I have to say this was the most impressive opening ceremonies of any Olympics celebration I’ve seen in my life. Beijing pulled out all the stops and then some in the majestic Bird’s Nest National Stadium, with the largest LED screened floor and wrap around projection scrimps above the bleachers. Bird’s Nest is actually a Chinese epicurean delicacy from the dried saliva of the swallow, which is extremely expensive. But I digress.

Being Chinese and never having been to China, I had a sense of awe and pride as I watched the magnificent precision of the spectacular presentations, combining the rich history and culture of a nation with 1.8 billion people; a genius blend of the old pageantry and new technology centered on the theme “harmony.” Because the number 8 is a lucky number for Chinese people, it was no coincidence that at precisely eight minutes past 8 p.m. on the eighth day of the eighth month in the year 2008, an army of 2008 drummers heralded the opening of these games. The evening was full of symbolism, from Yao Ming with the 2-year-old boy who survived the earthquake, to the duet of a Chinese pop singer and Sarah Brightman. The years of Communist iron rule must have instilled a rigid marching precision as evidenced in each presentation. I loved the Confucius segment with the male dancers and the bamboo scrolls; the women court dancers in their colorful gowns flanked by columns emblazoned with majestic golden dragon; the lone musician plucking the ancient Chinese string instrument; the Tai-Chi dancers; and most brilliantly, the perfect synchronization of the printing blocks. How did they do that? The ceremony ended with 2008 dancers in lime green, light-up bodysuits, acrobatic dancers defying gravity, and the lighting of the torch by Li Ning, China’s most celebrated gymnast.

For the next nine days I will be glued to my television watching every gripping minute of the American Olympians’ quest for gold – in particular Michael Phelps, in his sexy swim suit, as he makes Olympic history.

My dearest gal pal, Mona, visited Los Angeles to take me out for an early birthday dinner, since she was going to be away on my birthday. We dined at a beautiful Spanish restaurant called the Courtyard in West Hollywood and enjoyed tapas and sangria. Since it was the weekend, I thought I’d ride down to San Diego with her and spend the weekend. Those of you who know me know that I do not like driving and my navigation skills are almost non-existent. I only know of one way from L.A. to San Diego and back. God forbid they do a detour and I’m lost. So, I wasn’t paying any attention and didn’t notice we were going in the wrong direction, and the next thing I know, we were in the parking lot at the Hollywood Bowl. To my extreme surprise, Mona bought us box tickets to see the supreme Miss Ross – yes, the real Diana Ross! I had been talking about wanting to go see her but couldn’t find anyone interested in going with me. I missed her maybe 20 years ago when she performed in the rain in Central Park. It was my first time at the Bowl and I was totally flabbergasted by its size and how smoothly ushers got everyone in their seats.

Diana is as beautiful as I imagined. Even in her 60s, she is sprite and full of energy, especially when she appears on stage in her signature hop-skip-run. She managed to sing songs spanning four decades of her career – old favorites like “Stop! In the Name of Love” and “Touch Me in the Morning,” to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Do You Know Where You’re Going To?” Her voice is still as sublime as when she was with Motown. I’ve seen concerts with slightly older performers using many back-up singers to boost their voice and range. Diana only had two back-up singers and she sang two songs without them. Miss Ross did not disappoint her queen audience, changing into four fab costumes, and closing the show with “I Will Survive.” It was like I had died and gone to heaven.

One of the most beautiful pageants for transgender women, the Queen USA Pageant, is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7 at the legendary Circus Disco in Hollywood. This is an annual event produced by the Imperial Court of Los Angeles Country, and the proceeds benefit the Nicole Murray-Ramirez LGBT Scholarship Fund. I have judged this competition for several years, and it brings out some of the most beautiful transgender women contestants – they are fierce! Current title holder, Nikky Julian, is a petite Filipino with an angelic face. Nikky was also featured in a recent documentary Gender Blender, which is on the film festival circuit now. The contestants are judged in four categories: cocktail wear, evening wear, interview and swimsuit. Boy, do these girls know how to tuck! The winner goes on to compete in the prestigious Queen of the Universe Pageant later this year. If there is any pageant queen out there who would like to sashay her way for the crown, contact the event producer as soon as possible at karinala@aol.com.

Yee haw! The San Diego Gay Rodeo is celebrating its 20th anniversary rodeo Sept. 13-14 at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. Those of us sissy boys who do not like the rough and tumble can just go to the Handlery Hotel and Resort in Mission Valley for the weekend festivities and parties. The kick-off event “Boots and Briefs” is on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Kicker’s at Urban Mo’s. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence take over the pool party at the Handlery on Friday from noon until 6 p.m. After the rodeo on Saturday, there is a dance party back at the hotel. The weekend ends with the Rodeo Awards Ceremony on Sunday at 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.sandiegorodeo.com.

Gay-themed movies usually get screened at art houses or film festivals, and usually for a very limited time. Six of the hottest gay-themed films will be making their limited run at the Laemmle Sunset 5 Theater in West Hollywood from Aug. 15-21, brought to you by TLA Releasing. The films include Three Day Weekend; Bangkok Love Story; Boystown; Dog Tags; I Dreamt Under the Water and a documentary about legendary porn star Jack Wrangler called (what else?) Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon. Bangkok Love Story is a delirious mix of gun blazing Asian action, hunky leads and unexpected love between an assassin-for-hire and his target. Boystown has sinisterly handsome real estate agent, Victor, murdering elderly women and flipping their apartments to upwardly mobile gay couples to create the ultimate gayborhood. Dog Tags is a gripping drama about a sexually confused soldier on leave and his relationship with a young, free-spirited gay man. And aficionados of classic gay porn will surely enjoy the absolutely charming Jack Wrangler, married to cabaret performer Margaret Whiting, as he candidly recounts his career and exploits. You also get to meet some of the filmmakers during the weekend. For more information, go online to www.tlareleasing.com/presents.