Pressure & Expectation
Hey all. So, I was watching this morning the highlights from the O-lympics and Mr. Phelps and company during the swimming thingie*. I think it's kinda funny that the only time that anyone gives three happy-high-five-fucks about the swimming is during the O-lympics. But, watching the news and highlights were a little unsettling (as it often is). The expectations for this Mike Phelps dude are overwhelming, even for me and I'm sitting my lazy ass in my recliner, sippin' a beer watching the athletes and I feel the pressure. This guy is being put under tremendous pressure to perform at the highest level possible. I feel for him and I'm amazed he hasn't cracked yet.
Sure, he has the ability to break many records. Yes, this guy is probably one of the greatest 'merican O-lympic athletes ever. But, man, for the ol' talking heads on the tv and the interviewers and the street vendors to always, consistently raise the issue of his record setting feats is a little much. "2 gold down 5 to go": you hear that one a lot. "3 more to go, blahblahblah". Jeebus fuckme Christmus, ONE gold medal in the games is a tremendous feat and YOU ASSHOLES expect, no DEMAND, this 23 year old swmmy guy to do that SEVEN fucking times. That's preposterous.
In real-life terms, the type of expectations put on this guy are like this: You go to work on Monday and your boss comes in to say good morning, He/She then goes on to say that you, by yourself or with a small team, need to raise this quarter's profits by ten percent. Then she gives you by lunch to get it done (for the white collar sector). That is what it would be like. Or, you go to work and your boss demands you pull six hundred Slurpees in twelve seconds (to the blue-collar sector). Except M.Phelps has a boss of 300 million people and an executive of the board, called the media, placing huge expectations on such a young man.
If I were M. Phelps I would wait until my last race, my record-setting, country-unifying, tear inducing race. Then, I would purposely come in last place. I would then turn to the cameras and go "Fuck you and your expecations 'merica". But, that's just me.
Anyway, enjoy the O-lympics.
*For the record, I am really happy that the men's swimmy guys don't wear the Speedo banana-hammock suits anymore.
