Olympic Preview: Part 2

While watching the incredible Opening Ceremony tonight, I remembered that I was supposed to expose my obsession love for Michael Phelps. So, despite the serious risk of alienating all my friends with my creepiness, I'll try my best.

By now, you know I love celebrities. Understatement of the century. You've probably also noticed that these infatuations come and go. One week, I love Jonathan Toews. The next, I'm obsessing over Michael Buble. This comes in handy when I need inspiration for Man Meat Monday. However, there is one celebrity that I've loved consistently since 2000. That celebrity, of course, is Michael Phelps.

As I've already mentioned, the Olympics are a big deal in my house. During the Sydney Olympics in 2000, an attractive young swimmer caught my sixth-grade eye. He placed fifth in the 200m butterfly, I learned his name was Michael Phelps, and I was intrigued.

Throughout my entire childhood, my dad competed in marathons, triathlons, and even a couple Iron Man competitions. As a result, my living room television was tuned into international swimming every summer. In 2002, that meant the Pan-Pacs in Yokohama. As intrigued by sports as ever, I sat down and noticed, yet again, Michael Phelps. Only this time, he didn't finish his race in fifth place. During those Pan-Pacs, he won three gold and two silver medals while placing his name front and center in the world of swimming. I was hooked.

Ten years and sixteen Olympic medals later (14 gold, 2 bronze), I'm still as enamored with Phelps as I was back then. I'm way too ashamed to take a picture of the stack of magazines with him on the cover that I've saved over the years. I remember screaming like a maniac when he barely edged out Serbia's Milorad Cavic by one-hundredth of a second. I have his dimensions, calorie intake, medal count, and facial expressions memorized. I've defended him with fierce tenacity against those who criticized his marijuana incident and lack of training in 2009. With a level of devotion not unlike that of a loving wife, I follow him every summer...and, in the case of one summer, I mean that in a literal sense.

A couple summers ago, I actually traveled to Baltimore to see the place where his path to Olympic superstardom began: Meadowbrook swimming facility. I walked around the pool, taking pictures like a paparazzo for TMZ and imagining him in a heated discussion with Coach Bob Bowman about projected times.

I absolutely did not cry when Phelps announced that 2012 would be his final Olympic games...*cough* Yes, I did *cough* I begged my parents like Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory to take me to London for his swan song performance. The answer, of course, was a resounding "NO" because we aren't multi-millionaires. So, I settled with watching him swim in the Indianapolis Grand Prix in March.

It felt like the glorious culmination of a dream to finally watch him swim in person. Everyone in the crowd scooted to the edge of their seats and cameras started to flash as he shed his warm-up robe. The anticipation was palpable as he set up on the starting blocks, stretching and flapping his arms in his usual pre-swim routine. I held my breath as he dove into the pool for the first lap of the 400m IM.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion. My eyes started to water as he shot ahead of the field in his signature stroke, the butterfly. I watched with a bit of trepidation as competitor Tyler Clary passed him during the backstroke. However, Phelps regained the lead with a strong breaststroke and just barely edged him out for first after the freestyle. That is my camera flashing at the finish.



As he stood on the medals podium, the water slowly made its way down the ridges of his carefully-chiseled abs. His body, glistening with a combination of water, sweat, and stadium lighting, took my breath away. On TV (even HD TV), his ridiculous body almost seems fake, something enhanced with the help of special effects. In person, however, his 6'4" frame became painfully real, something tangible and something very, very close. He looked like a masterpiece crafted after hours of painstaking work from a slab of marble. One hand rested on his hip as the other slid haphazardly through his dripping hair. He inhaled sharply, working to catch his breath, and, in my seat thirty feet away, I did the same.

This just became 50 Shades of Michael Phelps. Sorry I'm not sorry. I'm just passionate about him. This week, I will continue to cheer for him in his quest to become the most decorated Olympian of all-time. I will defend his honor against critics if GOD FORBID he leaves London with a medal that isn't gold. Mostly, however, I will cherish these last precious moments of watching him compete. I have watched Michael Phelps swim for half of my lifetime. It was an absolute privilege to watch him work his way into the history books. So, with a smile on my face and drool on my chin, I'll watch as my favorite athlete, one of the greatest athletes in history, ends his glorious career by making just a little more.

Best Blogger Meet-Up Ever.

Last Friday, I had the incredible opportunity to finally meet my favorite blog friend, Julie at The Smitten Mintons. After a failed attempt to meet last summer, I was more than a little upset. So, when Julie told me she'd be in Cincinnati for a family reunion, I was beyond excited. She was also meeting another Cincinnati blogger, Allison at Nestful of Love, and my blog and real life friend, Emma at Legally Lovely. So, we decided to go to the Reds game.

Everything about the night was perfect.

Julie was exactly how I imagined - incredibly sweet, funny, and welcoming. You know the feeling you get every once in a rare while when you meet someone you know was meant to be your friend? That's exactly how I felt with her, like we'd been friends for ten years.

We couldn't have asked for a better game either. The weather was perfect, the Reds beat the Brewers, 3-1, Chapman closed beautifully, and the fireworks were awesome as always. I spent the whole game talking to Julie's awesome husband and sports encyclopedia, Doug. Allison and her husband, Drew, were great and I loved bragging about our city with them! As always, it was wonderful to spend time with Emma and finally meet her boyfriend, Alex.

After the game, we headed to Fountain Square for some delicious Graeter's. It was the perfect end to the perfect night.

Saturday, I went down to Great American for another Reds vs. Brewers game. This time, I was joined by CJ, Eric, TJ, Spazz, and Emily. CJ and Eric were in town for a wedding and I'm so happy we were able to see each other. The Reds trounced the Brewers, 6-2, and after the game, we met Jenn and headed to Rock Bottom Brewery. Luckily, Julie and Doug met us there and we spent the night talking and laughing until we got kicked out of the bar.

When I first started blogging, I had absolutely no expectation that anyone would read my blog. I simply wanted to record my memories and express my feelings in the most cathartic way I knew how. Little did I know that my blog would introduce me (or bring me closer) to some of the greatest people I've ever met.

Do it. Start a blog. You know you're tempted...

Man Meat (Pretend It's) Monday #41

I have a really awesome blogger meet-up to tell you about and I promise I will soon. However, I figure if I'm actually feeling inspired, I should do what I do best - which is talk about male celebrities, of course.

Thomas Sadoski

I promise he doesn't always cross his arms.

Claim to Fame: Actor (The Newsroom, 30 Beats, Broadway and Off-Broadway)

Birthday: July 1, 1976

There are few things in this life that I love more than HBO. Over the years, it has provided me with some of my favorite shows, including Entourage, Real Time with Bill Maher, Hard Knocks, 24/7, Boardwalk Empire, and True Blood. Most recently, it introduced me to my newest TV addiction, The Newsroom.

Confession: I'm a political science nerd. I'm sure it would bore most people even more than hockey, so I try not to blog about it often. However, I was a political science major in college, am extremely passionate about our country's democratic institutions, and spend an embarrassing amount of time reading the 'Politics' section of CNN. I took a number of Media & Politics classes at school and I'm enthusiastic about an informed citizenry. (But seriously, can we please put a limit on the endless campaign commercials? I'm going to pull out my hair.) Combine political topics and current events with The Social Network's Aaron Sorkin and I'm hooked.

Then, HBO decided to add Thomas Sadoski to the mix.

In fact, with actors like Dev Patel and John Gallagher Jr., the entire male cast is practically a deli of Man Meat. Thomas Sadoski, however, is my favorite. His brilliant portrayal of News Night's former executive producer, Don Keefer, perfectly straddles the line between utterly unlikeable and strangely relatable. He plays the show's "antagonist" with a finesse that almost leaves you rooting for him.

Also, THOSE LIPS.



Random Tidbit: He was once Mark Ruffalo's understudy in an Off-Broadway production of This is Our Youth.

Only downfall?: Still searching. I'll get back to you.

Today, I told him how much I appreciate his acting prowess on Twitter. He responded. *swoon*



I'm taking it as a compliment that I got more than a simple, "Thank you!"

So, readers: It's your turn. Could you focus with those lips telling you how Citizens United has changed the political landscape?

Me either...and I actually find it interesting.

The Dark Night...

Last night, I was about halfway done writing my review of The Dark Knight Rises when I heard about the shooting in Aurora, Colorado. Like so many other Batman-crazed fans, I fought the costumed crowds to see the movie at midnight. It was worth every second. I left the theater smiling, discussing various plot points with Jenn and making plans to see it again.

Then, a mere two hours later, as I sat, extolling Christopher Nolan's brilliant juxtaposition of privilege and poverty, truth and lies, and order and anarchy, everything changed. The haunting chaos and destruction that Nolan and his fictional villains so vividly brought to life in the Batman movies had truly come to life in an unsuspecting suburb of Denver.

This horrific crime, this senseless, scary crime, was committed almost in a demented tribute to the film franchise so many of us love, a deeply disturbed fan's attempt to actualize something so appalling that it only seemed possible in the movies. How chilling that that's exactly where it happened.

So, I sat in my living room, my heart breaking for these strangers that were just like me, for their families and friends whose lives will never be the same. My heart broke for the cast and crew of the movie, who worked so hard to create such a fantastic film that will forever be associated with something so unthinkable.

But mostly, it made me realize how lucky I am to have today. There is no real reason why this deeply troubled man happened to live in Aurora, Colorado. This could just as easily have happened in any suburb of any city across America, in any sold-out showing of any crowded auditorium in the country.

In fact, one of the victims, Jessica Ghawi, was a 24-year-old aspiring sportscaster, a devoted hockey fan, and an intern for the You Can Play Project, a campaign started in honor of my late Miami classmate Brendan Burke to eliminate homophobia in sports. Her second-to-last blog post, entitled "I Like My Hockey How I Like My Men," compared various NHL teams to the different types of guys available for dating. It's sobering, and beyond upsetting, that a complete stranger, living a life so eerily similar to mine, met her tragic and untimely end at the same movie I saw last night, both of us in Auditorium 9.

Sometimes, it takes something this awful, this shocking to open our eyes to the fragility of life. If nothing else, this tragedy serves as a reminder to cherish every moment. As cliche as it sounds, every single day is a gift. Nothing is promised to us.

So now, as we prepare for weeks of character analysis, debates on gun rights and the treatment of mental health, condemnations of violent movies and video games, and attacks on our media-crazed culture, I'm sure many of us will be afraid. Afraid of copy-cat killers and terrified that members of our society are capable of committing such atrocities. I hope that we don't feed into the frenzy that James Holmes wanted to create. We can't give him the satisfaction of knowing that he harnessed the same power as fictional terrorists, like Bane or the Joker.

At a time like this, it's hard not to dwell on everything that's wrong with the world. The only way to move on, however, is to remember the good, remain positive, and stand up for what's right, not unlike Bruce Wayne himself. I know that, with time, the people of Aurora, Colorado will prevail. They will show James Holmes, and others like him, that the horrific actions of a few will not change the mentality of the whole, that although they will never forget, they can forge ahead, and that good does, in fact, triumph over evil.

They will rise in their own way above that dark night and I wish them all the best.

The 411.

I know, I know. I always vow to be a better blogger and I always seem to be lying. I'm definitely going to write a Michael Phelps creepfest post soon. Prepare yourselves accordingly.

In the meantime, a lot of my favorite blogs have partaken in this link up created by From Mrs. to Mama. It looked fun to me and I'm a lazy blogger, so I'm doing it, too.

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?

I started my first blog, Brought to You by the Letters B and J, in 2004. In complete honesty, I'm not even sure why I started blogging, but I'm extremely glad I did. My blog has changed quite a bit since I started. It used to be focused almost exclusively on what I did every day. I also used to do a ton of movie reviews. Now, I just review men. Ha.

2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?


I spent four glorious years at Miami University. I loved every second of it and still miss it more than I should. I received degrees in political science and Spanish. I'm starting graduate school next month at IUPUI and going for my master's in sports journalism!

3. Where have you traveled?

Oh man. I've been so lucky with travel - both continental and international. I've seen Old Faithful erupt, gambled in Las Vegas, walked on the beaches of Florida, California, and the Carolinas, admired the view from the Empire State Building, ridden the Navy Pier ferris wheel, laughed at flashers on Bourbon Street, topped the Space Needle and St. Louis Arch, toured Graceland and Fort McHenry, picked peaches in Virginia, and marveled at the national monuments in DC.


I've snorkeled in the Virgin Islands, watched the Arenal Volcano erupt from a natural hot spring in Costa Rica, explored Mayan ruins in Belize, been whale watching in Vancouver, admired Niagara Falls, watched the sunrise at Machu Picchu, dragged my family to Platform 9-3/4 in London, saw Paris from the Eiffel Tower, explored the streets of Venice, eaten dinner on a cruise of the Panama Canal, posed with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Colosseum, stared in awe at Iguazu Falls, took secretive pictures of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, traversed the markets of Montevideo and Santiago, and watched the sunset from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.


...and the craziest thing? There is still so much more I want to do.

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?

Cincinnati Bengals season tickets.

5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?

Intolerance/Bigotry. Horrible grammar. Loud chewing noises.

6. What is your favorite movie?

The Sandlot. Don't watch it with me unless you want to hear every line before it happens.

7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?

Soda. All. Day. If you don't know my relationship with Dr. Pepper, then you don't know me very well.

Check out the shirt.

8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?

Blog, read, or play piano.

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?

Target. Don't judge me.

10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.

Here's a good one: In 8th grade, I allowed Jenn to drag me to an Aaron Carter concert, in hopes that her husband Nick Carter would be there (friend loyalty at its best). At this stage in my life, the last place I wanted to be was an Aaron Carter concert and somehow, we managed to snag fifth row tickets. I brought a book to read and stood there, pouting with my arms crossed. About halfway through the concert, much to my embarrassment and dismay, Aaron Carter actually spotted me. In a sea of dancing, smiling teeny boppers, I looked like someone in line at the BMV. He stood there on stage, and in front of thousands of teenage girls, he crossed his arms and made a pouty face, openly mocking me. So now, I suppose my claim to fame is that I've been made fun of by Aaron Carter.

11. What day would you love to relive again?

I take it as a good sign that I'm struggling to choose just one day. Either the day I spent with Jenn meeting the Penguins in Pittsburgh, a day I spent tubing with my family in Virginia, or Jenn's 23rd birthday.

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?

I have no idea. No actresses look like me, but I act exactly like a female Jason Segel. So, maybe him as a crossdresser? Maybe Tina Fey?

13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?

Funny story. I've never had a real job. I've done work for my parents' businesses, but I don't count those.

14. Show us a picture from high school or college.


A high school football game with some of my best friends.


Trying to spell 'Miami' during a college bar crawl.

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?

Where wouldn't I go? Right now, I'd choose either Ireland, Russia, or Greece. If all expenses are paid, why not all three?

16. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you.


Picture taken at my friend Zach's wedding earlier this month.

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?

I want to be in love, happy, and healthy. If I'm being greedy, I'd love to have a job related to sports journalism, too.

Man. What a feel good post.

Olympic Preview: Part 1

Guys, I'm excited. Really excited. Squeal-like-a-young-child-while-jumping-up-and-down excited. Why? Because the Olympics begin soon.

As the ridiculous sports fanatic I am, I eagerly await this event with even more anticipation than the next Dave Matthews Band CD. Despite my unhealthy obsessions with football and NHL hockey, I truly believe there is no better contest in sports than the Olympic games. Every four years, the games provide accomplished American athletes with the toughest competition the globe has to offer. With the eyes of the world focused on the events, the stakes could not be higher and what results is often inspirational and heartbreaking, dramatic and controversial, tragic and awe-inspiring.

My torrid love affair with the Olympics began with the 1996 Games in Atlanta. Although I was only eight at the time, I vividly remember the emotional opening ceremony, which ended with Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic torch. I remember the horror, drama, and fear surrounding the Centennial Park bombing. I remember watching Michael Johnson cross the finish line in record time. Mostly, however, I remember the Magnificent 7, the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team.



Every night of the competition, I would sit glued to the TV, watching these girls, some only twice my age, flip, jump, and twirl across the screen. I desperately wished I could do a balance beam routine like Shannon Miller, but deep-down, I knew the closest I'd ever get was a crooked somersault. So, I lived vicariously through them, memorized their names and biographies, and cheered for them alongside the rest of the country. Although I recall multiple performances from these Games, it was one moment in particular that changed my life forever.

After closely watching the team competition for hours, the U.S. was just within reach of the gold medal. It all came down to one last gymnast: Kerri Strug. On her first vault, her ankle was severely injured when she under-rotated the landing. However, despite the excruciating pain and unsure of her team's standing, Strug heroically attempted a second vault. I remember watching with bated breath as she limped to the runway, more nervous and excited for an athletic event than I'd ever been before. I will never forget the feeling I had when she stuck the landing, giving the U.S. its first Olympic Gymnastics Team Gold. Immediately, she hopped to her good foot before collapsing to her knees in tears. Watching Coach Bela Karolyi carry her to the medals podium filled me with unmistakable feelings of national pride and overwhelming joy. It was my first taste of the emotional roller coaster experienced while watching sports. For the first time, I was aware of the excitement, the anxiety, the heart-rending reality of injury, the triumph of victory, and the intense emotional spectrum endured by sports fans. I've been addicted to it ever since.


Chills. All. Day.

Following the Olympic games, I wrote letters to the gymnasts, thanking them on behalf of the country as eloquently as an 8-year-old possibly could. In return, I got a couple of their autographs, and, in a strange foreshadowing of my future fanaticism over athletes, I traveled to gymnastics competitions (with my dad as chauffeur) to watch them compete in person.

Yes, folks. I started early with the athlete stalking. Just wait for my Michael Phelps stories...