I love the motion of this video, it may be slower than some, but it is such as beautiful demonstration of the human body in motion. This video shares a different side of dance and proves that dancing on a pole is not just for dark clubs with bouncers at the door- definitely against the grain of thought.
I expect that there are a lot of people that could identify with this film- playing for a team that we never imagined we could play with. When I rowed, I was always frustrated that the boys were so much faster than myself. I knew I had to be realistic, they were always going to be stronger and faster than me, but it still annoyed me none-the-less. This video just proves it all wrong. Perhaps a person won’t be able to match the speed or strength of others, but they can always compete in their own way.
I couldn’t end my Winter Olympics theme without talking about skiing and snowboarding. I know I’ve already talked about them in the past and I promise after today I will try to keep it to a minimum… at least until next winter. I can’t guarantee anything though.
So here you are, my mountain sports tribute- and I’ve made sure to keep the videos short this time. Nothing too long.
SNOWBOARDING
I LOVE the use of the clouds and natural colors of the sun reflecting off of the different surfaces as well as the the few moving shots of the rider moving down the mountain. Considering all of the snow sports videos that I’ve seen in the past, this one is one of my favorites and actually makes me want to get on a board again. I’m not sure if my tailbone agrees with me though.
SKIING
So I’m not much a stunt person myself as I’m not a huge fan of the dropping feeling my my stomach as I free fall but I love the movement in this video. I feel completely mesmerized when I watch this and I’m intrigued by the song choice. In so many videos and even when on the slopes, the music blaring from the snow park speakers has a much heavier beat. This song gives it a completely different feel compared to the usual stunt videos. Combine the music with the slow motion effect at certain points in the film and it gives it a calming effect. Get me to the mountain!
[vimeo https://vimeo.com/10888247 w=640&h=300]
Admit it, you probably only know about bob sledding because of the movie “Cool Runnings” and maybe because you watched an event or two at past Winter Olympics. I know I didn’t know much about the sport until I watched this video. For instance, and this is going to sound ridiculous, I never really thought about the fact that there would be other bob sled competitions. Stupid I know but it isn’t exactly a sport that people take up in any place that I’ve ever lived. Well anyway, now that I’ve looked into the sport a bit more I’m all the wiser.
I won’t say that this film is the best film that I’ve ever seen and nor will I say that it’s the worst. It’s a bit slow, but it does builds the pre-race tension nicely. More to the point, I learned something from it and that’s the important thing- it conveyed the information.
Hopefully you’ve caught a few races these past two weeks and maybe even learned about a few sports that you’ve never even heard of before.
When I was little I dreamed of being a figure skater- in fact it was the only event that I liked to watch at the winter Olympics. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that my best friend skated and dreamed of going to the Olympics and I liked the sparkly costumes. My friend changed her life goals and didn’t go the professional athlete route but she is very talented none-the-less.
This video takes me back to watching my friend compete in competitions and how I always marveled at how effortlessly she seemed to move on the ice. I was lucky if I could make it around the rink once without falling over. I have only improved slightly to the point that I can actually skate forwards at a decent speed without hesitation. But that’s about it. Not only does this video display the grace and stamina that it takes to be a Olympic caliber skater, but I love the editing. It makes me feel as if I’m on the ice with her.
This wasn’t the end of my ice sport ambition- at some point I got over the sparkly costumes and wanted to play hockey:
My grandfather was an avid hockey fan and I guess it rubbed off. Hockey was another sport that I never took up and I’m guessing both of my parents were very grateful for that. It was the fact that I was going to have to take two years of skating lessons before I could even touch a stick and I was already 14 so that kind of killed that idea – probably for the best as I was able to take up rowing instead. In the end it was a more logical sport for me.
Having given up on the idea of playing hockey, this video makes me very excited for the hockey games this Olympics. The movement and on ice experience takes the audience with the team as they fly up the ice and puts you in the action. Almost as good as playing yourself- you just don’t have to worry about losing your front teeth.
So what are you favorite ice sports? Anyone going out to learn how to skate after watching these games?
Today’s the day!!
Technically, I should be routing for both the U.S. and the Great Britain, but there isn’t quite as much on the winter games team for GB out there- not a huge surprise as the UK is rather limited on snow, which makes training a bit difficult. So here’s a quick toast to the athletes as we kick off the winter olympics!
Can you guess where this is?
Ok, so I admit that I know nothing about the 2014 Winter Olympics location. Other than knowing that it’s in Russia, it’s a complete mystery to me. However, after seeing this video I was very pleasantly surprised at how lush and green it looks. I know that it looks very different at the moment and in only a week, millions will be descending on the place to watch, compete in and celebrate the winter games. I am SO excited!
The Vancouver winter games were pretty spectacular, or so I hear. I was in Peru on a trek through the Andes during the last winter Olympics and although I was having my own experience of a lifetime, I was still very upset that I couldn’t be with my friends in Vancouver for the games. I guess I made up for it by being in London for the summer Olympics in 2012.
Anyway, this year I plan to make up for all that I missed in 2010. I just really hope that we get to see most of the events – so far I’m a little skeptical of how much will make it out as there seem to be some pretty tough restrictions on how many members of the media can make it in etc, but I have high hopes for whatever makes it across the ocean. I don’t agree with the Russian anti-gay law but I hope that we can celebrate the lifes’ work of all the athletes during this time. Lets not take this away from them as they deserve this time in the spot light and I wish them all the best.
So tighten those bindings and strap on those goggles, because this is going to a great month of winter sports!
As I have just spent the last several weeks at the beach I can’t help but post this as my first video on the reincarnation of materials.
I haven’t been on a surfboard in several years, and when I am on one it’s only because I’m floating on a board waiting for a wave. I usually fall off if I actually catch a wave. It’s a work in progress for me. Maybe someday I’ll actually get to ride a wave all the way in before ending up upside down in the water. You never know- it could happen…
Maybe if I ever get good enough I could buy a board like this. I’ve been on a wood board once, and its a completely different feeling from the manmade material boards that I’ve been on. Maybe its just because its made of renewable resources, but I like the idea of using driftwood. What else can you do with all the wood that washes up on beaches?
As it’s freezing out I’ll stick to dry land for now, but maybe when the weather warms up and I’m at a beach with surfable waves, maybe I’ll try again. Until then I’m sticking to hot tea and thinking about water sports.
I had a hard time deciding what class I would have learned some of this information from while I was still in school and decided after much debate that it fit the three Ps perfectly: Phys Ed, Philosophy and Psychology.
Saying that one video includes Phys Ed, Philosophy and Psychology probably sounds like a bit much, but if you have ever dedicated yourself to a sport, you’ll know that being and athlete is about the mental power used just as much as the physical exertion. This is the very reason that I like this video. It encapsulates all of the different qualities that an athlete needs to have beyond a strong body.
From a technical point of view, I love the editing in this film. I think that for something that could become a generic ski video, and you have to admit that there are a lot out there, this one is very well put together. It goes deeper than a series of stunts caught on camera and delves into what it really takes to become a pro skier.
And last of all, and I am very excited about this, it is almost ski season… I’m hoping for a great snowpack.
Each sport has it’s own culture and here we get a glimpse of bike culture. Now if only I didn’t feel like I was going to die every time I tried to ride my bike up a hill I might actually try it.
emfirno 