Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Phantom of the River is Here...for you to laugh at

I am not a big sports person. I played volleyball and basketball in middle school but I couldn't stand watching football (US football). In over 2 years of living abroad, I have never had to watch a US football game because people here seem to share my idea that it is a boring sport, so the few times it is played on the television, channels give it a time slot in the middle of the night between the ShamWow and Zumba videos (I believe this is the true place for football).

The few sports that I do enjoy watching are Formula 1 racing, Motorcycle racing (usually Supercross), basketball (although I've never seen it on TV here but I hear it's popular in Spain), and although I have a lot to learn, I've enjoyed the bit of Rugby I've seen. Do you see a connection here?? I like sports that are more fast paced and don't stop every 15 seconds.

The other night, Branden and I were blown away by a new sport: Freestyle Canoeing

My first thought was, "Those Canadians do the oddest things for entertainment," but apparently it's in America too. I couldn't believe it was a serious competition but this is this guy's 3rd gold medal performance...so it happens more than just this once and other people are doing it seriously too. The first couple of minutes are almost like the same thing over and over again (because come on, how much can you really do with a canoe!) but the last minute he really turns up his drama and I don't know why that audience keeps clapping and doesn't just double over with giggles! There is no way I could have sat there without having a laughing fit. I think Pocahontas would even think it's cheesy!

So what do you think? Is this ESPN's newest and hottest thing or are you all just laughing your pretty little heads off like I am?

25 comments:

  1. Ok, when I read the title of this blog post I thought for sure wherever you are in Ireland had a Lady of the Lake story like we do in Sequim, or something along those lines. But no. You instead showed me a video of a man who failed at his figure skating career and decided to blend his Jonny Weir theatricality with his uncanny knack of being able to not flip a canoe....

    I won't lie, I am kinda jealous he did not flip that thing. I can flip a canoe before I even get in....

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  2. Oh Alicia! You made me snort with laughter that in turn made Branden jump out of his skin! He does have the figure skater look about him, especially when he whipped his hair about at the end!
    p.s. I am quite glad I never went canoeing with you! Do you even call it canoeing or do you just call it what it really is...swimming ;)

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  3. Alicia's comment was the best!
    This cracked me up! Thanks for the giggles.

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  4. I can't even see the video from here, but I'm laughing at the mere thought of it. I'm reminded of a joke Jeff Foxworthy did around the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. It was about kayaking, but it's still funny. "They're doing the kayak races on the same river they filmed DELIVERANCE on. If Ned Beatty can't make it down the river, some Frenchman in a pair of bicycle shorts don't stand a chance." (paraphrased)

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  5. Stephanie, I agree! Alicia is great at cracking me up...which is why she is still a friend of mine since middle school!

    Joshua, it is a shame you can't see the video yet but I too laughed at just the phrase "freestyle canoeing" before I saw this video! That Jeff Foxworthy joke is brilliant!!! Mr. Fluffy Hair in a Cape from this video wouldn't stand much of a chance either!

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  6. I think I may be happy that I don't have sound at work! I can only assume there is really horrible accompanying music to this!

    I confess to snorting toward the beginning when he was paddling backward and looking back over his shoulder, around the 42 second mark.

    This was one of those things you couldn't tear your eyes away from.....

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  7. Lisa, it's all performed to The Phantom of the Opera main song...although I agree that even without sound, it is snort worthy!

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  8. And this is the direct product of a guy that hasn't gotten laid in a REALLY long time. Sad really.

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  9. Lil Dreamer...most likely he's never even seen boobs in real life before!

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  10. Young one, I tried and tried but the video wouldn't play for me.

    So I'm just speculating here- did he only use 1 oar thereby going in a circle?

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  11. Hahaha! Glad to be a secondary source of entertainment! I would advise all readers to remain on the shore when I approach a canoe/kayak/raft/etc.....

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  12. Boomer, bummer it's not playing for you! Here's the direct link to youtube so that may help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSldR9yOJq8
    He does use his single oar to go in circles and tip it close to the point where you think he'd fill it...as talented as that all is, his drama is so comical because you don't expect such emotion in a canoe! ;)

    Alicia, I saw a thing on Pintrest.com that said "I'm not clumsy. It's just the floor hates me, the tables and chairs are bullies, & the wall gets in the way." I can't see it without thinking of you! ;) You are fabulous entertainment!

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  13. What the HELL LMAO!!! If I ever came upon a lake with this sort of . . . art, I would pull out my binoculars FOR SURE. This is hilarious. The music adds a VERY nice touch :)

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  14. Elisa, I bet he grew his hair out specifically for this event! I don't know what I would do if I came across this on a lake...ok, I'd probably just laugh like an idiot!

    Alicia...perfect! Sadly, it's part of my life motto too!

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  15. Hahahahahahahahaha....holy crap, I think I peed myself. Best.thing.ever. Thank you so much....

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  16. Paige, next time I post something ridiculous like this, I'll try to remember to give you a heads up so you can steal one of the babies diapers ;)

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  17. Um. WHAT? I can't watch the video right now cause E2 is watching a movie but what. the. hell.

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  18. I just wandered over from Partly Sunny because the name of your blog cracked me up---great day to come as with this post, the laughs did not stop there!

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  19. Vixen, pretty crazy I know! Who comes up with this stuff???

    Andrea, welcome to my cell! It's nice to know we have a great common blogger ;) I'm so glad you stopped by because now I get to go take a peek at your blog!

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  20. Oh my effing hell! I am laughing so hard I'm crying. I actually had to pause the video so I could post a comment...I just couldn't wait. This is just...EPIC. Or, in the words of Barney Stinson...legen...wait for it...DARY. Thanks for this. As a side note, we get our kicks by watching curling.

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  21. I forgot to mention...just when I get it under control, the little golf claps start up a whole new round of hysteria.

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  22. Elle, the dead seriousness of it all with the 'golf claps' just set the whole thing off! Half the time of watching it, I keep wishing that there is just someone in that crowd trying to suppress a laugh! We would probably get kicked out if we were in the crowd!! LOL

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  23. Did anyone watch the other clips at the end? He's got a Pirates of the Caribbean one, too!

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  24. OMG! You have got to be kidding me! Totally emasculating.

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Does this straitjacket make my butt look big?