The Olympics: Taboo at our House

If you see Frank, don’t mention the Olympics. There are two reasons for this:

1. He’s likely to get inspired and show you his photos from his trip to China in 2005. They are amazing pictures. 572 amazing pictures.

2. He doesn’t understand why people watch. He says of people who get excited about the Games, “They don’t follow swimming for four years and then suddenly, they’re all into swimming? And track and field? And gymnastics? It doesn’t make sense! And they know all the lingo!” He goes on and on. In fact, it’s such a soap box I end up saying, “Hey, can we look at your pictures from China again?

But then last night he stayed up later than usual, hoping to watch the women’s beach volleyball. He’s a big fan of Team May-Treanor/Walsh. It was on too late so he didn’t catch it. This morning when he turned on the news he said, “I hope they don’t give away who won the women’s volleyball!”

So in the final days of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, a young man caught the spirit. He must have been feeling patriotic and moved by the dedication of the athletes. Or maybe he just likes their teeny-tiny volleyball outfits.