The Olympics... maybe it's age....(just some thoughts)

Somewhat similar story....

JamesJM — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:42:22 -0400

We were one of the first to get a color TV. It got crowded in our living room. :laughing

Also... one of the first color TV Shows was "Hazel", remember that? Nobody really watched Hazel BUT... it was in color, so neighbors gathered in our living room to watch it.

Re: Did a comparison last night... TV.Youtube vs Peacock...

waterfield — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 18:35:47 -0400

"I long for the days when we had 3 channels"

Growing up I remember only one thing from our Admiral TV set. Sunday nights was Hopalong Cassidy and neighbors that didn't have a tv would come over.

Cow pasture inner tube races..

sstrams — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:47:42 -0400

I wanna party with you, cowboy.. lol

I have some land on the old Kings River...

JamesJM — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 01:44:49 -0400

I say 'old' because it's been shut off for years. BUT.... in flood years it flows. That's why I was threatened with flooding a few years ago. So anyway....

Until I was well into my 50's we'd gather together some tractor inner tubes and bind them together. Sort of in a circle with the innermost tube holding food, ice chests, and a portable stereo. Then we'd head up river, sometimes pretty far, then float down the river for miles and miles exiting on my land. Dawn to dusk or a few times well into night. It was great. Needless to say when we exited the river we were a bit tipsy. Oh who am I kidding? We were #$#$ faced.

Speaking of #$@% faced maybe one day I'll tell you about our cow pasture inner tube races. Definitely not for the weak of heart, or those easily prone to vomiting. :laughing

Cool.. would love to..

sstrams — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 23:43:37 -0400

In Texas, the Guadalupe River is the place to go, but mostly innertubing on River Road(?).. can remember the exact name.. it's gorgeous

I haven't....

JamesJM — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 22:08:28 -0400

Actually I have but I don't count it because it was much too tame and I wasn't required to row at all. It was on the Colorado River BUT NOT the big rapid locations.

If you're ever in Moab, Utah I recommend their rafting trip. (NOT white water).... it's perfectly calm and smooth. So why do I recommend it? Because you travel past MANY old movie locations, most now abandoned. Forts, villages, towns, you name it. If you have a knowledgeable guide they'll be able to tell you which movies were filmed at each of them. Very interesting. - JamesJM

I have white water rafted..

sstrams — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 21:37:32 -0400

And that can be exhausting.. the next day was the sorest I've ever been after a physical event..,when you dig the oar down deep in the watermand push and pull with all your might, yeah, you're gonna get worn out and you're gonna feel it bad the next day - if you're not used to it, anyway..

Kayaking... I've never done it....

JamesJM — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 19:17:02 -0400

Well, not really. I've been in a Kayak but NOT down rapids. My kayaking was always in calm waters holding a Budweiser. But here's my point...

I don't have to have been kayaking down rapids to know that if I was on that course they're using at the Olympics I might.... I think there's a chance, I could navigate the first gate - at which time I'd pass out from exhaustion and drown.

I'm not sure which Olympic event is the most exhausting BUT... I wouldn't bet against it being Kayaking. - JamesJM

SPOILER, if haven't seen it - Women's Gymnastics...

JamesJM — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 18:45:31 -0400

for those of you who are reading this yes, I know.... Women's gymnastics have been over for HOURS now..... but I'm sure some are waiting until this evening to watch it.

LAST WARNING... Spoiler Alert....

My personal 'best performance' award goes out too....... <<<>>> Jordan Chiles in the floor exercise. Of course our entire USA team did great but Jordan was on FIRE during that floor exercise. My wife, oldest daughter, granddaughter and I leaped to our feet after her last tumbling pass in fist pumping celebration! Her score was great BUT... (maybe the best floor exercise score?), but the judges had to be hitting the tequila HARD to not have given her a perfect score. It was flawless.... and you could see it on Jordan's face when she completed her routine... as well as on the faces of her teammates.

This next isn't something that occurred to us today, (my family).... we've been this way for decades. The single most tension filled, anxiety ridden, event in the Olympics is the Women's Beam. I can barely watch... and not just the anxiety but those young ladies, whether they are aware of it or not, are a millimeter from death every time they mount that beam. I would sooner cross a crocodile infested river during dinner time than attempt a backflip on that beam. - JamesJM

"Days of three channels" Ironically......TV at its best.

Ramgator — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:17:11 -0400

There's zero doubt Sporting Events were covered SOOOO much better. There were SEVEREL Commentators who were not only good but legendary. What do we have now?? People who cannot shut up! Regular programming was loaded with Classics. Things we are seeing 40..50..60 years later. Today's shows are done and forgotten after one season

That or the last place person. Be it Track, Swimming or whatever.....

Ramgator — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:11:33 -0400

You ALWAYS see the top 3-4 people who everyone focuses on. I watch for the poor Schmucks that fall way behind early and hope to see a crazy comeback.

I played REAL Water Polo just one time.

Ramgator — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:09:30 -0400

I mean where you cannot touch bottom. That was when I was 18 years old and in my first month at my USAF Duty Station. I considered myself to be in the best shape of my life. I tell ya......Water Polo will WHOOP YOUR BUTT! And we only played for about 30 minutes.

Yes, exactly....

JamesJM — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:59:58 -0400

You said it well. True Joy just being able to compete and represent. Those are the best moments in the Olympics.

Re: Did a comparison last night... TV.Youtube vs Peacock...

MamaRAMa — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:52:20 -0400

Quote
JamesJM
TV.Youtube I assume is NBC.... and I also assume NBC is somehow separate from Peacock? I just don't follow networks like you guys do. But anyway -

Both have it all. All events. However - Peacock easily has better navigation, IMHO.

We've got 3 TV's currently set up in my living room. ALL are tuned into Peacock. I am mostly watching, however, on my laptop using TV.YouTube (NBC). I'm about to give up on it. I can't figure it out. If Peacock says "live" it's live. If TV.Youtube says "Live" it's a crap shoot... maybe it's live but just as likely it's not.

I long for the days when we had 3 channels. :laughing

Peacock is NBC's streaming platform.

Yes, I do..

sstrams — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:47:50 -0400

Little countries with 2 or 3 athletes.. no chance doing any better than 8th or 9th place.. no chance of a medal.. but, they're the happiest people you've ever seen.. just THRILLSD to be there representing their country.. I love seeing them...

Did a comparison last night... TV.Youtube vs Peacock...

JamesJM — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:38:57 -0400

TV.Youtube I assume is NBC.... and I also assume NBC is somehow separate from Peacock? I just don't follow networks like you guys do. But anyway -

Both have it all. All events. However - Peacock easily has better navigation, IMHO.

We've got 3 TV's currently set up in my living room. ALL are tuned into Peacock. I am mostly watching, however, on my laptop using TV.YouTube (NBC). I'm about to give up on it. I can't figure it out. If Peacock says "live" it's live. If TV.Youtube says "Live" it's a crap shoot... maybe it's live but just as likely it's not.

I long for the days when we had 3 channels. :laughing

Find yourself rooting harder for the tiny countries?

JamesJM — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:30:32 -0400

don't lie to me... you do. :laughing

Don't see it often these days but when the countries march in during opening ceremonies and I see a country with only a handful of athletes representing I'm their fan. :laughing

About Water Polo....

JamesJM — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 10:41:54 -0400

Some of you may remember that some years ago, (Sydney Olympics), I had a relative play for the women's water polo team. That got me interested in the sport... or I should say - "more" interested. Have any of you seen it this year and especially the under water cam they show 'somewhat' often? It's a WAR beneath the surface. I mean professional wrestling dirty. :laughing

The Olympics... maybe it's age....(just some thoughts)

JamesJM — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 10:38:00 -0400

There used to be events I just didn't care that much for - although I have always appreciated the athletes involved in those sports. Times have changed.

I like them all now. sure, some a lot more than others but I get involved with all of them. Last night I was up til 3am watching shooting... 10m air. A slower sport doesn't exist BUT... I was enthralled.

I was fascinated with the women's Ju Jitsu competition.

I was saddened by the trap shooting events because my neighbors son just missed making the team. Talked to him at church Sunday and he said that as happy as he was for some of the USA participants, (he knew them well), it was painful for him watch knowing he came like two shots away from being there.

I guess the most pleasing event for me so far was Men's gymnastics. Their joy over a 'bronze' was fantastic. Loved watching Fredrick Richard and his parents celebrating. Truly an Olympic moment.

Watching the Olympics is definitely emotionally draining... from incredible highs to crushing lows. - JamesJM