Blog Archives
Don’t stop me now
Have you seen Team GB lip sync to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”? It was produced by Adidas and released last week.
Well, now, it seems that the concept wasn’t exactly original. The Paralympics GB team released its own viral video, back in April, to the same fantastic song.
I suppose imitation is the highest form of flattery…
Best GIFs of the London Olympics
China’s Liu Xiang hops over to the last hurdle and plants a kiss on the hurdle. Photo credit: Xinhua
I love a good GIF. It’s the reason I visit this site with bated breath each morning.
And so thanks to Buzzfeed for compiling the best 33 GIFs of the London Olympics. There is a lot here that was clearly not picked up by NBC and a good smattering of amazing, funny, moving, wonderful moments from the London Olympics.
Enjoy! And have a great weekend!
Royal Mail goes for the gold
Photo credit: Royal Mail
In honor of Great Britain’s gold medals in the London Olympics, Royal Mail has agreed to paint a postbox gold – one for each gold medal win! What a stunning idea!
So, which postboxes are going gold? Well, they’re placing them in the hometowns or boroughs of the gold medalists where possible. Here’s the complete list of gold postbox locations. And hopefully, they will be adding more following the Paralympic Games, if Britain adds to its collection.
In addition, Royal Mail has painted a gold postbox near Westminster Abbey. Lovely!
Congrats, Team GB
Britain, you did it right!
I loved the closing ceremony Sunday night. I stayed up until almost midnight, refusing to take my eyes off of the amazing musical extravaganza (hello Spice Girls, Blur, Oasis, George Michael!), even though I had a bunch of things to do. Well, actually I did start up some laundry for a few minutes at the sight of Russell Brand doing Willy Wonka and “I am the Walrus.” Then I was back!
Read all about it, if you missed it.
All in all, I have loved these games. Moreover, I’ve loved to read and hear about the sheer surprise and delight of the British people in seeing the success that they’ve become. Philip Reeves’ NPR report “Olympics have temporarily transformed England” actually made me cry.
Third best overall?! Yes! Congrats, Team GB!
Go Team GB!
Team Great Britain’s Mo Farah celebrates after winning gold in the men’s 10,000 meter final. Photo credit: Jason O’Brien/Action Images via Zuma Press
If you haven’t been keeping score, Britain has the highest number of gold Olympic medals in 104 years! Go Team GB! It’s staggering and wonderful and unexpected and I have never been quite so excited to watch the Olympics. I’ll be a sad to see it all come to an end this weekend.
On a side note, I’ve started reading “Gold in the Water: The True Story of Ordinary Men and their Extraordinary Dream of Olympic Glory,” a swimmer’s story by P.H. Mullen, who apparently holds one of the fastest times for swimming the English Channel! I’ll let you know how it is!
An Olympic stitch in time
In honor of the London Olympic Games, a secret knitter has struck, leaving a beautiful spectacle of knitted Olympic athletes on the pier in Saltburn-by-the-Sea near Teeside! I love the details – and the mystery of their origins. It’s so magical!
Photo credit: Richard Rayner/North News & Pictures
My Country Tis of Thee
Andy Murray is the first British man to win the Olympic gold in singles tennis since 1908.
Did you watch the Olympics this weekend? Andy Murray’s win? Jessica Ennis’s gold? Amazing, right?
I loved the medal ceremonies, the descent of the flags of the three winning countries, and then the dignified strains of “God Save the Queen.”
Or was it “My Country Tis of Thee”?
Yes, I did get a kick out of the comments on Twitter from Americans who commented on how surprised they were that “God Save the Queen” and “My Country Tis of Thee” share the same tune or those who think that the Brits stole our song. Check out some of the comments.
Blame it on Samuel F. Smith, who wrote new lyrics to “God Save the Queen” in 1832 and made it a hit. Why couldn’t he have come up with an original tune? There were lots of songs that hadn’t been written yet in 1832 – “Call Me Maybe” … “Party in the USA” … “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Couldn’t he have put his lyrics to one of those? More on the origins.
My MIL got tickets to the Olympics!
My mother-in-law and a friend of hers spent last weekend camping and attending a couple Olympic games last weekend and took photos!
They saw the sailing in Weymouth and sat next to three-time Olympic sailing champion Ben Ainslie‘s mum and dad.
They also watched the canoe slalom in Waltham Cross, just days before the Brits Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott took home the first ever British gold medal for the men’s canoe slalom double!
Thanks to Sue for sharing her photos!
What you didn’t see on NBC …
What did you think of the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday?
I loved it. I thought it was such an inspiring love letter both to the country of Great Britain and to the Olympic games themselves. Irreverent, cheekyl, thoughtful and moving, it was a joy to watch. I’m not a big sports watcher but I do love the spirit of the Olympics and am so happy that London is hosting!
I only wish that we could see the BBC’s full and commercial-free coverage. I wasn’t thrilled with NBC’s commercial breaks – or the fact that there were pieces that weren’t aired on American TV.
Thankfully YouTube has come to the rescue for some of what was missing!
Check out this smashing introduction featuring Benedict Cumberbatch (of “Sherlock” fame) that American audiences didn’t get to see, which kicked off the Olympic opening ceremony.
Olympic love
The royals greeting the Olympic torch. How cute are they?! Photo credit: Ian West/PA Wire
The day is finally here! I’m so looking forward to the opening ceremony of the Olympics today. I’ve heard one insider describe it as “very British” and I can’t wait to see what they do. What we do know: there will be sheep and a host of other farm animals, plows and maypoles, a dance featuring nurses, a song by Paul McCartney and something involving Daniel Craig as James Bond. Is this not going to be the greatest thing the world has ever seen?
And with all the buzz about the Olympics, I thought I’d roundup some of my favorite links and share – enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!
A watercolor map of London.
A soundtrack to rock the games.
A London double-decker bus does push-ups.
Ab Fab’s Eddie and Patsy carry the Olympic torch.
Don’t take the Olympic name in vein.
Will London visitors learn that British food is good? (Because it really is…)
Beer from the 1908 London Olympic games, anyone?
The 2012 Olympics drinking game, but please drink responsibly.
British food for an Olympics party.
BRITRISH.COM 