Beijing olympic opening ceremony

[TZA]

Wow, watching it now, what an amazing performance, anyone eles been watching?

[BANNED_For_POOPY_PANTS]

That was CRAZY!

I love the Olympics! :):):)

[Nuthien]

I'm at the University right now, but the teachers dispensed us design students from class and everyone gathered in a large classroom to watch the Opening =) it was great

[Molly]

Yes, Ive been watcing too - WOW - how fucking cool was that?
The digital carpet thing was extremely impressive, and all them people lighting up!
Despite all the controversy China's been having, that was an impressive opening... - especially the waterfall around the top of the stadium!

Mx

[Jabo]

That can never be outdone. An extraordinary show, magnificent!

[VirusArtist]

unbelievable.. something that won't be forgotten... makes you think about what people can achieve

[egerie]

I was a bit late to work today as I started watching and got hypnotised by the show... When the Taï-chi part came on I finally saw the time and leaped on the phone to get a cab .. OOPS! Mind you, I'm ahead of my work schedule :) Can't wait to get home and see the rest!

[Peter Coene]

You know what was an impressive show? the 1936 Olympics!

[feifeicreate]

Let's keep the politics out of this! This is Olympic, not some politic freak show.

[Silvertone]

I'll be keeping an eye on U.S. flagbearer Lopez Lomong (http://lopezlomong.org/pages/lopez-bio.php). He's got quite a story.

Hey, did they end up letting the Iraqi atheletes into the olympics?

[Jason Rainville]

I fudging missed it. Anyone know where I can take a looksee online?

[mcmatz]

I fudging missed it. Anyone know where I can take a looksee online?

Ditto.
Or will there be a rebroadcast later today?

--Madeline

[Rist]

Never bothered watching it.

[Shmaba]

Aww...I forgot all about it :(

[alesoun]

Jason it's on BBC iPlayer,if you can get that. I've been running around like a headless chicken today, so I missed a lot of the opening. What I did see looked stupendous, though,and I thought it was really funny that they had a pipe band playing.

Might catch up with what I missed on iPlayer tomorrow...

[jhgoforth]

Why do I feel guilty for having absolutely zero interest in the Olympics? :dead:

[Jabo]

This thread is not about the Olympics, it's about the opening ceremony, which was a splendid example of how to present an event as big as this. Everyone interested in design and visual language, no matter how much they hate the Olympics, China, or cauliflower, should watch this. So why don't you just pack your bad feeling in a bag, shut that thing for a moment and enjoy the show.

[Blue]

I can't find a clip of this anywhere on the net. NBC is suing anyone who posts it I'm reading.

wow.. this is lame. I want to see what the hype is all about :(

[Jason Rainville]

I can't find a clip of this anywhere on the net. NBC is suing anyone who posts it I'm reading.

wow.. this is lame. I want to see what the hype is all about :(

Yeah... youtube has a ton of videos but all of them are removed by a 'third party'

[Saturns Gate]

Man, being there when all those went off must have been one hell of a rush! :)

Here you go: Video (http://uk.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=88608&videoChannel=117459)

[seth1]

I woke up this morning just so I could watch the opening of the Olympics. I ended up falling back to sleep, on the couch, sitting up (that was a first time ). To be awaken to people running on the world. This was my first ceremony to watch on the Television, and it will be the last one.

[jhgoforth]

This thread is not about the Olympics, it's about the opening ceremony, which was a splendid example of how to present an event as big as this. Everyone interested in design and visual language, no matter how much they hate the Olympics, China, or cauliflower, should watch this. So why don't you just pack your bad feeling in a bag, shut that thing for a moment and enjoy the show.

fair enough, mr. cranky pants. That being said, I watched all of 5 minutes of it and couldn't help but think 'pretentious much?' while watching and decided to do something else. Has nothing to do with China or anything else (in fact I do find their culture and history fascinating, just not this).

[alesoun]

Five minutes? You missed a LOT!

[jhgoforth]

Five minutes? You missed a LOT!

5mins of actual paying attention while getting ready. I'll admit the ability to organize it was amazing, but the actual aesthetics of it were quite ...well boring. But I also don't care for installation art either so it's probably related to that.

[Noah Bradley]

Woah. Pretty darn impressive feat.

[Jason Snair]

beautiful show. never really into the opening ceremonies before, but I quickly caught the first few minutes and got hooked. just the scope and sheer size of everything was amazing.

i think my favorite part was with the Elemental Wind part...which looked mechanical and then they revealed that it was actually people moving up and down.

[digital_zombie]

I watched it all and it was beautiful and very well done. I'm glad I caught it, the art direction that went into that was amazing.

[jrr]

watched it, and was moved by it. very proud of my culture.

[mcmatz]

NBC rebroadcast it at 6:30 pm central.
:jawdrop:
My eyes are still readjusting.

They used the whole friggin' city.

Those performers aren't human either.

Best costumes in decades. They usually look like bad dance recital leotards close up but every one of them this year were pristine. I wonder if they'll be on eBay?

You knew the fireworks were going to be massive and excellent which they were.

The torch lighting was unexpected, whimsical and brilliant.

London in 2012 is so screwed...

--Madeline

[DeadlyFreeze]

They sneaked goose stepping military in nicely.

[Silvertone]

That was pretty darn cool, 2008 drummers and tai chi guys, the whole giant scroll thing with the huge led screen, etc, sometimes I think the opening and closing ceremonies are the coolest parts of the olympics.

I swear I thought that last torch guy was gonna fall just as he started to go around the stadium, eek!

I was also glad to see the Iraqi atheletes did make it into the olympics after all.

Anyone remember this from 2004 closing ceremonies?

yPWY9b4HM_I&feature=related

[Mattinian]

must have been awesome to see it in person :[ here`s some photos of the event
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/08/2008_olympics_opening_ceremony.html

[D@niel]

One of the most visualy interesting thing i have ever seen!!

[daestwen]

I missed it. :(

Anyone know if it's re-airing in Canada at any point over the weekend?

[Matsign]

Those photos are great!

[kovah]

Opening Ceremony (least i think it is :o )

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00cpf8p/

[smugbug]

This site's got the entire opening ceremony:

(pssst...just don't let NBC know, 'k?!)

http://www.wjno.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=244038&article=4069765


(ETA: damn, not all as there's a lot of "video pulled by copyright holder". Damn you, NBC! What gives?! Every other event is being shown online, except for the opening ceremonies!)

Found pictures:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/08/content_9052897_4.htm

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And more from the NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/08/08/sports/0808-CEREMONY_index.html

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[smugbug]

watched it, and was moved by it. very proud of my culture.

You and me, both. I hope my mom watched this.....

[Peter Coene]

Let's keep the politics out of this! This is Olympic, not some politic freak show.
Hmm, that's what everyone said in 1936 too. Were they right?
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I bring this up because it is on topic: What we have here is an amazing show that artists can be inspired by. However, to be effective artists we have to not just understand that certain visuals were used but WHY they were used. Lets be honest with ourselves here: both 1930's Germany and present day China were/are trying to make a name for themselves as major world powers, both had the Olympics in their nation, and both used the Olympics to say to the rest of the world, "hey, look at what a perfect place we are." If you can understand that then you are one step closer to knowing what goes into that type of art.

Yes, please DO look at the art, the size, the message, the power of the imagery. Look at the fact that to make such a thing you have to have a reason. Images don't just come out of nowhere and will never be understood unless you can understand the mindset that drives them. 72 years ago it was Nazi Germany. Do you think that it is coincidence that both displays are breathtaking? That both grab the world's attention with images of what they want the world to think of them? One showed strong arians striking poses while lighting torches and saluting Hitler in front of epic Olympic mythically themed monuments, and the other has thousands of dancers wearing ancient styled Chinese costumes while fireworks go off.

I might as well be watching a new rendition of an old movie just with up to date special effects. And I am sorry if by pointing this out I stepped on anyone's toes, I didn't mean to make this seem any less spectacular, just as I would not want to in any way detract any of the praise given to Leni Reifenstahl for her amazing cinematography.

[TZA]

China is going to turn all Nazi because they put on a good show?

[Saturns Gate]

Its an Olympic Opening Ceremony, thats it.

[ChristianWeeks]

Man all my friends are a bunch of losers! I was the only one that was excited to watch it. For like the last couple days Ive been like "dude its almost here" and they're like "what?" and im like wow you suck. So I watched last night in my bedroom... All alone. And i got tired and i fell asleep before the U.S. came out. It wouldve been more exciting if i had been watching it with somebody :(

But yeah it was amazing. I particularly enjoyed the moving landscape of those giant block thingies with the people inside it. THAT was amazing. I mean, how did they do it? They couldnt see anything inside of those boxes, could they really have memorized that shit? dayum.

[Peter Coene]

China is going to turn all Nazi because they put on a good show?

No, you missed the point. They are already like the Nazis. And like the Nazis they are putting on a big show because that's what they want everyone to think of when they think of their country. They don't want you to look at the violations of human rights, the unethical ways in which they control their populace, their treatment of certain religious groups, etc etc. They want you to see the power that they are gaining as a good thing, as something beautiful and how better to do it than to invite the entire world and put on a show that they will never forget.

[Rist]

Well Peter, you know how to turn a positive into a negative.

[Anid Maro]

Right, we're goodie little two-shoes over here who never ever do anything wrong and anybody we disapprove of is the same as Nazi Germany because the world is black and white, we're the good guys, and we have to extinguish the ever growing axis of evil.

I'm not going to defend China's human rights record, but really aren't we being just a little hypocritical here? Sure we might have tortured some people that were detained for no legal reason, but let's all point fingers at China! It's so much easier to talk about problems abroad then the ones we have at home.

That aside, it was an incredible opening ceremony and worth watching for aesthetic merit alone.

[BANNED_For_POOPY_PANTS]

No, you missed the point. They are already like the Nazis. And like the Nazis they are putting on a big show because that's what they want everyone to think of when they think of their country. They don't want you to look at the violations of human rights, the unethical ways in which they control their populace, their treatment of certain religious groups, etc etc. They want you to see the power that they are gaining as a good thing, as something beautiful and how better to do it than to invite the entire world and put on a show that they will never forget.

You can't compare modern day China to Nazi Germany. It's tiresome and shows your ignorance, it's like comparing Bush to Hitler or the Antichrist.

Yes, China is far from perfect. But to assume that the motive for such a phenomenal, culture-saturated show was a government attempt to turn heads the other way is.. that's just fucking crazy.

What I saw were hundreds of people who worked there asses off, trained hard, all with a smile on their face, to entertain YOU so that the Beijing Olympics will be as memorable as an event for viewers as it is for the athletes themselves.

Say thank you.. and if you don't like it.. boycott the Olympics with the rest of the liberal psychos out there.

[Zord]

They are already like the Nazis.

Wow, way to generalize an entire country. I'd be more careful of what I said if I were you, don't want to step on anyone's toes or anything..just sayin'.

[GORILLAARTFARE]

Wow, way to generalize an entire country. I'd be more careful of what I said if I were you, don't want to step on anyone's toes or anything..just sayin'.

Wholeheartedly agreed.

[Dave Kendall]

The little I saw looked awesome. Waiting for the blu-ray version.

Peter you really need to get out, hit as many bars around the world as you can, sink a skin full and shoot the breeze with the patrons. I'm sure it will do you, and us the world of good.

[Jason Rainville]

Russia invades Georgia! China Annexes surrounding sovereign nations! Dogs and cats, living together, total anarchy! Peter was right!

Noooooooooo! (http://warlol.ytmnd.com/)

[Mon Chat]

I say we all visit peters sketchbook and bully him into updating.

but sadly I missed the show, and BBC iPlayer is the work of the devil.

[DeadlyFreeze]

Russia invades Georgia! China Annexes surrounding sovereign nations! Dogs and cats, living together, total anarchy! Peter was right!

Noooooooooo! (http://warlol.ytmnd.com/)

I wouldn't be laughing, considering we funded, trained, supplied weapons and logistics to Georgia.

...and of course the coup de grace, theres an oil pipeline running through it.

[Jason Rainville]

I wouldn't be laughing, considering we funded, trained, supplied weapons and logistics to Georgia.

Maybe you did, but I was sitting at home drawing and drinking lemonade like a good boy.

[Hookswords]

That was a pretty amazing show. All the spacing of people with no marks, that membrane banner, all the different acts. Did anyone freak out with the final torch bearer? *spoiler* When he was raised up. Right before he started the sideways run, they adjusted his wire to angle him, but it was really jerky. I thought I was about to watch him fall to his death.

Also can we kick Matt Laurer out of the damn country. When the Tai Chi piece was going he referred to it as Karate. Did the "China Expert" next to him say anything? NO!

[Peter Coene]

Wow, way to generalize an entire country. I'd be more careful of what I said if I were you, don't want to step on anyone's toes or anything..just sayin'.
1. In China, if you go to a church that is not approved of or run by the government you will go to jail.

2. I have talked to Chinese whose families left there to escape. I have also talked to people whose companies had to bail their artists out of jail in China and flew them to the US because they worked on comics that the government viewed as subversive.

3. Taiwan is still fearing an invasion from China, which claims that it belongs to them, Tibet has been occupied since the 50's and China has done everything it can to strangle out its original culture or turn it into an amusement attraction, which they have done with the majority of their own culture and history.

I am sorry if I am stepping on toes. I just prefer to call things like I see them.

And by the way, I was not generalizing the country, I was generalizing the government. Although I will say that they aren't entirely like the Nazis. In China the system is corrupt enough that you can buy your way out of prison again, so I guess that makes the Nazis worse... kinda. But I still think that the Olympics here are their way of shaking the rest of the world's hand so that they can stab us in the back.

Who knows, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm another crazy. And I'm sorry for making such a fuss about it. I just have heard too many bad things from people who have lived there, and I just see too many similarities in the show put on here to certain episodes of history.

and if you don't like it.. boycott the Olympics with the rest of the liberal psychos out there.

Heh, well, anyone that's gotten into arguments with me in the past may be amused to see that I am now a LIBERAL psycho.

[armando]

Man all my friends are a bunch of losers! I was the only one that was excited to watch it. For like the last couple days Ive been like "dude its almost here" and they're like "what?" and im like wow you suck. So I watched last night in my bedroom... All alone. And i got tired and i fell asleep before the U.S. came out. It wouldve been more exciting if i had been watching it with somebody :(

But yeah it was amazing. I particularly enjoyed the moving landscape of those giant block thingies with the people inside it. THAT was amazing. I mean, how did they do it? They couldnt see anything inside of those boxes, could they really have memorized that shit? dayum.

I don't get people who don't get exited about the olympics either. I always get stoked for it, always thought it would be cool to compete in it.

[Saturns Gate]

Different people have different tastes, its just the way it is...I for one am not overwhelmed by the urge to sit and watch the sport side of things. Im more into boxing and the like, sport wise. How could I miss the opening though, that was kick ass. :)

[Caleb Law]

Wow the Beijing olypics opening ceremony was so WOW!!.

OMG that was amazing!!

[the ANGRY filipino]

kinda sad that a few hours before this opening "ceremony", an American tourist was stabbed to death in Beijing...

[ChristianWeeks]

Different people have different tastes, its just the way it is...I for one am not overwhelmed by the urge to sit and watch the sport side of things. Im more into boxing and the like, sport wise. How could I miss the opening though, that was kick ass. :)

Yeah I agree, not all of the sports are that fun. Like yesterday... Beach volleyball? Got boring after the frist couple minutes. I enjoyed the cycling though that was cool.
What I'm really looking forward to is all the gymnastics, weightlifting, and the Taekwondo competitions. THOSE will be fun!

[Sepulverture]

I watched the opening ceremony. I was considering not watching it, but some of my students, my girlfriend our friend asked me to. It was quite a show. Especially the fireworks. I could hear the boom of the fireworks and see the light reflected off the clouds/smog from my bedroom window. Cool stuff.

It's a shame that this whole spectacle was overshadowed by the murder/suicide, foreign pro-tibet activists, and several local (Chinese) beijing-based pro-tibet activists were arrested, and have mysteriously gone missing.

Edit: Looks like T.A.F. had the same thoughts I did. Except it wasn't before the Olympics, it was at about noon the following day.

[Farsh]

A wonderful display, shame I have to watch this in such a small window. The choreography with the tai-chi circle was just insane, but imagine if one fella screwed up.

[Chingwa]

Well, let's all be honest... the Olympics is all about politics! About national one-upsmanship et all? I mean seriously, that's what it has always been about so I don't understand why anyone would view this as anything new or newsworthy... it's especially f'ed up to lay it down as some politically transparent drum beating by China and compare them to Nazi Germany. Puhleeeaaase. China has as much right to sit their and beat their drum as any other nation who hosted the olympics would. What's the big f'in deal? Because you don't agree with their policies? You think they abuse civil rights? Take a look around at most other countries man, ESPECIALLY the U.S. they have no moral authority to point the finger and proclaim shame to China or anyone else. and neither do you Peter.

I usually don't watch the olympics but I watched this time because I was curious what the Chinese would do not only on their first olympics, but also the LUCKIEST day of all time according to their custom... 8/08/2008 at 8:08pm... that's friggn' awesome just by itself! I say good for them. they put on a good show. Loved the fireworks. Loved the costumes. Hated Matt Lauer.

And speaking of politics... was I the only one who noticed that when the Japanese team took to the track they were waving both Japanese AND Chinese flags. I thought that was awesome. Had to point it out to all my friends though... no one else noticed!

[B u r l]

Great opening. I didn't like how most of their fireworks display was done in CGI, though. Although I guess it's pretty obvious.

[Nightblue]

The interview with President Bush kind of reinforced my feelings towards the US attitude against China during the build-up of the Olympics.

It's not the criticism that made me sad. It's the ignorance and arrogance. It's the lack of humility and empathy, the uneducated assumptions, and worst of all, the arrogance of believing that the U.S. knows the best way to solve all problems, not only domestic but foreign as well. I'm glad that the opening ceremony carried through the hopes and wishes of Chinese people to some foreign audiences. While the Chinese reality does not match the Chinese ideals, the ideals are there, and people are striving towards it.

Artistically I can't say I'm impressed with the last bit - a man walking around the top of the stadium is novel, but it lasted so long that it was almost anti-climatic. My favorite bit was the moving blocks for sure. The entire show is filled with massive number of people, and I have mixed feelings about that - impressive or over-the-top? The director did capture the essence of Chinese culture though - it's a country made by a lot of people, and if these people are able to work together, we can put on one hell of a show.

[Cwn Annwn]

Great opening. I didn't like how most of their fireworks display was done in CGI, though. Although I guess it's pretty obvious.


Most? Nah it was just the footprint sequence (they were worried about how the fireworks would look like with all the crappy pollution, and also the olympic stadium is a no-fly zone so they couldn't get the shots they wanted), and the commentators mentioned this. Well then again it depends what your particular coverage was like.

Some from the ground footage:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbZrI8onelg

[egerie]

Great opening. I didn't like how most of their fireworks display was done in CGI, though. Although I guess it's pretty obvious.
The fireworks footage was actually from previous days of practice. And as Cwn Annwn mentionned, they actually fired the footprints but these were not the ones we saw during the opening ceremony...

[Jasonwclark]

The NBC Olympics website has been singularly disappointing. I can't get any of the videos to load properly, and the whole interface is a mess of confusion and advertisements. They should have just partnered with YouTube instead of pulling the videos like every 3 minutes. Considering how much interest there was in the 08 games, and how much more Video savvy we are now than we were in 2004, I think they could have done a much better job planning for this.

Here's another Olympics related post, a little more upbeat than this one.

US Women's Fencing
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1878877#post1878877

[Mr.Otsredir]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/12/oly.kids/index.html

i was just sent this by my girlfriend. dunno if its already been posted or not but figured i would put it up. the girl in the ceremony who sang was actually lip syncing. the actual singer was another little girl, but was deemed not cute enough so they used another to be on stage, the one we all saw.

[ArtZealot]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/12/oly.kids/index.html

i was just sent this by my girlfriend. dunno if its already been posted or not but figured i would put it up. the girl in the ceremony who sang was actually lip syncing. the actual singer was another little girl, but was deemed not cute enough so they used another to be on stage, the one we all saw.

thats terrible. how much more shallow could the world possibly get?

[Mr.Otsredir]

ya its pretty messed up. i understand their thinking. they want to show the world how great they are. they want every detail to be the best it can be. its just sad that they went this far. how bad does that look to kids in China, where not only is it what you can do, but how you look while doing it.

[Silvertone]

[QUOTE=Jasonwclark;1878900]The NBC Olympics website has been singularly disappointing. I can't get any of the videos to load properly, and the whole interface is a mess of confusion and advertisements. They should have just partnered with YouTube instead of pulling the videos like every 3 minutes. Considering how much interest there was in the 08 games, and how much more Video savvy we are now than we were in 2004, I think they could have done a much better job planning for this.

Here's another Olympics related post, a little more upbeat than this one./QUOTE]

Really? I've had no problems at all. Yeah, it's a bit confusing but you figure it out after a bit. I love it, I can watch whatever sport I want and if I miss it live, I can watch the replay. I've been watching a ton of fencing, tennis, judo and today I watched the "double trap shoot" where U.S. won gold followed by Italy and China. You even see the trap shoot medal ceremony, I figure that's pretty cool.

Remember they show olympics on cnbc and usa network also.

And I can't believe they ditched the little girl singer, they showed a picture today and I thought she was cute. Hell, they're all cute at that age!

[Cwn Annwn]

And I can't believe they ditched the little girl singer, they showed a picture today and I thought she was cute. Hell, they're all cute at that age!

"But a director of the opening ceremony, Chen Qigang, has told state television Lin was miming to another girl's voice. That girl was seven-year-old Yang Peiyi who, according to state media reports, has a chubby face and uneven teeth.

She was dropped after a senior member of China's ruling Communist Party attended a rehearsal and said "there was a problem". "
from http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/13/2333524.htm?section=justin&site=olympics/2008

Yeah it sucks balls when senior politicians get to call shots like that and remain unaccountable for their actions. In trying to 'save face', the Party has fallen flat on their faces.

[the ANGRY filipino]

is it just the politicians call ? how do the chinese people feel about this
"switch"...
from what i read on the chinese forums..most actually agree with the decision
to hide the face behind the voice..
guess its more important to "keep face" and show the world that they are strong and perfect, rather than give that talented little girl the credit she deserves with her beautiful voice.
Think of the effect this will have on both girls, the one who sang, told that she is not pretty enough, and the one who we saw singing, told that her
only purpose would be to look pretty.

Can't wait to hear what some people will come up with to defend this.

[drewfarr]

Well, it really makes sense(it's entertainment, and the hot people always dominate), but it's nasty for sure. I mean, the 'ugly' girl is only 7! In one interview(which china pulled pretty fast), one of the show's coordinators layed it all out in a very beautiful way that made it sound like they simply took the best of two individuals to make one superkid. But like I said, they pulled it since it mentioned that the choice was made by an official from the Communist Party.

I'm betting the rejected kid is bulimic by 10. Bad show, China, bad show.

[Cwn Annwn]

is it just the politicians call ? how do the chinese people feel about this
"switch"...
from what i read on the chinese forums..most actually agree with the decision
to hide the face behind the voice..
guess its more important to "keep face" and show the world that they are strong and perfect, rather than give that talented little girl the credit she deserves with her beautiful voice.
Think of the effect this will have on both girls, the one who sang, told that she is not pretty enough, and the one who we saw singing, told that her
only purpose would be to look pretty.

Can't wait to hear what some people will come up with to defend this.

I don't think the Chinese people have as much of a call in anything, do you see China bowing down to its people's collective will? Did they run a public poll before replacing the kid? Doubtful. I wonder if the guy who spilled the beans will get hung, drawn and quartered for blabbing.

I agree that it is absolutely horrible and sends the wrong message out. "Sorry people, you aren't worth anything unless you're easy on the eye."

However to keep it in perspective, how much does the rest of the world worship the image and the body beautiful? We're bombarded day in and day out with magazines and other media with images of surgically altered, airbrushed unattainably beautiful people in them. Shallow fashionistas are apparently people to be emulated, if I believe the hype. This sort of crap is just as blatant as China's Olympic kid swap.

[the ANGRY filipino]

I don't think the Chinese people have as much of a call in anything, do you see China bowing down to its people's collective will? Did they run a public poll before replacing the kid? Doubtful. I wonder if the guy who spilled the beans will get hung, drawn and quartered for blabbing.

I agree that it is absolutely horrible and sends the wrong message out. "Sorry people, you aren't worth anything unless you're easy on the eye."

However to keep it in perspective, how much does the rest of the world worship the image and the body beautiful? We're bombarded day in and day out with magazines and other media with images of surgically altered, airbrushed unattainably beautiful people in them. Shallow fashionistas are apparently people to be emulated, if I believe the hype. This sort of crap is just as blatant as China's Olympic kid swap.



The majority of the chinese in the mainland are Han chinese and yes they do have a voice in this modern day and age.
They do have choices and they will use their numbers to let their government (and anybody else) know what they feel.
They are not crying out in pain everyday in some evil chinese dungeon, or walking the streets with their head bowed down
in fear and hopelesness.
They are actually a very proud people, sometimes, some are too proud.
The ones who do not have a voice are the minorities.


And I am sorry but I am so sick and tired of people justifying, defending,
trying to understand and let go
some questionable things that china does
just because of the western impression that the chinese people are in chains and bound and tortured daily their evil overlords who are in a secret black jade palace in Beijing.
This is not the case.
The ones that speak out and actually think and go against the majority are persecuted. No question about that.
But does that automatically mean that the others who dont speak out keep quite because they
are afraid and threatened to speak out?
Some will be silenced by fear, yes.

But dont rule out the possibility that most of them just don't care so they dont
speak out, or that some actually embrace the propaganda that has been fed to them as truth.

And while it is human nature to appreciate and aspire for beauty, do you honestly want me to believe that what they did to those 2 girls at the 'switchalympics" isn't shocking? That just because we all appreciate beauty and have
skinny models on fashion magazines that its okay to hide a talented little girl because she has crooked teeth?
That just because some people in their country are oppressed that we should just "understand".

Tell me..would this kind of thing ( the switching) be even considered
by any other country? Would it even be mentioned at a meeting if this was
the Athens Olympics, or the London Olympics?
I simply cannot agree with your statement " Shallow fashionistas are apparently people to be emulated, if I believe the hype. This sort of crap is just as blatant as China's Olympic kid swap."



I personally think that the west has all the wrong impressions about china, both good and bad.

[alffla]

i cried watching the opening ceremony. :(

[Cwn Annwn]

The majority of the chinese in the mainland are Han chinese and yes they do have a voice in this modern day and age.
....
The ones who do not have a voice are the minorities.


And I am sorry but I am so sick and tired of people justifying, defending,
trying to understand and let go
some questionable things that china does
just because of the western impression that the chinese people are in chains and bound and tortured daily their evil overlords who are in a secret black jade palace in Beijing.

I simply cannot agree with your statement " Shallow fashionistas are apparently people to be emulated, if I believe the hype. This sort of crap is just as blatant as China's Olympic kid swap."

I personally think that the west has all the wrong impressions about china, both good and bad.

Really? All the kids at Tiananmen Square being rolled over by tanks and shot were all minorities and there wasn't a single Han Chinese amongst them? Sure there are probably more freedoms now for the folks who conform, as long as you don't want to get into politics of course. No one is claiming that China doesn't have a HUGE list of problems including human rights issues and high level corruption. Try holding a large scale anti-government demonstration and see what happens. (Unless it's an anti-Japan demonstration, I think you might run into a few problems regardless of your mob's ethnic make-up.)

Since when am I defending China? I'm simply asking folks to think and compare what societies condone as acceptable practice. Also when is "trying to understand" something a negative? Understanding is not the same as seeking to find excuses for poor behaviour.

Well, if you think the worship of shallowness and appearances around the world isn't so bad, ask why there are so many young people both male and female who succumb to nasty eating disorders like bulimia or why cosmetic surgery is such a money spinner these days. Or does that shit only happen in China due to the machinations of the Han majority?

Yes, the West does have some funny notions about China, both ways, but a lot of the East does as well. I guess that's what China gets for spinning so much propaganda over the decades. I remember trying to watch China news when we were first able to access it here. It was so full of pro-government propaganda it was simply unwatchable.

[Jasonwclark]

So glorious with Phelps

China taking the Women's team gymnastics gold too. Best day yet I think

[the ANGRY filipino]

Phelps is simply unbelievable!
and so are his team mates.

Cwn Annwn: thats your point of view..so you were trying to watch
CCTV in Australia? I'm guessing you are chinese, possibly Han descent?

[Cwn Annwn]

Phelps is simply unbelievable!
and so are his team mates.

Cwn Annwn: thats your point of view..so you were trying to watch
CCTV in Australia? I'm guessing you are chinese, possibly Han descent?


Ahhh so race does come into this after all. Are you going to judge me by my answer? ;)

Dad's side is. Wow I must be waving the red flag due to my genetic background huh? I must still love China despite them killing a good number of my ancestors and conficating our family property for the 'greater good'. Until now I wasn't aware that genetics could instil a sense of Nationalism into an individual.

I like how you avoided meaningful debate and noted my ethnicity instead.

I can only imagine the funny looks you'd get if this discussion had been about African politics and you came out with "Ohh judging from what you said, I take it you're Black." Good job.

----

Phelps is scary amazing, - problem is we aren't winning as many medals in swimming with that kind of competition from the USA. Bastids.

[the ANGRY filipino]

Ahhh so race does come into this after all. Are you going to judge me by my answer? ;)

Dad's side is. Wow I must be waving the red flag due to my genetic background huh? I must still love China despite them killing a good number of my ancestors and conficating our family property for the 'greater good'. Until now I wasn't aware that genetics could instil a sense of Nationalism into an individual.

I like how you avoided meaningful debate and noted my ethnicity instead.

I can only imagine the funny looks you'd get if this discussion had been about African politics and you came out with "Ohh judging from what you said, I take it you're Black." Good job.

----

Phelps is scary amazing, - problem is we aren't winning as many medals in swimming with that kind of competition from the USA. Bastids.



LOL....the reason I asked if you were chinese was because you
wrote that you were trying trying to watch CCTV, which is mostly in
Putonghua ( Mandarin Chinese).
Would it shock you to know that I am a halfer too, half cantonese.
But I somehow manage to see things differently than you.
and note, I am the one in China now.

I also asked that since most ( not all but most) people of chinese descent are soooooooo
touchy when it comes to other people saying stuff about China.
Its so obvious sometimes who has some chinese blood in them.
And they are soooooo quick to play the "race" card too.
And you have just proven my point.

And note I choose to embrace my Filipino heritage since I was raised there.
And all my fancy dreams of what China really is were shattered when I came
to actually live here. Not by the government, but by the superior racist attitude
I encounter MOST of the times usually from HAN chinese.
But of course, there are still cool, genuinely friendly people here. ( some Han included).

Funny you should mention black people...
did you know that by a government order Black people were banned from even entering Pubs and bars in
Beijing before ( and possibly during) the Olympics?
Cause they were deemed as "threats' by virtue of Black people
being associated with gangs and such in the movies?
( want sources..google it people)
Which of course is total bullshit and something I dont agree with.
But I am sure some people would say that its justifiable for security purposes.

[Farsh]

wtfux, ethnic debate?
http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/e/e1/Kill_it_with_fire_scorpio.gif

[Cwn Annwn]

wtfux, ethnic debate?
http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/e/e1/Kill_it_with_fire_scorpio.gif


I agree.

I was hoping for a meaningful and possibly educational dialogue on politics and possibly sociology. (ahahaha, on the internet? I must be CRAZY)
Instead ethnicity got brought up. This makes me sad face now.

Can we just talk about how awesome the opening ceremony was? I was actually half-expecting it to suck big time. Guess I got shown.

[the ANGRY filipino]

I agree.

I was hoping for a meaningful and possibly educational dialogue on politics and possibly sociology. (ahahaha, on the internet? I must be CRAZY)
Instead ethnicity got brought up. This makes me sad face now.

Can we just talk about how awesome the opening ceremony was? I was actually half-expecting it to suck big time. Guess I got shown.

hoping for a meaningful dialogue? when you didn't even bother to consider my point of view? kinda self righteous arent yah?

anyway, this wasn't an ethnicity debate, we're both half chinese anyway.
Just drop it, its always a waste of time trying to get your point across
to some people (specially on the net.)

[Cwn Annwn]

Phelps is simply unbelievable!
and so are his team mates.

Cwn Annwn: thats your point of view..so you were trying to watch
CCTV in Australia? I'm guessing you are chinese, possibly Han descent?

I still don't see what relevancy my or your ethnicity even had to do with the debate.

It was going OK until that post ... can you honestly not see why that would cause umbrage? But as you say, I shall drop it dear. *bows out*

[Kaffinated]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t102/iamquinn/michaelphelps.jpg

Makes for great reff too!

[feifeicreate]

wow....I haven't checked this post for 2 days, and missed all the fun.

As I read alone, I find it very funny. Is there anyone on this thread Chinese? I mean, Chinese who speak Chinese, who was born in mainland China, aka the evil horrible dark dark place that waiting for the saviors from the west? Peter, you wrote so much about us, do you seriously believe that you "KNOW" China? What make you think We're Nazi? From CNN and other western broadcasting agency you heard everyday? You actually believe everything you heard on the news? You talk about Tian'anmen Square, have you been to the Tian'anmen Square? You talk about Tibet, have you actually met a tibetan that lived in Tibet? I'm not saying that you can't talk about things unless you know it from inside out, we're all entitled of our own opinion. But maybe you shouldn't make the judgement, and put the big Nazi hat on China before you know us.

well, I'm a Chinese. I was born in Beijing. I love my city, and I'm very proud of the ceremony. I don't want to talk about the government, or politics. I don't want to talk about how the resources of entire nation went to Beijing to make it ready for the Olympic. I just want to talk about Beijing people. They had been preparing for this ceremony for years. My friend can't drive her car to work every other day because the Olympic. My aunt had to stand in lines waiting for security check to get on the subway. The police officers put on extra hours 2 months ago. And you know what? My friend think it's worth it, my aunt and all the people waiting in the lines think it's worth it, the police officers who can't watch the ceremony, think it's worth it. You can point your little fingers and say they're all brain washed. But I know, they're really proud, and they're willing to go the extra mile so the world would have the best Olympic. These are normally people, we don't have much political ideals or whatever, we just want to hold the Olympic for the first time, and give the world our best! and I want to know, what is so WRONG about that? What's Nazi about that?

Chinese are very different from American. We think very differently, but simply because we prefer to put "we" ahead of "I", simply because we care about our honor and our "face" a bit more than Americans, that doesn't make us EVIL, or Nazi for that matter. We're just different. and we're happy (trust me on this one) We're HAPPY the way we are. We could be better, but most Chinese I know are not particularly more depressed or live in fear, compare to American people I know.

I'm not defending China on our human right records. We did some horrible things, sure. I know, I was in Beijing during the Tian'anmen square. I saw the soldiers marching on the street. But we're getting better. In fact, we're getting better and better every year. What make you think that you have the right to judge us?! No one is perfect. No one has the right to judge other people.

I do want to thank those who "defend" China...I understand you're really not defending China, but rather speak up for what is right. And I appreciate it. After all, I still want to believe that Olympic is above politics, race, and any conflicts...So could we at least try to keep it that way?

[PerinGalitte]

No, you missed the point. They are already like the Nazis. And like the Nazis they are putting on a big show because that's what they want everyone to think of when they think of their country. They don't want you to look at the violations of human rights, the unethical ways in which they control their populace, their treatment of certain religious groups, etc etc. They want you to see the power that they are gaining as a good thing, as something beautiful and how better to do it than to invite the entire world and put on a show that they will never forget.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a313/PerinGalitte/SketchAugust4.jpg

[egerie]

Failed show because they prefered a pretty girl over a chubby girl? Welcome to the real world people! Look around you for crying out loud! This isn't exclusive to China!!

[drewfarr]

Failed show? Definitely not. In fact, the show was brilliant. But it doesn't make them look great

However, it's right in line with their usual Kommie Kindness, I don't know what we were honestly expecting...

[Peter Coene]

wow....I haven't checked this post for 2 days, and missed all the fun.

As I read alone, I find it very funny. Is there anyone on this thread Chinese? I mean, Chinese who speak Chinese, who was born in mainland China, aka the evil horrible dark dark place that waiting for the saviors from the west? Peter, you wrote so much about us, do you seriously believe that you "KNOW" China? What make you think We're Nazi?
From hearing every single Chinese friend and acquaintance that I have ever had (and I've had a lot) talking about what someone they personally know has gone through because of that government. From other friends that visited China and were informed that while they could go to mass at a Chinese made and approved of church where the sermons were pre-approved by the communist party, if they tried going to an actual Roman Catholic service they would be put in jail. From Boy Scout troops that went on an exchange program with a Chinese Boy Scout troop and found out that if they wore their boy scout uniforms they would be arrested for unapproved paramilitary activity. Talking to artists from China who were trying to get other artists out of jail and out of China, because said artists had worked on a comic that was deemed counter-revolutionary. Because regardless of where you get your facts it remains true that it is still illegal to have more than one Child, the Dhali Lama is in exile, Falun Gong/Falun Dafa members are being oppressed imprisoned and killed, and the list goes on and on.

But maybe you shouldn't make the judgement, and put the big Nazi hat on China before you know us.
But lets turn the question around: How did we know what was going on in Germany? Was everything there just a media scam? Heck, even today, how can we trust our American textbooks when they say that the haulocaust happened? What about East Berlin during the cold war? Was that just a bunch of overhyped publicity? Were they just throwing a big party and the wall was there because the west wasn't invited? I'm not a huge fan of trusting the media either, but so far the media has given a nice rosy picture compared to what I've gotten from the people who have actually spent time/lived there.

So far, you are the only person who I've ever heard speak kindly of the Chinese government, and to me it sound like a brainwashed rant protecting a place that you love not because it is good and benevolent but only because you identify yourself with it.

well, I'm a Chinese. I was born in Beijing. I love my city, and I'm very proud of the ceremony. I don't want to talk about the government, or politics. I don't want to talk about how the resources of entire nation went to Beijing to make it ready for the Olympic. I just want to talk about Beijing people.

They had been preparing for this ceremony for years. My friend can't drive her car to work every other day because the Olympic. My aunt had to stand in lines waiting for security check to get on the subway. The police officers put on extra hours 2 months ago. And you know what? My friend think it's worth it, my aunt and all the people waiting in the lines think it's worth it, the police officers who can't watch the ceremony, think it's worth it. You can point your little fingers and say they're all brain washed. But I know, they're really proud, and they're willing to go the extra mile so the world would have the best Olympic. These are normally people, we don't have much political ideals or whatever, we just want to hold the Olympic for the first time, and give the world our best! and I want to know, what is so WRONG about that? What's Nazi about that?
I don't want to talk about the government, or politics. I don't want to talk about how the propaganda that went to Berlin to make it ready for the Olympics or the way they removed all the anti Jew graffiti to make it seem like a friendly place to the outside world. I don't want to talk about how the stadium was specifically built to show off Germany as an emerging power. I just want to talk about the people of 1936 Berlin.

They were such wonderful people, even cheering for Jessie Owens. In fact, if they are all that you were to look at it would make Germany in the buildup to WW2 seem like a happy cuddly place. They were so happy to have the Olympics there, too, even if it was an inconvenience on their lives. It probably wasn't brainwashing, or maybe it was, but I know they were really proud, and they're willing to go the extra mile so the world would have the best Olympics. These were normal people, they just wanted to show the world what they could do. What is so WRONG with that? What's Nazi about... oh, wait...

I'm not defending China on our human right records. We did some horrible things, sure. I know, I was in Beijing during the Tian'anmen square. I saw the soldiers marching on the street. But we're getting better. In fact, we're getting better and better every year. What make you think that you have the right to judge us?! No one is perfect. No one has the right to judge other people.
You know what, you're right! And if we had just left Germany alone maybe they would have gotten better too!

But here's the news flash that maybe you missed when I started out: My posts were not about the people. In fact I got a few private messages from others who were thanking me for my posts and went on to bash the people to which I replied that my complaints were about the Chinese government. So far it is you that took this waaay out of context and turned it into a "I love China stop saying mean things spiel" which if I remember is the same bullshit you pulled when we complained about the tendency of Chinese businesses to make cheep knockoffs without any thought to copyright laws. It was already annoying there and its not necessary here.

I do want to thank those who "defend" China...I understand you're really not defending China, but rather speak up for what is right. And I appreciate it. After all, I still want to believe that Olympic is above politics, race, and any conflicts...So could we at least try to keep it that way?
If they were going to keep the games above all that they wouldn't have held them in China.

[Black Spot]

wow....I haven't checked this post for 2 days, and missed all the fun.

As I read alone, I find it very funny. Is there anyone on this thread Chinese? I mean, Chinese who speak Chinese, who was born in mainland China, aka the evil horrible dark dark place that waiting for the saviors from the west? Peter, you wrote so much about us, do you seriously believe that you "KNOW" China? What make you think We're Nazi? From CNN and other western broadcasting agency you heard everyday? You actually believe everything you heard on the news? You talk about Tian'anmen Square, have you been to the Tian'anmen Square? You talk about Tibet, have you actually met a tibetan that lived in Tibet? I'm not saying that you can't talk about things unless you know it from inside out, we're all entitled of our own opinion. But maybe you shouldn't make the judgement, and put the big Nazi hat on China before you know us.

well, I'm a Chinese. I was born in Beijing. I love my city, and I'm very proud of the ceremony. I don't want to talk about the government, or politics. I don't want to talk about how the resources of entire nation went to Beijing to make it ready for the Olympic. I just want to talk about Beijing people. They had been preparing for this ceremony for years. My friend can't drive her car to work every other day because the Olympic. My aunt had to stand in lines waiting for security check to get on the subway. The police officers put on extra hours 2 months ago. And you know what? My friend think it's worth it, my aunt and all the people waiting in the lines think it's worth it, the police officers who can't watch the ceremony, think it's worth it. You can point your little fingers and say they're all brain washed. But I know, they're really proud, and they're willing to go the extra mile so the world would have the best Olympic. These are normally people, we don't have much political ideals or whatever, we just want to hold the Olympic for the first time, and give the world our best! and I want to know, what is so WRONG about that? What's Nazi about that?

Chinese are very different from American. We think very differently, but simply because we prefer to put "we" ahead of "I", simply because we care about our honor and our "face" a bit more than Americans, that doesn't make us EVIL, or Nazi for that matter. We're just different. and we're happy (trust me on this one) We're HAPPY the way we are. We could be better, but most Chinese I know are not particularly more depressed or live in fear, compare to American people I know.

I'm not defending China on our human right records. We did some horrible things, sure. I know, I was in Beijing during the Tian'anmen square. I saw the soldiers marching on the street. But we're getting better. In fact, we're getting better and better every year. What make you think that you have the right to judge us?! No one is perfect. No one has the right to judge other people.

I do want to thank those who "defend" China...I understand you're really not defending China, but rather speak up for what is right. And I appreciate it. After all, I still want to believe that Olympic is above politics, race, and any conflicts...So could we at least try to keep it that way?

Amazingly, I can sympathise with the Chinese government when they want to show their best face to the world. We’re not perfect and yet we expect other countries to be, and so judge them without leaving room for them to learn slowly – Rome wasn’t built in a day. Sure, world, keep the pressure on, but this is an international celebration of man’s endeavour against himself and as such should be revered instead of nit picking. When Georgia and Russian athletes can still embrace, so can we all.

I liked the look of girl who actually sang and felt sorry for the cute one because she didn’t know she wasn’t heard.

[Orunitier]

This thread went from "Whoa, that's an awesome LCD screen!" to "NAZI". WTF.

And maybe the pretty and chubby girls will become the Milli Vanilli of China.

[alesoun]

Nooooo!
They never did any lip-synching in Hollywood musicals!!!
That would've been creating an illusion of perfection,- and nobody ethical ever does that....

ALL the big stars sang like angels..... especially Snow White.....

[seba_boi]

:nohope:

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI0Zl-tMRf4

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1044258/Pictured-The-horrific-moment-Olympic-weightlifter-turns-elbow-front.html

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/08/13/article-1044235-024273AC00000578-551_468x396.jpg

[Silvertone]

^^^
ACK! Talk about the agony of defeat! If that above pic was a poster I'd totally buy it!



Has anyone else come across any of the "halftime" shows between some of the event matches?

I was catching up on the fencing and between the bronze and gold medal bouts, all of a sudden a bunch of women come running onto the fencing strip, (piste) and bust into this cool dance routine using red fans with some great music too, then run off stage just as fast.

Quite a pleasant surprise and enjoyable to watch - thought I'd share.

If anyone cares to watch, just go to this fencing link here (http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=fn1h-bj-sd09-081008-185505&channelcode=sportfe), then go to 1:05:40 in the timeline and enjoy a little show. Also before the medal ceremony the little olympic mascots run out and do this nutty little dance routine at 2:20 in the same clip.

Oh, the fencing's pretty cool too btw.

[Chingwa]

As much as I want to see the red fan "halftime" show that Silvertone mentioned... I don't want to install some MicroCrap plugin for my Firefox browser a lot more. :(

[Silvertone]

Yes, you'll need to install Microsoft Silverlight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Silverlight) to see the nbcOlympic.com coverage. No problems here!

[feifeicreate]

Peter, you can believe in whatever you want to believe. But I have to say what I have to say. I'm not trying to convince anyone, especially you, because I know how self-righteousness works. But as a Chinese, I can't just sat there and say nothing. So...I said it, and I'm done with it.

Let's just enjoy the rest of Olympic.

[Jasonwclark]

Our girls just took the Gold and Silver for the Women's individual all around. :patriot:

Nastia Liukin's floor routine made me tear up, it was so beautiful. Amazing performance from Johnson as well.
You guys should watch it tomorrow if you get the chance.

[Silvertone]

Yeah, AND they're all of age too!

[Jasonwclark]

More cool pictures while they're still around :)

[Jasonwclark]

Damn, Phelps is crazy.

He just took the seventh Gold medal by 1/100 of a second. Wild


edit: Rebecca Adlington is going crazy right now in the pool too. 800m freestyle ...... She just took the gold for the UK! :)

[smugbug]

Damn, Phelps is crazy.

He just took the seventh Gold medal by 1/100 of a second. Wild

We've (as in me and my bf) have been religiously following certain events and just caught this! Hats off to swimming's Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps. Egads, that guy is crazy awesome.

Besides swimming, weightlifting has been the other event. Did anyone catch the men's 77kg weightclass the other day? WOW.

[Jasonwclark]

Yeah totally

My girlfriend (also a Patricia, love that name) is out of town visiting her brothers, so I'm flying solo on the couch this weekend.

All the cool events seem to be on in the middle of the night, which meshes perfectly with my ridiculous sleep patterns. Usually when the insomnia hits hard and I'm still up at like 2:30 in the morning, the best I can hope for is informercials or maybe Battlestar Galactica on DVD. Its pretty sweet to be watching the events unfold live instead.


I think Phelps is going for the 8th gold medal tonight in a hour or so, for those who aren't doing anything more productive with their Saturday. :)

[smugbug]

Darra Torres!!!! Aw....0.01 seconds.....

But really, cut it with the "old" and 40 talk. You'd think you lose all functionality when you turn four-oh, by how the coverage has been. Don't they know yet that 40 is the new 30? Geez.

I'm just amazed at her staying power and getting back into competition/Olympic level training...year after year. That's one tough gal.

[Toxdel]

Woot! Go Micheal Phelps on his 8th Medal!!!

- Oh and is it just me or does anyone else think Nastia Liukin is incredibly hot? :D

[Ilaekae]

I checked in for a second just as the female volleyball was on. Brasil playing US. I couldn't help but notice that the brasilians had their tops labeled "bra," but didn't get a clear shot to check to see if anyone had "panties" across their butt...

[Black Spot]

Bolt was amazing. Tremendous, and he can go faster – I’m waiting for him to go mach1.

I’ve been enjoying the cycling and rowing.

[Toxdel]

Ilaekae - hahah I noticed the same thing, good to see I'm not the only one who thought that :D

[Jasonwclark]

Michael Phelps is a hero. :)

I don't know if anyone else is watching this interview right now, but its really inspirational. Especially that part when they were talking about ADHD, and getting bullied in school. What a great guy

You should check it out if you get the chance.

[Anid Maro]

Yeah, I caught bits and pieces of the interview, it was pretty cool. I did like the touch about ADHD and how his mom hired him a swimming instructor just to give him an outlet for his energy. Turned out pretty well I think. :)

[Jasonwclark]

Shawn Johnson took the Gold in balance beam. :)

442421



Also, I hate to rep an advertisment, but I think its kind of cool that Coke did a commercial for the Special Olympics (http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/default.htm) this year.
The music has been pretty well stuck in my head all day


Here it is for anyone who hasn't been watching TV these past few nights.

yZVj_niY7R0

The opening piano is by Sia, and the song is called "Breathe Me" (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=18688416). The full version is pretty moving for those who haven't heard it yet. The video quality is pretty poor, here but the audio is decent.
U6PGrub3jUc

[Jasonwclark]

Women's Beach Volleyball in the rain.

Take that other thread. (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=134569) :)



I do agree though, the one sided coverage is a little disappointing. They only showed like 4 minutes from the gymnastics gala tonight.
I'd like to see some horses too.

[Toxdel]

looks at above post - DAMN! HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED THAT!!!!!!

[Chingwa]

I would have much rather watched those red dressed chinese cheerleaders playing volleyball in the rain...


...and where the hell is the pingpong competition???

[Silvertone]

Ah yes, the cheerleaders. The unrecognized athletes of the Olympics!

kSdstVR29tg&feature=related

Ping Pong should be on USA Network (http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv_and_online_listings/zone=PT/day=13/sport=TT/tv.html)

*EDIT*

This could be a more accurate schedule (http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv_and_online_listings/zone=PT/day=14/sport=TT/index.html)?

[Chingwa]

:teeth: :teeth: :teeth: :teeth:

[Jasonwclark]

Zeppelin's Jimmy Page will be wailing in Beijing tomorrow night to close out the games.

I still say that the collaboration with Diddy was unforgivable, but I saw the Page and Plant show at the Shoreline a few years back, and the man can still tear shit up live - no question. Should be cool to see what he does tomorrow. :)

Also, USA has won the overall medal count.

[Chingwa]

collaboration with Diddy was unforgivable
I 100% agree. :(