The Olympics

13 Aug 2012

yes i am glad that the hard work and dedication by all the armed forces and all the other volunteers who gave up there time for free, was recognised last night at the closing ceremony and rightly so.
I was not overwhelmed to be honest about the closing ceremony. i have a top sounding tv/surround sound and the sound did not sound right to me. also out of all the acts and people ( i spelt that right for GNV wink

), why was madness chosen again to sing the same bloody song that they sang at the Golden jubilee celebration concert??? i found that a bit repetitive to be honest, and if they wanted to be repetitive then Brian May doing the national anthem right at the end should have happened. Annie lennox i have never understood and it seems that they always bring her out of the cupboard for times like this. the pet shop boys? why? and whilst i admire Gary Barlow for being there after his tragic loss, i would have thought that the band with the most no 1's could have got together, as in westlife. I would have had Elton John over a poor performing George Michael to be honest. it was not a patch on the opening ceremony in my view. also what the feck was Russel Brand doing there ffs? we really scrapped the barrel there. were all the great acts on holiday or something dunno

but the games showed that this country can beat the world both past and present. even the top people ( :wink: ) in the olympic commitee agreed that these were the greatest ever games. London is the greatest city on earth, i have been saying that for years, and so it has been proved. not a single hiccup and the world loved every minute of the greatest show on earth.
The best things personally for me were the lighting of the flame which is a work of art btw. Watching the greatest swimmer ever, the greatest short distance runner ever, and saw a Somalian runner who came here as a child, and now celebrates being british, running and winning the 10 and 5 thousand meters. when Mo came around that final bend I was up and jumping for him to win. His pride in being british was a brilliant thing to witness for me in these games. Murray at last dumping a top class tennis player in a final was fantastic and all the others who have bloody well made my year/decade/life, take your pick at these games. I am on a huge downer now they have finished, but i hope that the legacy left by these games is to force kids to play sport and not to sit on there bums getting fatter by the day, and taking that into adulthood. cameron had better get his bum into action and do what he has promised to do, with every single primary school kid, and not have any whinging from the teachers either would be nice.
the national lottery fund should be used even more to help kids of all ages and creeds and locations, to take up sport. it is a social thing, it is a healthy thing, and let us get rid of this everyone gets a prize culture. in life there are always winners and losers, and the quicker kids come to realise that fact of life, the easier it will be for them to accept that fact.
well done all of the GB team, i salute you. :thumbup::thumbup: i now look forward to Rio and the hope that this huge britishness can continue long after the games have ended, and that the legacy of these games will be there for us all to see in 2016.

13 Aug 2012

agree with most of the sentiments above, the closing ceremony was artistically brilliant, cleverly done but not a patch on the opening cermony, wasn't impressed by the singers/bands/songs chosen and let's be honest we knew the athletes would take forever to get into position it was thier night and they wanted to party, would like to have seen more done to show them (all nations winners and losers that is)
Anyway the bit I disagree with above .....
Thank God it's not over, now the best bit, the Paralympics, if you were impressed by the Olympians be prepared to be impressed, amazed and in awe of the paraolympians, can't wait to watch them in action.
Then I will think about Rio wink

13 Aug 2012

Quote by star
i spelt that right for GNV

It didn't go unnoticed star :thumbup:
Just need to concentrate on the GnV (and HnS) bit now - lower case 'n' :lol2:
As for the choice of artistes, I can't agree more. We watched it on French TV (TF1) after binning the BBC version on the Internet. The constant drivel by the BBC 'lovies' was a real turn-off.
I can only suggest that the choice of artistes was down to a UK austerity job lot to satisfy the lefties wishing to further the 'downtrodden' window on London and couldn't help thinking that Rio will outstrip them musically in 2016 with a much more vibrant ensemble. That said, I did enjoy Timothy Spall and the Churchill sketch. Not really sure why they had a false Del Boy and Rodney sketch though with blowing the doors off the Robin Reliant a la Italian Job style....
That said, congratulations to the real stars of the show, the athletes. I guess they couldn't care a monkeys toss if the lovies had their way, they enjoyed their sport and, as it was in the 1940's, if all they had at the end of the day was an apple and an orange rather than some splendid spectacle, they would be just as content.

13 Aug 2012

Quote by GnV
It didn't go unnoticed star :thumbup:
Just need to concentrate on the GnV (and HnS) bit now - lower case 'n' :lol2:

one step at a time GnV, one step at a time. only just got the hang of the spell checker. :grin:

Quote by GnV
As for the choice of artistes, I can't agree more. We watched it on French TV (TF1) after binning the BBC version on the Internet. The constant drivel by the BBC 'lovies' was a real turn-off.

yes i have to admit a bit plastic.

Quote by GnV
I can only suggest that the choice of artistes was down to a UK austerity job lot to satisfy the lefties wishing to further the 'downtrodden' window on London and couldn't help thinking that Rio will outstrip them musically in 2016 with a much more vibrant ensemble. That said, I did enjoy Timothy Spall and the Churchill sketch. Not really sure why they had a false Del Boy and Rodney sketch though with blowing the doors off the Robin Reliant a la Italian Job style....

how brilliant would it have been had it been the real Del and Rodders doing that sketch, and that council lady as well with that look of horror on her face. many around the world would not have understood that, but i and millions of others would have. lol

i did think that any minute Tony Bliar was going to pop out. :mad:

Quote by GnV
That said, congratulations to the real stars of the show, the athletes. I guess they couldn't care a monkeys toss if the lovies had their way, they enjoyed their sport and, as it was in the 1940's, if all they had at the end of the day was an apple and an orange rather than some splendid spectacle, they would be just as content.

yes GnV (

) they were the real stars. Tom daley has a very mature head on very young shoulders. what an ambassador he has been all with what he has been through. overpaid young footballers could learn a heck of a lot from Tom.
now on Saturday we have the over paid whingers coming out to disgrace our national game again, the footballers. how much can those over paid idiots learn from those fantastic athletes.

13 Aug 2012

Star....Westlife are Irish not British.

13 Aug 2012

Quote by Mr-Powers
Star....Westlife are Irish not British.

close enough mr powers :grin:

13 Aug 2012

Quote by starlightcouple
Star....Westlife are Irish not British.

close enough mr powers :grin:
If you're Liverpudlian :lol2:

13 Aug 2012

Quote by GnV
Star....Westlife are Irish not British.

close enough mr powers :grin:
If you're Liverpudlian :lol2:
i can get even closer GNV, by saying britain and Northern Ireland. so Dublin is just a stones throw about from NI. 69position

13 Aug 2012

Quote by MidsCouple24
And a thank you to the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy too!

My profound appologies there is no excuse for neglecting to thank them too, and while I think about it, thanks to the Royal Marines and anyone else who gave thier time paid or unpaid.
The Royal Marines are a branch of the Royal Navy and not a separate service.
Edited because I forgot to capitalise the N in Navy.

13 Aug 2012

Quote by GnV
I can only suggest that the choice of artistes was down to a UK austerity job lot to satisfy the lefties wishing to further the 'downtrodden' window on London and couldn't help thinking that Rio will outstrip them musically in 2016 with a much more vibrant ensemble.

WTF are you on about?
I hope Brazil do well and I'll be looking foreward to all aspects of the next games. Though TBH I am already dreading cermonies and celebrations full of woman with feathers wiggling their ass in the bloody camera. I am already bored of it before every World cup starts and we have one of those in Brazil first too :neutral: Lets hope they show us more of Brazil other than it just being carnival capital of the world.

13 Aug 2012

Quote by tweeky
TBH I am already dreading cermonies and celebrations full of woman with feathers wiggling their ass in the bloody camera.

I'm not! :eeek:

13 Aug 2012

Quote by Trevaunance
TBH I am already dreading cermonies and celebrations full of woman with feathers wiggling their ass in the bloody camera.

I'm not! :eeek:
Sorry just seen it far to many times before. Just gets old hat and especially on TV when if I want I can just go the the club and watch a live ass in action lol

13 Aug 2012

Quote by tweeky
Sorry just seen it far to many times before. Just gets old hat and especially on TV when if I want I can just go the the club and watch a live ass in action

I understand your point, but it's their country and their culture, so they have the right to do as they wish.
After all, the International Olympics Committee is an equal opportunities employer bolt

14 Aug 2012

Quote by tweeky
I can only suggest that the choice of artistes was down to a UK austerity job lot to satisfy the lefties wishing to further the 'downtrodden' window on London and couldn't help thinking that Rio will outstrip them musically in 2016 with a much more vibrant ensemble.

WTF are you on about?
All the music was 'downbeat' not in any way vibrant. It was dreary with dreary 'has-been' artistes performing and painted a picture of a repressed London with queues of traffic (not including the Olympic lanes of course!).
The only thing missing was a dreary episode of 'East Enders' wiv Fill guttin' someone dahn billinsgate and dreary Deardry's usual rendition of 'oh, Ken!' in the Rovers. The artistes chosen were certainly 'B' listers at best, and the 'spice girls' jigging looked like a queue for the ladies loo after too many voddie/tonics.
Dreadful tweeky. Who had all the money? I've seen better talent in Working Men's clubs where they've been paid free beer all evening!

14 Aug 2012

Quote by GnV
Dreadful tweeky. Who had all the money? I've seen better talent in Working Men's clubs where they've been paid free beer all evening!

I thought the Olympics did well for London, and the close was good overall. Although I can't help speculating on that one GnV most of the money will have gone to the corporate pond life in 'Management Fees'?
Oh yes basically since the 80's there haven't been any good bands which will be the reason that so much of the music was from previous decades.
If the Olympics leaves a legacy to our younger generations that the route to success is via some work rather than sitting on benefits until picked by X factor/Big Brother/Britain's got talent etc that's not a bad thing.

14 Aug 2012

Quote by Robert400andKay
If the Olympics leaves a legacy to our younger generations that the route to success is via some work rather than sitting on benefits until picked by X factor/Big Brother/Britain's got talent etc that's not a bad thing.

:thumbup:
On the other hand, this legacy of the Olympics beggars belief...

Quote by a currency trader
"With the games over and done with, cafes are once again permitted to sell 'Olympic Breakfasts' and 'Nescafe Gold Blend coffees' without the threat of Olympics Legacy Ambassador Lord Sebastian Coe, or the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) imposing fines of up to £20,000. It seemed that in their haste to fill up on oversized breakfasts and cheap coffee, traders were unable to purchase stocks which sent S&P 500 volumes down to levels not seen, apart from during Bank Holidays, for over 5 years."

So much for the Olympics helping Britain's trade.
Comment guls?

14 Aug 2012

Quote by tweeky
Sorry just seen it far to many times before. Just gets old hat and especially on TV when if I want I can just go the the club and watch a live ass in action

well sorry to point out the blinking obvious to you but, just go to a club then and watch that live ass in action and stop whinging. rolleyes

you can always go away on holiday then.:eeek:

Quote by tweeky
WTF are you on about?

Quote by GnV
All the music was 'downbeat' not in any way vibrant. It was dreary with dreary 'has-been' artistes performing and painted a picture of a repressed London with queues of traffic (not including the Olympic lanes of course!).
Dreadful tweeky. Who had all the money? I've seen better talent in Working Men's clubs where they've been paid free beer all evening!

as i said already GNV looks like the decent acts were all on holiday. at the passing over ceremony some four years ago, the best and most talented female singer sang. where was Leona Lewis ? she may have come from X factor but nobody here can name me a better female british singer, and is now a world class star. the Pet shop boys, Annie bloody Lenox? is that the best money could buy? why play a David Bowie song and not have him there singing? Did I miss one of the biggest british bands in the world, in the rolling stones? was I having a cup of tea when they mentioned them? i can understand the Spice girls as they were iconic in there day, but the closing ceremony made us Brits look like a bunch of numpties. Monty Python I never understood the value of it, at least we had Mr Bean at the opening ceremony. i just felt that the closing ceremony lacked class and felt very flat.

14 Aug 2012

Quote by GnV
I can only suggest that the choice of artistes was down to a UK austerity job lot to satisfy the lefties wishing to further the 'downtrodden' window on London and couldn't help thinking that Rio will outstrip them musically in 2016 with a much more vibrant ensemble.

WTF are you on about?
All the music was 'downbeat' not in any way vibrant. It was dreary with dreary 'has-been' artistes performing and painted a picture of a repressed London with queues of traffic (not including the Olympic lanes of course!).
The only thing missing was a dreary episode of 'East Enders' wiv Fill guttin' someone dahn billinsgate and dreary Deardry's usual rendition of 'oh, Ken!' in the Rovers. The artistes chosen were certainly 'B' listers at best, and the 'spice girls' jigging looked like a queue for the ladies loo after too many voddie/tonics.
Dreadful tweeky. Who had all the money? I've seen better talent in Working Men's clubs where they've been paid free beer all evening!
Complete bullshit. The artists used were "some of" The biggest selling artists this Isle has ever produced mixed with some current ones. Your not going to get all of them free on one day, maybe not all of them wanted to take part? No ones asked where Cliff Richard was yet though? Maybe he was sunbathing in Tennerife? I feel the line up given would have fulfilled the objective of selling all the tickets. I suspect there were a lot of concert/music fans in that audience compared to other events. I agree I didnt like the performances that much but then I am no judge as I dont like live music that much. The other parts of the ceremony I had no issues with.

Quote by starlightcouple

Sorry just seen it far to many times before. Just gets old hat and especially on TV when if I want I can just go the the club and watch a live ass in action

well sorry to point out the blinking obvious to you but, just go to a club then and watch that live ass in action and stop whinging. rolleyes

you can always go away on holiday then.:eeek:
No whinging here just expressing an opinion of how I think the Brazilian opening ceremony will be predictable and one dimentional. As are all of their events that I have seen to date. I probably wont watch it I rarely watch the opening ceremony of any games for the same reason. I only watched the London one as I didnt know what to expect from it and I was right and I liked it. I hope Brazil do a good job, amybe they will, maybe they wont.

14 Aug 2012

Quote by tweeky
The artists used were "some of" The biggest selling artists this Isle has ever produced mixed with some current ones.

Correct! Hasbeens, all of them.
As for Cliff, he was probably tending his vine crop in Portugal sensible chap that he is.
Sadly, these 'old stars' grow old and just can't cut the mustard anymore. Better methinks for them to retire gracefully when people can have a good and lasting memory of what they were like in their heyday rather than make a fool of themselves like Elton John and Paul Mccartney did (and Humperdumper at the Eurovision).
The only one I was impressed by was Tom Jones. He has modified his repertoire to suit his ageing voice and was quite impressive as a result. Elton John's slurring monotone made it sound like he was pissed and in considerable pain and Sir Paul shouldn't have even bothered trying to do other than just play the piano and his guitar (which he was rather good at).
At least we were spared that at the closing ceremony.

14 Aug 2012

Quote by GnV

Correct! Hasbeens, all of them.

The facts are, promoters, agents, record and ticket sales past and present and thier legions of fans all disagree with you. Dont get me worng I was just grateful George went the whole performance without getting his cock out. I think its disgusting that somene with his record sings on stage to represent us as a nation. Though I cant argue against his musical industry prowess or his ability to sell tickets and sell out stadiums. Being older does not make you a has been. I mentioned Cliff specifically as I have a friend who is a huge Cliff fan he fills me in on all the Cliff gossip lol

Cliff is at his tender age the largest ticket draw in the UK. If Cliff's gonna perform you want to get tickets quick, if you want to go that is :lol:

14 Aug 2012

Quote by tweeky
I think its disgusting that somene with his record sings on stage to represent us as a nation.

Just out of interest, what record are we talking about? Because if you think about it, lots of our most (in)famous 'stars' have had brushes with the law, drugs busts etc. Wasn't there a scandal involving one of The Who a while back? Would I have picked George Michael? Probably not. but it was good to see him looking relatively healthy after nearly dying of pneumonia and complications last year. Would I have picked Waterloo Sunset? Hell yeah, one of my favourite songs. But would I have let Ray Davies sing it? Possibly not... he was a shadow of his former self. Would I have had Kate Moss et al involved? No. I was chuffed to think we'd gone two weeks seeing positive, healthy, hard-working female role models in the press for a change.
In my opinion, the closing ceremonies are always a damp squib. Let's just remember the wonderful achievements during the games itself.
*steps down off soapbox and wanders back to the Cafe....

14 Aug 2012

Quote by tweeky
I think its disgusting that somene with his record sings on stage to represent us as a nation.

really tweeky?
ok then, if we was to look at the people who did represent this country lets see where we are.
Liam Gallagher... not a nice person and a past drug user to boot.
Kate Moss. drug user and possible addict at one point in time.
The Who..one guy found with kiddie porn of a catagory level 3 on his computer, but was said to be for "research".
Roger Daltry...admitted using drugs in his biography.
Naomi Campbell... not long ago convicted of assault, and a generally horrid human being.
Russell Brand... do we really need to say anymore? what was the relevance of this horrid person FFS? that was one heck of a weird decision to include yet another horrid person in the line up.
Shall i go on tweeky? blimey if you was looking for a clean cut closing ceremony, they should have asked the local choir to have sung a few songs.

14 Aug 2012

Quote by starlightcouple

I think its disgusting that somene with his record sings on stage to represent us as a nation.

really tweeky?
ok then, if we was to look at the people who did represent this country lets see where we are.
Liam Gallagher... not a nice person and a past drug user to boot.
Kate Moss. drug user and possible addict at one point in time.
The Who..one guy found with kiddie porn of a catagory level 3 on his computer, but was said to be for "research".
Roger Daltry...admitted using drugs in his biography.
Naomi Campbell... not long ago convicted of assault, and a generally horrid human being.
Russell Brand... do we really need to say anymore? what was the relevance of this horrid person FFS? that was one heck of a weird decision to include yet another horrid person in the line up.
Shall i go on tweeky? blimey if you was looking for a clean cut closing ceremony, they should have asked the local choir to have sung a few songs.
I congratulate you Star, how many copies of OK and Hello have you read? You see I dont follow celebrities I dont follow the news much in general. The only reason I know about George is because its the kind of thing that makes a good joke and then gets sent to me in a text message joke or posted on my facebook. As for drug use I couldent give a toss. People bodies are there own and they should be able to shuve into it wahtever they want. People drink alcohol every day often slowly killing themselves and its legal. But smoke cannabis which has never killed anyone and your a criminal rolleyes

14 Aug 2012

Quote by tweeky
I congratulate you Star, how many copies of OK and Hello have you read?

none tweeky. you would have to be living in a shoe box in the middle of the Atlantic ocean not to have known those simple things. rolleyes

Quote by tweeky
You see I dont follow celebrities I dont follow the news much in general.

obviously not, maybe you should do a bit more homework before you post?

Quote by tweeky
The only reason I know about George is because its the kind of thing that makes a good joke and then gets sent to me in a text message joke or posted on my facebook.

well that figures.

Quote by tweeky
As for drug use I couldent give a toss. People bodies are there own and they should be able to shuve into it wahtever they want. People drink alcohol every day often slowly killing themselves and its legal.

what a strange attitude to have. i am sure that you would have a different one if one of your kids I would presume, were putting those things into there bodies. but maybe you would not as there are plenty of parents out there that really would not " give a toss ".

Quote by tweeky
But smoke cannabis which has never killed anyone and your a criminal :roll:

the problem is that for many people it does not stop at cannabis though does it? and anyway it is the law and me and you do not make the laws, but me and you have to abide by them. it is a fact that cannabis does indeed lead others into taking much harder stuff. but then why would you care? as you see nothing wrong in peeple pumping anything they like into there bodies. loon

what a strange concept of life you have. :doh:
but getting back to the olympics as i once again have gone off the topic by answering your points, it was a poor show of people representing Britain after watching all those great athletes.

14 Aug 2012

When they've all left, what do you do with all the kit?
Whilst the organisers chose to lease rather than buy much of the equipment needed to run the Games, it still leaves them with
:arrow: torches left over from the torch relay
:arrow: Items from the opening ceremony , e.g. costumes and props like a farmer's sickle, maypole and Mary Poppins' handbag
:arrow: flags
via the Official London 2012 Auction website
And it's not just LOCOG, some of the companies that have supplied these items on hire are holding their own auctions. The website called Remains of The Games sells fixtures and furniture from the Olympic Village.
Rumours that Usain Bolt's duvet was in the auction proved to be unfounded.
lol

14 Aug 2012

Quote by starlightcouple

I congratulate you Star, how many copies of OK and Hello have you read?

none tweeky. you would have to be living in a shoe box in the middle of the Atlantic ocean not to have known those simplethings. rolleyes

I agree with thesimple part. Simple news for simple people and incredibly easy to avoid.

Quote by tweeky
You see I dont follow celebrities I dont follow the news much in general.

obviously not, maybe you should do a bit more homework before you post?
Obviously not? More like thankfully not. I made a remark about one of the performers at the closing ceremony. I am not going to research the entire history of everyone else who was there and neither is anyone else posting on threads at this website. Think you should get a reality check.

Quote by tweeky
The only reason I know about George is because its the kind of thing that makes a good joke and then gets sent to me in a text message joke or posted on my facebook.

well that figures.
Does it? your exact point is what exactly?

Quote by tweeky
As for drug use I couldent give a toss. People bodies are there own and they should be able to shuve into it wahtever they want. People drink alcohol every day often slowly killing themselves and its legal.

what a strange attitude to have. i am sure that you would have a different one if one of your kids I would presume, were putting those things into there bodies. but maybe you would not as there are plenty of parents out there that really would not " give a toss ".

Quote by tweeky
But smoke cannabis which has never killed anyone and your a criminal :roll:

the problem is that for many people it does not stop at cannabis though does it? and anyway it is the law and me and you do not make the laws, but me and you have to abide by them. it is a fact that cannabis does indeed lead others into taking much harder stuff. but then why would you care? as you see nothing wrong in peeple pumping anything they like into there bodies. loon

what a strange concept of life you have. :doh:
Nope I have a very well read and experienced reasons for my opinions on drugs, drug law enforecement, drug effects, the real dangers or drugs and everything else surrounding the topic. My comment above is a little bulshy and without much explination however when it comes down to it you will never dictate to people what they can an cannot do with their own bodies. Banning never works never has and never will. From your comments so far its obvious you dont have much knowledge on the subject past what they teach you in school. Its one area where I would suggest you do a lot more research before posting the stereotypical state induced view point.
Before you set off on a long dribbly reply note I am off on my jollies for a few weeks and probably wont even remember this by the time I get back (I wont be logging on whilst away). However if you nudge me I'll quite happily start a thread about my views on illegal drugs.

15 Aug 2012

Quote by tweeky
Before you set off on a long dribbly reply note I am off on my jollies for a few weeks and probably wont even remember this by the time I get back (I wont be logging on whilst away). However if you nudge me I'll quite happily start a thread about my views on illegal drugs.

Bon voyage!

15 Aug 2012

I thought the closing ceremony was ok but im not keen on events like that in general, however i enjoyed Elbow and loved Muse, they made it worth while for me, iv waited 2 weeks for Muse smile

16 Aug 2012

One line from BOHEMIAN Rhapsody and 10 minutes of Spice Girls? I wish I hadn't bothered. And whet about the rest of the country's music (if it had to be limited to music at all?) Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Thomas Tallis, UB40, The Specials, any of the new batch of properlay trained singers and musicians.
It just seemed to be extracts from one person's iPod - that person having an incredibly limited playlist to start with!
And what the F*** was Russell Brand doing there at all? A more unsavoury individual would be hard to find outside Belmarsh!

16 Aug 2012

Quote by foxylady2209
One line from BOHEMIAN Rhapsody and 10 minutes of Spice Girls? I wish I hadn't bothered. And whet about the rest of the country's music (if it had to be limited to music at all?) Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Thomas Tallis, UB40, The Specials, any of the new batch of properlay trained singers and musicians.
It just seemed to be extracts from one person's iPod - that person having an incredibly limited playlist to start with!
And what the F*** was Russell Brand doing there at all? A more unsavoury individual would be hard to find outside Belmarsh!

Quite.
Although Townsend and Michael wouldn't be on my role model list either.