Another full week of all work and no play. I finally shut it all off at about 2 today. I had a nap, cooked a wicked dinner, and even managed to do some painting.
I can’t blame all my tiredness on the long hours connected to the office, because there are a few complications unconnected to work; first and foremost being the Tour.
While it is certainly true that I prefer cricket, football and hockey to cycling, it is equally true that my favourite sporting event of the year — the only one I actively look forward to — is the Tour de France. This year it started about two weeks ago, at exactly the same time that work became hectic. It runs in my time zone from about 3am to 8am. I usually manage to watch from about 5 until I have to leave at 7:30, following the finish on my Blackberry as the bus chugs along. I’ve been known to leave late some days. On the weekends, of course, all sense is discarded in the realization that I can watch from beginning to end, so long as I sacrifice a few hours sleep.
It’s been a wonderful Tour, by the way, a few drug busts notwithstanding. Today’s mountain stage was some of the most extraordinary sporting drama created by extraordinary athletes I have ever seen. I am taking a mental health day on Wednesday so as to be able to watch in relaxation the ride to L’Alpe d’Huez. The day includes both the fearsome Col du Galbier and the mountain top finish at L’Alpe d’Huez. It will be an historic and fascinating day.
We are also in the middle of the Summer Sumo basho in Nagoya. Here, that is shown from midnight to 2am. With the Tour going on, I just can’t manage to stay up that late. But we tape it and I watch it the next day.
Ama
This basho, the first after Kotooshu won in May, has produced some interesting stuff, too. The great yokozuna Asashoryu lost an early bout and was then the victim of dubious referring in another bout. He quit the tournament with a damaged elbow. He seems to have lost his edge, his determination, and he looks to be on the downward slope of his career. The other yokozuna, Hakuho, is cruising to another championship with an 8-0 frecord so far. Our favourite, Ama, is second at 7-1.
Again, these last few days have given us a great Open golf championship. The nostalgia of Greg Norman (and his melodramatic semi-collapse on the final day), the excitement of the 20-year old amateur coming in 5th, and the nice guy Irishman winning for the second year in a row. Good stuff. But it began in the middle of the night, too. Thank God it is over.
Now, I just have to survive another week of sumo and cycling — and another couple of days of England;s cricketers getting thrashed by South Africa — and I’ll be fine. Until the Olympics of course.
Posted by jakking 
