Friday free associating.

I have no cohesive thoughts today. This happens a lot. But it is particularly bad today. So how's about we just do some free associating?

I am currently knee deep in English history and enjoying it very much. On CD I have Alison Weir's comprehensive and somewhat academic Queen Isabella (that's right, I'm STILL working on it--it's 18 CDs long for the love of pete!), while in book form I have Leslie Carroll's Royal Affairs: A Lusty Romp through the Extramarital Adventures that Rocked the British Monarchy, which, as you can probably tell from the title, is not as academic. Further bulletins as events warrant.

Also, remember when we discussed the Rust Belt and dying cities? There's an interesting article on Yahoo today about that. Sad, but intereresting.

Last but not least, the Olympics have started, and I could care less. I can summon some enthusiasm for the Winter Olympics, as I am a winter gal, but the Summer Olympics? Swimming, track and field, basketball? None of those things do anything for me. If you too will be looking for something to do other than watch the Olympics, might I suggest Tony Perrottet's very fun The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Ancient Games. And also? You should all have a very good weekend. I'm off to learn more about the lusty romps of British royalty.

Comments

[Brandon]

I don't give a damn about the Olympics, either. Most of the athletes are doping anyway.

[Citizen Reader]

Right on, Brandon. Of course, by that reasoning, there's not many other sports we can watch either.

My favorite is Dara Torres: "Why would I present myself for doping testing if I was doping?" "Gee, I don't know, Mr. Torres, maybe so you could control the timing of whatever's in your blood/urine stream? Got any other answers for us?"

[Venta]

When it's the summer Olympics, I always think of this Simpson episode:

Officer: Give up, Mr. Simpson! We know you have the Olympic torch.

Marge: For God's sakes Homer, give them back their flame.

Homer: No! The Olympics have pre-empted my favorite shows for
the last time.

Bart: You can always find your favorite shows next month.

Homer: *You* wait 'till next month! *You* wait 'till next month!

Marge: [exasperated] Every four years ...

[lolly]

After seeing that the Isabella book is read by one of my favorite audiobook performers, I added it to my list straightaway. I haven't read any of Weir's books, but I am have heard so much about them.

[Citizen Reader]

Venta,
Tee hee. That is EXACTLY the way I feel about the Olympics. And this year it's even more depressing because Bob Costas, who never ages, is aging. Not much but still. More of a mortality reminder than I need!

Lolly,
I like the Allison Weir books for their sheer breathtaking amount of historical information, but they are long. And DETAILED. Holy cow. I hope you like it though! (This Queen Isabella one is very good; I'm enjoying it more than I enjoyed Weir's Eleanor of Aquitaine, for some reason).

[Hate]

Someone should start up the all-drug olympics. Of course when their times are no better than the regular olympics, people might get suspicious. Ok, in the name of world harmony and competition, everyone load up on every thing you can possibly fit in your veins. Then everybody else, you watch the drug induced freaks pretend they all aren't on drugs, and be amazed by their performances. I hate Bob Costas and the olympics. Hate hate hate.