Hockey Day. I think if you are a hockey fan, you were waiting for this day. Canada’s first hockey game of the tournament! I was pretty much excited from the time I woke up and was counting down the hours till the game started!

But before the hockey game could start, Canada had hopes in the Women’s Snowboard Cross event and our athletes did not disappoint! Maelle Ricker won the Gold in an amazing performance!

From her winning run, to hockey. We managed to get into The Shark Club although it was standing room only. It was a sea of red! And has to be said, a lot of drunken people who probably could care less about hockey and just wanted to party! But they were harmless and actually pretty funny, so ended up to splitting my time watching hockey and all of them! It was a solid defeat of the Norway team. 8-0. It was so great to see Roberto Luongo get the start and record a shut out in front of his legions of Vancouver Canuck fans!

Jen, Jimmy, Arlana and I

We score!!

Alexisonfire was playing at the LiveCity Yaletown site so we made our way down there. The line up went really quickly even though it looked completely intimidating! It was a cold night to have to wait two hours for the show but we were hoping it would be worth it.

Arlana, me and Sue

Unfortunately, about 20 sec into the first song, there was a crush towards the front and a barrier broke and ended up hurting a few people. They stopped immediately but because of some of the injuries, the show was cancelled. I was worried about the reaction from the thousands of people at the cancellation but everyone left without incident. Too bad about the show but I just hope anyone who was injured is ok.

Alexisonfire (as they took the stage)

I called this my “rest day”. Had a normal work day but did watch a lot of the events online while I worked. I knew hitting the gym was going to be limited this week, so went to my regular kickboxing class. After class, I walked down to Granville Island and wandered around for a bit.

Entrance to Granville Island.

Huge line up at Atlantic House for the Sloan show…. glad I wasn’t in that! So many people were out and about. Again, lots of red!!!!

Granville Island is a great place to see the Vectoral Elevation (interactive artwork using 20 searchlights in English Bay and Kits). If you want to create your own, you can do so at www.vectoralvancouver.net

Vectoral Elevation

After my walk, it was home to bed.

Wow is really the only word I can come up with. The last couple days have just been amazing.

Friday night I watched the opening ceremonies at a friends place. Having seen the dress rehearsal, I was excited to see the faces of my friends as they experienced it for the first time. From the orcas, to the fiddlers, to the slam poet. Everyone just loved it. Of course the technical difficulties at the end, was a shame, but didn’t mar what I thought was just a wonderful representation of Canada from east to west coast!

Our flag bearer, Clara Hughes.

I spent Saturday watching events on TV and found myself riveted by sports that I have never really had any interest in, like ski jumping. What a beautiful thing to watch!!!

I made my way downtown early evening. I had no idea what to expect and I was surprised and thrilled by what I found. People everywhere. Canada flags everywhere. Canadian hockey jerseys everywhere. Canadian t-shirts and hoodies, scarfs and toques and of course the red mittens! The vibe was electric. All smiles and no anger! Just a feeling that everyone was here to celebrate and have a great time! And did we ever! We had dinner at Section 3 and along with everyone else in the restaurant, celebrated Jennifer Heil’s Silver medal in the mogul competition. We walked down Robson and stumbled upon the light show which was just incredible! Especially because there was huge amounts of people watching together! I laughed at the spontaneous “Oh Canada’s” and the “Go Canada Go” chants! How could you not smile?

Robson Square Show.

Robson Square with friends.

Next on the agenda was to go check out the Olympic Cauldren but on our way finally got a picture in front of the Olympic countdown clock. I can’t believe that it has been there for so long and I had never thought to take a picture with it before. Better late than never!

Amanda, me and Sean.

And finally the Cauldron!

Olympic Cauldron.

It’s a shame that it has to be behind a fence but I guess I can understand why they do it. After seeing this, we decided to call it a night. Afterall, the Olympics are here for 2 weeks. It’s all about pacing ourselves!

I was out the door early on Sunday. Lined up at the Olympic Superstore and bought a few more “Canada” wearables. A shirt, toque and scarf. I didn’t want to feel like I was wearing the same thing for the next two weeks!

We then headed to the Shark Club to watch the Canucks game. What a dismal game that was but did manage to see Canada’s Kristina Groves win the silver in the 3000m speed skating event! So exciting to see her do so well and fun to have watched it with a 100 other proud Canadians!

The rest of the afternoon was spent just walking around Yaletown and soaking up the ambience. It was such a beautiful day to be outside.

Sue and Sarah in Yaletown

Next bit of business was to make sure we saw Alexandre Bilodeau in the mens mogul finals. What an event as he captured the Gold and the hearts of all Canadians. The first person to ever win gold on home soil!  

Mogul medalists

Oh what a day! Spent with friends, family and all Vancouverites as we celebrate this electric time in our city!

Sue and me.