Maybe I'm not seeing the problem here?

1) I've never been to China.
2) I have read that the air pollution is horrific.
3) I have seen enough travel shows of Beijing and Hong Kong and any major city around China to literally SEE the air pollution haze above the city.

So what's so wrong with highly-trained, tip-top shape athletes wearing masks to filter the air pollution?

U.S. cyclists apologize for wearing masks at upon arrival in Beijing

BEIJING (AP) -- A group of American cyclists are apologizing to Beijing Olympic organizers after arriving in China's capital wearing face masks.
Jim Scherr, the U.S. Olympic Committee's chief executive officer says the athletes regret their actions and have written an apology to BOCOG on their own behalf."

Full Story: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/olympics/2008/08/06/cyclists.masks.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Frogger across Peachtree Industrial

First of all, if you are not from this area, and you don't know the road known as Peachtree Industrial - allow me to elaborate. Peachtree Industrial - 6 lanes of traffic moving at a rapid rate of speed between Buford and Chamblee. This section of which I am about to discuss is around Norcross/Chamblee area.

Last Saturday (the 31st), I went with Keith to watch the Penguins and the Red Wings play with his friend, Ed. After not being able to find Ed even after passing the frozen snow cone miniature golf Asian Extravaganza....we finally caught up with him and made the decision to WALK to the sports bar for the game-watching. Not a big deal. Never once thought that we were all wearing dark colors, and by the time we would be leaving the bar, it would be dark outside. Common logic never came into play.

Our first dart across Peachtree Industrial Blvd (herein referred to as "PIB") is fine. No cars. Sunlight, and we make our way to the sports bar. The first thing noticed was Steelers plastered across the front windows of the sports bar. My coworkers would love this place, and I remember my one coworker saying, "the reason why there are so many Steelers fans far and wide across the U.S. is because Pittsburgh is such a crappy place to live and work, that they move, taking their fandom with them." He, being a former Pittsburghian, can say that.

We walk into the sports bar to watch one of the final games of the Pens/Red-f'ing-Wings, and the bar is desolate. There is a man sitting 6 feet away from a HUGE t.v. watching the college world series. There is a table with two boys playing online games. That's pretty much it. There are t.v.s all around the sport's bar, and a waitress donned in a Guinness shirt seats us (that I would later be told that her shirt was a 'mammaries shirt.') I order a Terrapin, Keith orders a Killian's, and sorry, Ed, but I can't remember what you got. Soft pretzels, Nachos, beer, sports, Keith, it was great :) The sound for the World Series was all you could hear so when we heard "YAY!" and other cheers for that game, we thought we missed something in the Pen's game.

Suddenly, I hear a familiar beat of Soulja Boy. What's going on in the [smoking area] bar? Suddenly we see two kids come racing out of the bar area (mind you...this is now....8:30/9:00-ish). I then inform Keith and Ed that I was so happy I was upstairs at the wedding reception I was at when the Charlie Brown Cha Cha shoot me now or make me deaf came on from the DJ. On the next breath....................the Charlie Brown Cha Cha shoot me now or make me deaf song came on in the bar. WTF? We have now realized there is a birthday party, wedding reception, anniversary something going on....in the bar....bordering the "sports" area while we are trying to watch the game with the commentary being that from the College World Series game. Oh....dear....Lord.

Somewhere in the meantime, a young mother comes walking out with a small child in her arms. Wait...let me rephrase. Somewhere in the meantime, a young mother comes walking out of the smoke-filled bar area with a small child in her arms. "Yeah, I have to change her diaper," says the mother. Expecting to see the mother go into the bathroom, I am disgusted to look over and see the mother with her child laying on one of the booth's seats as she is changing the diaper, handing the soiled one to the person behind her. I wanted to say something. I was furious. Then she takes her to the bathroom to wash her hands. Are you serious? I did not just see someone playing with urinary and fecal matter in a booth where people sit to eat! But..........I did.

We left at - I don't know what time it was - 10:30? We decide to walk back to the apartment, and THEN it hits us - great we're all wearing dark colors, and here we go trying to re-enact Frogger in the darkness of PIB. Do you know how difficult it is to time crossing 6 lanes of traffic with three people at night time and cars NOT slowing down? It's difficult I tell you. After a few minutes, I see a break in the line of cars and start walking out into the road while a car is passing. I'm sure the lady has freaked out that a person was jogging towards her car as I break into a faster jog and get to the cement median. I turn around fast enough to THEN see Keith and Ed Froggering it across the highway and take off across the last set of lanes. Nothing more exhilarating (or stupid) than crossing PIB around 11pm wearing dark clothing and NO street lights around. We are the reason why insurance premiums are so high.

And for humor sake...

Why my life mirrors My Boys

Watching the season finale of "My Boys," and I can't help but crack up while watching it. While it may not mirror my life in its entirety, here are some similarities that I just can't help but list:

1. P.J.'s idea of packing: "jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirt, jersey...I'm done" Any of my female friends know my idea of packing is the same...plus or minus the jersey depending on the season ;)

2. P.J. has a group of friends (guys) who crack up by getting into a batting cage with a helmet and then seeing how painful a fastball to the body (or head) really is.C'mon now...I could think of worse that we've tried - lol

3. P.J. is a Sports Writer.When I was in college, I was the Sports Editor for our university newspaper.

4. P.J. prefers hanging out and having fun rather than an uptight, minimal conversation fancy shmancy place for a date.Change "P.J." above to "Shelby."

5. P.J. has "poker night" once a week in which her friends come over, drink beer, play poker and goof off.We used to (and will again) have Philly Cheesesteak night...in which friends come over, drink cider, eat Philly Cheesesteaks, and goof off.I'm sure I could continue on and on, but I already know my friends reading this are nodding their head, smiling, laughing, and still stuck on number 2 going, "yup, I remember seeing the pictures from the time you guys tried to re-steal a cement bulldog stolen from UGA that was, at that time, located at a Georgia Tech Frat House" (FYI...we failed. Champagne + champagne + two girls does not equal the moving of a 500 lbs cement bulldog) or how about, "yeah I remember that time standing around the bonfire, drinking, having "meaningful philosophical conversations"....while it was raining...until someone said, "seriously, guys, uh, it's raining."