Enthusiasm

 

Enthusiasm

We can all get carried away from time to time. A university lecturer I knew a long time ago wanted to follow the trend for extremely curly hair, but didn’t want to have a perm. Somehow, he discovered that washing his hair in laundry powder – I believe it was ‘Persil’ – would create the same effect. I think he overdid it, because eventually his hair started falling out. He had to forego fashion to save his hair. It ruined his love life, too.

Another man of my husband’s acquaintance was taking part in the London Marathon many years ago. He was raising money for charity, as so many competitors do, and, in a moment of patriotic enthusiasm, had a union flag painted onto his hair.

All went well, the race was run, and then he attempted to wash out the colours. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful. As the CEO of a serious organisation, he was expected to present a sober front at work. Nothing he tried worked, and in desperation he contacted his doctor. The doctor was unable to help, either, so perhaps the poor man had to call in sick for a while.

Olympic rowing

Olympic rowing

Great Britain is doing well in the rowing. While I appreciate the enthusiasm of the commentators – and indeed, the onlookers – I am more than a little weary of hearing about the second/third/fifth/extra person in the boat that is the crowd!

The first time I heard the crowd described in this way I thought it rather endearing – now it’s just annoying. In every discipline the GB athletes have commented on the support given them by the onlookers and how the cheering lifts and encourages them. All the commentators remark on it but they don’t keep repeating asinine comments about the invisible or additional member of the crew, team or partnership that is formed from the spectators.