Get Out and Support The United States Olympic Team

From an Olympic fan standpoint, it seems like we are stuck in a period of forever.  The successful Winter Olympics held in Canada last year seems like it took place an eternity ago (of course this years' long winter doesn't help), and the 2012 Summer Olympic games planned to be held in London, England in 2012 feels like its going to take place eons from now.

USOC: Symbol of greatness



I'm a huge supporter of the International Olympic games. And I can't hide my bias; I'm fanatical about our United States Olympic Athletes.  There is something incredible about the notion that some athletes will spend a good part of their lifetime training, practicing, and conditioning their minds and bodies for that one chance at Olympic gold.  Some will sacrifice endless hours as a youth, winning local and regional competitions to even begin the first steps for the trials to even be considered a candidate for Olympic level qualification! 

And once you weed out the best from the best,  you have the core group; those who are talented (and sometimes lucky) enough to make the team. Then comes that special moment of jubilation and stress that they all have been preparing for - their whole lives to compete against the greatest athletes from every country in the world.  The drama is unparalleled; there is nothing else like it in global athletic completion on the face of the Earth!

Television, particularly NBC as of late (ABC in previous years), has brought us some dramatic moments from venues all over the world, and provided us with moments that drove us to excitement, disappointment, anger, and joy.  It's not only the competitive nature of the games themselves that we are inspired by, but the stories of athletes overcoming real-life challenges - from rising up from an unlucky upbringing, to coming back from an injury such as where a doctor told the athlete, "You'll never [insert sport] again."

So the Olympics is about much more than winning, its also about the determination of the human spirit, and of course from my perspective - the American spirit.  And that is worth, spending time contemplating.  We are often so busy trying overcome our own adversities particularly in this current era of great uncertainty.  Yet somewhere, right now - a U.S. Olympic athlete is training their hearts out, pushing their limits to focus on their next step of achievement, and their break-out moment.  We in the public may never have the opportunity to grace the Olympic stage, but we can take from their example - that with hard work and dedication - we can rise above our station and circumstances to be better, dream more, and achieve more.

As a rule, I do not ask people for money.  In fact, if I found my cupboard bare, and needed a cup of sugar to complete a recipe, I would rather trudge in six feet of snow to the store in a blizzard before bothering my neighbor for a favor.  But in this case, I will suggest how you can help our Olympic athletes, and reap some benefits in the process.

The United States Olympic Committee requires funding to support athletes, and much of it is collected through corporate sponsorships, and individual contributers.  The USOC sent me a recent fundraising letter, and there is a line that speaks volumes: "Being competitive at the world level in an international sport is not easy, nor is it cheap." This is undenyably true given the immense undertaking to provide and maintain the venues and facilities for the dozens of summer and winter sports that our athletes train and compete in.

Several times a year, I receive a little packet from the Olympic Committee which requests a small donation, starting at a minimum of $20.  Now I know times are tough so parting with $20 for some may seem like a lot since money doesn't fall from the sky in times like these.  But I have to say that the benefits are twenty-fold.  First, you are being patriotic by supporting the United States Olympic Team and its athletes.  If that isn't enough, for every $20 you send, the USOC will send you some stylish Olympic Wear or Olympic logo'd products that you'll ever find (for the value).

For my meager $20 donation they offer Team USA logo'd clothing including spring jackets, fleece pullovers, shorts, hats (of all varieties), scarfs, long sleeved t-shirts and short sleeved t-shirts.  I've also seen Team USA backpacks, bags, blankets, and other products offered.  Since I own some of these products, and have for several years - I can tell you first hand that they are pretty well made, wash well, and last a long time.  Obviously, they are not $90 quality but you'll certainly feel like a million dollars when you sport the Team USA logo walking down the street.

It's funny.  I was an outside event, standing in line for a drink when I happened upon a man wearing a Team USA winter hat.  I asked him where he got that, and he let me in on the best kept secret of all time:  he directed me to the website and told me about the $20 deal to pick up clothing like his and much more!  From that point on, I guess you can say that I'm a regular shopper!  I just can't keep my wife from stealing my Olympic-wear!

Well, let me provide you with the information, and you can judge for yourself.  I almost feel guilty directing you to give something to get something.  But the USOC wants you wear Team USA wear and publicly support the athletes and our team - it serves to promote the games, and when you pass a big time Corporate honcho, and he sees you wearing clothing supporting our Olympic athletes, he just might be inclined to take it the extra step and give Team USA a boost via a Corporate initiative.  And heck, it just makes you feel good to promote Team USA.

Here is where you can go to decide for yourself:  here is one of several links.  I suggest you are best to call them at (888) 222-2313.

Good Luck Team USA!

Random Selection: http://www.randsel.blogspot.com/

My Day Starts with Coffee!

There is something magical about that first morning cup of fresh brewed coffee.  In fact, I can't seem to function with any reasonable degree of coordination without gulping down that first 16 oz mug.  Of course, this has everything to do with the caffeine which is the main ingredient to this necessary beverage habit.

Without my first cup of coffee,
I'm a pretty useless creature to behold

Coffee has always had a mixed review when it comes to academic studies about whether or not its good for you.  My own view is that coffee falls under the category: everything in moderation.  My own view is that besides helping to get your day going, there is likely some small benefit that helps to serve as a fat burner since it increases metabolism.  On the downside, coffee raises blood pressure, and can help lead contribute to sleep apnea, and acid reflux.  My own experience tells me this is true! 

Coffee is and agricultural wonder - since it comes from a plant that produces coffee beans which are then ground into fine powder and brewed with hot water.  It is said to have been discovered in the 15th century originating in Ethiopia which is a bit ironic in that one of the poorest countries in the world is the birthplace of a product that results in billions of dollars in trade annually. The three main exporters of coffee are said to be Brazil, Vietnam, and Columbia with several other Asian and African countries just behind them.  Coffee is grown in climates which tend to be consistently warm year round and unfortunately, the United States is not among the production players, but is clearly one of the largest consumers of the product. There are many websites devoted to the economic details of coffee production, trade and controversies; I'm going to keep this light rather than producing a long-winded dissertation on coffee. 

Everyone has their preferred coffee selections and preparation.  For the longest time, I took my coffee with plenty of cream and sugar, but I think my tastes evolved in my late 20s and along with my desire to reduce caloric intake (coffee is low to zero calories) by eliminating the fattening qualities of cream and sugar, and I moved to drinking coffee black.  I occasionally top off my coffee with skim milk to soften the taste.  In the summer, I might opt for an afternoon iced coffee drink, which is something I used to watch my grandmother consume when she would sit and read her afternoon newspaper.  There is also the dreaded Coffee Coolata - but this is probably 20% coffee and 80% sugar, syrup, and -- did I mention sugar?

I'm not necessarily loyal to any specific brand of coffee, but just like anyone else I do have my preferred store bought choices.  I like 8 o'clock coffee, and also Folders, and might even go with some of the lesser brands that rank just above the generic store version.  I have this thing where I think its insanity to spend more that $4-$5 dollars on a single bag of ground bean coffee.  Furthermore, its highway robbery that some high end brands demand as much as $9 and $12 a bag.  But admittedly, when they are on sale, I may occasionally go with Dunkin Donuts or even Starbucks.  The high end brands have there positives, but for the most part they are not so much better as to demand $6 more a bag than say - 8 o'clock coffee, which I fine is relatively close in taste.

When you think about the mark up on coffee, which is near 500% even after you take out distribution and packaging costs, you realize that it really takes gall for coffee companies have to charge you so much by the ounce and by the cup.  But they also know that its a necessary evil that people will not give up any time soon.  Americans consume coffee by the gallon - a breakfast, break, lunch and afternoon.  And many take coffee as an after dinner ritual - sometimes in the form of a latte or expresso. 

Because I drink my fair share of regular black coffee, I do opt for some of the flavored varieties that fall within the same price range as the regular brands.  I'm preferential to hazelnut as an option, but I'd say that 70% of the time I reach for the basic French Roast Whole Bean variety - I guess I like the deep, dark rich taste of my morning coffee unaltered by sugary powders, artificial flavors, or creamers that are good for only about the first cup.  After that, the after-taste leaves your taste buds second guessing your decision.

As a subnote, I strongly believe that instant coffee is a crime against humanity.  I don't know what it is, but the taste of these products is a far cry from even the most generic of regular coffee brands - almost so much so that I can't believe marketing laws permit the use of the word coffee as part of its title.  If you need caffeine that bad, and you can't get to Dunkin Donuts, you are better off reaching for a Coca-Cola.  Instant coffee should be banned, and its consumers scorned. Yuck!

Coffee's chief rival is Tea.  But I'll likely cover my enjoyment of tea in another entry because its worth more consideration and discussion than a few meager paragraphs buried in an article about coffee.  Notwithstanding, my English friends see my preference of coffee over tea as typically American, and very unsophisticated.  However, I remind them that tea was quite popular in the English Colonies until their greedy little empire opted to overtax it (along with many other commodities), thus igniting a little thing called The American Revolution.  The war with the colonies sent Americans seeking alternatives to British imported tea, and coffee started its long journey into the hearts and stomachs of Americans.

It took several decades for trade with England to normalize, but there were other options for Americans to go with - including coffee - as an option which was readily available via seafaring nations like Spain which didn't trade as often with India and other nations tied into the Indian export economy.  Ironically, England weaned itself off coffee moving toward tea which was much cheaper to grow, cultivate and distribute.  By the American Civil War, coffee was a major commodity relied on by soldiers and the general population, although tea did remain popular in households of the privileged, and well to do.

I enjoy both tea and coffee, but couldn't imagine ever replacing my cup of Joe for any other caffeine enriched substitute.  So bottoms up!  Keep the 'Joe coming! 

This original blog entry can be found at http://www.randsel.blogspot.com/