an obstetrician.
I also think - it must be strange, in the off-years. They must have to keep pushing all the time, but without the attention and recognition they're getting right now. In March, they'll be celebrating, perhaps, but probably by April, they'll be training for the 2010 games. To be totally devoted to a goal that's years away... I can't quite imagine it.
Watching about one night worth of skating is enough for me, though. I don't like staying up so late, and the announcers get on my nerves somewhat - I hate hearing them be so critical of the skaters. It reminds me of what they say about being an editor - that's what you do if you can't produce yourself. I'd love to see the overweight guy in his fifties who was the harshest try even a double lutz on ice.
I'm sorry I missed the silver performance of the couples ice-dancing, but that's about it. I'm not planning to watch the long programs on Thursday, although I will probably read the news the day after to find out who won. One night a year is enough.
mrpet and movieguy13_5.Watching figure-skating was a tradition in my family when I was growing up - one of just a few nights a year that the kids could stay up late. I didn't then and I don't now know anything about figure-skating, but I think it's cool to watch. It reminds me of dancing. Also, I like to see the outfits.
It interests me to think about what it must be like to be so driven in one aspect of your life. Most of the women who perform here are my age or younger. I know more about young competitive musicians, because my sister was one, but I imagine many of the same issues (nervous breakdowns, alcoholism, ulcers) probably apply in the sports industry as well. I don't think I've ever felt that passionately about anything. Well, maybe my job - I wanted to be involved in birth no matter how much it impacted the rest of my life. But even then, it was still on my terms - I never considered becoming an obstetrician.
I also think - it must be strange, in the off-years. They must have to keep pushing all the time, but without the attention and recognition they're getting right now. In March, they'll be celebrating, perhaps, but probably by April, they'll be training for the 2010 games. To be totally devoted to a goal that's years away... I can't quite imagine it.
Watching about one night worth of skating is enough for me, though. I don't like staying up so late, and the announcers get on my nerves somewhat - I hate hearing them be so critical of the skaters. It reminds me of what they say about being an editor - that's what you do if you can't produce yourself. I'd love to see the overweight guy in his fifties who was the harshest try even a double lutz on ice.
I'm sorry I missed the silver performance of the couples ice-dancing, but that's about it. I'm not planning to watch the long programs on Thursday, although I will probably read the news the day after to find out who won. One night a year is enough.
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Date: 2006-02-22 07:10 pm (UTC)In the US, at least, I think your comments apply more to many of the other sports (say, speedskating) that, as far as I know, get very little mainstream attention on non-Olympic years. (Though many are very big in other countries. The top Dutch biathletes, for example, are national heroes. We need more bi athletes, I think. :)