Random Thoughts On The Olympics So Far

1. Fireworks - I'm generally not a person who's impressed by fireworks, but leave it to the Chinese to provide the exception. Lots of very cool pyrotechnics during the Opening Ceremonies last night. I particularly liked the "footprint" effect in the sky leading up to the coliseum.

2. Putin - Why was he there? Isn't it usually the head of state that attends these things (I mean, we sent Bush, after all). Shouldn't the new guy, Medvedev, have been there? I suppose Russia was busy bombing the hell out of Georgia yesterday, so maybe he just had his hands full.

3. Yao Ming and the Kid - How amazing was the story of the kid that was marching with Yao Ming during the Opening Ceremonies? A nine year-old boy, who survived the collapse of his school during a recent earthquake and then, on his own initiative, went back into the rubble to try and help his classmates.

4. Lighting the Torch - That whole flying/air-walking thing? Very cool.

5. USA! USA! - If you'll permit a bit of national pride: The USA not only won gold in Women's Sabre Fencing, we won silver and bronze as well. Nice job, ladies.