The View From Wisconsin
Just a random set of rants from a Sports Fan from Wisconsin.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Opening Observations
A few little things about Friday's opening ceremony in London:
- Yes, count me in on the chorus of haters that the ceremony wasn't covered live in some form, at least online, by NBC. There are actually people who wanted to see what was going on as it was being tweeted/blogged about live. Five hours is NOT that big of a difference (just ask anyone on the West Coast).
- And here I thought Sir Kenneth Brannagh was playing a version of old John Bull as he quoted The Tempest in the opening segment of the ceremony. Turns out he was playing Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the leading man of the Industrial Revolution in the UK.
- Oh, and quotation:
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 sometime voices
That, if I then had waked 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 waked,
I cried to dream again. - I loved the whole Bond and Queen bit. The waving fans across Britain thing was a bit much, but you'd expect that.
- I guess I was half expecting Sir Paul to break out into a brief version of "Her Majesty" after singing "The End". I also understand how Paul had some issues with the start of "Hey Jude". I mean, the key change between the two songs is noticeable, and I'd have problems switching between the two as well. He's also sung the dimmed thing thousands of times over the years, so I suspect he's allowed to mess up now and again.
- Has anyone explained why Emile's version of "Abide With Me" wasn't shown to US viewers? Yes, I get it - the performance would be the equivalent of say Jordin Sparks singing the "Batlle Hymn of the Republic." Still.
- Someone please get the Kazakhstan Olympic delegation some iPhones so they don't have to use their iPads as they're walking into the stadium next time?
- It would not surprise me if Michael Phelps didn't win a medal in these Olympics. Phelps has had the huge target on him since Beijing, and it's looking like he's not even the best swimmer in the pool right now. I doubt that a starting position on the outside lane is going to help him in the 400m final.
- Am I the only one who would like to see the US finally qualify for Olympic handball? Of course, to do that, the US would actually need to have a quality handball squad.
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