Hey APW!
In case you haven’t been paying attention, the Olympics started last week and I am so excited about it. Yes, I know the Olympics wreak havoc and destruction on every city they’re hosted in, and I know that this is a very real, terrible thing… but I also really love the Olympics and I can’t help myself.
NBC has more or less royally fucked up coverage this go-around (I’ve been streaming it online with my sister’s cable login, so prime time hasn’t been a concern), but I think we can all agree that the network (or the IOC) did one thing right: scheduling gymnastics right at the very beginning. Because seriously, they know why we’re watching. Yes, I love diving and swimming and track-and-field (also curling? Because it’s nuts) and maybe weight-lifting (though truth: I’m only interested because Kendrick Farris is vegan and I think that’s hardcore!)… but gymnastics (specifically women’s) is what I’m all in for.
This year’s team is a true anomaly. They are so profoundly strong, talented, and straight-up good that the competition was almost boring to watch. Unless you reminded yourself that you were witnessing a first in American gymnastics—a team that is so on top of their game that no one can touch them—it was like “Oh! Flips! Cool!” Except, of course, when Simone Biles did this. And Gabby Douglas did this (and also this, which makes me love her even more). And Aly Raisman killed it on the floor (while her parents probably freaked out), while Madison Kocian slayed on the uneven bars and Laurie Hernandez reminded us all that she’s definitely going to be around in 2020.
Now that gymnastics is over, I guess it’s time to watch some other sport. What events are you guys looking forward to?
RIO!
Stephanie
P.S. NBC, if Mustafina graces us with her presence one more time four years from now… can we get some more of her in 2020? Because she’s my fave.
Link Roundup
Casting for Ocean’s 8 is happening and it’s the best.
Do He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s politics reflect what’s really going on in a lot of American homes?
Don’t give a compliment if you don’t really mean it.
The Rock and Lin-Manuel Miranda sang “Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast and you need to just love it.
Goth never went anywhere: “Female-Fronted Goth Bands Subvert Gender Norms.”
