Well, anyway, it wasn't his fault to begin with, so I don't think he should be punished for it. That's why I think the IOC's decision to suspend those judges was pretty fair, because it was them who made the mistake and it was them whose job it was to judge this fairly and professionally and they couldn't even do that. Heck, I think those judges should be banned forever from Olympic competition forever, or any competition for that matter. They caused this whole damn controversy in the first place. And I think everyone is getting tired of talking about this already, imagine how much it must suck to be Paul Hamm right now.

hatakekakashi081 wrote:

imagine how much it must suck to be Paul Hamm right now.

I think he's got it much worse... He'll never be able to live it down.

yep, it's definitely going to be a long-term thing. At least until 2008 in Beijing, when I hope he can win the gold medal on his own merit at that time, and really officially school everyone, including China. This Olympics just finished and already I can't wait for those olympics in Beijing. Of course, China's probably going to overtake the US in that olympics because they're the host country, but it should still be pretty interesting. And it's a huge contrast from this year's olympics as it will be taking place in an Asian country, all the way on the other side of the world from Europe. And now I have to wait another 2 years until the winter olympics in 2006 in Italy. It sure sucks to be an Olympic junkie.

hatakekakashi081 wrote:

It sure sucks to be an Olympic junkie.

I dunno what you define as "Olympic junkie." I don't consider myself as one, just finding out who the players are weeks before the games, haha; that having been said, every two years for some kind of 'lympic event is good enough for The Man -- I certainly would be irritated if the 'lympics were every friggin' year.

bmwracer wrote:

I think he's got it much worse... He'll never be able to live it down.

Now, now . . . never underestimate the power of the advertising and/or marketing agency (I mean, if folks insist on playing this game with Hamm, admittedly, he better start moving some of his pieces too. Doesn't change the fact that he rightfully WON the gold).

hatakekakashi081 wrote:

yep, it's definitely going to be a long-term thing. At least until 2008 in Beijing, when I hope he can win the gold medal on his own merit at that time, and really officially school everyone, including China. This Olympics just finished and already I can't wait for those olympics in Beijing. Of course, China's probably going to overtake the US in that olympics because they're the host country, but it should still be pretty interesting. And it's a huge contrast from this year's olympics as it will be taking place in an Asian country, all the way on the other side of the world from Europe.

I'm still reeling from the Chinese guy winning the 110M hurdles... A Chinese guy!!!!! Yeowch!!!

Quote:

And now I have to wait another 2 years until the winter olympics in 2006 in Italy. It sure sucks to be an Olympic junkie.

I'm feeding my addiction: I just bought a used copy (amazon.com) of Bud Greenspan's classic series, The Olympiad - Greatest Moments... Eight VHS tapes.... Whew!

The Man wrote:

Now, now . . . never underestimate the power of the advertising and/or marketing agency (I mean, if folks insist on playing this game with Hamm, admittedly, he better start moving some of his pieces too. Doesn't change the fact that he rightfully WON the gold).

I think it's gonna eat him up.

Quote:

I dunno what you define as "Olympic junkie."

Well, I obviously kinda made that term up. But it's exactly what it sounds like, someone who is hooked on watching the Olympics and can't stop watching it. There's definitely something pretty damn captivating about the Olympics that's like nothing else. Just the fact that it's a huge international event, and it's this demonstration of peace between countries that otherwise don't get along, but oh sure, they can play table tennis against each other. It's pretty interesting to see, but yeah, I don't think they would be the same if they were every year either; in fact, it would probably take away the very thing that makes the olympics so damn special. Some people say, ah, why bother watching the olympics already, and is it really worth it anymore? But I can't not watch it just knowing that the Olympics are on. Otherwise you feel like you're missing out on something, and in fact, you are.

Ok, well, HUGE olympic fan then.

they took the gold away from Hamm?

No, but it was suggested by the IOC that he return the gold. Of course the American committee refused to forward the message to him, and said it wasn't going to happen. I doubt that will happen, and it shouldn't.

hatakekakashi081 wrote:

But I can't not watch it just knowing that the Olympics are on. Otherwise you feel like you're missing out on something, and in fact, you are.

Yes. To be honest I had no interest for most of the first week, but once I saw the U.S. ballers get schooled, I thought "this is gonna be good" and I was hooked for the remainder of the Olympics...

The Man wrote:

Ahhh, I never when eat nothin'; too hot. Truly . . next time tell 'em, "eh, you no go bank, or what?"

Actually, that's the weird thing. They get their change from Central Pacific Bank (Makiki branch, under HMSA) and I used to help them when I was working there.

The Man wrote:

Oh, man . . . all those quarters. I know there's some kind of rule or law, even, that says that as a retailer, and, I'd imagine, as a consumer, you don't have to accept an overage of pennies as change. Meaning, you don't have to recognize that as viable currency. Is that right?

Since I was working, the quarters wasn't much of a burden because I could always get them exchanged for dollar bills when I go back to work. --That's pretty much the only upside when working with cash.

The Man wrote:

Next time we both go . . . not to say there's any problem with you, ahochaude, because there is not, but, when I go, I be treated w/great service there, for a take-out place. We'll get to the bottom of this . . .

Shoots. We'll go there for lunch next time, rather than Gomaichi.

As for the service, I get pretty good service from the owner since I know her. But it's her minions that don't deliver. Stupid little girls.

The Man wrote:

NOTE: anybody remember that Final Fantasy movie? Well, the CGIers and/or animators or whatever they call themselves did a bulk of the work here on Oahu (I think the company is [or "was"] called "Square"). Anyway, if you watch the credits, they thank a certain "Imari" for the food, something along those lines. THAT "Imari" is the same "Imari" me and ahochaude, and some others go to -- the bentos are THAT good. Japanese style rice, Japanese-style burger, et al.

I had no idea. That's pretty cool when you think about it though.
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bmwracer wrote:

The bizarre thing about that was we went to a matinee: we were the first people in the movie theater, so you'd think they'd have change.... Kooky.

I guess that's because they have drawer limits. (I have at Marukai too).
When you first open up your drawer, they give you a starting limit, which has no $20's and hardly any $10's. When your first customer pays with a $100, then that's what everyone hates, because you have to give them all of your small change which leaves you with only $1's and coins, and that $100 bill when you're finished.
So maybe that's what happened to your friend. The person before him killed the cashier with a $100. Even though if that's the case, the dumb cashier should have requested change during slow periods or between customers.
Only at some times, it gets too busy where they can't really "run away" for change. But even though, that's hardly the case. In most cases, the cashier is just too lazy or too busy talking story with his/her co worker. Dummies.
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did anyone posted in here or knew the final medal tally

zchendevlemh wrote:

did anyone posted in here or knew the final medal tally

I don't think anyone posted the results yet. But I think (wild guess 'cause I saw this last on the Japanese FCI news last night but don't quite remember because I was tossed already), US came in first?

If I'm wrong, then disregard this post.
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last time i saw and that was saturday

1. usa
2. china
3. russia
4. australia
5. japan

that's the rest i remember but i can be sure that i remember usa's place right

ahochaude wrote:

So maybe that's what happened to your friend. The person before him killed the cashier with a $100. Even though if that's the case, the dumb cashier should have requested change during slow periods or between customers.

Possibly, but I think we were also first in line... Regardless, it was hilarious.

bmwracer wrote:

Possibly, but I think we were also first in line... Regardless, it was hilarious.

If you were first in line, then that is outrageous!!!

Your friend has the worst of luck, huh?! Poor guy. ...............


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Since I know there's so many Olympics fans on these boards, yeah, it's time to start preparing for the 2008 Beijing Sumer Olympics already! Or at least the Chinese seem to think so as they seem to already have conceptual drawings and plans for all stadiums and olympic venues for every event, and as you probably already know, have already begun construction so as not to be like the Greeks. The Chinese want to be ready, but even the Olympic chairman has told them you're perhaps going a bit TOO fast. But anyway, here's some images I found on another forum and they look VERY impressive, and even almost futuristic like. I've heard it'll cost them at least 20 billion US dollars to construct all structures necessary for the Olympics, that's roughly $20 from each person there, but I think they can afford it, especially with the Chinese economy growing at a very healthy rate and in fact, they're even trying to slow down the growth because its growing so rapidly. It's not too surprising really, when you see these pictures. But heck, if Greece can do it, China can too.

I have no idea what that spaceship looking thing is btw, but that's why these are just conceptual images.

Yeah, it's no wonder this guy's staring at the thing; it looks like a giant brain!

This one looks like the Olympic Stadium itself.

Yeah, Greece did do it, but their local economy is in the hole big time... Some folks were saying that Greece might be the last "small" country to be a site for the Olympics because of the overwhelming costs...

Great pics, BTW.

True, but I think it was important for Greece to hold these Summer Olympics there at this time because it signalled a kinda coming back to its place of origin for the Olympics. The Olympics have come full-circle and are now returning back to this historic place where it all began. Also, it's been about what, 100 years or so since the last time in Greece, so it's like a anniversary and it wouldn't have been the same if it took place anywhere else, IMO. These were very special Olympics for that particular reason. Also, the scenery and environment was a great place to hold the Olympics. Athens is a beautiful city and I felt it got the worldwide exposure it deserved. It also showed the kindness, hospitality and generosity of the Greece people, and we really got a sense of what kind of place it is. The Greece people and government knew they would be deep in debt, but they did this anyway regardless of the costs, and I think that shows something about them. They felt it was that important, and you couldn't help but agree. Plus, this was one of the smoothest and most successful Olympics held in a while, with very little hitches or incidents so it seems Greece was the ideal place to hold it. That said, yeah, I definitely don't think they should ever allow another small country to hold the Olympics; it's way too much pressure and a huge economic burden. Greece was just an exception, IMO.