Lance, Lance, Lance

The stories came out the other day that Lance Armstong will openly admit he used banned substances during some or all (not sure on the time frame) of his cycling career. 

When I read that he was thinking about it a while back! My first thought was "why didn't you just admit it a long time ago." 

Now that he says he will admit it, I have the same thought.

You see, when he first came into professional cycling, I did not care for the brash, young cocky kid from Texas. He had star potential, but he was cocky. In fact, his first Tour De France was not very successful. He did win a stage, but he finished 97th overall and he quit after stage 12.

But he stuck it out and trained hard and as most know, in 1996 he developed testicular cancer. In 1997 he was declared cancer free. 

His amazing story of cancer survival would have been enough for many to look up to and look for him for moral support and inspiration. But he took it many steps further. In 1997 he started the Lance Armtrong Foundation for Cancer support. And in 1999 he won the first of his record 7 Tour De France titles.

That was an incredible ride. Millions of people were inspired by his wins. And the notoriety helped springboard his foundation in massive ways.

Then the doping allegations began.  If you know cycling, doping allegations are a big part of it. If you win, trust me someone will accuse you of cheating. That's the way it is. And if you win 7 in a row, look out.  Armstong never failed a doping test. The proof, to me, was in the pudding. I was flabbergasted at the allegations. I was even disappointed in and had negative vibes against Greg LeMond who spoke out against Armstong. Greg LeMond was one of my cycling heroes. That was tough for me.

Through all of this, I became a Lance Armstrong fan. I rooted for his survival and his victories. I supported him in my heart because I knew and believed he was innocent of these doping allegations. I felt that he had one of those special places in sport. A place where not many make it. 

And throughout his testimonies and defense of the doping, I believed him. I actually argued with people about his innocence.

When the story first broke about him being stripped of his Tour De France titles, I made sure I wore my Livestrong bracelet that day. Not only for the cancer support but in support of him and in defiance of anyone who would curse his name.

But recently, I came to the realization that he did cheat. He did lie. And for that I am deeply disappointed.

So Lance just make a quick press conference and say you lied, say you cheated and admit to the doping. Done. Forgiven. Move on.

But now I hear that he is going to do an interview on the Oprah show to admit he doped.  Well actually it says he will apologize and he will make a limited confession. 

Come on!!!!! You can do that by announcing a press conference. 

I'm not saying this because of my feelings about Oprah. I don't really care for her actually. But Why do you have to go on a big stage like that? 

Just say it!!!!!!!!!!!

So with that said, I personally forgive Lance for the past and so should everyone else. But going on the Oprah show to give a "confession" leaves a bad taste. 

What's the agenda?

What's the motive?

And, for the record, I won't watch.

And now I take a step down ..... Off of the Soap Box. 

From the DVD rack

We watched some really good movies recently. Movies are such a great way to relax and enjoy time “away from life.”

Here is the short list of some of the movies we watched of late.

MOONRISE KINGDOM (Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, and many others).

 This is one of those “quirky films. If you don’t like quirky, don’t watch this film.  The movie is about a pair of young lovers who flee from their New England town, which causes a local search party to look for them.  At some points in the movie I thought some scenes may be a little over the top, but basically the movie is an innocent tale of two kids who think they know how to get on with life. Set in the mid 60’s, this film has everything from a Great Storm, the Khaki Scouts, and an orphanage. It is a good DVD to watch with an open mind.

 

THE RAVEN (John Cusack, Alice Eve)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edgar Allen Poe fans (which I am) and non - Poe fans should like this one.  Don’t watch it expecting Poe’s life story (on the surface) but what you get is MUCH of Poe’s life in a Detective Thriller. The IMDB tag line for this movie is right on. : The only one who can stop a serial killer is the man who inspired him.” Cusack portrays Edgar Allen Poe brilliantly. You see, Poe is considered by many the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He also had a hand in contributing to the genre of Science Fiction.  The movie touches on many true aspects of Poe’s real life. His lack of money for some of it. The mystification surrounding the cause of his death, etc. Poe was found on the streets of Baltimore “in great distress” He was never coherent long enough to explain how he got that way. The movie touches on this with a small twist of fiction. I love this movie because of the great story and thriller that it is and the fact of the many true aspects of his life trickled in.  You will enjoy this film.

 

THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saws (this is intentional – my small tribute to Gollum) THE HOBBIT: An Unexpected Journey, recently at the Cinema and when we came home, we agreed that we should watch the Lord of the Rings movies. So we did. These are awesome. Enough said.

 

HOPE SPRINGS (Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell)

From IMDB: “After thirty years of marriage, a middle-aged couple attends an intense, week-long counseling session to work on their relationship.” This movie has comedy, but it also gives you a serious story about couples who drift apart, while being together. Streep’s character finally has enough and in her soft spoken, non - confrontational way, basically saves her marriage (in many different ways).

 

THE WORDS (Bradley Cooper, Dennis Quaid, Jeremy Irons, Zoe Saldana)

We saw previews t this while watching Hope Springs. This is a really excellent movie. It’s a story about a struggling writer who encounters a piece of work – by chance – but through circumstances, he becomes successful because of it. The tale follows the writer as he struggles, decides, does not speak up, and then encounters someone that could change his life. You won’t think of it as you watch, but the movie has a couple of mild twists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my opinion, any of these movies are worth the time to watch.