[jj]

the closing ceremony rendition was a bit more normal arrangement but they still confused me toward the end and then threw in the Glowing Hearts reprise...i think i can now go a day (at least) without hearing the anthem or the I Believe tune or one of it's 200+ arrangements, lol

at one point the Olympic speaker guy (the one who struggled with French, well, struggled with English also, lol...i just didn't think he was charismatic) invited all participants in the games to be Canadian, at least temporarily...it was nice, kinda like 'you are now all family'

anyhow, i would like to be Russian in 4 years at least temporarily so i can sing that lovely anthem which i haven't heard much since 1972's Canada Russia hockey classic...i think the rendition i heard last night was the most moving part of the eve, except for the prolonged polite applause for the poor young luger.

neil young had just recently played Long May You Run to close the Conan tonight show run so it was not a big deal to me, Heart of gold seemed like a more suitable selection...either way, not sure why he wasn't up on a cylindrical podium like Alanis or whoever else...maybe he was chicken of heights or feared another hydraulic malfunction...he looked and sounded good, anyhow...i was glad to see that big propane penta-flame out, i was worried about a catastrophic Hindenburg-like moment in that dome

i liked the wit of the torch re-light but the Shatner OHara Fox stuff was pretty lame old humour, imo

hepner did nice job on the hymn... avril, hedley, buble, alanis, frech gal were appealing and appropriate in one way or another...i couldnt tell if it was lip synch (like adams and furtado were) but it sure was an echo chamber...the nickleback and KOS stuff were great for pee breaks...when i got back i couldnt believe it endedon that note...anyhow, regardless, i hope the athletes and volunteers had a really great time there and especially afterwards and all get home safely...thank you for coming, world

thoughts for next summer olympics:

- go to 4 on 4 overtime should any of those soccer matches end in a tie, fun

- allow relay runners to give a boost push to team mates after handing off the baton

- start having short track races where those runners just go in small perimeter track rather than any straightaways...there may be a few knee raspberries following each wipeout but it's all about blood as well as the sweat and tears

- it was likely tough for the skiers to see those slalom poles in the fog...i think it would be exciting to have the hurdles and pole vault in similar conditions

but seriously, am looking forward to the paralympian glory upcoming in a few weeks...talk about blood, sweat, tears....and a lot of heart