olympics – T E Shepherd

Summer days, Olympics, and writing progress

Thomas — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 21:23:17 +0000

After a weekend in which Emma and I completed another 12 mile training walk I’ve used up a couple of last days of annual leave to make a nice 4 day weekend, and some genuine me time to get back to the novel. I’ve spent most of the last three days outdoors on the patio, writing, and reading, before heading indoors in the evening to watch some more Olympics.

31303 / 80000 words. 39% done!

Compulsive viewing

Thomas — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 22:17:00 +0000

This evening I found myself sitting, enthrawled by the Great Britain v. Norway curling match. I think that I may be becoming a fan. It’s fantastic. And also awe-inspiring in how they manage to throw stones across ice, sweep at them, and move about without falling over especially when avoiding other stones that have been left about. Simply amazing.

However, I do find the Winter Olympics perhaps unique amongst sporting events for the absurdity of the challenges. I mean, why on earth do they do it. Or more to the point, how does one get started throwing oneself down a mountain on a tea tray at 130 mph or flying yourself into the distance on skates? How do you discover that you are good at these things without first killing yourself? And who decided to do these things in the days just prior to them becoming sports?! It all makes Ice Hockey look pretty ‘tame’ and we know how dangerous that is!!

Utter madness

Thomas — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 15:35:00 +0000

I can see how, if after making your way to the top of some mountain for a spot of skiing, you were to realise that you had left the gas on in your chalet; that hopping on a tea tray and heading back down again – fast – might be the answer. I have always wondered about what posesses a man (or woman) from wanting to sit on said tea tray in an all-in-one lycra suit (á la the luge) and head down the hill feet first at speeds higher than 100 mph. To lie face down, head first on said tea tray with your chin only 2 inches from the ice and reach speeds of 120 mph as seen in the ‘skeleton bob’ seems to me to be utter lunacy. And there’s a thing; skeleton bob – as in your skeleton is going to be only thing recognisably yours at the end of it – I would guess…