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.

Vancouver 2010: 0 Day

Vancouver 2010: 0 Day

Today is the day. I don’t have a lot of time right now, but our GM at work is the best boss ever for letting us off work early today because of the opening ceremonies tonight.

I’m posting a ton of photos to Flickr today and throwing a little caution to the wind in terms of editing and just trying to get photos up as soon as I can.

Here’s a slideshow of the torch run events plus all the other photos I’ve taken and will take today and a link to the set on Flickr.

Today is a lifelong dream of being in an Olympic city coming true. I woke up happier than a kid on Christmas morning. My only wish would be to have all my friends and family here to share this amazing day. I love you all.

Vancouver 2010: -2 days to go

2 Days To Go

I’m hearing a lot of chatter from all over about how stressed they are over everything going on right now in terms of what’s about to hit Vancouver on Friday. The fact that Cambie Bridge was shut down today for full dress rehearsal of the opening ceremonies gives me hope that they’ll be as entertaining as the Beijing. You really won’t be able to compare the two, but still, the rumors floating around hinting at cool things.

Pacific Centre Igloo

Now this is kinda cool, but it doesn’t help the stereotype of Canadians and igloos.

Team Russia on the streets

This is by far the most entertaining thing to see right now. This afternoon I passed two guys wearing San Marino gear, and about five minutes later, I learned about a country that I had never heard of before. And here I thought I had a handle on all of Europe micro-countries.

Towering Canadian Pride

Walking back from lunch yesterday, my co-worker and I saw them drop this flag from the crane. It’s actually double-sided with Italy’s flag on the other side, which was the side we saw when they first stuck it up there. It was pretty neat to see how they split this sense of pride. Might be something we need to do back at our place.

The high tech and the not so much of Vancouver 2010

This is something that has made me chuckle for a number of trips through the Olympic Village Station on the Canada Line. Located right around the corner from the entrance of the station is the Olympic Line streetcar, which is an amazing piece of technology and is, if I might say so, kinda sexy.

Olympic Line Media Preview

Pretty cool, right? But to let people coming out of the station know which direction to go to get to this marvelous piece of transit equipment, you get this dry erase board.

High-tech sign for Olympic Line at Olympic Village Station

Awesome!

It’s just something that makes you laugh a little bit when you think about everything else that has been put in place or built for the Olympics. They could have put some stickers on it or wrapped it with some fancy graphics or something. But no, just this dry erase board that, oddly enough, has never been tampered with.

And the only reason I mention it at all is because when you go towards the bridge, about 100 feet in the opposite direction, you see this.

Olympic Line Opening Day

This is too large to fit on the other sign at the entrance, but could easily be put on that other sign if shrunk down. Still, whatever works. Long live ghetto engineering.