This Olympic Ceremony will most likely stick in my mind longer than most.
Sure, there were great reporters, athletes and panoramic visions of Canada the beautiful. Sure, there were cheery people from all over the world and smiling athletes expecting that large gold coin.
This was no Beijing, aye? Sore-ey. I just had to add that.
It wasn't supposed to be and who can compete with a country of billions that spent billions to wow us with a dramatic display of precision.
The Canadian opener wasn't about precision and wasn't about big money. Or, at least it didn't appear to be so.
I thought it was artfully presented - simple, beautiful and thought provoking. Take a look at some shots from NBC - http://www.nbcolympics.com/ceremonies/index.html - throughout the coming weeks.
I also found this great link with little clips from the ceremony - http://www.mahalo.com/2010-olympics-opening-ceremony. I loved the whale portion where they utilized the 3D technology that is so "in" vogue right now.
The Olympics started out with one missing this year.
Nodar Kumaritashvili, a Georgian luge slider, died during practice. It was shocking to see the video and realize that all of my personal fears surrounding the luge were realized. It happened so quickly and there was a wrench in my heart watching someone pass on from this world.
The moment of silence for him during the ceremony wasn't quite enough. Sometimes I think those moments should be two minutes. At the end of the first minute your mind finally starts to reflect and at that point appreciation for life kicks in and it would be nice to think about that a little longer.
In a strange way, I am grateful that the fourth leg of the cauldron didn't go up during the torch lighting ceremony. It created another moment of silence. In some ways it resembled the missing man format ritual performed to honor the fallen comrade (air man).
It ended up, for me, being a reminder that not everyone that came prepared would perform. And, that regardless of talents and preparation, life can leave us at any time.
So for me, this Olympics starts with some reflection, appreciation for life and ...with some pretty cool dreams of me performing amazing feats on my virtual snowboard.
Let the games begin! - and end with life for all!
No comments:
Post a Comment