Opening Ceremonies...your thoughts?

[1coolav8r]

The best part was when the Chiefs were late for the ceremony. CLASSIC. No big deal, they probably just had to quickly run to the grocery store or Wal-Mart before the show!!

[Dr.Piper]

Although I know that the opening ceremonies was not simple to put on. It made the impression to me that everything went basically fluid and nothing extravagent was done. The Olympic commitee knew that there was no way that they could out do the Beijing games, nor should they have too in terms of extravagance and cost.

I thought the Opening ceremonies were great. They kept it simplistic and everyone did a good job of entertaining.

The only thing that always bothers me is the way that people sing the national anthem like they are making love to the flag. I am sure she is a great singer and it probably wasn't her choice to sing it like that, but I am tiring awfully quickly of it.

The torch lighting hydraulic issue was amusing, but what the heck. I don't think anyone cared. And the torchbearers held it together.

And I am glad with their decision for the Olympic flag bearers as well.

[Prairie Chicken]

I enjoyed the ceremonies & thought Vanoc did well. I thought the recognition of the First Nations was well done, and was really pleased to see the thought given to the Georgian team regarding their fallen team member. It was nice to see recognition of all parts of Canada. I particularly like the tribute to the Prairies (but then I would, wouldn't I?).

All the French at the beginning & for each country ws a bit annoying, but thanks to someone for pointing out that is the language of the IOC. I guess I knew that but had forgotten. I've never heard God Save the Queen referred to as the "Vice Regal Tribute", but ok. Where'd that come from? And I do wish they'd leave our anthem alone!

The choices of flag & torch bearers was great! Overall, it was a good show & appropriate to winter games in Canada.

[Topspin]

The best part was when the Chiefs were late for the ceremony. CLASSIC. No big deal, they probably just had to quickly run to the grocery store or Wal-Mart before the show!!

The official story by the event producer, was that they were delayed by the 25,000 + crowd of protesters/supporters surrounding the stadium.

Somewhat believable when considering that the GG was reported to have arrived 10 minutes prior to taking part in the ceremonies, her ear piece wasn't in place until 30 seconds prior to taking part.

[Brewguy]

I've never heard God Save the Queen referred to as the "Vice Regal Tribute", but ok. Where'd that come from?

Well, the Vice Regal salute is not actually God Save the Queen, it is its own thing.

Anyone with a military background would be familiar with the concept of a musical 'salute', a particular piece of music played in honour for a dignitary of a particular rank (i.e. upon their arrival at an official event).

In the case of the Governor General or a Lieutenant Governor, that piece of music is the 'Vice Regal Salute'; which is the first six bars of "God Save The Queen" immediately followed by the first four and last four bars of "O Canada".

[bandaid]

For the most part I did enjoy the opening ceremony. I didn't understand the choice of music for the most part or why it was chosen. The obvious lip syncing was not good. The opera? Don't get that either. The whole thing was carefully PC so as not to piss off anyone (well with the exception of us beer drinkers). I thought the most impressive part was the whales breaching, that was awsome. Another thing that I learned since the opening was that they had three guys originally for the entrance, ski boarding through the olympic rings, and that it was so dangerous that one of the guys broke his clavicle and 5 ribs in practice.
I was originally going to boycott the olympdicks completely, but when I re-thought my position I realised that I will be paying for these games both in my rights to a free collective bargaining process and through being taxed to death for the rest of my natural life I believe I have to see what both my money and my self respect were paying for.

[co-joe]

Good point bandaid,

The national anthem was brutal! Just a travesty, good to see the torch bearers, weird that the clear dildo thing couldn't get hard for Catriona Lemay Doan, i mean she's not too hard on the eyes.

Watching the great one get chased by the drunkards my girlfriend and I were positive we were going to see a pie come flying his way. Not that we wanted to, but the pie-ing is a national tradition of protesters.

The natives coming in late was really not much of a surprise to me. Honestly, were any of you who've been up north even remotely stunned?

I had to flip channels and watch something else during KD. When I meet people from abroad, I feel a deep personal need to apologise on behalf of all canadians. Shania Twain, Celine Dione, hell Avril would have been less embarrassing.

It was cool to see the Governor general, but surely they could have had some baby seal clubbing on stage or at the very least some footage of drunk guys on snow machines running cariboo to death for free dog food eh?

The rest was cool. Ashley MacIsak was awsome, the hanging boarders and two plankers on those spinning gimbals were cool, the tribute to the Luger was well done, and sad.

Anybody catch the women's hockey team running the scoreboard? Holy shit, putting your first line out when you're already leading by 9 nothing? Nice! Can't wait for mens puck-ie.

[Prairie Chicken]

Tx Brewguy re the vice regal salute. That explains why I the melody confused me--starting off as the Queen & ending with the anthem.