I am in awe.
Unfortunately - I had to watch the Canadian channel to see it without some idiot blathering away about god knows what, and then I had to watch it on blab-head-blabby NBC to see it in hi-def.
(Hey, NBC - STFU!! We don't want to HEAR you! We are quite capable of watching without your editorial!)
But I digress.
See more pics at the NYT and xinhua.
Well, words barely describe. I felt like I was watching evidence of human history progressing, somewhere else, while our stupid country wallows. It was a stunning cinematographic spectacle, in and of itself marking a place in time - of something I can't quite comprehend. The transfer of premierity? The glory of the rise? The last hurrah of nationalism over corporatism? The prosperity of peace? The creative spirit unfettered by concerns of scale or resources, all at at the height of human technology? The sight of the pinnacle and synthesis of all of these things?
I'm right now watching 7 men physically dancing so their bodies create water-and-mountains caligraphy on a slowly-unrolling gigantic lit scroll. Turns out it is the worlds largest LED screen (thx NBC for fricking nothing - shut up!).
A better look at the scroll... used in many clever ways throughout the ceremony...
I keep inexplicably fighting back tears watching this - for the beauty of it, for the creativity of it, or I guess, for the very fact of it. I don't know.
Thanks again, NBC - I "love" seeing Putin and Bush chit-chatting. For the sake of humanity, knock it off! Why can't you be the Canadian channel, which knows well enough that this is an event not meant for comment. And what inane comments, christ. It has already been suggested that the Chinese deeply desire to "replace one image of china with another one." But seeing - is believing. This ancient and forward culture has handed us our self-righteous asses, and we haven't had the first race.
And now, a preemptive Shhhh: In this diary, I don't really want to hear any bitter analyses of Chinese hypocrisy, or ridiculous chinese toy warnings, environmental sins, or anything which disparage. Right now, I'm happy to be happy, basking in the comfort of the progress of beauty, art, and culture.
Amazing.
As the David Crary of the AP described in his opening line - " China didn't just walk onto the world stage. It soared over it. "
Thanks to the NYT and xinhuanet again for the pics.
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OK, one update -
I'm recced - thanks to all!! It's been an interesting, wonderful discussion. And of course, I couldn't leave without saying -
NBC, seriously. You suck. If you can't change for me, for the sake of all that's good right - think of the children.
The height of the ridiculousness was your speaking over President Hu, himming and hawing uncontrollably. Last time I checked, none of you were Chinese translators!