Sunday, June 04, 2006

Eternal Flame

"Is this burning (burning) an eternal flame?" the Bangles sang. A question I'm sure many of us have asked ourselves at one time or another, and it's usually nothing a course of antibiotics can't fix. But, lest we forget, dear reader, the eternal flame is also the symbol of the Olympic Games. And it is this sporting connection rhino75 has in mind, because this weekend Paris, city of light, hosted its third international gay games tournament. Now I can't quite work out where this stands in relation to your common-or-garden gay games event, as the French Gay & Lesbian Sports Federation doesn't give out much on its website. I suspect it's a rather, shall we say bijou event - the only publicity I saw around the Paris gay village was for a night at some club once the whole thing was over where, presumably, you could meet 'n' mingle and (no doubt) get up to all manner of mischief with gay athletes. However, I AM able to give you an EXCLUSIVE(-ish) peek into what goes on behind the scenes at these international sporting events. The two gentlemen in the middle of the photo above were actually competing in the 400-meter swimming relay today. No mean feat in itself but even more impressive when you take into account they were still drinking cocktails with Signor G. and myself at 3 a.m. - now THAT'S what I call training!! I may well take up gay sport myself, as it appears I've been doing the necessary "cocktail" workout for years. Who knew? It's certainly more likely than me taking up acrobatics in a green knitted hoodie while attached to a large piece of white sticky tape. That's what we were watching at the start of the evening, courtesy of the lovely Mrs. LOG and her (now surely) famous "happening" Magenta Ephémères. Very challenging, but it looked like hard work, if you ask me. Triffic.

12 comments:

Rob7534 said...

Chicago will also be hosting the "Gay Games" this summer, in a few weeks actually I believe.

But tell me Rhino, where can I get a green knitted hoodie as well? I LOVE THAT!

rhino75 said...

Yes, they're the REAL Gay Games. This appears to be a really small thing and I can't quite work out the whys and wherefores. BTW, I was reading today in our local paper Le Parisien, about "French markets" in the Chicago area - have you heard about these? Looked kinda cool!! Or are they just making it up...

Rob7534 said...

French Markets in Chicago? I have not encountered these, but to be honest, I rarely head The City anylonger since I no longer rehearse on the NorthSide. But tell me when and where, and I'll take photographic evidence for you! :)

A mission!

Reluctant Nomad said...

I want to see you in a leotard dancing to Abba for the next outing of this event.

Unknown said...

Yes, send Rob on a mission, a treasure hunt for the french mkt. and hooded green sweater, so chic!
Of sourse, who knew you'd been training for your destiny to be in the Gay Olympics. But of course they originated in Greece, I believe and you know how the greeks love certain games. It should be fun if you continue to trian till next year. Set yours goals now. BTW, you must hear my audioblog posted a minute after you left.Kisses and hopes that your back is in Olympic form.Mwah!!

Frog with a Blog said...

Nomad, leotard dancing to ABBA??? you have no idea what this means to a French person. That's a good one! I'd like to see that. I'm sure you meant leopard dancing to ABBA, right?

rhino75 said...

Nomad, I sometimes suspect you have been watching me through my security camera - you know only too well that is EXACTLY how I spend my evenings!! Micke, I don't have a leopard?? Anyway, I'd better get on with knitting Rob's hoodie...

Rob7534 said...

Make sure it's extra large Rhino! :)

And you can knit in a graded texture like a native american emblem on the back?

Thanks!

Reluctant Nomad said...

Leotard dancing with a blue glittery bracelet today! :-)

Unknown said...

Oh,what a sight to behold,
but never or not often told,
the tale of the leotard dancer,
they wanted to call him the,"Prancer."
He wore an eclectic shroud,
one, which could draw a crowd,
but alone he prefered to dance,
in his leotard, and statuesque stance.
Unaware of the watchful eye,
of the daring and artful spy,
He leapt through the room,
with a huge bulge, I presume,
that leotard worn on the sly.

rhino75 said...

That's a beautiful poem Babs, with a very flattering reference to my bulge. I have framed it and hung it on the wall at Rhino75 Towers - mwah!

Unknown said...

Oh, but of course you have, ha!! It was written for you buttttttttt, I never claimed to be a poet, just a drunk. But I do have visionary skill and could project myself to Rhino Towers and see you dancing. I do believe you do...dance!!Yes, I love leotards and THAT BULGE,sorry!