Tomorrow is the chat. I am going to try to attend, even though I am at a meeting. Hope to see you there! It starts at 12:00 noon CDT, which is 17:00 GMT.

As above, see y'all tomorrow?

Even though we lost the Olympics, we'll be there raring to go! (Now I am wondering if "raring" comes from "rare.")

A shame and a surprise that Chicago lost the Olympic bid - but look on the bright side - the city won't now have to put up with the disruption and cost that the event would have caused.

I will be at the Royal Albert Hall tonight (in the audience, not performing!) so I won't make the chat I fear.

I think it should be spelled "rearing" as in a horse standing on hind legs, ready for action.

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A shame and a surprise that Chicago lost the Olympic bid - but look on the bright side - the city won't now have to put up with the disruption and cost that the event would have caused.

Spoken from someone who will be seeing the Olympics in his country in 2012.

Since the Olympics started in 1896 , Europe has hosted them 34 times, while North America has hosted them 12 times. The United States has 2 IOC representatives, with all its population, while Great Britain has 3. Indeed, of 108 IOC members, 45 are from Europe, 26 from Asia, 14 from Africa, 12 from North America, 6 from South America, and 5 from Australia. I found these statistics from Wikipedia interesting:

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Europe has 1 representative per 16,244,444 people; Asia 1 per 149,192,308; Africa 1 per 65,857,143; North America 1 per 44,000,000; South America 1 per 63,666,667; and Australia 1 per 6,400,000

One thing this has taught me is the brilliance of our founding fathers in establishing a House of Representatives, as well as a Senate.

This article sums up my feelings quite well. The U.S. should probably put host cities on the back burner for awhile until the selection process is more transparent.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kalleh,

I have no idea what Richard's views are but I can tell you this. There are a lot of us here in the UK that wish the 2012 Olympics had gone anywhere but here. An expensive, disruptive, pointless waste of time and money in my view.

Just call me "sport-hating Bob".

Europe has over 30 independent countries and North America has three. That may have something to do with it. That and the modern Olympics were started in Europe. It's similar to the Nobel Prizes: they tended to give them out more often in the olden days to Scandinavian countries, but then that started expanding to the rest of Europe and finally the world. I agree with Bob, because I certainly wouldn't want the Olympics being hosted anywhere near me. Chicago would do well to spend some of its public funds on infrastructure. (Remind me: how many nations take place in our World Series?)

I think we should return to the Olympic standards of old. Naked athletes should compete. Women's beach volleyball would be a sensation if this were the case. Women's gymnastics would draw awesome crowds. Disregard the fact they would mostly be pedophiles. The event could run from 8PM to 10PM followed by "To Catch An Olympic Predator" at 10 PM.

If this programming is ever implemented, don't forget that I said it first. You can all be witnesses when I sue the networks for copyright infringement.

Proofreader, you'll soon be getting a call from Rupert Murdock's lawyers regarding your stealing his idea.

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An expensive, disruptive, pointless waste of time and money in my view.

That's what the majority of Chicagoans thought, so maybe it's just as well. I'd have liked them for Chicago because of the recognition; London surely doesn't suffer from being a "second" (and some would say "third") city, like Chicago does.

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Europe has over 30 independent countries and North America has three. That may have something to do with it. That and the modern Olympics were started in Europe.

Yes, I understand that, z. That surely has everything to do with it. The unfortunate consequence is that the Olympics tend to be Euro-centric.

On the other hand, I couldn't figure out how the U.S. only had 2 members on the IOC, but North America had 12 members. Then I checked and many of the members are just tiny, such as Puerto Rico with only 4 million inhabitants, which is smaller than Chicago and its surrounding area. So, I suppose we in the U.S., too, benefit from voting members from small countries.

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a call from Rupert Murdock's lawyers regarding your stealing his idea.

What? Murdoch stole my idea?

In that case, I think the athletes should compete fully-clothed, perhaps in burkhas.

I know the swimming events would take hours instead of minutes but that's the price you have to pay. And it's probably worth it if you don't have to see weightlifters, shotputters or Sumo wrestlers falling out of their shorts.

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I have no idea what Richard's views are but I can tell you this. There are a lot of us here in the UK that wish the 2012 Olympics had gone anywhere but here. An expensive, disruptive, pointless waste of time and money in my view.

I agree - except insofar as I think you are being too generous. It's also hugely irritating to the majority of the population who have no interest whatsoever in sports to have the media swamped by the inanities of sports personalities.

I'll add my voice to the chorus, too. I'm likely to be directly affected by the olympics being sited just down the road from me. In particular, Greenwich Park is to be used for show jumping events, although there is no infrastructure already in place. They will need to contruct stands for spectators, a cross-country course, adn who knows what else.

Greenwich Park is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site and is (in my opinion, anyway) the most beautiful park in London. The organisers say that no damage will be made to the park, but I, and several thousand other local residents, have deep misgivings. Even if no lasting damage is caused, we will lose access to a large part of the park before, during, and after the games. See the No to Greenwich Olympic Equestrian Events site.

I doubt you'll stop it, Arnie. The Great God of Sport has even more influence on the powers that be than does the God of organised religion (another minority interest in England).

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I, and several thousand other local residents, have deep misgivings. Even if no lasting damage is caused, we will lose access to a large part of the park before, during, and after the games.

But arnie, think of all the free horse shit you'll get - and not just from the horses.

Arnie, Take advantage.
Two words: lemonade stand.

Hmmm, after reading this, perhaps I should be happy that Chicago didn't get it. I had no idea there were so many misgivings about the London Olympics.

I do think, Richard, there is a difference between just plain sports (such as your football) and the Olympics. The Olympics are steeped in so much history and tradition, and (though this might be pushing the envelope) they promote worldwide cooperation and collaboration.

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think of all the free horse shit you'll get - and not just from the horses.

I would guess that the concession for the literal horse shit has already been sold to the highest bidder by the organising committee. As to the metaphorical version, we're getting that in virtually every newspaper and TV news report ad nauseam already. We'll be drowning in the stuff in 2-3 years.

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Originally posted by Kalleh:
Hmmm, after reading this, perhaps I should be happy that Chicago didn't get it. I had no idea there were so many misgivings about the London Olympics.

Don't get the idea that it's universal but it has split the nation. Some would have you believe we are all wildly enthusiastic about it and I do know some people who are.
I'm just not one of them. The downside for me far outweighs ant good things about it.
Hey, if you like I'll send them a letter and ask if it's too late to move the 2012 Olympics to Chicago. Then everyone's a winner.

Don't be concerned about Chicago losing. After all, they've had the Cubs, the White Sox, the Bulls....

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I do think, Richard, there is a difference between just plain sports (such as your football) and the Olympics. The Olympics are steeped in so much history and tradition, and (though this might be pushing the envelope) they promote worldwide cooperation and collaboration.

The Olympic tradition is not all that old - nowhere near so old as football, rugby, cricket, golf. At a guess I would reckon the Olympics is about as old as Lawn Tennis (I know, I could look it up but I don't really have that much enthusiasm).

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The Olympic tradition is not all that old

Try ancient Greece about 8th century BC.

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Try ancient Greece about 8th century BC.

We are not speaking about the Olympic Games of ancient Greece, but the modern Olympics of quite different heritage.

The first modern Olympics (de Coubertin version) were held in 1896, in Athens.

More on Greenwich Park, both against and for the equestrian events being held there.

Ancient or modern, it's a Greek tradition, so why not always have it in Greece? All the fat cats pitch in for ONE stadium, nakedasium, swimming pool, etc... The idea has precedent: When the MIT whiz-kids set out to build a human-powered airplane to set the world record, they named it "Daedalus," and it flew from Crete to Santorini, not Orville flying from Dayton to Columbus.

Now, we need Tevye singing "Tradition!"

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We are not speaking about the Olympic Games of ancient Greece, but the modern Olympics of quite different heritage.

I saw no such caveat.

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I saw no such caveat.

The discussion here has been about the modern Olympics, which have little in common with the ancient games - apart from their name.

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Ancient or modern, it's a Greek tradition, so why not always have it in Greece?

What a splendid idea! Let them have the hassle and leave the rest of us to get along with our lives, unsullied by sports! It's a pity we'd not be able to arrange a news blackout from Greece over the games period.

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Don't be concerned about Chicago losing. After all, they've had the Cubs, the White Sox, the Bulls....

I assume, like many others here, you are not a sports fan. The Bulls?! Heavens! We probably had the best player in the history of basketball, and 6 championships with Michael were probably more than any city deserved (just ask NY and LA; they hated us when Michael was here).

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We are not speaking about the Olympic Games of ancient Greece, but the modern Olympics of quite different heritage.

I made the comment, Richard, and clearly I was talking about the ancient Olympics. That is, after all, how the modern ones developed.

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I made the comment, Richard, and clearly I was talking about the ancient Olympics. That is, after all, how the modern ones developed.

Although the thread has moved on, the original comment was about Chicago's failure to win the staging of the 2016 Olympics - and that is the modern Olympics.

Whereas the Olympics revival was inspired by the ancient games, I suggest they have little in common apart from the name. The modern Olympics is a media-hyped money show, containing sports that the ancient Greeks could never even have imagined.

Last Tuesday the Evening Standard had a rather critical article on the Olympics - which, I have to say, staggered me with its revelation of the incredible amounts of cash that are frittered away - one example being the IOC's request for £43 million to construct a special shooting range in Woolwich to accommodate what is, by any standards, a minority sport (and one quite unknown to the ancient Greeks). Just an hour away by train we have Bisley, probably the world's leading shooting venue, which could have accommodated the entire Olympics shooting programme - probably without even having the interrupt its normal business! See here for the full article http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/...A70F1AD4AAC084243B5C

Tomorrow is our weekly chat, at 12:00 p.m., CDT or 17:00, GMT. I will be at a meeting and won't be able to join you, but I hope some of you will chat.

I hope to be there, but Margaret has a rotten cold and that might affect our dining arrangements.

Well I did the meal and was there by 1810 BST. Sadly I seemed to be the only one and, in the end, found the conversation very one-sided. So at 1835 BST I was about to leave when a new member, cromulent" logged on. We had a very good chat about words (including the meaning of cromulent). He (she?) hails from Turkey and hopes to be able to post on the board

It's great to see that someone new joined the chat. I am sorry that there were only two of you, but it sounds like you had a good time anyway.

I hope to see some of you on our chat tomorrow. Again, it will start at noon, CDT, or 17:00 GMT

WM is having foot surgery today, so she won't be joining us. We wish you the best, WM!

Fooey! I show up and you all leave! Only arnie and RE were still there when I arrived

Sorry, Asa! We love it when you join us.

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Fooey! I show up and you all leave! Only arnie and RE were still there when I arrived

To be fair, I was the last one to leave; I waited until the rest of you had signed out.

I'd be there if I could.

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I'd be there if I could. Frown

Why not tell your ISP that you're going to change to another if they don't sort the problem out?

Coz I signed a two year contract when I bought the PC and if I leave before the two years are up I have to give back the laptop AND pay for the year I've already had.

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Coz I signed a two year contract when I bought the PC and if I leave before the two years are up I have to give back the laptop AND pay for the year I've already had.

If the product does not do the job you bought it to do then it is not fit for purpose (that is the Law in England - as your suppliers will know very well). Tell them you'll cancel the contract and expect a full refund unless they sort it out.

At any rate, Bob, we do miss you a lot on the chats. If there is anything that we can do from our end, please let us know.

I am leaving for Phoenix (driving) tomorrow, so I am reminding everyone about Saturday's chat now. I'll be on the road, but I hope some of you will chat.

I missed it. I was just getting on a 'bus in Kensington Gore having spent a wonderful afternoon with SusanL from OEDILF, who hails from Portland, and who's visiting Europe right now. Other OEDILFers present included Peter Sheil and Jim in Roses.

A splendid gathering and one we Wordcrafters should try soon to emulate

How nice, Richard!

Sorry I missed the chat, but I was somewhere in Oklahoma, most likely. We are driving from Chicago to Phoenix, and I can tell you this is getting old! We'll get into Phoenix tomorrow.

Tomorrow is our routine chat. I am in Orlando, but I hope I can stop by for a few minutes. We've all gone to standard time now, so it will be 18:00 GMT and 12:00 CST.

I hope to see all of you there tomorrow! Same time, same station...

Well, it was a gorgeous 65-degree day here in Chicago, so I am sorry to say that I was outside and missed the chat. I hope you had fun!