Jay Kersting's Blog

I have been watching more Olympics this year than I ever thought that I would.  I watched next to nothing during the 2000, 2002 and 2004 games.  I did watch a lot of the hockey, bobsled, luge and skeleton during the 2006 games.

This year, I have been watching Michael Phelps.  Who hasn't been? What has really impressed me is how well his teammates have been building him up when he almost wants to shy away from it.  They must sincerely like the guy.  He sure seems real likable. 

I enjoyed watching Dara Torres, but only wish that she could have pulled off the gold.  Don't get me wrong, a couple of silver medals at 41 years old is an amazing feat....and she SHOULD get a LOT of credit for that and better be on a Wheaties box if not a BUNCH of other endorsements for it.  It is only American pride that makes me want to see her with more.   

The amazing thing was the 100 meters on the men's side.  I watched it even though I already knew who won.  (I had forgotten which Jamacian it was by the time of the replay.)  But Usain Bolt was true to his nickname of Lightning.  If he could learn how to get a better start out of the blocks (he was about 5th of 8 in the start) and have someone push him down the stretch, Bolt could break 9.60.  He was amazing.

It is hard for me to say, but I am actually enjoying the games.  Despite the coverage from NBC.....even they can't ruin it.

And they certainly try.

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I did not watch the Rick Warren "look at me" fest on Saturday.  Sorry, the build up to it seemed be a bit more about him and his megachurch than it was about the future of our nation.  Using politicians to build your following is fine, but make it about the issues first.  Trust me, I will be doing THAT this election season.

Anyhow, I am not impressed with much that has come out of the event on Saturday night.

I will look further into the transcripts of the event.  Maybe I can find a jem.

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Have you heard of the internet "virus" known as "Rick Rolling"???

It is not a harmful virus and it is just outright silly.  It is not even a real virus...just an annoyance.

So, what is "Rick Rolling"?????

It involves sending an e-mail, or some other medium (more on that in a second), to your friends that indicates it is something that they really, really, really want.....only to be a video of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" instead.

Last week, I had a link on this site of a video called "Barack Roll" which was the Astley video with Barack Obama edited to be "singing" the song and dancing to the music.

Rick Astley was interviewed about the "Rick Rolling" activities.  All he could say was that he hoped it wouldn't embarrass his daughter too much.  (Probably no more than actually BEING Rick Astley's daugher.)

Now, the other medium "Rick Rolling" examples include a TV reporter who had her news story "Rick Rolled" on April Fools Day.  Numerous people have gotten "Rick Roll" phone calls.

But one of my favorites is one that my friend Tony Smith told me about on Friday night.  Tony's daughter Chelsea was in North Carolina for a colorguard competition.  The public address announcer was making personalized announcements for a buck or two a piece to raise money for the event.  Tony decided to buy one.  It was....

"Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you.  Never gonna make you cry, never say goodbye, never gonna tell a lie and hurt you.  - Dad and Ben"

About a quarter of the crowd got it and were laughing out loud.

Now, if anyone was to call the show at 573-632-1240 or 866-632-1240 and "Rick Roll" me, I will laugh too.  Not that I am encouraging it.

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Have a great week!!