Which is more important? Making the Olympic Team in your sport, winning an Olympic medal, or just finishing the freaking race without a hitch?

It's been months since the Beijing Olympics, which were overshadowed by swimming paraphenalia and pre-pubescent tumblers.  But did anyone ever stop to think about the US Track Team?  What the hurdle happened to them?  Seriously.  I hate to say it, but they dropped out like jacked up flies from a zapper.  Our once strong and proud team seemed to silently disappear behind the eight gold medals of a now quite interesting character (that's for another day).

And maybe I was extra disappointed due to my own unreluctant fling with track.  Hurdles to be exact.   And I'm short, so to see the look in the skeptics' faces as I soared over the men's hurdles was delightful.  Plus, I still have fantasies to make it into the Olympics, even if I passed my prime at the ripe old age of 19.  But I will even if it's in the "jump the hurdles to get to the shoes" event.

So I bring this up because of an article that popped up today in the Times, describing the release of a report by a committee looking to reduce the influence of agents and shoe sponsors.    

Back up just a little.  I know athletes get paid well;  really, really, well.  But sponsors making career decisions for the athletes is just beyond me.  Again, I hate to say this, but go play basketball.  Track and field is a sport that develops out of a passion and a gift.  Not a paycheck and a brand.  Now, I'm sure many professional basketball and football players are in it for the love, but how many can actually resist the lure of big money and major connections? 

I just hope that the suspicious actions highlighted in the report are a recent phenomenon; because if I had been coached the way these athletes seemed to have been, I wouldn't have developed the awe and respect for a sport that I still yearn to go back to one day.  

So maybe these Olympics were a wake-up call on many levels.  Many, many, many levels. 

Oh, how innocent we once were.

I realized today how much I've been increasing my organic intake now that there's a Whole Foods conveniently located down the street.   Atleast once a week I stop by to pick up some fresh organic juices, or sample the delicious array of cheeses and breads.  And then my conscience kicks in and I begin to think about how smart my decisions to pay so much more for supposedly healthier items are.

With all the rumors swirling around about the potential benefits of switching to organic, I can't seem to make up my mind of how far to go down the rabbit hole.  I at least try to avoid the dirty dozen of produce and Iike to buy my milk organic, though the label says that it's no different than regular milk.

So it's very possible that my purchases just help me get closer to attaining the ideal health/fitness lifestyle I strive for, though I've got a long way to actually reach my perception of ideal.  It's also quite likely helping the illusion of health we all like to wrap ourselves in to sleep better at night knowing full well that we can't stop the pollution we're breathing or the chemicals we're exposed to (atleast not fast enough to age gracefully in our adulthood.)

After those fleeting thoughts, I then turn to the assumption that somehow my expensive organic shopping is helping the environment, local farmers, or animals in some way.  But again those pesky rumors surface claiming many of the same methods or problems exist.  The debate rages on and there seems to be no clear-cut answer, especially depending on who you ask.

So it's quite possible that it may all just be a clever marketing ploy by the big boy companies that have duped me once again (Damn you Crystal Pepsi!)

Just please don't make organic pancakes in a can!

 Oh wait...... 

With the world economy the way it is, everyone and everything suffers:  Nascar, jobs, boats, unnecessary fluff stores, Michael Jackson, gas prices(yeah!), state troopers, our health, horses, and luxury brands. 

No one wants to shop, travel, study or even start their own business.  All they really want to do is play games, commit crimes, drink, and fiil their SUVs up with cheap gas.

Am I the only one who sees a problem with that?  We have less spending money, so we go and numb our pains with games and booze.   

Shouldn't we being upping our charity-giving, health-caring, fitness-seeking, energy-renewing activities?  Just like a bout of depression, one most effectively deals with slumps in their life by improving their health, psyche, and spirit.

Because it seems that two things suffer most in this type of a crisis; the poor and our moods. 

So don't watch TV, eat junk food, or excercise in the mall. 

Instead give to your local charity or Salvation Army, work on improving yourself, sign up for yoga, shop local, get a massage, spend time with your family, or volunteer.

And it's ok if you don't buy Uncle Joe that flat-screen TV this year.  Instead, ask him to join you on your charity rounds and bring the kids and cousins too.  I'm sure it will be much more memorable than the money clip you bought Cousin Mo last year.