On top...looking down...

We had ridden the ferry across to Bolivar Peninsula, and were on the observation deck, waiting for the return trip.  There are always plenty of sea birds, mostly gulls, hanging around in hopes of getting a quick bite to eat, and when the ferry is at the landing, they have to perch somewhere.  Pilings in and around the landing become crowded, and could make for interesting scientific observation of the territorial practices of sea birds.  In the misdst of all this, my eye was drawn to this little guy, claiming the few square inches on top of the flag pole.  I have to say that every bit of training in the back of my mind was saying, "Don't look down. Don't look down.  Don't look down." After all, look at the perspective of those little blurbs on the water's surface - which  happen to be other birds floating in the water.  And you have the nerve to look down from your perch?

I guess that what is drawing me back to this picture this morning is a reflection on the network coverage of one of yesterday's swimming finals at the London Olympics.  In that final, American Ryan Lochte won the gold, and former gold medalist Michael Phelps finished fourth, without a medal.   

Without taking anything away from Lochte's accomplishment, I would have to say that the newscaster's questions of Phelps afterward raised my ire.  This may be the tact that some viewers would enjoy - looking for and digging into the cracks in the veneer of those who have been at the top, and who, for whatever reason, now have struggles to face.  I am not one of those viewers.  Those who are there to compete have fully earned that right, and the media vultures who pelt them with "what ifs" and "how does that make you feel" just tend to lose all credibility in my sight.  There are so many more constructive ways to interview a person...

So, here's to all of these athletes, so few of whom will make it to the "top", but who have arrived in London to do the best they can.  They have reached the top performance levels of their sports, some in spite of incredible odds against them.  And to those who have been at the very top, with medals to measure their successes,  I say, "Don't look down.  Look forward."  I'm next to positive that they already know this.  Just want to affirm it for them, and for the rest of us.