Commonwealth

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I got dragged out earlier by friends to watch the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games (which is really not my thing). The strange thing is I quite enjoyed it. Laughed and cringed.

Won't talk about the Scottish team uniform apart from my Auntie Jean had a pinny the same material and colour as the dresses and shirts. Don't let me get started on the tartan. The dresses of the Welsh athletes - gorgeous. The Canadian team were dressed as if it rained in Scotland (as if). Any way.....

Did nearly have an accident as Gordon Matheson shouted into the microphone. Seriously nearly had another accident as Chris Hoy and Prince Ahmed(?) fought with the relay baton. Someone may have lost a Knighthood as the Queen's car bounced into Celtic Park.

So why did I enjoy it - the singing and dancing (although The Proclaimers should have sang their song).

Anyone else watch it?

[gardening_gal]

I watched it. And cringed.

I think we do certain things well, Scottish dancing and the pipe and drum bands for example, but most of the opening show was just plain embarrassing imo. You couldn't accuse us of having class last night. Again, imo.

(I'm Scottish born and bred btw so it's not like I'm a Sassanach criticising their auld enemy. )

I expect the athletes will show much more professionalism than the organisers did.

I liked the Scotties though.

[Strawberry patch]

we watched the opening ceremony too and thought it was embarrassing for scotland... I totally agree with FrostyFreckle The proclaimers should of sang their song..maybe they wanted appearance money lol

[Knight of Albion]

They could have made more of Scottish and Highland culture in particular. Then again it is the Glasgow games so maybe what was shown was a reflection of modern Glasgow life and humour

It always was going to be a poor second to the marvellous Olympics Opening Ceremony...

But its the whole concept I like. People of all cultures, colours and creeds coming together in a spirit of friendliness.

[Kirk]

I managed to miss just about all of it. These "Opening Ceremonies" are usually really bad. Doesn't really matter wh does them.

One bit that did appear, in a news article during the day, was 3 people doing a Maori Haka somewhere (I think an airport or station) with dancing girls behind them, the reason I saw it was because it was on the screen and I couldn't get to the remote immediatly. When I did the channel got changed.

15 seconds of that and I realised that the whole thing could be really bad.

[phil the shed]

i see john Barrowman found his scottish voice/accent last night, they did say that it was a tounge in cheek representation and they didn't have an olympic size budget because it's NOT the olympics it's the games of the commonwealth countries ( who knew there were still so many). we laughed and giggled cringed our way through the ceremony and quite enjoyed the mix.

[Jay22]

Well, I thought it was good, although John Barrowman and Karen Dunbar as openers....mmmm! Would have been ok if they could sing! It was a bit tongue and cheek though. My two favourite moments...the Scotties and Chris Hoys face when he looked at the Queen after managing to open the baton...priceless!

[Alison]

The opening ceremony was unintentionally hilarious and John Barrowman was as bad (if not worse) than normal. At least it doesn't look like they spent much and now the real stuff is started it can become very good and what it is all about anyway. Remember the one in Manchester in 2002, the ceremony for that was bad too and it pelted down throughout but the tournament was brilliant.

[gardening_gal]

At least it doesn't look like they spent much

The opening and closing ceremonies are supposed to be costing £21 million. Shocking cost considering the offerings so far.

[greenishfing]

I wouldn't have watched it under any circumstances. I don't think such things should be funded by the public and I don't believe that sportsmen/women should be publically funded.

Sports are a hobby.

What on earth is the attraction, unless you actually participate in a particular sport?

I got sick of couch potatoes giving their opinions on the Olympics.

[Alison]

The opening and closing ceremonies are supposed to be costing £21 million. Shocking cost considering the offerings so far.

Blimey, it looked like something from a primary school production!

I wouldn't have watched it under any circumstances. I don't think such things should be funded by the public and I don't believe that sportsmen/women should be publically funded.

Sports are a hobby.

What on earth is the attraction, unless you actually participate in a particular sport?

I got sick of couch potatoes giving their opinions on the Olympics.

I find many sports people to be inspirational and their dedication is amazing. Although they can do things I could never dream of, I love watching the competition and it inspires me to give things a go. Went to watch the games in Manchester and saw sports I'd never watched before yet thoroughly enjoyed the combinations of totally different events going on at the same time. Sport provide excellent role models for children too, would rather a kid wanted to emulate a Brownlee brother than some waste of space from Essex. I appreciate it's not for everybody but if you're not interested don't watch / listen. I avoid some things like ballet and opera which are funded but appreciate some people like them so that's fine.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Don't watch you say, have you seen the BBC schedule for today? Thank goodness for a good book.

[Alison]

It's too nice / hot to be inside anyway so have to catch up with the highlights

[Nicos]

Yes , I watched the opening ceremonies- only cos my aged mom was very keen to watch them.
Have to say, I did actually find them lively and fun...although Captain Jack with a Scottish accent!!!...I had to gooooogle it- and yup- it IS real!!

I'm not really interested in the Games per say, but these peeps have worked/trained hard for years and years , and do indeed deserve our respect...hats off to them all!

[Patchninja]

Ooooo-er. Aren't you the grumpy one?

I wouldn't have watched it under any circumstances. I don't think such things should be funded by the public and I don't believe that sportsmen/women should be publically funded.

Sports are a hobby.

What on earth is the attraction, unless you actually participate in a particular sport?

I got sick of couch potatoes giving their opinions on the Olympics.

Sports open the window on the world for many people. I think it's a good thing to see other peoples/cultures coming together in the very violent, sad world that so many have to live in.