(Clearly I’m still in Olympic fever, as a posting disclaimer.)
Sometimes the NY Times reads my mind (is this what they’re paid for–to report the musings of its readers? wait, that’s probably the point, eh..). Watching all the determination it takes to be the world’s best beach volleyball duo or fresh gymnastics champion, I have my envy. To have such a narrow focus of “eat, sleep, train,” and a specific event to shoot for (olympics, NBA Finals, whathaveyou), it must feel like your life has such purpose. Purpose you tangibly feel standing on the medals podium or sinking that last winning basket of the game. Don’t we all want this sense of reason?
But then…after? When I start over-envying these hardcore athletes, I tell myself it’s alright even if I don’t have a medal and I can’t define myself as existing for one thing (diving! badmintoning!). Because I’m a dabbler. Even if this blog’s single focus has mostly been olympics thus far, yeah, I think about (and do) plenty of other things. In high school, I was the daughter my mother could always count on to have a new passion or be fighting for some new cause every few months or so. I don’t get bored. I also don’t have a room of trophies. It’s alright though, because I figure, I won’t wake up when the olympics are over thinking to myself, “What Now? This thing I’ve defined myself through until this point just shut its gilded doors of reality on me. Awwww shit.” (I may, however, wake up on Monday though wondering what other ten minutes of TV a day can capture such attention from me.)
So I can just feel badly for them…post-traumatic olympic hangover stress, or lack thereof (wow all these olympic-drinking metaphors, maybe they should make that a sport next time around). This week I’m still on the swimming (thanks, Mr. Boot!), but I got to re-start pilates again. Maybe next week I’ll pick up the guitar I’ve been eyeing, or think of a blog topic that isn’t about the olympics… The world is my funtastic oyster! Plus, I don’t like getting pruney from swimming too much. I’m too young and beautiful for such things.
