It wasn’t until last night that I realized the Olympics are over because there was nothing on TV. As an adult I’ve never been interested in this. At all. But for some reason, I got sucked in this year. Not only that, I got totally sucked into events that I never would’ve considered sports in the past!

Take women’s gymnastics. To me, gymnastics = figure skating. But I got hooked during the frickin’ trials! What did it were the stories behind each gymnast. They made these girls more human to me instead of just a bunch of really bendy Barbie Dolls with blonde ponytails.

Beach volleyball. Come on! That isn’t a sport, it’s a game you play on the beach! Or so I thought until I got hooked on the matches between anyone vs. May/Walsh or Dalhaussen/Rogers. This, I have no explanation for. None. But I still consider ping-pong table tennis, badminton, and the trampoline as recreational, backyard games. Except for table tennis — that’s more like a garage or basement game. What’ll they add next? Foosball? Air hockey? Now air hockey, I’d like to see.

Why they couldn’t show men’s basketball during prime time is what I’d like to know.

I’d definitely had enough of Michael Phelps even before the games started, but after learning that he’s ADHD and was bullied as a youngster during an interview with Bob Costas, I could totally feel for him. You know, being a complete underdog that people once kicked around and then to completely blow everyone away. That’s really cool.

A friend of mine sent me this link: The Chai Story. It looks like the first entry of a new blog, but no matter. If the Four Paws, Inc.’s pimple ball with bell is among your dog’s toys, get rid of it — NOW! I know this sounds like one of those rumor-type things people send blanket e-mails about, but please — read the entry. I couldn’t even watch the videos; the pictures were bad enough.

Bernie Mac passed away of pneumonia this morning at a Chicago area hospital. He was only 50. I loved “The Bernie Mac Show.” Well, at least when I could find it on TV, and then only by channel surfing, because I never knew when it’d be on. The show was hilarious, but different in that he’d actually address the viewers, known as America. That’s what I loved most about it; I’d never seen anything like that in a TV program before (the news and talk shows don’t count). I enjoyed his performances in the Ocean’s movies, although he should have had more screen time. Admittedly, I wasn’t a die-hard fan, but I’ll still miss his future projects. To me, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, he was a Chicago comedy icon.

Is anyone else sick of seeing his mug every time you turn on the TV or get online? I sure am!