everwoodfan52

I am also not surprised that Phelps didn't win. He seemed so out of it...really didn't prepare, whereas Ryan went all out with his preparation...pushing 600 pound tires, etc! He definitely deserved it!
And.....what a cutie he is!


Regarding Hope Solo....she's really got a big mouth and should really not open her mouth until her brain is engaged. She's a trouble maker...big time.. Even if Brandi is annoying and opinionated in her commentary....Hope should have enough class and take it with grace.'

John Harkes used to criticize Clint Dempsey so much while he was broadcasting the US Soccer team...so much that people used to scream at the tv for him to shut up already! Clint never ever said one word about it. That's the difference in class.

jediwands

Yes, that's a great comparison.

I wonder if Solo's upcoming book has anything to do with why she went with the tweets. I would hope not. I would hope she is professional enough in her career as a soccer player and it's all business on the field, not about promoting her book. But yes, Chastain is for the fans to love or hate, not for the players to make a judgment outwardly. I commend Solo for sticking up for her teammate, though, but she should have done so privately and not for everyone to hear. She also could have gone to Chastain privately if she found it necessary to let her know how she felt.

secretk

Yesterday I wasn't really in the mood to watch the Olympics and I didn't. I watched only the opening ceremony which was awesome.

Today I watched how our volleyball team (men) defeated England's. It was logical. The home team doesn't have traditions in this sport and even the public doesn't know how to cheer for them. There were about 10000 people in the hall, far more English people than Bulgarians and yet I was able to hear screams in Bulgarian for our team. That would never happen here. Anyway later today USA plays against Serbia (the Olympics champion against the previous Olympics champion). I will cheer for USA and I think that they have more chances and are better now. The problem is that it won't be shown on the Bulgarian TV and I will have to find some stream.

Around 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT) Italy plays against Poland and I'm for Italy.

I also watched some beach volleyball. Wow there are sports events the whole day, we can't do anything else but watching .

jediwands

Congrats on your Bulgarian team!

I recorded some events since I was gone a little yesterday and came home to an unreliable Internet and the DVR service all messed up so I cannot play recorded items. A service technician is coming out in two hours so hopefully everything will be restored and I can watch stuff I missed from yesterday!

US Men's basketball versus France live at 8:30 central so I'm making my pepperment tea and getting ready!

Funny little story... my younger niece, Sara, was over here last night and she's like, "I love that the Olympics are in London." I asked her why and she said, "Well Londoners talk like us, only with a funny accent, but at least I can understand them even with the strange sounding way they talk."

I asked her if she dislikes that accent and she goes, "No, but why don't they talk like us?"

everwoodfan52

I second that congratulations, Koni!!

I watched some beach volleyball yesterday as well..women:American pair vs Australia and men: American pair vs South Africa

Yes, I am ready for that game. We have to watch out for Tony Parker.

Don't forget to add the honey to your tea, Michelle.

That's adorable.

I am presently watching a 16 yr old American girl playing table tennis vs a 49 yr old woman from Luxenberg. Good match.

Has anyone noticed that the stands are kind of empty?

secretk

Honey is good idea, just put it there, when the tea is not too hot. Otherwise you'll loose all good qualities of the honey.

I'm watching the basketball game too. And I'm drinking some shake that I made in the blender - mango, orange juice and crushed ice cubes.

Thanks Betty and Michelle!

About the empty seats the commentators here explained a bit. Apparently there were about 2000 VIP seats and tickets for them weren't sold. The problem is that those people didn't come to the games and now the seats are empty and people are disappointed, because they weren't able to buy tickets and yet they see empty seats.

The Crow

DVR is a wonderful thing. Because of it, I've watched an insane amount of Olympic coverage. Just watched shooting and another beach volleyball match. I'm watching water polo now.

jediwands

Yes, I hope mine's restored a short hour from now! Granted, the main DVR is fine downstairs but the ones upstairs are not working and I rather watch upstairs!

It's in there and it's delicious.

Oh good tip about when to put the honey in! I did just that.. on my next cup!

We had a poor shooting performance in the first quarter which is why it was so close. We're pulling away in the 2nd for right now. Yes, Parker is a key component to the French team. They unravel when he's not in there which is why they had to get him back on the court. My concern is always our lack of team unity on the court. Everyone knows collectively we have the most talented team in the world... but our achilles heel is that we have so many superstars, we sometimes forget about what the word "team" means. So a team like Spain could certainly do some damage against us since they never forget what team means. Of course this year without Rubio they won't be the same team.

jediwands

I have the new thread just waiting to go. LOL

I watch LeBron James and of course I have my feelings about him, but you can tell by the look on his face he's very proud to be out there for USA. Durant is doing awesomely as is Kevin Love. France is pesky though. They have had some nice moments.

Halftime now. Coach K is all business, you can tell. LOL

secretk

Well technically you have to wait till the liquid is no more than 30-35 C grads to put the honey there. That's why I usually drink warm water with honey, because I prefer my tea hot.

I think that in the first part France had some physics to play good against USA and stop them. In the second set it showed that this way of playing makes them tired. And when they're tired, they can't score that well.

Parker plays good, but one player doesn't make a team.

So spot on about the superstars. It's really important to have united team, not good amount of superstars who can't play with each other.

everwoodfan52

That's interesting. I wonder who all these VIPs are who didn't show up?

Yes, but hot pepperment tea only tastes good with honey.

Yes, he is very proud. France is pesky...but the US is pulling away. The shooting is still not great, however, and what is it about these players and the fact that they shoot free throws worse than my 12 year old neighbor?!

jediwands

Exactly! Team unity is a must. We do have a tremendous coach in coach K. He is a hard-nosed no-nonsense college coach (Duke) and the players respect the hell out of him. But certainly, team unity is something that has to be focused on. The German team is certainly a tough competitor and I look for that to be a really good challenge for the US.

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, I know it. It amazes me how something that should be so automatic is not. I used to practice free throws with my eyes closed. No joke. I would close my eyes and shoot it. The free throw is an easy stroke and you honestly shouldn't even need to concentrate on the basket all that much if you have the shooting motion nailed. You never see the women missing free throws like the men.

jediwands

Our First Lady is getting hugs from the entire basketball team thanks to LeBron starting the ritual.

Very cool that she was right there. Michelle might need a shower after hugging all the sweaty players.

secretk

Congrats on the win! You deserved it! USA was the better team for sure.

As strange as it sounds I drink even peppermint tea without honey. I'm trained. I had to drink disgusting tea because of my stomach (mixture of 6 herbs) without any additional things. So I drink all my tea clean. Anyway, that's not so important .

Does anyone where I can watch the volleyball match between USA and Serbia? It's not shown in my country and I want to watch it.

jediwands

Thanks! Yes, I also love peppermint tea without honey. I can go either way.

Hmm, about where to watch... let me PM you.

I'm sitting here waiting for the technician to come while watching the US/Columbia match from yesterday. I just heard Chastain's first comment about RB and I have to say, it was very, very nitpicky. I didn't say anything wrong at all with what the did. Even Chastain admits it was nitpicky. It really was but I still don't think Solo should have broadcasted her anger over it. I will continue to watch and hear more of Chastain's comments.