Quite a run

It's hard to believe the Olympic games in Beijing are over. The experience was incredible and something I will never forget. The work was rewarding, and my friends I will miss (until Vancouver!). I hope you had a chance to see the closing ceremonies. I joined several of my co-workers and watched the fireworks. The Chinese do know their fireworks!

My last day at the IBC I ran into Bob Costas who was gracious enough to smile for my camera at the end of a very long day. Soon afterwards, I exited the IBC, boarded a bus for the airport, and flew over the North Pole on my way back to the good ole USA. Didn't see Santa Clause, but Christmas did come early for my kids when I got home with all the souvenirs!

Shopping's a trip

It's hard to believe the games are almost over. After I finish my shift tonight, I only have a couple more days to work, then it's closing ceremonies and off to the airport to head back west.

A couple days ago I had a break in the action and decided to take a look at the stadium at night. The Olympic flame is an incredible site, and I grabbed a couple of picts to keep the memory fresh. While I was walking around the stadium I came across the Today Show set and caught the end of a show.

On Thursday I hooked up with Stuart and April and headed to the Pearl and Silk Markets. Shopping there is quite an experience. The vendors literally grab you and pull you into their booths to try and sell their wares. I was suckered in but, I have to say, became quite a horse trader and talked them down substantially on a few items. Since my wife and kids read this blog, I won't tell you what I bought, but the experience was very fun. On the way back to the IBC, we drove past the building where the Chinese Television network will soon be housed. It's nickname is "big underpants."

In case you've been wondering what I've edited here at the Olympics, here's a list of some of the segments. Perhaps you've seen one or two:

Olympic Architecture, Water Polo Girls from Commerce, TX, two Women's Softball stories, Phelp's Mom, Rhode with the Pandas, Karaoke with the Fencing Team, Coach of the Men's Basketball, and a few more I can't recall at the moment.

I'll try and get one more blog out before I leave, so until then I'll leave you with this thought -

Chinese food is awesome, but I'm sure looking forward to some TexMex!

National Stadium Beijing "The Birds Nest"

Well, I finally made it into "The Birds Nest" and saw the fastest man in the world run a prelim.

My seat was in the press area, just past the finish line, so I had a great view of Usain Bolt of Jamaica as he qualified for the 200 meter sprint. I took the opportunity to grab my traditional pict holding the Olympic Torch, since my seat provided the perfect view of the flame. The stadium is an amazing piece of architecture, and I'm glad I had the chance to set foot inside.

The Great Wall was grrreeeeeaaaaatttt!!!

The Great Wall was unbelievable! My fellow night shift editors, April and Stuart, and I, joined a tour to the Great Wall Friday morning. We arrived at The Wall before anyone else and pretty much had The Wall to ourselves for the first hour or so. It was amazing! Once we arrived, we took a lift to The Wall and started our climb. I think I counted about a million steps before we reached (yes we reached) the end of The Wall! I considered turning around and walking back 1400 miles to the other end, but my compadres seemed a bit winded and I didn't want to show them up, so we sat for 30 minutes (mainly so they could catch their breath) and just took in the scenery and enjoyed this once-in-a-lifetime experience. All my buddies at VHA need to take note of the shirt I was wearing.

When we left we took a sled ride back down. The sled was a blast. It tracked down a medal semi-circular tube and you could really put the pedal to the medal. But once you reached the bottom you had to look out for the wild Mongols. Stuart and I got attacked, but survived by paying them off with 20 Chinese bucks. I'd say the cost of a latte was well worth our survival!

On our way back we stopped off and ate an early lunch. The food was delicious. At least, I think it was, 'cause most of it fell off my chop sticks. I do love forks.

The Summer Palace and volleyball

Sorry I haven't updated for a while, but work picked up this week and I haven't had much of a chance to catch you up. Earlier this week I cut a piece on the women's Chinese volleyball team which aired on USA Network and another piece on cheerleaders at the Olympics (tough assignment, but somebody had to do it!) which will air on the Olympic Zone show in another day or two.

My editor pals who I work the night shift with, Stuart and April, and I headed to the Summer Palace on Tuesday. Very impressive, and we were lucky enough to have one of only a few sunny days we've enjoyed since I arrived. Yesterday we were handed some tickets to the women's volleyball venue, and we enjoyed watching the US girls put it to Norway. Later this morning (Friday in China) we're finally heading to The Great Wall. Hopefully the weather will be nice and I should be able to post some picts in a day or two. For now, enjoy these stills from the Summer Palace and volleyball.

President Bush visits the IBC

I got within about 4 feet of the President yesterday when he came to the IBC to do an interview with Bob Costas. We got word that President Bush was coming yesterday morning, so I stayed after my shift ended to try and catch a glimpse and get a pict or two. The powers that be wouldn't let us be in the hallway where he entered the building so, being the ole bird dog that I am, I went outside to watch the motorcaid drive up. The officers wouldn't let me get too close, or stand still long enough to get a very good video, so I got a shot of the car arriving, but that was about it. I then came inside the building and waited with a group of other groupies just outside of the studio where he was being interviewed. I arrived a little late, so I was at the back of the group. When he exited the control room he came up to our group and posed for a picture. I'm hoping my arms which were holding my video camera made the pict! I did get a great video of him shaking hands and waving to us.

As I mentioned in my last blog, I had a chance to take in some gymnastics a couple days ago, so I've posted some picts.

I edited a feature on women's softball today which will air on USA Network at around 9, so be sure and look out for it. A couple of other features I've worked on include one on Olympic architecture and another about two girls from Commerce, Texas who play on the water polo team. I believe it aired today on NBC.

Games have begun

The Olympic Games are off to a good start for the US. I hope you had the chance to see the men's basketball team put it to China. Maybe the "Redeem Team" will turn into the new "Dream Team!" I had the chance to attend a women's gymnastics event this evening and I'll try and get some picts posted shortly. Yesterday I made it by the Today Show set, but was too late to try and ham it up for the cameras. I'm posting a couple picts of the set, along with the Olympic Flame. Enjoy.