I don;t usually post random videos from YouTube, but this clip shows what it takes to give a god interview: charm, poise, erudition, the ability to form sentences, and the courage to smack down a reporter’s clown-like wardrobe.

Kevin Garnett is really bringing it all to the Boston Celtics, on the court and off. All we need now is a ring.

…and Craig Sager had this coming. Those are some ugly clothes. Thanks KG!

Technorati Tags: Boston+Celtics, Kevin+Garnett, Craig+Sager, fashion, ubuntu

It’s not fair to make fun of the winter Olympics mascots without re-posting my old Summer Olympics mascot post as well. Here is my t ake from February, 2006, when Beijing 2008 unveiled its little monsters. This time, in chronological order from 1968 – 2008:

1968, Mexico City, “The Dove of Peace” (unofficial).

The “black power salute” was also unoffical, I believe

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1972, Munich, “Waldi the Dachsund”

When I think “athletic achievement,” I think “short, stubby legs” When I think “Olga Korbut,” I think “Dachsund”

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1976, Montreal, “Amik the Beaver”

At least the dachsund had legs. This could be an eggplant with a tail..

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1980, Moscow, “Misha the Bear”

How could anyone boycott that adorable face?

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Also, “Vigri,” the Baby Seal, represented yachting events in Tallinn
– yacht–club–baby seal; I see the connection

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1984, Los Angeles, “Sam the Eagle”–

Mr. Ueberroth, there’s a Mr. Henson on the line for you, says it’s urgent. Something about copyright infringement?.

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1988, Seoul, “Hodori and Hosuni,” the Tiger Cubs

They’re Grrrrrrrreat!.

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1992, Barcelona, “Cobi,” a mountain sheep dog with human shape

See, with the eyes on both side of its face, I thought it was a flounder..

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1996, Atlanta, “Izzy,” (The original name was Whatizit)

I’ve got nothing. It’s at once too easy and too difficult to make fun of this. I weep for my country.

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2000, Sydney, “Syd,” the Platypus; “Millie,” the Echidna; “Olly,” the Kookaburra

Don the Dingo and Winston the Wallaby were apparently dejected at being passed over.

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2004, Athens, “Athena” and “Phevos,” two children of modern times, brother and sister

Because historical characters bear no meaning for an Olympics held in Athens.

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2008, Beijing, “Friendlies”:”Beibei” the Fish, “Jingjing” the Panda, “Huanhuan” the Olympic Flame, “Yingying” the Tibetan Antelope, “Nini” the Swallow

Catch ‘em all! These cute little figures are what pop up if you type “democracy” into Google China.

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Technorati Tags: olympics, mascots

UPDATE: I’m an angry nerd! Awesome (I think)– thanks Canoe Dossier! And please see my summary of the Summer Olympics mascots.

Here we go again– another Olympics mascot is unveiled. This particular trilogy of terror are Miga, Quatchi and Sumi, a “sea bear,” a “young sasquatch,” and an, um, “animal spirit,” respectively. Here they are. The legend of Sasquatch has been cheapened, first by a beef jerky maker, now by the Olympic committee. Why not just make him a Webkinz and be done with it?

My ambivalence towards Olympic mascots is not something new. Here is a re-post of a February 2006 blog entry on an old neglected blog. I present them to you now, from 1968-2006, as if they were new and fresh. Summer mascots to follow in a separate post:

2006, Torino, “Neve” and “Gliz”: Two marshmallows?!? Ok, they are supposed to be “Snow and Ice,” but I still think the slogan should be “Give me s’more medals.”

Ciao yerself.

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2002, Salt Lake City, “Powder” the Hare; “Copper” the Coyote; “Coal” the Bear

Also known as Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Wolf and Br’er Bear.

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1998, Nagano: “Snowlets.” I think those are supposed to be owls. Owls eat mice– that’s it. Oh, and they’re wise. These aren’t even snow owls!

Was Baatz-Maru busy? He would have been a kickin’ logo for Japanese games! And he’s a penguin!

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1994, Lillehammer, “Haakon” and “Kristin”, Norwegian child folk characters.

Does this mean they are not original characters?

They only had 2 years to come up with these instead of the usual 4, so I guess this is the best they could do.

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1992, Albertville, “Magique”, animated Savoyard Star.

Looks like a cross between a rogue Jack-in-the-Box and an origami project gone awry.

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1988, Calgary, “Hidy” and “Howdy” the Welcome Polar Bears.

This from the country that gave us hockey goons.
Let’s give them Timothy Treadwell’s scent and see if their expressions change to something less cute.

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1984, Sarajevo, “Vucko the Wolf”

Actually, he’s got a Bode Miller thing going there

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1980, Lake Placid, “Roni the Racoon.”

What best represents the USA? I know, an oversized rodent that roots through trash cans and carries rabies!

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1976, Innsbruck: “Schneemandl”. That means “snowman” but would be a great name for horror movie.

Beware the Schneemandl!!!

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1968, Grenoble, “Shuss”

Shuss yourself.

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Technorati Tags: Olympics, mascots,

This year’s Oscars featured many luminaries, most of whom just sat in the audience looking good. But surely there were three empty seats, meant for the Hanson Brothers, supporting players and scene-stealers from the cinematic triumph “Slap Shot.”

The Brothers shared the ice with members of the Boston Bruins “Black and Gold Legends” team to benefit the Genesis Fund, an organization dedicated to the treatment of birth defects.

A worthy cause and an enjoyable day, though I had to explain to my 9-year-old son that it will be several years before I let him see his new bespectacled heroes in the film that made them famous.

And to those of you at PodCamp Toronto this weekend; I may be missing the fun, but I saw some of the hockey-themed photos on the Flickr streams, and I don’t think any of you can beat Pie McKenzie, John Bucyk, Ken Hodge and the Hasnons. So eat your heart out.

Technorati Tags: hockey Boston+Bruins Slapshot PodcamptorontoHansen+BrothersgenesisfundOscars