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Outsports Clubhouse: Membership For Gay Sports Fans And Athletes
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The Week Starts Gruelingly
by Chuck Martin
Wow, one day of competition and I'm already tired. It didn't help that Opening Ceremonies ran so long the night before. But I almost missed my Games IV debut.
When I got back to my hotel and was finally ready for bed, it was past 1am. The goal of putting my athletic bag together for Sunday was washed from my mind; the only decision I tried to make was: 6:30 or 6:45. In the morning.
I decided on 6:30, to give me enough time to write a bit, eat, and make sure I prepared for the long day ahead, bringing everything I'd need. I forgot one teeny little item: I forgot to actually turn the alarm on.
So when I awoke on my own, I was at first puzzled about why I hadn't heard the alarm. Then I looked. 8:30. I had my first basketball game in 45 minutes, at 9:15.
Talk about being instantly awake. I flew out of bed, hit the shower, threw on clothes, put in contact lenses, and packed my bag in a rush. Amazingly, I forgot one thing: a towel for the shower at the gym. I was flying out the door in 15 minutes.
Breakfast? What's that?
The two block walk to the train station was short, and it was only a few minutes until the train to north of Sydney arrived--fortunately on a Sunday. Better yet, when I walked out of the train station nearest to the basketball venue, a bus was about to pull up, taking me within a block of the venue. I walked on to the court within a minute of two of the game starting, very apologetic of course.
The lack of breakfast - plus the fact that Opening Ceremonies prevented dinner the night before - caught up to me in the second half. Fortunately (again), our captain's partner got me some water and a Snickers bar to get me through.
The break was shower, eat, get email, and prepare for the afternoon, another game.
After that game I took off to Olympic Park to shoot some photos of tennis & table tennis. I got on what I thought would be the right train; I thought the sign said it was going through downtown to the station near Olympic Park. But it didn't: it made a turn off somewhere and I had to take the time to double back, getting me there (and with a long walk from the station) just in time to catch the last couple of matches before it got too dark. Table tennis was out of the question.
On to the late dinner, gimping around on already sore ankles and knees, preparing for an 8am start on Monday with 2 basketball games, possibly 2 track events, and more photography at different venues.
Maybe I am getting too old for this. Still, I'll look back and say I loved it. And I do.
Friendly people
One of the great things about the Games is that all the participants are so friendly. Anytime someone spots an accreditation pass around another's neck, on the train, on the sidewalk, a conversation is bound to ensue.
And everyone's smiling. I chatted with a local bowler at Central Station when I was a bit lost an |
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