Unless you’ve been living under a rock
these last few weeks, you’ll be aware the Olympic Games start this weekend in
London. There are ads and signs and references everywhere and even though we’re
on the other side of the world from the action (in New Zealand), the excitement
is beginning to mount. People are stocking up on caffeine and vitamins so they
can watch the events all night and stagger through work during the day.
But we actually don’t have a telly in our
house. Well, we do have a telly but it’s not plugged in to any kind of aerial
or anything. We only use it to watch DVDs. There are a number of reasons for
this—mainly, we don’t have time to get hooked into series TV. Also I can’t
stand ads. Embarrassingly as well, I’ve been known to get stupidly addicted to
soaps. I’d rather the kids spent their screen-time in a more interactive way
(all hail the mighty computer) – or, even better, read a book or played some
crazy imaginative game round the house (‘Magic Unicorns’ is the new fave for
the twins. ‘War’ is the choice of the older two).
 |
| "Television" by Salvatore Vuono http://www.freedigitalphotos.net |
Now I know there are so amazing shows out
there that I don’t see. Occasionally we do go through an entire series of
something by renting it from the DVD store (if I’ve heard really good things
about it). It means we can watch without ads and without having to wait a whole
week for the next episode. But mostly we watch movies. We’re the most regular
customers at our local Blockbuster I think—hubs and I watch a few a week at
least. I love movies—like to have the whole story told in a couple of hours.
And the kids don’t miss out completely so aren’t socially ostracised ;), they
watch DVDs too. All those fave shows are available and yay—no ads! But
basically we’re really happy living in our TV-free zone
But of course, it’s the Olympics now and
these really are pretty special. All my children are at primary school and
they’re all doing projects on it. And given we do swimming and running and
soccer etc, I think it’s great for the kids to see the elite in these sports.
And they’re fun. So I said to the hubs, “we really need to be able to watch
some of the Games” – and lovely hubs replied, “I’ll happily watch any of it but
PLEASE don’t make me watch the (mumble mumble) Opening Ceremony!”
Now here is one of the few points on which
Hubs and I are not aligned in perfect harmony ;)
 |
| "Clown in Parade" by Debspoons http://www.freedigitalphotos.net |
I am a parades girl. If there’s a Santa
Parade, a Spring Parade, any kind of Carnival, I’m there. Marching bands,
clowns, pomp, circumstance, I want it all.
Hubster? Not so keen. Really not. Gets
bored. Wants to move. Wants to do Something Else.
Can you believe that?! And it’s in London
this year—we all know how well the Brits do Pomp and Ceremony!!! They’re the
home of pageantry!!!! I so totally can’t wait to watch every minute of that
opening ceremony!
And so it is that we’re off round the road
to my mum-in-laws at some early hour on Saturday so we can see it on her ‘bells
and whistles’ pay-TV scheme. That’s the kids and me. Think Hubs might go for a
run.
I can’t wait to see what kinds of special
effect things they do, how they get us through the loooooong parade of
athletes, how they’re going to make the whole place come alive. And how will
the Olympic Flame bowl-thing light up? Will there be some fab trick to it?! It’s
all such great, traditional stuff!!! A must see, in my book!
As for the sports themselves, some of those
are must see too. Personally I’m really looking forward to the men’s diving.
And the men’s gym. And the rowing. There’s some very good inspiration to be
found at the Games! ;)
So tell me, are you going to be watching
the opening ceremony on Friday/Saturday?! Are you going to be glued 24/7 for
the next few weeks??!!
