on the olympics

if your country brings only one athlete, i will get a little teary for that athlete - he or she will probably not medal or even be in the top half of competitors.  money for training is probably scarce, training facilities and coaches not close to as good as a country like mine has.  but to represent your country - and to be the only person in your country to have qualified to do so - what a great honor.  i will get teary in the parade of nations.  like i did last night.  (and the republic of georgia, walking in the parade of nations after one of their athletes died that day in a luge training run?  wow.  they didn't wave flags or smile or engage the crowd...they looked like it was all they could do to keep it together and walk.  so sad.  and so brave.)

i also get teary for national anthems.  when they are played because a nation's olympian has won a gold medal, no matter how silly your event (biathlon comes to mind), when you take the podium and the whole place gets silent to hear your nation's anthem - i will get teary.

i can't help these things.