Lighting the Torch part 2

A couple more highlights from 08.08.08....

-We had a multitude of electrical issues getting ready for the night. Of course, Jimmy, our Opening Ceremonies outfit enforcer made it clear that our shirts (even though they were under our jackets) and our pants MUST be pressed. Thanks to some home-ec helpers, we got that under control with the hot hot iron. Unfortunately the straightening iron was not so hot, we spent a good 20 minutes using a slightly warm one until we realized we had to change the converter settings. To make matters even speedier in our getting ready process, the hair dryer was a problem...it was more of a hairwhisperer, not much power on that thing.

-So my team's future employment opportunity...?
Bodyguards! So the basketball team, as you all know, did walk, which was great but I'm sure it was as exhausting for their smiles as it was for their legs (by the way, its very tiring for your legs if that point didn't get across earlier). Our team, as usual was being our cool selves, just enjoying the moment together and who walks over in a crowd of people? Our pal, Kobe. At first I think he was trying to escape the photo shoot for a couple minutes, but then Brenda started talking to him in Italian and he was hooked (He grew up in Italy). He spent a good chunk of the "in-the-middle" time with us and we were able to intimidate lots of fans away. He was a good sport about it though, I was very impressed with his patience.

-Saturday morning's practice was extra special because we had some visitors from the court above us step in to watch. Jason Kidd and Chris Paul both walked in while we were scrimmaging Australia at BNU. I didn't even see them! Guess I was very focused on practice...I did meet both of them the day before, so I don't feel too bad. That was very exciting though, we still have a deal to teach them water polo when the competitions are over...The pool at BNU is very shallow, though, so they actually could have the upper hand with this one....

What a long experience....the hurry-up-and-wait game was played all night,but certainly worth the time.