As my volunteer life at the Olympics is nearing an end I received my Olympic watch...very cool indeed.

It was sprinkling all day but the crowds were enthusiastic about making the most of the venues offered. At work we sat on edge and cheered the Mens Curling Team to Gold,(can't forget another Gold in Mens Parallel Giant Slalom as well as the Mens Speed Skating Team Pursuit and of course Bronze in the 4 man Bobsleigh). The count is looking good for the host country.

Rehearsals were taking place for the closing ceremonies tomorrow....we were fillers for the medal ceremonies (great feeling to walk into the stadium, wave and step up to receive a medal, then flowers, then hear the national anthem). I can now cross that off my Bucket List...I have experienced the thrill of being on the podium (okay it wasn't real but I got the feeling).

Walking around downtown in the crowds of revellers is very exciting - fireworks, live music, Canada gear and friendly banter...a very large party is happening here.
I tried once more to get red mittens at The Bay (no way) and met Rachael Flatt, the US figure skater (I loved her and thought she was robbed of a medal) - she was very accommodating and gracious, stopping for photos and enjoying the crowd gathering around her. Team USA vs Smurf wear. Thanks for the photo Kris.


After our shift, we stopped at Canada House for a bobsleigh trial....it will be tough to say goodbye tomorrow - not everyone is returning for the Paralympics.






In Keene, the Norman Hardie Winemakers Dinner was a great success...thank you to all who participated in the Arthritis Society Basket Auction (they raised $885 for the cause). If you haven't yet attended a winemakers dinner, please get on the email list - you do not want to miss another!

The rain did not deter anyone in Vancouver from lining up for a last look at pavilions and provincial houses...outside the Royal Canadian Mint display the sea of umbrellas was over a block long. It is reported to be an excellent visit.



I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Canadian Tourism Commission daily briefing...a run down of how we are positioning Canada to the world and how that's working for us...appreciated the opportunity, as a small operator, to be a part of the big picture.

Preshow at the stadium my colleagues and I pose by the Olympic rings.....we had just watched the Canadian Womens Curling Team take the Silver medal - what a heartbreaker!
Ben Mulroney and cohost(local CTV personality)provide easy banter and medal updates for the pre-game shows.
Worked the moshpit at Victory Celebrations so my friends took the photo of the band and the crowd....it was a rocking place tonight. By far the best band we've heard these Games. I was able to watch the Mens Hockey game with the cameraman (he kept switching from band to hockey). Congrats Men - now lets take the Gold!

Although we say it's not about the number of medals we win.....have you checked our medal count lately? There have been several sightings of the Prime Minister at the sporting events....he's got Olympic fever.

On Rice Lake, the snowplow has been busy with the fresh snow....great for the weekend ahead.

OMG where do I begin....visited the BC Hydro House and got some great ideas for saving energy; checked out the Aboriginal displays and made note of the beautiful canoes; found a book on how Canadians are different; went to work where we watched the Womens Hockey final (Rah Rah Gold for Canada); cheered for Canada's Joannie Rochette (Bronze Medal)in Womens Figure Skating on TV while hearing Burton Cummings performing at the Victory Ceremony (he was like the Duracell Bunny - just kept going). Needless to say, I sang O Canada several times today!

Pin trading should be an Olympic sport...can't wear a pin without someone asking you to trade....



After work I was fortunate enough to visit Molson Hockey House (party central for the Games-hottest ticket around-sold out) with a pass from my Ontario colleague, Molson Marketing Guru Ferg Devins - lo and behold, who should be there but the Gold Medal Women's Hockey Team....extremely cool! Thanks Ferg.

We had a quick get together tonight to say goodbye to some of our volunteer team as they head home this weekend....what a great group of people - perhaps we'll meet in Sochi, Russia for the next Winter Olympics.

On my walk home I marvelled at my luck at being here and having the opportunity to experience so much!

In Keene, preparations are well under way for a sold-out Winemakers Dinner. Dave Eckert of Culinary Travels on PBS filmed a segment at the Resort...stay tuned for air date.

It was a busy day with a visit to Granville Island, where families are finding fun in every corner; checked out Atlantic House, ate a plate of the touted poutine at the Francophone Adrenaline restaurant, then scurried off to Ontario House for the coolest 4D movie of the province and all it has to offer - just barely made it to work to catch the Canada-Russia hockey game and then got my assignment over at BC Place in the mosh pit for the Victory Celebration (medals) and concert with INXS.










I'm sure it sounds wonderfully exciting and it was! Clara Hughes picked up her Bronze for speed skating and the crowd was thunderous....she is so well loved at these games. Just as the medals were presented we heard of the ladies bobsleigh gold and silver, the upgrade to silver from bronze in ladies speed skating and the final score of the hockey game.....what a celebration. The pre-ceremony entertainment (it was Ontario Night) featured the artists in the current tv ads - there's no place like this...Justin Hinds, Damien ? and God Made Me Funky...at $22 a ticket the Victory Celebration is one of the best deals in town.

It's hard to believe there are only four days of Games left (then we prepare for the Paralympics)......I've met some amazing people, seen incredible entertainment and done so much here in Vancouver....I really do feel I'm living the dream. The emotion at the closing ceremonies will be high....imagine how the athlete's feel!

Back in Keene, things are underway to welcome the PBS film crew for a future foodie tv show and of course everyone is preparing for the Norman Hardie Winemakers Dinner on Saturday night (thankfully the gold medal hockey game is Sunday). Are you booked?

Here's wishing Womens Hockey Team Canada golden success tomorrow.

Womens Curling Event was stressful today as we managed to squeak a win out of Great Britain in the round robin. You can see the fans are really into the game....I found these Talking Rocks at the gate.


It's raining today and Vancouver is filled with umbrella people...no noticeable slowdown in the action.

March Break Special at the Resort....stay for five nights; pay for four nights....call today!

Ice Dancing Finals.....Gold for Canada....and I was there! Front row seat to the best performance on ice...lucky me! Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir looked like champions and skated an amazing program. It was very exciting and emotional to see the flag raised and hear the national anthem. Davis and White of the US skated beautifully for the Silver.

I saw several Russian athletes in Starbucks today....what's up with that?

The view from Kits Beach is always breathtaking...this morning I joined a group for Nordic Pole Walking - then carried on as I didn't want to get out of the sunshine and off the beach. Just a note, there's a Starbucks on almost every corner......

Swiss House on Granville Island does a great raclette.

Met lots of Swiss there.... no pilots.

I'm off to work - it promises to be crazy downtown as the Canada/US hockey game is this afternoon. (The build up was frenetic, the outcome humbling. Good hockey Team USA!)

This evening I was lucky enough to see the Victory Celebration and the entertainment....very nostalgic....Loverboy and Trooper (good crowd right to the end). I was working press box security in the venue. In my Smurf Suit I can do just about anything. (The volunteers are affectionately known as Smurfs as we are all in blue).

On my way home, as I do every night, I marvel at all the people, of all ages, from around the world, who stop to enjoy the fireworks. The show is splendid and really ends the day with a big bang (couldn't resist).

Meanwhile, back at the Resort, it's a spring day with lots of sunshine. Peter flew into Copeway, our wilderness camp, and opened up the cabin - he and Henry had lunch and made sure all was well. What a contrast to the crowds here.

Bald eagle on False Creek -
enjoying the sun.


Lunching outdoors at a local
icon - Go Fish - on the water,
at Granville Island. This is a
favourite of Vancouverites.
I had cod & chips.

It's difficult to know what to do each day...you want to watch the live coverage and see how the Canadians are doing but it's lovely out and you want to be part of the crowd. Granville Market is always a treat, add the revellers and buskers and it makes for a full day. Just so you don't think I'm shallow, I sat through several numbers of progressive jazz, watched the chain man unlock himself, enjoyed the flamenco dancers and watched the mallards with all the kids who don't know the Olympics are happening.

Everyone is heading to the hockey game

or somewhere to watch the hockey game....

Don Cherry, look out, the US has their own weapon.

Hope you caught Oprah with her red mittens on (The Bay provided mittens for everyone in the audience). It's the little things that make it special!

Walked down to the harbour to see the flame after attending the Vancouver Board of Trade Canada AM Breakfast - the group meet Friday mornings to network and hear pertinent speakers....this morning I was a guest and the speakers were local business leaders who had carried the Olympic torch. It was an emotional breakfast for all.

As I walked around downtown it was amazing to see line-ups for the cultural events, crowds moving en masse for the sporting events, crowds gathering in the streets to watch entertainers, city ambassadors handing out cupcakes, lots of families and laughter - I'm sure the city took the day off! It's tradition to have a legendary White Spot burger at least once a week....today was the day!

We headed over to the Richmond Ozone for the bobsleigh simulator - checked out the cranberry Olympic rings and heard the Canadian Tenors on stage....all the while watching the skeleton (gold, oh yeah), downhill and figure skating on the big screens.

Rode the new Bombardier train from Olympic Line to Granville Island, just to complete the day on a positive note.

Thanks to all for your comments and notes.

I need more hours in a day...here's the view from False Creek - you can see BC Place where I am stationed. On the waterfront visitors have been making inukshuks. Note the blue sky.


Canada Hockey Place is next to BC Place - just in case you missed it, Canada 3 - Switzerland 2. It was a nail biter. Celebrity sighting....Grant Fuhr walked by me to enter the hockey game....graciously signing autographs enroute.

Here's Russia House (Science World building) with the athlete's village on the left. I was invited into the athlete's lounge for caviar and drinks (volunteers and officials are invited in to mingle with the athlete's and sample their hospitality). Played some table hockey, tried to look cool and devoured some snacks.














While at Soshi, Russia House I found myself in the middle of Stephen Colbert taping his Russian segment for late night television "The Colbert Report". Cobert Nation publicly raised the funds necessary to send the US men's speedskating team to the Olympics....he's got a big following here.

Everyone was out on the streets today...lots of families, groups and couples enjoying the cultural events and the sporting events....every venue has a big screen television so it's impossible to miss the medals and the winning performances. I was fortunate to see the women's curling event where Japan gave Canada a run for the money until the last end. Who knew curling was so stressful!


It's fun to see how children are dealing with the Games...they are collecting all four of the mascots (Quatchi, Sumi, Miga and MukMuk) in all forms - I was taken by this family and their collectibles. Pin trading is very big, with Trade areas in many stores, including The Bay. By chance, in a lineup, I stood next to a manager of Starbucks and soon I was sporting an Olympic Starbucks pin....go figure! More gold, more glory, more fireworks and live music....stay tuned.

Cherry blossoms outside my window in Vancouver...how could it not be a great day! Curling and hockey are drawing crowds....ah, another gold!
Here's the serious shopper line-up at The Bay (Superstore for Olympic wear)-everyone wants a Canada shirt. Country specific clothing is available on the 5th floor so everyone can own a Slovenia hockey shirt....I don't believe anyone went to a hockey game today without a team shirt on....it was wild! I did manage to see Canada House, Manitoba House, the Cree Nation/Aboriginal Dome before work.

On Rice Lake the weekend is shaping up - last chance for you romantics to get away and embrace winter, sitting in front of the fire, rekindling that old flame. Call Wilma, Debbie or Julia to book your escape. 1-800-461-1940

Hey mom, have you made plans for March Break yet? Don't stress...we've got it covered!

Just love this photo taken by Robert Gauthier/L A Times, of the torch lighting at the Opening Ceremonies.

Although it was a disappointing day for hopefuls in mens downhill and speed skating, the spectators stayed positive and engaged. Part of my volunteer shift today was crowd control at the ticketing booth....very interesting study of human nature. It was great to meet people from around the world - here to see good sporting events. They were anxious to get any available tickets. The victory celebration this evening was raucous as "O Canada" played at BC Place. Tomorrow night more medals and Barenaked Ladies in concert. The fireworks were grand, despite the rain. I must say it's nice to see the flowers and trees in bloom, but having four distinct seasons is pretty special too! I'll slide a photo of the blossoms in tomorrow morning.

Today in Vancouver, everyone was out enjoying the spring-like weather and the cultural events. Walking around Granville Island we were bombarded with entertainment and food options from Swiss House, Atlantic House, the Francophone Adrenaline Cafe and the usual market fare. One of the acts we heard was from this hanging drum corps (performing in the air).

It was a glorious day to drive up the "Sea to Sky" Highway to Whistler for the day. The views were magnificent.
Whistler was alive with live entertainment, crowds of people from every country, non-Olympic skiers and Olympic teams. We were in the crowd watching the moguls competition when Canada won gold. What a day!

How lucky am I? The Richmond Oval was the scene of the Men's 5,000 m speed skating final today and I was there to see Sven Kramer (Netherlands)win his gold medal.










Our seat mates were all Sven fans, wearing the orange of the Netherlands team - an Olympic record was shattered and Sven jumped the boards to hug his parents and friends.
Some events were postponed for the weekend but the short and long speedskating provided great entertainment and of course, the Canadian Women's Hockey team had a good practice with Slovakia. Mogul results pending.

Exciting day meeting people from around the globe.....chanced upon Tilo Krause of CANUSA Touristik, our partner/friend from Germany. The world is here!


Just to give you a feel for the atmosphere here....whenever locals find out I am here volunteering they say "thank you so much"......how cool is that?

It was a quite a day here in Vancouver....the torch relay was a full day happening, the tragedy at the luge run was shocking and very grounding, the opening ceremonies were wonderful and the rain fell in buckets for most of the evening. So many Canadian celebrities were involved in the ceremonies - Rick Hansen, Bobby Orr, Nancy Greene, Anne Murray, Donald Sutherland, k.d. Lang, Wayne Gretzky and on and on it went (entertainers, athletes and astronauts)....who wouldn't be proud to be Canadian? I'm off to the men's long track speed skating event Saturday - can't wait to see the Richmond Oval. Our thoughts are with the team from Georgia...here's to a safe and exciting Olympics!

Happy Valentine's Weekend/Family Day to those at Rice Lake enjoying winter outdoors.

It has been suggested that Life in the Fast Lane doesn't really match who we are....that was the idea but if you have suggestions for a more catchy or appropriate name please send me a comment. Thanks in advance.

Everywhere I look I see the Olympic symbol (fountain wall at the Pan Pacific Hotel).

At the Coca Cola celebration pavilion (part of a city wide family program) the torches from past Olympics were on display.

Despite the rain (we are on the coast, after all) Vancouverites were out celebrating the arrival of the Olympic torch to their city. It was especially emotional for me to see the torch relay, realizing I had been a part of the journey here. Tonight (Feb 11) was the last lighting before the opening ceremonies. The party was energetic, the fireworks impressive - we are ready for the Games....

Reporting from Vancouver, after a most spectacular dress rehearsal for the opening ceremonies on Friday - it will be wonderful television for the world to see. You won't want to miss it! The countdown is on, as you can see. There are so many cultural events scheduled for families - great showcase on Canada. The torch is very close (still no word on who lights the cauldron in the stadium)....standby.

On my way to work this morning, I took this photo -
Difficult not to enjoy winter here in Vancouver.







Don't be caught without a dinner reservation for Valentine's Day in the Hearthside Room - or at least a gift.