The Sun Came Out and There Was Gold!

 I am a victim of the great relapsing cough plague of 2010. I spent Saturday morning with a chorus of coughers at the clinic. (If I didn't have a cough problem before I certainly do after that.) I am sick of hacking but admit that I appreciate the extra space it affords me on the Skytrain and in the huge crowds swarming around the Olympic venues.

I enjoyed the Opening Ceremonies, I found it moving.  CTV's coverage was a bit lacking though. Too much wobbly long lens camera work and less than stellar direction. Oh and, Brian Williams and LLoyd Robertson, geesh! I quickly recalled, during the last Olympics, that Brian Williams made me feel like I was being pounded in the forehead with a frozen microphone; ice slivers of useless information piercing my brain, while completely overlooking things you actually need to know. Man, he's annoying! And LLoyd, poor fellow, time to retire buddy. The NBC coverage had solid direction, some beautiful crane shots and I found out all kinds of things without listening to senseless babble. I know NBC has a lot more money and experience at these types of events so I'll cut the director and camera crew some slack. The sports coverage, with their consortium of other network's, has been pretty good. I just use the remote to mute Brian.

 My cough made me miss all the charming, black masked, people spitting and spraying vinegar in the eyes of  cops, whilst they cause a swath of destruction in their wake. The only thing that surprises me about the violence is the protesters that claim shock and try to distance themselves from the splinter group's actions. I know that most of the protesters are peaceful people with legitimate concerns but how could this possibly be a surprise? Put down your doobie and take some responsibility for who you consort with and have let become your mouth piece for many years now. There are more positive ways to draw attention to, and raise funds for, your causes than carrying a large puppet behind thugs that are "arrogant idealists with victim complexes".  (thanks to Kristin for that description, I thought it was pretty good)

On Sunny warm Sunday, Gord and I took the Skytrain downtown to wade through the crowds and get a feel for everything. (We walked right on the train despite the long line ups. The car people have no idea what they're doing so they wait a huge lines to get on the escalator when the stairs are right beside them. And, it is usually a good idea to go to the station before the one everyone else is using. Rocket science.)

Thanks to  Gord's parents, we have red and white from the last Olympics and didn't have to give official sponsor HBC any money to blend in with the crowd.









The crowds are enormous but everyone is happy and very chatty. None of the usual reserve that people show to strangers. It's a giddy enthusiasm that is festive and fun and multi-lingual.

On every stairway and street corner people are listening to bands or watching buskers.

Some watch their friends to fly through the sky.

Most are just happy being in the sunshine and admiring the artwork.

As we, and thousands of others, stood on the corner of Burrard and Georgia waiting for the light to change a couple of motorcycle cops, sirens wailing, drove into the middle of the intersection and stopped. They dismounted and using their hands and whistles made it clear that no one was to move. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a motorcade led by more motorcycle cops, a cruiser and three black SUVs sped, and I mean really, really fast, through the intersection. After the black SUVs a luxurious tan armoured SUV (with very small windows and a waving woman) was followed by another round of black SUVs and cops and then another round of SUVs and another tan armoured SUV and another round of black SUVs and cops, then four vans and more cops. Then, the motorcycle cops blocking the intersection quickly re-mounted and left following the motorcade. It was funny how the crowd just watched with their mouths hanging open, no one even speaking. As it ended, the man beside me said, "I think they are more important than us". Then, the light changed and everyone went back to having a good time.

In every bar and pavilion, as well as on the street, large screens broadcast the athletes and their surreal feats of speed and courage.

We watched and cheered as Kristina Groves won bronze in speed skating and saw the start of the men's moguls and made it home in time to see Alex Bilodeau win gold.

I just watched Alex receive his medal. The crowd at BC Place went nuts. I got a little teary. Tomorrow I'm going to check out a pavilion or two, hopefully cough free.