Homoeroticism in Tennis

As you are aware, I'm busy watching the Australian Open instead of doing my homework. Am currently watching a match with Roger Federer (ranked number 2 in the world, former number 1 for three years) and the commentators have begun their usual homoerotic commentary. Not that there's anything wrong with homoeroticism but it's borderline creepy when it's used to describe tennis players on TV. Allow me to transcribe two discussions that just happened about Roger Federer pictured below:




Commentator #1: I see Federer has a new outfit - a royal purple colour.
Commentator #2: Looks good. Well, he looks good in any colour really.

~~~~~~~~

Commentator #1: I don't think people realize how big these tennis players are in real life. I'm sitting courtside and I can really appreciate how big Federer is. Don't you think?

Commentator #2: Oh, definitely. Federer is listed as 6"1 but he looks much bigger than that when you're sitting near the court. I guess that's part of The Master's image.


I should also mention that in addition to "The Master", Federer is also referred to as "The Maestro" and "The Swiss Maestro." Cringing yet? This is almost as bad as when the commentators were talking about how hard Rafael Nadal's back muscles felt when one of them put his arm around him while having his photo taken. Granted, some of these men are so beautiful, it's not surprising that otherwise straight men are checking them out.

*************************Update*****************************

Roger Federer's new nickname is apparently 'The Velvet Sledgehammer'. This might be a new low, please read an excerpt from a news article describing Federer's win over Del Potro:

"You cannot blame Juan Martin Del Potro for looking shell-shocked after taking a beating at the gifted hands of Roger Federer. Playing the Swiss on the sort of form he showed in dispatching Del Potro 6-3 6-0 6-0 en route to the semifinals must be like being beaten up by an assailant in velvet gloves, whose every punch comes in the form of a caress - but is none the less brutal for it."

It's Coming...

January 19, 2009...

The Art of Procrastination

My procrastination skills were honed in undergrad when I would suddenly develop an obsession with a celebrity during midterms and finals. I had phases involving David Bowie, Prince, and sadly...Celine Dion. There was also an online Mah Jong phase that pissed the hell out of my roommates because of the loud sound effects. Oh yes, and the Chupachups game that has been taken off the website, thus ending that obsession :(

As a grad student, my procrastination has become a bit more complex and in some cases - purposeful. Also, procrastination is not restricted to midterms and finals - it has now become an all-consuming and constant activity. For example, I made the decision to bring my NES with me and aim to beat every game I own. In addition, The Discovery Channel has provided a variety of shows to become obsessed with such as Deadliest Catch. I now know more about crab fishing than I ever wanted to or thought possible. I not only watch the show, but go to the official websites of the boats and crew and sadly, have contemplated getting swag.

Allow me to share with you my current and future obsessions.

CURRENT OBSESSIONS

Deadliest Catch - this show is on honestly about 15 hours a day on the Discovery Channel. My favourite ships are the Northwestern, Time Bandit, and the Cornelia Marie. I keep Captain Phil in my thoughts and hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Tennis (natch): The Rogers Cup is going on right now but unfortunately there is no coverage on TV in the states. No problem - I have a live score tracker open on my computer during the day so I can check it constantly! Current favourite players: Ernests Gulbis, Marat Safin, Marcos Baghdatis, and Fernando Gonzalez.

Marble Madness: This game is going to kill me. I still make it right to the end and then run out of time. I'm not sure what to do other than play it relentlessly every day.

FUTURE OBSESSIONS

Dr. Mario: I've already beaten this game on 'slow' but there's still 'medium' and 'fast' to go!

Chicago architecture: Next summer I plan on doing the architecture riverboat cruise [it's cheap for students]. In the meantime I'm going to read a book given to me by G which features really old photos of buildings in Chicago.

Shark Week: Beginning Sunday, Discovery Channel will start showing shark-related shows. This will complement Deadliest Catch nicely. * I have now officially resumed my obsession with Great White Sharks. I still cannot believe they are real.

So What's New?

Honestly, nothing really. I'm just begging for this semester to be over. Of note:

1. Roger Federer lost the opening round game at the Rogers' Cup. I totally lost my shit when I read this. Also, Marat Safin lost the second round match. This means the ass-candy/man-meat percentage of the tournament has fallen dramatically. This is a dark day indeed.

2. Saw The Dark Knight based solely on Marc's recommendations. Here are my thoughts:
a) I wished 'Gotham' didn't look SO much like Chicago. I could point out my school, specific bridges etc which totally didn't let me suspend belief.
b) Batman talked like he was wearing a retainer. I started laughing at one point.
c) How stupid are the people of Gotham? First, they continue to live in a city that is infested with insane villains. Second, they're so easily duped that Batman is really evil. They deserve everything that's coming to them.
d) The Joker was the best character, I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I wish the movie was based solely on the Joker and that certain scenes were longer (ie: him hanging out of the police car).
e) It goes without saying, but Aaron Eckhart is a beautiful, beautiful man.

3. I just discovered Jeff Buckley. If you aren't familiar with his work, please download his album Grace and begin with his cover of Hallelujah.

Getting Older

So I'm 26, and I'm trying to grow up. I'm officially an adult now.

* I have my own sassy apartment in Chicago.
* I am pursuing a doctoral degree.
* I care about politics and international affairs.
* I read National Geographic and Skeptical Inquirer and books by Oliver Sacks.

And yet, I still think about and enjoy things like this.