Saturday 20 February 2010

One Bright Golden Moment

When you come from the Land Down Under, the Winter Olympics is usually a time to sit back and watch in awe as all those cold nations vie for the ultimate prize - a gold medal.  Yes, we did win our first gold way back in 2002 when our hero Steve Bradbury was the last man standing in the short track ice skating event.  And yes, we did win two golds in 2006 which was pretty remarkable for a country covered mainly in desert.  When Torah Bright stood up to the pressure and won the Snowboard event after suffering three concussions and a dislocated jaw in six weeks, we all went a little crazy.

















This is the beaming face at the medal presentation today.  I do hope Mr Samsung is impressed with my product placement.

So here is my effort for Shadow Shot Sunday, again courtesy of Mr Samsung:






















The medal reminded me of my favourite handbag:










































All this Olympic activity has brought back some painful memories for me.  It is a little known fact that in my mid teens I was an elite athlete.  No one was more stunned than me, apart perhaps from my parents, when in my last year at school I was elected captain of one of the sports teams.  I was the sort of runner who blacked out if I ran more than 50 metres.  However, I found my niche and after many months of training, it all paid off.






















I was too young to be chosen for the Melbourne Olympics in 1956, so I bided my time for the Rome Games of 1960.  You can imagine the devastation felt when the Egg & Spoon event was dropped from the Olympic programme.  All those years of training down the drain.  To this day I don't have sugar in my coffee because I can't bear to pick up a teaspoon.

So here's to our golden girl - her beautiful smile helps to take away my pain at the thought of what might have been.

19 comments:

Martha Z said...

A tenacious and courageous young woman, I’m sure her landsmen are all quite proud. It is a concern, though that young athletes suffer so many head injuries.

Sylvia K said...

I can only echo what Martha has written! What incredible young woman! The games started off with a tragedy in the death of a luger and head injuries seem so frightfully common! Oh, and I love your spoon and egg event! I can feel the pain!! Have a great weekend!

Sylvia

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful shadows.

Flowers in the Walkwaysis my contribution to SSS.

A Wild Thing said...

Boy, you really had me going there for a minute, crazy girl...fun shots!

bobbie said...

Very nice indeed.

Sam said...

Hahaha! Well...I'm sorry to hear you missed out on representing us in the Rome Olympics! :0) That Aussie gal sure has magnificent hair though!

Love your handbage by the way - so pretty and cheerful in that yellow!

Jade said...

that's great, you had me there for a bit too! he he. very cool handbag too :)

Ralph said...

To overcome such long odds, and be triumphant in the end while winning gold is quite an achievement. Torah has earned that lovely smile, to persevere. Oz shows the world that topography doesn't matter, working hard does...

The Olympic motif is great on the handbag, the design like some reptilian skin, with cool shadows.

Whether an athlete or not, nor young or old, winning through dedication counts. Using spoons or not!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

You know, I was really upset about the Egg & Spoon event being dropped from the Olympic programme as well. The Olympics just kind of lost its thrill when that happened :)

Happy Birthday wishes and Happy anniversary wishes being sent your way. It was a bit of a stretch imagining a hot February day though. But that is one of the things so fun about blogging... visiting all parts of the world.

Thank you for visiting and leaving your comment!

Kindly. ldh

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Lovely hurrah for you all & your golden girl! Great golden shadows (love your purse by the way!!) Love the egg & spoon contest - ha! Dear Mrs. Fudge!!
Have a lovely week!

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Yay, Torah! That was such a run that she did too and I'm glad I caught it!
So sorry to hear that you missed you chance at Olympic Gold. Perhaps we should petition the committee to bring back the Egg and Spoon event? Others have made a comeback later in life...
And, happy 40th anniversary! ; )

P.S. I LOVE that purse! And your new banner!

Everything said...

When I watch the olympics I do so with one eye shut...hoping and praying that these hard working athletes make it through their events safely....so cool to watch a country girl from Cooma win Gold in Vancouver. Great shots, clever thinking!

Hey Harriet said...

You do crack me up! I'm not really into sport & haven't been following the games, BUT I could probably give you a good run for your money in an Egg & Spoon race :)

Very creative shadow shots too!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Really enjoyed this informative post! And love your crazy comments in between too! Lots of fun and great shots!

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

You really made me smile with this one :) The three-legged-race was my talent.

Tania said...

Nice post for the day! It`s great to get a medal!

jabblog said...

Wonderful post! I'm more of a sack race athlete but applaud all participants. WOW - the Winter Olympics . . . I watch through half-closed eyes - just a splinter can put me off shaking hands, but dislocations? broken bones? - I haven't had the training . . .

littlechrissy said...

Hilarious! I was awesome at the sack race. Run while wearing the sack, never jump - that's my hot tip for 2010.

Beverley Baird said...

Well done Australia!
The shadow on the medal is lovely!