London Olympics 2012

[Typhoon]

Impressions of the Opening Ceremonies?

I thought that the first part starting with the pastoral Jerusalem based on the poem by Blake,

followed by Branagh as Brunel proclaiming

Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises,
Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices,
That, if I then had wak'd after long sleep,
Will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming,
The clouds methought would open and show riches
Ready to drop upon me, that, when I wak'd,
I cried to dream again.

then forging the Olympic Rings in "these dark satanic mills"

was brilliant.

[Ammianus]

Wonder what total issues think about the NHS bling fest.

[Enki]

It was a pretty brilliant performance.

[monster_gardener]

Thank You Very Much for the Thread, Typhoon.

FWIW heard on the Radio

Just in anyone here is at/planning to go to the Olympics, a couple of minor warnings.......

The sponsored credit card, IIRC Visa, has managed to get the ATMs in the Olympic Village AND the vicinity shut off so that people will have to use sponsored the credit card or debit card......

Also don't try to go in with a shirt with a Pepsi logo, Coke is the sponsored drink..........

Likewise logos of other brands that are not sponsored..........

No guerrilla marketing intentional or not

Athletes not allowed to Tweet about any brand that is not a sponsor

Olympics even threatened a butcher who had made ropes of sausage into Olympic Rings..........
He changed them into squares but no dice

[Hoosiernorm]

Is it just me or did the opening ceremony music celebration look like the Stonehenge moment from Spinal Tap.

Way too many commercials, stopped watching after the 15 non stop commercial break. Will have to use the internet to get highlights.

[Ammianus]

Thank You Very Much for the Thread, Typhoon.

FWIW heard on the Radio

Just in anyone here is at/planning to go to the Olympics, a couple of minor warnings.......

The sponsored credit card, IIRC Visa, has managed to get the ATMs in the Olympic Village AND the vicinity shut off so that people will have to use sponsored the credit card or debit card......

Also don't try to go in with a shirt with a Pepsi logo, Coke is the sponsored drink..........

Likewise logos of other brands that are not sponsored..........

No guerrilla marketing intentional or not

Athletes not allowed to Tweet about any brand that is not a sponsor

Olympics even threatened a butcher who had made ropes of sausage into Olympic Rings..........
He changed them into squares but no dice

There could be no better example than the Olympics for the type of Big (C)orporate Socialism people of all stripes like to accuse and whisper about.

[Typhoon]

Didn't care much for the rock review, even though I know and like most of the songs featured.

Perhaps because they are too familiar.

The Angry Monkeys did a better cover of a Beatles tune than did Sir Paul.

The other part that I did like was the design and lighting of the Olympic Flame.

[Typhoon]

Thank You Very Much for the Thread, Typhoon.

FWIW heard on the Radio

Just in anyone here is at/planning to go to the Olympics, a couple of minor warnings.......

The sponsored credit card, IIRC Visa, has managed to get the ATMs in the Olympic Village AND the vicinity shut off so that people will have to use sponsored the credit card or debit card......

Also don't try to go in with a shirt with a Pepsi logo, Coke is the sponsored drink..........

Likewise logos of other brands that are not sponsored..........

No guerrilla marketing intentional or not

Athletes not allowed to Tweet about any brand that is not a sponsor

Olympics even threatened a butcher who had made ropes of sausage into Olympic Rings..........
He changed them into squares but no dice

There could be no better example than the Olympics for the type of Big (C)orporate Socialism people of all stripes like to accuse and whisper about.

Perhaps.

However, despite the corporate-socialist IOC and corruption scandals, the doping problem, the heavy handed corporate sponsorship, and whatever else,

I still enjoy watching the athletes compete. It is the only sporting event that I do watch.

[Locke]

Perhaps.

However, despite the corporate-socialist IOC and corruption scandals, the doping problem, the heavy handed corporate sponsorship, and whatever else,

I still enjoy watching the athletes compete. It is the only sporting event that I do watch.

Ditto. The only (or at least most pure, depending on your level of cynicism) athletic competition where individual spirit, drive to succeed, and making the most of their (most likely one) opportunity on a world stage are what motivate the athletes.

[monster_gardener]

Perhaps.

However, despite the corporate-socialist IOC and corruption scandals, the doping problem, the heavy handed corporate sponsorship, and whatever else,

I still enjoy watching the athletes compete. It is the only sporting event that I do watch.

Ditto. The only (or at least most pure, depending on your level of cynicism) athletic competition where individual spirit, drive to succeed, and making the most of their (most likely one) opportunity on a world stage are what motivate the athletes.

Thank You Very Much for your post, Locke.

making the most of their (most likely one) opportunity on a world stage are what motivate the athletes.

And part of that is getting big money endorsements afterwards if not before..........

I don't have a problem with that.........

Still remember that cute Uz Energizer Bunny Mary Lou Retton......... on the box of Wheaties and the battery coupons in the Sunday ad supplement.

7uvxNzOTKNc



With Ronald Reagan, a Real Red Republican Heroine from a RedNeck/Borderer State*.........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Lou_Retton

And Michael Phelps proving that Rosetta Stone can help you learn a new language even if you are Stoned



IIRC in Ancient Greece, Olympic heroes sometimes got support from their City-States.........

Actually that reminds me of an annoyance I have with the Olympic Hierarchs.......

They still haven't reinstated Native American Indian UZ Hero, Jim Thorpes victories...... Yes, they gave his kids the medals but still don't list him as No.1



The Wiki Olympic image didn't work so used the above.......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Thorpe ... reinstated

Finally with the way the swimsuits are going...... pretty soon the athletes will be back to the way the original Olympic athletes dressed... Nude

That ought to raise the TV ratings........ **

*Actually a Red Blue State, the Democrats there act often act like Republicans, Gov. Senator Joe Manchin being a good example.
Except for the villiany of the mine owners who went as far as fortunately ineffective aerial bombardment and thus the need for the UMW, WV might be a Republican State...... Went with the Union and seceded from Virginia when Virginia seceded from UZ......

Doesn't help that the last Republican Governor was a Very Flawed hero...... Hero but very flawed who ended up in the Retirement Home for WV Governors , the Federal Prison in Summit KY.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_A._Moore,_Jr.

**Might also eliminate some of the Control Freak nations that object to memorializing the Munich Olympics where the Olympic Truce was broken........
Per Azari's post, Kudos to Persia for not being one of those despite the disagreements between Israel and Iran.......

[Miss_Faucie_Fishtits]

right up..... uhm..... sucking wind........

[Torchwood]

I am intrigued as to what foreigners made of the opening ceremony. I thought it was brilliant, but full of subtle cultural references that must only be meaningful to natives (e.g the Shipping forecast, the theme tune to the BBC soap East Enders). Also it was patriotic verging on the jingoistic - didn't you find that annoying?

The combination of a leftie script and jingoism is intriguing, would not have been possible a generation ago. As for the NHS, it is a national icon, right across the political spectrum. Still after Rule Britannia yesterday, life returned to normal today - our much vaunted cycle team , which conquered the Tour de France, got wiped out in the road race today.

The wife being in hospital in central London (she is much better, by the way) I went for a walk around. The place has a real buzz to it. I never thought I would warm to the Olympics, but am doing so.

[AzariLoveIran]

.

The wife being in hospital in central London (she is much better, by the way) ..

.

good to hear that, Torchi, happy to hear that .. hope she watches Olympic and enjoys


.

[Typhoon]

I am intrigued as to what foreigners made of the opening ceremony. I thought it was brilliant, but full of subtle cultural references that must only be meaningful to natives (e.g the Shipping forecast, the theme tune to the BBC soap East Enders).

Had to look up East Enders on the wikipedia.

What are your thoughts on the new Bond girl?

Also it was patriotic verging on the jingoistic - didn't you find that annoying?

It seems that today the greatest conceit is to not engage in self-praise and self-promotion.

The combination of a leftie script and jingoism is intriguing, would not have been possible a generation ago. As for the NHS, it is a national icon, right across the political spectrum. Still after Rule Britannia yesterday, life returned to normal today - our much vaunted cycle team , which conquered the Tour de France, got wiped out in the road race today.

Time and chance is, to me, what makes watching the Olympics interesting.

The wife being in hospital in central London (she is much better, by the way) I went for a walk around.

Good news indeed.

The place has a real buzz to it. I never thought I would warm to the Olympics, but am doing so.

Give the recent difficulties the Brits have endured a bit of cheer is called for.

[Torchwood]

It seems that today the greatest conceit is to not engage in self-praise and self-promotion.

I find self promotion distasteful and transparently amusing, but then understatement and self deprecation may be the highest forms of arrogance, something Brits and Japanese have in common.

Hoosier, direct your complaints to NBC, who seem to have wrecked the US transmission by editing it and stuffing it full of commercials. They edited out the memorial dedication to the victims of 7/7/2005, which happened the same day as London getting the Olympics was announced - how would y'all feel if we had edited out a dedication to the victims of 9/11?

[Enki]

Yea, NBC sucks.

[Typhoon]

It seems that today the greatest conceit is to not engage in self-praise and self-promotion.

I find self promotion distasteful and transparently amusing, but then understatement and self deprecation may be the highest forms of arrogance, something Brits and Japanese have in common.

UcmoRy444MY

[Hoosiernorm]

It seems that today the greatest conceit is to not engage in self-praise and self-promotion.

I find self promotion distasteful and transparently amusing, but then understatement and self deprecation may be the highest forms of arrogance, something Brits and Japanese have in common.

Hoosier, direct your complaints to NBC, who seem to have wrecked the US transmission by editing it and stuffing it full of commercials. They edited out the memorial dedication to the victims of 7/7/2005, which happened the same day as London getting the Olympics was announced - how would y'all feel if we had edited out a dedication to the victims of 9/11?

Guess telling everyone about credit cards, breakfast cereal, and sandwiches on big bread was far more important to NBC's American vision. They wonder why everyone is going to the internet

[anderson]

I am intrigued as to what foreigners made of the opening ceremony. I thought it was brilliant, but full of subtle cultural references that must only be meaningful to natives (e.g the Shipping forecast, the theme tune to the BBC soap East Enders). Also it was patriotic verging on the jingoistic - didn't you find that annoying?

The combination of a leftie script and jingoism is intriguing, would not have been possible a generation ago. As for the NHS, it is a national icon, right across the political spectrum. Still after Rule Britannia yesterday, life returned to normal today - our much vaunted cycle team , which conquered the Tour de France, got wiped out in the road race today.

The wife being in hospital in central London (she is much better, by the way) I went for a walk around. The place has a real buzz to it. I never thought I would warm to the Olympics, but am doing so.

I'm not much of an Anglophile, but I found it rather moving. The little trip down the Thames from source to London was cool, as was the pretty spectacular historical transformation piece and the British music section.

[Typhoon]

toeNjx0YwMI

[Enki]

I am just happy to see America cleaning up as usual. Though those Chinese, dayum, they are tough competitors. I think only America and China are competitors in almost every sport.

[Typhoon]

I am just happy to see America cleaning up as usual. Though those Chinese, dayum, they are tough competitors.

China is currently in the medal lead, although that may change once track and field starts - a traditional US strength.

Both nations have a large population base and very extensive sports development programs so lots of medals are to be expected.

On a per capita basis, I think it's sports-mad Australia that has historically outperformed, although France is doing quite well these games.

Perhaps the games being in Britain give the French additional motivation.

I think only America and China are competitors in almost every sport.

No, I don't think so.

_____

It's the surprises I find most interesting.

[Enki]

I really loved seeing Jordyn Wieber's performance in gymnastics after watching her cry when she lost that qualifying round for the all-around to Raisman. When I watched that qualifying round I thought she was very stiff and boring. This one she had a fire that was just electrifying to watch.

[Parodite]

The US girls were indeed fantastic and moving...

As were the other teenage girls in the other teams (Russia and China) who made that nasty lil' mistake and "ruined" it for their teams... Makes you wonder how do those girls cope?

[Enki]

If they cannot take solace in being able to compete at all at that level, they probably do not cope well. I hear depression is not uncommon among female Olympic gymnasts. It is such a young sport.