Did anyone else watch the National Spelling Bee last night? You'll only say "boring" if you didn't watch it. I was so nervous for each kid as they listened to a word they had never heard of before, then had to spell it on national television, not to mention with their parents on stage behind them.
Several years ago, I watched the movie Spellbound. It follows eight kids (and their families) as they prepare for and then compete in the National Spelling Bee. If I hadn't seen that movie, I never would have watched part of the Bee last night. They spend HOURS AND HOURS practicing words. Every day for YEARS. The kids are brilliant. The parents are odd. It was fascinating. And just like in little league sports, the parents can be more into it than the participating kids.
Anyway, last night I was pulling for the kid who came in second. If I remember correctly, he had never been to this competition before, but the other kid had, so I wanted the first-timer to win. He was a crowd-charmer too. But you could tell the winner instantly recognized his last word.
You should all put Spellbound in the ol' Netflix cue.
