A quick dual comment about synchronized swimming:
A) it's ridiculous in so many ways, from the constant smiling and ultra enunciated, Prussian body language, to the nearly hissy-fit splashing frenzy and nose clips that make these women look like painter Wilhem De Kooning's weasel women models
B) despite this, the top practitioners of the sport make it also one of the most amazing displays of human talent you can imagine
Did any of you see the Martin Short/Harry Shearer male synchronized swimming spoof on SNL? A classic. This shows how easy it is to lampoon the sport.
On the other hand, I watched some of the FINA coverage of SS last week, and I am still in awe that our species is capable of execting such maneurvers in such perfect synchrony.
Utterly unbeliveable. Maybe USMS should have a synchronized swimming competition at one of the national championships. If they open this up to any one who wants to do it, are there any 50-54 year old males who would like to form a team with me? I think we should be allowed to use snorkels, though. Or scuba tanks.
Parents
Former Member
When I was young I was in a jazz band. My dad came to one of our concerts, in which we had a guest trumpet player. During one of the trumpet player's solos, he went into a sort of freeform style in which he dramatically bent the notes in a very exaggerated manner. To some of the musicians, the guy was demonstrating a master of his instrument far beyond any of us. To others, he sounded like a moose cow in heat.
After the concert, my dad said, "I enjoyed it, but what was that trumpet player supposed to be doing?"
"Oh, that was great!" I said. "You didn't like it?"
He thought for a minute and said, "It's like this. While I appreciate the skill it takes to make those sounds, I would prefer not to have to hear them. I understand why you were impressed with it, but it was offensive to my ears."
That's about the way I feel about synchronized swimming. I appreciate the skill required of those ladies, but the sillier looking aspects of it can be somewhat offensive to the eyes.
When I was young I was in a jazz band. My dad came to one of our concerts, in which we had a guest trumpet player. During one of the trumpet player's solos, he went into a sort of freeform style in which he dramatically bent the notes in a very exaggerated manner. To some of the musicians, the guy was demonstrating a master of his instrument far beyond any of us. To others, he sounded like a moose cow in heat.
After the concert, my dad said, "I enjoyed it, but what was that trumpet player supposed to be doing?"
"Oh, that was great!" I said. "You didn't like it?"
He thought for a minute and said, "It's like this. While I appreciate the skill it takes to make those sounds, I would prefer not to have to hear them. I understand why you were impressed with it, but it was offensive to my ears."
That's about the way I feel about synchronized swimming. I appreciate the skill required of those ladies, but the sillier looking aspects of it can be somewhat offensive to the eyes.
