I'm blogging at The Popculturedivas

Join me at The Popculturedivas for Olympics Inspire More Than Athletes

Poetry Train Monday - 141 - American sentence 3

*insert crazed war whoop*

I composed this latest American sentence mere seconds after Sidney Crosby scored the tie-breaking goal for Olympic gold in the most stressful hockey game ever.

Hats off to uber-amazing US goalie Ryan Miller and the agressive American team who forced me to physically hold a hand over my view of the Canadian net throughout the entire game. Interactive audience participation - what can I say?

For more poetry, Ride the Poetry Train!

















Olympic gold so tough to grasp, making victory all the sweeter.






















Stan Ski says Congratulations Canada - on this and achievement throughout the Olympics.

madeline d. murray says Yay Canada! Yay American Sentence celebrating the Canadian victory! ;-)

Janet says It was a nail-biter for sure, Julia! Wouldn't have it any other way - both teams craving the win, both fighting for the gold - a perfect ending to a fantastic Winter Games :)

Through the Opera Glasses - 48 - Olympic Men's Figure Skating Costumes Invaded by Blades of Glory

As a ballet freak, it's no stretch for me to be enraptured by men's figure skating. It's another great showcase for masculine athleticism and panther-like grace.

But I couldn't get over the costumes.

















They seemed lifted en masse from the wardrobe racks on the set of Blades of Glory.


















American Johnny Weir's toned-down long program costume seems to pay homage to Jon Heder's costume from the film.













But what the heck is this? Belgium's Kevin van der Perren's homage to Skeletor?

















I was shocked to discover that a favorite designer of mine - not that I've ever worn a garment by her, you understand - purely admiration for her design sense - is responsible for gold medal-winner Evan Lysacek's short program costume. His outstanding performance aside, I was a fan of Evan's choice of sleek black one-piece costumes, but not of the bird features, even if he skated to The Firebird, a favorite piece of mine.

Sorry, Vera Wang. This one didn't do it for me.














I liked the snake suit even less. Vera - say it ain't so!

Call me crazy, but a skater like Evan needs gimmicky flair like a hole in the head. Just let us watch his incredible skating. Don't distract me with feathers and reptiles.


















As for Canada's Patrick Chan - why did you wear your grandmother's Sears sale rack vest to the Olympics?


















Japan's bronze medal-winner Daisuke Takahashi - why did you wrap yourself in the paper that holds my fish and chips order?


















Picky, picky. Yes, I know I am. When it comes to costumes, I'm very, very picky. It's probably why I fought with my university so I could take a History of Costume course, even though it was a Fashion course and I was in the Film program. I finally got permission to take it and got a credit for it in fourth year. Yahoo! Loved every moment of it.

So whose costume did I not despise? For some reason, the men's costumes in the Ice Dancing pairs have not had anything like the Blades of Glory vibe going on. But in the men's figure skating competion, there were only a couple of costumes that I liked. Florent Amodio of France had a nicely understated costume with the right amount of flourish. But I would prefer it without the black gloves.


















Swiss sweetie Stephane Lambiel had the almost perfect costume, but the lacey epaulettes should not be there. *slapping forehead*


















My favorite, nothing-wrong-with-it costume was worn by Russian Super Snob Evgeni Plushenko. I adored his haughty I-knew-I-could-land-that-quad expression during the short program. Too bad he choked during the long program, but Evan Lysacek couldn't be stopped.



















C'est la vie, Evgeni. A real man may land quads, but a true champion would accept his silver medal graciously and save his sour griping till he was behind closed doors.













Thomma Lyn Grindstaff says Those costumes are quite gaudy, goofy, and/or weird, and detract from the art of skating.

Janet says You slayed me with the 'fish and chip' comment (and made me hungry).

Debby says What a great post!!! So fun!! Gotta love Johnny Weir!!

Poetry Train Monday - 140 - American sentence 2

I waited until the hockey game was over before writing this for the Poetry Train. I was hoping I would have a much different American sentence to craft.

For more poetry, Ride the Poetry Train!













History always repeats itself, even if it takes fifty years.


Photo by Harry How

Stan Ski says Sorry your team lost. I follow soccer, and my team only managed a draw.

Linda Jacobs says It was an important game but is not the end for Canada. Good sentence!

Akelamalu says Oh shame your team lost. :(