Was I ever a gymnast? No. I'd like to attribute that to growing up in smalltown Illinois. There's not a whole lot of opportunity for such activities. I could have been great. Sigh.
Anyway, growing up, I loved gymnastics. My absolute favorite movie was Nadia, the biographical movie of Nadia Comaneci. I watched it at least once a day. You know how every parent has to hide a movie/toy/snack because their kid can't get enough of it? Yeah, that was mine. My mom bought me a leotard. My dad built me a balance beam. I was in heaven.
I still love the Summer Olympics for this reason. Gymnastic world championships and exhibition meets, while entertaining, just do not compare.
So you can imagine how excited I was to start attending a university that had a successful gymnastics team. Last fall, I only made it to one meet. It was heaven.
But who went with me? My husband. Bad idea. But he owed me. I can't remember why, but he definitely owed me. It was so exhilirating to watch. It was also entertaining to hear J's commentary:
Me: Ooooh! Will you get me a snocone?
J: No. We're in a recession.
J: I feel like I'm in Limited Too. (in regards to all the girls cheering and chanting)
J: I've seen at least 6 or 7 guys that would qualify for pedophile status.
J: Look at how ugly that girl is. Her nose is gigantic...Man, I should be a commentator.
J: I'd like gymnastics a whole lot more if they didn't work with mats. Be confident. Only have concrete underneath you. I think I'll suggest that for the Xgames next year.
J: The floor routine would be ten times better if they required them to do the worm across the mat.
J: Why was her score so low?
Me: Her legs came apart at least 3 times.
J: Well, that's not very ladylike, is it?
(After a girl NAILED this floor routine and everyone started cheering)
J: Shit's weak.
I was amused. Needless to say, I'm excited for the season to start this fall. If you live in Lexington, I will be hounding you to go with me. Be prepared.
What's your childhood-but-never-developed passion?
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1. That pic of you is ADORABLE!
ReplyDelete2. I wish I had gone to that gymnastics meet with you.
3. I received the summer wildcats. LOVE THEM.
4. Check my blog.
That is too funny Rach! Also, you're cute. Lastly, the power of invisibilty.
ReplyDeleteI never knew we shared a love of 80s gymnastics! I thought I was Mary Lou Retton when I was aged 3-5. There are hidden, secret home videos of me running around my living room in my Mary Lou leotard, turning cartwheels, screaming about being an Olympic champion. So super jealous of your balance beam, btw. So, yeah, gymnastics is one non-developed super power I'm sure I have, along with being a pianist. I took lessons for 6 years. Haven't played since I was 12.
ReplyDeletehilarious jordan comments!!
ReplyDeleteJill - you would have been a great invisible woman. Could you have seen into your own mind then?
ReplyDeleteLBD - We need to reminisce about our gymnastics love in September. And FBLA :)
That's x-ray vision, silly! Or transparency. Or something.
ReplyDeleteNothing.