The Decathlon.
I mean, come on.
Ten freaking events. In two days.
Get the hell out of here.
I’ll let Kevin Mayer do this one. Go Kevin. Go France. Give me the fries.
Monthly Archives:
August 2016
18
August
2016
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August
2016
A Green Visitor
This tiny little tree frog has been visiting our den doors, clinging to the glass and peering in as we peer out, for the past few nights. He is a very pretty shade of green, one that isn’t quite done justice by this feeble photograph. It also doesn’t convey the minute size of this itty-bitty creature, which is roughly the size of a quarter, no more. When viewed up close, it becomes a most magnificent animal, with its tiny little hands and questioning eyes.
The world can fit in the palm of your hand, if you let it.
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August
2016
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August
2016
The Garden Gets Its Second Wind
By the end of July, even the best gardens can begin to look a little haggard, especially when there hasn’t been a steady supply of rain. Leaves curl and dry up, flowers fade and fall to the ground, and the once-fresh and vibrant grasses begin to go to seed. Our stand of ostrich ferns starts looking a little brown around the edges at that time, and only a persistent and dogged watering regime can hold off their inevitable die-back, especially when located in relatively full sun. A perennial sweet pea passed out a while back, so I cut it back ruthlessly. The first flush of hydrangea blooms was pruned away as they began to turn brown.
Yet around this time something wonderful happens. After the lull, and the hint of impending fall, the garden gets a second wind. A spell of thunderstorms soaks the ground, and the nights offer a respite from the oppressive heat.
Annuals that had re-seeded themselves later in the season begin their bloom.
August flowers such as anemone, flowering maple and Rose-of-Sharon come into their own, while a butterfly weed plant puts forth a second show of flowers. Sometimes you’ll even get a second blooming of the Korean lilac, with all its intoxicating perfume.
This flowering renaissance is a renewal of summer, and a reminder that most of September is summer too. Keep blooming.
17
August
2016
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August
2016
Olympic Water Polo Spotlight: Marc Minguell
Competing in his third Olympic games, this is Spanish water polo player Marc Minguell. He may seem to know just the one pose seen here, but when you rock a Speedo as hard as he does, you won’t really mind. He’s competing in today’s water polo match, a mid-afternoon treat that NBC will probably broadcast at 3 AM. Anyway, here he is in all his glory, and you have to admit: the guy knows how to handle a ball.
17
August
2016
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August
2016
Getting Tom Daley’s Ass
I feel like there must be more to getting Tom Daley’s butt than this relatively simple workout. Of course, it’s just the first in a series of six videos in which Mr. Daley promises to show us how to get the perfect posterior before the summer goes away. Still, I feel he’s holding back. Like some master chef who refuses to give out the secret key ingredient of what makes his recipes so wonderful, I bet Daley is keeping some piece of ass-making wisdom solely to himself. Not that I blame him. Some things are too good to share.
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August
2016
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August
2016
My Favorite Person at the Summer Olympics
She just may be my very favorite person at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. Forget the male gymnasts, the Speedo-clad divers, and the gingers, this is Oksana Chusovitina, who was born two months before me (which means she is 41 years old). Ms. Chusovitina has been competing for so long that she once represented the Soviet Union. This is her seventh time at the Olympics.
Seven.
It’s impressively mind-boggling, and the fact that she still bounds through the air like she’s just beginning is a glorious testament to her dedication and perseverance, as well as her simple love of her sport. This year she is representing Uzbekistan, and the first time I saw her compete, I cringed a little at her outfit.
Then I saw her expression.
Her determination.
Her hunger.
Her spirit.
And her smile upon completing each of her events.
She won me over. I thought about her storied career, and looked up her accomplishments. She never had the best costumes, or the most fabulous hair, or the glamorous poise of some other gymnasts, but she had something else: the unfailing love of doing what she does, and doing it in the best way that she can could do it – over an incredibly long span, unheard of in gymnastics, and most other sports.
That quiet, unassuming grit and greatness is the stuff of the truest champions.
The best part of these Olympics goes beyond the bulge, and this powerhouse of a woman from Uzbekistan reminded me of that.
16
August
2016
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August
2016
She Gives Me Fever
The birthday girl gets a red-hot post for the mid-day hour. Here are a few of her hotter timeline entries:
She gave us ‘Fever‘…
Nothing like a good spanky…
It will burn inside of me…
Warm wind carried on the sea, called to me…
Candy kisses and a sunny day…
Jumping in the pool and swimming with our clothes on…
That little fire is still alive in me…
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August
2016
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August
2016
Birthday Fit For The Queen
 The Ministry of Madge-ic should have decreed this an International Holiday many years ago, but until such time as sense prevails, we will unofficially celebrate the birth of our majestic muse, Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, on this day of our Lord, August 16.
Madonna means many things to me, and while my fandom has matured and cooled over the years, it’s also solidified into something reliably fun, endlessly engaging, and perennially interesting. She still elicits the same thrill I felt decades ago when a new song or album was due to be released, the same joy I feel when revisiting her extensive and exquisite back catalog, and the same wonder at very new endeavor she deigns to attempt.
The First Hundred entries of the Madonna Timeline have already been contained with these two posts: Retrospective One and Retrospective Two. It’s been a while since we recapped the ones that came afterward, however, so here is the collection of entries 100 through now. We are not quite at the end (may it never come) but we’re approaching the last quarter of those songs currently lodged in my iTunes account. A few classic gems have yet to be excavated (the entries for ‘Vogue’ and ‘Express Yourself’ haven’t been written) so some good stuff is still on the horizon. In the meantime, here’s a quick link-back to the last thirty entries. Happy birthday, M.
#128 – Messiah                Â
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August
2016
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August
2016
Olympic Diver Spotlight: Kristian Ipsen
As the rest of the diving world gets challenged by the windy conditions at Rio for today’s springboard competition, the Americans relied on their outdoor practice to make strides into medal territory. This is Kristian Ipsen, who was right behind Zac Efron look-alike Michael Hixon the last time I checked – but these standings are as volatile as the peripatetic wind.
15
August
2016
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August
2016
Olympic Gymnast Spotlight: Eleftherios Petrounias
The Rings.
They are the true test of strength, focus, balance, endurance, and body fitness.
I can barely hang onto a handrail going up a flight of stairs, so the idea of holding onto two rings that aren’t connected to one another is a feat of superhuman insanity.
Eleftherios Petrounias has no such issues, as exhibited by his wondrous performance at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. Representing Greece, he does his country proud.
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August
2016
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August
2016
THE MADONNA TIMELINE: SONG #130 ~ ‘BEST NIGHT’ – SPRING 2015
{Note: The Madonna Timeline is an ongoing feature, where I put the iPod on shuffle, and write a little anecdote on whatever was going on in my life when that Madonna song was released and/or came to prominence in my mind.}
Why this plotting thud wasn’t excised and replaced with something like ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ on the otherwise mostly brilliant ‘Rebel Heart‘ album is beyond me, but here it is. A filler track at best, ‘Best Night’ is Madonna at her laziest, both musically and lyrically.
There’s really nothing more to say, but this is far from her ‘Best.’
YOU CAN CALL ME ‘M’ TONIGHT
SONG #130: ‘Best Night’ – Spring 2015
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August
2016
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August
2016
Steamy, Sexy Olympic Recap
It’s stank outside.
In this heat and humidity, grammar and words don’t mean much.
(Kind of like Donald Trump every day of the year.)
On with the previous week and everything that went down on this site, including the kick-off to my birthday countdown.
It was all about the Rio Summer Olympics.
Swimmers like Adam Peaty, Marcelo Chierighini, Chad Le Clos (but no cigar), Ryan Lochte, Ryan Held, Joseph Schooling, and Anthony Ervin.
Gymnasts like Marcel Nguyen, Brinn Bevan, and Kohei Uchimura.
Divers like Zac Efron look-alike and doppelgänger Michael Hixon.
Runners like LaShawn Merritt.
Volleyball players like Matt Anderson.
Gingers like Christophe Harting and the great Greg Rutherford.
Heroes like Amini Fonua.
Sexiest Olympic Couple: David & Steele or Dan & Tom?
Because one post wasn’t enough, here’s the bodacious bulge of Ryan Lochte again.
Even the Hunks of the Day were mostly Olympic men: Nicolai Ceban, Devon Allen, Chen Aisen, Ryan Murphy, and Dan Goodfellow.
Not to be outdone by all the Olympic bodies, these gentlemen bared their all, and a few famous nude guys made for a rollicking post. Including the otherwise wretched Justin Bieber.
Somehow Madonna managed to make her way into the proceedings, with this gorgeous song from the ‘Like A Prayer’ album.
Gay Uncles Day? Whatevs.
14
August
2016
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August
2016
Olympic Gymnast Spotlight: Diego Hypolito
A gymnast from the Summer Olympics 2016 host country Brazil, this is Diego Hypolito, who recently tumbled for us, and did his country proud with an impressive floor routine. I love when the host country rises to the occasion, and Mr. Hypolito made that dream come true.
14
August
2016
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August
2016
Olympic Swimmer Spotlight: Anthony Ervin
We love a good comeback story. Sixteen years ago, Anthony Ervin won his first gold medal at the Olympics. In the ensuing years, he dabbled with alcohol and drugs, womanizing and a suicide attempt, but managed to make his way back to the Olympic Games in Rio this summer. Last night, he won his second gold medal. I can’t imagine what he must be feeling, but I’m guessing it’s pretty good. Congrats to Mr. Ervin for making it back to the top of that golden mountain.
14
August
2016
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August
2016
Best. Gay. Uncle. Ever.
I’m not claiming that title.
Yet.
Today is somehow ‘Gay Uncles Day’ which is ridiculous and wonderful and something I want nothing to do with unless gifts are involved. In a world where the hunt for the next Hallmark Holiday has run dry, leave it to the Gay Uncles to step up the fabulousness. (Though I do wonder why the Gay Aunts aren’t included.)
It just so happens that my niece and nephew will be visiting us for a summer dinner later today, so we’ll celebrate in our own way (likely with Uncle Al doing their bidding). They’ve provided a bright spot in this otherwise rather dark summer, and for that I am grateful. Summer’s not over yet, and I’m reminded of that in the exuberance of a child. Or two.
