News for today's 2018

<br /><div class="MsoNormal">All right, NBC. I have been avoiding my television and computer since 2pm this afternoon so I wouldn’t be spoiled by anything leaked on either of those two devices. I am in my pjs, sitting in front of my television, ready to watch the prerecorded Opening Ceremonies. Here we go – a prerecorded diary, of sorts:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Barely one minute in, and I already have an amusing quip. The narrator talks about “beautiful minds have defined the measure of our planet.” British writers highlighted include William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, Jane Austen, and…John Lennon and Paul McCartney? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve never really understood this opening highlight reel. It’s beautiful (this is my first summer Olympics in HD), but can’t we just get on with the ceremony? It’s pretty much hype at it’s most stressful. “These guys made our pre-game reel – if they don’t do well, they’re screwed.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Wait…is that Ewan McGregor doing the voiceover? It is!!! He’s acted with many accents, but I can identify that brogue anywhere.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Bum! BUM! Bu-bum bum bum bum! Bum, bumbumbum, bumbumbum budadumbumbum!</div><div class="MsoNormal">Bum! BUM! Bu-bum bum bum bum! Bum, bumbumbum, bumbumbum budadumbumbum!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hey Bob Costas. It must be Olympics time. He’s framed perfectly by the Tower Bridge up, letting a tall ship through the Thames. I wonder if NBC demanded that shot. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">They bring in Tom Brokaw to talk about security and cost. And he just insulted the mayor of London’s haircut! Ouch. Tom has gotten biting in his older years.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Bob promises to make it to the Olympic Stadium in time for the parade of nations. Good – I can’t wait to hear what interesting tidbit of information he has to say about Myanmar.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We join Meredith Viera and Matt Lauer in front of a meadow…er, I mean Olympic Stadium. Behold: one of the main reasons that Track and Field doesn’t start till the second week of competition. Can you imagine Usain Bolt running around shepherds?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Best thing about blogging with DVR? I can pause to write down my thoughts! But I don’t have to in this first half hour because it’s just filler. In other words, it’s just Ryan Seacrest trying to be a real journalist.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Interviews in the NBC Studio <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">before</i> your event…I don’t like that. Win your event, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then </i>sit in those overstuffed chairs. I’m looking at you, Jordyn Wieber and Gabby Douglas. Team gold and all around gold better come from the two of you, or I’m going to be very disappointed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So I was fast forwarding through the commercials, but then I realized I was fast forwarding through part of the opening of the Opening Ceremonies! Ooops.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay folks: forget Beijing, and just have fun with this one. You’ve all wanted to go to England, so just enjoy.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Can you imagine watching this opening section on the big giant screen? How awesome would that be?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">All the old posters, and little kids with popping balloons. Two #6 balloons refused to pop.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">A Tour de France winner – the first from Britain - ringing the GIANT bell. I guess if I wasn’t from the U.S. he would be a bigger name.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I wonder if this kid is lip synching. Remember that little girl from Beijing who sang a song but a prettier girl was picked to lip synch it? If he’s really singing, he did a fabulous job. I love “Jerusalem.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Woot! Scotland! Land of my ancestors. Well, a few of my ancestors. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">They are really letting the cameras get up close to the actors. That’s pretty cool. The highlights of football and rugby matches could be eliminated, though.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Kenneth Branagh!!! He’s awesome. Speaking Shakespeare, of course, from “The Tempest” while “Nimrod” plays in the background. And another awesome aspect of these games? English!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Fast forward through the commercials…yay!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">These drummers are a little different, signaling the change in era. We really skipped a lot of history here. Any actors going to portray Roman soldiers? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Seeing men in turn-of-the-century clothes dancing the way they are is quirky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Goodbye meadow. It sure wasn’t there for very long.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Any smokestacks going to malfunction, like the torch pillars back in 2010? Still one of my favorite Olympic memories – watching the Canadian torchbearers just stand there for a good five minutes not knowing what to do.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Suffaragists! Anyone hoping Mrs. Banks makes an appearance? Votes for Women! (“We're clearly soldiers in petticoats; And dauntless crusaders for woman's votes…”)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Pause to remember those who perished in WWI. Kinda wish they had Matthew Crawley amongst the soldiers. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This set sure has changed since the beginning. But when you think London at the turn of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, you think smokestacks and dirty workers. Steampunk, y’know?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Welcome to the ‘60s! Could this be Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band? And British Army men (redcoats!)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Is that molten steel? This is nuts! What the heck is happening?!?!?! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Matt explains – it’s a map of London now, including the Thames. Thanks Matt. I still wish you guys wouldn’t talk so much. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Kenneth Branagh looking sinister with his top-hat buddies. Kenneth Branagh doesn’t have to dance. He’s too awesome. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ooh – more steel rings! Lots of scaffolding over the arena. I think I know what those rings are going to do…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay, this is all psychotic and crazy, but I really love this. Brits are crazy. I want to visit them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And the rings are pyro-techniched! It must be the Olympics!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">One ring just can’t stop leaking! Now it’s done.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Time for the royal entrance of the queen! To the screens – this is a film. It’s James Bond! Daniel Craig? James Bond?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>What’s with the dogs? It is James Bond. Mr. Bond knows you don’t address the queen till the queen addresses you. And never turn your back on the queen. It’s just proper etiquette.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The helicopter rises…AW I WANNA VISIT LONDON!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Queen still waves even in a helicopter. And Churchill waves back! Kinda wish some evil villan was chasing them in another helicopter, complete with the Bond music. Oh well.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And just like that, the Queen changes the time of day! Wow – people say she has no power, but I say that’s really something!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Is James Bond really going to jump out of the helicopter?? Is the Queen?? Ah – there is the music. Did you know it’s the 50<sup>th</sup>anniversary of Bond? Did you know it’s the 60<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Queen? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Matt and Meredith – it wasn’t the Queen. Just letting you know. But it’s still pretty clever. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I love that flag. This is so cool. I’m just so giddy! Thinking about a trip to London next summer. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hope none of the flagbearers trips on the sod. That’s quite a climb they had to make!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Queen Elizabeth – love the feather in your hair. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Who else can say they sang in front of the Queen in their pajamas? They sounded really good too!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Second to the right and straight on till morning…” It’s Children’s Literature Time! Teachers, sit back and enjoy!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s also saluting the National Health Service, and one particular hospital – GOSH – whom J.M. Barrie left all his money to when he died. J.M. Barrie – the author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peter Pan</i>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">One of those beds looks really big – it’s an actual trampoline – every kid’s dream!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">J.K. Rowling! Introducing villans! Queen of Hearts! Captain Hook! Voldemort! Cruella De Vil! Ooh, Voldemort is really creepy. He’s huge! You may not want to put your kids to bed after this segment. There’s also a little girl suspended right by the Voldemort. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Mary Poppinses to the rescue! Mary Poppinses fighting evil! Y’know, when I think about the Poppins books, I think that there wasn’t enough fighting of evil by Mary. This just fulfilled my dream.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Good Christians, All, Rejoice” – CW 52 – with electric guitar. Rockin’.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Chariots of Fire!” What great music. It looks like it’s going to be a little more than a synthesizer or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Well, kind of – it’s a synthesizer AND MR. BEAN! Was not expecting that one at all. Mr. Bean has a smart phone. I feel bad for the pianist who has to play that awesome section whilst not laughing at Mr. Bean. Hilarious – my parents showed me some Mr. Bean shorts, so I know the humor.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The digital age – a parent’s worst nightmare. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Love the fluorescent tubes representing The Tube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Oh, and while we’re talking about the digital age – NBC wants you to tweet!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Love all the music, by the way. So much good rock music has come out of Britain. The Stones, the Kinks, the Beatles (duh), <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David Bowie (complete with star men!), QUEEN! , the Eurythmics, Frankie Goes to Hollywood.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And after the 80s, I don’t know British music very well. It’s a bit too techno for my taste. Kinda sad there was no Chumbawumba. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Is that Muse?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Tim Berners-Lee created the Internet? I thought Al Gore did.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Torch is on its way!!!! I see David Beckham driving the boat. Well, “driving” the boat.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here come the athletes!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">More Ryan Seacrest journalism. Was Mary Carillo not available? What about Lester Holt? I love those guys!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Time for Greece to make its entrance. Athletes from my ancestors’ homeland!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Another awesome part of Britain hosting the Olympics: they’re going in alphabetical order according to the host nation’s alphabet. That’s English this year, folks. It will be easy to keep track of where we are in the order!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Unique costumes abound. But there’s a little girl with each delegation. What are those girls carrying? It looks heavy.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This is the first Olympics to feature men <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> women in every single delegation. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Argentina apparently hates Britain. They claim some islands. They also have boring outfits. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh – it’s a copper kettle. Thanks Matt.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The nameplate holders have it a little easier than previous years. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Australia’s up – and we’re reminded of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe – my first swimming crush. That was the first Olympics I followed religiously.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Austria – one of the rare teams that has more athletes for the Winter Olympics than the Summer ones. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh, cool – all the flags are going to be planted on the giant green hill. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">After commercial, which happened to coincide with a bunch of countries NBC doesn’t care about. Well, not really. Maybe it’s because Bob couldn’t think of anything interesting about those countries.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Bangladesh – the largest of the 81 countries participating that’s never won a medal. Thanks Bob.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Benin? Anyone heard of Benin?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Bermuda – time to show off their shorts!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Bhutan has some pretty awesome outfits.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Look at those athletes – they are so excited. I love watching this. I love the Olympics.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Brazil – host of the next Summer Olympics. Where everything better be broadcast live, NBC. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Burkina Faso – awesome outfits.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ooh – Burkina Faso, your outfits were overthrown by Cameroon. So cool!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Canada – I still have a sore spot for Canada since they dominated the medal count in 2010. And of course, Bob has to remind us of Cindy Crosby’s OT goal in the gold medal hockey game against the U.S. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t think they are repeating songs during the parade of nations. That’s good – that got irritating in Beijing.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s China – Yi Janlian takes over the flag for Yao Ming. They’re both really tall. Their contingency is a LOT smaller this time around. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sidebar: I have seen the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube in person from the highway in Beijing. It was incredible.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Cuba has little globes! Cute!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">WOOOOOOOO! CZECH REPUBLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will root for the Czechs in everything they compete in. They also have awesome rubber boots. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The North Koreans have a giant flag as well as the normal flag – a reminder to Brits: “This one is our flag. Don’t forget it please!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Aw that hill looks so cool with the flags.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Check out that Fiji flagbearer! He must be cold.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Dear Germany: your colors are not bright blue and pink. You look kinda ridiculous. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Bob just said the athletes are moving at a quick clip – faster than any of the nine Ceremonies he’s done. Really? We’re only on G!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hungary – the water polo team to beat, apparently!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Four independent Olympic athletes – for the first time ever. Apparently, the Netherlands Antilles no longer is represented. Wow, those guys are having fun. How cool are they! Forget Team USA – I wanna be on that team! I hope they can urge all countries to have a flash mob dance when they enter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Remember the Titans.</i> Wouldn’t that be amazing?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ooh, Mexico has some suitably colorful outfits. That’s how it’s done, Germany. Take note.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">New Zealand – Like Lord of the Rings.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">St. John’s Jefferson – see Sweden’s shirts? You should get some like that!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Dear Ugandian flagbearer: You are flipping off the Brits by making that sign. Probably shouldn’t do that.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Wow – the U.S team gets a huge ovation by the crowd. Is that Grant Hill by Michelle Obama? Yes it is!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Some of those athletic uniforms looked like they were for the Winter Olympics.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And Great Britain is dressed in gold! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Noticing the crowd for the first time – I don’t see a full stadium. Is that on purpose? Or are they all using the loo? (Oh, I love how Matt and Bob have taken up the phrase “queuing.” We Disneyphiles have been using that phrase for years now. I hope it catches on.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The dignitaries speaking on that beautiful flag-covered hill. So cool. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Time for the Olympic flag and the Olympic anthem – it always makes me teary-eyed. This time it’s sans voices. I think the best renditions were the opera singer back in Canada and the children’s choir – I think that was Beijing.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Whoa – he’s taking that torch up those steps three at a time! Careful with that torch, buddy. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I do love the “next generation” carrying the torch – that’s pretty cool. And my guess for the lighting of the torch – Robert Bannister – just got squashed by Matt. Are the youngsters going to light the torch?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And the significance of those copper pots finally becomes apparent – they all get lit up! All of the copper pots, representing each country, come together to burn as one. AW. HOW COOL!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Time for Sir Paul McCartney to sing one of my least favorite Beatles tunes – “Hey Jude.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">And that’s the end of the broadcast! It was a very fun show, and I am so looking forward to the next seventeen days. I hope you all enjoy the Games!</div>

The Blurb: Bob Wants Those Whippersnappers to Slow Down!

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The Blurb: Bob Wants Those Whippersnappers to Slow Down!

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