The Opening Ceremony in London

[Bob Denman]

So; What'd you all think???

I actually learned two things that I did not know...
1. Rowan Atkinson is a very talented musician
2. The Queen is a Bond Girl; and a very lovely one at that!

 

[fastfraser]

Man Bob you need to get glasses !!!:yikes::yikes::yikes: Hows that Flame job working out for you ?

 

[Bob Denman]

Pete's working on the design for the front fenders... After that, we'll tackle the rear of the bike, and then finish up with the sides. :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Not to start a controversy, BUT:

I came away from watching the ceremony somewhat underwhelmed. IMO: the ceremony was not up to the standards that we have seen in the past. I did not see many WOW moments. Some of it actually seemed pretty cornball. They blew past the countries in the parade. The parade even seemed a bit disorganized to me.

I do love watching the Olympic events and will get in my share every day they are shown.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I tend to agree with AKSpyderman I thought it was a bit boring and I fell asleep.

 

[wyliec]

My lovely wife and I are unapologetic Anglophiles.

We have gone to extraordinary lengths to maintain a conduit of Coronation Street, Emmerdale and East Enders.

And if you don't know what those are, I congratulate you for having a real life.

Anyway, the Opening was great, brought tears to our eyes.

Imagine an entire country celebrating the NHS, must be they just don't know any better.

I used to watch the Benny Hill Show. Does that count?

Actually, on a serious note, it looked like a lot of effort was put into the changing of the eras. I'm always amazed at the thought process that goes into creating something like that.:thumbup:

I sort of dozed off during the parade of countries.

 

[Bob Denman]

Sparks
I'm sorry to admit that my appreciation of English culture pretty much stops with Monty Python and Mr. Bean... pps: Oh! And that guy named "Bond"...
I enjoyed the show. It felt less like a huge production, and a bit more low-key. :thumbup: The producer took a chance and, in my opinion. did an excellent job... :clap:

 

[JCSMOKE]

I learned that if you are a large communist country you can put on quite a show with 50,000 "volunteers". If you are a democratic country in a ressession, and have a queen (still don't get that)pps: then you are more likely not to have the same effect.

 

[GloryRyders]

Speaking of Mr Bean.............I didn't know that he was such an "accomplished" keyboard player! :roflblack: Also, the Queens entrance and the part leading up to it, was one of the better things that they did, I didn't know that she would have the "good nature" to participate in a spoof of her and James Bond!:firstplace:

 

[MarkLawson]

I thought the Arctic Monkeys band's music was great while playing a cover of the Beatles 'Come Together'. On the other hand, the vocalist's pitch was WAY off. It was like he was in a completely different key than the band.

Sir Paul was great as the closer. Hard to believe he just turned 70...

 

[JoshTheCake]

Wonder of the west

As my wife and I watched the opening ceremonies, I couldn't help but wonder how many starving people from the exact countries standing there with flags waving, could have been fed
with the money used to flaunt how wasteful we can be.

Fireworks??? Children all around the world without food and ''Great'' Britain is shooting thousands and thousands of dollars into the sky. Anything to appease her majesty.

 

[JCSMOKE]

As my wife and I watched the opening ceremonies, I couldn't help but wonder how many starving people from the exact countries standing there with flags waving, could have been fed
with the money used to flaunt how wasteful we can be.

Fireworks??? Children all around the world without food and ''Great'' Britain is shooting thousands and thousands of dollars into the sky. Anything to appease her majesty.

But you watched...

 

[bruisersbaby]

My lovely wife and I are unapologetic Anglophiles.

We have gone to extraordinary lengths to maintain a conduit of Coronation Street, Emmerdale and East Enders.

And if you don't know what those are, I congratulate you for having a real life.

Anyway, the Opening was great, brought tears to our eyes.

Imagine an entire country celebrating the NHS, must be they just don't know any better.

My favorite was Emmerdale Farm. I watched it all the time when Bruiser and I were stationed at Lakenheath from '80 to '83. I would watch snooker, too. At that time, we had BBC1 and 2 and ITN. I didn't really miss much either, only having 3 stations. Of course, we did have our TV licence paid up to date lol! The opening was something you really had to sit and follow, and I do think the parade could have been a little more organized, walking in line, etc. But, that's my military background, I guess!

 

[Smokinspyder]

I hear the queen last night durng the opening ceremony wanted to close the gates and say .. LET THE HUNGER GAMES BEGIN .. ha haha sorry i read that on facebook
:banghead:

 

[BitSlayer]

I did not watch and from what I have read, neither did the Queen!

BitSlayer

 

[d.o.spyder-rts]

I learned that if you are a large communist country you can put on quite a show with 50,000 "volunteers". If you are a democratic country in a ressession, and have a queen (still don't get that)pps: then you are more likely not to have the same effect.

:agree: Dale

 

[Bob Denman]

Fireworks??? Children all around the world without food and ''Great'' Britain is shooting thousands and thousands of dollars into the sky. Anything to appease her majesty.

The fireworks were probably more for the one billion folks watching from around the World, than for her...
But; as Mel Brooks said,

 

[harrypottar]

My lovely wife and I are unapologetic Anglophiles.

We have gone to extraordinary lengths to maintain a conduit of Coronation Street, Emmerdale and East Enders.

And if you don't know what those are, I congratulate you for having a real life.

Anyway, the Opening was great, brought tears to our eyes.

Imagine an entire country celebrating the NHS, must be they just don't know any better.

How are you still getting East enders? One of my wife's favorite show. Used to be shown here on BBC america but not any more?

tia

harry

 

[harrypottar]

As my wife and I watched the opening ceremonies, I couldn't help but wonder how many starving people from the exact countries standing there with flags waving, could have been fed
with the money used to flaunt how wasteful we can be.

Fireworks??? Children all around the world without food and ''Great'' Britain is shooting thousands and thousands of dollars into the sky. Anything to appease her majesty.

One point of view, however this is a rare event in the UK and the world is watching. Fireworks are not used as much in the uk except for Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes).

Do we not burn as many fireworks if not more EVERY year here for the 4th of July. Considering how much bigger the states are, they say you can fit the volume of England into Texas seven times.
Disney does fireworks year round on closing. Even some of our local summer/fall festivals around here do major fireworks at the closing.

The fireworks where not for the Queen but for the opening ceremony.

just my 2cents.

harry

 

[Bob Denman]

Some folks just don't like parades or parties... :shocked: If they can't brew up as decent rainstorm, they'll pee on one just for spite...