Let the Games Begin

The Opening Ceremony was great. It wasn’t overwhelming and over-stimulating as some of these events can be. It was relatively understated.

It started off with a flyover and a bit of rain. The clouds subsided and the fake English country side that was created in the center of the stadium gave way to a long drum-heavy journey through the nation’s industrial age. It told a story without ever using words. Then came a bizarre dream sequence from JK Rowling. Mr. Bean’s bit was funny, but I’m not sure it did justice to the very Olympic film tune "Chariots of Fire". The run through on British music could have been cut in half, because for every Rolling Stones, there’s a Prodigy, or worse. But I loved the choice to play Pink Floyd during the big firework finale and David Bowie’s “We Can Be Heroes” as the British team concluded the parade of Olympians. Paul McCartney’s performance of “Hey Jude” was very good. I can now say I’ve seen a Beatle live.

My canoe/kayakers start racing on Sunday, so it's the last bit of quiet before the storm. Go USA!