Have you ever felt that much excitement and Canadian pride as there was in February? My god, everybody, I mean EVERYBODY was wearing Red and White, and the Olympic song, “I Believe” was playing on every radio. I was so lucky that my friend Michele, unlike my lazy self, waited for hours online and got tickets to watch figure skating practices two Saturdays in a row, in addition to an Awards ceremony! I loved the scenic, white, green and blue design of this year’s winter games and all the outfits. We even joined the madness and went down to Zellers and got 3 pairs of the famous red mittens. It was fun to know that my friend Sheree Gable, who works as a marketing coordinator at Pacific Centre came up with the igloo idea. And seeing the white Aritizia Sasquatch running around partying on Robson was pretty neat considering they were violating so many copyright laws selling Olympic related clothing when they didn’t have a right to! Is that the Canadian way?? We ask, you said no so we’re going to be cheeky and do it anyway with a big furry Sasquatch. I like their gusto.
For the longest time, I thought I didn’t have cable, so just about every night, I would get off work, rush over to my parent’s house and sit in front of the TV to watch the various competitions. Watching the whole opening ceremonies and closing ceremonies was magical! I really wanted to be there, but I think my $1200 could be spent better elsewhere. It’s fun to know that none other than my good friend Michael Kaerne of HollyNorth created that impressive whale air spurt special effect.
My parents had American friends, who rented the suite for the Olympics, participate in some of the Olympics live events, and we were each cheering on our national teams when they came head to head. I was so proud to see my friend Tomoko become more and more Canadian, as each day wore on, she picked up more Canadian mannerism and Canuck pride. Her Facebook gallery was full of pictures of her Olympic adventures at various free performances; at Robson Square; and posing in front of a window full of Mukmuks.
I personally didn’t fall head over heels for the mascots…they just seem like a mash up of a bunch of things, but not really cute. I did end up buying a T-shirt and knitted hat for my brother, and face tattoo as well for other relatives, and postcards for friends in China.
Watching figure skating from 9am-1pm was a bit of a challenge on Saturday mornings, but as soon as you watch it live, you soon forget the cold and get wrapped up in the pure elegance and atheletism. There are several fans from Japan, who came screaming with posters. All the skaters were so well trained to interact with the fans. I really admired the German couple who did a Hawaiian hula theme. The girl was wearing a basic bikini top showing her hard six-pack. I was getting cold just sitting on the sidelines observing.
The awards ceremony was spectacular…who knew some wavy plexi glass, banners and the right LED lighting could create such grandeur and presence. BC Place filled to the hilt cheering on as she receives her bronze metal. It brought tears to my eyes… Then INXIS went on and I began to laugh. J.D was such a tease with his zipper sweater top − as each song wore on, he would get more and more sweaty and zip down that shirt just a little bit until at the end of the song, he was showing his stomach (yeah, no abs, but chest definition)
I’m not really a rock and roll chick, but it was fine to go to a rock concert to see a hot guy with black eyeliner strip from his sweater top to celebrate turning 30.
Two things that really touched me were the story of Joannie Rochette and the Canadian Men’s Hockey! Those two triumphs will stay in my memory for a long time.