london2012.blogs.nytimes.com/.../
“We never go to opening ceremonies,” Phelps said, “because you are standing for so many hours. Being on your feet for five to six hours takes a lot out of you, and it does take days to recover.”
Between them, Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin have appeared in seven Olympics and not a single opening ceremony. Blame the schedule; the first swimming events take place the morning after the long night’s march.
In Beijing in 2008, participating athletes were required to line up hours before the 8 p.m. start, and Phelps and Coughlin, like most swimmers, are conditioned to stay off their feet the day before they race.
I can't watch the 15 hour blotation of the opening ceremonies. It is a dreadful spectacle of horribleness. Plus, we all know that the Queen is going to be set alight and shot from a trebuchet to light the flame. Who really needs to see that?
I can't watch the 15 hour blotation of the opening ceremonies. It is a dreadful spectacle of horribleness. Plus, we all know that the Queen is going to be set alight and shot from a trebuchet to light the flame. Who really needs to see that?
I find the opening ceremonies unwatchable as well. But if they're going to be launching flaming queens, I might have to reconsider! :banana:
Can't-take-any-credit-for-it. It-was-a-copy-paste-thing.
Anyway, Mark Spitz never had such problems. Kids must be getting soft these days. Thus the invention of the 2 wheeled electric upright thing.
How are the trebuchets there? Well-greased?
Am I the only college-educated one out here who had to look up the definition of "trebuchets"? :dunno: :help: :whiteflag:
Am I the only college-educated one out here who had to look up the definition of "trebuchets"? :dunno: :help: :whiteflag:It must have been a liberal arts college. Any college worth its salt has Medieval Siege Engines as a required course. How else will you know the difference between a mangonel, onager, ballista and trebuchet?
Footnote: The development of gunpowder and the subsequent inventions of petards and artillery really took the fun out of siege engineering.
I haven’t heard if Lochte will be in the parade of athletes. I would assume not.
It must have been a liberal arts college. Any college worth its salt has Medieval Siege Engines as a required course. How else will you know the difference between a mangonel, onager, ballista and trebuchet?
:lmao: Well, my degree was from San Diego State University... :D
Thanks, Rob. :bitching: Now I have to look up what the heck a "mangonel", "onager", and "ballista" is. :bolt:
But he is right, Kirk. Would you have really known anything about Malawi if Madonna hadn't made news about it?
To be honest I didn't know Madonna had adopted a Malawian child until Costas mentioned it! But I will admit Malawi is not a country you hear a whole lot about.
How else will you know the difference between a mangonel, onager, ballista and trebuchet?
I remember actually checking out books from the library on medieval armor and weaponry when I was in probably fifth or sixth grade. Being a nerd is hard-wired, I guess!
