But people could not have spent years studying THESE stars, as these stars are newly created. Do the studies on the old stars have any relevance to these new stars? Its no fair to put new gizmos on the new site, and then not explain. :-s:-s:-s:-s

But at least I have discovered where the smileys are kept, and the character countdown is likewise a handy tool in determining how much more of a rant I can have. Oh, for such a tool on my thesis..it would tell me how many words left, not how many to go, or something like that.

I think its lunch time.

So...moderators have five stars, but how did other people get stars? Was it a moderator vote? What do the stars mean?! They are "there" so they must have some signficance and not just be random??!!! Ahhhh...this is very distracting to my concentration on my thesis work, pondering the meaning of these stars!!!! Can't someone please answer so I can carry on with a productive day??!!! PUHLEAASSEEEE the mystery is driving me to distraction.

The people with stars do not seem to match the same list as post frequency....why would there be two lists to measure the same thing? I am very confused trying to navigate the new forum, but I am sure within a few days it will seem like oldhat. I score 1 star...but why?!

Well done to the UK on its latest medals. I am looking forward to seeing more of the equestrian events--the BBC video coverage on its website is superb, and the commentary is really fun and helpful! I have to check to see how the national teams are doing after yesterday's cross country, I simply do not remember, but on the other hand, I just love watching the horses and riders go round without regard to their nationality! Well done BBC on the horse riding events!

108-63 US women's basketball team against China.
The women's play was a lot more gritty and team oriented than the men's play--the men had a lot of show boating, I think, of the individual skills of each player, but the womens' teams, both China and the US, just had outstanding basketball fundamentals--was awesome to watch, great plays on both sides, but the US women were simply unstoppable!

Michael Phelps in the swimming!!!

The two sports I adore watching used to be sports I played, the equestrian events and basketball--makes me simultaneously want to go find a basketball and shoot some hoops, and dust off my riding boots and helmet and go ride again!

Lovely, how the BBC website has live coverage available! OK, that is it, I am officially hooked. =)

I love watching the Olympics--the ceremony, the drama, the competition, all of the elite athletes of the world competing in such a variety of sports--even with the nationalistic overtones of the sports, it is still such a wonderful event, and of course, I cheer on my own country as much as anyone.

"The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running. ~Author unknown, in reference to Ecclesiastes 9:11, "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."

http://www.quotegarden.com/perseverance.html

ahhh its the team and individual cross country in the equestrian competition this afternoon! Right, thats my afternoon's work sorted!

Oh yes, I have watched some of the men's rowing as well.
And the highlights of the equestrian cross country competition...maybe I should go back and watch some of the dressage...!

Oh, yes, I mean if table tennis is an Olympic sport, how can procrastination be far behind? But I think it will be a fast paced, exciting sport, with a lot of spectator appeal ( unlike, say, golf), complete with BBC accented commentating, "And she makes a fastbreak from her keyboard, cruising on to the PhD forum with an amazing amount of speed, she passes the procrastination puck to her team mate ( because this is best played as a team sport) and sprints to the sidelines awaiting another shot. Her team mate takes the puck, breaking high, nearly into the productive zone, but saves it, and its back into the center ring. The procrastination puck --its a battle---...."

Oh--but today its USA women v. China in the bball at 1:00!!! I hope they have that on the BBC website!!!!!

Is it justanother PhD distraction...the Olympics? Is anyone else watching--should I say you can get live coverage on the BBC website??! I am enjoying a taped game highlights clip of the USA-China basketballgame...though it does sound a bit weird to hear basketball commentary in very polished BBC accents!!!!! "And he goes upstairs, by gum, it was a fast break," ...!

Darn, no men's basketball today, but the USA plays Angola tomorrow at 1 p.m., so I will be sure to tune into that--if I can find it!

I love watching basketball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! even without a PhD to work on. And the way the USA men's team was playing, its pure artistry!

Maybe I can wear it to the online Jane Austen bookclub meetings....as I sit at the computer...its not exactly Jane Austen wear...maybe a few Edwardian novels could make their way in and presto--bookclub wear.

It would make a fun party dress! Although...hmmm...not that many parties I would go to that it would be the sort of thing to wear. Alternately, I could swan around at home in it! Just for a change.