The Greatest Sound

Things that are Canadian

9:37 PM

Canada... its kind of like the United States' first cousin. For the most part, I haven't felt at all like I'm in a different country. The language is the same, the value of a Canadian dollar is extremely close to that of a US greenback and I see familiar stores and restaurants all over the place. But there have been a few subtle differences that have caught me off guard.

For starters... there's these guys:

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police or the "Mounties". Oddly, I haven't seen one mounted on anything. They are considered the National Police force, but I've seen more local Vancouver police force than anything. There are also thousands of policeman from other provinces that have come here to assist during the games.

**Interesting fact - they are staying on a cruise ship that is docked in the port here so that they don't take up any hotel rooms downtown.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703525704575061661652534790.html?mod=WSJ_World_MIDDLENews

Loonies: This is one Canadian Dollar... its not a bill, its a coin, its bronze plated, it has a duck on it, it has Queen Elizabeth II on the back.

.... and don't forget the "toonie" (or two dollar coin)

Sushi... Okay, we have this, but their sushi is REALLY REALLY good. One, because there is a really big Japanese contingency here and two, because they literally pull the fish out of the ocean ten minutes before you eat it. Well... it tastes that way anyway.

OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE TAKEN SOME GETTING USED TO:

1) The use of "ou" ... favourite, colour, honour, etc. Don't even get me started on "centre" and "entre"!!!!

2) Kilometers, litres (there it is again), centimeters, degrees celcius... my head is spinning right now just thinking about the math conversations.

3) Eh!!! Enough said.

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Opening Ceremonies

11:42 PM

Friday morning started off like a typical day... other than the fact that it was "Day 1" of the Olympic Games, it was business as usual. My cameraman, Ken, and I spent the majority of the day at Pacific Coliseum, following a story on a former Canadian Olympic Figure Skater who won the gold in 1948. At age 82, Barbara Ann Scott was elegant, well-spoken and extremely enthusiastic about the upcoming Figure Skating competitions. Little did I know that our interview would not be the last time I saw her that day...

Upon returning to the IBC, Ken and I got to work editing our piece and having a light dinner (the food provided at the IBC beats the food at PAC, so we tend to "wind up" there at the end of the night). Around 5pm, my boss, Roger, summoned me to his office and told me to speak to Luis - the head of operations for OBS's headquarters in Madrid. Worried, at first, I had a slight inkling of what was to come when I saw Roger's smile. Within the hour - I was handed a VIP ticket to the Olympic Opening Ceremonies - or rather one was "slipped" into my bag by Luis and I was heading towards BC Place - the coliseum housing the ceremonies. My cameraman, Roger and another cameraman, Thomas, guided the way.

Not only was the ceremony the most amazing live performance I have ever seen in my entire life, but I also had spectacular seats... just feet away from the box holding Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Premier Gordon Brown and several other dignitaries that I couldn't even identify. To the right of Ken was one of six of the figure skating judges - an extremely honourable position. Our seats were approximately 50 up from the front row and just about 10 up from the floor. The performance was the most spectacular thing I have ever seen... here are just a few pictures and videos, Thomas has better ones which I intend on posting later from his fancier camera....

Everything in the arena was white - including us with our paper towel caps on! They were so that the lights would reflect the world's flags off of the audience!

There was lots of Tribal influence as the native tribes had to agree to allow the Games because several events are being held on their land.

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Practice, Practice

12:00 AM

In the 10 days that I've been here prior to the start of competition, I've spent a good amount of time watching the Short Track Speed Skaters and Figure Skaters practice out at Pacific Coliseum and their smaller practice facilities around the city. It's been a real honor (honour, ha ha) to be prive to the routines and training tactics, but I haven't felt comfortable posting anything on the web about it... wouldn't want to give away any secrets!!! I've gotten some really great information about who to watch, what to expect and just how hard these guys worked to get here. I've interviewed countless athletes whom have said that the last four years of their lives have been dedicated to this moment. The amount of dedication and personal sacrifice is just unfathomable to a non-Olympic athlete like myself. When I see Speed Skaters fall in the final like the South Koreans did this evening, my heart breaks a little for them because I know how bad they've wanted it. Here are a few images and moments that I've gotten from practice, there will be more to come as they will continue to practice in the mornings prior to competition ... and like I have the last 10 days, I'll be there!

The ceiling at Pacific Coliseum

Some Short Trackers

Our trusty camera catching all of the good stuff

Some blurry figure skating pairs.

I HAVE A BUNCH OF VIDEOS WHICH TELL THE STORY BETTER, JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO UPLOAD VIDS ON THIS.... ANYONE???

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The first of hopefully many runs in Stanley Park

11:15 PM

Those of you who know me, know that running is one of my most favorite things in the world to do, particularly runs that involve good scenery. Until now, I've been working non-stop during daylight hours (which are short because we are so far north - about 7:30am-5pm) so I've just stuck to the treadmill. So the other day I decided to explore Stanley Park, an amazing 1,000 acre cedar forest on the northern tip of Vancouver. There is a seawall path that runs along the outer rim with lanes for runners and bicyclists. It is ABSOLUTELY amazing... in one view you can see the expanse of the English Bay, the snow-capped peaks of the Coast Mountains with the Cypress and Grouse runs, the bridge over to Victoria and of course, the cedar forests of Stanley Park. It was by far my favorite (favourite) experience thus far.

Here is the Google Map of the area... I went all the way around and back through town... a little more than 7 miles. Can't wait to do it again!!!

HERE ARE SOME PICS FROM MY IPHONE, I'LL GET SOME BETTER ONES WITH A CAMERA WHEN I'M NOT RUNNING....

This is Sunset Beach... the logs serve as seats to the greatest show on Earth. I wish I had an evening off while I was here to enjoy it!

A look back at the city of Vancouver from the path.

Across the Bay is Victoria.

The seawall path goes right up to the water... the Coast Mountains and the city of Victoria in the background.

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I heart weird art.

6:47 PM

Here are just a few random shots that I've taken of buildings and such around Vancouver. I'm waiting for Steve to get here with the good camera and zoom to get some keepers. There's some great art, too, but I'm not sure if I'd call this stuff art.

What country are we in again?

This is better than any window dressing I've seen in NYC...

The giant advertisement is for Hudson Bay Co. - the company who makes the official apparel for the Canadian team. But what is way cooler is the giant wad of metal trash across the street...

This is near Sunset Beach... Its a great piece of art, but I don't quite get why they both have diamonds on them?!?!

Also near Sunset Beach, these stacked stones mirror the 2010 Olympic Winter Games motto.

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All work, no play

6:45 PM

  Prior to coming up here, I guess I never really wrapped my brain around the idea of working 12-14 hour days for 25 days straight... its fully wrapped now.

   Tomorrow will mark one full week that I've been up here in Canuck country and I've done pretty much NOTHING by way of sightseeing, shopping, dining out, etc. in this gorgeous city. I have a mountain of laundry forming in the corner of my luxurious digs at the Best Western. I've had to fight for time to eat, exercise and even use the bathroom at times. But, its all worth the amazing experience that I am getting behind the scenes here at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games... I've spent my days watching world-class athletes practicing their crafts, made friends with my co-workers from around the world (let's see... there are people sitting next to me from Scotland, Spain and Australia right now, just to name a few) and I'm learning invaluable knowledge that I can only imagine will further my career more than I can even grasp right now. So, all in all, the 15 hour day that I worked yesterday wasn't really that bad.

  Most of my time has been split between the IBC (big, beautiful glass building on the water) and this place:

The Pacific Coliseum

It lies just east of downtown, so my cameraman, Ken, and I are fortunate to have been issued a car (Buick Enclave I think.. a small SUV). It sits on a fairgrounds-type area which also has an amusement park - which is closed for the winter and a thoroughbred horse racing track. The views are beautiful - of the bridge to North Vancouver and Grouse and Cypress Mountains. Here are a few shots from the parking lot, unfortunately, the view is blocked by street lights, etc.

The run to the left is Grouse.

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Bond, Jane Bond

7:14 PM

My mission, should I chose to accept it (I did), began on Thursday. I'm not sure if they want me to be a reporter for the Olympic Winter Games (get it straight, its NOT the Winter Olympic Games, per the IOC!!) or an international spy. Upon arrival, each of us were issued a multi-piece uniform, a new cell phone, a new e-mail address, a hefty pre-paid Visa check card and a rental car. I haven't seen people grub for this much swag since the kids from the Jersey Shore were invited backstage at the Grammy's. It was Christmas morning in the corridors of the IOC. Grown men were stripping their pants off to try on their new digs. Others played with their new Samsung phones with the flip out keyboard like the Fresh Prince playing with Uncle Phil's car phone. I think I saw someone do a cartwheel upon learning the sum of money on the check card... we were kids again. Smurf kids, mind you... for the next 25 days straight, I will be wearing the following:

- black pants of my chosing (thank god, the issued corduroy ones didn't fit, so I got a pass.. cords - ew!)
- 2 long sleeved pull over shirts
- 1 Smurf blue shell with official-looking "Host Broadcaster" written on the back
- a similar blue winter coat with, literally 8 thousand pockets, I counted
- knit hat
- fleece gloves
- a book bag fit for a mountain expedition

I'm really restricted on what I'm allowed to show online prior to the games for security purposes, but here's just a little glance at the jacket. Just call me Smurfette.

*** Note the awesomeness of my Best Western bathroom... yea, I have a pull out micro mirror. They don't cheap out at the B Dub. ***

Oh, and my badge... never ever, ever leave home without it. It allows me access to ANY Olympic Venue, any competition, free public transportation and pretty much ensures VIP access in any club. Kidding about the last part... no bottle service for me, I'm here to work!!!!

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My New Office

6:47 PM

Day two began with a morning run... still not totally comfortable with the neighborhood yet, so I opted for the rooftop treadmill. A good choice. The sun was coming up in the Olympic City.

Orientation began like the first day of camp. Meet at the International Broadcast Centre (note the Canadian spelling), bring your passport, prepare to read an inch-thick manual. What I wasn't prepared for was the magnitude of this little home of ours. The IBC was built specifically for these games, but will become the Vancouver Convention Center once the world has abandoned the city. It is one of, if not the most beautiful buildings that I have ever seen. And the view is unreal. Perched atop of a dock on the English Bay, the glass structure has magnificent views of the water, the mountains and the skyline... hard to imagine any of the 10,000 media members housed here are going to get a single thing done.