We loved the ceremonies as well. We watched the entire show, all while nibbling on pot stickers, mu shu pork, chow mein and mixed veggies with "beijing soy sauce" (thanks, Trader Joe's!) I tried to find some Tsing Tao beer but was unable to, so we settled for sake and Sapporo.
The entire spectacle was amazing, for all the reasons already stated. Although, I must say, that we couldn't help but being a little unsettled by some of the sections that accentuated the military. Still, those were few and far between, but just enough to notice and comment on. Overall, I though they proved themselves to be gracious and welcoming hosts (all of the political backstory aside.)
The footprints, the lighting of the torch, the moving boxes, the LED technology, and mostly, the happy faces of the athletes from around the world as they anxiously await the opportunity to prove themselves - all of it combined to create a wonderful opening ceremony and I'm glad that we watched it in its entirety.