August 9, 2008

Just got done watching the Olympic Opening Ceremony for Beijing 2008. Wow. All I can say is… that it was a spectacular exhibition of China’s intent to raise the Golden Kingdom back to the top again. Some Highlights & Observations: - Superb choreography by Zhang Yimou, the initial drumbeat orchestration has to be the best of the lot. I don’t think Mr. Speilberg was missed. - Best Country Costume Award goes to Lesotho. - I thought flame lighter Li Ning was going to fall off twice! But turns out he was unhooking the first harness so he could lean forward, and then the 2nd harness so he could straighten again. The shadow superimposition sequence was pretty cool. - Hottest Olympic Chick @ the Ceremony: Zeina Shaban. Flag bearer for Jordan.

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That 500+ foot roll-out LED screen they used as a background was just plain AWESOME. They should have projected Zeina on it, but Mr. Yimou missed a trick. - Not sure about the lighted Christmas men though. - The best fireworks show ever! Appropriately by the people who invented them in the first place :). - The stadium projection system across the top layer of the stadium was a nice touch and really added to the ambiance. - Nice touch having the kid from the quake victim, Lin Hao, walk next to Yao Ming as they led China into the statement. It shows China is rapidly learning the PR game and understands the power of media. It was a touching story and a testament to the premise - leaders are born, not made. This kid was ICE COLD walking next to Yao in the most watched invent on Earth. He even let out a mini-yawn while NBC interviewed Yao, with Lin in his arms.

Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children. - Kahlil Gibran.

I am sure many, many kids will have watched this ceremony and one can only hope that it filled them with inspiration to uphold the Olympic spirit for generations to come. Well done China. New Delhi 2020? - Put on your planning hats! We’ll need them to top this.

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