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CdM Today Reader’s Olympics Spectator Digest
posted: August 12th, 2012 02:30 pm |
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OlymPoint!
The most important Olympic contest is who can adopt the best celebratory pose. What seems to be No. 1? The heavenward-pointing digit seems to be a winning bet.
After watching Usain Bolt win the 100m race and perform his celebratory “To Di World” pose, he threw in a new gesture. What “To Di World” was to Bejiing, the “Olympoint” is to London. As Bolt crossed the finished line, he gazed upward with index finger pointing straight up. Was he declaring to the world he was number one or thanking God that he is the greatest man alive?
Other athletes have their own celebratory poses. Double Olympic medalist tennis superstar Andy Murray’s two finger mid-chest with an upward gaze is his stance. There was a female Russian track and field winner whose right-handed fist double pump to the chest with an upward point, which my family gave an eight out of ten.
Now there is Olympic fever for Mo Farah’s arched arms forming an “M” called the “Mobot!”
Chivalry’s not Dead in London Town
As we travel through London on the debatably efficient tubes, I have noticed how the London men willingly give up their seats to female passengers. She need not be pregnant or elderly — just a woman. An exchange between myself and a fellow male passenger was funny as he handed over his seat. I thanked him and said, “You’re sweet,” to which he replied in thick cockney accent, “Please tell me wife!”
The New Olympic Event
A new sport has been spotted at the Olympic Park called Pin Trading and it is quite competitive. Traders or Pin Heads meet at various locations at the park — mainly at the London 2012 merchandise locations — to find the elusive pin to complete their set and trade. While pins cost two for five pounds, some limited edition pins are going for twenty pounds!
Farewell London
Our family salutes the Brits for hosting a fabulous Olympics. Even with crashing websites to purchase tickets and quirky weather, the spirit of the nation has been fantastic. No matter who you talked to, they all wanted to hear about your adventure and if you had a wonderful time. We sadly say good-bye to Harrods Food Hall for lunch and our flat in South Kensington. Our son finally found the MI-5 and MI-6 buildings and met rapper Ludacris who was just having dinner in town.
We arrived at Los Angeles Airport still on an Olympic high. Our flight was packed with Americans returning home along with a few Europeans beginning their monthlong vacations. Once we collected our bags and passed customs we were approached by Officer Mela. The officer began to search my bags by sniffing voraciously. You see, Officer Mela is top pup in border control. She excitedly found the Harrods ham and cheese sandwich my husband forgot to finish eating on the plane. She received a treat while I finished my momentary flashback to the movie “Midnight Express.”
We were separated from the rest of the travelers, sent to have our bags scanned and questioned about the contraband. Once we were cleared of smuggling a now day-old sandwich, the mood quickly became festive with lively questions and discussion of our Olympic glory. Stern border patrol officers became putty in our hands as we shared our favorite events, athletes and moments.
Happy to be home to Corona del Mar after sharing a once in a lifetime experience.
The Kerrison family lives in Corona del Mar, and Dee Kerrison will be a Corona del Mar High School freshman in September. They have agreed to supply Olympic spectator updates as often as possible during their trip to London to see the games.
Photos courtesy of the Kerrison family.
