I think often the villages do get reused, but not always. I worry about where the Beijing govt is getting the money to build all this stuff, and how many people further down the food chain, of whom I understand there are quite a few in China, will end up without some frivolity like drinking water or health care.

I'm totally with you on inauguration balls, but I do wonder more generally where to draw the line. I for instance have never seen the slightest redeeming social value in auto racing; but then again should we ban all pro sports (just think of all the flying all over creation those athletes do)? And then would the Olympics be next?

At that point my head starts hurting and I go take some flower pictures. (Not bad ones, in my unbiased opinion. You could drop by once in a while, ya know. I am just saying is all.)

I just 15 minutes ago heard a story on PRI about plans for the London Olympics being sustainable and made of largely reusable materials which can be moved to the next Olympics, which will also make it more possible for some poorer cities to host them. You were just on the CUTTING EDGE with this post, My San.

I hope you'll enjoy the pedicure. Personally, I love them but I've given them up in favor of other indulgences this summer.

I get a pedicure every month. They are good for the soul/sole.

Oh, and nice rant! Although I really hope that Chicago is picked as the 2016 host city because that's where my family is and I'll be able to realize a life long dream of going to the Olympics. I do wonder where they will build the village!!!

You're not the first to suggest that the Olympics be held in one place every time. Athens has been trying to get the IOC to agree to have all the summer games in Athens, but they won't hear of it. Which is sad. That's where they should be, really. Maybe we should all lobby them :)

What kind of farmers are those at that market??? Farmers that I know would happily give away their waste rather than throw it away. That's insane.

Have fun with your pedicure!

I have to agree with the waste thing. I actually work in architecture (ya know, building more buildings) and am bothered by...the new buildings. (Well...at least some. We do have one project currently which is intended to be a green building - less waste.) I see so many buildings go up while others sit empty - especially strip malls - how many do we need anyway?!

I'm also bothered by the consumer culture we have which just leads to more waste - we always have to have more, more, more. And then we toss it, without stopping to consider if it could have a second use.

Excellent rant!

And people wonder why we hate people so much.

♥

Amen to all that, sister.

. . . . and the ped? Heaven. until they start with the pumice stone on your feet. I've actually kicked somebody (unintentionally, of course!) and I was mortified.

But the deep leg massage and the hot towels . . . oh, baby.

Hmmm, perhaps we've found a candidate for both head of the Olympic committee (can't think of what they actually call that person) AND head of the presidential inaugural stuff committee!

You're on the right ranty track.

I totally agree with you on all counts.

I was well into my 40s when I had my first pedicure and manOman, what a treat. I'm way past due (it's been 3 years) and it'll probably stay 'way past due'.

I hear you on the waste. How purely crazy is that? their 'policy', they HAVE to throw it away?... it's criminal.

Yes! No to the balls and wasteful extravagance. Yes to feeding some hungry kids, and rebuilding homes in New Orleans. I think we should try to spread this message, maybe have a fleece to hat n mittens in on the Green in Washington and donate the FOs to celebrate (if indeed there is reason to celebrate the outcome).

I need a peddie and not sure I should spend the money right now. It's a wonderful luxury and you are worth it. The Olympic Village Carole speaks of is now student housing. My biggest bitch with the Olympics is why did they choose China in the first place. It will be nothing short of hell for the athletes and we won't even talk about human rights and Tibet.

I saw the Olympic village in Utah last time I visited Margene. I was not impressed. With the village, I mean. Margene impresses the hell out of me.

I can't find anything to disagree with here. Actually, despite the bad rap the Atlanta Olympics got, I think we did pretty good with the venues. Georgia Tech has the pool where they held the swimming events, the athlete's village became a college dormitory, and the Olympic stadium became the new home of the Atlanta Braves - Turner Field. So many other events were held in existing buildings, all of which are still in use. And I don't get the whole "can't give away excess/rotted food" thing. I think if we really understood the scope of how much food is thrown away in this country it would force us to change our ways - maybe.

Actually, I rather like your ranty. And I agree about the balls. The amazing amount of money that goes into the celebrations makes me rather ill. I mean, I'm a big fan of the West Wing, and I can see if that's even remotely close to truth I can see why they'd want to party after a successful campaign. But I agree - use the money for something more helpful for the country you're now leading.

Pedicures make me giggle - I'm just not used to people handling my feet, so I always burst into uncontrollable giggles/writhing at certain points.