Seeing The Torch LIVE

I was really excited to see the recently released route the Torch will take on Friday, Feb 12. I planned on nipping down to 6th Ave to watch it make it's way passed but thankfully took a closer look at the map and realized it will be on the Olympic Line (streetcar). I guess we'll head to Granville Island instead.

Here's the map for Feb 12th.

Neighbourhood Spirit

I've got red & white lights up on my balcony -- doing my part to Paint The Town Red. I've started seeing lots of Canadian flags going up in people's windows (also saw an Australian flag today). Here are some pics from businesses in my neighbourhood. It was sunny a couple of days ago and so the glare on the windows is pretty intense -- but you can still get the idea.

One of the reasons I love living in Vancouver is our mild climate! Some people can't deal with tons of rain but if lots of rain means blossoms in January -- I'm all for it. Plus I get to have a nifty collection of rain boots.

Olympic Countdown: 12 days!!!!!

Free Canadian Car Flag

"Free Winter Olympics Canadian Flag available at all Chevrolet, Buick, GMC dealers. No purchase necessary. While quantity lasts (better call the dealer first to make sure they still have it)."

Source

Countdown Flashback

I was looking through my pics for a Canadian flag pic to put in my previous post and didn't find a good one but did find this. The countdown clock in Ottawa from Feb 2008.

Free Canadian Flag

Did you know you can request a free flag from your Member of Parliament? My brother got one from his MP and I have written to my MP to see if I can get one too. Find your MP here.

Source

My brother just texted me to say that he drove past 4 members of Team Sweden jogging along the road in Penticton. Anyone know what sport is training there?

Starting to see lots of Olympic vehicles & volunteers in Vancouver. So exciting!!!!

Olympic Countdown: 13 days!!!!

Music Of The Nation

"The Greatest Moments Of The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Now With An Unforgettable Soundtrack.

There's nothing like watching the highlights of the day during the Olympic Games. The emotions, the victories, the defeats, the celebrations-all the incredible moments of the greatest event on earth captured and replayed in a powerful visual montage.

With CTV's broadcast of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, that experience is now even better. Each day, a highlight reel is produced showcasing the most memorable moments from the past 24 hours of the Olympic Games. What makes our highlight reels uniquely special is that the highlight clips will be set to the music of great Canadian artists!

Even better, you're able to watch all the highlight clips again at CTVOlympics.ca and RDSolympiques.ca and download the music from the featured artist of each highlight reel."

The soundtrack is available on iTunes. It features Theory Of A Deadman, Simple Plan, Faber Drive, Nickelback, Bryan Adams, Billy Talent and many more great Canadian acts.

Source

Anyone who knows me knows that I make themed CDs for everything. Parties, vacations, years, birthdays, colours, numbers -- seriously everything. So I wasn't going to let the Olympics go by without making a CD to commemorate it. Here it is -- you can buy most of the songs via iTunes (see link at the bottom) but it's missing a few. Who knew that Billy Idol's "White Wedding" was unavailable on iTunes?!

Believe (Red + White) = Gold
1. Believe - The Bravery
2. 99 Red Balloons - Nena
3. White Knuckles - OK Go
4. Goldeneye - Tina Turner
5. Believe - Suzie McNeil
6. Little Bit Of Red - Serena Ryder
7. White Flag - David Usher
8. Gold Lion - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
9. Believe - Cher
10. Thin Red Line - Glass Tiger
11. Where The White Boys Dance - The Killers
12. The Man With The Golden Gun - Lulu
13. Believe - The All American Rejects
14. Little Red Corvette - Prince
15. White Wedding - Billy Idol
16. Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey
17. Vancouver City - Innerlife Project ft Linda Ganzini

Buy the songs from my Olympic iMix here.

Atlantic Canada House

"Discover the best of Canada's East Coast at Atlantic Canada House on Granville Island. For two weeks during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games you'll experience our famous East Coast hospitality, right here on the West Coast. From daily shows and nightly concerts, to incredible cuisine, Atlantic Canada House will highlight the rich and varied culture of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador. So come on over and join in the fun, you're always welcome at our house!"

A Taste Of Atlantic Canada: Backstage Lounge, Granville Island

Daily Food Sampling -11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m.

Come On In! Songs & Stories From Atlantic Canada

Revue Stage, Granville Island

Plays Daily - 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm

Atlantic Canada On Deck

Atlantic Canada Kitchen Party

Sounds like Atlantic Canada House is going to be awesome!

Place De La Francophonie 2010

"Place de la Francophonie 2010 will exude all the Latin flavours of a French Quarter during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

Located in the heart of Granville Island, this little "French Quarter" will offer visitors a cornucopia of FREE activities including shows featuring Canadian and international performers, a sports pub, an agritourism pavilion, exhibition venues and many others activities. More than just a meeting spot, visitors to Place de la Francophonie will delight in the ongoing festive atmosphere while discovering the cultural and artistic wealth of the country."

Thanks Todd for the link!

Click here for their schedule.

Olympic Countdown: 14 days!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it?

JetSetCrew & Canvas Lounge Present

Lots and lots of parties! I'm on the JetSetCrew mailing list and love getting the invites to the fabulous looking parties they host. I've never actually gotten around to going to one but they look amazing and one day I'll go. They have teamed up with Canvas Lounge and it's out of control how much stuff they've got going on.

Tickets start at $30. I believe most events are from 9pm - 2am. Here's the list of what's happening. And this is where you can buy your tickets.

Thurs, Feb 11 - Chivas Presents The Chivas Lounge Pre Games Party

Fri, Feb 12 - Corona & Mexico Present The Corona Opening Party

Sat, Feb 13 - Beefeater 24 Presents London Calling & The Victory Party For Womens Moguls Freestyle Skiing

Sun, Feb 14 - Moet & Chandon, Hennessy Present Rockstars, Celebrities, Atheletes Victory Party (Mens Moguls Freestyle Skiing)

Mon, Feb 15 - Dom Perignon Presents Apres Ski: Mens Downhill Alpine Skiing Victory Party

Tues, Feb 16 - VitaminWater Presents Womens Snowboard Cross Victory Party

Wed, Feb 17 - JetSetCrew Presents Mens Snowboard Halfpipe Victory Party

Thurs, Feb 18 - Ice Tropez Presents ICE: Victory Party For Mens Hockey; Canada vs Switzerland

Fri, Feb 19 - The Canadian Luge Association Presents Victory Party For Mens & Womens Luge

Sat, Feb 20 - Heineken Presents Victory Party For Mens 1500m Speed Skating

Sun, Feb 21 - Canada Ski Cross Presents Victory Party For Mens Ski Cross

Mon, Feb 22 - Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton Presents Victory Party For Mens & Womens Skeleton

Tues, Feb 23 - Canada Ski Cross Presents Victory Party For Womens Ski Cross

Wed, Feb 24 - Lesley Stowe's Raincoast Crisps & Le Vieux Pin Present Victory Party For Mens Ski Jumping

Thurs, Feb 25 - Ferrari Maserati Of Vancouver, Stile Wines & Parmigiano-Reggiano Present Team Italia: Italian Luxury Night

Fri, Feb 26 - Belvedere Vodka, Biathlon Canada Present Victory Party For Mens & Womens Biathlon

Sat, Feb 27 - Mercedes-Benz & Veuve Clicquot Present Victory Party For Mens Slalom Alpine Skiing

Sun, Feb 28 - JetSetCrew Presents Victory Party For Mens Gold Hockey Game

Whew! That's alot of parties!

Canvas Lounge is located at 99 Powell Street.

Lindor Day

House Of Switzerland has released their schedule. Lindor Day (with free samples) is Saturday, Feb 27 between 2-5pm. I am SO there! It turns out HUG Biscuit Day is on Wed, Feb 17 between 3-5pm but we'll be at speed skating.

Check out their full schedule here.

Olympic Countdown: 15 days!!!!!!

Daniel Meade; Playboy, Editor, Olympian

Actor Eric Mabius, who plays Daniel Meade on ABC's recently cancelled show Ugly Betty, has been named Honourary Team Captain by USA Luge for the 2010 Olympic Luge Team. Eric was member of the 1986-88 United States Junior Luge Team. He will attend the singles competitions next month at the Whistler Sliding Center.

The 2nd Honourary Team Captain is astronaut Dr. Scott Parazynski - a member of five Space Shuttle missions and seven space walks. More Honourary Team Captains will be announced over the next few weeks.

Source

Photo credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

The British Are Coming

So now that I know how to put videos directly into my blog, it'll be all videos all the time here. LOL. Here's another good one that I found thanks to Adrienne Brown's Olympic Blog.



Olympic Countdown: 16 days!!!

I Live Here (and I'm so lucky!)

I've been checking out other Olympic blogs and found one, 2010 Olympic Volunteer, and she had posted this AMAZING video of Vancouver. Enjoy!

ps - this is my first time trying to put the video directly into my post. We'll see if it works. *fingers crossed*
pps - okay, well the video is there (yay!) but it seems to have cut the right side off a little bit. Oh well, at least you get the idea.

Building Switzerland

House Of Switzerland posted some pics today of the work going on at Bridges Restaurant.

"On February 5th in Vancouver (and February 6th in Whistler) from 4:30- 6:30 PM the House of Switzerland Canada 2010 will be inviting the public to experience the features and learn about the events that will take place at the Official Hospitality House." I really wanted to go to this and was about to try and get out of working but it turns out I'm training someone and won't be able to trade my shift. BOO! I love opening night events! Oh well, it'll still be fun whenever we go.

Photo credit: House Of Switzerland's Facebook

Here's some more info on what to expect:

"The House of Switzerland Canada 2010 is a meeting point and social hub for the Swiss Olympic team, Official Hospitality House sponsors, partners and the public. With daily programming, the House of Switzerland is not to be missed.

From February 5 – 28th 2010 at the House of Switzerland Canada 2010 in Vancouver and Whistler there will be on-going events, activities and contests, including:
• A Grand Opening event for media, VIP’s and the public on Friday, Feb 5th in Vancouver & Saturday, Feb 6th in Whistler (4:30 – 6:30 PM)
• Medal ceremonies and celebrations for Swiss Athletes
• Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate giveaways, demonstrations and contests
• ‘Swiss Days’ celebration of traditional Swiss culture
• Daily give-aways from Zimtstern – Switzerland’s most technologically advanced and stylish snowboard and streetwear clothing company
• Swiss Chef’s, who have added Swiss specialty dishes to the local menus
• Live broadcasts of Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games
• Complimentary Pure Swiss bottled water for each guest
• Children’s Entertainment by the famous Globi – the “Mickey Mouse” of Switzerland
• Personalized Nespresso coffee, served by World Barista Champion Sammy Piccolo
• Ricola give-away day
• Free samples from Cheeses of Switzerland
• ‘Swiss Biscuit Day’ with free samples from Swiss biscuit maker HUG
• Live music with musicians from St. Moritz – daily ten-minute sets
• Switzerland’s Official Broadcast studio set-up in Bridges Restaurant
• VIP treatment for media, including complimentary laptops and wireless internet
• A Digital Host providing an instant line of contact through twitter and facebook – watch for twitter contests and “tweet-ups”
• A VALENTINE’S DAY SURPRISE – yet to be revealed
• SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, February 14th in Vancouver and Whistler
• A chance to win a trip for two to St. Moritz Switzerland in Whistler and Vancouver – valued at $10,000 including 5-star accommodation at luxurious Hotel Kempinski or Hotel Badrutt’s Palace
• And much more!"

Okay, I am totally there for Swiss Biscuit Day! I'll let you know as soon as I find out the date.

Club Bud - Crashers Wanted

I just got an email from Crystal at Karyo Edelman (a local PR firm) letting me know about Club Bud and a cool contest they have which will enable 2 lucky fans to crash the party and tweet/facebook/blog about their experiences. First of all, I have to say I was very excited to get the email. Getting contacted by a PR company has made me realize that more than just my family & friends are reading this. YAY! :-)

Anyhoo, here's more about Club Bud.

"Club Bud, host of the hottest parties in Beijing and Torino, will claim its place on top of the party podium in Vancouver. Budweiser will be the center of Vancouver’s social scene for five nights in February.

Torino introduced the world to Club Bud in 2006 with a six-story pyramid-shaped nightclub. Club Bud kept the party going in Beijing with 360° video screens, an electrifying dance floor and an outdoor pool. In February 2010, Club Bud will transform the famed Commodore Ballroom into the place for athletes, celebrities and some lucky fans to celebrate in style. Athlete and celebrity arrival times on the red carpet will vary by party."

That's right, there's going to be a red carpet. So cool!

Want to go? Become a fan of Budweiser on Facebook and apply for the ultimate party crasher job. Good luck!

Club Bud Party Dates
Friday, February 19; Burton Party
Saturday, February 20; NHL Party
Thursday, February 25; Budweiser Party
Friday, February 26; Under Armour Party
Saturday, February 27; lululemon athletica Party

Contests!

Tourism BC has two great contests on the go.

Enter to win to 2 seats to the Closing Ceremonies.

Win a Mountain in BC's Great Mountain Giveaway
"Here is a chance for you to win your very own mountain (for five days) and make yourself popular with 19 of your closest friends. Enter Tourism BC’s Great Mountain Giveaway and your group of 20 family and friends could be heading out for the ultimate five-day, four-night VIP skiing experience at one of BC's top mountain resorts. Not only can you win the accommodation, lift tickets, rentals and return airfare for the whole group; in most cases, you’ll get exclusive access to some of the best runs on the slopes."

Contests are open to Canadian & US Residents. Good luck!

Torch Pics

Photo credits: my Dad & Bro

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Sorry I didn't get these pics up yesterday but my computer was having a temper tantrum.

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Olympic Countdown: 17 days!!!

Torch Relay

The Torch will be in my hometown of Penticton today. My Mom is heading down to check it out, while wearing her Olympic gear (not her mittens though, as I have those), and will hopefully get some pics for me.

Olympic Countdown: 18 days!!!

ps - I've noticed increased daily helicopter activity. Twice now, I've had an army helicopter fly directly overhead. Maybe they're starting patrols now, so the citizens get used to it as well as training for the security folks.

***UPDATE: My Mom just called to say she got to hold the torch!!!! She was very excited. There was a runner exchange right in front of where they were standing and they got to talk to both runners. They'll email me the pics after lunch.

Jack Bauer At The Olympics

Ethan Baron from Canwest News Services has an interesting article about his exclusive look inside the Olympic security command centre. Read it here.

I've been catching up on 24 and am halfway through season 4 so I really enjoyed this quote by RCMP Insp. Tim Shields: "It’s going to be like CTU in '24'". He was talking about how the command centre looks, not necessarily what goes on. Hopefully there won't be any moles working inside etc.

Olympic Countdown: 21 days!!!!

Will I Have To Take My Shoes Off?

Interesting article from CTV.ca comparing Olympic security to airport security. Read it here.

They're also suggesting arriving 2 hours early before indoor events. Hmmmm, that might change some of our plans.

CityCaucus.com's Ultimate House Guide

I can't believe I forgot to post about this!!!!! Bad blogger! Anyways, Donna sent me a link to an amazing list compiled by the folks at City Caucus and it lists all the houses & free events happening for the Olympics. It's awesome!!!!

They've done alot of work and update it as new info comes along. Check it out!

It's going into the "awesome links" section so it will always be easy to find.

Uniform Photo Shoot

Reader Todd was nice enough to share some of his uniform pics! I really, really like the volunteer's uniforms. I think they're so smart!

Love the reflective Rings!!!! Thanks for sharing Todd!

Yesterday, I got to see Ada's torchbearer uniform. It was very exciting!!! But I think my favourite are the volunteer's uniforms!

Olympic Countdown: 24 days!

LiveCity Vancouver

I had heard about LiveCity Vancouver and knew that it would be a fun place to check out but didn't really know that much about it. I've just spent some time on their site and am now really excited to check it out. There are two venues, LiveCity Yaletown (more entertainment based) & LiveCity Downtown (more sports based). There will be big screens & lots of events going on.

LiveCity Yaletown: "on the water’s edge at David Lam Park. LiveCity Yaletown will feature live local, national, and international entertainment on the main stage in the afternoon and into the night, culminating each evening with a dynamic nightly closing show. Giant screens will show highlights of Olympic Winter Games sport coverage and visitors can enjoy the interactive Olympic sponsor pavilions, Vancouver House, and much more… all for free!"

Sponsor Pavilions at LiveCity Yaletown include: Acer, Coca-Cola, Panasonic & Samsung.

I'm really excited to see Bollywood Olympics with Delhi2Dublin on Saturday, Feb 27 at 5pm!

LiveCity Downtown: "an urban gathering place in the heart of the city at Georgia and Cambie Streets. LiveCity Downtown is all about the spirit of sport and competition. A giant screen will show live coverage of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games events as they unfold. This is the place to meet with friends and mingle with visitors from around the world in a lively, urban setting."

LiveCity Downtown is also home to 2010 Canada Pavilion & CentrePlace Manitoba. They also have a licensed chalet-styled lounge, called LIVE@LiveCity Downtown, where you can partake in local food & drink.

The Free State Of Saxony

Just found out there will be more Germany at the games!!!! Saxony House will be located at the Vancouver Rowing Club. They're going to have live music, TVs showing events, a restaurant etc. It's gonna be open from 11am - 2am.

Sweet!

Olympic countdown: 29 days. Okay, I know it's technically 28 but I haven't gone to bed yet so it's still 29 for me. LOL.

Relief For Haiti

The Canadian Government is matching, dollar for dollar, donations of individual Canadians up to a total of $50 million for relief in Haiti.

I decided to donate through The Salvation Army but there are many other registered charities that are helping. My friend Karen donated through Medicins Sans Frontieres Canada (Dr's Without Borders).

Please consider donating today!

Source

Olympic countdown: 29 days!

Cruise Critic Meet & Greet

Hey cruisers! We're planning a CC meet & greet during the Games. Looks like it'll be dinner either Sunday, Feb 14 or Monday, Feb 15.

Check out the thread. Hope to see you there!!!!

ps - only 30 days to go!!!!!!!!

TICKETS!!!!!!!!

Finally! I have my tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!