finally, something I can sink my teeth into
We watched Synchronized Swimming last night followed by Dressage.
Try as I might, I cannot watch Synchronized Swimming without getting a little giggly.
I understand that there is a great deal of athleticism in this sport.
I can imagine that it must take great strength and years of practice to reach this level of competition.
I realize that these women have incredible talent and dedication, but I find it difficult to remain serious whilst watching them perform.
It may have something to do with the nose clips.
Or the drama.
I love the way the athletes prance out to the side of the pool and pose themselves.
I love that their hair is held in place with gelatin.
I admire the staying power of the purple and black eyeshadow.
This aquatic coffee table cannot be easy to achieve.
I am definitely going to try it with Middle or Youngest the next time we are in a pool.
The swimmers must do "egg beaters" with their legs to maintain this pose. I call those hands "monster hands." Monster hands I could do.
It was a spectacular thing to watch, in more ways than one.
Regarding Dressage: one wears a terrifically fitted suit and wee top hat and sits upon a dancing horse whilst dramatic music plays.
(When Middle heard us discussing it, during the previous competition, he thought they were going to bring the horses into the pool, which would have been good, but I think the hats might have floated off.)
It's all about intricate footwork (or, should I say hoofwork)and timing and especially exciting when a horse decides to mess with the rider for a minute.
Fascinating to watch - for about 30 minutes, after that it all becomes a blur of riding jackets and sweaty horses.
They tell me the horse is cued to each step by the rider through small nudges and gentle kicks.
I'm not sure which seems more difficult - teaching a horse to dance or wearing those nose clips.
Perhaps I was meant to be be a Rhythmic Gymnast.
I think I could tumble with a rubber ball or ribbon...maybe.
Please note that these photos have been lifted from the NBC website where they were uncredited.
Try as I might, I cannot watch Synchronized Swimming without getting a little giggly.
I understand that there is a great deal of athleticism in this sport.
I can imagine that it must take great strength and years of practice to reach this level of competition.
I realize that these women have incredible talent and dedication, but I find it difficult to remain serious whilst watching them perform.
It may have something to do with the nose clips.
Or the drama.
I love the way the athletes prance out to the side of the pool and pose themselves.
I love that their hair is held in place with gelatin.
I admire the staying power of the purple and black eyeshadow.
This aquatic coffee table cannot be easy to achieve.
I am definitely going to try it with Middle or Youngest the next time we are in a pool.
The swimmers must do "egg beaters" with their legs to maintain this pose. I call those hands "monster hands." Monster hands I could do.
It was a spectacular thing to watch, in more ways than one.
Regarding Dressage: one wears a terrifically fitted suit and wee top hat and sits upon a dancing horse whilst dramatic music plays.
(When Middle heard us discussing it, during the previous competition, he thought they were going to bring the horses into the pool, which would have been good, but I think the hats might have floated off.)
It's all about intricate footwork (or, should I say hoofwork)and timing and especially exciting when a horse decides to mess with the rider for a minute.
Fascinating to watch - for about 30 minutes, after that it all becomes a blur of riding jackets and sweaty horses.
They tell me the horse is cued to each step by the rider through small nudges and gentle kicks.
I'm not sure which seems more difficult - teaching a horse to dance or wearing those nose clips.
Perhaps I was meant to be be a Rhythmic Gymnast.
I think I could tumble with a rubber ball or ribbon...maybe.
Please note that these photos have been lifted from the NBC website where they were uncredited.
Comments
I think it's the pool straddling...
Or is it the moster hands??
jbhat
And I'd never seen dressage before this year's Olympics, and it has got to be one of the oddest/most-intriguing things ever. The horses look absolutely mechanical. Bizarrely mesmerizing.
I hear there is BMX biking these Olympics. It's kinda killed the whole thing for me.
What next? Skateboarding?
I'm laughing about your future pool plans with your sons - Will you all be wearing the makeup and ferocious grins, too?!
Also, no offense, Kim, but the BMX is the most exciting 36 seconds of the games so far. These kids peddle their asses off and the track is crazy cool! I was literally yelling at the TV.
It's the summer version of snowboarding.
Did you ever see the Robin Williams bit about the olympic snowboarders? Like them, these kids don't want the Wheaties box cover - they want the Count Chocula box!
Well rehearsed but still cheesy.
PS Do you have witchy toes? They seem to be a pre-requisite.
That is when figure skating is not there, then THAT is my favourite.
paola
As do the sequins.
I was in tears just listening to his description. Would love to see the real thing.
ps. re Middle thinking the horses were going in the pool, Son #2 had only ever seen polo on horseback, so when he heard about water polo he assumed the horses would go in the pool too and was rather worried.
And the Water Polo...the last time this was discussed somebody wrote about their fear that their hores would drown...it is a worrying prospect. I think that we should always be kind to hores.
jbhat
*I understand that there is a great deal of athleticism in this sport.
I can imagine that it must take great strength and years of practice to reach this level of competition.*
How's about the Synch Swimmers out there READ what I wrote and admit that your nose clips are funny looking?
sheesh.