I’ve got nothing groundbreaking this week to write about, but Lisa Renee Ward, operator of the blog Glass City Jungle and FOX Toledo contributor, had a unique experience Friday that you might want to check out.

Let me preface this by saying that I believe the United States to be THE world power and that includes sports.  They are, for all intensive purposes, the favorites for everything.

They have more elite athletes winning more medals, but does that actually mean they’ve done the best at the most recent Olympics?

We’ve grown up first through camps that taught us that everybody was a winner.  That’s fine and dandy, but as we get into more competitive arenas, we also jokingly heard that “second place is the first loser” and that athletes are “going for the gold.”

It’s a tremendous accomplishment to win silver and bronze, but it’s not quite the same as winning gold.

This isn’t just a belief that’s coming out of the woodwork.  Ask my co-workers: I was saying this even as the U.S. was winning the gold medal count.

Let me compare two American speedskaters who are among the best in their sport regardless of country.

Apolo Anton Ohno’s become the most decorated Olympian ever, but I believe he isn’t the best Olympian speedskater ever.  Greatness on the ice is defined by how much they dominated during their era.  Ask the Koreans who won several of Ohno’s events if Ohno was the best on the ice as he was off it.  There’s no question Ohno’s marketability and stature off the ice lifted the sport.  His abilities pushed the competition to train harder.  But when all’s said and done, out of Ohno’s record haul of eight medals, only two are gold.  It’s still a great accomplishment, but let’s look at Bonnie Blair.

Blair won five golds out of her six medals.  Spin it any way you want it.  Blair was THE BEST of her time.  It doesn’t matter the country, Blair was the best.  Heck, out of Ohno’s three medals that he won in these Olympics, one was silver.  Two were bronze.  Let’s be honest here – he was a little bit lucky to get that silver if you were watching.

So in this broadcaster’s humble opinion, as much as Ohno has done for the sport, Blair ranks above him in the skating aspect when all’s said and done.

Take it a step further: in the NFL, the New Orleans  Saints reached their first Super Bowl and won it.  That’s held in higher regard than the Buffalo Bills reaching so many Super Bowls and coming back with nothing.  Those Bills teams were great and had some great players, but unfortunately, they’re regarded as choke artists.

So why is there a double standard in the Olympics?

Well, with as many athletes that the U.S. is able to send out, it is a SHOO-IN to win the medal count with all the elite training in the amount of sports that this country is fortunate enough to partake in.  Geography-wise, this country is blessed.

Now why do these gold medals even matter in the grand scheme of things?  I mean, obviously none of the sports can be compared to each other, so collectively, this is for national pride for any country out there.

The gold standard is the best standard.  Do you think Mao Asada was truly happy when she didn’t win gold and instead took home the silver after becoming the first female to land two triple axels in the same program?  Her look said it all.  Let’s just say she was unhappy.

On the flipside, Mirai Nigasu had a heck of a performance and, even though it can be argued that she deserved the bronze instead of fourth, she was ecstatic!  Honestly, if as a competitor, if you’re that happy after not getting first, you probably didn’t expect to get first to begin with.

The gold medalists, the cream of the crop, the winners… those are who’ll be remembered in Olympic lore, not just American lore.  It’s kind of like, who remembers that Linford Christie won bronze (but got silver after Ben Johnson tested positive for steroids)  when Carl Lewis won 1988 gold?  Maybe the Brits do, and Christie was a tremendous runner, and the bronze medal is a solid accomplishment, but again, it’s not the gold.

And that’s why it can be said that the true winner of the medal count that counts is…

Sorry, United States, this one goes to Canada.

If you watch FOX Toledo News at 10 on Sundays, you’re familar with my Dollars and Sense reports.

I try to pick topics of interest that can help you to save money or spend it wisely or keep you informed of moves by businesses that might affect you.

For the next two weeks (2/28 and 3/7/2010), I’m reporting on the topic that this article is titled, “Health on the Cheap”.

My inspiration came from the latest state health rankings putting Lucas County near the bottom. The Health Commissioner blames, in part, poverty.

So I looked for ways you can improve your health without expensive meal plans or gym memberships.

Sure, motivation is part of it, and when you pay for something like a series of classes you tend to make yourself go so you don’t waste your money.

But a big financial investment isn’t necessary to lose some body fat, exercise and feel better.

The black-and-white, all-or-nothing approach discourages so many people. You feel too deprived. You crave all of your old favorites.

Why not try a few smaller changes? Start walking 20 minutes a day before or after dinner. Go by yourself, or with your significant other, kids, neighbor. Trade out some of the bread in your meal for more vegetables. Substitute tea for your usual soda pop. Think about how good that change will make you feel so it becomes a matter of caring for yourself, not depriving yourself.

One of my favorite Health on the Cheap suggestions is renting fitness videos at the library. Having bought a lot of videos that I end up not liking, I wish I had taken that piece of advice myself.

I wish you good health.

Chapter 9:  Welcome Back

Our honeymoon in Hawaii ended quickly.  On the plane Sam was reading documents, and I was reading the Washington Post.

“Lee, um,” Sam began to speak.  “Bob called me again this morning.  This case is harder than we expected it to be, which is going to require another trip.”

I knew it, I knew he was going to leave me again.  “Where are you going this time? And why can’t they take Charles, or David?” I asked confused.

“Lee I know you hate it when I have to leave.  I hate it too, but I’ll only be gone for a week this time, and then I will ask Bob if I can stay for the duration of your pregnancy,” he said with sincerity.

“Sam, where are you going?” I asked.

“California,” he responded.

I didn’t want Sam to go, but I know he has to.  I’m not going to blame Sam for leaving me after he proposed, but I always thought if he didn’t take that trip then none of this would have happened.

The Morning After The Proposal (Flashback)

It felt so good to be in the same bed with Sam as he wrapped his warm arms around my body.

“Are you up?” he asked kissing my ear.

“You know I am,” I replied, turning around to face him.

I decided not to tell Sam about Gray, it’s too embarrassing.  I know I love Sam with all my heart, but I can’t.

“Lee, there’s something I have to tell you,” he had gone back to nibbling on my ear.

“What, what is it?” I asked a little distracted, and very caught up in my task.

“In about two days, I’m going to Texas for three months on business,” he said.

I paused, not sure I had heard him.

“You’re what?” I asked moving away from him.  “You’re leaving me?” I asked again, louder and more furious.

I jumped out of bed, and stood over him with my arms crossed.

Sam’s brows furrowed with confusion at my reaction, he sat up and reached for me.

“Lee, wait, it’s for business.  I’ll be back on thurs-.”  He didn’t get to finish, because I started to walk away.

I can’t bear to listen to him.  He’s going to leave me just like Gray did.  Sam only proposed to me so he could look good in front of the big wigs in Washington DC.  He doesn’t love me it’s all bull.

“Lee, listen to me, I’ll be back,” he shouted as he got out of bed naked, his penis jutted out in front of him.

“No you wont,” I said as I slammed the bathroom door.  “You wont be back, stop kidding yourself.” I murmured.

“Lee what’s wrong with you?  Come out of the bathroom!” he shouted banging on the door.  “Lee, come out of the damn bathroom!”

I never heard Sam speak to me that way before.  I didn’t want to come out.  Every time I share myself with someone they leave me, I was too afraid of letting this happen again.  I took the ring off, and stormed out of the bathroom.

“Here take it back, I don’t want it,” I said and threw the ring at him.

“Lee stop,” he shouted.  “Lee please listen to me,” he said in anger as he grabbed me.

“What the hell is wrong with you?  Why are you so worked up about me going?  This is what I always wanted to do, and you know this.  Just hear me out woman,” he begged.

“Sam, I can’t,” I said as I started to cry.

“Lee you can’t what?  Honey look at me,” he said turning my face toward him, “Have I ever left you alone?” he asked which made a lot of sense.  “Have I ever lied to you?  Have I ever disappointed you?”

“No,” I said, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Lee, I proposed to you to let you know that I am yours and you are mine forever,” he said softly.  “I don’t know what happened to you a long time ago, and I’m getting the impression that you don’t want to tell me.  But whatever happened in the past lets start anew, okay?” he finally said before he kissed me.

The Flight out to Texas

I wanted to go with Sam badly.  Driving him to the airport didn’t make me feel any better.  All I could think about was Gray leaving, saying goodbye and that he loved me.  I was afraid that this was the last time I would see Sam.  I cried all morning and Sam knew there was nothing he could do to make me feel better.

Before Sam got out of the car he looked at me with a deep stare. “Now, look Lee don’t wait until the last minute to plan our wedding,” he said.  “This trip will be quick, you’ll see.  I will call you everyday to see how you’re doing.  I will try to come home at least once a month.  You have seven months before the big day Lee, don’t waste you’re time.  Get all the information together and let me know the cost for everything,” he said as I cried even harder.  “I’ll be back, I will, I promise,” he finally said as he kissed me on the forehead.

He grabbed his bags out of the trunk of my black 2003 E class Mercedes Benz but I stayed in the car.  He started to walk inside the airport slowly.

“Sam,” I shouted as I ran out the car.  “I love you, I really do,” I sobbed.

“I love you too, God knows I do,” he said as he wiped the tears from my eyes and hugged me goodbye.

Four More Months Until The Big Day

Everything was going as planned.  The wedding was less than five months away and as Sam had suggested, I didn’t waste any time.  Sam called me three times a day.  Paula was so excited about the wedding, she told everyone.  My mother and my sister both were planning the whole thing; I on the other hand did absolutely nothing.  I had a total of ten bridesmaids, five from college and five from my hometown Maple Heights, Ohio.  The phone had been ringing off the hook since news of the engagement got out. I was tempted to ignore it, but I didn’t want to miss any of Sam’s calls.

“Hello,”

“Oh my goodness Lee, I saw a cute Christian Dior dress from Saks.  You have to take a look at it,” Paula said on the other end of the line.

“Paula, how am I going to take a look at the dress when you’re all the way in Ohio, and I am here in DC?” I asked.

“Well for your information I called Saks in Virginia and they have it in your size, so go check it out,” she ordered.

“Yes Paula will do,” I laughed as I hung up the phone.

Everyone is more excited about this wedding than I am.  I just want to be with Sam forever, I don’t have to have a huge ceremony.  This is why my mom and sister are planning the wedding for me.

After work, I decided to drive out to Virginia to see the wedding dress Paula told me about on the phone.  I took one of my bridesmaids, Cynthia, with me.

“Lee, I don’t think this dress is for you.  It looks way too sexy for a wedding,” she said as she laughed.

I knew it! Paula Paula Paula, why did I even trust her?

“Yeah you’re right Cindy let’s go look around some more,” I said as I put the dress back on the rack.

We decided to walk around to different stores, but unfortunately we found nothing.

“You know what, did you look at the e-mail Yolanda sent us?” she asked.

“No, what e-mail?” I asked.

“There was this Christiana Couture wedding dress on sale for fourteen-hundred dollars, she thought it would be cute for you,” she said.

“No I don’t recall an e-mail from her on that, do you still have it?” I asked in wonder.

“Yeah, I’ll show it to you when you drop me off,” Cindy said.

Cindy also known as Cynthia Garrick, was another one of my college friends.  She knows about Gray and I.  I told her about the first time Gray and I got together, but not the second time.  She hates the jerk, in fact we all do.

As we walked leisurely through the mall taking our time, I could feel my body asking for a rest.  Cindy bought clothes from almost every store, I on the other hand only window shopped.    Before we left we saw a large crowd surrounding a table.

“What’s going on over there?” Cindy asked.

“I don’t know, beats me,” I replied.

“Let’s go check it out.”

“Naw, you go, I’ll just sit here and wait,” I suggested.

“Come on Lee, I don’t want to go up there by myself,” she whined.

“Cindy, my feet hurt, go on,” I pushed her forward.

While I watched Cindy, I heard people whispering about the All Star east coast basketball team.  Big deal I thought sarcastically.   When I realized Cindy had made it up front, I saw her turn around and walk back towards me.  Her footsteps were hurried, and her expression was carefully blank.

“Lee let’s go,” she said grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the door.

“What’s wrong, you don’t look happy,” I said.  “Don’t tell me you’re upset because no one gave you a free giveaway.”

“Nothing,” she said rushing me out of the mall.

I was confused at her reaction, not sure what was going on, until.

“Lee, Lee is that you?” The voice was painfully familiar

I turned around slowly, my muscles felt like lead.

“Lee, hey how are you doing?”

It was him, after three years, he’s back again. I was speechless.

“Gray, uh hi…”

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Tune in next week

It its time for the 4th and final installment of my videos from Cancun. This week I am featuring Palapas Park. It has to be one of my favorite things to do when I visit Cancun. It is in the heart of downtown Cancun between to heavily traveled streets. It is considerably more ‘Mexican’ than all of the tourist activities in the hotel zone.

Parque Las Palapas is a classic Mexican plaza—complete with shade trees, quesadilla stands, and kids running around all over the place. .It’s the place where locals come to take a break from the heat, to gossip with their friends, and to listen to the local teenagers playing their guitars. On weekends, artisans set up tables to sell their creations and power wheels are available for kids to rent. I am always sure to partake in my favorite Mexican food, churros. They are fried-dough covered with cinnamon and sugar. I find them to be the perfect combination of funnel cake and elephant ear.