Quote of the day, from Andrew Sullivan:
“I’m happy to say that Proposition 2 passed, providing minimal humane protections for pigs, chickens and other farm animals. How odd for people to restrict cruelty for animals and simultaneously inflict it on some humans.”
So, apparently Hank Williams Jr. performed at the McCain Election Night thing.
Didn’t the people who booked him know that the man’s a terrorist?
I mean, the dude blows up football stadium roofs like 16, 17 times a year! He always seems to strike on Mondays, so be vigilant, America!
You’d think after that whole Ayers thing, they’d have been more careful.
A lot of the media (as well as John McCain, in his concession speech) have been putting so much emphasis on race as they’ve talked about this win. In my mind, this isn’t about race, glass ceilings, or any of that bullshit. This is about the people of this country taking politics back from the politicians. People got involved, and they cared, and they worked hard. Not because they knew it’d be easy, either. Those of us who believed in Barack Obama, or just didn’t like the direction the Republicans have taken this country in were all pretty sure it would be damn hard to win this thing. There was no frontrunning here, and pretty much until the last second, we’ve been on pins and needles because of the dubious nature of the last 2 Presidential elections. Until the major news agencies called the election for Obama, no one really believed it would happen, but we all hoped. What has been a very cynical world rediscovered hope during the course of this election. Let’s try to keep that with us, as we move forward.
In the past, I’ve certainly advocated voting however you like, and I’ve done so myself. Third party candidates, write-ins, dowhutchalike. However, this time, when a great many of us, even the ones who don’t like Obama (at the moment, I think he’s awesome; your mileage may vary, and so might mine once I see what he does), REALLY don’t want the Republican Party to have the ability to make 4 more years of shit run downhill, and when it’s beyond obvious that the independent parties have no fucking shot in hell of winning the Presidency, voting for an independent party Presidential candidate is a really selfish, foolhardy thing to do. That said, you’re more than welcome to do it, but if you do, accept that you’re being really selfish, foolhardy and counterproductive toward your party’s interests this time rather than putting yourself on some pious, self-righteous pedestal. I’m not saying it isn’t your perogative, but let’s call a spade a spade here and at least exercise some self-honesty If you’re going to do it, folks.
If you’re really serious about breaking the two party system, vote for Obama today (because a loss for the Republicans could fracture that party), along any of your party of choice’s LOCAL candidates, and tomorrow, contact that party and start working for them. Volunteer your time to them, volunteer to run for very local offices for them next year if you feel comfortable and competent doing so, and take an active role in the political process. In the past, I’ve looked into doing so (for the Libertarian Party, at the time), and while I opted not to further involve myself after some more soul-searching on their positions (noble in a lot of ways, but not tremendously realistic within the boundaries of human nature), I can tell you that, from what I saw, smaller political parties can really use all the help they can get. If you want to give it to them (and by them, I mean any political party; I was just using the Libertarians as an example of my first-hand experience), don’t vote for their Presidential candidate today. Shift the momentum away from the Republicans, deal another blow to the two-party system, and volunteer your time and energy to the party of your conscience tomorrow.
Marathon web site | Watch Live In U.S. (3 feeds! Main Feed, Elite Mens’ Pack, Elite Womens’ Pack)
Watch Live Internationally (Definitely free!) | Elite Men Bios | Elite Women Bios
Elite Wheeler Bios | My Quick n’ Dirty Pre-Game Analysis
Well, hi hi hi there, sports fans! It’s time for one of my favorite days of the year, Marathon Day! Ideally, I’m gonna need someone to handle the coverage for this next year (and/or be equipped to do live updates as I’m in the race) but for at least this year, I’m in the commentator’s seat as usual, bringing you the New York City Marathon coverage that hopefully you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing it.
The forecast in New York is absolutely perfect for long-distance running, a partly sunny day with a high of 54 degrees Fahrenheit (or 12 degrees Celsius, to you folks who don’t live in a country where people believe Jesus rode dinosaurs), so we could see some terrific performances today. Admittedly, there may be some weirdness because we’re used to the time change from Daylight to Standard time happening the week before the race, but hopefully runners will just get an extra hour’s rest out of that and not be thrown off by it.
A few late notes about the competitors, mostly gleaned from the NBC marathon page linked above: this is Paul Tergat’s first marathon back, as he took a year and a half off from the distance after London 2007, so it should be interesting to see how the layoff affected him; most of what I’m reading seems to think that it could be Abderrahim Goumri’s day (Runner’s World seem to be sticking with his story in a lot of the pre-race hype, as is NBC); there are a lot of American runners at on the outskirts of the elite packs of both men and women, some young, new names and faces, and it’ll be interesting to see how they fare; and, for those of you who follow which celebrities do the race, no Lance Armstrong this year (he’s training for the Tour de France again, and I guess 2 New Yorks and a Boston were enough for him for now), and I don’t think we’ll see Katie Holmes try it with her Broadway run ongoing, but Beth Ostrosky (apparently a supermodel, though I don’t really live in that world, kinda cute in that Christie Brinkley sorta way, and running for North Shore Animal League, which is a great cause…oh, hey, and she’s Howard Stern’s wife, too, as of a month ago! I knew the name sounded a little familiar, but couldn’t place why…) and U.S. Womens’ Soccer champ Brandy Chastain are both running their first marathon tomorrow. There’s probably more celebs in the pack, and they’ll be ferreted out over the course of the race.
NBC’s extended coverage, going over some of the stories of the runners, has just begun, so pull up a comfortable chair and settle in. The RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN is on its way, folks!
8:18 AM: NBC broke for “Meet The Press”, and after about 5 minutes of listening to Fred Thompson out-and-out lie to the audience, I broke, too. TV goes back on at 9!
9:10 AM: OK, we’re underway! Elite women start in 10 minutes, elite men at 9:40 or so. Gorgeous running day in the city. Kerri Strug running with Brandi Chastain today, her 4th time running New York. Experts like Radcliffe just a bit more than Wami for the win. Time for the Elite Women!
9:15 AM: At the starting line now…Wami looks like she’s on a mission today. OK, folks…time for the first shout of the day…RUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!! Radcliffe’s at the head of the pack, with American Kara Goucher right behind her on the uphill stretch of the Narrows, and we’re at our first break.
9:20 AM: back from break, and installing the Windows Media plug-in so I can give the live net feeds (yes, they’re free!) a shot, ugh. Man, NBC LOVES Radcliffe.
9:25 AM: Some explanation of the World Marathon Majors series going on right now. Gete Wami and Ndreba are both in play for the grand prize on that. Got that friggin’ Windows Media plug-in installed now, for those wondering, the feed is about 2 minutes behind television right now, but it does work, if your plugins are playing nice. And another break. Sneaking them all in while they’ve only got 30 women running on a bridge.
9:30 AM: Back from break, and the ladies are in Brooklyn, starting to stretch out the pack a bit. Kara Goucher’s still in 2nd, and it’s gonna be really interesting to see how long she stays there. Also: wait, there are wheelers on the course already? They didn’t show the wheeler start? Bad form, NBC! Where the bejeezus is Kurt Fearnley? The Masses are lining up, and hey, now we’re talking about the wheelers. I’m wondering whether they started and are working from tape or not on this. Yep, they went from tape, at 8:35 (damn Meet The Press). Fearnley’s in the mens’ lead, I think they’re pretty deep in, 56 minutes in fact.
9:33 AM: Mike Bloomberg at the starting line, talking about toilets! This is why I tune in!
9:35 AM: …and we’re back! The elite pack is down to 10. Radcliffe is in the lead, with Goucher and Wami right there behind her. Trying to get a bead on the rest of the elite pack, let me check the ‘net feeds after they run through the elite men’s pack. They like Goumri.
9:40 AM: OK, folks, time for the Elite Mens’ pack. Tergat looks really happy to be here. Gomes dos Santos still looks scared of him. Goumri looks confident. None of the pack really stands out as looking great at the gate, though. Abdirahman getting a lot of attention from the announce team, too. National Anthem being sung by an “America’s Got Talent” winner. Big dude! Nice tenor, though! It’s almost time, folks…oh, before I forget, since NBC cockblocked me earlier on the wheelers…WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL!!!!!!!!!!!11111
And, now, it’s time for what you all wait for me to say…
RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9:48 AM: Women are in mile 6. Lemme flip over to that feed and get you that data….hot damn, while I’ve been waiting for it to load, Kara Goucher pulled into the lead, but missed her bottle (which apparently has a skull and crossbones on it) at the water table! Wami in 2nd now, Radcliffe in 3rd.
9:55 AM: Wow, what a bad U2 cover.
10 AM: Can we stop with the video packages and actually show some running, NBC? It’s like they’ve replaced the New York team with the Boston one. Mens’ pack is headed by an American, get that name for you in a sec. Hey, Kurt Fearnley again! He looks tired, but he’s like 3 miles ahead of the rest of the universe, as expected.
10:05 AM: Problem with the ‘net feeds: none of them have a graphic on them denoting who’s in what place. 5 Borough Challenge finally gets mentioned, and it’s apparently all women this year, working moms!
Having REAL problems with the lack of good leaderboard graphics in the coverage this year, the TV feed sucks for it, too.
10:10 AM: The Elite Womens’ pack are at about a 2:27 pace, still Paula and Kara in the lead. Miles are getting quicker, 5:25 pace over the last mile. Ramaala’s taken the mens’ lead and he’s stretching the pack a bit at mile 6! No sign of Goumri or Tergat in the camera view. Wheelers finish after yet another commercial break.
10:16 AM: Abdirahman has swapped spots with Ramaala now. He is MOTORING. Here’s Kurt Fearnley in Central Park! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLL!!!!!! 1 mile to go for him. Where the hell are the womens’ wheelers? Sloppy. Women at mile 12 about to get out of punkass Williamsburg and go to Queens. Men at mile 6, Abdirahman thinks he’s Usain Bolt right now, and it could end up screwing him later.
10:20 AM: Kurt Fearnley just coasting now. He should pop a wheelie across the finish line. He’s got this thing so pwn3d. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLL!!!!!! 1:44:51 finish! Rough numbers for him, but he just dominated. Nearest competitor is 2 minutes (originally I typed “years”) back. Congrats to the baddest man on the planet!
10:23 AM: Mens’ pack is about 16 at mile 8, lots of movement in it. Women are at the halfway mark, and Kara Goucher’s in the lead now, strying to stretch Radcliffe and the rest. Commentators have finally mentioned Goumri, who’s doing a conservative early race. Also: live sound for this race is a mess, too. they’ve got the mics, and 2 races in split screen with the bands leaking in. It’s rough. Who’s directing this thing?
10:29 AM: Women are on the Pulaski Bridge, Radcliffe in the lead, Wami, Goucher, Petrova’s actually in there, Tune, and Jeptoo. Ndereba is in 7th, but they’re putting her behind them. Mile 14 now. Men at Mile 9.
10:31 AM: Men are switching positions A LOT. Is that Gomes dos Santos in the lead? Rad! Tergat’s in the pack.
10:33 AM: Kirui, Rono, Tergat Abdirahman, Ramaala, Gomes dos Santos, Goumri in the mens’ pack. Edith Hunkeler finally makes it onto TV, 93 minutes into the race. How nice. She’s also blown out the wheeler race, in Central Park now. Hopefully they’ll actually finish commercials before she crosses the finish line. Not in love with the direction this year at all.
10:37 AM: The women are on the 59th St. Bridge now. That was fast. Radcliffe, Goucher, Petrova, Wami, Tune, and Jeptoo in the 2nd pack now. Dead silent on the bridge. Gonna be loud on 1st Ave.
10:43 AM: Men 5 miles behind the women at mile 11, still a chaotic pack, pretty big. Women about to hit the wall of sound, on the downhill. Man, that bridge is a piece of crap. Hunkeler on the camera, just about to finish the race. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLL!!!!!! 2:06:41 for her! Congrats! They’re actually getting her on the mic, which is nice, considering that Fearnley got ignored. Definitely a downer to see the wheelers get such little coverage. Women on 1st Ave. now, and here comes the noise.
10:47 AM: Women at Mile 17, Men at Mile 12. Petrova, if she sticks with the pack, has a chance to hit the womens’ over-40 world record. She’s also got a crazy bleached-blonde buzzcut and scares me. Mens’ pack is still basically the same as they finish up Brooklyn. The amount of commercials on this broadcast is astounding.
10:51 AM: Radcliffe’s bobbing her head. No jokes, please. Nah, she does this every year. The women are starting to labor a little. Wami and Goucher look the best of the 5, I think. Men are heading up to the Pulaski, and hey, look who it is! Goumri!
10:53 AM: It’s Goumri, Gomes, Tergat and Kirui from what I can see right now, mens’ pack is splitting up a little, though. Ramaala with them.
10:58 AM: Abdirahman, as everyone predicted, hurt his pace with that show at Mile 6. Womens’ race just hit a 5:21 mile, mens’ pack was 4:41 in the last mile. Goucher at the back of the womens’ lead pack now. Radcliffe and Petrova leading, Tune, Wami, Goucher behind ‘em. Mile 19. Wami starting to stuff her a little. Gaps in the womens’ pack emerging. Over on the mens’ side, Kirui in the lead now. Mens’ race has been total chaos so far.
11:07 AM: Sorry. Needed a salad. And, while I was making it, Radcliffe and Petrova have distanced themselves at mile 21.
11:11 AM: Radcliffe stretching the last 2 standing, Petrova and Goucher, at mile 22. Goucher about 15 seconds back, looking like she’s getting her second wind. Wami and Tune are gonzo.
11:17 AM: Radcliffe has smoked everyone. Gomes dos Santos is leading the men! Let’s get a look at that facial expression! It’s him, Goumri, Tergat and….the other guy, lemme get a name! Never mind. They’re out. It’s just Gomes dos Santos and Goumri now! This could be GOOD.
11:24 AM: If I were to pick it right now in the mens’ race, I’d have to go with the most nervous man on Earth, Marilson Gomes dos Santos. He looks slightly less nervous this time, because he’s not facing Paul Tergat in his prime, and his stride is really something to behold. He’s got longer legs than Goumri, and I think that’s going to be the difference, provided that nothing weird happens. Womens’ race? Duh. The only question at this point is how far behind Radcliffe the silver and bronze will be, and who they’ll end up being. Can anyone in the pack catch Petrova or Goucher? Which one of them will pull ahead if not?
11:28: Goumri’s pressing and has passed Gomes dos Santos! Whoa there! It ain’t over, motherfuckers! The muthafuckin’ saga continues! They’re on the Willis Ave. Bridge coming back into Manhattan, 5 miles to go. Radcliffe’s got a mile to go, still bobbing her head. God bless ‘er. Goumri’s stretching his distance! Hey, Goucher is surging and trying to catch Petrova! We’ve got ourselves some races here!
RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11:32 AM: Radcliffe at mile 26, just about to cross the line, 5:13 mile to wrap up! RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goumri’s givin’r! I may have spoken too soon, folks!
Paula, can you hurry up and win so we can get out of split screen already?
11:36 AM: I’m just kiddin’, folks, she’s putting on a clinic here and it’s great to see. She’s coming around Columbus Circle!
RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paula Radcliffe wins the womens’ prize in the NYC Marathon, with a 2:23:55 time! Damn, she can haul. Congrats to her!
11:39: Petrova still in 2nd! She’s gonna take it! She’s a scary woman, and she’s got a world record for the girls of 40+! Goucher finishes in 3rd, with the best American womens’ debut ever! First American to make the podium in 14 years! 2:25:43 for Petrova, about 10 seconds behind for Goucher! Gutsy performances from both ladies!
11:40 AM: Goumri’s got about 10 seconds over Gomes dos Santos after Columbus Circle, and finally, NBC gets to one of our favorite parts…the other guys!
11:47 AM: Kara Goucher’s hurtin’, in a lot of different ways.
Goumri’s keepin’ on keepin’ on. I jumped the gun on Gomes, as Goumri was sitting on some energy when I made my prediction. About a mile and change left there. Gomes does look really strong still, so it’s not TOTALLY over.
11:49 AM: Gomes dos Santos DID have some more in the tank (he still looks pretty scared, though!), and Goumri looks like he’s hitting the wall! He’s swapped positions entirely now, has about 5-10 seconds on Goumri now! They’re in mile 26! Where is Goumri? He’s way back there now!
RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marilson Gomes dos Santos pulls ahead to make me look like a genius, and wins the New York City Marathon for the second time with a time of 2:08:43! Goumri gets to be the bridesmaid again, with a 2:09:08. Poor bastard. He’s gonna win one in time, as he’s got a lot of running ahead of him in his career. Congrats to both guys!
11:55 AM: Daniel Rono takes 3rd, 2:11:22, and amazingly, there are NO Kenyans on the podium!
11:58 AM: Abdi Abdirahman finished 6th as the first US mens’ finisher, which is still a good effort considering how he faded in the middle. 2 more Americans in the top 10 after him.
12:02 PM: Interview with Radcliffe. She gives a shoutout to Grete Waitz, and then sneezes! God bless her.
12:11 PM: Finally, the other people! Rod Dixon, 1983 winner, is running with his daughter, and actually getting to enjoy himself this time, pretty awesome.
Gomes dos Santos being interviewed at the finish line. He’s like “I wasn’t scared”. OK, not really.
Paul Tergat finished 4th after a year and a half layoff, by the way.
12:22 PM: And again, we go to the pack, who are on 1st Ave. now!
RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A Special Forces guy who lost his sight in a mortar attack is being interviewed. He’s running with a guide, 26.2 miles though New York, blind. Unbelievable.
Womens’ awards ceremony happening now. Bloomberg on again, I wonder if he’ll mention the crappers again? Nope, he’s behaving. Hey, Grete’s there! Awesome.
Kid being interviewed right now, hilarious. “I’m very very tired. Don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t far! It’s a really long distance!” and now, he’s proposing to his girlfriend! SHE SAID YES, PEOPLE
12:28 PM: Mens’ award ceremony now. Poor Goumri. He’ll get ‘em next year! I can’t believe Gomes dos Santos won again! He looked like such a fluke in ’06, and he’s still such an odd runner in his pacing, totally unpredictable.
12:38 PM: they found the Notre Dame runners, who are running as a group to honor their teammate Ryan Shay, who died in the Olympic Trials on Marathon weekend last year. Man, it takes some stones to be able to run, do an interview about a friend you lost, and be able to chant his name LOUDLY while doing all that. Those are some tough guys.
The lady from Queens is winning the 5 Borough Challenge, which is just about forgotten this year. I guess they needed to fit in more commercials.
12:50 PM: RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aaaaaaaaaaand another video package. They’re not doing very much to keep viewers in the race.
Kerri Strug’s wearing an iPod in New York! That’s not very safe! And, of course, when they catch up to Brandy Chastain, they have to ask her if she’s gonna put ‘em on the glass or whatever. Poor woman’s never gonna live that down.
And now, Grete Waitz! We love Grete.
1 PM: World Marathon Majors ended in a tie for the women, between Irina Mikitenko and Gete Wami. The committee is going to put it to a vote in about a half hour. Interviewing Mikitenko (who didn’t run today, and sat in the stands) right now. Wow, can someone really come off as bitchy through a translator? Go Gete!
And ANOTHER video package. Get some reporters out on the course and interview the regular people, for fuck’s sake!
Wow. They just interviewed a lady named Debbie McGee who is running the marathon today with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She’s run 4 marathons since her diagnosis, and she knows that this one is going to be her last. I lost my grandfather to ALS when I was 5, and knowing what it did to him, I cannot even imagine what she must be going through out there. That one hit REALLY close to home.
1:10 PM: They’re finally doing the video package (heh) about the Five Borough Challenge now, with less than an hour to on live coverage. Oh man, the Staten Island entrant is REALLY Staten Island. Susan Moore of Queens won, by the way, at about 2:57-ish.
1:20 PM: Lornah Kiplagat’s on right now. She didn’t run this year (she’s been doing half-marathons lately), but she’s there promoting her foundation, which helps pay to send Kenyan students to Ivy League colleges. Admirable goal, and the girl she had with her that’s going to Columbia University was incredibly well-spoken. It’s great to see people get chances they might not otherwise.
1:33 PM: Hmmm, still no JSRC sightings with a half hour to go.
1:38 PM: Wow, this guy from Foot Locker…not much of a talker.
1:40 PM: Ryan Reynolds just finished. Good on him. Now, if only he or his wife could act.
1:50 PM: Mayor’s Cup won by the Firemen this year. Just about ready to wrap it up over here.
2:00 PM: To close, I think I’m just about done watching this on TV for a while., and it probably showed a bit in my last hour, almost as much as it did in NBC’s, but unlike them, I apologize if it dragged a bit at the end. They really didn’t set the world on fire with their coverage, though there were some flashes of the work they’re capable of.
As far as the race went, no surprises in the womens’ or wheelers’ races (though you really had to squint hard to even see the wheelers), but great performances from the frontrunners in chillier, windier conditions than people were expecting. The mens’ race was a very different animal than we’re used to, perhaps owing to the colder temperatures as well, but had an exciting finish and it was cool to see Gomes dos Santos vindicate himself like he did.
All in all, though, as I said months ago, I think it’s time to stop watching the television, and go out there and experience this.
Next year.
Thanks for indulging me for the 8th straight year, in the meantime, and stay tuned. =)
Presenting the “If Elected, Barack Obama Will Buy Us All Ponies!” Facebook group.
Yeah, I’m as ashamed to know myself as you are to know me right now.
…his first act won’t be, but should be the abolition of the RIAA, SoundExchange, the Harry Fox Agency, ASCAP, BMI, and any other “performer’s rights” organization (translated: money grubber) who, chief among their many, many sins, have driven countless shitty, soul-sucking companies to adopt even shittier, more soul-sucking royalty-free “smooth jazz” hold music.
I swear to fucking Christ, if I hear that stupid F#/D#/C# saxophone line that these subhuman swine have been ripping off from the score to “Romancing The Stone” for the past 25 years ONE MORE TIME, it’s all over, Jack.
Now, granted, there could be a lot of reasons why this dynamic exists beyond the people who supposedly “protect my rights as a performer” by rolling my audience for money to the point where they can’t actually afford to hear decent music performed, or even mine, anywhere. You could blame the companies who cut costs and choose this particular type of music because it’s cheap and allegedly inoffensive (though I’ve never heard anyone say “you know, I love that place’s hold music”, particularly in cases where they go with the “smooth jazz” dynamic). You could even infer that some of these companies can totally afford to have real music on their systems, but choose not to, because they WANT something shitty and soul-sucking that will encourage people to hang up in frustration if they hear it for too long. And, not to leave the “artists” out of the mix, you could suggest that we just lynch the musicians who either churn this crap out for a paycheck, or do it because, god forbid, they LIKE composing music for agonizing wait times, dentists’ offices and commercials for hard-on pills and cruise lines (which are slowly becoming one and the same; eventually, they’re not gonna let you on a cruise ship if you’re a guy and your dick still works).
I’m going to opt for the easy target that everyone else goes after here, instead (despite being really tired of doing so), because they’ve done more to create and nurture an environment where shit not only floats but also runs downhill than any of the other culprits. Without a world where even instrumental Muzak versions of the standards are too expensive to irritate your customers with, most of these sad, embittered combover Berklee rejects Who Would Be Sanborn wouldn’t have a market for their “art”.
So, Mr. Obama, if you do get elected, and I hope you do, please, even before you bring back the old Facebook, get rid of these awful, awful organizations. Oh, and tax Metallica double on everything.
