| Olympics- Recycled |
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Watching
gymnastic events congers up one memory for our family that ALWAYS makes
us smile... in more ways than one, as you'll learn! In 1996, our
son, Nick, was five years old, and out of the blue, he asked, "Why do
those gym girls always smile their tush?"
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"Every time they put their arms up* they smile their tush."
(*Note: Present: is
a term describing the movement at the conclusion of the gymnast's
routine. Widely recognized with arms up in a "V", chin tipped up and
back, and every bodily muscle contracted; it says, "I'm Done!" or "I
DID IT!" or "TA-DAH!" Currently adopted by millions of PomPon and
Cheerleader teams across the nation. Best performed with a bouncy
ponytail and toothy smile perfected by years and thousands of dollars
of orthodontia.)
I moved closer to the T.V. and he pointed to the pixie's buttocks who had just finished her floor routine.
"See? When she finishes, her tush looks like a smile."
And
sure enough, it did. Those tiny little tushes, when contracted,
formed a single line, which, to Nick, resembled a smile. Twelve
years later-last night-- I go to the full-length mirror, in my swimsuit
(because I do not own a leotard) and strike the PRESENT position.
Slowly, I pivot around to see if I'm "smiling." From the front, I
look pretty athletic and TGFL.* I'm searching, squinting, trying to see
my smile. Alas, it's more of a smirk. Or perhaps a sneer. Not one
definable line, but several. Can you say triple Sahlcow (sow-cow)?
So
as you watch the remaining gymnastic events, watch for the newest
hallmark of a successful routine, "the smiling tush." Bela Karolyi
should be teaching it this way and the girls would get it
immediately. Heck, we ALL get it. Now, right now, step out
from your Lazy Boy chair, set the remote down, or step out from your
desk. Vee your arms up by your ears (palms down I think), tip your
chin pertly up, tighten up everything you can, and S-M-I-L-E! Ta-Dah!
(*Thank God for Lycra)
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| The Recycle Bin |
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This
section is aptly named because when we see something that makes us,
laugh, smile, or think, then we should recycle it so others can enjoy
the thought as well. In fact, if you would care to share a quote that
you've run across, I would love the chance to pass it along to our
readers!
As the USA team will be saying:
"Bin There-Medaled That!"
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| Bobbe's Book Bin |
Suggested Reading: Michael Phelps: Beneath the Surface by Michael Phelps with Brian Cazeneuve
"I haven't read it, but I need to learn everything about my future son-in-law that I can! This
looks like a good start!"
BW
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| Reducing the Search: My Daughter to wed Michael Phelps! |
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We
went to the dentist this week, and it's settled, our daughter, Korey,
must wed Michael Phelps. She is willing to go to Baltimore to
train with him. No, she's not Olympic material; our gene pool
isn't quite that deep. But she does have a decent butterfly and
freestyle. Most importantly, are the teeth. Everyone in
America, especially the dentists, are looking at his teeth and
wondering what is odd about his open-mouthed grin. Here's the
deal. Michael has big teeth, with a small bridge. Not the kind of
bridge that you buy for your teeth at middle age, but we're talking the
basic bridge, as in bone structure. Our Korey, on the other hand, has
smaller teeth and a larger bridge than needed. As a result, she
has a few cute (I think) little spaces. It's a lovely smile,
nonetheless. The dentist explained, "Korey, if we could combine
Michael's bone structure with Korey's teeth, or vice versa, we'd have
the perfect combination."
So that settles it,
Michael, we have found you the ideal bride! No e-Harmony for you,
buddy! Cancel all those Phelps Fan Club initiatives. You're
too busy to appreciate this now, but when the glitz of your Olympic
experience dulls a bit, you will be relieved to learn that your mom and
I will have grandchildren with perfect teeth! Look at all the
money we'll save from braces. Oh yeah, that's right, Speedo will
pay you a million, as well as many others. Never mind, look at
all the time you'll save from those monthly appointments. I only
hope our granddaughters don't get your size 14 feet...
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| About Bobbe White |
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Yes, that's me- inside a Recycling Bin. Perhaps I've finally lost it, but I prefer to look at it another way... by thinking green. As
so much emphasis is being placed on recycling, reducing, and
repurposing to save our environment, I propose we incorporate those
same ideas into our daily lives to save our sanity!
If
you've found yourself caught in the perpetual, work/life tug-of war
that has become your life; a job, home, spouse, kids, dog, aging
parents, aging self, aging food in the fridge... I invite you to join
me in recycling that stress into humor, reducing the negativity and
repurposing your life. In this and future issues of Bin There, Recycling That, I plan to share tips and tools to ease up, lighten up and green up your life.
As Kermit said, "It's Not Easy Being Green," but I believe it's well worth the effort.
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Repurposing your life: KUDOS for KAROLYI
Béla
Károlyi is adorable as the Olympic gymnastic commentator.
He was a little too high strung for me as a floor-side coach. But I
love to listen to his heavy accent and accurate critique of each
gymnast's performance. But the part I wish I had on tape, was
when he pummeled Bob Costas as Nastia Liukin nailed her floor routine
and took the gold for all-around. Costas tried to act normal as
the 287 pound Romanian punched his left arm in jubilation yelling,
"YES! YES! YES!" It was a classic moment that had better show up
in Olympic highlights. I feel about him the way I feel about Bobby
Knight after watching him on ESPN during the NCAA Championships this
year. Never mind his tirades on the bench, they're both
intelligent, entertaining and wise to their respective sports. I
hope that they both have a long stint on the set. This is where
they now belong. And by the way, I received a letter from BK (ha!
They're both BK!) Bobby Knight sent ME a thank you note this spring.
But I'll save that for Basketball season. Right now, I've got to
focus on tonight's events. The only downside of the Olympics is
that I really miss my bed. I can't not watch. Can
you? I'm hooked. I absolutely adore the medal
ceremonies. Regardless of your home country, it's so overwhelming
to watch these talented young people feel the honor and the pride atop
the medal stand. And another thing that I hope... I hope that the
presidential candidates are enjoying their recess from the limelight. I
know I sure am...
Got a favorite Olympic moment to share? Send it my way!
Sincerely,
Bobbe White
Try Laughter! Inc.
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