Chinese Gymnasts

Seriously...missing baby teeth?

If you are as disgusted as I am about the lack of rule enforcement at the Olympics, you need to follow this link.

Let me explain.  I think the Chinese gymnasts are phenomenally talented, but they are working from a remarkably distinct advantage by fielding underage gymnasts. E.M. Swift, senior writer at Sports Illustrated, had this to say recently regarding the advantages of younger gymnasts:

“…there is a physical advantage to being smaller, more flexible and quicker. We see this in figure skating, which has the same rule. The hips, when they have not developed, spin quicker. That enables the competitors to do more complicated routines. In gymnastics, it’s flips. If you are smaller, you can flip more. Some people also think the younger athlete does not feel as much pressure, so it has an advantage in that respect, too.”

Consider for a moment if the rules were switched around a little bit…say, regarding an age limit. If your son was participating in a football league, for instance, that had an age limit of 13 years old and you found out that the opposing team was fielding 18 year-olds, you would be fraught with the sense of injustice. Not only would the opposing team have distinct advantages because of maturity and physical development, but you’d be crying “foul” the second you set eyes on the imposing presence of the team on the other side of the ball.

Likewise, based on a better comprehension of the distinct advantages of younger and smaller gymnasts, when you consider that the rest of the women of the world are competing against children weighing 30 lbs. less and 3-4 inches shorter, you begin to understand why this is such an egregious offense to those who understand the sport and the disadvantage it presents. These age rules exist not only to protect the younger athletes, but also to keep a fair and level playing field for all participants. Women’s Artistic Gymnastics is meant to be a competition between young women (thus the name WOMEN’S Artistic Gymnastics) and this outright defiant violation completely destroys the integrity of the competition rendering its results profoundly tainted and outrageously irreconcilable. It’s sad. Because there are some incredibly talented women competing at these Olympics…they just aren’t Chinese women.

Independence Day and the “fourth”

Okay, I think I finally became a grumpy old man.

I was listening to “Morning Edition” on National Public Radio this week (yes, I know, that already makes me sound old) and there was this continued reference to our nation celebrating the fourth of July.  Well, that just gets me going.

Now maybe I’m nitpicking here, but I’m not celebrating the fourth of July anymore than I am today celebrating the third of July.  I will, however, be celebrating and commemorating Independence Day tomorrow.

Why is this important to me and why was I bothered by it?  To put it in the most simple defense, we are the architects of language and we have the opportunity to raise the bar of how language can and should be used.  For instance, the longer we use “fourth of July” to represent such an important moment in United States history, the more we strip from our language the reference to the monumental events that resulted in the independence of the United States from England.

This same kind of bastardization of language is what has brought us people who say “supposably”,  “irregardless”, and “guesstimate”.  Seriously now, if you needed to have work done on your heating and air conditioning would you trust the guy who gave you an “estimate” or a “guesstimate”.

So there it is.  I stand before you the latest to turn into a curmudgeon.  I hope you have a Happy Independence Day and that you pass on a similar greeting to others tomorrow.  I know it is an uphill battle, but I ask you join me in the fight.  Else we shall be wishing each other a “Merry 25th of December” come Winter…

Ridiculous. ‘Nuff Said.

“Unfortunately, we do not grant rights for Peanuts to be used in
religious settings.

My apologies have a great weekend.”

That was a direct quote of the email I received from the United Press Syndicate when I attempted to obtain permission to use a Peanuts comic strip in the powerpoint for our Sunday service. Does anyone else see the ridiculous irony in this? You know, Charles Schultz, the former Methodist Sunday School teacher whose cartoon characters often quoted long passages of scripture in comic strips and TV specials, is unable to be legally utilized in church settings. Yeah…that Charles Schultz.

I can get Peanut t-shirts, toothbrushes, switch plates, trash cans, snow globes, lunch boxes, banks, and even a snoopy door stop (see right). But I can’t use a strip from a newspaper in 1997 about the IRS because the United Press Syndicate doesn’t “grant rights for Peanuts to be used in religious settings”. You would think as much as Charles Schultz used religion that religion could use him back every once in a while.

Just for that, I’m going to go out and buy a Snoopy trash can and use it in my church office.

Pachelbel Rant

Kevin sent me this. I’m sure it’s not new to many of you, but felt it necessary to post it here for your enjoyment. This is a performance by comedian/musician Rob Paravonian at Penn State University. Simply brilliant musical commentary.

In which Randy goes to the plaza art fair, and ends up disappointed…

Wendy and I went to the Plaza Art Fair today. It’s been a bit of a tradition for us to attend and I am always grateful that there is a willingness on the part of the promoters to bring this event to the plaza area. It really does make sense and seems like the perfect fit. It has always been a great place to get to know an artist and their work, view their work in a less intimidating environment, and maybe get an idea for some works in which you might want to invest - either now or…someday. However, this year it just seemed less about the art and more about being a “happening”. The art itself seemed to be just one of the many things you could partake of while strolling through the Plaza. This art fair could easily, if not carefully monitored, become a concert festival, local arts group showcase, family fun weekend or wine and cheese festival.

I’m convinced this event is fueled lately by the “I want to be seen” niche - those who strut up and down 47th street with their new plaza acceptable fashion wear, their little rat dogs that must be carried every (else they will be stepped on and crushed), and their considerable aloof-ness to the art and artists all around them that have made the Plaza Art Fair what it is. In the meantime, some of the smaller arts festivals are winning the art fair battle by drawing more accessible art and artists without suffering from an identity crisis, disinterested attendees and insufficient parking. But maybe the Plaza Art Fair isn’t sure what it wants to be. It seems to be suffering from the “all things to all people” syndrome that quickly distances the good from the great. Maybe it’s time to focus on the art and do it well.