Olympics
So I watched the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony last night. I never really watch opening ceremonies in the past because they tend to be a bit too long and in my opinion not really that interesting.
The only interesting part was the entering of the athletes and the lighting of the torch.
I was thinking about this last night while watching the various different countries of athletes entering the ceremony and wonder how many of us out there get really excited recognizing the countries that we used to live. What’s more, this time around I actually recognize a lot of countries that I have friends in, I feel some sort of connection with them even though I’ve never been there before.
I definitely cheered for Taiwan (Chinese Taipei - large team!), Thailand, Indonesia and USA. And I also felt some connection with Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Bahrain, Ghana, Japan, Korea, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, India, Egypt, Iran, Sri-Lanka, France, UAE, most southeast asian countries, UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Panama, Bahamas and perhaps more that I can’t remember from the top of my head becaues I know someone who is from there, is currently living there or I have a special connection with those countries at some point in my life.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:31 am
OMG, I TOTALLY DID THE SAME THING LAST NIGHT!!!
I was cheering for Malaysia, South Africa, Indonesia, Philippines, and to a slight extent, Australia. I was also cheering for Singapore, oddly enough, conssidering I am meant to be Malaysian, but whatever, we’re almost the same. XD
I was also pretty much dancing along with all the South American and African atheletes. I noticed som of them just couldn’t contain themselves.
I gotta say though, I loved some of the dances and such. The calligraphy was amazing, the drums at the beginning made me feel like I was looking at a kaleidoscope, and the moving platform was incredible.
I was just a little upset that I saw no lion and dragon dances.
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August 9th, 2008 at 8:34 am
i was totally appalled by their creativity when they DIDN”T do the lion and dragon dance LOL.
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August 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I was shocked–the ceremony was so amazing! The countdown, those men in the dancing blocks…
But yeah, I squealed for Bermuda, I was so excited–I remember one year they only sent one athlete…
And I got a bit emotional when China came in–that little boy’s story was heartbreaking.
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August 9th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Really liked those footsteps to the stadium with the explosions and all. Unfortunately, I had to turn it off when they had what looked like 1000s of guys in glow in the dark-riddler suits running around all over the place.
Caught part of the parade of nations when I was out, and it was cool to see Australia. Much cooler to see crazy ol’ Dirk Nowitzki with the olympic rings shaved into his head leading Germany.
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August 9th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I also happened to be completely unaware that there was an olympic event for terminator-swordfights.
Guess you learn something every day.
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August 9th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I myself am not a huge Olympics fan but last night’s ceremony was just gorgeous. The drums, the dancers who painted calligraphy with there bodies, the giant globe, the synchronicity. Wow. Best one I have ever seen…good luck topping that, London
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August 9th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
At this point I kind of hope Chicago doesn’t get the 2016 games. I mean, how in the hell could they outdo last night? A parade of Bill Brasky impersonators, perhaps?
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August 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
lol @ MAJORTOM
First off…are you a Bowie fan?
Secondly…you’re right. Atlanta & Sydney were so kitsh and gay compared to the pageantry of last night. How can a koala and Kylie Minogue singing Abba compare to martial arts, globes & dancing calligraphy? And how could Kylie NOT put marching gay boys in lit jumpsuits like the Chinese? That girl needs a new creative director, lol…
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August 9th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I identified and felt connected to many countries too!!!
It was so good to see them all together, like they are in my heart
I just realised this: they were all in that stadium, all of them. That’s how I feel. I love all of them!
I’ve said this a million times: I was tricked into thinking that I had to choose one country, and only when I learned about TCK I realised that I didn’t have to choose
And now I see the olympics, and voilà: if they can all parade together, why can’t they all parade in my heart?
so people: if you ever need an argument against those who say you have to choose one country, tell them that you are like the olympics, you like to have all the countries with you
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August 9th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
@ MsMerising
You came so close. I actually AM David Bowie.
No wait, I really am just a fan. Gotta love that Ziggy Stardust…
Back to what the thread was actually about (sort of), maybe for London they should just say “screw it” and show Gordon Brown eating afternoon tea for two hours.
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