Olympics 2008

I must admit I watched the opening of the Olympics tonight. They were stunning! I enjoyed the dancers and the singers and I thought the Chinese people had done a great job of coming up with some really innovative ideas! I am a Jackie Chan fan and I loved seeing him at the Olympics, it was unexpected.

When the United States team walked in I was very proud. They all smiled and waved and held their heads high. Everyone had on suits designed by Ralph Lauren with with nifty white caps. I thought they looked very smart. Now, they kept saying who would have been the best dressed. I don't know. Some of the African countries were pretty colorful. I think it was Malaysa that really had something that stuck out. Then again Spain looked kind of like a banana peel, a dressy banana peel. They looked like were having a great time!

On the darker side of things, politics had to enter the picture unfortunately. Afghanistan's only woman athlete had disappeared about a month ago while the team was in Norway, I believe. She was getting threats, don't ask what kind-your guess is as good as mine. All I know is that she was the first woman on the Afghanistan team ever.

The Russians had also some troubling news. Some turmoil had broken out in South Ossetia, Georgia and Russia had sent an armoured column there. There have been reports of a number of casualties. At the time of the Opening Ceremonies the athletes were unaware of any fighting. Both Russian's Prime Minister Vladimar Putim and President Bush were in Beijing and they spoke on the subject.

Speaking of President Bush, I just had to chuckle, while watching the athletes march in, he had finally lost his jacket, because the announcer said it was so hot, then checked his watch, looked bored, I was really enjoying this! Finally the United Sates came in. President Bush dons his jacket and cheers on the athletes. I know it's menial, but I couldn't pass it up.

All in all I enjoyed the whole thing, but I think the one special moment was when 9 year earthquake survivor Lin Hao was watching the fireworks with Yao Ming. You couldn't hear a thing, you sure couldn't understand, but little Lin Hao leaned over and whispered into the tall man's ear and Yao Ming smiled. Now that's a Kodak moment.

Anyway, if you get time to watch them, go ahead and cheer for the country of your choice.

Enjoy the games!

Cheers!