I had a really rough practice today. I'm not sure if it's the constant
pushing in the chair, or all the sneezing from the first couple days as
caught up with me, or if the firm beds are doing a number on my back, but
for no apparent reason today, my ribs popped. The pain was sharp, acutely
persistent, and I was gasping half the morning during practice. Talk about
annoying!

The good news is that it doesn't bother me much while I'm shooting,
since all the muscles are tightened down and stabilized. But every other
motion I make for the rest of the day is pretty darn ouchie. I'm doing
everything I can to heal it the same way that I was working on my
forearm--taking it easy, warming up and stretching before activity, icing
afterwards, electrostimulation, anti-inflamatories (the good stuff, of
course), and some Reiki. It's just a lot at once and historically this sort
of thing takes weeks to heal. I'm competing on Tuesday.

Ah, well. Nothing else to be done about it--although I'd surely appreciate
every happy thought, prayer, and good vibe that y'all feel up to sending my
way!

In other news, tonight is Opening Ceremonies. No injury or amount of pain
can dampen my enthusiasm for that wonderful, awe-inspiring, life-changing,
dream-affirming event. Honestly, I think the moment of walking into the
stadium in Athens moved me so much, and made such an incredible impact on my
life that I'm pretty certain it has been the driving factor in getting me
through the last four years. Now, tonight, I will be walking into that
stadium with dozens of new friends who are on their own first Games,
and it will be such a tremendous joy to see them witness that great moment.

Isn't it incredible, how many highs and lows these Games bring? The Olympic
movement brings us face to face with some of the worst personal moments in
our lives, and some of the greatest for humanity. As I walk into that
stadium tonight, as I hear the cheers vibrating in every cell of my body,
every spark of energy in my being, I will give thanks that I am human. I
will be proud of us all.

"The Olympics remain the most compelling search for excellence that exists
in sport, and maybe in life itself."
Dawn Fraser,
Australian athlete, b. 1937