M2006 Kicks Off

Fire from the skyscape, fish on the water and various accoutrements inside the MCG greeted athletes from 71 nations, and viewers across the country and world. Yours truly was not "united by the moment". I sat to watch it with others, and we all agreed there were some pretty crass notes. The first was the new Nikki Webster (could we call him Nicholas?) who skated around town, and ended up being stuck on the makeshift Arts Centre spire. The rescue attemps by bumbling Koalas may have been cute, but had me droning. Nicholas was also lifted up on wires, and hopefully won't succomb to the same kind of tall poppy syndrome that befalled Nikki. Last I heard her record company had dropped her. Actually, I saw the before and after pictures of a shoot she did; you can't hide those freckles.
The second crass event, that really wasn't a surprise, as it got out before Steve Bracks' media ban, was the tram floating down from the stands, sparking its way down. Schoolkids exited and made for the edge of the circle.
Gesticulating during Advance Australia Fair. Oh the shame. The government guidelines state the anthem should not be modified, parodied or otherwise demeaned. The choreographers may have overstepped the mark a little.
The arrival of the athletes and a solid road greeted the Australians as they came out. John Landy as the final baton holder was a decent choice.
The finale, and the cringe factor doubled when Delta rose from the caverns under the stage (couldn't you guys just leave her down there!). One of those soppy, inspirational songs, in the born to try mould. cough hack.