Olympics

The games of the XXIX Summer Olympics have come and gone. I watched them on TV as I have always done. I’ve always enjoyed them–always enjoyed the ceremonies and all the nations coming together and I enjoy the competition. I am a big sports fan. I watched these Olympics on NBC (who I think have televised them since 2000, if I’m not mistaken). I give their coverage of this year’s Games a B, or, if a medal was to be awarded to the network, I think they would get the bronze medal. I enjoyed the coverage of the swimming, diving, gymnastics. I thought Michael Phelps was just awesome–winning gold in all eight of his events in less than a week! He is truly a great champion and seems a nice, down-to-earth, humble young man, too (kind of cute also ). Glad I got to see LeBron James of the Cavaliers and team USA get basketball gold and the Argentine men take soccer gold (broadcast on Telemundo). But I think NBC put too much emphasis on volleyball (both the beach and indoor kind). I think they should have put more emphasis on soccer and basketball. I do not think that volleyball is more internationally popular than soccer and basketball. Basketball is obviously growing and gaining fans globally. This could be seen in the Opening Ceremony of these 2008 Olympics–where 5 of the flagbearers in the Parade of Nations were NBA players. I think I may have liked to have seen more of the equestrian events, too. I also did not like how at times, NBC would start covering an event then they would cut away to another then back again. I think they should start and finish an event; showing it in its entireity before going to another. And show more of the medal ceremonies after the events. So NBC’s Olympic coverage of these Olympic Games for me earns a bronze medal. I do think they need to step up and show more of basketball and soccer. ABC is not afraid to show soccer. I think NBC overdid the volleyball coverage.
I am glad however that these were a fairly peaceful Olympics; that the athletes are returning home safe and sound. In a year and half; in 18 months (2010), it all happens again, with the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. I look forward to watching again.

Josh Groban new live cd/dvd “Awake live”: my review

Just recently received and took a look (and listen) at the new live album “Awake live” by Josh Groban. This is very much a live version of his cd “Awake” and it is one of his concerts that was taped lasted year during his “Awake” tour in Salt Lake City. It is pretty much like the concert I saw here in Cleveland in February of 2007 (except that here in Cleveland he did not perform “Canto alla vita”; which is one of my favorites). I genuinely enjoyed that show last year and I liked watching this “Awake live” dvd. It brought back great memories of that night at the “Q” arena as I watched and listened to Josh perform my favorite songs on this live album, songs like “Mai”, “Alla luce del sole”, and “Machine”. Josh has such a magnificent baritone voice and he seems to genuinely enjoy performing for his fans. He really seems to put his heart and soul into every show. And he is so damn hot, too:)
But as I said about his “Awake” cd, I found most of the songs on “Awake live” rather sad. I prefer the more upbeat songs on his albums “Closer” and “Live at the Greek”. And I am not a big fan of duets. I think Josh does an incredible job singing on his own and needs no help to do that.
So my grades on “Awake live” are: A+ for Josh’s performance, voice, presence, etc:)
B+ for the songs.
It is good solid live album and has me looking forward to Josh going back on tour here in the USA and returning to Cleveland:)I hope it is soon:)

“Pasion” a telenovela: my review

The telanovela (or “soap opera”) “Pasion” had its “gran final” (grand final)on Friday, April 25, 2008 on Spanish-speaking network Univision. The show was excellent;had something for everyone: adventure, mystery, intrigue, romance, sex. It also had very good actors, especially those who played the title roles of Camila (Susana Gonzalez) and Ricardo (Fernando Colunga).
The story of “Pasion” takes place in the 18th century. A young woman named Camila Darien is engaged to a young man Santiago (Sebastian Rulli) from her small town of San Fernando (in Mexico; before Mexico declared its independence from Spain). But events the night before her wedding change the course of her life. A short time later, she meets a pirate called Ricardo de Salamanca when she is captured by his group. At first she does not know his name and she despises him. She is sold as a slave and purchased by Ricardo’s cruel uncle Timiteo de Salamanca who persuades Camila to marry him to gain her freedom. She ultimately does get her freedom and the old man’s money, too. Camila returns to her hometown where she finds her fiance married to her sister. She is devastated by this but Ricardo then comes to her village. She and Ricardo fall in love and Ricardo wants to quit being a pirate but he and Camila face many obstacles, including Santiago who continues to be in love with Camila and Ricardo’s blind cousin Lizabeta (Daniela Castro) who is obssessed with Ricardo.
I give this telenovela an “A+” not only for the brilliant acting, but for the costumes, and the storyline, and the theme song “Pasion” performed by singers Sarah Brightman and Fernando Lima.
I do recommend this show highly. I would watch it again. I hope it will be repeated or be on dvd in the near future.
Besides everything else I mentioned, the novela has some very handsome men (and they can act): Fernando Colunga, Sebastian Rulli (whom I already have mentioned and Sebastian bears a resemblance to the lead singer of my favorite band), William Levy (he played Camila’s brother Vasco Darien and he was excellent). I hope to see these guys in novelas again soon.:)

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