Amazing Mascot Creations

Such creative juices must flow while the creators of these Olympic mascots begin their work of art. 

Jing Jing, Sumi, Sochi, Miga, Gliz, Hodori, such fun names! 

Olly the kind Kookaburra from Australia, Sam the eagle who danced into our hearts, Izzy the Olympic spirit with stars for eyes and Cobi the stylized Catalan sheepdog...I can still see his huge balloonish body disappearing in the sky above closing ceremony.  Amazing how so many who grew to love him so much so that sad sayonara tears fell from their eyes.

Amazing creations.  Amazing art.  Amazing creators.

The Magic of Olympic Mascots

Today was sitting and chatting on the beach with Fran Weems Sawdei.  Fran is a great sports fan who has attended the Olympic Games and It was her mom, Eleanor Olsen Weems, who first encouraged me to go to the Olympic Games. Eleanor, who is now 96 taught aviation and was one of the female pilots (WASPS) in WWII. (Incredible family)

One of the topics that came up as we chatted away by the ocean's edge was the mascots of the Olympic Games.  Fran mentioned that they were a rather recent addition.  And even though some think the design of the mascots are not so appealing, they sure do grow on you, just like E.T!

Thousands of real doves were released and The Dove of Peace was the symbol/mascot in Mexico ’68.  The Dove was pictured almost everywhere.  Although the dove was not a character walking around, it still spread the spirit of peace and the spirit of the Olympics during the games. 

A small stuffed animal, a dachshund, Waldi was sold in novelty shops throughout Munich in ’72.  

And now we have Wenlock and Mandeville.  Like several Olympic mascots of the past, a bit strange at first glance.  Then as they work and spread their Olympic spirit they become more lovable as the games progress.

Wenlock and Mandeville represent the start of the Industrial Revolution with their camera eyes.  No need for two, one with peripheral will do! They are named after the village “Much Wenlock” in Shropshire which hosted a precursor to the modern Olympic Games in the 19th century and “Stoke Mandeville” where the first paralympic games were held in 1948.  They’ve got some history to share, aye?

So get ready, no doubt they will be successful in sprinkling their “Mascot Magic” on you tool

Graduation, Lanakai Beach Day and a Great Olympic Invention

Glorious ceremonialism at the University of Hawaii this week during Marion Cadora's graduation from grad school.  Am so proud of my daughter's achievements.  Even though the ceremony was long it was delightful.  My son flew in from New York.  We were with a spirited group from HK, Marion's hale.  We went to post celebrations on campus and for me to have both of my awesome kids in one place was pure bliss.

And what beach was the best beach to chill and relax after all the pomp and parties?  Lanakai.

We met Carmen Enriquez and her daughter at Buzz's in Lanakai for a delicious lunch before the beach.  Both mother and daughter, Eva, are from Spain.  Carmen, a journalist, worked with Juan Carlos of Spain who was on the Olympic sailing team in 1992.  (Very much a part of the Olympic movement.)  Eva, fun-loving Eva, who also graduated, is a good friend of my daughter's.

At lunch interesting conversations flowed.  Among the topics was "inventions".  Later as we walked to the amazing beach at Lanakai, we saw that there were no trees to give a bit of shade.  In my beach bag I pulled out one of my favorite inventions that I've been carrying around now and then since the summer Olympics of '92.

Because it is often hot and sunny at the summer games, finding shade is desirable indeed.  Around '92, someone came up with an idea to assist the Olympic fans for the Barcelona games.  Someone from "la Caixa" funded the idea.

It was a large hat, a light weight paper hat, that could be folded up so small that it could fit into a small cd sleeve.  So small therefore easy to transport.  (I believe it was made in Korea and am not sure who came up with the idea.)

So Eva, Marion, Carmen, Don and I drove then walked to a beautiful spot on this heavenly v e r y sunny beach.  "Finding shade was desirable indeed."  So I reached in my beach bag for my protection, a very small item that became very large indeed!

Along with the popping open of that protective head cover, came laughter and giggles of recognition of "la Caixa" and the wonderful Olympics in Spain twenty years ago!

Great invention, great day, great functional Olympic memorabilia!  : )

Kitesurfing in Rio 2016

Yippy! The ISAF recently voted affirmative!  A "grandioso" new sport for the games, kitesurfing.  Am thrilled for our Orange County Kitesurfers.  Am thrilled for the future Olympic spectators as well.  And...for the kitesurfers who so often can be seen all over the Hawaiian Islands and wonderfully windy Kailua.  No doubt all the kitesurfers around the world will be celebrating and many preparing to go to my old home town in BRAZIL, BRASIL!