During the parade of nations, I have quite a bit of time on my hands, so I thought I'd go ahead and share my thoughts on the opening ceremony instead of procrastinating until I never get around to it....

I have been looking forward to these ceremonies ever since they announced that China would be hosting this year. While I may have issues with the government and their policies, I have always thought that the ancient Chinese culture is absolutely beautiful, so I knew they really had the ability to do it right. Plus, while an authoritarian Communist regime is anything but the best way to govern, but there's something to be said over having the power to just hand out English booklets to cabbies and saying "Learn this!"

Plus, the architecture that has been developing has been exciting to me, as well. It's just all so beautiful and iconic that you just have this feeling from the images that something HAS to happen.

And the Chinese did not disappoint me. As the director of the ceremonies said to Matt Lauer, they had the people, and they used them! I've had issues in the past few Games because they chose obscure themes and then created visuals that were TINY in comparison to the scale of the stadium and the event. Not so here! While there were definite symbolic things that needed a bit of explanation from the announcers (more about them below), there was no question that 2008 people at a time can create a visual image that is mind boggling. Add giant LED screens that go around the entire stadium and more fireworks than DC on July 4 (not that NBC really showed them...), and you have an incredible spectacle. (Though I think there were only about 3 women outside of the all-woman portion of the show in the ceremony).

I enjoyed the Chinese national anthem--it's fun! I liked the little throw the soldier gave to the flag as a flourish to start it up the flagpole. And is there a fan built into the flagpole so the flag is always waving? It doesn't look like there is any other movement in the stadium, yet the flag is practically straight. If so, that's a really cool idea.

That said, I miss my days at MSU where I could substitute CBC coverage for NBC. Not only did they delay the coverage for 12 hours (check out the story here)
but they broke up everything into <5 minute segments (and covered some things up with commercials) and had some truly inane announcing. I mean, discussing ordering a Big Mac at McDonald's in the middle of the ceremony? Having NBC's China guy there to explain some of the cultural things was a great touch, but there was still way too much talking and sharing of useless information.

One advantage of the delay and editing of the ceremony is the chance to abbreviate the parade of nations somewhat. Still, I think it's telling when there's a country--I don't remember which one, but it comes somewhere in the English alphabet just after Canada--that emails NBC asking them not to cut to commercial and not show them, as was the normal tradition for the ceremonies. At least I think NBC is showing at least a snippet of every country that comes in during their commercial breaks, so that's a bit better. Especially since the outfits are a lot of fun, especially with the countries with a very strong cultural dress. Ralph Lauren wanted the US to have a bit more of a polished look for these Games and reclaim the position of statesmen, and I rather like the 8-piece look. Of course, it seems like almost all the non-folk dressers are going in the sports-coat look. [Except Australia. They're going super casual.] Still, as the athletes gather in the infield of the stadium (and then flock around Kobe Bryant to take pictures!), it's creating a great picture.

I also admire all the cheerleaders along the athletes' route. They are still going strong after an incredibly long period of time since the entrance of the athletes began. I see they have water bottles on their hips, and they need it! And the the music has been fun. They have music from all over the world, but the thing that made me laugh the hardest is when the bagpipes started up, playing what the Spartan Tenors call the "Scottish Ditty." Let's just say I was highly amused. [Note--I have now heard it at least 4 times. It's not quite as funny the 3rd time around.)

Also, I like the idea of everyone walking across giant stamp pads to leave their footprints on the painting that was featured and made during the ceremony. If I were there, I would ask some of the larger guys in my delegation to pick me up after I got a bit of paint on my shoes and carry me about halfway across, to the point where all the color starts to die out because people run out of ink on their shoes. Then they could put me down in the mostly white portions, and my footprints would be more visible! But then, I suppose that would be a bit egotistical. :)

The cheer for China's delegation gave me chills. Yao Ming made a striking picture carrying the flag about a mile above the stadium floor. And then the story of the little boy with him! This is why I love the Olympics.

Also, I just saw a car commercial that features a Brandi Carlile song ("The Story"). BOOOOOOO!!!

Running along the red carpet on the screen on the top of the stadium is an AWESOME (truly) way to light the torch. Right up there with Muhammad Ali in Atlanta and the archer in Barcelona. Plus, to have the torch hidden until about half an hour before the lighting, only for it to appear over the top of the stadium was a nice touch. Too bad NBC is the worst network ever and cut off the fireworks in the middle of the display. Not to mention--where was the Olympic Oath? You know someone took it for all the athletes, but NBC, in their monopoly blow-a-big-raspberry-to-the-US glory, decided that Visa ads were more important.