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Allow me to set the stage with this excerpt from a recent BBC.com article (view it in its entirety here) emphasis added by blog author:

Athletes from Iraq have been banned from taking part at this summer’s Beijing Games, the International Olympic Committee has announced.

The team was already the subject of an interim ban after the Iraqi government replaced the country’s Olympic committee with its own appointees.

Under the IOC charter, all committees must be free of political influence.

Iraq had been planning to send a team of at least seven athletes to the Olympics which start on 8 August.

Two rowers, a weightlifter, a sprinter, a discus thrower, a judoka and an archer were in the frame for the trip to Beijing.

“The deadline for taking up places for Beijing for all sports except athletics has now passed,” said IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies.

“The IOC very sadly has now to acknowledge that it is likely there will be no Iraqi presence at the Beijing Olympic Games, despite our best efforts.”

She added: “Clearly, we’d very much like to have seen Iraq’s athletes in Beijing.

“We are very disappointed that the athletes have been so ill-served by their own government’s actions.”

My thoughts:

• Were the original Iraqi Olympic committee more or less corrupt than the new ones?
• This country has been ravaged by years rule under a rabid dictator (since removed), has been in a state of war for years…can’t they catch a break? For heaven’s sake, it’s the Olympics!
• (Read the words in RED above, then consider this)- If the only sport left to qualify for is “athletics” and Iraq has “athletes” – that’s just puzzling, right?
• Go read the memoirs of ANY person who has ever spent time near the International Olympic Committee and/or it’s governing processes. IT’S ALL POLITICAL.
• Zeus and the gods of Mt Olympus have to be thinking “What happened to the spirit of competition?”

What’s your opinion? Post it below!

I’m one of those people who is (un-?)fortunate enough to live close to their office. My daily commute is only about 2.5 miles and six stoplights each way, along just one overly-congested street. Over the past two years of living there, I have observed several “regulars” along my route. Not cars or drivers, but others who are outside, in hot & cold, rain or shine, day & night. These folks are members of an urban sub-culture who, rather than cluttering up the already crowded streets with yet another one-passenger vehicle, take advantage of alternative transportation methods.

First, there are the bus riders. One is a Muslim woman whom I often see craning her head out, straining to look down the street for the coming bus. Flagging down the driver to make sure she doesn’t get missed. Another is a fellow whom I can only guess works in the medical profession, clad most often in his blue scrubs with small, collapsible cooler [which likely held last night’s dinner] and small bag of other personal effects. Weary-eyed and often sporting a “I grabbed a little sleep where I could” look, he if one of several I’ve seen boarding and departing the bench located at one of the three major intersections along my route.

Next, there are the runners. These folks are everywhere. Some push strollers, are being walked by their dogs, some walk or jog solo, while others jog with a friend [oddly, with iPod earbuds firmly plugged into their ears, as if to avert having to talk to them]. Many of these athletes and “would-be exercisers” are seen along the trail surrounding an amazing urban park and campus, home to a 3.5 mile city trail, TWO 18-hole golf courses (one is a “Par 3” course), driving range, public swimming pool, playground, baseball fields, and what seems like about half-a-bazillion ducks.

Finally, there are the bike riders. Over the past two years I’ve seen many, but there are two I know to be regulars on my route that really stick out in my mind. [I’m not going to mention either of the two “celebrity” bike riders known by EVERYONE in my town for being…well…eccentric. They deserve an article all of their own.] There’s the tall, skinny, dark-skinned fellow with long, flowing black hair glasses. I can’t tell if he’s Mexican or Native American… He’s usually sporting some dark sunglasses and a work shirt with his name on it, though I’ve never been close enough to read it.

Then, there’s the guy who works at the 24-hour restaurant. For as long as I’ve been making this commute, I’ve seen him most often. A fairly unassuming guy, he’s always considerate in traffic. Quietly peddling his way (often in his work uniform) to and from his apartment and work (which I estimate is about a 5 or so mile one-way trip). I’ve seen him in the cold, rain, and scorching heat….even at night, with his safety headlight and flashing red tail light illuminating his presence. He never looks rushed, hurried, flustered, annoyed, or put out. The bike is simply HIS chosen method of transportation.

Sunday afternoon, before catching my flight out of town for a short business trip, I stopped at the sandwich shop for a quick bite of lunch. While the “sandwich artist” was diligently building my sub, in walked Craig. I introduced myself, we had a brief exchange, and went about our respective day. As I left, he turned to me and said, “Hey. Next time to drive past, honk your horn and wave. I’ll remember you!”

I don’t know his story…or the stories of many others I see on my route between work, the gym, and the office, but I’m sure glad I took the chance to say hello to this former “man of mystery.”

Was it Sesame Street or Mr. Rogers? I can’t remember now. Who are the people in YOUR neighborhood?

In 1957, the citizens of Tulsa, Oklahoma celebrated their state’s 50th anniversary by burying a 1957 Plymouth Belevedere as part of a time capsule to be opened during Oklahoma’s Centennial Celebration in 2007. On June 15th, 2007, after countless years of rusting away underground (and at times underwater) Miss Belevedere was unearthed to the amazement and wonder of many who gathered in this midwestern city for a nostalgic glimpse of the past.

Much media attention focused on Tulsa and all the hype that has been building since that day in 1957. While some may view the retrieval of rusted-out, shell of a car and somewhat hokey live television production of her “coming out party” as a failure, I would have to argue otherwise. For starters, the time capsule itself was completely in tact. Next time, maybe they’ll weld the car inside a steel tank instead of a concrete bunker to keep out the water!

By today’s media standards, for the cost of simply burying and exhuming a car, I call the attention drawn to Tulsa, even if for a few days quite a success. The buzz created called classic American car fans from around the globe to descend on the city, some even shipping their own Belevedere’s from halfway around the world, just to see what would be found. Hotels thoughout the city were filled. Thousands of dollars of merchandise related to Route 66, Tulsarama, and the Belevedere herself continue to be sold. National and International media buzz generated continues as you read this blog…a humble, yet unique reminder that the city once known as the “Oil Capital of the World” is still alive and kicking!

For now, we wait a week for the official crew to learn and announce who has won the car. It was promised in 1957 to the citizen or their heirs who most closely guessed the population of Tulsa, Oklahoma as of June 1, 2007. I’m personally looking forward to the display of the contents by the Tulsa Historical Society at the museum later this summer. Hopefully, the car, too, will stay there in perpetuity.

If only we could have kept emcee and local radio icon John Erling‘s emotions in check and his bare hands off of the artifacts during the unveiling. Somebody get that man some gloves!