The Women’s Figure Skating competition is set to begin today; I should be preparing to root for Mirai Nagasu of Team USA.  While I most definitely will be cheering her on, my heart will rest with Joannie Rochette of Canada.   As you may have guessed, I kinda like my mom; I just can’t imagine setting out to fulfill a dream without her by my side.  I’m sure Joannie would have said much the same.  Yet she continues on.  She will skate in competition; and I will cheer her on.  I’ll even continue sending up a praying or two on her behalf … that God would steady her nerves, calm her spirit, and grant her the ability to skate her best.   

I even hope she wins gold – not only for her country, but her family … for her mom.

So yes, it’s true – for one event during the 2010 Winter Olympic games, I be sporting my red and white, waving that maple leaf, and cheering Canada!

Have you been watching the Olympics?   I have – to an extent; I watch it until I can take it no longer.  I mean really, there’s only so many times you can view the same commercial over and over and over again.  Since the women on my dad’s side tend toward thinning locks, I’m leary to pull out my hair.  So, when I get close to that point, off goes the television and into bed I crawl.   

It’s probably for the best.  I woke up this morning feeling like I’d been hit by a Mack truck – my shoulders are sore, my neck stiff.  Any talk of getting into shape has, thus far, been little more than hot air; so it couldn’t be that.  The only plausible explanation is watching the Olympics – after all, watching the winter Olympics is not for the faint of heart.  The athletes could fall and crack their gourds, slice any number of appendages – they could poke their eyes out for crying out loud.  Have you seen what Shaun White does with the Halfpipe?  Nerve-wracking I tell you!  And what about those speedskaters?  They’re this * close to wipe-outs with every turn.  THE STRESS! 

Perhaps this is what makes curling so appealing to some.  Sure, there’s ice and a rather large stone, but there’s no taking corners with the speed of a puma, no jumping or flailing about.  I’ve even heard a rumor that the winners buy the losers a drink.  Seriously, what’s not to love?  As a matter of fact, my grandma and I have talked about getting into the sport.  We’re pretty sure we could take the competition down.  Of course, if you’ve read this blog for any length of time you realize I have a hard enough time on dry ground.  I’d probably be the first person in the history of the sport to impale myself on the broom handle. 

See what I mean?  Fraught with peril my friends, the Winter Olympics are fraught with peril…