Olympic 2012 Doodles

The doodles for the 2012 Olympics have been great. I mean, the doodles are always great, but I've enjoyed the interactive ones from these past couple of days. They remind me of the Olympic Decathlon game that my brother and I used to play on the Apple 2E. Classic.

10 Videos To Get You Fired Up for the Olympics

I feel like I'm missing the Olympics. I don't have a TV and I've made a conscious decision not to have a live stream going on my computer. I don't even know what happened in the opening ceremonies other than the fact that the Queen made a cameo in a 007 thing and Mr. Bean did something with an orchestra (factoid: Mr. Bean is completely lost on folks who are visually impaired. Think about it, everything he does is physical. He hardly ever talks and for the most part no one does in his sketches. There's a ton a laugh tracks in there, but that's not what the visually impaired need.).
Anyway, I will linger by a TV when I walk by somewhere showing the Olympics, but I do not watch it at work nor at home. I'm hoping that as a result, I'm probably a lot more productive, but I do feel like I'm missing out on some great things.
But I guess you're always missing out on great things in life. I'm just consciously aware of the fact that I'm missing the Olympics.
Ramble over.
Here's a nice series of video related to the Games and/or sports.

Bloody sponsors

I get that without them, the Olympics might not even happen, but it irks me to no end that these companies are letting prime seats go to waste when there are avid fans who pay big bucks for worse seats and/or can't even get tickets. I saw it first hand in Torino. Before than, I really was naive enough to not realize that that's how the world worked. My earlier post from those games and even notes from that post actually showed that I thought that people just didn't buy tickets. Little did I know. Sigh. It was quite upsetting to me and it seems as though things won't be changing anytime soon.

Alberta (March 17-21, 2010)

Ever since returning back to Canada, my travel bug has not left me. I have been lucky to go on a couple trips, but it never seems enough. I'm embarassed to say that I haven't even traveled around Canada very much, so I was thrilled to have the chance to travel to Alberta to have a reunion of sorts and attend a wedding of some very dear friends.
I spent a couple days in Calgary before going out to Lake Louise for the wedding. I'm not sure what I was expecting from the city, but it was less exciting than I had hoped. I think had I had a vehicle or more time to venture out of the city, I would have gotten a better vibe from the city. I especially would have liked to visit Canada Olympic Park and the Royal Tyrell Museum. I also happened to go in between seasons, as I couldn't even visit Heritage Park.



I did visit the Calgary Tower because I love a good view. It was nice to get my bearings and understand that the city is a place where Calgarians work and then see way in the distance all of the great areas where they
would go out to play. As a fan of the winter Olympics, I was happiest spotting as many 1988 Olympic venues as I could. I was supremely jealous of the kiddies that were skating on the outdoor rink in the Olympic Plaza.




Obviously, I have to go back to attend the Stampede. I don't completely understand what happens, but I'm sure that I would love it.






I was happy to have the chance to go to the Calgary Zoo. I looooove animals.




One of the elephant's had a cap on his tusk. I'd never seen that before. Apparently they capped it so that he wouldn't break it.





After a couple days in Calgary and enjoying being on a much needed vacation, we drove out to Lake Louise. It was a lovely drive. It hadn't crossed my mind that I missed the sight of mountains, but during that drive, I got a little homesick for Switzerland. Homesick, yet excited that soon I would be back in the mountains and hopefully having a chance to go on the slopes. This trip was also my first time in a National Park. I don't even think that I've been in a Provincial Park before. How embarassing. After detouring through British Columbia (ooops), we arrived to Lake Louise. Un-real. I mean, seriously:
Excited didn't even describe it. And the massive outdoor rink? Heaven. It took me awhile to realize that the entire surface was a frozen over lake. For real. This was crazy-town.



This trip provided another first. High tea. And at the Fairmont of all places. The bar has been set quite high. The view wasn't bad either. This was the vacation that I was desperately needing and I was loving every moment.













It was a lovely service with yummy snacks. I could have eaten scones all afternoon. Kindly, our waiter (from the UK, I would quickly find out that almost everyone in the area was an ex-pat taking advantage of the mountainous terrain) let me test out a couple different teas. I can't wait to go for afternoon tea again.




We drove back a bit to Banff. The main drag was Zermatt-esque, or Whistler-esque. The streets were just a little bit wider, but it's that architecture which reminds me of mountain towns. In Banff, we
went up the gondola to look around (ahem, site of my dramatic accident) and then headed to the hot springs before dinner. I can't believe that it's been three years since seeing views like this on a regular basis.






Over the next couple of days, sandwiching the wedding, we discovered Lake Louise. Although I ended up with a bum ankle, the trip was a dream. I have to go back to get my real skating
session on the lake (I could do backspins, but that was about it). I would also bring more sensible shoes to go hiking (I haven't worn sneakers for over a year now). I wonder if they have ice climbing? I was happy to have the chance to get into the mountains and one some skis again. It was a much
needed release and sense of freedom. (Notice the two pictures from opposite ends - looking towards the slopes and looking from the slopes.)





I need to head out east at some point. I've been thinking about lobster recently. Some east coast lobster. Canada's great.

Soon it's back to normal

I've only really been watching the figure skating events during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, with a couple others thrown in for good measure.
In fact, I only clued into the fact that the Canadian Men won their gold medal because all of a sudden I heard yelling and cars honking from inside my condo. (I did instantly go online and watch the final minute of the game just to make sure I was in the look - thanks CTV online streaming.)
As I said in a previous post, I'm super impressed with CTV and their coverage of the games. Not having a TV, I was convinced that I'd miss out on everything, but it's been a wonderful experience.
In fact, I'm kind of bummed that it's over. I've enjoyed getting free Toronto Star newspapers and seeing Canadian spirit everywhere. The Olympics are a wonderful thing.
I even got choked up on a couple occasions. And I really hope that the winter Olympics come back to Canada again in my lifetime. The only problem is that I think we're running out of cities that can host it. There aren't too many mountains in our country. One can hope. And hopefully if they return, I will be able to go. Even if they don't come back, hopefully in the future, I'll be able to return to the Games. Just like a lot of other folks, I've been thinking about the different sports that I could take up and somehow hope that I have a gift and can manage to get to the Olympics. Sigh.
As per usual, I didn't buy any Canadian Olympic gear. I did buy a pair of those super selling mittens for a friend, and they were a lot easier to find than I had thought they'd be. There were a ton at the second location I went to, albeit, maybe I just got lucky because when I returned a couple days later, the stock was completely depleted.
I do regret not buying a Russian zip-up from Torino when I had the chance. It looks like the Russian Federation hasn't changed their design too much as I would have loved to have one of their pieces from these Games as well. Maybe in the future.
I'm obviously streaming the closing ceremonies right now, so it'll be another late night.
That's my only complaint about the Games this time around. Due to the time difference, it was possible to watch the events that I wanted live, but they made for very late nights, and I think my other commitments suffered because of it. I'm looking forward to getting back on a regular schedule because I haven't really been on one since December, and I'm about due.
Anyway, I'm not really concentrating on this post because I should get some dinner prepped so that I feel like at least I'm getting something accomplished while the ceremonies are going on. That's another bad thing. I've been spending more time in front of the computer with not necessarily anything to show for it.
Anyway, it's been fun. I still wish I could have been there, but what can you do. At least I had my internet and laptop.

Sad-face

How much do I miss skating right now?
Are you sure I shouldn't go back to it next year?
I can do it, really I can.
I'm sad. Very very sad. (This is probably why it's best that I'm watching the Games by myself. So I can wallow in self-pity.)

Tweet, tweet!

I feel like Twitter would have come in handy while watching live events like the Olympics. Especially when I'm watching them alone by starting at a little 3.5x6inch video feed on my Macbook.
Actually, I don't know. I do like my alone time. And Twitter sometimes makes me want to barf. Just like Facebook. (yes, I'm a hypocrite because I have an account)

Amelia?

Why does Liz Manley keep saying Amelia instead of Amelie?
Also, it's Saint-Saens, not Saint-Jean.
Otherwise, she's not too bad a commentator.

Olympics

They're happening. And I'm not there. I'm kind of sad.
Not having a TV, I thought that I would miss out on the whole thing, but this past weekend, I had the luxury of being at an event where they set up a hospitality room for us Olympic junkies. And then the whole weekend, we were pampered with leather couches and a TV hooked up just for us. Definitely not the regular treatment.
The opening ceremonies were wonderful. The only part that I had reservations about was the lighting of the torch. It had nothing to do with the malfunction with one of the arms, but I guess the rumor of the avatar of Terry Fox made me expect something pretty amazing.
Anyway, upon returning back to the city, I was worried that I'd be back in my non-TV bubble, but CTV is doing such a bang up job.
I've been able to watch complete events live and then go back and watch other events that I missed. Every so often the feed will freeze, but no major problems. I'm terribly impressed. So I can watch the events live with commentary, or later on with no talking. I'm glad that they show the entire event, right from the first skater to the last. Okay, it's just skating that I really care about. I'll watch highlights of the other events, but I guess I really only need to watch the skating events live. For us hard-core fans, they even have the detailed protocols for each of the skaters. So impressive.
Well done, CTV, well done.
I really hope that the Olympics will return to Canada again in my lifetime and I hope that I will have enough money lying around to go. I also hope that a miracle will happen and I'll be able to participate in the games as more than just a spectator.

Olympic tickets

Figure skating tickets to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics are finally available again!!!
Don't get too excited, you need to be a millionaire to buy them. Tickets are going for 10 times the original price. It's absolutely ridiculous. At least it's so ridiculous that I'm not even tempted to buy the tickets anymore. Sure, I'd love to go, but these prices are so crazy. I can't afford to go to the Olympics this time around, but even if I could, I'd be tempted to use that money to buy bags. Many, many, bags! Ha ha.
I just can't figure out how people knew that these Olympics would sell out so quickly. Why didn't people go crazy like this over tickets for Torino? It's not like I bought tickets to make some extra cash, but when I found out that I couldn't attend a couple of the events, I was just happy to get some money back. Most of the events weren't sold out.
I guess as Canadians, we love our winter sports and Olympic events.
It'll be amusing to see how expensive these tickets get.

My Olympic moment. Sigh.

I'm impressed with myself. I've already been awake for an hour, and it's early (by my standards).
Yesterday, I was truly convinced that I would miss out on all of the Olympic fun. I didn't think that it was in the cards this time around. I should have known that I wouldn't be able to give up that easily.
Last night, I took another look at the Torch Relay Map and noticed that, this morning, the torch would be down the street from me, literally. I figured, a couple hours less sleep for one morning wouldn't be too big of a deal, so I set my alarm clock and hoped for the best.
Just over an hour ago, I bundled up and headed out to the cold outdoors. I had to do a little jogging to catch up (and pass - for photo ops) with the torch, but it was worth it. I'm such a suck. A nice, brisk, early morning run. I was due for one anyway. Even the CN tower was lit up to mark the occasion.
I marveled at the motorcade with coppers, Olympic people and the minibus for those finished their leg of the relay and needed a ride. I admired the sleek outfits and the torch. I was amazed at how short of a distance each carrier had. I could have jogged it no problem.
I did apply to be a torch bearer. I've come to realize that I didn't take the best route. Essentially, the way I applied was in a draw, but I probably would have had a better chance if I had applied in writing. On the way home from my outing this morning, I thought about all of the great things that I could have written. It would have been good. Then, I realized that, although it would have been cool to have been chosen
and to have that life experience, I'm okay with the fact that it didn't happen. I really don't need to be a torch bearer. I was happy to watch it go by. Also, it would have fed into my pack rat habits and I would have had an outfit that I would never wear again and a big torch that would clutter up my home. I swear, I'm not making up excuses to make myself feel better for not being in the relay. I was actually thinking that I would have tried to give away the items to some sort of charity or something. I even restrained myself from taking freebie giveaways from the relay. Like I said, I'm a terrible pack rat.
Anyway, I had my Olympic moment. I'm glad that I made the effort to see the flame go by. I might have regretted it otherwise.
I actually followed to torch further than I thought I would, and I wasn't the only one. And then there were the people who just happened to be in the area at the right time. Silly dog walkers, joggers and people who have to go to work way too early.
Now I'm trying to decide if I should go back to bed.

The Olympics are coming.

It's here. The flame is going through the city today. I'm probably not going to see it and I've decided to attend other commitments instead. I'll be missing out on all of the festivities. Oh well.
I'm sure I could have made an effort, but I'll just keep my fingers crossed that the Olympics will return to Canada again in my lifetime. I won't be going out west to watch the Olympics even though logistically, it would have been a lot easier than the last time. I still can't believe that all of the figure skating events are sold out. They did just release some relatively inexpensive practice session tickets. Those would be great as well - you see some crazy stuff on practice sessions.
As much as I would have loved to go to the Olympics again, I have my priorities and for the next little while, they don't involve spending copious amounts of money on tickets to sporting events. Hopefully I'll be able to watch the events on a big screen TV and enjoy the Olympics, just in a different way from the last time.

Cheerios - Send a Cheer

I'm so tempted to go out an buy a box of Cheerios. It's not my breakfast of choice (I don't eat breakfast in general - yes, I know it's not healthy), but the Send a Cheer campaign makes it really tempting to change my eating habits. Although, I have to say, I've got a fresh box of Raisin Brand waiting to be opened. I think it's a couple months old. Ooops.

There's no way

I'm still in disbelief that all of the figure skating events at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games are sold out. That can't be right. Even the Compulsory Dance.

Women’s Long (Thursday, February 23rd, 2006)

- One last journey. I think it was dawning on me that this was the last time that I was going to the Olympics. Who knows if I’ll be able to go again? Of course there’s a huge chance that I will, but this was such a special thing for me. It was a long process which had started on January 26, 2005. No hiccups on the way there. Just reminiscing, thinking, reflecting, enjoying and savouring every last moment.

- Hooray for Joannie Rochette! She almost pulled a Buttle (but I like her skating better), but the ladies decided to skate well tonight (unlike the men who were in the running).

- The paparazzi was out in full force. There were so many photographers in the pit tonight.

- I really wanted Carolina Kostner to come out and steal the show. It would have been so exciting to be among the home crowd. She didn’t.

- Took my picture with Neve and Gliz, the Olympic mascots during the first flood.

- Sarah Hughes and family relegated to the 300 level, just one level above Brian Boitano and Nancy Kerrigan. Sure, it was a last minute trip over, but I would have thought they’d have some kind of connections to better seats.

- Brian and Nancy look on as the last group warms up. They got shafted to the corner this time (while I was happily sitting in almost the middle again). Still didn't have the courage to talk to them. Although, it would have been really fun to sit close enough to them to hear their opinions on the event.


- Sasha Cohen cracks again. The gold medal disappears. Who predicted it? I did.

- The Russian fans were out in full force tonight. "Ru-ssi-a! Ru-ssi-a!" I kinda wish that I’d purchased some of their gear (the zippy especially), but I didn’t have time to wait in line to get into the Mandarina Duck store that was converted into the Russian Federation Merchandise Store for the duration of the Games. Oh well. Too late now.










- I had really wanted Irina Slutskaya to win for some reason. After everything that she’s been through. I don’t want her to have to pull a Michelle Kwan (although I do feel bad that she had to pull out).

- Oh my gosh...Shizuka Arakawa! AMAZING. What’s with the trend of underdogs winning the gold in the ladies event?

- Yipee for Fumie Suguri! WAY too undermarked. I wanted her to medal.

- Chatted with "Ross the Intern" as we were waiting for the ceremony to begin.

- After tonight’s competition, I realized that I wish that the audience could get an immediate look at the protocols. I wanted to compare the levels and GOEs of Irina, Sasha and Fumie. I wasn’t sure if I was completely happy with the results. The problem with the new system is that your average spectator will have no idea what’s going on and has no idea about the Technical Panel’s role. One thing that was cool about these Games was that I got to witness many "boos" from the audience. It was pretty fun, but of course none of them were justified. I hope the judges knew that too. Plus, when it comes down to it, the judges are responsible for a lot less than they used to be. I think winners and losers are made from the Technical Panel.


- Witnessed my first medal’s ceremony. Hmmm...nothing too earth shattering.

- Congratulations Shizuka. Definitely deserved. No weirdness in judging here.

- Spotted Billy Bush doing a segment for Access Hollywood during which he interviewed Scott Hamilton.


- Was building up the courage to chat with Barb Underhill and Paul Martini...if only they would get off their cell phones! (I wonder if they were catching up with their little ones.)

- Spotted Sasha Cohen’s mom and dad.

- Felt a little sad watching Scott Hamilton leave...would I get to see him in person again?

- Miki Ando posing for photos and signing autographs outside the venue. The paparazzi are weird. They just say anything to get people to look and smile. It’s so slimey and schmoozy. Carol Heiss Jenkins was in the background watching her student get mobbed. I was more interested in her than I was in Miki. We were standing in the presence of greatness but most didn’t know it.

- Waiting for Shizuka’s parents to come out of the venue. As soon as she’d won, they’d all descended to the area where they were sitting (just a couple seats away from Sasha’s parents strangely enough – no, there wasn’t a parent area). It was really interesting. I’d never seen anything like that before.

- Yummy gelato!

- Hung out in the same café as Sunday night.

Women’s Short (Tuesday, February 21st, 2006)

- The journey was "eventful". I missed my train from Neuch (saw it pull out of the station as I ran towards it)...after freaking out (HARD-CORE) and other crazy thoughts, I ended up jumping in a taxi to rush to Bern to try to catch my next train. I just barely missed that one too (stupid one-lane highways, with no potential to pass – I do give credit to the driver for driving – safely – as fast as possible) and ended up getting the rest of my tickets reimbursed and purchased a new set: Bern-->Zurich-->Milano Centrale-->Torino Porta Susa. I was scheduled to arrive at 6:41pm (all skating events start at 7pm). Boot out of the station and cab it to the rink. I arrive as skater number 3 is finishing (darn it, missed Tugba Karademir and Kimmie Meissner), but thank goodness I can to see Joannie Rochette. Oh, and I would have only missed the warm-up if there weren’t so many other people who arrived late as well. Grrr...I had 7 hours to travel...what was their excuse?

- Stands DEFINITELY a lot fuller than last week (have heard that the second week of the Olympics is usually busier)...and remained in my correct seat (for once).

- I guess I’ll never get to see Michelle Kwan compete live ever. I’m thinking she’s going to retire now. At least, I hope so. For her benefit.

- Spotted Nancy Kerrigan sitting with Brian Boitano just a couple seats away from me. Couldn’t get the courage to say hello.

- Mira Leung just doesn't do anything so me. Her face is so blank, and she needs some make-up. It's true, on TV, it does make a difference.

- Elena Sokolova's disapointing skate broke my heart. She's a skater who looks better in person than on TV.

- Spotted Ross "The Intern" from the Tonight Show. Ha ha ha. (Interesting: While randomly looking on the website for stuff about this guy I found his blog from the Olympics in which he mentions that while sitting in the level 100 seats – the ones that I ranted about – he "looked up one level (to the expensive seats with backrests)". So my seats were more expensive, but higher up. They obviously didn’t make this rink for figure skating fans…although he was right, my seats were a lot more comfortable – with armrests and a backrest...they just sat on benches.) Frig, if I’d known, I would have been able to save money AND have a better seat…oh yeah…those seats weren’t available to the public. After some more research, I’ve now figured out that the level 100 seats were the same price as mine.

- I’d seen this little one on TV competing in the Europeans (just about the only competition we get to see on TV here, other than the Olympics and Worlds) and was impressed by her jumping ability and little trick here and there. I also noticed that Tatiana Tarasova was her coach, and so I thought I should keep my eye out for her in the future. So, I obviously noticed her at the Olympics. Tatiana wasn’t
at the boards though, but even still she was (like most little ones are) a jumping machine. Blank face throughout, but I was still impressed with the overall package all the same. I give her two more years.

- Sarah Hughes and fam were in the stands cheering for Emily. Didn’t spot her in person, but she was on the jumbotron a bunch.

- I want Irina to win. Sure, I’m not totally a fan of her style, it’s a little choppy to me, but after everything that she’s been through, I’d like her to win. I’m surprised that there aren’t more ladies doing Beillmann spins, given the new judging system. I think the big pick from the skaters is the change of edge in spins. I predict that everyone will be doing ALL the same spins really soon. There’ll be no variety anymore. What a shame.

- Silvia Fontana must have also come back just to skate at home in the Olympics. The Italians really beefed up their team with oldies.

- I’m so happy that Fumie skated well. I’ve always loved her skating. She’s such a pure skater. All parts of her skating are strong, and she has such great flow, even coming out of her jumps. I know that her Federation puts a lot of pressure on
her, so I’m happy after all of the difficulties she’s had in the past couple of years that she had a great skate. I’m rooting for her in the long.

- Carolina Kostner FLIES across the ice...and has crazy wipe-outs. Her face doesn’t really light up when she skates, but she’s got a really unique look to her, partly because she’s so limb-y and she has such a quick, trotting stroking technique. Too bad
she bombed...it would have been great for her to skate well at home.

- I wish I was in the 100 level for this one. I mean, from watching her on TV, I feel like I would have been much more impressed by Sasha if I could see her facial expressions and the little nuances in her carriage that I just couldn’t see from being in the 200 level. Even still, I could make out that she did have some amazing extensions.

- Well, she won the short, but I predict that she won’t win the Gold medal. Not that I don't want her to win, I just think that she’ll do something to ruin it for herself. She always does. I’m happy for her that she’s in the lead right now, but it’s so close that it won’t matter.

- Walked around town after the event was over...and ate yummy gelato. I was feeling pretty awake, so I just wandered for a bit.

- I’d visited this place during the weekend, and been disappointed. I thought that (after waiting in a pretty long line up) it was have lots of stuff about the 2010 Olympics, or stuff about BC or Canada in general, but turns out, the outside was more interesting than the inside. The front was a log cabin (this is obviously the back) which would be donated to the city of Torino (I’m not sure for what
purpose) by the 2010 Organizing Committee. Once inside, I was given a Canadian Flag lapel pin (you know the ones) and a Vancouver 2010 luggage tag. I chatted with a mountie about what she was doing here, and how she was enjoying her experience, and then was told that all there was to do inside was to visit the HBC Store and buy Team Canada paraphernalia. Forget that. I took off. I know that they’ll close the BC House and have special events there for Team Canada, but obviously you had to be invited to those things.

- I knew right from my first visit to Torino (even before the Games started) that I would never have to chance to see the Today Show. Too bad. I think it would have been pretty neat to see, but whatever. It’s just another sacrifice that I’m more than willing to make to even watch the Games in the first place.

- ...and then there’s the Canada House. Each country (or at least the bigger ones) has a House where athletes, team members, organizing committee, and nationals can visit and relax. I’ve read crazy things about the Russian House and the House of the Netherlands and I was pretty excited about visiting the Canada house as well, because I was told great things about it and how welcoming they were to Canadians (with a valid passport). Well, when I ended up visiting this place, I was very disappointed. The Italian security guards downstairs were plenty welcoming, but after going upstairs and chatting with the people upstairs, to have access to the leather couches, big screen TVs, refreshments and of course the parties you had to "get a wristband". To get a wristband you had to be a friend/family of someone on Team Canada. I think if I tried hard enough, I could get in touch with
the person that told me about all of this, but given my commuting schedule and the fact that I probably would never actually have any free time when the Canada House was open (I’d visited it on the weekend), there wasn’t really any point. Still, it would have been cool. Instead, the only access I had was a room with pictures of Canadian medalists thus far, and results of all the Canadians. Oh, and of course the chance to purchase any HBC paraphernalia...again. I heard from other people who’d gone to other Olympics, that usually the Canada House is much more exciting.

- Ended up in the train station after awhile. It was packed!

Original Dance (Sunday, February 19th, 2006)

- Horrible weather outside! I had a lot of time to kill before the event, so walked around a bunch (looking for some good food), and got cold and wet in the process. Yuck. All the other days had been really really great weather, so I guess eventually that would have had to change.

- Tried to sell my tickets again, but offered even less money than the day before. Darn it. Maybe I should have taken the money, but you know what, even if they’re just pieces of paper, they’re just too special to do that. I was considering giving them (for free) to people who were significantly involved in the sport, but unfortunately hadn’t bumped into anyone again recently. Oh well. I honestly think that if I don’t get any money back from the ticket that I wouldn’t be able to use, it wouldn’t matter. Call me crazy, but it was worth it.

- Spotted Marina Anissina again. So fab.

- The Latin Combination theme is so fun! Music that you can really get into, some great dancing and of course, some great costumes!

- It’s true, with the new system, all the couples are starting to look the same. If I see another Biellmann lift, I’ll scream (especially one with a bad position).

- Out of all the Latin music in the world that the skaters could have picked, how did a couple teams end up picking the same piece? Although, it was a pretty fun one.

- The athletes definitely get the shaft in the seating domain. Stuck in the top right hand corner? At least the Canadian’s still came to cheer their teammates on.


- Marie-France’s fall was so scary. There was no way she could have broken her fall. I really hope she’s okay.

- The Italian face-off was the funniest thing ever. Did they show it on TV?


- Splatfest central for the final group. What’s up with that?

- Ended up hanging out in a café all night. Met a bunch of really nice people, stayed awake, read my book and was a lot more comfortable than I could have been elsewhere. Call me crazy yet again (might have been the cold, being so tired or just plain happiness that I was at the Olympics), but after some lengthy introductions and banter, I ended up giving away one of my tickets that I couldn’t use and will see if I get any money in the mail. Life’s all about taking calculated risks right? I couldn’t lose anything in this case (except for a piece of paper that I would cherish forever), but this way I could add a new experience to my collection book and my memories of Torino would be more colourful because of it. I’ll let you know what happens.

Two hockey games (Saturday, February 18th, 2006)

I’ve never been to a hockey game, nor have I ever really been a fan of the sport, but when I was presented with the opportunity to watch two games, I decided to go with the flow and experience something new.





*******************
Game 1: Canada vs. Switzerland
- I was expecting a bigger venue again. I sense a trend.

- Met Joannie Rochette, Tugba Karademir and Jeff Buttle wandering around. My courage disappeared really quickly (and I couldn’t think fast enough) and the conversation didn’t last very long. Also, the game was starting soon, so we all need to go our separate ways. Oh, and Val Marcoux and Craig Buntin were there too.


- Hockey fans as so exciting! You really get pumped up by them!

- Hockey games have cheerleaders?




- Had great seats and were sitting near the VIPs. Apparently there were a bunch of stars wandering around, and I randomly took their pictures, but of course I have no idea who they are.

- Do hockey games normally have that many penalties?

- Darn, no fights.


- I thought these guys were supposed to be good. Why did they lose? I think the Swiss goalie was just really good and to my untrained eye, it looked like the Canadians were having difficulty passing to each other. It looked like they kept missing receiving the passes.

- “Ab Schweiz!” *clap*clap*clap (at least that’s what I think they said)

Final score of the game:










***********************
Game 2: Czech Republic vs. Finland
- Different game, different venue. We were right beside the Olympic Stadium and the flame.

- Those scalpers are some serious fast talkers. And apparently hockey (even if non-final events) is much more popular than skating. They can make profits (off of ticket price) for hockey, but skating was going for about 50% of ticket price.

- Was offered 500euro for 670euro worth of tickets, but couldn’t bring myself to take a loss. Those tickets were just too special to me, but I did spend the whole night wondering if I’d made the right decision.

- I feel like a pro-star at going through security. I’ve done it too many times.

- Now this is what I was expecting in terms of rink size. The style of the interior was very similar to the Palavela.


- The Games really did a great job with the graphics. Bold colours, and quite effective!

-Started to get a little bored. Hockey just isn’t my thing.

- Fight, fight, fight!!! (Left some blood on the ice)



- Still can’t believe the cheerleaders. And those are some pretty bad outfits.

- I was surprised that the Finnish hockey fans don’t use the same cheer as Finnish Synchro fans. “Suomi Finland…”

- Again, I gotta say that I love the fans! And I get a kick out of seeing the media booths.

- The more scoring there is, the more interesting it is for me.



- Congratulations to Finland. Final score 4 - 2.