Record Number of Women on the US Olympic Team

Posted by random olio

I have been looking forward to the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics that happen in London tonight. I rarely ever watch any TV live, with the exception of the Super Bowl and the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics. It will be interesting to see what London has up their sleeves to wow us this year. I can still remember the opening ceremonies in Beijing. Incredible visuals that are still in my memory.

What I am really excited about is that the women are BRINGING it this year! For the first time ever, there are more women than men on the US Olympic team. There are 269 women and 261 men. You can learn more by reading this article by Marlo Thomas in the Huffington Post. Marlo is right, it is amazing that on the year of the 40th Anniversary for Title IX, that more women than men are on the Olympic team. Pretty cool.

Here is an excerpt with details that must be shared (in case you decide not to read Marlo’s article):

“With the introduction of women’s boxing this year, there is no Olympic event left that is exclusively for men. And with Saudi Arabia sending two women to the London Games, for the first time in history, all participating nations will have female Olympians competing.”

I love what Marlo says:

“But who will be the breakout stars of the gymnastics and soccer teams? Who will amaze and inspire us this time? Who will come to symbolize the very essence of their sport — and in doing so, inspire millions of girls around the world to go for their dreams?”

I hope the Olympics do just that for girls all over the world. If the Games inspire courage, wonder, inspiration, and the knowledge that girls can do anything they put their minds to, then the Games are a success. I, myself, am looking forward to watching Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh in Women’s Volleyball, as well as some swimming, gymnastics, and track. I also look forward to watching Usain Bolt run. I will be setting my DVR for these events so that I can enjoy what is left of this Portland summer and sun, and watch what I can when the sun goes down each day.

What are your favorite Olympic events?

My Thoughts Are In Aurora

Posted by random olio

I have not been able to write about the shooting that happened in Aurora, Colorado last week. It has tormented me these past few days. How can such a thing happen? It makes me think of the Columbine shootings, the Virginia Tech shootings, and the Gabrielle Gifford shooting. Why oh why does this continue to happen? I know that in relation to what is happening in many other countries, what happens in America may seem tame. It still shocks me though. I was talking with someone that very day about going to a midnight showing of Batman that evening. We discussed how we did not want to sit for 3 hours to watch the movie.

Then I hear about what happened in Aurora. 12 people killed. It has been almost a week and I still cannot fathom what happened. What I fear is that people will stop feeling safe going to the grocery, to the post office, or the mall. We have to keep our head held high and keep going to our local establishments. We have to continue to trust that the world is good, that our neighbors are safe, and that people are sane. It is hard though. I struggle to make sense and understand what was going through the mind of the shooter. Why? Why? Why? I just am having a hard time understanding what possesses someone to do such things.

I read that the shooter was not cooperating with authorities, and that he booby-trapped his 800 square foot apartment with explosives. An apartment that was part of a building of other individuals homes. These individuals are still displaced from their homes. I also read that sales of guns have increased since the Aurora shootings. I wonder is that because more individuals want to protect themselves? Why more guns? I know that guns do not kill people, people kill people. It just concerns me that more individuals might be carrying guns in public places.

What are your thoughts? Do you feel safe these days in public places? If not, why?

My thoughts are with the family and friends of those that died in the Aurora shooting.

New Show: The Newsroom

Posted by random olio

Are you a fan of the show: The West Wing? I was. Am. Will always be a fan.

If you are, then you have to check out the new show on HBO called “The Newsroom.” It is another Aaron Sorkin show, starring Jeff Daniels and Emily Mortimer and it has similar tones to The West Wing. All the news that happens on the show actually happened in very recent times. We know as an audience how certain events happen, and the characters do not have this information. So the audience has a context of what happens, while watching the characters unravel the world events happening in a newsroom and it makes for a very interesting and dynamic storyline for the viewer/audience. An example: the BP oil rig explosion in the Gulf and the newsroom is putting all the pieces together to report on this breaking news.

A quote my hubby shared with me of his thoughts: “It is a reboot of West Wing, clever, crafty, and with massive amounts of dialogue, very character driven in one setting. Very similar to Sports Night.”

Only two episodes have aired, and I am already writing about it, so those of you with HBO – watch it. Those of you who do not have HBO, add it to your list for when it comes out on DVD. Like with The West Wing, where they would have dialogue while walking through The West Wing halls, the dialogue also happens while walking. This time it is on the streets of New York. Here is a review of the show from The New Yorker.

Looking forward to future episodes! Would be curious to hear what you think.

Scam Notification – US Airlines

Posted by random olio

Just got this scam notification in the mail from US Airlines. I am so sick of junk mail that looks slightly legitimate only to find it is a scam. The front looks like they are tax/government documents. It is not in an envelope, but has those edges that you tear off on three sides. Here is what the front looks like, and below that is what it says on the inside:

front of US Airline notice

PLEASE READ ENTIRE DOCUMENT CAREFULLY–

“Dear XXXXXX,

Enclosed is your airline ticket voucher. This voucher is good for a certificate for 2 round trip airline tickets to anywhere in the continental US from any major international US airport.

This voucher must be certified to be valid.

We have been tasked with notifying you of this award. We have attempted contacting you several times. Note that this aware must be claimed by July 3rd, 2012.

If you do not claim your award, it will be transferred to the alternate. This is a limited time offer and can be withdrawn at any time. Flights fill quickly.

This will be your last chance to respond.

Please reference your claim number xx-xxxx.

Note: This is not a timeshare or land sales offer.

Sincerely,

Awards Department

As with the Mortgage Auditing Consumer Services letter we received, and that I wrote about a few months ago, this is just another way to scam people. I still fear that those that are most effected are the elderly. Plus I think what is additionally confusing is that in the top left it says “US Airlines” – which I think makes people think of “US Airways” or “United Airlines” which makes it seem more legitimate. US Airlines is not an airline, it does not exist.

Please companies, stop the junk mail, stop the scams. Can we just get back to honesty and integrity? Why do we have to work so hard these days to determine if what we receive (paper mail or email) is legitimate?

40 Years of Title IX

Posted by random olio

1972. It should be called the year of the woman. The first woman to run the Boston Marathon, Ms. magazine launches, and legislation passed for Title IX. Tomorrow, June 23rd, marks the day, 40 years ago when a law was passed that created equal access to sports for girls.

I was not always active in sports growing up. I ran cross country in middle school, and played softball in high school. I was also a cheerleader in high school, but I was never a hard core athlete. I do more now then I ever did as a kid. However, without Title IX, I might not have even had those opportunities.

middle school cross country meet

Think of all the badass women athletes that would not be where they are today if Title IX had not been passed as legislation? Famous athletes, your best friend, or your next door neighbor. Check out this montage of photos being collected, honoring 40 years since Title IX. It is called: The Power of IX – a photo project, and it is quite inspiring!

Thank you, 1972, for being the year that pushed the envelope for women’s rights.

Happy Friday!