This Is China

The opening ceremonies are on right now/ They’re SPECTACULAR.  Like most Olympic ceremonies they introduce the world to the culture of the host nation, and when you have a culture an ancient and mysterious and intriguing as China’s there is a lot of material to work with.  I have developed a real affinity and respect for the Chinese and their culture during my year here, and I almost feel a sense of pride that the world is being introduced to it as well.  For at least the past six months I’ve been dreading the Olympics, because I’ve viewed it primarily as an opportunity for western hippie activists to come over here and get out whatever message they feel needs getting out:  “Meat is Murder,” “Free Tibet,” “George Bush is Satan,” what have you.  But for now what we’re seeing is the Olympics as they’re supposed to be, and I have to admit, it’s AWESOME.  It’s an amazing experience watching this on TV and knowing that it’s taking place ten minutes from where I live.

You guys in the US will see it later on today, undoubtedly with Bob Costas’ annoying voice talking over the whole thing.  “What we’re seeing here represents the 13 warrior monks of Xinjang, who in the 11th century did blah blah blah.”

Screw it.  Watch it, enjoy it, and get a little taste of this country.  Because for all the shit that we lao wei have to put up with, this really is an amazing place to live.

I watched part of it this morning getting ready for work. Sweet jumpin jesus on a pogo stick, it was amazing. Tivo’d the rest to watch tonight. The $100 million the spend on it was worth it.

It was a super show. Good start China!

This time, like always, I’ll be generally ignoring the Olympics and bitching that it is interfering with my normal television broadcasts…

This time, like always, I’ll be generally ignoring the Olympics and bitching that it is interfering with my normal television broadcasts…

What?  The summer reruns?

I thought the little girl flying the kite and the guy running around the stadium with the torch were among the more spectacular parts, as was the giant scroll.

You were dead on about Costas… damn was that annoying as hell to hear constant commentary when it didn’t even seem to add to it.

“Meat is Murder,”

.........tasty, tasty murder.

Miguelito: The best thing he did was when he said “Let’s just watch...”