Vancouver 2010: Day 8 – Working around the games

Getting caught up with some of Olympics adventures, it’s kind of tough to back track to everything that’s gone on. I have plenty of photos from the weekend to show how we kept pretty busy that making any posts or even getting through my photos proved tough.

Vancouver 2010: Day 8 - Robson Square Morning

Long lines. Basically this is what you get for pretty much anything you want to get into and has a price tag of free on it. The zipline is one thing, but various houses all seem to have a wait time to get inside.

Word has it that the LiveCity in Yaletown had people forming a line for the next day as it closes down at 11PM every night, but I can’t be sure one which days or for what acts.

Vancouver 2010: Day 8 - Robson Square Morning

Vancouver 2010: Day 8 - Busker Heaven

Buskers and street performers are making a killing with as crowded as downtown has been and how nice the weather was.

Vancouver 2010: Day 8 - Robson Square in the afternoon

I had a fairly standard work day but found myself working down at Robson Square with one of the stations for an afternoon drive live broadcast. Our view looked right onto the ice rink in the photo above.

During the afternoon radio show, our host wandered around with a wireless mic and found various people to talk to from all over the world. Sweden, Brazil, a Ukranian lady who lives in Vancouver but grew up back home as a trained figure skater, and even Langley.
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Vancouver 2010: Day 7 – Taking in Canada vs. Switzerland men’s hockey at the Swiss House

It might seem that we’re fans of the House of Switzerland, which we totally are, but I was invited to come spend the evening watching the Canada vs. Switzerland men’s hockey game from their location on Granville Island.

Vancouver 2010: Day 7 - House of Switzerland to watch Canada vs. Switzerland Men's Hockey

Now as you can imagine, the atmosphere to watch this game is exactly how you would picture it. All Canadian hospitality was thrown out the window when it came to this game.

Vancouver 2010: Day 7 - House of Switzerland to watch Canada vs. Switzerland Men's Hockey

Vancouver 2010: Day 7 - House of Switzerland to watch Canada vs. Switzerland Men's Hockey

Vancouver 2010: Day 7 - House of Switzerland to watch Canada vs. Switzerland Men's Hockey

Vancouver 2010: Day 7 - House of Switzerland to watch Canada vs. Switzerland Men's Hockey

It was pretty cool when representatives from the Swiss House came around with free hats for everyone in the bar area, which no one argued about putting on because everyone loves free stuff. However, when the Swiss scored their first goal, the Canada fans were quick to start throwing their free hats at anyone cheering for the Swiss.

Vancouver 2010: Day 7 - House of Switzerland to watch Canada vs. Switzerland Men's Hockey

Vancouver 2010: Day 7 - House of Switzerland to watch Canada vs. Switzerland Men's Hockey

And then the moment when Switzerland tied up the game at 2-2.

Vancouver 2010: Day 7 - House of Switzerland to watch Canada vs. Switzerland Men's Hockey

This place was pumped up for the game from the start. I shot a little video from the inside to capture at least a little bit of the chanting wars that really never stopped by for a handful of minutes at a time. It’s a little shaky and dark, but it was the crowd that I was really trying to capture.

As the story goes, the game went all the way to a shootout, and to say people were holding their breath is an understatement. In fact, they were putting their heads in their hands, biting their napkins, and sipping furiously from their glasses of beer.

And that’s just the Swiss fans. I don’t think my own mother would like it if I told you what the Canada fans were saying. At least the 3-2 win made them happier, and the Swiss fans took it all in stride.

Vancouver 2010: Day 7 - House of Switzerland to watch Canada vs. Switzerland Men's Hockey

Many thanks to Jennifer from the House of Switzerland for making this experience another one of my many highlights of these Olympics in Vancouver. If you haven’t had a chance to stop by the Swiss House, of course I suggest you check it out!

Vancouver 2010: Day 6 – Mailing it in

So my experience of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics boiled down to letting the wookie win, and this implies the cold that was just a tad annoying the day prior. I waived the white flag in the battle when my head felt like it was in a vicegrip, taking in the games by whatever the TV could bring me while I slipped in and out of consciousness on the couch.

I make it sound worse than it was, but sometimes you just need to rest it out.

Day 6 certainly had some action to it. I missed Lindsey Vonn’s gold medal ski run but caught most of the last handful of skiers who had a heck of a time in Whistler. Shani Davis rocked that 1000 meters in speed skating, and Shaun White pretty much blew my mind.

Combine all of that with Twitter and Flickr, I have all I really need to find out what’s going on between all over B.C. in terms of these games.

So what I thought I would do is poke through some of the photos submitted to the True North Media House photo group on Flickr to pull out some great stuff that’s been filtering through the social media news wires. A lot of people are doing cool stuff, and the photography that’s coming through really pushes that concept of cool to a different level of storytelling rather than just saying what happened.
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Vancouver 2010: Day 5 – Downtown at night

Every night that we head home from wherever our Olympics adventures take us in Vancouver, we seem to keep circling around Robson Square. This is truly becoming the heart of the downtown core in terms of people gathering to celebrate, party, watch, or apparently throw down an impromptu game of street hockey in the middle of the street.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Downtown at night

The crowds that we’re experiencing in Vancouver during these games are unlike anything else I’ve previously seen. The only thing comparable for me are the massive amounts of people we see during the Celebration of Lights. The million or so people on each of those four summer nights are often loud and rowdy, if not heavily intoxicated the whole night through.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Downtown at night

These crowds have something different to them. Yes, there is plenty of drinking being done around these venues, hospitality houses, and bars, but there is still a common excitement, enthusiasm, and cheerfulness running throughout. I won’t say that the crowds aren’t annoying when trying to get through them, but let’s be honest, it could be worse.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Downtown at night

In the thick of last night’s crowd, we ran across the now very popular Boxing Kangaroo, the Australian symbol of pride when it comes to anything athletic related.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Downtown at night

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Downtown at night

Going back to what I’ve been seeing and saying about the sense of Canadian pride during these games is somewhat captured in the two photos above. People stop to watch whatever event is being televised on whatever screen they can find. In fact, while at work yesterday afternoon, the only reason I knew that Maelle Ricker had just won gold in snowboard cross for Canada was the amount of cheers that came from our special lounge we setup in an area of the building.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Downtown at night

And you would have thought that Canada had already won the gold medal for men’s hockey the way they celebrated downtown. Just sitting at home, we could hear cars honking and people yelling something that involved the words “Canada” and “wooo!” numerous times, late into the night.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Downtown at night

People are jazzed. They want to be out and about to experience this city. Even the now famous Japadog has a long line of people waiting to try their street side, hot dog creations, and I think we can point the finger at Anthony Bourdain for the well deserved hype.

No matter how much you do in one day or how many events you have tickets to, I have this overwhelming sensation of still feeling like your missing something or everything. You’ll never see it all, and I have come to terms with that. I’m just thankful to be seeing everything that I have and what’s yet to come.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 – At the Molson Brewery to watch Canada vs. Norway Men’s Hockey

The fifth day of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics found ourselves invited to the local Molson brewery to share in a gathering of fellow hockey fans to take in TV coverage of the men’s hockey game between Canada and Norway.

Even though the gathering was small, this is a pretty big deal to be able to hang out with the movers and shakers of Molson, one of the many official sponsors of the games. But the gathering was put into the hands of Richard Loat from the Canucks Hockey Blog to bring all sorts of hockey fans together for this event, continuing their efforts in the social media realm.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery

During the 2nd intermission of the game, Ferg Devins made an announcement to the group that was not only a first for all of us but had not been announced publicly anywhere.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery

Devins unveiled a limited edition of Molson Canadian that will be given to each, gold medal athlete for Canada. This massive bottle of beer has a great “Vancouver 2010” along its side, is wrapped with golden foil, corked like a champagne bottle, and is individually, hand signed by Geoff Molson, Vice-President of Marketing and great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandson of founder John Molson.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery
Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery

As the bottle was shown to our group, it prompted a photo opportunity that was more like passing the Stanley Cup around rather than a really cool, large bottle of beer.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery

It was very unique and creative of Molson to make this official announcement to a gathering of social media folks like ourselves. I told them thank you many times just to be invited and share in the comradery of such passionate fans cheering for Canada.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery

It was also great to link up with J.J. again. Since becoming a new dad, it’s been tough to find the time to gather our Crazy Canucks crew, not to mention a lack of our spare time preparing for these winter games and growing sixty4media over the past months. For those wondering where our Canucks podcast has gone, let us get through these games and regroup in time for the playoffs.

Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery Vancouver 2010: Day 5 - Molson Brewery

With Canada winning 8-0 over Norway, everyone left very happy from this night. Thanks again to Molson for bringing together a bunch of hockey fans to help add to these Olympic games celebrations.

Ryan Kesler sandwich I have to add, and waive my colors just a little bit as well, that the USA men’s hockey team defeated Switzerland in their first match of these games. 3-1 doesn’t seem nearly as cool as 8-0, but after Rebecca’s trip to Switzerland and seeing a Swiss Hockey League game first hand, this is not a country to shrug off. I believe they are a country on the rise for sure.

Are we a force to be reckoned with? I’m not sure yet, but I do love the way these guys played as much as it was fun to see Ryan Kesler’s number 17 on a Team USA jersey. The spirit of competition is now in full effect, and I’m digging every last second of it.

Vancouver 2010: Day 4 – Pairs Figure Skating Final at Pacific Coliseum

I’m riding the vitamin C pretty hard today, trying to keep a cold from seeping into my sinuses. I think all of the anticipation, stress, and excitement has caught up to me. While I’ll do my best to take care of myself, I can’t forget that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and keep going as much as my body can handle it.

That being said, some photos from yesterday’s excitement.

Vancouver 2010: Day 4

The line for the ticket office at Robson Square continues to amaze me. It always seems to be at least this long, but what you can’t see is how it goes back and wraps around. And what else you can’t see if the scalper vultures waiting just out of frame.

Vancouver 2010: Day 4

Blue coats, green coats, blue and yellow coats… You see little groups of workers and volunteers like this all over Vancouver right now. I’m not sure what they’re doing, but I hope it’s important.

Vancouver 2010: Day 4

Riding the train to and from various places, you see all sorts of people dressed up to show off their country’s pride. I absolutely love this.

Vancouver 2010: Day 4

These crowds never seem to cease. A lot of chatter on various back channels is how they wish Vancouver was like this all the time. While that might be pushing it, it would be amazing to have more events where excitement like this can thrive maybe once or twice a year. It’s just an idea, but an interesting one.

Vancouver 2010: Day 4

Later on in this day, we made our way to Pacific Coliseum to watch the pairs figure skating finals from our row four seats. We thought they would be good, but what we didn’t know is that row four was the very front row. Talk about amazing!

Vancouver 2010: Day 4

Welcome to Canada! Buy our flags!

Vancouver 2010: Day 4

I love how VANOC set this up for people, but this wasn’t promising seeing this free bike parking and lock-up. But then again, with as crazy as traffic normally is in Vancouver and the influx of people in this city, I can see what people wouldn’t want to try to do the bike thing. Seems like a ton of people are using transit instead.

Vancouver 2010: Day 4

Pacific Coliseum looks great. Getting to the rink is a winding maze that takes you from Hastings for about 100 meters, a security checkpoint, then another 100 meters of walking before you get to the front doors.

I took all sorts of shots while inside the venue, but you’ll have to visit my Vancouver 2010: Day 4 set on Flickr to see them.

Vancouver 2010: Day 4

China took gold and silver while Germany took bronze. It was so cool to be surrounded by people all around us, cheering for their respective countries yet alone going outside to see CCTV interviewing people about what they just saw inside.

I sent word to my mom and dad of where our seats were and that they should watch the NBC coverage of the event. Sure enough, we were spotted in Canada, in Iowa, and even Illinois. The people right next to us were getting text messages from China that they were on TV in Beijing, so we probably popped up over there, too.

Hockey is starting up for the men on Day 5, so now it’s really game on!

Vancouver 2010: Day 3 – House of Switzerland, Atlantic Canada House, and Granville Island

The fun doesn’t seem to stop, and it’s been really great to see Keira and Duane getting into the action while we run around Vancouver to see what we can see while everything is going on for these games.

Vancouver 2010: Day 3

Vancouver 2010: Day 3

We were back at the House of Switzerland for Day 3 while Rebecca judged a chocolate competition. That’s some hard work right there, but someone has to do it.

Vancouver 2010: Day 3

Evidence of the Stephen Colbert nation and their presence in Vancouver has been spotted. I’m thinking these posters will be quite the collector’s item in the coming days.

Vancouver 2010: Day 3

As odd as it seemed to our Swiss hosts, we had fondue for breakfast at the Swiss House. Rich, melted cheese with a white wine and bread to dip in it. So good.
Continue reading “Vancouver 2010: Day 3 – House of Switzerland, Atlantic Canada House, and Granville Island”

Vancouver 2010: Day 2 – Women’s hockey between Canada and Slovakia

Saturday seems like a long time ago, but it was my first time getting into an Olympic event.

Vancouver 2010: Day 2

Vancouver 2010: Day 2

We were on our way to Canada Hockey Place to go watch Canada versus Slovakia women’s hockey when these, obviously, team Canada fans came up the escalators in Granville Station singing Oh, Canada at the top of their lungs. Seeing me, they gave a hearty yell as I snapped their picture.

I took a variety of photos while at the game, but trying to keep within the rules of what the IOC lets you do with those photos, you’ll have to visit my Vancouver 2010: Day 2 set on Flickr to see them.

That being said, CHP (more known as GM Place to Canucks fans like you and me) looks amazing. I love that the only piece of advertisement in the whole rink is the Omega sign hanging from the scoreboard above center ice. I wish it could be that way the whole year round, but the Canucks need to pull in that extra income somewhere.

The game itself was an amazing experience. Canada blew Slovakia out of the water, 18-0, which kind of made it a little lackluster in terms of action. I just like a little more competition as a spectator, but trust me, there was no lack of skill in that game.

On top of that, experiencing true Canadian pride was chilling. Growing up, I’m familiar with the same of fellow Americans and the pride associated there, but this was different. I can’t place my finger on what it is, but it’s all about the celebration of the game in front of you as well as your fellow countrymen and women around you sharing in that. It’s all about being in that moment, and then probably sharing that story over and over for years to come.

Vancouver 2010: Day 2

Heading home through downtown, it just seems like there is a constant party, especially down Granville Street. There has been impromptu dance parties, flash mobs of choreographed dancers, and so many other things that I’ve seen mentioned on Twitter that I can even recall because there always seems to be something going on.

Ever wonder what it would be like if there was a party and the whole world was invited? This is it.

Vancouver 2010: Taking in the Opening Ceremonies

After all the torch run excitement from yesterday, it was time to get ready for the Opening Ceremonies.

Vancouver 2010: 0 Day

Around downtown, it seemed like you could find torch bearers all over the place. People were telling a lot of them congratulations and even stopping them in their tracks to get a photo with them and the torch they get to keep.

Vancouver 2010: 0 Day

Ticket scalpers were out in force. If you’re selling anything, they want it.

Vancouver 2010: 0 Day

Vancouver 2010: 0 Day

Vancouver 2010: 0 Day

Robson Square and the area around it was just a party zone. People were all over the streets, taking photos, and soaking in the atmosphere. Even being a little rainy, no one seemed to care.

We were really fortunate to get tickets for the Molson Canadian Hockey House to watch the Opening Ceremonies on their numerous TV screens in their tent.

Vancouver 2010: Molson Canadian Hockey House

I won’t say it was the best place to watch the event, but being surrounded by so many proud Canadians was pretty worth the experience. The sound of the broadcast was hard to hear in the venue, but there are always rebroadcasts of the ceremonies to watch later.

Vancouver 2010: Molson Canadian Hockey House

Vancouver 2010: Molson Canadian Hockey House

Another testament to these “green games”, compostable cups for your beer. Brilliant.

Vancouver 2010: Molson Canadian Hockey House

Like I said, even though the sound of the announcers was hard to hear, everyone was pumped when Canada entered BC Place.

Vancouver 2010: Cauldron from afar

We have yet to make it down to see the cauldron, but we saw this on our exhausted walk home last night.

Even though there were technical issues in these ceremonies, I think they were pretty great. We’ll certainly watch them again from the comfort of our own couch, but they put on a hell of a show. If there is anything more Vancouver, it’s sticking Wayne Gretzky in the back of a pickup truck and driving him through the streets with people running along in driving rain. Nice touch.

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protests

What was kind of expected, the protesters took hold in Vancouver in the Coal Harbour and west end area this morning. Rebecca said there was coverage on TV of the action, and when Duane and I saw that the group was heading up Robson Street, we grabbed our cameras and ran out to get some shots.

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protesters

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protesters

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protesters

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protesters

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protesters

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protesters

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protesters

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protesters

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protesters

Vancouver 2010: Robson Street Protesters

I also shot video while walking behind the crowd. It was impromptu and shaky, but I think it captures some of the atmosphere.

You can see all of the photos I shot in this Flickr set.

People were following this crowd, picking up knocked over newspaper boxes this group of protesters were knocking over as they walked through the streets. The police asked the same man in the video above to cease this act for his own safety. Duane and I stopped following the group shortly after this point for our own safety as well.

Rebecca has a post up. Duane Storey, John Biehler, and Kris Krug all have coverage of this as well.