Day 7: Beijing, August 24, 2008

Day 7: London

Quote of the day:

You'll come running back (said you would, baby)
You'll come running back (I don't always said you would)
You'll come running back (I won't have to worry no more)
Yes time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
Time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
Oh, time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
I said, time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
Oh, time, time, time is on my side
Yeah, time, time, time is on my side

Weather: THB is soooooo happy, who cares what the weather is like (clear, mid-60s, hint of rain, no need for a jacket or hoodie, even late at night)

Pics: THB is soooooo happy, who cares what pics were taken…always empty phone booths, dull utility boxes, available hotel rooms down street from VB, fans of different types, US (in white) and Brazil warming up, the Results Board before US-Brazil match was recorded, men get to pray in loo, women not so lucky, and the idiot mascot image

From Beijing, August 24, 2008, report on Men’s VB Finals (some of you may not have memorized this entry):

USA vs Brazil, and the US starts off by losing the first 6 points (a huge amount in VB). My Olympic partner reminds me that the US Men’s team always starts slowly. Their top hitter, Stanley, is way off. We think he’s the best player we’ve seen in the tournament. He is way way off. UH OH. US gets back in game slightly and loses 25-20. Then, it is all over for Brazil, US wins next three games, 25-22, 25-21 and 25-23 as Stanley crushes the winning point (they are riding him down the stretch). As best we can tell, US used very effective middle hitting, slightly better defense, blocking, serving, coaching and especially stamina. Nothing stands out (especially when Stanley and their #2 hitter Priddy are just so-so), yet they go through tournament without a loss.

Four years on, US meets Brazil during the round-robin, and the results are identical, 3-1, with US losing the first set and then grinding down the Brazilians. There was a huge contingent of yellow and green in the crowd (not full!), and they got quieter and quieter after US blew a lead and then came back to win the second set and strangled Brazil in sets 3 and 4. Stanley and Priddy still on team, though in reduced roles (these guys are old now).

This is as good as it gets!!!!

Miscellani: Dinner at Thai place, very good, of dumplings, corn cakes, duck curry, coconut rice, and a SIngha, $42. Lunch as Nando’s again, not quite as good this time, $32. Poland fans out in huge numbers in early match, pics (blurry) of some with face paint.

Book Review: Londoners: The Days and Nights Now, As Told by Those Who Love It, Hate It, Live It, Left It, and Long For It, by Craig Taylor. Well, how often does the title just say it all? Vignettes about 60 or so. Good to read while here, and if you substituted just about any huge city you might get about the same set of responses.