Here's a moving montage tribute done by a Globe and Mail columnist about the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Monday, 1 March 2010
Olympics 2010: Memories
Today the streets are bare. The flame has been snuffed out, the line up at Japadog has dwindled to a few, the houses and pavilions are being broken down, and there are only a smattering of Canada hoodies and jackets to be seen now.
Just this past weekend, I was in attendance at the Figure Skating Exhibition Gala, ringing my cowbell and cheering on Joannie Rochette and Virtue and Moir. The Ex got last minute tickets courtesy of his boss and so we went. It was a fun and emotional show, especially when Joannie came onto the ice and skated for her mother and the entire stadium stood up to give her a standing ovation.
Then yesterday's hockey game. I started off at Jill's sister's drinking Pims and eating sandwiches and then left by the second period to get downtown, where I met up with Darren and his friend, and we made our way into LiveCity Yaletown to watch the rest of the game on the big screen. Of course we had it in the bag, right up until the 24 seconds that were left in the third period. Me watching and talking about hockey? Who knew? The Olympics really do bring the people together!
The cheering and the madness that went on after was incomparable. National anthems breaking out on every corner, cars honking, people cheering, it was a nuthouse, but in a good way.
I had to dash over to BC Place to make it to the Closing Ceremonies, and was thrilled when I got there to find on my seat my audience participation kit, which included a poncho, a Sochi snowglobe, and moose antlers with a flashing red light. Did you see the show? I thought it was more fun than the opening ceremonies, because it was more of a party atmosphere and less about trying to impress the world. Loved the "Made in Canada" part, and not just because my friend Alexis was one of the Mountiettes in it. It was kitschy Canadiana and I loved that!
Today of course, it's hard to believe that our city was swept up in all of that for the past two weeks. Hopefully, if you're here, you got a chance to go be part of it, however big or small.
There's still a line up at the Bay however, for those smart shoppers looking for a post-Olympics deal.
Just this past weekend, I was in attendance at the Figure Skating Exhibition Gala, ringing my cowbell and cheering on Joannie Rochette and Virtue and Moir. The Ex got last minute tickets courtesy of his boss and so we went. It was a fun and emotional show, especially when Joannie came onto the ice and skated for her mother and the entire stadium stood up to give her a standing ovation.
Then yesterday's hockey game. I started off at Jill's sister's drinking Pims and eating sandwiches and then left by the second period to get downtown, where I met up with Darren and his friend, and we made our way into LiveCity Yaletown to watch the rest of the game on the big screen. Of course we had it in the bag, right up until the 24 seconds that were left in the third period. Me watching and talking about hockey? Who knew? The Olympics really do bring the people together!
The cheering and the madness that went on after was incomparable. National anthems breaking out on every corner, cars honking, people cheering, it was a nuthouse, but in a good way.
I had to dash over to BC Place to make it to the Closing Ceremonies, and was thrilled when I got there to find on my seat my audience participation kit, which included a poncho, a Sochi snowglobe, and moose antlers with a flashing red light. Did you see the show? I thought it was more fun than the opening ceremonies, because it was more of a party atmosphere and less about trying to impress the world. Loved the "Made in Canada" part, and not just because my friend Alexis was one of the Mountiettes in it. It was kitschy Canadiana and I loved that!
Today of course, it's hard to believe that our city was swept up in all of that for the past two weeks. Hopefully, if you're here, you got a chance to go be part of it, however big or small.
There's still a line up at the Bay however, for those smart shoppers looking for a post-Olympics deal.
Friday, 26 February 2010
Olympics 2010: Another Olympic Day in Vancouver
It's amazing how much there is to do in the city right now. A day has not gone by where I haven't found something to do. And people are partying hard, which means everyone around me are getting sick and catching colds from weakened immune systems. I too had the sniffles earlier in the week, but I think I've managed to recover.
Whether you're lining up in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery to get one of the Omega snowflake pins, lining up at the Royal Canadian Mint to trade in your quarters for the special Olympic coins, or lining up for 7+ hours for a 20 second ride on the free zipline above Robson Street, the common theme here is LINING UP!!
Oh but it's really not that bad. I mean, we've been getting great weather for the most part, Canada's women's hockey team won gold today, and Joannie Rochette skated a great performance for her mom and earned a bronze to boot! Did you watch her the other night and tonight? Did you break down and sob like I did?
Today I ran into a couple of old friends of mine. Ann, Al, Natalie, and Meredith, namely.
It was by my work, and I was out for a meeting when they walked past me near the Olympic cauldron. Since I was high from drinking a cup of coffee, I of course began screaming Hi to each of them, and they each looked when I called their name and waved back! Very fun! Sadly, Matt Lauer was NOT there. Oh well, it has been fun having them in our city and watching their little segments that they have been doing about Vancouver on the Today show.
In the afternoon, I took a photo with a few Canadian Olympians - Mellisa Hollingsworth from the Skeleton, Mercedes Nichol from the Snowboard Half-Pipe, and Janine Hanson who was in Rowing from the Beijing summer Olympics.
Tried to check out Ukranian House tonight, but because they suffered a kitchen fire, there was no food to be had.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Do I go to the Bay to try to hunt down one of those coveted Canada hoodies that people are desperate to get? Or maybe finally head into Yaletown to see what's going on down in the LiveCity venue down there? I had set out to see two free concerts - Sam Roberts Band and Our Lady Peace - and will be walking away without having gone to either. I just get so tired by the end of the day, after work, after lining up for hours, that the thought of more standing in a giant crowd of people in chilly weather just isn't that appealing.
But now that things are winding up, I may have to suck it up and just get out there and take it all in before our city goes back to normal in a few days....
Whether you're lining up in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery to get one of the Omega snowflake pins, lining up at the Royal Canadian Mint to trade in your quarters for the special Olympic coins, or lining up for 7+ hours for a 20 second ride on the free zipline above Robson Street, the common theme here is LINING UP!!
Oh but it's really not that bad. I mean, we've been getting great weather for the most part, Canada's women's hockey team won gold today, and Joannie Rochette skated a great performance for her mom and earned a bronze to boot! Did you watch her the other night and tonight? Did you break down and sob like I did?
Today I ran into a couple of old friends of mine. Ann, Al, Natalie, and Meredith, namely.
It was by my work, and I was out for a meeting when they walked past me near the Olympic cauldron. Since I was high from drinking a cup of coffee, I of course began screaming Hi to each of them, and they each looked when I called their name and waved back! Very fun! Sadly, Matt Lauer was NOT there. Oh well, it has been fun having them in our city and watching their little segments that they have been doing about Vancouver on the Today show.
In the afternoon, I took a photo with a few Canadian Olympians - Mellisa Hollingsworth from the Skeleton, Mercedes Nichol from the Snowboard Half-Pipe, and Janine Hanson who was in Rowing from the Beijing summer Olympics.
Tried to check out Ukranian House tonight, but because they suffered a kitchen fire, there was no food to be had.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Do I go to the Bay to try to hunt down one of those coveted Canada hoodies that people are desperate to get? Or maybe finally head into Yaletown to see what's going on down in the LiveCity venue down there? I had set out to see two free concerts - Sam Roberts Band and Our Lady Peace - and will be walking away without having gone to either. I just get so tired by the end of the day, after work, after lining up for hours, that the thought of more standing in a giant crowd of people in chilly weather just isn't that appealing.
But now that things are winding up, I may have to suck it up and just get out there and take it all in before our city goes back to normal in a few days....
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Olympics 2010: I Got My Tourtiere!
Screw you, Maison de Quebec! Who needs you, when I could go down to Place de la Francophonie down at Granville Island and order a Tourtiere AND a poutine any time I want it!! In fact, I've already done it TWICE this week, so THERE! Take THAT!
And boy was it scrumptious. The meat was perfectly spiced. The poutine had these thick wedged fries that were a meal all their own. I had one lady come by and ask me just what the heck was on my fries, and I had to explain that the little white bits were cheese curds and the brown sauce was not vinegar but in fact, gravy. She was perplexed and I explained the wonders of poutine to her, and she immediately went and ordered herself one to try. Isn't it amazing that people outside of Canada have never had a poutine?
Anyhow, Granville Island's French Quarter / Place de la Francophonie is a wonderful spot to get some Quebecois food! As long as you're not there during a hockey game, the tables and seats are plentiful, and the waitresses are tres friendly!
And boy was it scrumptious. The meat was perfectly spiced. The poutine had these thick wedged fries that were a meal all their own. I had one lady come by and ask me just what the heck was on my fries, and I had to explain that the little white bits were cheese curds and the brown sauce was not vinegar but in fact, gravy. She was perplexed and I explained the wonders of poutine to her, and she immediately went and ordered herself one to try. Isn't it amazing that people outside of Canada have never had a poutine?
Anyhow, Granville Island's French Quarter / Place de la Francophonie is a wonderful spot to get some Quebecois food! As long as you're not there during a hockey game, the tables and seats are plentiful, and the waitresses are tres friendly!
Olympics 2010: Russia House
On Saturday, I braved the line-up at Russia House and ended up waiting 2 hours to get inside. Not bad. It was a bright sunny day and the line was moving along, since the capacity at Russia House is 700. For those not clued in, Russia House is down at Science World, taking over the sphere for the run of the Olympics. It's a big draw since the next Winter Olympics will be held in Sochi, Russia.
For anyone who has not visited Russia House yet, here's a little tip: People with strollers or senior citizens get to walk right in without having to line up!! (or maybe a shorter line, at the very least.) Luckily, we had some fine Russian entertainment out front while we waited in line and watched all the strollers pass us by.
Inside, we saw a model of the Russian Olympic site, photos of Sochi, Russian performances, Russian films, and another torch photo opp! This time, with the Vancouver torch AND the Beijing torch, woo hoo!!
Russia House is open daily from 12 - 5.
For anyone who has not visited Russia House yet, here's a little tip: People with strollers or senior citizens get to walk right in without having to line up!! (or maybe a shorter line, at the very least.) Luckily, we had some fine Russian entertainment out front while we waited in line and watched all the strollers pass us by.
Inside, we saw a model of the Russian Olympic site, photos of Sochi, Russian performances, Russian films, and another torch photo opp! This time, with the Vancouver torch AND the Beijing torch, woo hoo!!
Russia House is open daily from 12 - 5.
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Wiretapped
Last night I attended a live taping of CBC Radio's Wiretap with Jonathan Goldstein. I love this show and it was such a thrill to be able to go to a live taping of it!
If you're not listening to Wiretap, what ARE you listening to?!
Next week I go to a taping of CBC's The Debaters which should be even more amazing!! Can't wait!!
If you're not listening to Wiretap, what ARE you listening to?!
Next week I go to a taping of CBC's The Debaters which should be even more amazing!! Can't wait!!
Friday, 19 February 2010
Olympics 2010: Yahoo!
It's all about the freebies. At Casa Italia (the Italian House) yesterday on my lunch break, I snagged a free cheese grater, a free tote bag, and a bar of Kinder chocolate!
Then last night The Ex and I visited Yahoo! House, which is the headquarters for figure skater Elvis Stojko, who is writing Olympics coverage for Yahoo. It's a pretty fun pavilion, because you get a free pin, free hot chocolate, and free heat packs (not that we need it in this glorious glorious weather we're getting!)
There were also TVs and big screens all over where you can watch the live events. We were there to witness Sidney Crosby's winning shot in the Canada vs Switzerland hockey game last night. It's the eye of the storm though, because the stadium is mere blocks away which meant we needed to hightail it out of there before the mass exodus took place out onto the streets.
But not before taking some silly photos for Yahoo! who have stations set up for folks to come in and do their poses. They then give you two free hard copies of your photos, as well as upload them up onto Flickr. Check out the Yahoo Fancouver photos here!
Then last night The Ex and I visited Yahoo! House, which is the headquarters for figure skater Elvis Stojko, who is writing Olympics coverage for Yahoo. It's a pretty fun pavilion, because you get a free pin, free hot chocolate, and free heat packs (not that we need it in this glorious glorious weather we're getting!)
There were also TVs and big screens all over where you can watch the live events. We were there to witness Sidney Crosby's winning shot in the Canada vs Switzerland hockey game last night. It's the eye of the storm though, because the stadium is mere blocks away which meant we needed to hightail it out of there before the mass exodus took place out onto the streets.
But not before taking some silly photos for Yahoo! who have stations set up for folks to come in and do their poses. They then give you two free hard copies of your photos, as well as upload them up onto Flickr. Check out the Yahoo Fancouver photos here!
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