Nice to run away but not practical

[Red Rock]

Shooting Star you should go and see the torch relay and lighting if possible or other events that seem somewhat sensible (if that is possible). I could not make it to see the torch run through my town when it came by. In hindsight, I wish I had gone. I do remember all of the TV and traffic being totally outrageous through it all.

One solution might be to see the Cross Country skiing events. My younger brother did that when they were in SLC. Enjoy what you can of everything. It will all be over too quickly. Also be sure to take pictures for yourself and others since "your right in the middle of the action."

Red Rock

[bouncybouncy]

I will be stuck inside for the 3rd snow/ice storm this season (unusual for our part of the country so our city just doesn't have the equipment to deal with such weather...makes it too dangerous to go out and about on these icy roads)

I sure do wish I had something fun and exciting to look at out my window...it is only 2 weeks, really not that much time in the big picture of life. I say soak it up...it will be over before you know it and you will have lots of new conversation topics

[shootingstar]

Maybe there will be an advantage being a cyclist during the torch relay route to somehow get a pic or 2 Have visions having to abandon and lock up bike somewhere to do this. Bike will get in the way amongst a pressing crowd.

Or do it from far away and hope for an itty-bitty flame somewhere.

Back end of stadium for opening and closing ceremonies. Looks like a marshalling area or equipment area. Dunno.

A friend of ours, he's a computer tech. person volunteering at Olympic Athletes' Village. Has to help set up equipment for different countries' teams to review athletic performances, strategy, etc. Oh yea, there will be a story behind the Dutch ride..I just can't reveal details yet. I hope I won't cave in to stay at home, if there's heavy rain. Hope to blog this dinky ride.

One of my sisters is psyched after a Canadian Olympic gold medallist speed-skater Catriona Le May Doan, gave an inspiring speech earlier this week at a pharmacy conference. Sis has 3 young children ages 8-12 who are all enrolled in ice hockey..so I have no doubt she will pass on her enthusiasm to children. To make a long story, short ..now I feel abit more motivated to blog Olympic stuff around here..for young nephews and nieces. It is the next generation for us to help inspire.

Sorry I will tend to give more links to blog for bigger photos of Olympic stuff. I want to save my TE member photo memory allocation for future cycling pics.

[Serendipity]

Hello, shootingstar, I'm looking forward to visiting your city next week. Yep, we're part of the hordes that will be descending. My sister lives just south of Vancouver and I know she is dreading the next few weeks.

Actually we will be making two trips - one for the first 4 days and a second for the last 3 days. The events that we will watch are at the begiinning and the end of the Games. No such thing as cheap accommodation - we are paying around 4 times the 'normal' price for a room and lucky to get it. So we are better off to fly home in between rather than stay right through.

The events we will be watching are up in Whistler; should be interesting to see how all the transportation back and forth works. We got to experience the 2006 Games in Torino so have a better idea this time around in terms of what to expect. One thing we learned - don't expect to get anywhere quickly!!!

I was also one of those fortunate people who had the opportunity to be a torchbearer when the relay came through our city - it was an unbelievable experience but over much too quickly! The segments are all 300 metres long so I walked part, ran part to stretch it out. If you get a chance to watch it, do so; don't think you will regret it.

The countdown continues....

[shootingstar]

Right now, they have closed off yet another major road bridge into downtown. We can hear the guy talking through the bullhorn for all the long lineups of people for security checks. We can see the long lineups. There are thousands of performers &...spectators. ('course worries if spectators will spill the beans before the big event.)

Today is the dress rehearsal for Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics ...just down the street.

Wonder if test fireworks will occur again. Hmmm..it may be rainy evening. Can't see how that would happen, if it happens tonight.

[shootingstar]

There is a story I'll be posting about an incredible Canadian athlete...in about an hr. He was last night's Olympic relay torchbearer.

I've been spending time reminiscing..the stories, music and finding those links.