Winter Olympics

So.  Didja watch the Opening Ceremonies from Vancouver last evening?  I did and I thoroughly enjoyed the show, glitch and all.  Ya had to feel bad for the organizers because everything was picture-perfect up until that point.  But... technology.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  I'm surprised everything went as well as it did, given the obvious complexity of the show.  A few random thoughts:

NBC's feed lagged the real-time events by 45 minutes to an hour.  How do I know?  Coz I was also monitoring my Twitter feed, and Wyshynski was tweeting the ceremonies.  I knew what was coming before it got here... not entirely a Good Thing.

I did NOT like the rendition of "O Canada."  There are some things that shouldn't be messed with and a country's national anthem leads that parade.  I've seen MUCH better performances at hockey games and that's no lie.

Good on the organizers for highlighting Canadian singer-songwriters.  The performances were generally awesome, whether live or recorded.  k.d. lang was spectacular and the selection of Cohen's "Hallelujah" was inspired. 

My favorite moment, though, was the "Salute to the Prairie."  I'm glad Joni Mitchell got a big piece of the show, even if it was recorded.  "Both Sides Now" fit the scene and mood perfectly... and immediately called to mind the year I spent up on the prairie three miles south of the Saskatchewan border.  Joni figured prominently in the lives of my friends and I during that time and was often the soundtrack for the great times we had there.  Most excellent.

It was GOOD that The Great One had the honor of lighting the outdoor Olympic flame.  There couldn't have been a better choice.

And now we wait for the hockey to begin.  I'll watch all the women's games today, tomorrow, and Monday but the real action (for me) begins on Tuesday when the men's play starts.  Yeah, I know: sexist.

And about the hockey... I am SO torn.  The chauvinist in me hears the recurring "USA! USA!" chant but the hockey purist knows Team Canada is led by Stevie Y, coached by Mike Babcock, and has several of my heroes on their team.  And then there's the Swedish squad, the great majority of whom wear the Winged Wheel on their chest during the NHL season.  So... who to root for?  Decisions, decisions.