Day 14 - The Dark Knight Rises

After spending some time in the USOC Operations office doing my usual check in with Julie and Jen there were a few issues I had to figure out with the UEL staff but I got them ironed out fairly early.  I got to spend a majority of the day making sure the teams were accommodated.  The badminton players arrived and they were so friendly.  It is so cool to sense their genuine excitement and their appreciation for everything you do for them.  The day also led me to run into the men's volleyball team numerous times and I got to lead one player across campus to the dining hall.  Once again they were all very nice.  I hadn't realized the facility was going to be used for athletes that don't train in the gym areas.  Other teams were using the facility for strength and conditioning purposes as well.   That's pretty cool because I should come across sports as well, like volleyball.  For lunch I went to "the Bite", a little cafe/restaurant on campus.  The woman serving food started telling me her story because I noticed she had an accent.  She was originally from Poland.  The experience you gain traveling is phenomenal because you get to meet different kinds of people you otherwise may not meet.  She also told me she was working security at Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony and was stationed near where the speakers would be.  She claims that she has seen what is going on but I was unable to bribe to get info.  I tried.  My impatience to see the "Dark Knight Rises" overcame me and I decided to go see it by myself.  I got to the theater at the 02 and the show sold out so I had to wait another 45 minutes but I knew it was worth it.  The movie was brilliant and spectacular.  I came out of the theater in awe.  Not many movies get me to see them twice but I know I will be seeing this one again.  Batman was always my favorite superhero growing up.  I'm not sure if you can call him one since he doesn't have a super power.  That's probably why I liked him.  He seems more realistic.  The late movie did leave me in a bit of a pickle though.  The trains had stopped for the night and it was a Sunday so it just so happens that the bus to where I needed to go did not operate either.  I should not have assumed but I met a hustler on the street.  He finds people needing taxis and calls his contacts to find the best prices.  I held my ground and he found a very reasonable deal.  It was actually kind of fun because it was an interesting experience and he was fun to shoot the shit with while we waited for the taxi.  I made it to where I needed to safe and sound.  The early meeting in the morning could be rough but the night was well worth it.  Two weeks down!  Good night!

Days Until Olympic Games: 5