Like A Teapot

As I am getting more physically active this season, I need to purchase some sports gears and outfits. Among my favourite items is this pair of shoes. One of the things I have discovered is that the brand Nike really earns its market share for a good reason: its winsome design. I am between small and medium in size and it is usually hard for me to find fitting clothes, but Nike's products fit me perfectly. I have learned to get them at affordable prices in discount stores. These shoes are of another brand though. Next, I would like to show my very cool knee-high pants with the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics logo.

I need distraction today and happened to have an appointment that brought me out of the house.

The weather is not good. It is cloudy and raining. Not a heavy downfall, but rather spare large raindrops hitting the head. I appreciate the cool air, especially in light of the fact that a heat wave is coming up on Thursday, which is forecasted in both west coast Canada and the United States.

I bought lots of grocery. I also bought Chinese medicine for my sprained ankle. I got both herbal pastes and a special oil that is made of herbs. I have the paste on right now.

I was a bit dazed the whole time I was out, due to bad news received earlier in the day. I sighed loudly a few times in my friend's car and also when walking on a parking lot. My friend brought up the topic of the Olympia. She watched synchronized diving but missed the opening ceremony.

Synchronized diving and artistic gymnastics, two of my favourite events are over now. There should be more diving though, for the indivicuals. I do not know the schedule, as I am not as crazy about the game as some people thought. It is just the fact that China is the host this year that makes things more interesting for me. It is interesting to learn of the world's reaction to the Chinese approach.

The opening ceremony is a fantastic showcase of Chinese creativity and ingenuity. It cleverly and successfully reminds the world that the four great Chinese inventions - gun powder, paper making, printing, and the compass - forever changed China and the world. At least this is a clear message that Canadian television viewers received when watching the ceremony at home, as it is repeatedly emphasized by CBC's star presenter Peter Mansbridge, who was doing the live coverage in Beijing.

I do not know how other national news networks covered the opening ceremony. But I feel no one could have done a better job than Mansbridge. He is respected by Canadians and is respectful of Chinese history and culture. I mentioned him in a post on the US Super Tuesday election coverage (without giving his name). He is simply cool and is definitely fast becoming an icon of Canada.

If I remember it correct, CBC will broadcast the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony at 8:00 AM Eastern Time, which for me is an hour from now. I am dead tired but will manage to have a peek.

I hope my friends everywhere will not miss this exciting event.

Germany just won the Women's World Cup final in Shanghai, beating Brazil 2-0. Presently, the CBC is running the game's highlights while awaiting for the award presentation.

I am very impressed with the quality of the match. It is no less exciting than the best of men's games. The players have great skills and look good as girls, slender and healthy, unlike some Chinese players who are like tomboys.

I have concluded that in soccer any time you have a South American team playing, the match is a lot more intense and exciting. I just love the South American style. The Brazilians lost largely because they had little time for preparation. Their best player had been playing in Sweden. She is very talented but missed a good opportunity (penalty kick) in the second half of the game which, in the words of a CBC commentator, the Germans ruled and eclipsed.

The German stiker and goal keeper were just brilliant in this game. Their coach, a slim woman, is incredibly cool. I am glad for her and all the German fans on site. I am also glad for China who has successfully hosted the event.

If I were a football (soccer) referee (I don't know if I would be a man or woman in that case, it seems impossible that as a woman I would be running around like that), I would probably pull out a yellow card fairly often, much more often than other referees.

For two reasons. First, I have a strong sense of justice and would not tolerate any use of unfair shortcuts and prohibited behaviours. Second, I tend to notice more things than others and would rarely miss anyting.

I wonder, though, if I would pull out a whole bunch of stuff from my back pocket in a haste when I need to show a yellow card. It is very likely that I would drop some grocery receipts on the grass and shuffle a few cards (phone card, library card, etc.) before I can sharply and righteously raise my arm with a red card.

Too bad some authority is lost in the process...