Spaghetti Bolognese at 3 a.m.
I need a haircut.
But I don’t really know where to get that done because I have worn out a path between the office, the pool and gymnastics — and occasionally my hotel. Not complaining, it’s been fun, but as you’ve noticed, there hasn’t been much time for anything else. And frankly, it hasn’t given me much time to get into any mischief, which as we all know leads to good posts and lively comments.
You all share in some of the blame as well. If everyone didn’t read everything on their phones, my life would be so much better. Everything we make, all the preview pieces, all the live graphics, have to made three ways: for the desktop; the iPad and the phone. So it has be designed three ways and coded three ways. And some things work on the Android but don’t work on the iPhone so basically you have to hack your way into making all these things work on all your devices. Life was much easier when it was just you people looking on your laptops. Or the paper, remember those?
Eighty percent of all Times readers now come to the site through their phones. Those are vertical (you don’t really want to turn your phones sideways, so we try not to make you do that). Problem is, video is shot horizontally and most sports are horizontal. It all makes for a complicated mix of obstacles that takes time to navigate. Time better spent blogging, don’t you think?
OK, It’s time we all get caught up.
Let’s make this a visual recap:
Graphics and video crew. Next to me is Alex Garcia, Sergio Peçanha, Leslye Davis, Bedel Saget and Jeremy White.
A school of swimmers.
The crowds have been large at swimming and gymnastics.
Doug Mills, front and center.
Paella, a picture for Patricia.
Restaurant across from our hotel. It’s open 24 hours. I had a mean spaghetti Bolognese at 3 a.m. the other night.
Some moves I have been practicing instead of blogging.
Eat at Joe’s 
Some moves I have been practicing instead of blogging. RIGHT……..
Zé, So good to hear from you! Don’t fret about the long hair, maybe it’s time for a manbun to go with that speedo.
For the record, I thought the biles interactive looked amazing on the phone, laptop and print.
i do have to confess to some real jealousy over not being with you and your fabulous crew at mealtime. I know you guys are always on the hunt for a culinary adventure & have a blast finding it. (note to self: you are going to seoul)
you didn’t really eat that paella, did you?
Ah, where to begin, where to begin…I think your hair looks just fine. Copacabanana’s idea of a man bun, although intriguing, is – like the speedo – not a visual we probably want to conjure up. Thanks for that, Anne! Perhaps you could sport a Trump do, and just sweep it up and back, perhaps tinted by adding a little Tang powder into whatever Ryan Lochte is using on his coif. Plus, a haircut could take more valuable time away from blogging, which you certainly can’t afford. Glad you’re practicing those new moves; give us your room number at the hospital and we will send cards. While you’re in traction, perhaps somebody can read them to you to help pass the time. They are amazing pictures, though. Did you take them? Spaghetti at 3am is extraordinary! I guess you’re on a European/South American meal schedule, which apparently doesn’t involve sitting down to dinner as soon as the five o’clock whistle blows, as we did in our childhood. I hope your digestive system doesn’t fight back. Really, really nice picture of the crew! Looks like you all actually like each other, which I’m sure is helpful. We used to have a patient on the mental health unit who wore (24/7) a vest very similar to the ones you’re all wearing. We were always pretty afraid when she emptied the pockets, since we never knew what would emerge from them! Sometimes there were small, unwelcome critters living in there. I’m sure you’re exhausted, but I hope you’re having a good time as well. No beach time, I suppose, other than pressing your nose against the bus window as you go past?
I’m going to go with spaghetti bolognese being good any time of the day or night. Thank you for the paella picture. It looks a little frightening but I bet it was good! Awesome mid-air pictures of the gymnastics too! Interesting info about how all this digital stuff requires you to put so much more work in. Still not more important than feeding the blog but interesting nonetheless. Though it seems that a lack of mischief in Rio might not be a bad idea. Seems like you’ve had some rainy days there (Matt told me that). And have you seen the green pools?
I USED to like paella. That will be in my nightmares for sure. What is with the matching vests? Loved the photos, are they taken by you? Hope you are enjoying yourself and sleeping a little.
3 a.m. update: I am just back from the Paris restaurant where I polished off another delicious bowl of spaghetti Bolognese.
Love the pictures and can’t wait to see you showing off your skills! I hope you’ve enjoyed some tasty cocktails with these meals you’ve been having. It doesn’t matter what time of day you have those either!
Dear Samson, Please don’t cut your flowing locks, long hair is so you. I’m voting for the Trump Pomp look as suggested by your sister. Keep it white though-more distinguished. I confess that I did not understand a word you wrote about the complexities of keeping us informed on an up-to-the minute basis! I am comfortable with the printed word and photos and do not own a SMART phone or even a DUMB one. I must admit that the BBC coverage of Rio is spectacular–live and re-caps–all commercial-free! I too was practicing my floor exercise moves ’til I came upon the trampoline coverage last evening! My new favourite ‘sport’ so I took to my bouncy mattress to perfect those skills. One cannot be too well-rounded! I’m hoping a daily dose of Spaghetti Bolognese sits well with your innards and does not wreak the havoc that your early encounter with Buffalo Wings provoked! With love from Cambridgeshire.
Read in Conde Nast magazine that
Spaghetti Bolognese should always be eaten after midnight, and washed down with copious amounts of fluid. If the Bolognese doesn’t keep you up all night the copious amounts of fluids will! Enjoy
At track and field tonight scoping things out for Usain Bolt’s 100-m tomorrow night.
Copacabanana, How do you think the the man bun and speedo will go over in Cape Porpoise? Was selective about which portions of the paella I ate. Mostly the fish in the foreground and the rice. It was delicious.
I see #2 Sister was going through blog withdrawal and just let it all spill out the first chance she got. Don’t get me wrong, always appreciate the banter. Seven Olympics so far and only one night in the ER, so having moved on to track and field have put my gymnastics moves on hold.
Not too much rain Patricia and beautiful here tonight. Will add the Bolognese picture in the next post.
#4 Sister, yes i did take the pictures; glad you like them. All photographers at all the Olympics ave to wear them. Makes it easy for them to keep an eye on us. We all have a number on our back to in case they need to identify the guys breaking the rules. Quite stylish, don’t you think?
No shortage of cocktails, NITRIO.
Always happy to hear from our friends @ TeamGB.
Who is Anonymous?
Hey Zé, And how did you fit a boxing match in to your schedule?
BBC reports, “Rio Olympics 2016: Light-heavyweight Joe Ward loses to Carlos Andres Mina”
http://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/37045335
Hah! We need a “Like” button.
We do need a like button.
I guess this explains it; ” While Ward fought gallantly in the final round in an effort to save the fight, it was not to be and he will play no further part in the Rio games.”
That Ward…what a trouper!
I’ve been eliminated? Does that mean I can come home now?
Nice try, buddy.
Sorry, that last anonymous was me.
So, Joseph…a quiz for you. It won’t be graded, and it won’t count toward your final GPA. You’ve been going to the Olympics for quite a while – maybe since Salt Lake City in 2002? What have been your favorite games so far? Venue, culture, excitement of the games themselves, city’s readiness for the influx, accommodations (China probably doesn’t win that one)? You may have multiple answers depending on which aspect you are addressing! I know it’s probably a complicated question, so feel free to reply on your way home on the plane, or later on in Maine. I was just wondering if you can compare and contrast a little! 🙂
Trying to improve our times out of the box but Usain need not worry about competition from us. Now have constant craving for Spaghetti Bolognese. Also, want to echo #2sister’s request, but you might want to save all that for for your impending book “My Life in Five Rings!”.
That’s a GREAT idea, and I love the title! (I think you get a percentage of the royalties for naming the book, right?) Fabulous Usain interactive today…right smack in the middle of the front page online! And honestly, Kelly-Stewpanemas…I’m finding it much easier to watch on TV than get all sweaty actually running, although I’d only take about three strides before face planting. I agree…we will leave the actual physical effort to the guys with the numbers on their singlets!