olympic fever

(image via New York Times)

Have you been watching the Olympics? When I returned from SF on Friday, I thought I had missed the opening ceremony because of the time difference between here and Beijing. I didn’t realize that NBC was going to air it pre-recorded in primetime. Although my plan was to go to sleep early because I barely slept the night before, I stayed up to watch the entire thing.  It was mesmerizing. 15,000 individual performers. Impeccable synchronization. Lavish costumes. The technology, the fireworks, the pride. 

Then the countries began to make their way into the stadium. What a great exercise in geography. It’s amazing that there were delegates representing countries that could fit inside the 91,000-seat Bird’s Nest with thousands of seats to spare.

(image via New York Times)

And the outfits! To be honest, I was disappointed with Ralph Lauren’s look for Team USA. They would’ve looked much better in one of these outfits designed by the contestants of Project Runway. 

(image via Bravo)

But my absolute favorite moment of the evening? Watching the 9-year-old who rescued two of his schoolmates after the earthquake in China walk in with Yao Ming and then stay by his side for the rest of the night. He said that he went back to save his classmates because he was a hall monitor, and it was his job to help. What a sweet little boy. 

(image via Sports Illustrated)