jbg Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 As Meatloaf said, Two out of Three Ain't Bad. How about the Olympic cauldron, where only three of four supports arose from the floor? Comments? Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
dizzy Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 Ain't no thing. The whole show was an incredible feat. If there was a 'glitch' today it was the demise of the georgian luger during practice earlier today. I hope that his team can move forward with confidence. Quote
jbg Posted February 13, 2010 Author Report Posted February 13, 2010 Ain't no thing. The whole show was an incredible feat. If there was a 'glitch' today it was the demise of the georgian luger during practice earlier today. I hope that his team can move forward with confidence. The courage of the remaining seven members of his team, to face the crowds after the tragedy, was incredible. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
msj Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 Ain't no thing. The whole show was an incredible feat. If there was a 'glitch' today it was the demise of the georgian luger during practice earlier today. I hope that his team can move forward with confidence. Yeah, I was wondering who was going to be the first to mention the Cauldron. Thanks for putting it in perspective for those types. Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
Wilber Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 Quadruple redundancy, that's just good planning. I'm glad the Georgians decided to stay. Here's hoping there will be some good memories for them to take home to compensate a little for today's awful tragedy. Quote "Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC
jbg Posted February 13, 2010 Author Report Posted February 13, 2010 Yeah, I was wondering who was going to be the first to mention the Cauldron. Thanks for putting it in perspective for those types. As a long-time poster here, I do not enjoy being referred to as "those types". Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
dizzy Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 Quadruple redundancy, that's just good planning. I'm glad the Georgians decided to stay. Here's hoping there will be some good memories for them to take home to compensate a little for today's awful tragedy. I think VANOC matched China's opening ceremony experience with a tenth of the budget and without the ability to 'volun-tell' millions of people into service. That luge/bobsled run continues to pose a risk to the uninitiated. As tragic as it was, I do hope that his legacy was well read by the other new downhill track olympians. Quote
msj Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 As a long-time poster here, I do not enjoy being referred to as "those types". Awwwww, I wuz being polite, that's all.... Oh, and I'm not surprised you were the first. Although there are a number of other "those types" on this forum who were in the running for the Gold medal for being a "those types." I'm guessing being a long-time poster is relevant cuz the longer you've been here the bigger "those types" you are? Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
Smallc Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 It was an amazing ceremony that really showed off who we are to the world. The torch isn't as bad in my mind (you really couldn't even tell once it came out) as the fact that the aboriginal leaders were late for the start of the games. Even that though, wasn't a big deal. A wonderful show. Quote
Wilber Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 The only thing that kind of bugged me was the anthem. Why do people insist on singing it in a manner that makes it impossible for the crowd to sing along. The way Mark Donnelly does the anthem at Canucks games would have been great. Vancouver fans aren't shy about singing it. He could have started it in English, let the crowd do its thing and finished it in French. Perfect. Link Quote "Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC
msj Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 The only thing that kind of bugged me was the anthem. Why do people insist on singing it in a manner that makes it impossible for the crowd to sing along. Maybe Las Vegas set an over/under on it at, oh, I don't know, lets say 3 minutes and 45 seconds. And the singer was betting on the over. Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
Smallc Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 (edited) The only thing that kind of bugged me was the anthem. The anthem performance was amazing. She truly has a gift, whether it was lip synced or not. Edited February 13, 2010 by Smallc Quote
Wilber Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 The anthem performance was amazing. She truly has a gift. Yes she does but an anthem is not about the person singing it. Quote "Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC
Wilber Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 KD Lang was amazing. Now there's a gift. Quote "Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice". WSC
Smallc Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 Yes she does but an anthem is not about the person singing it. I don't like any anthem when it's presented with the words, so I think that what she did was fine. Quote
Smallc Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 KD Lang was amazing. Now there's a gift. She did very good. Quote
eyeball Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 I think Rick Mercer delivering a load of snow in a mock-up of a Sikorsky would have added a nice touch of Canadian irreverence. The big pulsating drum and floating bear were cool. My wife thought the Canadian anthem sounded like something from American Idol, I was making dinner at the time and missed it so I'll take her word for it. The pomp and pageantry surrounding the operatic almost militaristic sounding Olympic Hymn seemed like something that should be reserved for an opening session of a World Government Congress. It was that over the top I thought. Given the first cauldron's malfunction, I think I would have been a little gun shy around that second cauldron if I'd been Gretztky. The way it seemed to stall just before it lit had me cringing for a moment, I was half anticipating a big whooomph and fireball. Pretty sad about Nodar Kumaritashvili. Quote I said now watch what you say they'll be calling you a radical, a liberal, oh fanatical criminal
jbg Posted February 13, 2010 Author Report Posted February 13, 2010 It was an amazing ceremony that really showed off who we are to the world. The torch isn't as bad in my mind (you really couldn't even tell once it came out) as the fact that the aboriginal leaders were late for the start of the games. Even that though, wasn't a big deal. A wonderful show. You have a great country and it was a great show. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
wyly Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 started great but then the show went to shit right at the fiddlers and downhill fast after that...the prairie part went on forever as did the spinning skiers...slow, dull, boring snooze fest nearly fell asleep , until the screeching opera singer assaulted my ears I think rap is more pleasant( and I despise rap)...KD Laing did almost save it from complete becoming rubbish she was great, the flame screw up seemed fitting for a mediocre ceremony...I'm embarrassed with IMO is probably one of the worst opening ceremonies I can recall... definitely the best performance of O Canada I've ever heard... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
CANADIEN Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 (edited) Not a great ceremony, but very good. Not as fambloyant as Beijing, but that's not a bad thing. Great - the welcome by the four First Nations *up to the dance) - the bear - the Prairie scene - the entrance of the Olympic flag (great choice of flag bearers, with one exception, more on that later) - the singing of the Olympic anthem (gives me chills every time, and I am sorry for those who didn't like the interpretation, but this is how this kind of music is meant to be sung) - most musical performances (KD Lang in particular) So-so - the singing of the national anthem (great voice, but a national anthem calls for a more subdued interpretation) - the First Nations dancing (too long, and too cliched, a pity considering the welcoming by the four First Nations was a great idea and well done) - the monologue at the end of the artistic portion (liked the text, but a bit out of place) - the lighting of the torch (yes, the lighting of the torch - the technical snafu was embarassing, and spoiled what was a truly original idea, the cauldron lit from more than one torch) - Gretzky's trek through the streets of Vancouver (idea for the next city thinking about lighting more than one cauldron - do it at the same time) Bad: - the speech by the head of the organizing committee (I applauded when it was over, because it was over) - Garou's butchering of one of the most beautiful French-language songs ever written in Canada (especially considering that the song was at the right moment in the ceremony) My two pet peeves: - I was not expecting a lot of French apart from the official stuff, and that did not bother me particularly, but the reading from Quebec author François-Xavier Garneau should have been in its original language (or English and French, at least) - Where was Gaetan Boucher? He's our first male Winter Olympics gold medalist in singles competition, , and was the inspiration for a generation of Canadian Winter Olympians, With all due respect to Jacques Villeneuve and Steve Nash, the place of one of them should have been taken by Boucher. Edited February 13, 2010 by CANADIEN Quote
jbg Posted February 13, 2010 Author Report Posted February 13, 2010 One pet peeve. I loved Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" the way it was recorded. I can't stand her parody of her own song. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
dizzy Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 One pet peeve. I loved Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" the way it was recorded. I can't stand her parody of her own song. This was my least favourite part of the show, too. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 I watched the replay this morning on NBC for background noise, and it was fine. I don't know why some Canadians are so critical of the production which had to satisfy so many interests (I didn't see any wheelchair fiddlers!). The only odd thing is that some feel NBC's coverage was better and more widely available in Hi-Def compared to CTV. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
dizzy Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 I watched the replay this morning on NBC for background noise, and it was fine. I don't know why some Canadians are so critical of the production which had to satisfy so many interests (I didn't see any wheelchair fiddlers!). The only odd thing is that some feel NBC's coverage was better and more widely available in Hi-Def compared to CTV. I was also saying the same to friends last night. Although the games haven't yet really begun, I'm already regretting CTV winning this over the CBC. Quote
CANADIEN Posted February 13, 2010 Report Posted February 13, 2010 I was also saying the same to friends last night. Although the games haven't yet really begun, I'm already regretting CTV winning this over the CBC. On the French-language side, there were less irrelevant and innacurate comments during the parade of the athletes, which is an improvement already. As for CTV, they won't have Don Cherry... a HUGE improvement. Quote
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