Vancouver 2010 Thanks for the memories

The B.C. government would like to see all those gorgeous Olympic photos taken by the public.

Sadly, I have none.

Doubt anyone would want a photo of my feet, plopped day after day in front of the TV, only inching forward with the suspense as racers approached the finish line.

My toes always came in second!

Seventeen days.

From the breathtaking and stunningly-beautiful Opening Ceremony (we’re still talking about it), through every foggy, slippery, slushy, SUNNY outdoor event, to the mesmerizing track skating and ice dance and hockey events, we were all transfixed...one exception though.  The H couldn’t take the pressure of the gold medal hockey game and went GOLFING (while I watched it!!!!).  He came home exuberant, having had the words “Canada Got Gold” yelled at their group from homes adjacent to their fairway. 

The young slider’s fatality crushed us all, as the memory of it does today.

The words of the coach still echo...”no-one should die in sport.”

Poignant and true.

...and how very typical of Canadians during the Closing Ceremony to make the best of the “mechanical foible” from the Opening Ceremony.  The mime “toolman” was wonderful, as that fourth hydraulic lift was on all our minds.

We grimaced as VANOC’s John Furlong attempted French, phonetically, his Irish brogue winning out.

I’m sure his tongue had to go to a chiropractor soon after that valiant effort!

The singers, the dancers, the audience’s lights glowing and waving continuously, the beaming medalists on parade, the native costumes and colours...most of all the SMILES (and tears) will be long remembered.  The courageous skater from Quebec—whose Mom passed away so suddenly—carrying the Canadian flag into the closing ceremony was emotional, and we walked each step with her.

The television coverage, I must say, was marvelous.  CTV announcers did us proud.  Brian Williams and Lloyd Robertson head a very accomplished and dignified team.

And to hear that 1,800 people worked on the broadcast of this event to the world...wow.

Loved the comment “Blue Coats 1, Cypress 0” of the stupendous efforts to keep the course ship-shape.

Man can move mountains...or at least clad it in snow for 17 mild days. 

My family and I moved to the Okanagan from Vancouver 32 years ago, desiring a bit more space and a slower pace.

In all those years we’ve never regretted the move...until now (for 17 days).

Until Vancouver 2010...when we would love to have been part of the excitement and fun at Robson Square, indeed at Whistler Village, and at the events.

To see families out on the temporary “pedestrian mall”, strolling amid laughter and lights, was delightful.

Hopefully, Vancouver’s Mayor can extend the experience with a permanent pedestrian mall/town centre.

The media—and Dr. Rogge—are correct. 

Who would have imagined such spontaneous patriotism, time and time again, at each and every venue!

The exuberance, the friendliness...were as evident as the games wound down as on the first day.

It was truly a wonderful feat that the Vancouver Olympic Committee achieved...and the people of Canada loved it.

From sea to sea to sea.

Thank you Premier Campbell for making this possible.

I hope “the most gold medals of any host nation” is satisfying; you deserve our thanks.

And that of Prime Minister Harper.

...and thank God the NDP weren’t in power.  They would’ve screwed it up big time!

...now what do I do with my days now that the Olympics are over?  Ha ha.  

Hiking!  If I can get up the mountain after sitting on my fanny for more than two weeks.

Thank you, Vancouver Olympic Committee, for a wonderful 17 days.