Olympian Lethargy

In Greek mythology, isn't Lethe the river in Hades that evokes forgetfulness, hence our word lethargy?

To answer my own question: yes.

Is it anywhere near Mount Olympus?

To answer my own question (redux): you decide.

This is my roundabout way of declaring that I have watched zero seconds of the Beijing Olympics.

And I'm not sure why that is so.

It's been that way for several Olympics for me, so it isn't anything in particular related to this year's extravaganza.

Strange, because as kids my brother Jack and I would reenact our own Olympic events with great fervor, winter or summer, using a stopwatch I still possess. We'd mimic the Olympic theme and perform copycat events in the snow or high-jump or run.

Maybe it's commercialism, unwillingness to invest the time or emotion, lack of interest in the chauvinism. Something. I don't know. I'm just not sure.

I do, however, rather enjoy reading about the dramas, the events, the backstories, so to speak.

What happened to me?

I'm more interested in my new favorites TV series, "Mad Men," on tonight.

Appropriately enough, the same time slot, 10 to 11 p.m., formerly occupied by "The Sopranos."

Do Ask, Do Tell

In an effort to help the Chinese people, especially those who encounter foreign devils, excuse me, tourists, during the Olympics, I nominate eight questions that you can ask (see preceding post, immediately below).

1. Who killed Jimmy Hoffa?

2. Would like me to show you how to use chopsticks?

3. What did you think of the final episode of "The Sopranos"?

4. Do you embrace the logic, beauty, and clarity of the serial comma?

5. What size is your [insert noun here to represent an anatomical anomaly, description of square feet or cubic metres of living space, or current total of 401(k), if any]?

6. How do you like our air and water pollution, as well as our popular habit of public spitting?

7. Do you miss all those manufacturing jobs we took from you?

8. Brother/sister, can you spare a dime?

Don't Ask, Pray Tell

This just in from Beijing:

The 'eight don't asks' of the Olympics

Posted by Tim Johnson

Tue Jul 22, 5:46 AM ET

Posters are appearing around Beijing guiding locals about how to interact with the (few) foreigners coming for the Summer Games.

The posters instruct residents on the “eight don’t asks” when chatting with foreign guests. Here’s a rough translation, courtesy of the Peaceful Rise blog:

Don’t ask about income or expenses, don’t ask about age, don’t ask about love life or marriage, don’t ask about health, don’t ask about someone’s home or address, don’t ask about personal experience, don’t ask about religious beliefs or political views, don’t ask what someone does.

So what is one to ask? Maybe the relative merits of fencing versus marathon swimming?

Now, for the foreigners out there, here’s the No. 1 dud question to ask a Chinese person. It’s a question that will draw a blank, non-comprehending stare:

“Hey, pal, tell me about your president. Is he doing a good job?”

Hey, everything these days says MADE IN CHINA. Maybe that's what should be stamped on a little card with these questions and hand the card to visitors to the Olympics.

As for asking that question about the president: ask it in the U.S.A. and who knows, you might find your travel plans are hindered, or when you go to vote your registraton is all of a sudden invalid.

Carry on. Laugh. Or...

Else.