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shadowkat1. Olympics
Watching Break Dancing on the Olympics via Peacock replay, because I missed it this afternoon, thinking it was just basketball. Note, this is the first time ever that Breaking is an Olympic Event - it was added this year. (I'm not watching anything with a ball in it. I see that all the time. I'm watching the stuff I don't see.) France is going to the finals, with the US in the bronze round. But dear god, Japan and Canada are excellent. They are both Asian. Their moves are blowing me away. (Apparently Canada, France and US won? Can't remember, will find out soon. ETA: yup, USA got bronze in first ever Breaking competition. ) In the Women's? It was Japan and the Lithusania and China - less exciting. They have nothing on the men, sorry.
So far? I've seen:
* Tae KwonDo - the women, and it is boring. It was basically two people kicking their left legs at each other, until one gets bored and makes contact, they wrestle. Break apart. Reminds me of the fencing - which is also two people jumping to each other and apart, and poking their swords and backing away, until one gets bored and lunges (they usually lose not always but usually).
* Pentathlon - Women's - also, boring. This includes riding, swimming, shooting, running, fencing...
"fencing (one-touch épée), freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, laser pistol shooting, and cross country running. Equestrian will be replaced by a form of obstacle course racing after the 2024 Summer Olympics." [Makes sense, the jumping kind of isolates it to rich folks, although so does fencing and shooting.]
I was bored. So too was the audience, which was packed and couldn't really see anything. It was almost two hours of watching 18 people do equesterian jumping. Couldn't see the shooting, the fencing (see above), and the swimming - was kind of anti-climatic. I gave up.
* Breaking - after watching the gymnastics and diving, and pole vault, I'm unimpressed. Just basically people spinning themselves on the floor and doing lots of spins, I'm amazed they don't get dizzy. (I may be burned out?) And I've seen better dance? The traditional Jewish and Turkish floor dances are much harder as is the Irish. Also, once you watch the men's gymnastics - where they are basically doing break dancing moves on a pommel horse - and damn those flips on the mats? Breaking seems kind of ...there? Wales who adores hip hop and breaking - loved it and thought it was awesome. Mother, like myself, was unimpressed. (She spoiled me on the male winners, but I can't remember who they were.) Also the judging makes no sense to me.
And, I've seen better break dancing and heard better music with it - it was invented in the 1970s in the Bronx, and the star of many movies in the 20th Century. Now, in the 21st, it's an Olympic event and a recognized sporting event. I can kind of see why - there's an acrobatic component.
But it feels very repetitive. And I'm admittedly not into Hip Hop (the culture, music, or dance moves. I've always felt bad about that - and tend to not tell folks that I'm not into it - so? Shhh, let's keep this just between us.)
* I may go back and watch the Decathlon. I like the track and field events, or the end of the Triathlon. Or the Rythmic Gymnastics with the ribbons (mother recommended those.)
Note? I won't watch Boxing, Wrestling or the ball games. So any suggestions outside of those are welcome.
2. I went on a long walk today to Greenwood Cemetery to bring down my blood sugar - which had skyrocketed to 300 and was going above it, after I had mini Waffles with blueberries, maple syrup and sausages. I was annoyed. So took a 2-3 mile walk, or about 6,560 steps.
At the cemetery, discovered some new improvements. They'd planted trees along the grass and sidewalk leading up to the Cemetery. And at the small chapel at the entrance was an installation from this year's in resident artist, Adam Tendler, entitled Exit Strategy.
A recipient of the Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists and described in The New York Times as “joyfully rocking out at his keyboard,” Adam Tendler is an internationally recognized interpreter of living, modern and classical composers. A pioneer of DIY culture in concert music who has commissioned and premiered major works by Christian Wolff and Devonté Hynes alike.
Tendler, who is renowned for personal, intimate performances, emphasizes his interest in exploring a work that draws from his community (his multicultural family and friends as well as the LGBTQ+ communities) and their diverse ideas about spirituality, mortality, and fate. The culmination of Tendler’s residency is a site-specific installation in the Fort Hamilton Gatehouse, Exit Strategy. His first art installation, it brings together sound, text, and found objects to explore the physical things we leave behind when we die and is open Saturdays and Sundays, 11am–4pm, June 1st through August 25th.
Pictures:
It's a conceptual art installation requiring the viewer to interact with it. In it is a piano that was left to the artist from his father, who had passed away. He stuffs it with the things those he has lost and others have, rendering it incapable of being played. And on the walls are writings from the artist and anyone who has entered the exhibit and chosen to participate - regarding people, things, etc that they are grieving the loss of. It can be anything that you are grieving. On a recording are musical compositions and the artist talking about grief. And in big letters on the walls - the words in harsh black letters, "How, When, Where".
The walls themselves are white. The only color on the writings, or in the stained glass windows of the chapel.
I sat down at one of the small tables and chairs (like those you might find in a class room or library) and took one of the pens and wrote on the small white lined tablet with shaking fingers. Trying not to cry. About my Dad.
I don't know why I chose my father out of all of the things and people I've lost and grieved. But I did.
It was oddly soothing. Cemeteries are comforting and quiet. Soothing. Or Greenwood is. It is my favorite place in NYC, a haven amidst all the hustle and bustle.
Flowers outside of the Cemetry:
And a little library...
There's little libraries on almost every street in my neighborhood, sometimes two on a street, and little pantries on almost every other street - where folks leave non-perishable items, like tea, coffee etc for their neighbors. We also have a Buy Nothing sites in our neighborhood.
3. During the walk - I finished another audio book. I'm racing through Illona Andrews' Innkeeper Series - which is a kind of sci-urban fantasy hybrid. I find it to be different than anything I've read previously. They are all "Graphic Audio Dramatizations" - which are also rather innovative in the world of audiobooks. Grapic Audio Dramatizations are adaptations of the novel with a full cast in a kind of dramatized radio play complete with music and sound effects. It's an audio book on steroids.
I love them. Particularly Illona Andrews novels - because the author is good at creating distinctive voices in her dialogue, and does great dialogue. And Andrews is good at innovative world-building, and tiny details such as food, plants, animals, creatures, etc. And her novels have a heavy anti-War, anti-violence motif by showing what it does to people.
They are a married writing team - Gordon and Illona write the books together. He provides the military and action background, she provides the rest. And they met in a creative writing course.
The Innkeeper Series is about a magical Innkeeper who runs an Inn for Universal clients, or visitors from other worlds and planets, since the Inn is a magical technological gateway to these worlds. She has a symbiotic relationship with the Inn, and her parents were Innkeepers. Her parents and their Inn disappeared when she was away at school. She has two siblings, one is hunting her parents, the other is married to a Vampire. Vampire's in the world - aren't really vampires in the way we view them. Andrews kind of creates her own version. Nor are werewolves - who are genetically enhanced. There's also foxes who are alien Merchants, and various other species. And a permanent resident of the Inn is an alien female ex-tyrant who has multiple bounties on her head, and is a cannibal and notorious killer. Andrews likes complicated characters that veer close to anti-heroes. It makes her an interesting writer - because she explores the grey areas and doesn't paint anyone as clear villains or good guys. And appears to like all her characters. Most writers in this field err in creating black and white characters or clear villains, while Illona likes to be a bit greyer.
They are violent books like most novels are in this genre, but less so than the Kate Daniels and Jim Butcher Dresden series. The setting is Texas and the Universe. And there is a romantic element, but it is not the main focus of the novels - the Inn is, and the protagonist's main motivation is getting her Inn to work and finding her parents, the werewolf who becomes interested in her - is more of a distraction that she keeps trying to avoid.
I've read two to date. "Clean Sweep" which is fairly short and sets up some of the main characters and the premise. "Sweep for Peace" - which is the best by far, albeit rather complicated and convoluted, with perhaps one too many characters? (I got lost in places but unlike King of Diamonds and a few other books on audio, such as Battlefield, I could follow it for the most part - possibly due to the cast of voices, and not one voice trying to do numerous characters. I honestly can't imagine one narrator doing that book effectively.) It has the most world building and is fairly ambitious. It also gets across the pain of War, and the waste of it, not to mention how pointless and endless it can be, with no true resolution. Reminds me of the theme of the Forever War.
I like to find books that are different and not like anything I've previously read? And if I can't find a book or story that I'm craving? I write it myself.
4. It's getting late and I need to go to bed. Good night moon, stars, and all the people out there who may or may not stumble upon this tonight or in the wee hours of the morning.
I leave you with the daisies planted outside my apartment complex - which I pass by daily. Outside my living room window are lovely trees, rooftops and sky. The ugly courtyard outside my kitchen and bedroom windows - I rarely see or not at all. With the shades drawn in the bedroom blocking out the light. And the kitchen has pictures of sunflowers taped to the windows, with the light shining through them whenever the sun is out.
Watching Break Dancing on the Olympics via Peacock replay, because I missed it this afternoon, thinking it was just basketball. Note, this is the first time ever that Breaking is an Olympic Event - it was added this year. (I'm not watching anything with a ball in it. I see that all the time. I'm watching the stuff I don't see.) France is going to the finals, with the US in the bronze round. But dear god, Japan and Canada are excellent. They are both Asian. Their moves are blowing me away. (Apparently Canada, France and US won? Can't remember, will find out soon. ETA: yup, USA got bronze in first ever Breaking competition. ) In the Women's? It was Japan and the Lithusania and China - less exciting. They have nothing on the men, sorry.
So far? I've seen:
* Tae KwonDo - the women, and it is boring. It was basically two people kicking their left legs at each other, until one gets bored and makes contact, they wrestle. Break apart. Reminds me of the fencing - which is also two people jumping to each other and apart, and poking their swords and backing away, until one gets bored and lunges (they usually lose not always but usually).
* Pentathlon - Women's - also, boring. This includes riding, swimming, shooting, running, fencing...
"fencing (one-touch épée), freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, laser pistol shooting, and cross country running. Equestrian will be replaced by a form of obstacle course racing after the 2024 Summer Olympics." [Makes sense, the jumping kind of isolates it to rich folks, although so does fencing and shooting.]
I was bored. So too was the audience, which was packed and couldn't really see anything. It was almost two hours of watching 18 people do equesterian jumping. Couldn't see the shooting, the fencing (see above), and the swimming - was kind of anti-climatic. I gave up.
* Breaking - after watching the gymnastics and diving, and pole vault, I'm unimpressed. Just basically people spinning themselves on the floor and doing lots of spins, I'm amazed they don't get dizzy. (I may be burned out?) And I've seen better dance? The traditional Jewish and Turkish floor dances are much harder as is the Irish. Also, once you watch the men's gymnastics - where they are basically doing break dancing moves on a pommel horse - and damn those flips on the mats? Breaking seems kind of ...there? Wales who adores hip hop and breaking - loved it and thought it was awesome. Mother, like myself, was unimpressed. (She spoiled me on the male winners, but I can't remember who they were.) Also the judging makes no sense to me.
And, I've seen better break dancing and heard better music with it - it was invented in the 1970s in the Bronx, and the star of many movies in the 20th Century. Now, in the 21st, it's an Olympic event and a recognized sporting event. I can kind of see why - there's an acrobatic component.
But it feels very repetitive. And I'm admittedly not into Hip Hop (the culture, music, or dance moves. I've always felt bad about that - and tend to not tell folks that I'm not into it - so? Shhh, let's keep this just between us.)
* I may go back and watch the Decathlon. I like the track and field events, or the end of the Triathlon. Or the Rythmic Gymnastics with the ribbons (mother recommended those.)
Note? I won't watch Boxing, Wrestling or the ball games. So any suggestions outside of those are welcome.
2. I went on a long walk today to Greenwood Cemetery to bring down my blood sugar - which had skyrocketed to 300 and was going above it, after I had mini Waffles with blueberries, maple syrup and sausages. I was annoyed. So took a 2-3 mile walk, or about 6,560 steps.
At the cemetery, discovered some new improvements. They'd planted trees along the grass and sidewalk leading up to the Cemetery. And at the small chapel at the entrance was an installation from this year's in resident artist, Adam Tendler, entitled Exit Strategy.
A recipient of the Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists and described in The New York Times as “joyfully rocking out at his keyboard,” Adam Tendler is an internationally recognized interpreter of living, modern and classical composers. A pioneer of DIY culture in concert music who has commissioned and premiered major works by Christian Wolff and Devonté Hynes alike.
Tendler, who is renowned for personal, intimate performances, emphasizes his interest in exploring a work that draws from his community (his multicultural family and friends as well as the LGBTQ+ communities) and their diverse ideas about spirituality, mortality, and fate. The culmination of Tendler’s residency is a site-specific installation in the Fort Hamilton Gatehouse, Exit Strategy. His first art installation, it brings together sound, text, and found objects to explore the physical things we leave behind when we die and is open Saturdays and Sundays, 11am–4pm, June 1st through August 25th.
Pictures:
It's a conceptual art installation requiring the viewer to interact with it. In it is a piano that was left to the artist from his father, who had passed away. He stuffs it with the things those he has lost and others have, rendering it incapable of being played. And on the walls are writings from the artist and anyone who has entered the exhibit and chosen to participate - regarding people, things, etc that they are grieving the loss of. It can be anything that you are grieving. On a recording are musical compositions and the artist talking about grief. And in big letters on the walls - the words in harsh black letters, "How, When, Where".
The walls themselves are white. The only color on the writings, or in the stained glass windows of the chapel.
I sat down at one of the small tables and chairs (like those you might find in a class room or library) and took one of the pens and wrote on the small white lined tablet with shaking fingers. Trying not to cry. About my Dad.
I don't know why I chose my father out of all of the things and people I've lost and grieved. But I did.
It was oddly soothing. Cemeteries are comforting and quiet. Soothing. Or Greenwood is. It is my favorite place in NYC, a haven amidst all the hustle and bustle.
Flowers outside of the Cemetry:
And a little library...
There's little libraries on almost every street in my neighborhood, sometimes two on a street, and little pantries on almost every other street - where folks leave non-perishable items, like tea, coffee etc for their neighbors. We also have a Buy Nothing sites in our neighborhood.
3. During the walk - I finished another audio book. I'm racing through Illona Andrews' Innkeeper Series - which is a kind of sci-urban fantasy hybrid. I find it to be different than anything I've read previously. They are all "Graphic Audio Dramatizations" - which are also rather innovative in the world of audiobooks. Grapic Audio Dramatizations are adaptations of the novel with a full cast in a kind of dramatized radio play complete with music and sound effects. It's an audio book on steroids.
I love them. Particularly Illona Andrews novels - because the author is good at creating distinctive voices in her dialogue, and does great dialogue. And Andrews is good at innovative world-building, and tiny details such as food, plants, animals, creatures, etc. And her novels have a heavy anti-War, anti-violence motif by showing what it does to people.
They are a married writing team - Gordon and Illona write the books together. He provides the military and action background, she provides the rest. And they met in a creative writing course.
The Innkeeper Series is about a magical Innkeeper who runs an Inn for Universal clients, or visitors from other worlds and planets, since the Inn is a magical technological gateway to these worlds. She has a symbiotic relationship with the Inn, and her parents were Innkeepers. Her parents and their Inn disappeared when she was away at school. She has two siblings, one is hunting her parents, the other is married to a Vampire. Vampire's in the world - aren't really vampires in the way we view them. Andrews kind of creates her own version. Nor are werewolves - who are genetically enhanced. There's also foxes who are alien Merchants, and various other species. And a permanent resident of the Inn is an alien female ex-tyrant who has multiple bounties on her head, and is a cannibal and notorious killer. Andrews likes complicated characters that veer close to anti-heroes. It makes her an interesting writer - because she explores the grey areas and doesn't paint anyone as clear villains or good guys. And appears to like all her characters. Most writers in this field err in creating black and white characters or clear villains, while Illona likes to be a bit greyer.
They are violent books like most novels are in this genre, but less so than the Kate Daniels and Jim Butcher Dresden series. The setting is Texas and the Universe. And there is a romantic element, but it is not the main focus of the novels - the Inn is, and the protagonist's main motivation is getting her Inn to work and finding her parents, the werewolf who becomes interested in her - is more of a distraction that she keeps trying to avoid.
I've read two to date. "Clean Sweep" which is fairly short and sets up some of the main characters and the premise. "Sweep for Peace" - which is the best by far, albeit rather complicated and convoluted, with perhaps one too many characters? (I got lost in places but unlike King of Diamonds and a few other books on audio, such as Battlefield, I could follow it for the most part - possibly due to the cast of voices, and not one voice trying to do numerous characters. I honestly can't imagine one narrator doing that book effectively.) It has the most world building and is fairly ambitious. It also gets across the pain of War, and the waste of it, not to mention how pointless and endless it can be, with no true resolution. Reminds me of the theme of the Forever War.
I like to find books that are different and not like anything I've previously read? And if I can't find a book or story that I'm craving? I write it myself.
4. It's getting late and I need to go to bed. Good night moon, stars, and all the people out there who may or may not stumble upon this tonight or in the wee hours of the morning.
I leave you with the daisies planted outside my apartment complex - which I pass by daily. Outside my living room window are lovely trees, rooftops and sky. The ugly courtyard outside my kitchen and bedroom windows - I rarely see or not at all. With the shades drawn in the bedroom blocking out the light. And the kitchen has pictures of sunflowers taped to the windows, with the light shining through them whenever the sun is out.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-11 04:07 pm (UTC)Did you see the artistic/synchro swimming? Those girls look so weird - and the legs wiggling about above the surface ...
no subject
Date: 2024-08-11 07:07 pm (UTC)See Nadia Kamainche 1976
vs.
Mary Lou Retton 1984
vs.
Simone Biles
The Rhythmic is kind like watching Cirque du Soliel - it's beautiful. Particularly the ribbons and balls. But the dance is very different. It's more like ballet.
The Artistic Swimming is interesting and insanely hard - so much harder than the races. They are basically doing synchronized gymnastics in water. You have to see the acrobatic round with the lifts, tosses and tumbling.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-11 11:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-08-11 11:37 pm (UTC)I vaguely remember them explaining it about two or three Olympics ago.
no subject
Date: 2024-08-11 06:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-08-11 11:37 pm (UTC)