Christmas Day, 2007 "Countdown Central"
I have had some heated discussions relating to enumerating various pop-cultural objects. First I would like to start with something near and dear to my heart: the greatest songs of the 1980s. I realize the controversy in doing this, but would just like to throw out "Your Love" by The Outfield as the leading candidate for greatest song of the decade. I know, I know, you're thinking to yourself 'How could you even have a non-Journey/Steve Perry song top your list? Or what of the wonders filling up the Lionel Richie catalogue? In fact, this choice goes against much of what I stand for.
But the controversy doesn't just stop there...I dare took the time to put down my favorite Christmas movies and Christmas songs as well. See if you agree with them, as I must admit there's more modern flavor in there than most would have:
Christmas Songs:
5. "Merry Christmas Baby" -The Boss. Starting a theme of modern hits in the countdown, I like this one more than most.
4. "So This is Christmas"- John Lennon. Damn you Yoko Ono...but at least he got this one done first.
3. "Merry Christmas Sarajevo"- Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Little bit of everything in this one.
2. "Carol of the Bells"- Harlem Boys Choir. There are a bunch of different great versions of this and I love most of them. Brings me back to my days singing in choir (gimme a break).
1. "All I Want for Christmas" Mariah Carey. Its role in one of the greatest movies of all-time Love Acutally alone gives this song its spot atop the list. As Christmas is a time of giving I give to the washed up Mariah Carey some critical acclaim. I have not found a charity to support this cause but will keep you updated.
Christmas Movies:
5. Home Alone. A modern classic. John Hughes at his best. Who would've thought this movie would stand the test of time?
4. Miracle on 34th Street. It's a little bit in the "played out" column for me,
3. Family Stone. This movie has all that a Christmas movie should: laughs, tears, awkward moments. I loved it.
2. Love Actually. One of my favorite movies ever, I watch it every year without fail. Maybe it's the romantic in me?
1. It's a Wonderful Life. Not much to say: it really is that good.
December 21, 2007 "HAHA!"
Okay, lot to discuss, but first I have to share something with you that absolutely made my day:
As our resident critic Billy said "I love the acting of whatever creature that is dressed up as a woman with cornrows." Literally could not have said it better myself. I hope you enjoyed it.
Speaking of Billy, he's got another review for us today which I've posted just below. I updated the results section and should be doing the videos soon. Things are booking here in Montana and it's a blast training with my old coach Dave Berkoff around here. It's always tought to get a ton of training in when you get home (college and post-college) but I am doing the best job yet, so wish me luck in keeping it up :).
Honestly, I think I'm going to go enjoy this crisp winter weather before I go back to practice so let's just leave it at that for now. Merry Xmas to all of you and will update soon.
Billy's Post:
"I’ve been making the rounds on the obscure indie movie front lately and have reaffirmed my belief that a lot of these “films” remain unseen simply because they are quite bad. Diving Bell and the Butterfly is not so obscure and was by far the best of the bunch, despite falling short of my breathless anticipation based on the trailer. The vast majority of movies would be improved if they existed solely in trailer form. Anyway, Diving Bell was fitfully beautiful and the story (about a man who is rendered paralyzed after a stroke and dictates an entire memoir by blinking his eye) is incredible. But it was more tedious and less lyrical than I would have liked. Barcelona: A Map, was mediocre and took place entirely in a single apartment building, depriving me of the opportunity to see the city itself on screen which was the only reason I bought a ticket. Also, bizarrely, a revelation of incest at the end of the film is treated as casually as most people’s discussions of what to have for dinner. This troubled me and kind of ruined the whole movie. Still, Barcelona was a masterpiece suitable for inclusion in the national archives compared to Chaotic Ana, a movie I saw based on a) the description of the main character living in a cave in Ibiza and b) because it co-stars hot sexagenarian Charlotte Rampling. This movie was indescribably bad. And it took itself far too seriously to fall into the so-bad-it’s-good category. I cannot begin to quantify its suckiness or delineate its completely nonsensical and impossible-to-follow plot. I think it had something to do with past lives and Woman Throughout History. Revoltingly, it ended with the titular heroine defecating in the mouth of a conservative American congressman, at which point the audience collectively gave up and attempted to appreciate the movie as camp. It still fell short.
Speaking of shitty politicians, I have been observing the presidential race at arm’s length since it began, seemingly, 9 years ago. Not in love with any of the candidates, as usual. However, I despise Rudy Giuliani and am frightened by Mike Huckabee due to both his uber-Christianity and the fact that he (allegedly) runs 10 miles before dawn every day. In the event of a victory for either of these candidates, I will be packing up my bags and decamping for Montreal.
Speaking of foreign travel, some friends and I are contemplating a trip. We’ve narrowed it down to Berlin and Mexico City. Opinions on which to choose are welcome."
I can't stress enough how Billy's views in no way reflect my own. I, in fact, not just "think" he is an idiot, but after 6 years of knowing him am absolutely positive of the fittingness of this description. Still, you've got to admit that he's very clever at expressing his often ludicrous views.
You Can Reach Billy by Email with any comments.
December 18, 2007 "Another Breakthrough"
Hey team, just thought that I would check in after this weekend's swim meet in Oklahoma. So going into the meet I didn't really know what to expect. The Monday before we left Eddie crushed us, full weights plus about 13,000-14,000 swimming. We were pretty tired but went down to 4,000 Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday and I actually felt pretty good the first day of the meet.
The 200 freestyle was the first day and after having some really solid freestyle training behind me on top of my 3 second drop two weeks ago at the Invite I felt pretty confident. I let it all hang out there and was rewarded with a new best time of 1:33.6. That event is so much fun to swim, and also to race against my Longhorn teammates like Aaron Peirsol, Neil Walker and Ian Crocker (in Austin the two of us had a great duel).
The drawback to swimming a lot faster than you expected though is that it raises your expectations. After going a best time in the free I really thought that I had a shot at breaking a couple of important barriers to me: under 46 seconds in the 100, and under 1:40 in the 200 back. So instead of being elated with going best times in both (46.2 and 1:40.1) I was bummed I couldn't get under the barriers. Thank gosh for those around me though, as I have to be happy. Going best times in-season is a luxury and I am so excited to train my tail off these next few months and then see where I'm at.
I feel what has helped me get through all the difficulties I've gone through with swimming is taking it one day at a time...which makes it interesting to me that many around me are now talking about me swimming the 200 freestyle at Olympic Trials in place of my best event: the 100 backstroke. I am flattered by the attention, but to all those wondering: I am not making up my mind about this now nor will I for sometime. I have always done best when training for more than one event and that (I believe) is the reason for my recent success in the freestyles as well as backstrokes. So the plan is to just keep trying to get better everyday of training and then let everything sort itself out in the end.
On another note, I am going home to Paradise tomorrow (Montana) and cannot wait to see everyone. Merry Xmas to all of you, and I will post from back home.
P.S. Updated the Results Section.
December 12, 2007 "Trying to Keep Everyone's Attention"
So part of the painful part about this blog has been realizing how I am clearly not dynamic enough to keep it going. I thank all of you who have taken the time to write me and tell me otherwise, but I basically look to you few as mothers: I can clearly (somehow) do nothing terrible in your eyes.
Anyway, in an attempt to spice this pig up, I am introducing a weekly review. My good friend from college, Billy Gray, also happens to be one of the most gifted writers I know and will be supplying us here at davidcromwell.net with his thoughts on a current (or classic) piece of art. While you may be saying to yourself 'So?' I would like to encourage you to give it a chance as I know you will enjoy his witticisms. While most of the time (including this one) I will have no idea what film he is talking about, I will at least enjoy the writing. Sometimes he is a little more racey than Mr. Clean Cut here, but nothing worse than a PG-13.
Before moving on to that though, I will be competiting at the Chesapeake Swim Club Elite Pro-Am this weekend and cannot wait! This is one of the most fun meets I've ever been a part of and there will be some great racing as all of us Longhorn Aquatics boys will be in action as well as some other post-grads from around the country. You can track results here:
Okay, without further ado here is the first installment of Billy's Reviews (we'll wait to see if he comes up with a clever title...like uh "Top 5 Tuesday...good god I'm pathetic):
"When I was 13, on Christmas, I received a book profiling great cult movies. Most were from the 60's and 70's, many were horror films and a good number were vaguely pornographic. One in particular jumped out at me. Called Deep End, it concerned an adolescent protagonist undergoing a sexual awakening who spent a great deal of his time near a swimming pool. I was sold. Last night, a decade after learning about this movie, I finally had the chance to see it for myself.
Deep End is the work of Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski. The art house cinema on my block is conducting a retrospective of his work, most of which is in Polish. "Deep End," however, is in English and set there, in a dreary neighborhood on the outskirts of London in 1971. Mike is a 15-year old who begins work at the local bathhouse. He falls in lust with Susan, a co-attendant who is several years older than he. This is a pretty thorough encapsulation of the movie's plot, as it is essentially a sustained cinematic rendering of a sexually anxious fever dream. All of the major adult characters, male and female, are carnivorous sexual predators. Mike encounters one old cow (the Brit slang left a mark) who brings herself to climax by clinging to him whilst breathlessly reenacting sportscaster commentary from old football games. There are the requisite saggy prostitutes and leering male teachers and the nubile young bodies to which they are drawn.
Luckily, the relatively boilerplate tableau is redeemed by the camerawork, the performances and the score. The characters are flawlessly framed. The lens at times creates a gauzy effect which mirrors Mike's cloudy naiveté and perpetual dream state. And there are a couple of instances where successive jump cuts, an often annoying indie affectation, are employed effectively. The actors are all strong, including Jane Asher, who played Susan in the movie and was Paul McCartney's muse in the 1960s. Perhaps best of all, the score is subtle but still atmospheric and, I'm convinced, served as inspiration for Tangerine Dream's ambient work in Risky Business. And it was composed by Yusuf Islam, nee Cat Stevens (born Steven Georgiou)!
"Deep End" ultimately provided me with yet another opportunity to indulge in my (perhaps foolish) nostalgia for eras I never experienced. I especially seek out films and books pertaining to the 70s and early 80s. They often include rampant boozing and drugging and indiscriminate, if not anonymous, sex. And while I might not necessarily wish to replicate such behavior in my personal life, I would be thrilled if the staid, paranoid culture we find ourselves in today could rediscover some of the hedonist joie de vivre so abundant in those heady post-sexual revolution days."
December 11, 2007 "Another Interview Up"
Somewhat embarrassed about the picture selection, but Michelle from Brendanhansenonline.com recently interviewed me as part of her ongoing series of features. Hard to believe anyone ever would, but if you can't get enough of me talking...
December 5, 2007 "Update Central"
Hey, just wanted to let you know I updated the results section and did some other stuff on the site. Also, and I can't believe I haven't done this sooner, I thought I would link to my interview from Timed Prelims. Those guys are hilarious and you can let me know how I did under the pressure CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW
December 4, 2007 "Trying to Get Life Back Together"
I love racing. I just do. It's something that I actually never realized how special it was to me until just recently. As such, these last two weeks have been great: got a chance to race the best in the world all the way over in Italy, and then again right here in my home of Austin, TX. I particularly enjoyed the racing in Texas as the conditions of the pool were ideal (one of the best in the world) and I got a chance to mix up my events so that I wasn't just swimming backstroke all the time. On top of that, going head to head with my Longhorn teammates and all of the Arizona guys was just a blast. I am extremely proud of my 1:34.3 200 free, as that is three and a half seconds faster than my best time ever in the event. I lifted the day before too, so I think it is a very good indication of some things I've accomplished in my training. I also learned the difference between short course and long course, as when I did the long course time trial on Sunday it was much more clear how broken down my body is at the moment. Still, 55.5 would've been my best time at this time last year in the 100 back so I will try to keep things in perspective. Though, every swimmer knows that is almost impossible.
Things are really busy right now, as it is Finals Season for UT and I am busy as a bee tutoring everyday. I actually love the job and having something important to do, but at times I must admit that it would be nice to just sit on the couch and spend a lot more time cooking dinner. Still, I keep reminding myself that I've set my schedule and that I have no one to blame but myself for what I am doing. There's certainly comfort in that and thinking about what my old teammates at Harvard are going through right now I certainly can't complain.
It's funny though, October and November seemed to go by so slow but now December is already booking along. I have a really fun Pro-Am meet in Oklahoma City next week and then I head back to Montana for a week for Xmas. Can't wait for both, but clearly the priority is to get a good week of training in this week.
As for non-swimming related stuff, an important question was brought up over the weekend. I hate to border on vulgar here (I shoot for a PG-13 Rating), but I was schocked to find out the dichotomy amongst post-#2 posture. Without going into too much detail, it turns out that some people actually stand up to wipe. Again, I am sorry for the image but I am just shocked. I had never, ever heard of such a thing and my whole image of the world is crumbling. Why would anyone ever put that extra burden on their legs when they can just stay seated? Horrifying world we live in.
November 28, 2007 "70% Organic, 10% for Peace and 100% Full of #$@*"
Hello all, just thought I would share a quick story from when I went shopping today. I've been trying to eat more organic foods as part of my constant effort to eat healthier. Like swimming and life, it's a daily struggle but one I think am winning (but will never officially be victorious). Anyway, I was looking through cereals and came across one that was advertised as "Organic" and then below, said "70% Organic." This, next to a spot that said "10% of all profits donated to peace." HAHA! How awesome is that?!?!
First off, how is it exactly 70%? Is this part of the recipe that they use to make the cereal? What if it goes over/under? Did they decide beforehand that they wanted it at that specific percentage, or did they shoot for the best and only end up at 70%? What if the other 30% is concentrated non-organic material, making the yield no better than its non-organic cousins in the cereal world?
Also, 10% to peace. I love it. Not "Save Sudan" or anything specific, just overall peace. I almost said World Peace, but perhaps it's actually universal in scope, don't want to sell anyone short here.
I guess I should note that I bought the cereal. I'll let you know how it is.
November 27, 2007
Hey team, just wanted to let you all know that I made it back safely from the motherland. Italy was a dream and despite all the hardships (yes, the trip was less than perfect) I am still overwhelmingly glad that I went. I promise to put up some pictures and results soon, but for now let's just get a trip rundown.
Swims (short course meters): 24.3 and 24.5 in the 50 back (swam it at two stops), 1:53.3 200 back (best swim there), 49.6 100 free. I was disqualified (for the second time in my life) in the 100 back at the meet. They had their story (illegal turn) I had mine (I am American). There were three stops (Viareggion, Genova and Travagliato) and with the exception of where I swam in the 200 back each pool was really small with no warm down pool. At this time of year I need a long warmup as I am pretty broken down, but I think I made the most of the situation as I tried to do the best I could.
I flew into Pisa and out of Milan, and yet didn't get to see either city. Was bummed about that, but again, made the most out of where I was. Each city I took at least an hour long walk and checked out the local flavor: shops, restaurants, etc. Coming from a smaller town I think I appreciate this more than most. Viareggio was clearly a summer destination with the beach there, Genova was amazing and got to eat dinner in the city, and Brescia (where we stayed, right next to Travagliato) also had an amazing restaurant...although I suppose finding a good meal in Italy isn't exactly difficult.
I met my "uncle" (Grandpa's nephew) Carlino over there and that was very special. The rest of my family lives close to Rome and so could not make the trip, but they saw me swim on TV because Italy broadcasted it live on their major sports channel. I talked to them all on the phone and can't wait to make it back there. Which I have promised myself will be sooner rather than later.
The food there was truly out of this world and has inspired me to become a better cook. A lot of the meals are actually pretty basic, but just prepared with the freshest of ingredients. One of my favorite dishes over there was basically just onions and sardines in olive oil and seasonings. I don't like sardines, but I ate the hell out of them over there. Throw in the wine, cheese and bread and you have a recipe for perfection.
Part of what I love about travelling is just observing how different/similar all the people and places are. Here are a few highlights:
1. Not being able to open a door: the door handle was an oval and one would think it turned. Nope. I then tried to twist it. Nope. Turns out, half of it folds in and then you push. I literally could not open a door. Ouch.
2. Not being able to turn on a shower. The first pool had showers with big red buttons by them and then handles. Seemed simple: push the button and then turn the handle. Nope. Okay, ignore the button, pull out the handle. Nope. Pull out the handle push the button...on and on. Finally I realize that there was a machine outside of the showering area. After two minutes of examining that, I then realized that you had to pay to turn it on. I ended up using a sink, much to the enjoyment of the Italian swimmers. My family over there (thanks to my brother) calls me "pippo" or "goofy." This doesn't help.
3. Not knowing what time it was, ever. They refuse to put clocks in your room. One night I woke up and thought I may have missed the bus because I wasn't sure if the receptionist understood what time for the wake up call. Went downstairs to check out and realized it was two a.m.
4. Risking deportation for exposing one's self in public. Simply being in the men's locker room isn't safe in Italy, as a family saw way too much Dave on their way through the locker room to the pool. Apparently you are supposed to use little changing stalls. Regardless, I am waiting for la polizia to show up on my doorstep.
5. Talking to swimmers from all over the world. Minu ninimi on David. Mita menee? Apparently that's how you say, My name is David. What's up, In Finnish. I talked to three hilarious Finnish swimmers a lot over the weekend and had a riot. They loved Bruce Springsteen and the Godfather movies. But since we bussed from city to city you ended up talking with people from the Ukraine, Italy, France, Finland, Slovenia, Serbia and Indiana (ha).
All in all, completely worth the trip despite the heavy travelling (three hour bus rides on top of trans-Atlantic flights makes for a long weekend). I have the Texas Invite this weekend, but am just swimming off events as I will train through it. Should be fun though.
November 18, 2007 "Vado a Italia"
It's finally starting to hit me that I am actually going to Italy this next week for the "Gran Prix" in Viareggio, Genova and Travagliato. I am so excited for it as it has always been a dream of mine to see the country where my Grandpa came from. I should be able to meet most of my relatives left over there and am counting on my brother to do the introductions and translation (my Italian will be good enough to grunt one word phrases and point). I haven't been able to find a website where you can track results, but hopefully that will change when I get over there. I can't give any promises though, as the Italians are definitely "laid back" about the whole thing e.g. I don't know where I'm staying, where I'm going, how I'm getting there, etc. Should be a riot figuring it all out, I'm sure it will work out in the end.
Things here are going pretty well at the moment as we got our butts absolutely kicked this last week, but stood up the challenge better than any of us thought. In fact, I will give a shout out to Texas junior Sean Patton, who went his best time ever in the 200 free on Friday afternoon. He was doing a set (scy) that went: 6X50s on 45, then 200 free on 4 minutes 3 times. Before the last one he went into the locker room and put on a legskin. Then got up on the blocks and went 1:37.9, his first time ever under 1:38 in the 200 free. It was fun to watch and got us out of 30 minutes of practice the next morning. Thank you Sean.
I also wanted to thank Richard Costello for his sponorship. I can't tell you how much it means to me to receive assistance from my sponsors, as post-graduate swimming isn't the easiest thing in the world to do financially and their support truly does make the whole dream possible. Thank you Richard and to all others who have given.
November 13, 2007 "Out of the Abyss...Well, Mentally"
Hey team, just wanted to write a note and let you all know that things are going much better at the moment. I have this weird thing where everything has to fall apart in order for things to get better and, alas, that is exactly what happened last week. Bum deal I know.
Mentally though, I feel million times better and have a ton to look forward to. Comprato un libro italiano perche vado a italia settimana prossima. Alright, that sentence took me twenty minutes to write and I'm sure it's not even close to being correct. Basically, I bought an Italian Language book to get ready formy journey to the homeland (my Grandpa's at least) next week for a three day meet over there. Starting to study the language was a great decision because it made me realize that my life-long dream to go to Italy is going to come true. I can't believe how lucky I feel right now: I was invited to go to Italy, to swim. Only downside is that I will not be home for Thanksgiving, but at least my brother and dad will be there with me. We'll see if we can order some tachinno (turkey) over there. Although I'd probably be fine with whatever food is thrown my way over there.
Also, I found my wallet so that always makes things easier. Apparently it fell out when I was in my buddy's truck (I had forgotten he gave me a ride) and he let me know after I had cancelled all my cards. Oh well, at least I don't have to get a new license, that's really the only major pain in the butt.
But special thanks to all of you who cheered me up when I was down. Luckily (it usually isn't) it wasn't as serious as some may have feared.
Training is going very well right now and I am extremely, extremely sore. We do this set in the weight room where you do 4 sets of 12 reps on a 1:15 interval. You start out doing as much weight as you can for 12 and then take off as little as possible on each set after that. If it doesn't sound hard, trust me, it is. Doing 48 squats is a lot in of itself, let alone on a timed interval. But if you want to swim fast you need to get stronger so I'm trying my best.
November 8, 2007 "Of All the Things I've Lost I Miss My Mind the Most"
Oh friends, woe is the man who loses his wallet. This recently occurred to me and I must tell you that I did not handle it that well. I had just returned home from doing a swim clinic in my hometown of Missoula, MT with Aaron Peirsol and Neil Walker when disaster struck. I got really sick when I was home and so was pretty bummed that I couldn't spend as much time doing what I love back home (being outside, spending time with family and friends) and felt very weak physically anyway. Throw a lost wallet on top of that and I would say that I officially collapsed mentally and spiritually yesterday. But sometimes you need to hit the bottom before you can reach the top and after absorbing defeat I feel a lot better. Have cancellled all my cards and now just await new ones (the Montana license is the only tricky part). If any of you come across the lost item though, feel free to get in touch with me.
This is always a tough time of year for swimmers, as the end is nowhere near and the training is brutal. The Texas training group is staying strong but everyone certainly needs a pick-me-up every once in a while. I try to be the guy to help others, but alas, I am only so strong and have to thank my family and training partners for offering me help up the during the last week. I think I finally have my head screwed on straight again and am ready to take the licking I know awaits me twice a day, everyday.
In continuing the theme of taking away my experiences and applying them to larger life issues I will conclude with more cliche discussion of this. The horrible phrase "It Takes a Village" comes to mind, but that is a little too painful even for me. I will just say that behind every successful person I have ever met is at least one other supportive figure. Be it a parent, sibling, cousin, friend, coach, teammate, religious figure, etc. No Olympic Athlete I have ever met did it purely on his own. If those people exist out there, they border on "above the status of mere mortals" and I commend them. I know the hardest part for me, in this arena, is realizing that letting someone pull you up is not a sign of weakness, but a source of strength. This is my pre-New Year's Resolution, well, that and not losing my wallet again.
Archives: May/June 2007, July/August 2007, September/October 2007, November/December 2007, January/February 2008, March/April 2008