petr northug... what a guy

Petr Northug, is the best cross country skiier in the world. He is a Norwegian guy that has been known to be obnoxious, a braggert. Today he is racing 50k's, or 30 miles, on soft wet snow. It is too warm, conditions are not perfect. He will have to pace himself, or he will use too much energy much too soon.
Northug is comfortable in the back of the first pack, and smart. He grabs the draft from skiiers around him, and saves himself for the last 100 or so yards. And he did so in this race, a fantastic sprint past the German guy nearby, the Swede and the Estonian, number 24, who saves himself for this one race a year. This will not be his year. The German is in the lead. Northug pumps his arms faster and faster. All of a sudden he is past his opponent, with 20 yards to go, so close that he can spit on the line.
He won the Gold for Norway, he is all he says he is, that good. I was waiting for him to brag, but he didn't, so I will brag for him. He is as good as he says he is.
We have a nordic ski exercise machine upstairs in our attic, the same motion used by the Olympic racers, well sort of. I was inspired to put some music on and try and race/exercise to 3 songs, my limit so far. Got a ways to go. But I did get inspired for that one day and I think I will try it again today. Who knows, maybe I will work myself up to an entire side of an album.

1980: Classic Year for Movies

When I look back on the year 1980, I think of a loser in 9th grade with a bad haircut and the daily pain and humiliation of being in high school. And I also think of great comedies.
1980 year was a bellwether year for comedies, including all-time classics like CaddyShack, Blues Brothers, and Airplane. More to come.

Feb Madness in Vancouver

Bode Miller goes for his fourth medal tonight. I have enjoyed watching the Olympics this year. Saw Ohno get disqualified last night -- bad break for him. I don't really have much to say, but thought I would throw up a post in February before the month is out.
This is usually the worst month for sports because football is over and the NBA is at mid season break, so things kind of slow down. Sam with college basketball. The Olympics has been a good diversion to get us from the Soup Bowl to March Madness.
March Madness begins soon, looking forward to that., If you had asked me a week ago or so ago if Uconn would be in the tourney, I would have said no. But now, after wins over two top 10 teams, Villanova and West Virginia, my Magic 8 Ball says Prognosis: Good. If they beat Louisville tomorrow, I think they are in -- given that they'll have 18 wins, finished strong, and have beaten a lot of good teams. Well, they have to win at least one game in the Big East Tourney --two would be nice, but they definitely have to win 1. If they do, they'll be up near 20 wins and I think that would be good enough.
Once they're in -- who knows. They are good enough to beat just about anybody.