Now, that the Winter Olympics are here I guess you would expect me to be filing a report from Vancouver.
Wrong.
Not that I dislike Vancouver, British Columbia because I do like the city. As a matter of fact, it is one of my five favorite cities in North America. It is clean, multicultural and has great restaurants.
There is only one problem. It is too cold in the winter time. That and the fact that no one was willing to pay me to go. You don’t think I was going to spend my own money to stand in the cold, do you?
It’s cool. If The St. Louis American wants to send me to a warm weather spot to cover something, I am good with that. As a matter of fact, if they just want to send me somewhere warm, that may be even better.
OK, that is enough wishful thinking. Let’s talk about the Olympics for a minute or so.
While I have come to grips with the fact that some of my readers are not onboard with the Winter Olympics, I wonder why?
Too cold? Sure.
Not enough black people? You’re kidding, right? You won’t watch because there are not enough brothers?
For the record, there are more than ever before. Speed skater Shani Davis from Chicago is a favorite to win another medal or two. Jarome Iginla of Team Canada Hockey is on a team that will win a medal, and there are some people of color sprinkled about the world that will participate in the games. If that is a reason or not to watch, then you have bigger problems.
Here is what I have come to appreciate. The fact that every participant in the winter games can do something I cannot is what I really appreciate.
Oh, I have played ice hockey, skied and even shot a rifle. Not while skiing, though. As a matter of fact my luge relationship would be likened to a trip down Art Hill at Forest Park. Other than that there is not one thing I can do that these people do, and do it better I may add than anyone in the world.
Now, before you go off, I know that you are saying: “Why would I want to be at curling?” You know, the activity that has some cats sweeping the ice to make a stone move faster or slower. Kind of reminds me of house work. NEXT!
Then, there is ski jumping. People actually jump off what is equal to a 14-story building at an angle and land on their two feet. The one who survives is the winner. I am not into jumping off a 14-story building, period, angle or not, so let’s move on to something that I think would be cool.
On second thought, let’s just move on.
My point here is there are a lot of these events that for some reason I cannot get enough of. Maybe, that is why they do it every four years compared to anything sooner. The people who participate are people who are better at something than I am. And while I may have more common sense in trying any of this stuff, I am envious of their ability or in some case, lack of common sense. Some of this stuff is downright dangerous.
When you think about it, ask yourself this question: What am I really good at that would be deemed world-class? What are you better at than anyone else? Mac Daddies need not respond, nor the women when asked what they are drinking go from Stag Beer to Cognac in world record time.
Really, what are you the best at? The Winter Olympic participants are a leg up on us.
Khan’s Rams
Just when you thought Dave Checketts had hoodwinked everyone into thinking that he was going to somehow get the Rams, along comes Shad Khan of Urbana, Illinois.
I have to tell you. I had no idea that sort of money was floating around in that neck of the woods. More power to Mr. Khan. In the “Big Dummy” category, I had a caller on my talk show on the Big 550 KTRS the other night wonder about his heritage. Mr. Khan was born in Pakistan. He moved to the U.S. at 16 to get an education and never went back.
As I said to the caller, everyone in America is from somewhere. The more I thought about it, it may be time for the nitwits like the caller to find another zip code. Preferably Saturn.
As a black cab driver once told me in Vancouver, “Canadians don’t have time to hate those who are not deserving. Even those that we think we hate we just don’t speak to.”
I have no idea what sort of owner Shad Khan will be. He certainly cannot be worse that some of those who were handed teams due to family ties only to wreck the thing.
If he can keep the NFL in St. Louis, so be it. Everyone had a chance to buy the team and they took a pass. Therefore, those who question Khan should stick to doing the sports at six and the games on Sunday. As for the rest, just hope that the Rams come back to some respectability soon.
Ball with Billikens
Is it me or have the Billikens been fun to watch this season? While Rick Majerus could never be misunderstood with respect to his feelings about the Atlantic 10 Conference, his team has taken things in stride as they continue to find ways to win.
By the way, the coach is right. Saint Louis University has as much business in the A-10 as I have figure skating at the Olympics. With that said, this team is fun to watch. Kwamain Mitchell could be the best point guard to play at SLU since … well, let’s put it this way, I am still thinking who might be better than him as a sophomore.
They are fun to watch and well-coached. The Billikens are deserving of your attention.
