As my volunteer life at the Olympics is nearing an end I received my Olympic watch…very cool indeed.

It was sprinkling all day but the crowds were enthusiastic about making the most of the venues offered. At work we sat on edge and cheered the Mens Curling Team to Gold,(can’t forget another Gold in Mens Parallel Giant Slalom as well as the Mens Speed Skating Team Pursuit and of course Bronze in the 4 man Bobsleigh). The count is looking good for the host country.

Rehearsals were taking place for the closing ceremonies tomorrow….we were fillers for the medal ceremonies (great feeling to walk into the stadium, wave and step up to receive a medal, then flowers, then hear the national anthem). I can now cross that off my Bucket List…I have experienced the thrill of being on the podium (okay it wasn’t real but I got the feeling).

Walking around downtown in the crowds of revellers is very exciting – fireworks, live music, Canada gear and friendly banter…a very large party is happening here.
I tried once more to get red mittens at The Bay (no way) and met Rachael Flatt, the US figure skater (I loved her and thought she was robbed of a medal) – she was very accommodating and gracious, stopping for photos and enjoying the crowd gathering around her. Team USA vs Smurf wear. Thanks for the photo Kris.

After our shift, we stopped at Canada House for a bobsleigh trial….it will be tough to say goodbye tomorrow – not everyone is returning for the Paralympics.

In Keene, the Norman Hardie Winemakers Dinner was a great success…thank you to all who participated in the Arthritis Society Basket Auction (they raised $885 for the cause). If you haven’t yet attended a winemakers dinner, please get on the email list – you do not want to miss another!

The rain did not deter anyone in Vancouver from lining up for a last look at pavilions and provincial houses…outside the Royal Canadian Mint display the sea of umbrellas was over a block long. It is reported to be an excellent visit.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Canadian Tourism Commission daily briefing…a run down of how we are positioning Canada to the world and how that’s working for us…appreciated the opportunity, as a small operator, to be a part of the big picture.

Preshow at the stadium my colleagues and I pose by the Olympic rings…..we had just watched the Canadian Womens Curling Team take the Silver medal – what a heartbreaker!
Ben Mulroney and cohost(local CTV personality)provide easy banter and medal updates for the pre-game shows.
Worked the moshpit at Victory Celebrations so my friends took the photo of the band and the crowd….it was a rocking place tonight. By far the best band we’ve heard these Games. I was able to watch the Mens Hockey game with the cameraman (he kept switching from band to hockey). Congrats Men – now lets take the Gold!

Although we say it’s not about the number of medals we win…..have you checked our medal count lately? There have been several sightings of the Prime Minister at the sporting events….he’s got Olympic fever.

On Rice Lake, the snowplow has been busy with the fresh snow….great for the weekend ahead.

OMG where do I begin….visited the BC Hydro House and got some great ideas for saving energy; checked out the Aboriginal displays and made note of the beautiful canoes; found a book on how Canadians are different; went to work where we watched the Womens Hockey final (Rah Rah Gold for Canada); cheered for Canada’s Joannie Rochette (Bronze Medal)in Womens Figure Skating on TV while hearing Burton Cummings performing at the Victory Ceremony (he was like the Duracell Bunny – just kept going). Needless to say, I sang O Canada several times today!

Pin trading should be an Olympic sport…can’t wear a pin without someone asking you to trade….

After work I was fortunate enough to visit Molson Hockey House (party central for the Games-hottest ticket around-sold out) with a pass from my Ontario colleague, Molson Marketing Guru Ferg Devins – lo and behold, who should be there but the Gold Medal Women’s Hockey Team….extremely cool! Thanks Ferg.

We had a quick get together tonight to say goodbye to some of our volunteer team as they head home this weekend….what a great group of people – perhaps we’ll meet in Sochi, Russia for the next Winter Olympics.

On my walk home I marvelled at my luck at being here and having the opportunity to experience so much!

In Keene, preparations are well under way for a sold-out Winemakers Dinner. Dave Eckert of Culinary Travels on PBS filmed a segment at the Resort…stay tuned for air date.

It was a busy day with a visit to Granville Island, where families are finding fun in every corner; checked out Atlantic House, ate a plate of the touted poutine at the Francophone Adrenaline restaurant, then scurried off to Ontario House for the coolest 4D movie of the province and all it has to offer – just barely made it to work to catch the Canada-Russia hockey game and then got my assignment over at BC Place in the mosh pit for the Victory Celebration (medals) and concert with INXS.

I’m sure it sounds wonderfully exciting and it was! Clara Hughes picked up her Bronze for speed skating and the crowd was thunderous….she is so well loved at these games. Just as the medals were presented we heard of the ladies bobsleigh gold and silver, the upgrade to silver from bronze in ladies speed skating and the final score of the hockey game…..what a celebration. The pre-ceremony entertainment (it was Ontario Night) featured the artists in the current tv ads – there’s no place like this…Justin Hinds, Damien ? and God Made Me Funky…at $22 a ticket the Victory Celebration is one of the best deals in town.

It’s hard to believe there are only four days of Games left (then we prepare for the Paralympics)……I’ve met some amazing people, seen incredible entertainment and done so much here in Vancouver….I really do feel I’m living the dream. The emotion at the closing ceremonies will be high….imagine how the athlete’s feel!

Back in Keene, things are underway to welcome the PBS film crew for a future foodie tv show and of course everyone is preparing for the Norman Hardie Winemakers Dinner on Saturday night (thankfully the gold medal hockey game is Sunday). Are you booked?

Here’s wishing Womens Hockey Team Canada golden success tomorrow.

It was a busy day with a visit to Granville Island, where families are finding fun in every corner; checked out Atlantic House, ate a plate of the touted poutine at the Francophone Adrenaline restaurant, then scurried off to Ontario House for the coolest 4D movie of the province and all it has to offer – just barely made it to work to catch the Canada-Russia hockey game and then got my assignment over at BC Place in the mosh pit for the Victory Celebration (medals) and concert with INXS.

I’m sure it sounds wonderfully exciting and it was! Clara Hughes picked up her Bronze for speed skating and the crowd was thunderous….she is so well loved at these games. Just as the medals were presented we heard of the ladies bobsleigh gold and silver, the upgrade to silver from bronze in ladies speed skating and the final score of the hockey game…..what a celebration. The pre-ceremony entertainment (it was Ontario Night) featured the artists in the current tv ads – there’s no place like this…Justin Hinds, Damien ? and God Made Me Funky…at $22 a ticket the Victory Celebration is one of the best deals in town.

It’s hard to believe there are only four days of Games left (then we prepare for the Paralympics)……I’ve met some amazing people, seen incredible entertainment and done so much here in Vancouver….I really do feel I’m living the dream. The emotion at the closing ceremonies will be high….imagine how the athlete’s feel!

Back in Keene, things are underway to welcome the PBS film crew for a future foodie tv show and of course everyone is preparing for the Norman Hardie Winemakers Dinner on Saturday night (thankfully the gold medal hockey game is Sunday). Are you booked?

Here’s wishing Womens Hockey Team Canada golden success tomorrow.

It was a busy day with a visit to Granville Island, where families are finding fun in every corner; checked out Atlantic House, ate a plate of the touted poutine at the Francophone Adrenaline restaurant, then scurried off to Ontario House for the coolest 4D movie of the province and all it has to offer – just barely made it to work to catch the Canada-Russia hockey game and then got my assignment over at BC Place in the mosh pit for the Victory Celebration (medals) and concert with INXS.

I’m sure it sounds wonderfully exciting and it was! Clara Hughes picked up her Bronze for speed skating and the crowd was thunderous….she is so well loved at these games. Just as the medals were presented we heard of the ladies bobsleigh gold and silver, the upgrade to silver from bronze in ladies speed skating and the final score of the hockey game…..what a celebration. The pre-ceremony entertainment (it was Ontario Night) featured the artists in the current tv ads – there’s no place like this…Justin Hinds, Damien ? and God Made Me Funky…at $22 a ticket the Victory Celebration is one of the best deals in town.

It’s hard to believe there are only four days of Games left (then we prepare for the Paralympics)……I’ve met some amazing people, seen incredible entertainment and done so much here in Vancouver….I really do feel I’m living the dream. The emotion at the closing ceremonies will be high….imagine how the athlete’s feel!

Back in Keene, things are underway to welcome the PBS film crew for a future foodie tv show and of course everyone is preparing for the Norman Hardie Winemakers Dinner on Saturday night (thankfully the gold medal hockey game is Sunday). Are you booked?

Here’s wishing Womens Hockey Team Canada golden success tomorrow.

Womens Curling Event was stressful today as we managed to squeak a win out of Great Britain in the round robin. You can see the fans are really into the game….I found these Talking Rocks at the gate.

It’s raining today and Vancouver is filled with umbrella people…no noticeable slowdown in the action.

March Break Special at the Resort….stay for five nights; pay for four nights….call today!

The view from Kits Beach is always breathtaking…this morning I joined a group for Nordic Pole Walking – then carried on as I didn’t want to get out of the sunshine and off the beach. Just a note, there’s a Starbucks on almost every corner……

Swiss House on Granville Island does a great raclette.

Met lots of Swiss there…. no pilots.

On my way home, as I do every night, I marvel at all the people, of all ages, from around the world, who stop to enjoy the fireworks. The show is splendid and really ends the day with a big bang (couldn’t resist).

Bald eagle on False Creek -
enjoying the sun.

Lunching outdoors at a local
icon – Go Fish – on the water,
at Granville Island. This is a
favourite of Vancouverites.
I had cod & chips.

It’s difficult to know what to do each day…you want to watch the live coverage and see how the Canadians are doing but it’s lovely out and you want to be part of the crowd. Granville Market is always a treat, add the revellers and buskers and it makes for a full day. Just so you don’t think I’m shallow, I sat through several numbers of progressive jazz, watched the chain man unlock himself, enjoyed the flamenco dancers and watched the mallards with all the kids who don’t know the Olympics are happening.

Hope you caught Oprah with her red mittens on (The Bay provided mittens for everyone in the audience). It’s the little things that make it special!

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