Month: July 2012

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London2012: Gamesmakers are making a really good impression

The Olympic Stadium at night. Copyright the author 2012
The outside area of McDonald’s ‘largest restaurant in the world’ complex. Copyright the author 2012

Two articles today (links below) show that Gamesmakersare having a real affect on the general public that visit the various venues around London. The most visible are the wayfinders and event services Gamesmakers who stand out in all weathers along with the Gamesmakers on duty front-of-house in venues. As a Gamesmaker back of house, I can only admire their tenacity and patience during some very long shifts (I’m sure there’s a law against that somewhere) and I’m rather jealous to be honest, given I’ve done very little myself during my three weeks of shifts in a Technology role.

I have made up for it by walking the Olympic Park during breaks, etc. and mingling with the other Gamesmakersand visitors to the park where I get asked many questions given I wear the same purple uniform as everyone else on duty. I just trust I get the answers right. Apologies to Common Domain Gamesmakers if I don’t! These photos are some of the results from my Olympic wanderlust on day one of the park opening to ticketholders.

Some of the millions of planted flower beds in the Olympic Park at night. Copyright the author 2012

The most pressing and so far unanswered question on Twitter for Gamesmakers is where are the Cadbury’s chocolates?

Given Gamesmakers wear the corporate colour of this Olympic sponsor( purple was not by accident) this question will be increasingly asked of them. Their response so far has been we have no control over the 3,000,000 chocolates we delivered to LOCOG

A real side step there then and implying that LOCOG are the ones withholding these little demons from some very impatient chocaholic Gamesmakers! Revolution must be on the horizon in some venues if LOCOG don’t release them soon I feel.

BBC report

Part of Coca-Cola ‘Beatbox’. Copyright the author 2012

Evening Standard report

Velodrome from mid-Olympic Park. Copyright the author 2012
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London2012: Empty Seats at Venues

There is much fuss of empty seats at venues of London2012. In my venue, it does not appear to be the case, but elsewhere there is evidence that it is happening. It really only hits home when you see whole blocks of empty seats on the TV. It has quite rightly, enraged many members of the public and the media. For several months now the organizers have been congratulating themselves on their ticket sales claiming sell-outs at many venues apart from football.

So how come so many blocks of seats at some venues are remaining empty during sessions and what are they going to do to fix the problem?

Some blocks are kept for competitors and for VIP guests. There’s little that will be done about those seats is my guess. The arrogance of Jacques Rogge (IOC) last week defending their hotel accommodation along Park Lane, London:

‘We have to have accommodation somewhere…’

tells me not to expect any changes on the VIP seating front any time soon.

Failing to see that to be seen being housed in a five star hotel would actually outrage the great British public who have paid through the nose to pay for those Olympic Committee hotel rooms in the first place is breathtakingly naive but is, par for the Olympic course!

I now await the great LOCOG bullshit machine to go into overdrive on this one. There’s not enough serving public servants (soldiers, teachers, etc.) to fill the venues is there?

Read report

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London2012: How to commit the perfect professional foul!

TeamGB Women’s Handball in a practice match during the buildup phase in the Copper Box.

 

If those Premier League footballers want to know how to commit the perfect professional foul they need look no further than the Handball matches. Held in the Copper Box, the perfect professional foul seems to be the way forward for these athletes. Just lean into your defensive opponent and hey presto you get the ref’s whistle. Now I know little of this sport and have so far seen but one practice match as a Gamesmaker. There’s also more yellow cards in this sport than at a Millwall FC match!

This is an incredibly fast sport and one that the UK has so been missing out on in many years. Those of you that are lucky enough to have tickets will not be disappointed and those of you that missed out, make sure one day you see this sport in action. It starts live today and can be seen on the BBC ‘Red Button’. Hint: you may need to re-tune your system to get the 24 channels. They alone are impressive.

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Exclusive!!! Big Ben in Secret Coded Message for London2012

Bog Ben’s Clock Tower, London where the bell ringers are getting ready to put Big Ben through its paces on Friday’s three minute peel.

A leaked memo from the Arts Council to the Olympic Committee’s Art’s Director, shows that the 3 minutes ringing of Big Ben on Friday am, will be in something akin to Morse Code and will apparently spell out a message pertaining to peace across the world.

 

The memo hints that the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy CBE, has composed the message in prose for the occasion and that if anyone breaks the code whilst the Olympics are taking place, they will be invited with a friend to attend the closing ceremony as VIP guests. My guess is they are not expecting the code to be broken. That has to be a challenge to any aspiring Alan Turing (Enigma Code Breaker). Good luck everyone.

BBC report

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London2012: A Sponsor’s Interlude


Gold
Always believe in your soul
You’ve got the power to know
You’re indestructible
Always believe in, because you are
Gold
Glad that you’re bound to return
There’s something I could have learned
You’re indestructible, always believe in
Gold

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London2012: Last minute nerves for the Opening Ceremony…

… – Don’t fret, I heard the National Anthem last night as I walked by the Olympic stadium after my shift. Glad they are practicing it, we fully intend to bore the pants off the rest of the world with it over the next few weeks!

 

On another note (pun intended) word has it that Danny Boyle is at loggerheads with other directors about the use of the overhead cameras during the opening ceremony. Oh these luvvies are such sweeties really. I’m sure it will all get sorted on the night.

An aerial view of the Olympic Stadium on 12 July showing preparations for the opening ceremony. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Also it looks like the title sequences from Eastenders(BBC1) from the air. How do they get those pictures with no fly zones in place? Risky business I’ll be bound.

The USA tweeting banter seems to have cooled today after one athlete got lost in a coach and threw a tantrum on Twitter. This is London!

Disappointed so far that the Workforce/Gamesmaker are not getting ‘Innocents’ brand (Coca-Cola) on their menus. I was so looking forward to a free smoothy!

…and finally, everything has to be shipshape and Bristol fashion for the ‘elf&safety’ people. What would we do without them.

Yes and finally, finally, the saga over the missing chocs goes on….

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London2012: The Real Thing!

After the Olympic Torch Relay left the town it’s back to window smashing at the local Tesco Express, Souhtend on Sea. Copyright the author 2012

After the Olympic Flame torch relay left the hometown, life went back to normal. This must be ‘The Real Thing’.

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London2012: Preconceptions and Reality of Gamesmakers this early before the Games Commence

Staging for on Park Entertainment. Copyright the author 2012

Update: I’m reliably informed the forces personnel called in to replace missing G4S personnel, are now being fed correctly and having checked with a few of them, they appear to be pleased. I know I’m pleased with their friendly greetings in the morning before the shift starts. Thank you LOCOG.

Interesting flooring in the centre of the Olympic Park. Copyright the author 2012

Starting on the Olympic Park is an exciting time for a Gamesmaker, but having digested the PR and the training sessions the reality turns out to be not quite to plan. I’m not talking about the venues staff and contractors, they have all proved to be quality hardworking people.

However, when you have been constantly informed you will be fed on venue and the welfare area is still under construction, you begin to wonder if you will ever be fed! As I was the only GM on my venue, it was not something I could confer about with other Gamesmakers. In any case, I’m not concerned for myself, but for the preconceptions being far from the reality on the ground and particularly for those starting at my venue with special dietary requests in this situation. How would they have coped in my position? Badly I guess and their initial impression would have been somewhat unfavorable no doubt.

One of the countless walkways across the Olympic Park. Wear sensible shoes!! Copyright the author 2012

What really got to me though, and hence the rant, was that the British Forces  personnel on the Olympic Park are also having to fend for themselves at the three contractor’s burger vans! These young men and women are sent off to fight in Afghanistan and all they get on the Olympic Park is the prospect of a (surprisingly quite decent) sausage sandwich. Shameful LOCOG! Get off you lard arses and take some action now for these brave lads and lasses.

Panasonic’s 3D Theatre for showing Games day highlights. Probably a moneyspinner!
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London2012: ‘Sarfend’ We Love You!

Proud young torch bearer as he passes under the longest pier in the world in Southend. Copyright 2012 the author.

When I looked out of the window early this morning it did not inspire me much given the driving rain. It was Southend’s turn to welcome the Olympic flame and it looked a bit bleak. By mid-morning though, everything calmed down just enough to go and watch the flame come along Southend seafront. Living so close to the estuary has its rewards on days like these. It’s a short walk to the sea and not much further to the esplanade.

Part of the Southend Anthem Choir at the torch relay on the seafront. Copyrght 2012 the author.

Clearly there had been some massive organization overnight with barriers and flags galore along Marine Parade and down Pier Hill. Getting a vantage point was not that easy given that, in my estimation only, over 50,000 people had turned out for the same reason!

An enthusiastic spectator at the Olympic torch relay on Southend seafront. Copyright 2012 the author.

One of the highlights of the day was the 2000 strong childrens’ choir which sang a specially composed Southend Anthem: Let Your Light Shine. Made up of children from 34 local Southend and district schools, they gave a very  impressive show. Well two shows actually, since after the flame had left the esplanade the choir gave a second rendition. The song was composed by Tolga Kashif, who previously helped produce a 1997 version of Perfect Dayfor BBC’s Children in Need.

More of the Anthem Choir. Copyright 2012 the author.

There’s no denying the sponsorship with Coca-cola splashed all over the place and even the local Tesco Express had window to window displays of coke cans! Advertising aside, a thoroughly good day out.