Only a year out of date, I know!
The plan was during the summer, to spend time going out and doing stuff, and, as winter drew in, to edit my photos and write about the days out.
I was off work on leave for most of the Olympics. I had a lot of holiday left over, and didn't fancy working at home. I had vague plans to go out during the days, but, on the whole, they didn't amount to much. I found the Olympics too compelling.
I only have to hear a few notes of this music in order to feel emotional. Of course, I know it's not a genuine emotion, and more a manipulation by various forces, including the media. But I knew that then, I know it now. I know the Olympics were a disatraction from Real Life, an Opium for the masses. And I enjoyed that.
I ventured into Central London once during the Games (if you exclude travelling to and from Durham via Kings Cross). It was a gloriously sunny afternoon, one that had seemed so rare so far that summer. We didn't really have a plan, just strolled around the South Bank, before crossing Hungerford Bridge, stopping for a pint in the Ship and Shovell, and walking through to Chinatown for dinner.
I remember there being a lot of people in London. I remember the atmosphere being very good natured. Gamesmakers walked around in their uniforms, holding their heads high with pride. I remember a conversation with a middle-aged middle class woman, updating her on the boxing results.
Part of me regrets not making more effort to attend Olympic events, whether it be the Big Screens in parks or the social evenings at the numerous International Houses. I know a lot of young people, or middle aged people with kids enjoyed these immensely. Perhaps I should have tried to see the free-to-view events such as marathon and Road Races. But that regret is largely born out of you people asking me why I didn't, rather than an inherent desire. I watched a lot of Olympics on the TV. I certainly don't regret that! I vowed not to write a diary about it. The facts and figures will be available on the internet. Words are inadequate to describe the excitement of watching sports events on the Tv, especially as I consider the emotions to be false. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to chat on Twitter with friends and acquaintances as events unfurled.
And later in the summer, during the Paralympics, I went to Olympic Park, spending the day walking round, and watching a 7 aside football match, but that's another blog post!
