Olympics from a Rocker's Perspective...

There's a lot to be said for the Olympics. Every couple of years, I watch as Americans gather to watch sports that we would never watch any other time, and to root for their country. Banker Chris is right, it's a time where everyone gets together and competes for their country. It's a time where countries of the world come together and hang out, essentially - and let's be honest - at the end of the day, who doesn't really just want to kick back, hang out, and maybe slam a few brews with some people? If that's going on, count me in.

I like that about the Olympics. It's true as well - you really do get caught up in some of these sports. I was on the edge of my seat watching the Women's badminton finals. Yes, you read that right - women's badminton. However, it wasn't until later on in the day that I realized that I was so captivated by badminton. I can't even tell you the last time I played badminton, but it looked fun as hell watching it on TV. They don't even use a ball, they use a "shuttlecock." I was glued to the television set, watching a sport where people whack a shuttlecock back and forth.

Really a far ways away from my usual months of watching hockey any time it's on the TV.

Before I delve more into some of the sport aspect, I think there is something I should agree with: Patriotism in the Olympics. I want to find Kobe Bryant and high five him for his response to Cris Collinsworth. Way to go and say you are proud of your country. I'm glad someone finally said it, without having to preface it with some BS like "...for the first time in my adult life." Why would it not be cool to be proud of your country? You are competing for it, which to me, would be one of the single biggest honors ever as a professional athlete.

It's a whole other blog topic, so I won't delve into it, but let's just say that I am really sick of people walking around acting like it's not okay to be proud of your country. Yes, I sling a guitar around and no...I've never been in the military. However, you had better believe I am proud of all that they do for the country, and I am more than glad to live in the greatest nation in the world.

So that being said, Kobe Bryant, you are a good man. I'm going to go buy a jersey. As far as Cris Collinsworth, maybe you should learn how to come up with some more compelling questions to ask people instead of that crap, you puke.

Yeah, you heard me right.

Side note - I love the act of calling people "pukes." It is consistently amusing to me.

Back to the issue at hand. Then there's Michael Phelps. Destroys the Spitz record, and will compete in 4 years. The guy is intense, and he has the most insane eating schedule I've ever read about in my entire life. What a badass.

I personally don't mind if atheletes wear their team's colors at the olympics, because I think it's important to be proud of where you came from. However, I do agree that some mad props should be given to the US of A for all of the training and effort we put in. On the other side of the playing card, if you are going to be a US citizen, then at least think of playing for this country.

Like I said, it's perfectly fine to be proud of where you're from. Well, I guess that applies to everywhere but New Jersey. Have you ever actually been to New Jersey?

Gymnastics. I agree with the banker, put an age limit on it. I also agree, it sucks to train your whole life to be a gymnast. Of course, all I did as a kid is spend hours upon end playing guitar until I got good enough to do what I do, so maybe it balances out.

The other two notes of interest: the guy who rolled his arm out of socket in weightlifting was disgusting. I bet that hurt like hell. And then there's Sweedish Wrestler Ara Abrahamian throwing his medal on the ground in a hissy-fit. Really? Your country is neutral. Shouldn't that keep you from acting like a jerk? Grow up, you puke (there's that word again).

That's my two cents on it. I'm out for now.

-The Rocker-

Olympic Thoughts of the Banker

• I love the Olympics. Not only do I like to root for my home nation, but I legitimately enjoy watching all of the different sports that I rarely get a chance to see.

• The Olympics always remind me that the average person in any nation around the world is pretty similar at their core. Athletes from Russia, Iran, China, and a score of other countries have no problem hanging out with our American athletes. It reminds me that Americans don't have problems with Iranians, we have problems with the leaders and extremists of Iran. I assume that Iranians feel the same way.

• I love the sense of patriotism that the Olympics bring out. It is a good sense of nationalism because it is devoid of the typical negativity that accompanies nationalism. Everyone is proud of their country, their home, without disliking someone else's home. It is also great because the Olympics gives us a good reason to rally around the flag. People, I believe, are always proud of their country (unless they're Michelle Obama) but are not always outwardly expressing that pride. Normally we are only motivated to outwardly express our patriotism after a tragedy or during a war. The Olympics give us a positive reason to be loud and proud flag waivers.

• I wish they would institute an age limit for girls gymnastics. I have a problem watching 16 year old girls put on a stage like that. I watch them do these amazing things, and think they are amazing athletes, but I get the feeling that they missed out on being kids. I don't like hearing Natasha Liukin's dad say her whole life has been in preparation for Olympic gold. Her whole life should have been in preparation for the rest of her life. Supporting your kid's interests is great and I'm definitely going to have my kids in sports because it does teach you life skills, but pushing your kid, or letting your kid, into revolving their lives around a sport is wrong. I want to see those girls compete when they are in their 20s so they have had to make the personal choice to continue to chase their dream as adults. Not kids having mom and dad shuttle them to the gym every morning at the age of 5. And those are just the American parents. I don't want to imagine what it is like to be "chosen" as an Olympic gymnast in China or the old eastern bloc.

• I'm glad Kobe Bryant put Cris Collinsworth in his place for questioning whether or not it is "cool" to be proud of America. I liked Cris Collinsworth as an analyst before that question. Now, I am glad that we spell our first names differently.

• It is amazing how amazing you can make the Olympics when you don't have worker's rights and labor is cheaper than clean air. It will be interesting to see the differences between this Olympics and London's.

• Michael Phelps is amazing and the fact that he plans on swimming in the next games makes me respect him even more.

• The Redeem Team did more to boost the image of the NBA than anything David Stern can sell. I actually like Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and Carmelo Anthony a little more now. Watching those guys play like they did for nothing more than pride really humanizes them. The NBA turns these guys into a one man business, the Olympics make them American men.

• I have a problem with athletes living and training in America and then playing for other nations in the Olympics. They come here and use our freedoms and resources, then decide to compete for their nation of birth. I feel they need to show respect to the country that enables them to be the world class athletes they are by wearing our colors when they compete.

• Watching the opening ceremonies highlighted why America is such a successful and wonderful place. Diversity. The athletes from China all looked similar, the athletes from Russia all looked similar, etc. But our athletes are diverse. We are diverse and it makes us great.

An introduction, just a typical weekend (Banker Edition)

I don't know why rocker Chris and I are friends. I have no clue how we can hold a conversation most of the time. All I know is that I argue with his other friends (except about hockey) and will forever try to talk him into cutting his hair (something I am convinced can be done after a night of heavy drinking on his part). But I like hanging out with him. I'm sure there is a wild side of me that likes having him around and I know there is a grown up waiting to happen in him that likes having me around.

But he is exactly right when he says that the opinions and the attitudes fly fast and furious. Sometimes we agree, other times we don't. The scary thing is that sometimes we agree.

So he probably will never shoot even par and have no idea how to play Stairway to Heaven, but at the very least we don't sweat the differences. So read on, chime in when you think we are brilliant or idiots, and keep an open mind when you meet someone.

An introduction, just a typical weekend (Rocker Edition)

There's no certain guarantee in life on what causes people to be friends. That's just a no-brainer. You can't ever figure everything out man, I'm sure of that. And with that statement...welcome to this blog.

Let's start with introductions, shall we? We are two dudes, both named Chris. Yes, that's right...not in the "my name is Daryl, this is my other brother Daryl" sort of way, just in the sense that we both have the most radical name in the world (yes, I said "radical" pal, you read it right). Our professions take us to two different worlds, hence the name - the rocker and the banker. I (Chris the rocker), am exactly what you would expect. Long hair, play in a band, and am out there playing shows and partying weekly. It's what I do, and I plan on making the most out of it. There's nothing quite like the art of expression through music. It's what keeps everything in this world turning for me.

This weekend in particular was great. Played a show...HUGE crowd. I was out there, rocking out, hair flying, signing autographs, shots afterward (Patron, whiskey, patron, can i get a beer? Where's my beer?) - you know the drill. Now, banker Chris was cool enough to come out, knock back a brew with me and check out the show. Later on in the evening, he peaced out, I kept partying. That's just the way we roll. Went to bed at 6 am, spoke to him the next day - while I was going to bed, he was getting up already. Even better, just to put it in perspective - while I was finally up getting some pizza in my system, he was already out on the golf course.

Like I said - that's just how we roll. Yes, maybe the most unlikely of friends. But, there's a lot of opinion and attitudes going on between us that really make us get along. So, in this cyber-savvy day and age, what's cooler than blogging about it?

Read up and enjoy, guys and gals.

-The Rocker