*Beginning in 2010, I began a bi-weekly column, “From Richard’s Oft Cluttered Desk” which appears every other Wednesday.

The 2010 Winter Olympics are about to begin and my how we’ve missed you so. I will never forget my first Olympics.  I wasn’t a competitor, just a kid watching the 1992 Summer Olympics, the year Barcelona hosted. I remember watching the diving events on television in our living room. I remember because I was in awe that it was outside. I marveled at the beauty.

Then another night we were watching women’s gymnastics. Our family watched as American Shannon Miller graced the floor with her amazing abilities. This is where the competitor in me comes out. My sister and I immediately went to the backyard and started doing our own versions of the floor routine and the vault. It was an entertaining site for many, I’m sure. But it was partly sport and wholly excitement.

Many kids around the world grow up dreaming of becoming an Olympian. I did. As the XXI (21st) Olympiad gets set to light the world, I am reminded of a lot of things about what matters in the world. The theme of these 16 days is: “With Glowing Hearts.” Anytime that flame is lit, my idealism comes alive. The athletes prove that we are one world and we can live and prosper together. I hope I see that over these two weeks.

But the more and more I look at it, the more I see the Games are losing their peace. Just last week, American ice-skater Johnny Weir had to change his costume because of threats he and his designer were getting over the fur he was using. Yes it was real fur.

I can understand and I certainly respect animal rights groups’ absolute right in protesting and drawing attention to the use of real animal fur, but they are stealing what should be and could be the brightest athletic achievement for Weir. Both Weir and his designer received hate mail. Is that where we’ve come? Is that as far as we’ve come as a society? To move past honest debate and respect for personal choice to sending hate mail?

I feel sorry for Johnny. I also feel sorry for the people who sent the letters. Passion is great. Honest debate is necessary. But anger and hatred, violence and threats of disruptions distorts the real issue. So Johnny made the smart choice in changing his costume. In doing so, the little kid in me cried. I was again back in my backyard not able to do cartwheels, but I still kept trying. I still ran, put my hands down and hoped I could get my legs over.

The Olympic dream is about coming together in piece, despite our differences, to prove, that once again, we can come together in peace. I hope this is just a blimp on an amazing 16 days. I hope the world sees the glowing hearts coming from Vancouver instead of hated and anger. The world needs it.

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1. McCoy a True Champion
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For those younger… count yourself blessed. Seriously.

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I was there to witness a first: My boyfriend Nathanael had two pieces that were going to be shown. It was his first ever fashion show. The first time his work would go down the runway for hundreds of eyes to see.

We dressed, fashionably of course and made the short walk to the show. If there had been a red carpet, the flashbulbs would have worn out. We looked stunning. A lot of people did. We made our way to the runway, found our seats and got settled in.

I was beyond excited to be there. Not only for Nathanael, but for the first time, I was at a runway show! Halfway through the show, his first piece arrived. My heart was beating much faster than normal and my hands became clammy. It walked in front of my and my eyes never left the piece. I kinda wish I had looked at Nathanael to see his face – a great accomplishment for him. I hope for him it made all the late nights, the early mornings, the bloody fingers worth it.

It was a thrill of a lifetime to be there. I can’t wait to see more of his work. I hope one day it is just his work going down the runway. This weekend I go to celebrate a wedding with my family.

I sincerely hope every one of you has the chance to watch the person you love, show their passion to the world. A week ago, I had that experience. Nathanael – Congrats & I love you!

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Oh my! Please avert my eyes!

Okay, I’m not serious… obviously. First of all, it’s a great picture! Secondly, it’s Abercrombie. It’s their M.O. And finally, there is nothing obscene about it.

Well, the Virginia Beach po-po saw it differently. In the local store there, the police came in and confiscated the larger than life photo.

However, today the county attorney has dropped the charges against Abercrombie, citing the inability to prove the obscenity claim in court.

Abercrombie isn’t new to a courtroom. In 2004 they paid $40 million to settle a lawsuit about hiring practices.

They are constantly under fire for their photos and their advertising campaigns that market to 16-23 year olds. I have never felt like their photos were obscene. Would I want my 14 year old looking at them, not really, but it’s the real world.

My biggest problem – - how does this sell clothes? It does because it is who they are. They are hot. They are toned. They are Abercrombie.

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