Brief Comment on the Olympic Opening
I watched the opening of the Olympics last night and I was at first appalled at the thought of how much it must have cost to put on a spectacle like that. But gradually I was seduced by the sheer amazingness of the whole thing. It was all absolutely astounding and impressive. I can’t help thinking that the opening in four years in London will never ever come up to this standard.
High points for me were the fireworks zooming up from the edge of the Birdcage, the 2008 drummers, the totally fantastic and beautiful and amazing {I am running out of superlatives} "blocks" that were people-operated. {I LOVED the young people popping out at the end!} Oh, and lets not forget the people running and tumbling round the globe and Sarah Brightman {Sarah Brightman! I had no idea she was so popular in China!} singing on top. And of course, the "ooooh!" of amazement when the last torch carrier rose into the air and he and his shadow "ran" to the torch and lighted it. Absolutely amazing! The whole show was one fantastic spectacle after another.
QUOTATIONS:
"Step by step. I can’t think of any other way of accomplishing anything."
Michael Jordan
"Fear not for the future, weep not for the past."
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) English poet
Now I wish I’d stayed up to watch it. I only saw parts of the parade of nations, and it went on and on and on for so long, I got bored and went to bed. I didn’t even watch it when the Olympics were here in Salt Lake! They’re going to have the Olympics in London? That amazes me. Where will they have them? London seems so crowded, I don’t know where they would put such a thing.
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I only made it till 10 pm or so… but what I did see was indeed amazing! I can’t wait to see it all unfold! Love you! ~M
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It was spectacular! And the torch wasn’t there when the torch run began in the stadium. $100 million opening event is a number I heard. Maybe more. But they have it. And it was better spent than going to war. Peace is always worth it. The smiles on the athletes faces was priceless! You are an athlete after the hip thing, smile!!! be well…dan
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You’re right…it was outstanding. The people in the blocks did me in…out of this world! I have to admit…there was a tear in my eye now and again 🙂
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I think that what the Olympics stand for make it a grand event, so all of the expense and grandeur will be worth it. I’m quite sure that London will do the world proud, too. Every 4 years, I am always in awe of the opening ceremonies.
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The drums WERE amzing, weren’t they? I wish I could’ve stayed up longer, but I fell asleep during the Parade of Nations – which was interesting, too!
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Your statement about London’s unlikelihood of matching last night’s opening is exactly why my interest in the Olympics has been so drastically reduced over the years. Every country feels that it has to outdo all the previous ones in the over-the-top display of “Look how great we are, everybody!” And then look at the athletes, with their personal trainers, their hi-tech diets, and their ambition toparlay their Olympic success into lucrative celebrity status. Compare them to Roger Bannister a half-century ago, who broke the four-minute mile barrier and then quietly continued his studies to become a doctor. (In fact, he never even won an Olympic medal.) Yeah, I might be 13 years younger than you, but I’m definitely more of an old codger! 🙂
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RYN: Yeah, I’m still in that no-man’s land where I want to wear the super-professional high heels, mostly wear the flats, and am intensely grateful for Casual Friday, at which time I can wear sneakers.
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I loved the blocks part too. It was so neat and amazing.
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A number of years ago, maybe for Atlanta?, the torch was run through the streets of NYC. It was taken down Broadway – I live a block away. Yep it’s kitchy, but yep, I was out there to cheer it on – it was silly and fun. I was glad I went – they came to my neighborhood, the least I could do was watch.
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Ah, you must have watched longer than I. The sheer cost of such a production I thought was ghastly, considering how many people in this world have so very little.
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I totally agree, I watched the last 45 minutes of the ceremony and loved the lighting of the tourch. They said it was going to be spectacular and they certainly were right. The fireworks were phenomenal.
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I missed it but I saw part of the dress rehersal. I love the fact that China is opening its doors to this event. The more that we know about each other, the better we understand.:)
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I thought it was amazing! Be well,
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I decided not to watch the opening cerimony this year. I’m honestly not sure I think the Olympics should even be held in China – it serves to help legitimize an oppressive government.
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It was very impressive wasn’t it… one thing that struck me about it was how very typically Chinese it was – everyone doing exactly the same thing etc in perfect synchronisation, and using manpower to do stuff that would done with technology in other places. (huggles)
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The only downside was the endless parade of nations and the asinine commentary from the American annoucers.I was cringing through some of it. But yes, the whole bit with the drumming, and dancers — seduced is right. And all those fireworks. What was enchanting was Yao Ming and the little boy, that started a suspicious itch in my throat towards the end.
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Oh I missed it! Sounds like it was spectacular!
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Awwww, I didn’t watch it!! I may youtube it later because I’ve heard so many people say it was amazing.
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I missed it! aaaarrgghhhhh.
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