2010 Commonwealth Games, Day One: Pretty Good Start

"Let the games begin (commonwealth games delhi)"

etribune, YouTube (October 3, 2010)
video, 2:22

"The 19th Commonwealth Games have been opened in a spectacular opening ceremony which might repair some of the damage to India's image after a calamitous buildup to the sporting festival."

The Lemming doesn't know that the buildup was "calamitous." Journalists, in the English-speaking world anyway, were predictably eager to pounce of the SNAFUs. Like that incredible collapsing bridge and doo-doo in the dorms.

So, the Commonwealth Games in India are being hosted perfectly? No, of course not.

Still, India managed to get the balloon to go up for the games - literally.

More, at the 2010 Commonwealth Games website:

• XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi
  • News
  • Schedule
  • Medals and results

There's quite a bit more on the website.

Related posts:

• "Lemming Tracks: 2010 Commonwealth Games Start Today"
  (October 3, 2010)
• "Lemming Tracks: 2010 Commonwealth Games and Bad Publicity "
  (September 26, 2010)
• "2010 Commonwealth Games' Dehli Village: Oops"
  (September 21, 2010)

Return of the Ninja Chipmunk

"Cat and Ninja Chipmunk"

me3tv, YouTube (February 21, 2006)
video, 1:28

"Ninja Chipmunk takes on the cat. Oreo in an inside/outside cat. She is well fed. I'm sorry I did not mow the grass, but I think it saved the chipmunk. Oreo also wears a bell to warn critters in advance. Somebody has noted the 'chipmunk' here is really a 'ground squirrel' as chipmunks have a very short tail - but somebody else said chipmunks are just a 'type' of GS. More from our area of the country at ME3TV.com...."

This is one of Apathetic Lemming of the North's few 'repeat' posts. The Lemming did a micro-review of this video back in 2008:

• "That's One Crazy Ground Squirrel"
  (August 16, 2008)

Only without embedding the video.

Now, back by popular demand (my own), here's Ninja Chipmunk! Now embedded!

Enjoy.

2010 Commonwealth Games and a Sensible Statement

"Biggest Commonwealth Games kicks off in Delhi"
Times of India (October 3, 2010)

"The wait is finally over. The biggest Commonwealth Games so far was inaugurated by Prince Charles and President Pratibha Patil at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.

"An impregnable security blanket of 7,500 personnel, including commandos, has been thrown over the grand Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the venue of today's opening ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games.

"As one enters the stadium, the only thing visible are the gun-toting security personnel including many in battle fatigues standing besides banners with Games motto 'Come out and Play' written on them...."

So far, so good.

The opening ceremonies went off without a (major) hitch. Nothing collapsed under Prince Charles. Good news all around.

Apart from observations like that "...many in battle fatigues standing besides banners with Games motto 'Come out and Play' written on them..." thing.

Good News and Common Sense

The 2010 Commonwealth Games opened without some embarrassing incident. That's the good news.

Here's that sensible statement:

"...Asked if he was satisfied with the security arrangements, a smiling [Union Home Minister P.] Chidambaram told PTI, 'Ask me on October 14 and I will tell you.'..."
(DNA (October 3, 2010))

The Lemming thinks they've got a good chance of hosting a (fairly) hitch-free Commonwealth Games. Perfect, probably not. Pretty good: quite likely.

Related post:

• "Lemming Tracks: 2010 Commonwealth Games Start Today"
  (October 3, 2010)