Dinner Parties and Olympics

So, I've been MIA for a few days. The FRG for Stonewall's unit is hosting dinner party for the unit in a couple of weeks and I'm in charge of the event. We're a pretty small FRG, so I don't have a big committee to help me out. On the day of set-up I'll have two or three people with me, but up until then it's mainly me getting things ready, so needless to say I've been busy.

I'm really excited though. I know it's going to be an awesome event. We're having it at a local VFW and they are being super generous. An improv troupe is going to be performing and we're giving out lots of cool door prizes in a "Deal or No Deal" type of game. One of the best things we're giving all the troops and their guests are clocks. Each soldier gets two clocks. One is engraved with "Iraq" and is set to Iraq time and the other is engraved with "Pennsylvania" and is set to PA time. Both clocks are also engraved with "Missing someone gets easier every day because even though it's one day further from the last time you saw each other, it's one day closer to the next time you will." The idea is that families will keep the Iraq clock and the soldiers will take the PA clocks with them so each always knows what time it is where their loved ones are. I'm so excited!!

Anyway, so this past week I've been busy trying to finalize everything. Like I said though, going to be so much fun that it's worth all the work.

Right now I'm watching the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics. Every opening ceremony is more amazing than the last. They always do things you never thought could be done without special effects editing for movies.

So many people look forward to the Olympics (including myself), but I've been very disappointed with the response to this year's Games. So many people have boycotted the Olympics this year and I really think that shows poor taste. I realize that many people do not agree with the politics in China, but the Olympics isn't about politics. The whole purpose of the Olympics is to bring the world together despite all the politics and wars between different countries. The Olympics are supposed to be the one time all countries forget about disagreeing for a few weeks and compete in athletics, in a non-violent way rather than with words and weapons. I find it sad that so many people have forgotten the purpose of the Olympics because of their political beliefs. Supporting the Olympics does not mean you support politics you don't like. Same as supporting the troops doesn't necessarily mean you support the war.

I'm glad our President is their to support our athletes. I'm glad our President was smart enough to realize that by going to the opening Olympics in China he was keeping the way open to better the future for China. More importantly though, he realizes that the Olympics is meant to support hundreds of athletes, including American athletes, not to speak for or against a country and its politics.