n. Loose assemblage of activities undertaken quadrennially by over-ripped folk with an odd view of life and difficulty prioritising. Small trinkets on coloured ribbons and needlessly ostentatious flower arrangements are commonly given to several of the better entrants as stirring tunes play. Flags and advertising signage tend to be prominently displayed and portly men in suits shuffle about needlessly.
Don't get me wrong, I love sports. Rather, I love playing sports. I am not so much into watching sports. But this isn't the source of my grievance.
I recall many projects over the years in school spent on the Olympics. I liked the thrill and challenges about the games. I also recall when I was old enough to actually realize that it costs money - one lucid memory is of the startling realization of how much athletes are actually paid. For what?
If there are governments that want to cut costs or salaries or jobs of regular citizens, or those who believe that doctors are overpaid, I can't fathom how athletes get away with it. Of course, the question can be widened to a greater field: to actors, performing artists, or other celebrities, for example.
But, the Olympics? I've lost my respect for it. I do like the idea of an international convention where all countries can battle without an actual war. But the costs, for crying out loud.
One of my friends had some sort of economics assignment. A writing assignment. So that means you know who she'd turn to for help writing it. Moi.
Despite my vast knowledge of various subject matters, economics is most likely the one that I really haven't ever spent much time on. I mean, can probably recount an entire list of all the subjects I've taken, and it would amount to all subjects possible minus the business ones.
But, no. She would not allow this to be the conclusion of my contribution to helping her. And, in this friend's case, helping her means writing her paper for her. Why would I do that, you might ask? Well I don't entirely, but I do somewhat, because that's the friend she was to me. But yes, she would take not take no for an answer. She needed this paper done so she would pass the class. Which essentially meant that my knowledge of economics was probably more than hers.
I, having absolutely no clue what topic to raise for her research paper, I handed over my grievance about the Olympics to her. She liked the idea. (Well, not as if she had much choice.)
The China Olympics. 40 billion dollars. Not million. Billion.
In building the infrastructure with their Olympic facelift to China, they've had people forced to move out of their homes that got destroyed, with little compensation, and then you take a look at the fact that it is still a developing country that normally is at loose ends on how to deal with their poverty.
I can't wrap my mind around that.
In building the infrastructure with their Olympic facelift to China, they've had people forced to move out of their homes that got destroyed, with little compensation, and then you take a look at the fact that it is still a developing country that normally is at loose ends on how to deal with their poverty.
I can't wrap my mind around that.
