A Moment for Michael

August 16th, 2008 at 9:42 pm.

Holy freakin’ ridiculousness, Batman!! HE DID IT!!!!! EIGHT GOLD MEDALS!

Now, this is probably the first and last time I will extensively blog about sports, unless the Steelers go on some ridiculous winning spree this season, but I have been SO into the Olympics this year, as it seems everyone around me has, and to be able to watch someone achieve something so incredible is just truly inspiring. And to know that I got to watch something happen that will be talked about for years is pretty cool. I just can’t BELIEVE he actually did it. 

I almost stood up and cheered on that last 50 meters, but the other people staying at this Inn may have been frightened, if they weren’t already, by my enthusiasm, so I had to settle for a big high five from my dad. I was literally SHAKING by the end of that race; I have never wanted someone to win so badly in my life (again, except for maybe the ’06 Super Bowl! Kick ass, Steelers!) It took me a good 15 minutes to calm down.

Is it sad that I take great pride in the fact that I watched every race live? Like that somehow makes me more a part of it? I think I’m just trying to use this as a way to end my summer on a high note without having to actually do anything. So while 8 gold medals is pretty cool, I have to thank you, Michael Phelps, for attempting to single-handedly turn my summer around. It’s a noble effort that few could have accomplished. And also congratulations on your thousands of Facebook friend requests, as noted by Bob Costas. That is really the biggest accomplishment of the day. (He passed J. Timberlake for Pete’s sake!)

(Oh, and quick PSA: Don’t forget to enter my contest for some fabulous fat free brownies!)

6 notes ( Reply )

  1. courtney
    Aug 16, 2008 @ 10:38 pm

    i missed two of the races, but saw tonight’s, and WAS on my feet cheering. it was incredible, and i especially loved the footage afterward of tens of thousands of people in the Baltimore Ravens stadium watching the race live on the big screen, cheering like crazy.

    i feel like michael phelps has done more to bring this country together in the last week than anyone or anything else has been capable of in years.

    courtneys latest blog post…In My Dreams

  2. Elizabeth
    Aug 17, 2008 @ 9:38 am

    I really never watched swimming before this Olympics, but I must say that Phelps got me hooked. I just loved seeing his mom’s reaction after every event. I can’t even imagine how significant those moments were to her after a lifetime of dragging her kid to practices and meets!

    Elizabeths latest blog post…Playdates and foreign newcomers

  3. Jonah
    Aug 17, 2008 @ 2:03 pm

    I think there’s definitely something wonderful about the communal experience aspect of this, i.e. this has been one of those accomplishments that, all too rarely, people feel pride in having witnessed. Not that it’s on the same scale, but since our generation hasn’t had much positive, inspirational landmarks like this, it’s kind of like the moon landing or the fall of the Berlin Wall (again, those are on a different scale, but our generation hasn’t had a good, positive and inspirational feat catch on like this, unless I’m horribly forgetful.)

    There’s something really nice in knowing you’re watching something that you know you’ll be able to talk about with your friends, even somewhere down the line with friends you haven’t made yet. Communal experiences! Woo!

    Jonahs latest blog post…God Hates Two Gentlemen of Verona

  4. Princess Extraordinaire
    Aug 17, 2008 @ 3:35 pm

    I am right there with you – I felt such pride and emotion watching the race that I actually DID cheer out loud! Yay America!

    Princess Extraordinaires latest blog post…"Chris-isms"

  5. Susie
    Aug 18, 2008 @ 10:27 pm

    haha the last 3 blogs I’ve been to have had their most recent posts be Michael Phelps related…annnnd I LOVE it!!

    I hope he sticks around and people keep blogging about him even though the Olympics are over becauseee he’s just hot. And yum.

    Wish you could go to the blogger event tomorrow night!!

    Susies latest blog post…halloween again?

  6. Becky
    Aug 30, 2008 @ 8:17 am

    I should of known you would appreciate the greatness of Michael Phelps. I was on the edge of my seat for every race! Bouncing on my bed like a total spazz. I was bad about keeping track in Athens, but for this year’s I made sure I watched every one of them haha..Did you hear he’s doing SNL and Entourage?! Super excited =D

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