Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Iraq wasn't allowed to participate: >>> Really? I saw the Iraq delegation marching along with all the other countries.
Originally Posted By JohnS1 Is there anybody besides me who thinks the Olympics are about the most boring television a person can watch? All those people running around in endless circles all day - It's like NASCAR without wheels and exhaust.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< In four years, London shouldn't even try to compete with the spectacle that Beijing bestowed upon our wondering eyes in the Opening Ceremonies. >>> Democracy or not, London would be pretty hard pressed to out-do this year's opening ceremony. It was of such massive scale and scope, and appeared to come off flawlessly. If London can at least do better than T5, they should consider themselves lucky.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Really? I saw the Iraq delegation marching along with all the other countries.*** Dar's link is out of date, but for some reason he found reason to comment on it on two different threads. At one point, the Iraq delegation WAS banned, but they appealed and were allowed to compete. There was most definitely an Iraqi delegation (I guess Dar didn't watch the opening ceremonies, but felt compelled to comment anyway, incorrect though he was). Especially funny seeing as people actually commented about SEEING the Iraqi athletes march in, to which Dar replied "oh yeah, well..they weren't even there!". *link* Oops.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***If London can at least do better than T5, they should consider themselves lucky.*** T5?
Originally Posted By Mr X A friend mentioned today that a large number of the performers at the opening ceremony were PRC army soldiers. Anyone else hear this? It would explain a great deal about how they could put together something of such magnitude and precision, that's for sure!
Originally Posted By DAR Actually I missed the first half of the opening ceremonies so I didn't get to see Iraq. That's great that they were allowed back in but this must have been a last minute thing to let them back in.
Originally Posted By Mr X The appeal occurred the same time as the link you were citing and the approval came a few days after that.
Originally Posted By gadzuux You missed the first half? You missed the whole spectacle then. They need to find a way to speed up the whole 'parade of nations' portion - at least for the viewers at home. Nearly two hours of people in funny clothes walking by and waving. Fun for awhile but numbing after two hours. And such a letdown after the 'artistic' portion too. Gadzuux's party tip - have people over for televised events and the party's sure to be a hit. All the host really has to do is keep the snacks and beverages coming, and the guests are entertained by the TV. Olympics, oscars, super bowl - anything like that. Unfortunately I didn't know ahead of time that this thing ran on until midnight. But oh well, as I was shooing my guests out the door, they all said it was a wonderful evening and the ceremonies were more spectacular than they expected. See? Everybody leaves happy. If it was up to me to entertain them, they would have all been out before 10pm.
Originally Posted By Malin <<<T5?>>> Terminal 5 at Heathrow Mr X, which opened earlier this year to what was an absolute dissaster, many flights were delayed and many took off without people's suit cases, heads did roll for that error!
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< You missed the first half? You missed the whole spectacle then. >>> Absolutely! DAR, if you saw the very ending, with the torch lighting ceremony, the beginning of the event was maybe 90 minutes of non-stop stuff like that. Incredible.
Originally Posted By EdisYoda <<They need to find a way to speed up the whole 'parade of nations' portion - at least for the viewers at home. Nearly two hours of people in funny clothes walking by and waving. Fun for awhile but numbing after two hours.>> We have to remember that the Parade of Nations is for the Athletes and Officials, NOT the viewing audience. As was said by Matt Lauer and Bob Costas last night, for most of the athletes... THAT is the high point of the Olympics.
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP For me the parade of nations is like the calling of names during the graduation ceramony. Hearing your own name, or the name of the loved one you came to see, is the best part of the whole ceramony, but listening to the other 662 (in the case of my graduating class) is the worst!! So many of these athletes have NO chance at a medal, this is their one big shot of olympic glory. Give them their shot, and be prepared to chat up your friend's you're watching with for two hours. Is it just me or did they not "swear in" the athletes this year? It seemed that some of the official speech making was missing this year. I remember one short speech from Jack Roga (is that how you spell it) and a chineese official declaring the games open. However, in past years it seems like they have had the athletes repeat the olympic oath (to play fair, and stuff like that) as well as a few other speeches... oh well...
Originally Posted By EdisYoda I noticed that as well. I'm wondering if that was one of the things cut from the televised portion.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Hmmm I wonder where I could see the first part?*** YouTube? Gotta search around though, they're keeping that locked up tighter than Ft Knox (I guess the Chinese are saving all the bootleg DVD options for themselves!).
Originally Posted By DAR <<YouTube? Gotta search around though, they're keeping that locked up tighter than Ft Knox (I guess the Chinese are saving all the bootleg DVD options for themselves!).>> I figured that. Right now watching some beach volleyball. Misty May Treanor and Carrie Walsh.....hotties.
