Cocktails, Cowbells, Coins at Vancouver Olympic Games

Am listing now, will add details of most of these topics later:

Heineken Holland House again wins gold medal for fun, music and spirit

Alarm set for 2:30 A.M!

Computer Software "crowd-ware"

Huge projections on building walls

Aboriginal Pavillion and Homes of the Future

O-Zone with more aboriginal art

Street entertainment, music and canadian flags everywhere

Robson Square and the zip line

Cost = millions, Canadian pride will continue to be worth billions

Hudson Bay online = no waiting IN line

Ste'en and the snowboarding judges

Patriotism blooming like the magnolias

Smitten with mitten decoration...Lions and Inukshuk wears'm as well!

Fun food = from lamb popsicles to japadogs and jamaican paddies at Yaletown

From the main P.O. for coins and Olympic cancelation and stamps to the hockey game

Canada VS USA comin' up

Headin' for only short lines when drizzling

Hot Chocolate on the streets, and Catholic Charity Hospitality near BC Place

Pin trading, yes!

New Canada Line, Sky Train, Aqua bus, Sea Train and local bus drivers!

Ziggy created hundreds of Inukshuks at the wastelands across from Olympic Village

Raquelette, Udon and Ukrainian Specialties

Shirley and Gian also make it to Canada, O Canada

Evan, Patrick, Joannie, Shaun...

Ohhh Ca-na-dahhh

Glorious, all of it:

Stanley Park Torch Run

Inukshuk Torch Ceremony at English Bay

Paddlers carrying the flame

Curling Events

German House

Italy House

The People's Place, Granville Island

Yaletown

Grouse Mountain Today Show

Cambie Street Lights

Caldron with Flame, Thurlow and water

BC Pavillion at Robson Square

Art Museum

The Mint

Favorite sign today, "Get your photo taken with a Canadian Free”

Hydrogen Highway, high powered, Chevy Equinox with zero emission

Catching a Few ZZZ's Prior to Snowboarding Event at Cypress Mountain

In a few hours I'll be off to the Cypress Mountain Venue!

Had a grand mini family reunion, this time with Ste'en Webster, my nephew, and his mates, a global team of Snowboarding Officials from Norway, Japan, Spain, Sweden and yes, "but of course...New Zealand!"

Here is part of the result of yesterday's interview that was taken while we made a pit stop so my lovely niece, Marissa could nurse our presioso Benicio.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/olympicoutsiders/2011070047_video_olympic_profile_patches.html

The Excitement of Vancouver...

The excitement in Vancouver keeps me from writing for now, will catch up later because...the sun is shining. And yes, it is V Day...Victory Day, Vancouver Day, Valentine's Day!

Met m'wonderful family yesterday and strolled in the decorated streets of Vancouver. There was Joan, Michael, Marissa (a super mom), Seth (a super dad), Isa, Nicio (their babes), birthday Joe, and Mikey. We somehow were able to stick together from Hudson Bay, to Waterfront, to Steamers Bar, to the Olympic Flame (all protected and fenced in right now) and then Robson Square. What good sports, the weather stops noone!

Was interviewed by Seattle Times with my vest of patches from many former Olympic Games.

Am off to my favorite Ukrainian Restaurant for a bite and then to Lonsdale Quay to meet my nephew, Ste'en Webster, who is an official at Cypress Mountain at the Snowboarding event.

Celebration amped up here for Chinese New Year, so...Gung Hei Fat Choi everyone!

Saw Opening Ceremony Rehearsal with a Glowing Heart!

With a glowing heart, sitting among the best of the best, there I was, wishing the rest of the world could be "seeing the world from where I was".

What fun is it...to open a present when you already know what is inside? So of course, no need to write and spoil any surprises! Oh Canada!