What I Remember About The Opening Ceremony From Beijing In 2008
As a computer person, I remember the computer screens around the stadium, showing Microsoft’s infamous blue screens of death. I’m not the only person either. Perhaps they hadn’t paid the licence fees.
Let’s hope they use good old-fashioned technology tonight.
The Big Secret
The Times has a letter today saying that all the thousands of people at the Opening Ceremony rehearsal have kept the secret about what is to be shown.
They were sworn to secrecy and as the letter writer says, isn’t it wonderful, that the secrets have not leaked.
In these days of social media, it is even more surprising.
Perhaps the surprise in the show, talked about by the letter writer is so good, that she doesn’t want to spoil it for everyone else by revealing anything.
I must admit to being a bit cynical about Opening Ceremonies in the past, but I’m actually looking forward to this one.
Torch Chasing in North London – Islington Green
I went up to Islington Green to see the Olympic Torch Relay.
The only sad bit, was that the Police seemed to have arrested a drunk.
Is that blue sky real?
Where Are The People?
I went up to Islington Green this morning to see the Olympic Torch Relay at Islington Green. The bus was virtually empty on the way up and totally so on the way back.
It was like having a personal large red taxi.
Scots Get Their Flags Wrong
At Hampden Park today, they showed the wrong Korean flag, as reported here.
The North Koreans got annoyed, but would they be missed if they pissed off home!
I for one would have cried all the way to the toilet.
So perhaps, Glasgow has done everybody a favour.
Torch Chasing in North London – Southgate
Today, I went to see the Olympic Torch Relay in Southgate, where I went to school at Minchenden.
Unfortunately, a jobsworth wasn;t allowing access to the old school grounds, so all I got was a picture of my first classroom and the wall that kept us all in. So instead, I walked to Southgate Green and watched the torch come through there. Note the Lothian and Borders policeman! Southgate must be one of the cushiest postings in London.
I also made a video of the Olympic Torch Relay as it passed.
I was standing outside Walker School.
The New Buses Are Back
I saw two at the Angel today and actually took one home.
The New Buses Are Back
Note that every one is now advertising a London show. They only seemed to disappear for the rehearsal of the Olympic Opening Ceremony. I suspect each one is advertising a particular show and will the cast of each be getting out and doing a turn. After all London is the theatre capital of the world.
Crazy Golf at the Olympics?
I took this picture yesterday morning from the Emirates Air-Line.
Crazy Golf at the Olympics?
It looks like a one hole floating golf course for the Olympics. But then golf isn’t going to be part of the Olympics this year, although it is to be added in the future.
That is a disgrace, as golf isn’t a sport, but a pastime played by rich men in diamond check jumpers.
I suspect it could be something to do with the Olympic Opening Ceremony, as it was heading down river towards the River Lee and Stratford.
The New Little Waitrose at Highbury and Islington
It opened yesterday and I was impressed.
The only thing I couldn’t find of my staple purchases was the Waitrose goat’s milk. But surprisingly they had the Genius bread and the Genius fruit bread, which is rather difficult to get elsewhere. There was also gluten-free biscuits and cakes.
It will be a great help for me, as often I come out of Highbury and Islington station after coming home on the Victoria line. So at least I won’t starve.
I was impressed, and the average coeliac could do a lot worse round here. If anybody is going to the Olympics on the London Overground, it will be a good place to pick up a picnic. You could even go round the corner and eat it in Highbury Fields, which is rather a smart little park.
Torch Chasing in West London – Ealing
Today the torch arriving in Ealing, so I took the Central line out to Ealing Broadway station. I took these pictures before and mainly after an early supper in Carluccio’s in Ealing Green.
This road has a lot of good memories for me, as in a wine bar here, a lot of the plotting and design concerning Artemis was done over lunch, whilst some of us were working in Richard Evans house.
Those were the days and I suspect anybody who reads this will drink to absent friends.
The Anonymous Widower 