Friday, August 15, 2008

Overcoming Obstacles

While you're watching the Olympics and cheering on Olympians like Michael Phelps and Phil Dalhausser, you don't know true challenges out of the athletic venues they face. I want to talk to you about a serious challenge many face every single day and are suffering in silence. Long Arms Syndrome. My name is Austin Nichols, and I have Long Arms Syndrome (LAS).

It is a life long condition and there is no cure. Misunderstood by many they don't understand why we shed our shirts so much. But think about if everything you tried on was too short in the arms.

I was a normal kid, my arms might have been a little long but not too bad, but then overnight I grew and found myself with arms that were too long for anything. Self confidence is hard when you are 14 but try it when your arms stick 3 inches longer than your shirt sleeve.

Too short pants get called highwaters, but there is no name for our shame.

So what can you do? Besides a life time in short sleeve shirts?


Rolling the sleeves up

Rolling down French cuffed shirts



Accessories to draw attention away from too short sleeve




Sleeveless tee's








Interesting photo poses








Just trying to look casual on a date







In the end when your wingspan is more than approaching over 80 inches (that's almost 203.2 cm) you just give up and lose the shirt.



Of course special occasions you might be not be able to so have to go with something custom made.



So the next time you slip your arm in your sleeve when you get dressed, stop and take a moment and be thankful you do not suffer like LAS like others do.

Paid for by the Long Arm Syndrome Group.

OMG Olympic Moment
Tennis

When Irishman John Boland traveled to Athens for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, he had no idea he would return home with the gold medal in tennis. But then, he had no idea he would compete either - he went as a spectator.

Times have changed dramatically for Olympic tennis since then. Today's Olympic tennis players include some of the highest-profile athletes in the world. Accustomed to five-star hotels and high-stakes prize money, at the Olympic Games they will bunk in the Olympic Village and compete for nothing but a gold medal.

Tennis was dropped from the Olympic program after 1924 amid turmoil over such issues as where to draw the line between amateurism and professionalism, and it didn't return as a medal sport until 1988. Today, Olympic competition includes men's and women's singles and men's and women's doubles.

OMG's take. How could we ever forget tennis, crisp whites to show of the athleticism of the player, and how sounds of exertion are perfectly acceptable in public.

52 comments:

Wicked said...

Austin should have been a swimmer. His LAS would have been an asset, not a hindrance.

I am pooped again because I was up last night watching women's gymnastics. It was totally worth it.

Anonymous said...

Ellen and Portia marrying this weekend?

I hope so! And I hope some mag pays top $$$ for their wedding pix.

destiny said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
destiny said...

LOL, very funny Special. I love those long arms of his. And talk about wingspan, they had a feature last night on Phelps's body, and his wingspan (I've forgotten the exact number)is mind-boggling.

And I'm pooped too Wicked. After saying I didn't think I'd be watching this year because I felt funny about China I've found myself glued to the Olympics every night, although exhaustion finally won out and I didn't make it to the end last night. I think they've been a lot better this year because they're live, so the network can't chop them up or slip in too much filler. I understand that won't be the case with track and field, so I wonder if coverage will be as good next week.

Anonymous said...

I was thinking the same thing this week, Wicked, that Austin would have made a great Olympic swimmer. I'm exhausted too, but have enjoyed it very much, more so than ever, after especially after complaining about some of the political issues and the IOC, but the time-honored Olympics should truly not be about politics, just a celebration of talented athletes from around the world to compete. Track and field ought to be great too. Happy Austin Friday, everyone! The Magnetic Fields - wow, sound interesting. I won't be able to listen until I get home. :)

Wicked said...

Did you guys see the segment on what Michael Phelps eats in a day? His breakfast alone is enough to feed 4 people!

Anonymous said...

Yes, my OH and I were talking about it - 12,000 calories! He's adorable. :)

Anonymous said...

Very clever. He needs those long arms to roam all over Jake's body. A nice image to carry through the day.

Doea anyone need a good cry? That's what I did after reading that Jude Law, Johhny Depp and Collin Farrell donated their salaries from Imaginarium to Matilda. Yea, they probably didnt need the money, but it was a very classy thing to do.

destiny said...

I missed the food feature. I had no idea swimmers had to pack on so many calories.

Anonymous said...

Very classy. :')
M, I finally got around to finishing reading Maurice, I want to read it again. What a magnificently written book, so many nuances. I see what you mean about the part(s) that didn't correspond to the film, but I still loved it too. Did you mean the rationale for why Clive turned away from Maurice (after he was sick)?

Anonymous said...

Yes, NETB thats the part I was referring to. It did not ruin the book for me, since it was so good overall, but did give me pause. I'm glad the movie veered from the original.

Anonymous said...

:) Me too, and reading about Maurice and Alec getting together and deciding to go for it was even more beautiful, the ending (and telling Clive off!), and especially how Maurice comes not only to accept himself but find joy being who he is. :)

Anonymous said...

"Just trying to look casual on a date"

Anonymous said...

wingspan is the same as your height.

Anonymous said...

wingspan is the same as your height.

No, it isn't. Michael Phelps' height is 6' 4". His wingspan is 6' 7".

Other interesting Phelps facts-

Phelps has the leg length of a 6' tall man but the torso of a 6' 8" man. Most of his height is in his torso, not his legs. Excellent for a swimmer.

Anonymous said...

what sleeve size does austin wear? do they measure his in inches or football fields?

Special K said...

Correcting my sizing:

Usually in the US shirt sleeves run either 32/33" or 34/35". He's got at least an inch to and inch and half over that. So would say he's probably around 36 1/2" maybe 37" for sleeves.

Anonymous said...

camera with video
collection of dvds for autograph
leg wrap picture for autograph
black sharpie
measuring tape
hanger for when he takes off shirt
oxygen tank
defibrillator

Anonymous said...

LOL!

Anonymous said...

note to self: sign up companions for cpr class and how to use defibrillator. no, scratch that, don't trust 'em. reserve ambulance.

Anonymous said...

REMEMBER to ask about legs.

Special K said...

Hey who is playing Shallow K today cause it is not me!

Special K said...

And who's legs should I be asking about?

Special K said...

Cause I don't need to ask who's legs are wrapped around him, by the look on his face ; )

Wicked said...

I'm trained in CPR and AED (defibrillator). :)

I do think Spesh should bring the leg wrap picture for an autograph. Wouldn't you love to see Austin's face when she presented it to him?

Anonymous said...

Too short pants get called highwaters, but there is no name for our shame.

Okay, so what should too short sleeves be called?

destiny said...

I'd also love to see his face if someone asked him whose legs those are!

And for the life of me I can't think of any names for too short sleeves.

Special K said...

I'd also love to see his face if someone asked him whose legs those are!

You know what it would be, it would be that smirky grin he had in 'bedhead' pictures.

Florida Tom said...

Can you imagine if we all showed up at that premiere with that picture. How awesome would that be. I am up for it. Who wants to come:-)

Anonymous said...

Okay, so what should too short sleeves be called?

How about Greensleeves

the word "green" also had sexual connotations, most notably in the phrase "a green gown", a reference to the way that grass stains might be seen on a lady's dress if she had made love outside.

Anonymous said...

And who's legs should I be asking about?

well they ain't mine. no way i'm shaving.

Anonymous said...

no wonder jake is into going green

Anonymous said...

ask if they ever mixed their l'eggs???

should i wear my Boston 4 Jaustin tshirt???? or something see-thru

Anonymous said...

I am very sorry that I have been late in posting. I have been busy
the last two days. If Jake loves
Reese, then so be it. Sometimes
I think they maybe were friends at
first then maybe fell in love. Things like that do happen. I also
think that Jacob had a deep love
for Austin and maybe still does.
If I had to say one thing to Jake,
I would say do what you feel in
your heart. No amount of success,
no amount of money or possessions
can make you happy if you are NOT
HAPPY IN YOUR PRIVATE LIFE! At the
end of the day, it is what makes
you happy and fulfilled. I agree
with Prairie Girl on the other
thread. I have times when I waver
between Jake and Austin or Jake
and Reese. I just would hate to
see Jake cut off all contact with
Austin, shut him out of his life,
and then realize later on in his
life that he let the love of his
life go. Whatever happens, I wish
Jake the very best. I also think
that Austin would make an excellent Olympic athlete. I did
not mean such a long post. I bet
that Ellen and Portia's wedding
will be private but they may
allow some photos released to the
public.

Anonymous said...

wear something that has fresh baby food stain on shoulder (conversation starter)

Anonymous said...

Okay, so what should too short sleeves be called?

wrist diss
dish washer dress shirt
cuffless supreme

Special K said...

should i wear my Boston 4 Jaustin tshirt???? or something see-thru
Honey he wouldn't be looking at me so there's no need to plan the ensemble. : )


The best way I've ever gotten autograph, staying at the same hotel as the musician who I was going to the see that night. He was sitting at the quiet bar downstairs early afternoon having a beer - no one bothering him. Didn't want to bug him, told the bartender to send him another beer, and use the cd I handed him as the coaster and gave the pen. Drink got delivered, he got a new another beer, got left alone and didn't have any attention drawn to him, and I got my autograph.

prairiegirl said...

Very clever, Special. Undoubtedly, my most treasured autograph is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's.

Kacie!! You sound like you're giving up the ship. :( Hey, it's Friday. Don't all things feel better on a Friday afternoon, at quittin' time?

Oh, thank heavens, my avatar's back.

prairiegirl said...

Those Austin tennis playing pictures get me every time. That glimpse of his abs is enough to titillate a cold heart and then some. And love "the lean" by Jake in the Laker pictures. It doesn't get any better than that.

Anonymous said...

LAS Support Group Meeting

Special Guest: Ulna Thurman

Discussion topic: "Life is all about taking wrists"

Don't miss our movie night featuring Sleeveless in Seattle

everyone must carpal to meeting
all cars must have radial tires
discussions are off the cuff
no one is allowed to sleeve early

Anonymous said...

^^Very humerus, I must say! ;)

Anonymous said...

Will be held at Elle Bose's Rib Joint

Get on the tube

Ride the shoulder fore miles

Exit at Supinator.

Dress Code: fascianable

Anonymous said...

i need to cut down on the meds

Anonymous said...

oh wait, i'm not on any!

this is natural

Anonymous said...

Slick Spesh this song with the post.

destiny said...

^^Very funny.

Now that I'm home I can finally listen to the music. I love this song. I have some Magnetic Fields, but not this one. I'm definitely going to have to add this to my music collection.

Anonymous said...

long arm for being short - brothers teased it was high ape factor

Anonymous said...

arm=arms

Special K said...

Phelps get his 7th Gold!!!

By one one hundredth of a second!!

Florida Tom said...

Mike Phelps is AMAZING.
Go for eight Mike............

destiny said...

I'll be sorry when the swimming is over, but we have the diving to look forward to.

Clarity said...

Cute post today Special. I just watched House of Usher tonight for the first time. It definately seems like he knows what to do with his arms AND his his hands ; )