The Olympics!!

I'm so happy the Olympics are here. It's the one thing I've been really looking forward to since I bought my new TV. Oh, and it isn't disappointing. (I heard on the news that there''s been a rush on hi-def TVs for the Olympics.) The opening ceremony last night, if that was the only thing I got to see, was worth it just for that. That night is going to take a long time, and a lot of money, to top. It was incredible, and incredibly beautiful. Mom and just sat there transfixed, starting with those amazing drummers to the man running in the air the entire circle of the stadium to light the flame, to a torch that wasn't there when the torch relay started - I don't know where it came from. It was just incredible. It was incredibly staged, beautifully choreographed and highly disciplined, and it wasn't pulled off totally high tech. It was powered by 15,000 volunteers working for months, 8 hours a day, sometimes more. The part with the printing blocks (if you saw it), the only time they ever did it flawlessly was last night, after months of practice.

I tried to watch the march of nations, cause I really do like to do that, and to see what they're wearing, and I wanted to see the reaction Iraq was going to get, but I just couldn't stay awake. I woke up pretty much as the last two or three people nations walked by and then all the Chinese athletes, led by Yao Ming, came out and then they kinda pushed this little boy out by him and I thought it was a pushy mother wanting a picture of her kid with him, and it turns out he's got this great story of being an earthquake not only survivor but hero. He was so composed for someone so small, but he sure as heck didn't look nine years old. Here our second graders are seven, which is more what he looked like.

Tonight we watched the swimming finals. Well, mom watched the morning, I joined her in the afternoon, and we watched the finals and medal ceremonies this evening. Last year I bought a hat that the Americans were wearing as they marched out cause I thought it was cool. I dug it out and had it with me last night (after looking for it three or four times). This time I have already ordered two shirts. I'm an Olympic geek.