Beijing: 08-08-2008

[breathesgelatin]

Originally Posted by epchick

According to Wikipedia, the person who wrote the lyrics to "My Country, Tis of Thee" didn't know that the melody was the same as the British National Anthem.




I loved watching Jackie Chan singing a song!! Ahahaha. And that Beijing song is stuck in my head.

Was it just me or was the whole Leona Lewis performance off beat?

Re: the song, I'm not sure I buy that Wikipedia fact. I'm normally pretty forgiving of Wikipedia, but that statement is marked as unsourced. The American lyrics are from 1831, and the song was popularized in England by 1745. It's all in the "God Save the Queen" article, which is far better IMO than the My Country 'Tis of Thee article, notes that it's a traditional tune which has been adopted by many composers into symphonies and used by many countries:

"God Save the King" was the first song to be used as a national anthem, although the Netherlands' national anthem, the Wilhelmus, is older. Its success prompted a number of imitations, notably in France and, later, Germany. Both commissioned their own songs to help construct a concrete national(ist) identity. The first German national anthem used the melody of "God Save the King" with the words changed to Heil dir im Siegerkranz, and sung to the same tune as the UK version. The tune was either used or officially adopted as the national anthem for several other countries, including those of Russia (until 1833) and Switzerland (Rufst Du, mein Vaterland or O monts indépendants, until 1961). Molitva russkikh, considered to be the first Russian anthem, was also sung to the same music.

It is also the melody to the United States patriotic hymn "America" (also known by its first line, "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"), and was played during the Presidential Inauguration parade of President George W. Bush on 20 January, 2001. In Iceland it is sung to the poem of Eldgamla Ísafold. The tune is also used as Norway's royal anthem entitled Kongesangen, and was used for the Swedish royal anthem between 1805 and 1893, entitled Bevare gud vår kung.

The tune is still used as the national anthem of Liechtenstein, Oben am jungen Rhein. When England played Liechtenstein in a Euro 2004 qualifier, the same tune was therefore played twice, causing some minor confusion.

Re: Leona Lewis, I don't think she was off beat exactly. Just when you're in a venue that large, it's hard to get the vocal reverb to match the person's lips, which is pretty disconcerting in a television broadcast.

Originally Posted by DreamfulSpirit

There were some parts during the closing ceremony that I wasn't all that impressed with, honestly.

Same for me. The London 2012 segment was especially pitiful. I think the London games are going to be great in some respects, but I don't think they'll top the Chinese opening ceremonies.

Originally Posted by epchick

Ok, so I was happy to see the Men's volleyball team singing. At the end, you could hear them belting it out! YAY!!!

And you could see audience members, hands to their heart & singing. I'm glad I got to witness that, since I was feeling left out cause y'all saw them. lol

I just saw the win and the ceremony. God bless Hugh McCutcheon. I can only imagine how he feels right now -- losing your father in law, almost losing your mother in law, and now winning the Gold.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by AGDee

what are we going to watch on tv now???? Still a few weeks before the fall season premieres. Thank goodness it was an Olympic year because the writers' strike made tv really stink and there weren't even good re-runs to watch because the seasons were so short and disappointing.

College football.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

Same for me. The London 2012 segment was especially pitiful. I think the London games are going to be great in some respects, but I don't think they'll top the Chinese opening ceremonies.

I don't think the plan for London is that they will try to top it. I expect the UK to have a more understated ceremony rather than something over the top like Beijing. They have already said they won't build new venues for everything. For example, tennis will be played at Wimbleton, which I think is so cool,

I turned off the TV right after they spoke with Phelps in London. Will need to watch the rest tonight.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by epchick

Why haven't I seen any of the U.S. Olympians singing the National Anthem? I've seen other countries do it. Kinda gets me sad. Shawn Johnson was the only one I saw put her hand on her heart too.

Mens Basketball Team including Kobe singing. At the end, you can see Coach K was teared up: http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/pla...elcode=sportbk

and the Women's: http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/pla...elcode=sportbk

[srmom]

what are we going to watch on tv now???? Still a few weeks before the fall season premieres. Thank goodness it was an Olympic year because the writers' strike made tv really stink and there weren't even good re-runs to watch because the seasons were so short and disappointing

I know I was thinking the same thing. I actually teared up thinking - 4 more years (not counting the winter olympics, which I don't care for as much). So many things change in 4 years. I will totally be an "empty nester" because my baby will be off at school, my oldest will be married (he's engaged and planning a June wedding), my middle will hopefully be done with college - WOW, many changes.

BOO HOO!!!

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

College football.

That covers Saturday. There are 6 other days of the week!

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by AGDee

That covers Saturday.

And Thursdays!

[epchick]

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

Re: Leona Lewis, I don't think she was off beat exactly. Just when you're in a venue that large, it's hard to get the vocal reverb to match the person's lips, which is pretty disconcerting in a television broadcast.

Thanks for the info!

And regarding Leona Lewis, I wasn't talking about her vocals, per say, just the way her singing, the drums and the guitar went together. It hurt my ears, I don't know if it was the venue, but they sounded off.

[sunnyhibiscus]

I've read that in Athens, most of the Olympic facilities are not utilized. In fact, there were some graffiti (sp) on one of the buildings. That's sad.

If Chicago, doesn't get the games for 2016, I will save my money and go to the London games.

[Benzgirl]

Hmmm, Chicago 2016....







....................................ROAD TRIP!!!

[PeppyGPhiB]

Everyone needs to come to VANCOUVER in 2010! C'mon, the skiing events are going to be at Whistler!

[breathesgelatin]

Originally Posted by sunnyhibiscus

I've read that in Athens, most of the Olympic facilities are not utilized. In fact, there were some graffiti (sp) on one of the buildings. That's sad.

If Chicago, doesn't get the games for 2016, I will save my money and go to the London games.

I was in Athens and 2006 and everything looked great still - the public transportation they'd built for the games, the original Olympic stadium - all of it still looked gorgeous. Granted, I did not go to the 2004 Olympic stadium, just the 1896 one.

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Everyone needs to come to VANCOUVER in 2010! C'mon, the skiing events are going to be at Whistler!

LOL - you know I have already started a thread on this. I am OBSESSED with getting tickets to the Vancouver games.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by sunnyhibiscus

I've read that in Athens, most of the Olympic facilities are not utilized. In fact, there were some graffiti (sp) on one of the buildings. That's sad.

If Chicago, doesn't get the games for 2016, I will save my money and go to the London games.

A few nights ago they did one of those "packages" about the structures for Athens. They did profile a few venues that have not been in use since, and did show some with grafitti. I wasn't watching too closely at that point, so do not remember specific details, but I do remember the baseball stadium has not been used. In addition, the venue that I (believe) had sand volleyball, among others, was featured. Many of the venues featured were in the same part of Athens. They interviewed several residents of the area who were very disapointed that the promised business boom, etc, had not been realized. They also interviewed the former mayor who stated that the city was still looking at ways to use the venues.

Sorry that I can not remember more details.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Everyone needs to come to VANCOUVER in 2010! C'mon, the skiing events are going to be at Whistler!

I love Whistler. Damn cold though.
If you rent out the hostel, I'll be there