This collection of entries is from August 19, 2004.
THEME
The Reality TV website Reality Blurred: The Reality TV Weblog is reporting that not only is Amazing Race 6 currently in production, but a team was actually seen here in Chicago last week!!!
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A team that was likely part of The Amazing Race 6, which is taping this month, was spotted in Chicago on Friday. As the show typically concludes in the US, and since it's late in the month, that suggests Chicago is either the final destination or a stopover in on the way to the final city in the US. Mike in Chicago writes:
Looks like TAR 6 may end in Chicago. On Friday Aug 13, I saw them running down Adams St, towards the Sears tower. ... I saw a team of 2 females, with a camera crew of two (one camera, one mic guy). The girls had on their fanny packs with the yellow/red marker/flag on them. It was about a second after they passed me by that I realized they were Amazing Race people.
Based on when TAR 6 airs, this is likely the end of the race, not the start. Unless Chicago is the first stop back in the USA, before they go to the final US city. Either way, looks like Chicago is part of the final TAR 6 episode!
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OK, the Olympics have been on for less than a week, and I have even said a peep about them.
Opening Ceremonies: The Olympics meet Cirque du Soleil. I really enjoyed it. I thought the cauldron looked like a huge Bic lighter that tilted to be lit. Cool.
Greece itself: Beautiful. Gorgeous. Would like to go, but never will. When looking at the cities, towns, villages it's just beautiful. When you look at the venues - they're stark, without any landscaping (ran out of time?) and look hot and uninviting.
Swimming events: best use of electronic effect technology showing the flag of the swimmer at the bottom of each lane, and the use of the World Record line when it looks like the lead swimmer is close.
Fencing: I was lucky to go to a high school that had a fencing team and was fascinated with it back then and fascinated now. Glad to see that the electronics have advanced so the fencers don't have to be hard-wired to the scoring equipment. Love this event.
Women's Weightlifting: These women are small and not what I expected to see. One woman was introduced at being 5' 5" - "one of the tallest in the games"
Cheerleaders/dancers and Beach Volleyball? Why? This is the Olympics - how do they add to the athlete's performance? Then again, I'm just writing-off Beach Volleyball as the Snowboarding of the Summer Games - just another viewer-grab and the Gen X-er/extreme games people.
Doubles Table Tennis: First, these tables look a hell of a lot smaller than what I'm used to seeing in people's basements and rec rooms. Then seeing 2 huge guys on each side of one of these little tables just looks... odd.
Badminton: The Curling of the Summer Games - a game that looks like anyone can participate in.
Field Hockey: Somehow, I don't remember the sticks resembling a hook than a hockey stick. But, it's just so... cool... seeing all the pretty girls in their skirts...
Womens Softball: Wow wow o woweewow... I never would have imaged that the US Women have gotten this far without giving up a single run! These women are remarkable. Saw a piece on a doctor here in Chicago that worked with the team to increase the speed of their eye movement. He did this by shooting tennis balls at them that have colored numbers on them at 120 mph while they stood in the batters box. The object was to call out the color and number of each ball and try to put the bat on the ball. The result is that that the batters can see a softball rotation and movement quicker and easier. I know some Major League Baseball teams that could use this guy's help...
Canoeing: When did Kayaking change names to Canoeing?
Gymnastics: Are we really that good?
Basketball: We suck. What an embarassment. I blame the whole "punk" influance of the current NBA "stars".
Synchronized Diving: Way cooler than it sounds. Oh, and that "drop camera" that they use to shoot diving is one of the best views of any of the sports I've seen.
Water Polo: looks like hell to play