A little tired after an intense day yesterday, we slept in a bit, went out for breakfast and then headed into the city, passing the time on the bus by discussing some of the strategies and plays in the women's big game yesterday.
We had tickets to a Victory Ceremony tonight, where medals are awarded and Great Big Sea was to be performing. The result was that we were going to miss the semi-final hockey game. Given that there were no Canadians receiving medals today, it is fair to say that neither of us was sure that we wanted to go to the ceremony but we had paid for the tickets, so we decided to go and to coordinate our day around the ceremony. Also, we are both Great Big Sea fans.
We knew we wanted to watch the gold medal match in women's curling. It was to start at 3:00, ending at approximately 6:00 pm, just half an hour before the Victory Ceremony. We decided, therefore, to go to the area near the ceremony and find a place to watch curling.
We chose not to stand in the long line up for Ontario House or Sochi house, and tried Saskatchewan house instead. The Saskatchewan display was about what you'd expect, with lots of information about wheat, flax and oil. What wasn't in the display but we learned from a Saskatchewan native in line and found more interesting was that, according to our source, Saskatchewan has the best pizza in the world. As one person put it, they brought pizza out and the hungry Saskatchewan farmers looked at it and told them to take it back and put some food on it. We are now tempted to go to Saskatchewan, just for the pizza.
Strangely, while there were big screens at Saskatchewan house, they weren't showing any Olympic coverage. We'd have expected curling to be big for Saskatchewan, but evidently not. So we moved on.
We ended up a Maison du Quebec---it was very cool. The food was excellent and a dramatic improvement over the hot dogs and chili we had been eating in the other public viewing tents. Also, they had a system for drinks---you bought a card and then could serve yourself metred drinks from a self serve wine machine which automatically poured for you from nice bottles of wine. No waiting, no tipping, etc. We settled in with wine, cheese and grapes.
Two Quebecois men joined our table. At first they were bemused by the rapt attention being paid by all to the curling. We explained the rules at least so far as we had gleaned them from watching on TV and from the buds on "Hack Radio". On another screen was the men's four man bobsleigh event and we watched some remarkable crashes.
We noted that the guys at our table were wearing Hockey Canada credentials. Paul asked what the affiliation was. They started by somewhat sheepishly saying they knew one of the players. When we didn't behave stupidly, they opened up more--they were Martin Brodeur's golf buddies and long time friends. They told us how they were good naturedly teasing him about how unusual it is for Brodeur to be the back up goalie. Kim told them that he looks good in a baseball cap and, since he doesn't have to worry about playing he should have his hair and makeup done before the game. One of the guys texted a version of the joke to Martin, asking how his makeup was. If Martin Brodeur looked good on the bench tonight, you might have Kim to thank.
One of the guys took our picture. He then asked for our e-mail. We exchanged e-mails and his was "Omerta". He said nothing about it, but his friend explained that "Omerta" is the french name for the CBC mini-series "the Last Chapter"--a Montreal Mob story with Roy Dupuis that Paul and I both enjoyed. This guy was the main writer. It was really cool.
As the guys headed off to the game we told them to say hello to Martin Brodeur for us!
We made the day of a couple of young guys standing behind our table by leaving before the hockey game started; they had been expecting to stand for hours. From their gratitude that we gave them a heads up that we were leaving, you'd think we had taken a bullet for them. As we had seen before, table space leading up to a Canadian hockey game is at a premuim. We will have to plan our placement for the gold medal game carefully.
We then went to the Victory Ceremony, where they gave us regular updates on the score at the hockey game, which was taking place right next door. The medals were given out and then Great Big Sea began to play. If you've never seen them live, then you are missing something. Kim, frustrated by the fact that all the people in our section had stayed sitting, moved to a railing area where she would not be in anybody's way and began jumping up and down. Anyone who was at PJ O'Brien's with her the night Bang on the Ear played will know the enthusiasm she brought to that exercise. From his seat, Paul saw a number of Olympic officials go up to speak with Kim. He assumed that they were asking her to go back to her seat. Really, they were asking her not to hurt herself, then ensuring that she was having a good time, confirming the number of people in her party and securing upgraded floor level tickets for us!!!!!
Yes, we were upgraded to floor level--a roomy dance floor where people were dancing, jumping and having a great time, and right in front of the stage where the band was playing. Paul has never been closer to the band at a concert this size. This floor is also the set that was used during the opening ceremonies and we were right there--at the stage, under the Olympic rings. The fake snow was still on the ground, and all over were pieces of gold, silver and bronze confetti which had been sprayed into the air when the medals were awarded. We had a blast. We danced, we sang and people kept offering to take our picture!!!!!!!
The concert ended at about 9:00pm, not long after the hockey game got out. We joined the throngs on the street. The public mood was jubilant. High-fives everywhere, chants of CA-NA-DA !!!! CA-NA-DA!!!, performances of the national anthem and repeated over, and over, "We want the Gold". Paul said it was like being on Yonge Street when the Jays won the World Series. The mood was so optimistic, buoyed not only by the hockey victory but also by the four other medals won by Canadians today, one in curling and three in short track speed skating.
We walked back to the condo, caught up on the events we missed during the day and are planning to watch the highlights from the game.
We don't want this to end. Ever. There is a unit for sale in our condo and it's affordable...hmmmmm.....
Soaking it all in,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Elation and an Old Friend.
We were there. We were at The Game where the women won gold. We were at the third consecutive women's hockey gold. We were at the gold that broke Canada's record for gold medals in any winter games.
Before the game even started though, there are two stories worth telling. First, on the way to the game, we were a little stressed because we had left, while early, not as early for an event as we usually do. Then we just missed the bus we planned to take. Another bus came up to the stop; it was labeled only "special". We asked if it was going near Canada Hockey Place and the driver hemmed and hawed and then said he could drop us near the place. Then when we got to Burrard Station, the driver announced that this was the last stop and all were to leave the bus; Burrard Station is NOT near Canada Hockey Place. We went up to ask and before we could say anything, the driver told us we didn't need to leave the bus; he would drop us off. He then drove the bus several blocks out of his way and dropped us off in easy walking distance of Canada Hockey Place. An outstanding example of Vancouver hospitality and helpfulness.
Then, when we got to the venue, we of course waited before we were let in. Kim wandered down to the water to take pictures of the Athlete's Village. (Paul was running into someone he knew vaguely from the YMCA in Toronto.) But Kim called Paul down to the water because there was something truly remarkable there. It was a stone shoreline. As we've mentioned before, the Inukshuk is one of the symbols of these games. The shoreline for its entire length was populated with stone Inukshuks. There were hundreds and likely thousands extending along the shoreline for as far as the eye could see. It was the kind of powerful and affecting that can never be told, but can only be experienced. We found ourselves telling others in line to be sure to look at them, lest a unique chance be lost to them. The Inukshuk is a marker that says something like "people are here." In these games it seems to say more; it seems to say "ALL people are here."
Returning to hockey, we can't help but think that these women dreamt about this their whole lives: to play in a packed NHL arena for the ultimate prize, and in front of a home crowd to boot. Today the dream came true. They played. They played exceptionally, they won and they brought all of us with them. This game was worth the price of admission. It was worth everything.
We hugged and jumped at the two goals. We gasped and cheered at every American shot and Canadian save. In the way that is cliche, but when real so powerful, we lived and died with our team, Canada's team. We gave no thought to the millions watching on television or to anything but the moment and the women before us on the ice. They earned every attention and respect. We say it again - we were there.
Canadians won and were gracious in victory. When the Americans received their medals we all chanted "U.S.A". They gave us a great game, were terrific guests and it wouldn't have been as sweet without them. It was a grace note of courtesy that was possibly the most open generous gesture we have seen in these games. And if faces are any measure, it was appreciated. We couldn't help but think of the five young women with whom we'd had a picture taken just days before. Our team won, but we respect their effort, play and dedication to the game.
To us, this win means more than if the men win gold. It says more about our country. All over the world men believe they can be anything; it is a gift to live in a country where women are constrained by nothing but the scope of their own imaginations. In Canada you can be a star hockey player and, when you win, you can bring your son on the ice just as Hailey Wickenheiser did today. You can be an athlete, you can have a career, you can be a Mom. Your choice! Thank you, Canada.
After the game the good fortune continued. In Quebec House we bumped into our old friend, Claire. It was a chance meeting that continued a great day. She is living in Vancouver and took us to parts of town we hadn't visited before. We had wine, snacks and great conversation.
While at the restaurant we met an American from Detroit, now living in Hawaii. She said that she was at the U.S. v. Swiss game and that certain Canadians were rude and offensive about Americans. To make up for it, we bought their table a round and told them that we hoped this improved their Canadian experience. We think it did; they reciprocated with a round of tequila for us!
Joannie Rochette had a tremendous and emotional bronze today. We watched it live with Claire at the restaurant. It brought a tear to the eye. The Americans were also touched and the whole place stopped to watch the skate. Joannie's story is much told, and rightly so; people don't need it here; but every story that is on television is more intense even on television, when you are in the Olympic city, feeling the Olympic story, palpable and close.
This had been the day we had been working towards. It exceeded all expectations.
With pride and joy.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Before the game even started though, there are two stories worth telling. First, on the way to the game, we were a little stressed because we had left, while early, not as early for an event as we usually do. Then we just missed the bus we planned to take. Another bus came up to the stop; it was labeled only "special". We asked if it was going near Canada Hockey Place and the driver hemmed and hawed and then said he could drop us near the place. Then when we got to Burrard Station, the driver announced that this was the last stop and all were to leave the bus; Burrard Station is NOT near Canada Hockey Place. We went up to ask and before we could say anything, the driver told us we didn't need to leave the bus; he would drop us off. He then drove the bus several blocks out of his way and dropped us off in easy walking distance of Canada Hockey Place. An outstanding example of Vancouver hospitality and helpfulness.
Then, when we got to the venue, we of course waited before we were let in. Kim wandered down to the water to take pictures of the Athlete's Village. (Paul was running into someone he knew vaguely from the YMCA in Toronto.) But Kim called Paul down to the water because there was something truly remarkable there. It was a stone shoreline. As we've mentioned before, the Inukshuk is one of the symbols of these games. The shoreline for its entire length was populated with stone Inukshuks. There were hundreds and likely thousands extending along the shoreline for as far as the eye could see. It was the kind of powerful and affecting that can never be told, but can only be experienced. We found ourselves telling others in line to be sure to look at them, lest a unique chance be lost to them. The Inukshuk is a marker that says something like "people are here." In these games it seems to say more; it seems to say "ALL people are here."
Returning to hockey, we can't help but think that these women dreamt about this their whole lives: to play in a packed NHL arena for the ultimate prize, and in front of a home crowd to boot. Today the dream came true. They played. They played exceptionally, they won and they brought all of us with them. This game was worth the price of admission. It was worth everything.
We hugged and jumped at the two goals. We gasped and cheered at every American shot and Canadian save. In the way that is cliche, but when real so powerful, we lived and died with our team, Canada's team. We gave no thought to the millions watching on television or to anything but the moment and the women before us on the ice. They earned every attention and respect. We say it again - we were there.
Canadians won and were gracious in victory. When the Americans received their medals we all chanted "U.S.A". They gave us a great game, were terrific guests and it wouldn't have been as sweet without them. It was a grace note of courtesy that was possibly the most open generous gesture we have seen in these games. And if faces are any measure, it was appreciated. We couldn't help but think of the five young women with whom we'd had a picture taken just days before. Our team won, but we respect their effort, play and dedication to the game.
To us, this win means more than if the men win gold. It says more about our country. All over the world men believe they can be anything; it is a gift to live in a country where women are constrained by nothing but the scope of their own imaginations. In Canada you can be a star hockey player and, when you win, you can bring your son on the ice just as Hailey Wickenheiser did today. You can be an athlete, you can have a career, you can be a Mom. Your choice! Thank you, Canada.
After the game the good fortune continued. In Quebec House we bumped into our old friend, Claire. It was a chance meeting that continued a great day. She is living in Vancouver and took us to parts of town we hadn't visited before. We had wine, snacks and great conversation.
While at the restaurant we met an American from Detroit, now living in Hawaii. She said that she was at the U.S. v. Swiss game and that certain Canadians were rude and offensive about Americans. To make up for it, we bought their table a round and told them that we hoped this improved their Canadian experience. We think it did; they reciprocated with a round of tequila for us!
Joannie Rochette had a tremendous and emotional bronze today. We watched it live with Claire at the restaurant. It brought a tear to the eye. The Americans were also touched and the whole place stopped to watch the skate. Joannie's story is much told, and rightly so; people don't need it here; but every story that is on television is more intense even on television, when you are in the Olympic city, feeling the Olympic story, palpable and close.
This had been the day we had been working towards. It exceeded all expectations.
With pride and joy.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sausage and Skiis
On Wednesday, we had tickets for the finals of the Ladies' Aerials at Cypress Mountain. It was an evening event, but the travel time meant we had to leave in the mid-afternoon. So we decided to got to German Saxony House, which has been getting good word of mouth on the street.
We got there about 15 minutes before they opened and there was already a line up, but not too long a line up. On the walk over we went through a part of Vancouver we hadn't walked so far. In a park by the beach on English Bay there is a large Inukshuk, which is one of the symbols for these games. Delightfully, someone had hung around its neck a large set of the now iconic Olympic mittens - the red ones from the Bay with the maple leaf on the palm that even Oprah Winfrey is wearing. This is even more appropriate to us, because Kim made mitten strings for her mittens and has been wearing them that way, getting a lot of positive comments as we walk around.
Outside Saxony house is another park, this one with a statue of Robbie Burns. He also had mittens on a string around his neck. Kim is clearly a fashion leader in the statue community.
Others in line at Saxony House told us that the Lions at Lions' Gate Bridge also have mittens.
When Saxony House opened we went in. There were large screen televisions playing Magnum P.I. reruns. No, that was a joke - they were playing the Olympics of course, especially anything in which the Germans were active. It was the food and beer though of which people had talked so we started with a classic grilled German sausage each, Kim's with grilled onions and Paul's with the best saurkraut he has ever tasted. Paul also had a delicious dark German ale.
Paul had a small miscommunication with the German server, and instead of apple pie, he received a plate of an entirely different German delicacy: dark bread covered with, wait for it....bacon fat, and bacon bits, raw onion and gherkin pieces to top it off. The Germans can have it, but it was an experience to try. We have a picture...unappetizing to look at, think about and especially to eat. Eventually Paul got his pie which he liked very much and Kim and Paul shared some pork and saurkraut, which was tasty.
We stood at a table, and ate, and watched the U.S. vs. Switzerland game, and chatted with a few people who came and went to the table. One set of four was a German couple who made friends with the Canadian couple on a Rod Stewart tour in Europe. They were cheerful and we were sad to see them head off quickly to take in other sights, the German regretfully downing the last of his ale.
While we were very excited about the tickets to the Aerials, we were disappointed that we would not be able to watch the hockey semi and that we would miss the speed skating; it all worked out much better than we had hoped.
Eventually we left and caught the bus to the other bus to the Olympic bus to Cypress Mountain. While waiting for the Olympic bus at SFU, we were able to catch the tail end of the long track speed skating and Clara Hughes' bronze medal.
We got to the venue two hours before the event, which was good because we had standing room tickets and were able to get a fairly good position. Since the last time we had been there, Cypress had got some snow, and now looked the absolutely perfect winter scene: big fir trees, mountains and running water breaking through snow and ice.
As we already wrote, we had been feeling a tad of regret that we wouldn't be able to watch the big Canada vs Russia game. When we got to the venue, though, they had a giant T.V. set up on the mountain side, which was intended to show the replays of the aerials, but which they used, while we waited, to show the hockey game. So we stood outside on the side of a mountain and watched hockey with thousands of others. While we watched, three enormous inflated balls (when we say enormous we mean person-sized) were being bounced through the crowd. How cool is that. The world now knows the result of that game, as well as the other Canadian successes of which we received news while we went through our day.
There were no Canadians in the Aerials, but that was, in some ways a good thing. We had a few Australians around us and could cheer with them, but enjoy the wonder of Aerials without the partisan tension of Canadian competition. Aerials are wonderful. They women came off the jumps and flew - they just flew. There were some dramatic falls, though no one was hurt. But mostly, they flew, doing things in the air that defy description and that just aren't fully captured by the magic of TV. We were astounded, and also pleased when an Aussie won gold, to the delight of our neighbours.
By the time we got home it was late, but we stayed up and watched the PVR of the medals won and went to bed satisfied with another wonderful day.
walking in a winter wonderland,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander
We got there about 15 minutes before they opened and there was already a line up, but not too long a line up. On the walk over we went through a part of Vancouver we hadn't walked so far. In a park by the beach on English Bay there is a large Inukshuk, which is one of the symbols for these games. Delightfully, someone had hung around its neck a large set of the now iconic Olympic mittens - the red ones from the Bay with the maple leaf on the palm that even Oprah Winfrey is wearing. This is even more appropriate to us, because Kim made mitten strings for her mittens and has been wearing them that way, getting a lot of positive comments as we walk around.
Outside Saxony house is another park, this one with a statue of Robbie Burns. He also had mittens on a string around his neck. Kim is clearly a fashion leader in the statue community.
Others in line at Saxony House told us that the Lions at Lions' Gate Bridge also have mittens.
When Saxony House opened we went in. There were large screen televisions playing Magnum P.I. reruns. No, that was a joke - they were playing the Olympics of course, especially anything in which the Germans were active. It was the food and beer though of which people had talked so we started with a classic grilled German sausage each, Kim's with grilled onions and Paul's with the best saurkraut he has ever tasted. Paul also had a delicious dark German ale.
Paul had a small miscommunication with the German server, and instead of apple pie, he received a plate of an entirely different German delicacy: dark bread covered with, wait for it....bacon fat, and bacon bits, raw onion and gherkin pieces to top it off. The Germans can have it, but it was an experience to try. We have a picture...unappetizing to look at, think about and especially to eat. Eventually Paul got his pie which he liked very much and Kim and Paul shared some pork and saurkraut, which was tasty.
We stood at a table, and ate, and watched the U.S. vs. Switzerland game, and chatted with a few people who came and went to the table. One set of four was a German couple who made friends with the Canadian couple on a Rod Stewart tour in Europe. They were cheerful and we were sad to see them head off quickly to take in other sights, the German regretfully downing the last of his ale.
While we were very excited about the tickets to the Aerials, we were disappointed that we would not be able to watch the hockey semi and that we would miss the speed skating; it all worked out much better than we had hoped.
Eventually we left and caught the bus to the other bus to the Olympic bus to Cypress Mountain. While waiting for the Olympic bus at SFU, we were able to catch the tail end of the long track speed skating and Clara Hughes' bronze medal.
We got to the venue two hours before the event, which was good because we had standing room tickets and were able to get a fairly good position. Since the last time we had been there, Cypress had got some snow, and now looked the absolutely perfect winter scene: big fir trees, mountains and running water breaking through snow and ice.
As we already wrote, we had been feeling a tad of regret that we wouldn't be able to watch the big Canada vs Russia game. When we got to the venue, though, they had a giant T.V. set up on the mountain side, which was intended to show the replays of the aerials, but which they used, while we waited, to show the hockey game. So we stood outside on the side of a mountain and watched hockey with thousands of others. While we watched, three enormous inflated balls (when we say enormous we mean person-sized) were being bounced through the crowd. How cool is that. The world now knows the result of that game, as well as the other Canadian successes of which we received news while we went through our day.
There were no Canadians in the Aerials, but that was, in some ways a good thing. We had a few Australians around us and could cheer with them, but enjoy the wonder of Aerials without the partisan tension of Canadian competition. Aerials are wonderful. They women came off the jumps and flew - they just flew. There were some dramatic falls, though no one was hurt. But mostly, they flew, doing things in the air that defy description and that just aren't fully captured by the magic of TV. We were astounded, and also pleased when an Aussie won gold, to the delight of our neighbours.
By the time we got home it was late, but we stayed up and watched the PVR of the medals won and went to bed satisfied with another wonderful day.
walking in a winter wonderland,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
More Thoughts on Curling
As we said in our last blog entry, we went to watch curling yesterday. Being at the venue is VERY different from watching on TV.
First of all, you get the chance to watch the actual "curl" of the rock. It was interesting to see Kevin Martin start from the left side of the ice in order to curl the rock to the button. On TV, they show the curler, then cut to the rock at the end of the ice. Here, we could just follow the rock.
Secondly, the crowd was loud and knowledgeable. At one point there was a choice between calls for the Kevin Martin rink. The crowd started chanting "go for the eight, go for the eight!" It was a hard and aggressive shot, but they went for it. They didn't make the shot, but won the match anyhow.
Third, watching four matches at once is amazing.
We're not curlers but it was really fun and educational.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
First of all, you get the chance to watch the actual "curl" of the rock. It was interesting to see Kevin Martin start from the left side of the ice in order to curl the rock to the button. On TV, they show the curler, then cut to the rock at the end of the ice. Here, we could just follow the rock.
Secondly, the crowd was loud and knowledgeable. At one point there was a choice between calls for the Kevin Martin rink. The crowd started chanting "go for the eight, go for the eight!" It was a hard and aggressive shot, but they went for it. They didn't make the shot, but won the match anyhow.
Third, watching four matches at once is amazing.
We're not curlers but it was really fun and educational.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Witnessing History...again
After last night's blog entry Virtue and Moir won gold. While neither of us pretends to understand ice dancing, we both appreciated the beauty of the programme and the promise of the young Canadian couple winning gold. Go-Canada-Go!!!!!
Today we had tickets to curling. The venue was about 5.5 kilometres from our condo so we decided to walk and see some of Vancouver. There were genuine mansions on the way that were fun to look at. What stands out about the walk though was the moment walking along Broadway when a small child, maybe 5 - 7 years old, called out to Paul as we walked by, "will you trade with me?" He had noticed the pins on Paul's IIHF federation lanyard. A trade was made; it was a small Oylmpic moment that was touching out of all proportion if you weren't there.
We were a little concerned that we didn't have the knowledge base to follow the today's curling action, but we heard an announcement during figure skating that you could buy closed circuit radios for curling, sledge hockey and figure skating, so we made a beeline to the concession stand at curling and sure enough radios were for sale. Thank goodness for the radios or else we would have been helplessly lost trying to follow four sheets of curling action. "Hack Radio", as it was called, was not all we'd hoped--not an in depth analysis of strategy or tactics--but three "buds" who seemed to have had a few before the match. Think your average morning radio show with a couple of drinks at a curling match. Fun, nonetheless.
We called this blog entry "witnessing history" because we were there for the first time that any curling team has ever gone undefeated in round robin play---that team is CANADA and it was awesome.
The curling venue was managed as expected--catering to an older and quite Scottish crowd. There were Mounties in full dress uniform posing with spectators. The concessions included "Cornish Pasties". The man sitting to the left of Kim was older, born in Scotland, moved to Canada later in life and played curling...his observations were in many respects more insightful than those of "Hack Radio".
Curling ended just after the Canada v. Germany game started. No chance of getting into Saxony House today, so we didn't even try. We went to what we thought was a local pub, the "Smoking Dog" pub. It turned out that the food was WAY better than any pub food we are used to. It had perhaps the best french onion soup Kim has ever had outside of Quebec. Although the food was excellent, the atmosphere was casual and we were able to watch what remained of the hockey game and cheer freely.
While we were out watching the curling Ashley McIvor won gold for Canada. Awesome. While we missed the competition, we saw the medal ceremony live. While we were at the Smoking Dog Ashley McIvor received her gold...we stood, we sang and we enjoyed. We wish we could say others stood and sang with us, but mostly they watched. None frowned though, and other tables smiled while we sang of told us we had done well when it was over. And, by the way, in an aside to Sports Illustrated, Ms McIvor is WAY hotter than Ms Vonn.
We got home and watched the women's short programme in figure skating. What a story: Joannie Rochette lost her mother tragically and unexpectedly in the week before the Olympics. Kim, as someone who lost a parent when she least expected it, was particularly affected by the story. Joannie skated awesomely: third after the short program. What an amazing accomplishment.
Tomorrow we will try to get into Saxony House before heading to the women's aerials at Cypress. There are no Canadian women in the finals tomorrow, so we'll just enjoy the show; flying people are always entertaining.
We still can't believe we're here.
Wow.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Today we had tickets to curling. The venue was about 5.5 kilometres from our condo so we decided to walk and see some of Vancouver. There were genuine mansions on the way that were fun to look at. What stands out about the walk though was the moment walking along Broadway when a small child, maybe 5 - 7 years old, called out to Paul as we walked by, "will you trade with me?" He had noticed the pins on Paul's IIHF federation lanyard. A trade was made; it was a small Oylmpic moment that was touching out of all proportion if you weren't there.
We were a little concerned that we didn't have the knowledge base to follow the today's curling action, but we heard an announcement during figure skating that you could buy closed circuit radios for curling, sledge hockey and figure skating, so we made a beeline to the concession stand at curling and sure enough radios were for sale. Thank goodness for the radios or else we would have been helplessly lost trying to follow four sheets of curling action. "Hack Radio", as it was called, was not all we'd hoped--not an in depth analysis of strategy or tactics--but three "buds" who seemed to have had a few before the match. Think your average morning radio show with a couple of drinks at a curling match. Fun, nonetheless.
We called this blog entry "witnessing history" because we were there for the first time that any curling team has ever gone undefeated in round robin play---that team is CANADA and it was awesome.
The curling venue was managed as expected--catering to an older and quite Scottish crowd. There were Mounties in full dress uniform posing with spectators. The concessions included "Cornish Pasties". The man sitting to the left of Kim was older, born in Scotland, moved to Canada later in life and played curling...his observations were in many respects more insightful than those of "Hack Radio".
Curling ended just after the Canada v. Germany game started. No chance of getting into Saxony House today, so we didn't even try. We went to what we thought was a local pub, the "Smoking Dog" pub. It turned out that the food was WAY better than any pub food we are used to. It had perhaps the best french onion soup Kim has ever had outside of Quebec. Although the food was excellent, the atmosphere was casual and we were able to watch what remained of the hockey game and cheer freely.
While we were out watching the curling Ashley McIvor won gold for Canada. Awesome. While we missed the competition, we saw the medal ceremony live. While we were at the Smoking Dog Ashley McIvor received her gold...we stood, we sang and we enjoyed. We wish we could say others stood and sang with us, but mostly they watched. None frowned though, and other tables smiled while we sang of told us we had done well when it was over. And, by the way, in an aside to Sports Illustrated, Ms McIvor is WAY hotter than Ms Vonn.
We got home and watched the women's short programme in figure skating. What a story: Joannie Rochette lost her mother tragically and unexpectedly in the week before the Olympics. Kim, as someone who lost a parent when she least expected it, was particularly affected by the story. Joannie skated awesomely: third after the short program. What an amazing accomplishment.
Tomorrow we will try to get into Saxony House before heading to the women's aerials at Cypress. There are no Canadian women in the finals tomorrow, so we'll just enjoy the show; flying people are always entertaining.
We still can't believe we're here.
Wow.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Monday, February 22, 2010
Hockey Day in Vancouver
We had tickets to the U.S. v. Sweden women's semi final in hockey today. It was a bit of a scouting mission to see who would play against Canada in the gold medal game. Remember, we met five members of the U.S. team a few days back and had genuinely wished them luck against Sweden. It turned out that they didn't need our luck--the American team was very good and won a decisive victory. We couldn't help but cheer a bit for Sweden-not because we wanted them to win but because we both have a soft spot for the underdog and a deeply held belief in the truth of Cinderella stories.
The U.S. game ended at about 2:30pm and there was no chance of finding a good spot to watch the Canada v. Finland semi final so we went back to the condo and watched from the comfort of our couch. It was actually a welcome break, particularly for Kim whose lungs reacted very badly to the ubiquitous pot smoke, particularly in the porta-potties at LiveCity yesterday. She's still coughing.
Canada's game was a good one. It seemed that the Finns played better than the Swedes did against the U.S. It remains to be seen what will happen in the final.
We are now watching the ice dancing after enjoying a home-cooked meal prepared by Paul.
We have more events tomorrow.
Until tomorrow,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
The U.S. game ended at about 2:30pm and there was no chance of finding a good spot to watch the Canada v. Finland semi final so we went back to the condo and watched from the comfort of our couch. It was actually a welcome break, particularly for Kim whose lungs reacted very badly to the ubiquitous pot smoke, particularly in the porta-potties at LiveCity yesterday. She's still coughing.
Canada's game was a good one. It seemed that the Finns played better than the Swedes did against the U.S. It remains to be seen what will happen in the final.
We are now watching the ice dancing after enjoying a home-cooked meal prepared by Paul.
We have more events tomorrow.
Until tomorrow,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
A Good Day With Mixed Results
Today we knew that Canada was playing the U.S. in hockey. We had no event tickets, so we planned to leave early enough to get a seat at Live City downtown to watch. The game didn't start until 4:40 p.m. but we knew that competition for tables at Live City would be almost as fierce as competition on the ice.
We got in at about 12:30 and the place was packed. Kim had a sharp eye and noticed that, while most of the tables were clearly occupied by other people there early for the game, one table had a family with small children. She rightly reasoned that they would not stay long, and, after helping them with directions to the Olympic torch, we got the table. It was the last table to come available before the game ended.
It was a large table, though, and others joined us. Here we again had the luck that has followed us most of these games. We were joined by a foursome of three ladies and one gentleman. They were our age and older, without being old; they were drinkers without being foolish; They were, of course, hockey fans. They were, in short, perfectly suited to be our company for the day. And delightful companions they were.
While waiting for the game, we watched speed skating (a silver for Canada) and curling (Canada won another round robin match), and we talked. The three ladies were all in education and the fellow was a city councilor and had worked in security and catering, we think. He was one of those guys who seemed to know everyone and was constantly introducing us to people like the the security staff and the guy in charge of catering the pavillion.
How can we describe watching the game? Canadians across the country must have gathered to watch, but watching with hundreds of Canadians (and four or five Americans who were good naturedly reviled), in Vancouver, was a whole other thing. It was as close to being at the game as you could get without actually being at the game. At one point, the crowd started taunting Ryan Miller as though he could hear them. Never has the magic of television been more clear. We were completely caught up. We knew that it was not just those in that pavillion watching together, but it was the whole country - but we knew we were at the centre of that audience. If the people at the game were the heart of Canada for the time the game lasted, we felt the aorta and other main blood vessels, carrying the pulse of the game outwards from the arena to the country. If you weren't there, that metaphore seems enormously overblown. We were there; and it isn't.
Of course, the result was not what Canada wanted. But leaving the pavilion and walking out into Vancouver, there was none of the resigned sad sack feeling that accompanies so many, for instance, Maple Leaf games. The patriotic fervor of the crowds on Robson St. and throughout the city, was undiminished. The enthusiasm seems now, genuinely to be for Canada, and not for any success of failure of our team in this or that game or event.
As an aside, after days of essentially non-stop crowd partying on Robson street, the street itself is ... clean. Yes, clean. There is no litter to be seen and no sign that this isn't day 1 of celebration, rather than day 11. We don't know how this is possible, but it is.
Now, a couple of days ago we mistakenly obtained two tickets to the 5th/6th place game for women's hockey tomorrow with Switzerland and Russia. We can't use them, because we will, somewhere, be watching the semi with the Canadian women's team. So, we went to Swiss house, which is set up essentially as a restaurant, and Kim found a couple of Swiss who were delighted to go. We hope they will enjoy the game and then go home and tell everyone how nice Canadians are. We enjoyed fondue and B.C. wine made by a Swiss and then went home to bed.
With true patriot love,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kimberly Boara Alexander
We got in at about 12:30 and the place was packed. Kim had a sharp eye and noticed that, while most of the tables were clearly occupied by other people there early for the game, one table had a family with small children. She rightly reasoned that they would not stay long, and, after helping them with directions to the Olympic torch, we got the table. It was the last table to come available before the game ended.
It was a large table, though, and others joined us. Here we again had the luck that has followed us most of these games. We were joined by a foursome of three ladies and one gentleman. They were our age and older, without being old; they were drinkers without being foolish; They were, of course, hockey fans. They were, in short, perfectly suited to be our company for the day. And delightful companions they were.
While waiting for the game, we watched speed skating (a silver for Canada) and curling (Canada won another round robin match), and we talked. The three ladies were all in education and the fellow was a city councilor and had worked in security and catering, we think. He was one of those guys who seemed to know everyone and was constantly introducing us to people like the the security staff and the guy in charge of catering the pavillion.
How can we describe watching the game? Canadians across the country must have gathered to watch, but watching with hundreds of Canadians (and four or five Americans who were good naturedly reviled), in Vancouver, was a whole other thing. It was as close to being at the game as you could get without actually being at the game. At one point, the crowd started taunting Ryan Miller as though he could hear them. Never has the magic of television been more clear. We were completely caught up. We knew that it was not just those in that pavillion watching together, but it was the whole country - but we knew we were at the centre of that audience. If the people at the game were the heart of Canada for the time the game lasted, we felt the aorta and other main blood vessels, carrying the pulse of the game outwards from the arena to the country. If you weren't there, that metaphore seems enormously overblown. We were there; and it isn't.
Of course, the result was not what Canada wanted. But leaving the pavilion and walking out into Vancouver, there was none of the resigned sad sack feeling that accompanies so many, for instance, Maple Leaf games. The patriotic fervor of the crowds on Robson St. and throughout the city, was undiminished. The enthusiasm seems now, genuinely to be for Canada, and not for any success of failure of our team in this or that game or event.
As an aside, after days of essentially non-stop crowd partying on Robson street, the street itself is ... clean. Yes, clean. There is no litter to be seen and no sign that this isn't day 1 of celebration, rather than day 11. We don't know how this is possible, but it is.
Now, a couple of days ago we mistakenly obtained two tickets to the 5th/6th place game for women's hockey tomorrow with Switzerland and Russia. We can't use them, because we will, somewhere, be watching the semi with the Canadian women's team. So, we went to Swiss house, which is set up essentially as a restaurant, and Kim found a couple of Swiss who were delighted to go. We hope they will enjoy the game and then go home and tell everyone how nice Canadians are. We enjoyed fondue and B.C. wine made by a Swiss and then went home to bed.
With true patriot love,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kimberly Boara Alexander
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