I love the spectacle!
And it starts with the music from Jurassic Park and narration of James Earl Jones. “Spare no expense!”
2,780 years ago…
I’ve got goosebumps! Its like the Oscars and the Super Bowl all rolled into one!
I am such a sucker for the music cues and the beautiful images and the carefully crafted scripts. I’m already misty-eyed.
Parade of nations in the order of the greek alphabet. How cool!
Updates as the night progresses.
7:10pm
And the first Budweiser commerical with the Clydesdales gets me choked up. Wow, I need to dial it down.
7:15pm
Only 15 minutes in and NBC is already pimping their fall lineup. Nice.
7:17pm
Ok, a countdown and people speaking in three languages! Drummers!! Bob Costas!! A celebration of Greek culture and history. Give me the history!
This stadium is filled with water? Wow. Please let there be a boat race.
Let the dramatic interpretations begin.
Splashing in the water! Fire on the water!!! WOW!!!
And we get the rings for the first time.
Commericals already? Stupid tape delayed stuff that lets them edit.
Paper boat!!! Small child.
Cue the dignitaries.
I love these opening ceremonies, they are so traditional, yet so dramatic and bizarre. They are all like crazy Circ de Soeli shows. Weird and meant to be non-verbal in a lot of ways.
I can’t even start to pronouce or spell these Greek names. I can handle Russian ones, but not these.
7:31pm
And the dramatic interpretation of the birth of greek sculpture begins… They’ve got a centaur. Very interesting.
This is really amazing. I can’t even describe it well. You should be watching at home. Good use of timpani. Go on cube man.
7:43pm
And now its a parade celebrating math with hulahoops. Yeah pythagoras!
This is bizarre. Like a modern “Its a Small Greece” on a float. Alabaster men. that’s going to take awhile to get off. The guy playing Eros has the best gig so far. Love that flying stuff. OOOH, Hydra! “Look out, they spit.”
These people painted too look like sculptures is really amazing makeup.
7:53pm
and the future of humanity is apparently a glo-worm…
7:58pm
Bring on the parade of nations! Greece always leads, but the host nation always goes last. So they get their flag first and then their team later.
And the first time I hear the variation on “its just an honor to compete.”
The three languages are Greek, French, and English.
202 countries and half of them I probably couldn’t find on a map.
I love the people who are obviously not athletes. The coaches that are along for the ride, ect.
Wave your flag!! Shake it like a polaroid picture!
Comment from Jeff (who remains internet-less) “None of these people are in step.”
And currently, Aruba gets my vote for tackiest outfits. No wait, Austrialia quickly captures the crown.
Brazil!!! Lime green!! Rainbow colored shirts and ties!
Ah France. From Jeff, “I’m surprised they aren’t sliding in all drunk and eating cheese.” *insert French laugh here*
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