Its a god time to visit.
The weather is cool but pleasant and the constant warnings about congestion that we have had for the last couple of years have been over successful. London feels very empty apart from round the obvious tourist areas and the olympic stadium. I understand that retailers and a lot of theatres and hotels tecare finding their trade is down a lot.
>About 30 years ago IMO. I guess I was always more of a John fan than a Paul fan, even though the Beatles needed both of them. What bothers me is his pomposity, for instance insisting on being addressed as Sir Paul. Plus he keeps trying to pass for a guy in his 30s.
>
>Re British fans at the Olympics I am unequivocal. They have been terrific, particularly in the cycling races, where the courses have been jammed with joyous flag waving fans. They have been just as great at all the other venues, displaying unstereotypical enthusiasm. And you sure can't beat the history of London itself. I know it was controversial but your country is putting on a great Olympics.
>
>>Each to their own then Jake. I really liked it all (apart from Mccartney who really should consider gracefully bowing out)
>>
>>>I heard about both.
>>>
>>>- Adams is laughing all the way to the attention bank based on NBC's idiotic decision. Twitter is not news. It is a lazy way for craptastic programs to insert zero-value content with zero effort.
>>>
>>>- Cutting the segment was awful & the reasoning is non-sensical. They should've cut everything after the industrial revolution started and left the 7/7 tribute. It was the worst opening ceremony BY FAR that I can remember and I watch them all.
>>>
>>>>NBC made headlines over here for two things.
>>>>
>>>>One
>>>>
>>>>Arranging for twitter to ban a journalist who criticised their coverage.
>>>>
>>>>
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/jul/30/twitter-suspends-guy-adams-account-nbc>>>>
>>>>Two
>>>>
>>>>Not showing the part of the opening ceremony dedicated to the victims of the London bombings .
>>>>
>>>>
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2181011/NBC-coverage-Outrage-claiming-7-7-tribute-Olympic-Opening-Ceremony-wasnt-tailored-U-S-audience.html?ito=feeds-newsxml>>>>
>>>>>A few thoughts:
>>>>>
>>>>>- After the Chinese 2008 female gymnasts (calling them women would imply they were of age) were given a pass I hold little faith that anything will come of this unless Ye Shiwen actually fails a blood test.
>>>>>
>>>>>- Besides, they way Lochte has performed since the IM, it's not like he's THAT fast. ;)
>>>>>
>>>>>- Speaking of letdowns, how about a grand round of fail for the US men's gymnastics team. NBC bailed on them after 2 rotations.
>>>>>
>>>>>- Speaking of NBC, the ratings show that their delay works well, however, if you're going to delay and save things for primetime how about you don't give away the results 6 minutes before you show the event.
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/07/31/Olympics/Franklin-Today.aspx>>>>>
>>>>>- Kim Rhode on Sunday became the first American athlete to win five medals in an individual event in five consecutive Olympic Games. 99 of 100. WOW!
>>>>>
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/sports/olympics/kim-rhode-of-us-takes-gold-in-womens-skeet-setting-records.html?_r=1>>>>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUiN0Sih214&feature=related>>>>>
>>>>>>Here we go again.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Page 1 story in the NY Times today, me thunking my forehead not to have seen it. Without making a direct accusation, it strongly implies that the Chinese swimmers in the London Olympics have been getting some unnatural help. It focuses on Yu Shiwen, the 16 year old female Chinese swimmer who has been setting the time clock on fire. In winning the gold medal in the 400 IM on Sunday she came home in the last 50 as fast as Ryan Lochte in his statement making men's final.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Now maybe this was just an incredible performance by an unknown athlete. But the Chinese have a history, as does the sport of swimming. Remember the notorious East German "womens" teams of the 80s, who looked and performed like NFL linebackers? As does bicycling, where the elite athletes are basically all assumed to be doping.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I am a little disappointed in the NBC coverage that this has not even come up for discussion. I have been watching the swimming events closely and had not picked up a whiff of Yu Shiwen's times being fishy. I like Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines a lot. They make the races and competitors compelling, especially the break out star of these games, Missy Franklin. I would really hate to think their corporate masters have zipped their lips given the corporate stakes. That would be even more disappointing than a young athlete cutting corners for a shot at the gold ring.
