london olympics 2012 - What a flaming fiasco..

[Vipersan]

...and yes I'll probably get flamed myself ..for this comment ..
But what a complete waste of money and resources ..painting a bloody plane gold ..and flying not only a flame as a first class passenger many thousands of miles ..plus a selection of dignitaries and hangers on...at a time of so called austerity...
Only to play silly burgers with it up and down the country over the coming days.
I'm sat here freezing my nutz off ...no doubt it warmer as usual Darn Sarf...but I ration turning the gas on as I can't afford a second mortgage to pay my next bill.
..and the gas wasted keeping that bloody flame alight whilst they tote it round the country would keep me warm for weeks if not months.
Yep ..you might have guessed I'm no big fan of this fiasco ..
Not that I have anything against the Olympics ..nor the Games themselves ..
Just the morons falling over themselves to outdo the previous hosts efforts at a time when we should be counting the pennies.
sits back grabs coat ..not to leave ..but to keep warm ..and waits for his roasting.
VS

 

[Lazarus]

Ah, so this is what they mean by Olympic Flame!:-flame

 

[rolfw]

I agree to a point, 70 days of the flame going around the country, with everyone and their uncle carrying it is ridiculous, a couple of days with past Olympians carrying it would've been more appropriate.

As most of this was planned prior to the current economic climate, there's probably not much they can do with the general planning and we could probably benefit from the potential feel good factor, but some elements of it could easily be trimmed.

 

[Vipersan]

I agree to a point, 70 days of the flame going around the country, with everyone and their uncle carrying it is ridiculous, a couple of days with past Olympians carrying it would've been more appropriate.

As most of this was planned prior to the current economic climate, there's probably not much they can do with the general planning and we could probably benefit from the potential feel good factor, but some elements of it could easily be trimmed.

Thanks for not flaming me Rolf...though at least I'd be warmer if you had ..
Perhaps IF I wait long enough the warm glow of patriotic pride will work its magic ..
But I might be waiting a long time.
rgds
VS

 

[Lazarus]

Perhaps we should enter you for the "Hurdles Marathon", judging by the number you've had to get over in recent years.

 

[Vipersan]

Perhaps we should enter you for the "Hurdles Marathon", judging by the number you've had to get over in recent years.

Made me larrf anyway Gordon ..
Just one problem ...does each hurdle come with a set of step ladders ..
Takes me an age to climb the stairs at times..
;)

 

[aceb]

Consider yourself fortunate you don't live anywhere near central or East London, then you really would be moaning, TfL are actually suggesting people stock up on fuel and foodstuffs due to the disruption expected to the transport infrastructure! The only people that seem really positive about it are politicians and the media as they desperately urge the rest of us to be excited about the event.

 

[Mickha]

I get the disruption at on 31/05/12, that's the day the damned thing hits our area, with all roads being closed, they've even put up big electronic signs warning us of major traffic jams and no access !!!!!!!
I'm not that interested in the Olympics, I don't think I've watched it since the days of Coe, Ovett and Daley Thompson, since when they seem to have added a lot of other sports, just to make it more commercial.

 

[sonnetpete]

I do agree that the torch relay has been 'overblown' and made too commercial (Coke is a 'presenting partner'? Are they handing out free cans as the torch passes?).

However it's route passes less than 100 metres from my mothers front door. She's quite excited about seeing it as there was nothing like this in 1948 when the games were last held in the UK. At 83 she's unlikely to see it again so will make the effort to see it in June.

 

[Vipersan]

I do agree that the torch relay has been 'overblown' and made too commercial (Coke is a 'presenting partner'? Are they handing out free cans as the torch passes?).

However it's route passes less than 100 metres from my mothers front door. She's quite excited about seeing it as there was nothing like this in 1948 when the games were last held in the UK. At 83 she's unlikely to see it again so will make the effort to see it in June.

..Well at least its making someone happy Pete ..and I guess I can't deny your mum that...since its already a fait accompli
But I'm sticking to my guns on how I feel about it.
Perhaps its time you passed the mantle of 'Proud to be a grumpy old man' to me ??
rgds
VS

 

[sonnetpete]

Perhaps its time you passed the mantle of 'Proud to be a grumpy old man' to me ??

No VS, I'm still grumpy.....feel free to apply to join the club though....

 

[Channel Hopper]

..and the gas wasted keeping that bloody flame alight.....
VS

or not

_http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18023411

 

[Vipersan]

or not

_http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18023411

I note you didn't see the backup flame being lit ..
I just hope the second flame wasn't just lit on the quick by someone in the bushes with a clipper.
;)
cheers
VS

 

[Vipersan]

Just as an aside from the main theme ..
I have actually run on the original track at Olympia ..
Got in trouble for believe it or not removing my shirt prior to the start of the race ..
Which seens unbelievable when you think the ancient runners did their bit stark naked.
Apparently just not acceptable protocol these days though ..
I was roughly 45 years old when I joined the lineup ..and came an astonishing 3rd in the race ..beating many much younger men.
The women in the party were not allowed to run btw.
When I asked where my laurel reef prize was for coming third ..I was told only the winner receives one.
and and third counted for nothing..as it was in ancient days.
During this trip to Olympia and surrounding areas..I also went to Meteora.
Now that to me was seriously Impressive ..and I urge anyone to visit if they get the chance.

_http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteora

Typical holiday for me ..
Rest on the beach and do sod all till my batteries charge ..then see as much as possible in the remaining week.
not that I can go to Greece these days ...and a run on the track ...is definately consigned to history.
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

...Here I go again ..off at a tangent..
Searched for hours but can't find the Olympia photos ..
I can only assume my EX had them on her laptop when she left.
Found a few of my favourite Meteora photos though ..
totally OT of course ..but thought you might like to see what impressed me about the place ..
Monasteries built atop huge natural sandstone eroded columns..
You are on occasions above low cloud as it creeps like ghoulish fingers between the natural monoliths.
Breathtaking..but you really had to be there I guess.
rgds
VS

 

[Lazarus]

"Greece is the word, it's the word ..........."

 

[Vipersan]

"Greece is the word, it's the word ..........."

Found myself singing along with you Gordon ..
;)
You probably guessed already ..I fell in love with Greece.
..and its my English Lit teachers fault.
A book we studied at school had me mesmerised and I had no choice really ..once I was old enough to travel abroad ..alone I headed straight for Corfu ..
Inspired by Gerald Durrell and his autobiographical 'My Family and Other Animals'.
rgds
VS

 

[Lazarus]

Only been once - a stop at Piraeus on my 1969 Schools Cruise on the SS Uganda.

To my shame, as a young teenager, I removed a memento (piece of marble lying on the ground) from the Temple of Sounion.

Still have it, somewhere - happy to return it. The Elgin Marbles it is not!

 

[Channel Hopper]

I was roughly 45 years old when I joined the lineup ..and came an astonishing 3rd in the race ..beating many much younger men.

Some deft work with the cudgel before the race is bound to improve the odds.

 

[strs65]

Yep, the "Dictator" way (@1:37)!