We really do own the podium

For all the worry last week, we have more gold medals than any other country has ever won at a Winter Games.  Own the Podium must have worked!  We really did well when you count up the top 8 finishes.  Now if there was just funding for PE in elementary schools in BC.

I watched the last day with mixed feelings.  I'll just have to switch to the Paralympics to get some of the buzz back.  Maybe the lines will be shorter at what will still be open.

Have almost finished my Retired Teachers newsletter.  Waiting for 2 pages to come to me.

What day is it?

Thought it was Sunday and wondered where the online Province was.  Made a quick trip to Safeway for groceries and realized the Sun was there because it was Saturday.  Duh!

Like most people, I stayed glued to the TV all day.  I think we do own the podium.  We've set so many records for gold medals, top 8 finishes, host country medals....

Can't believe there is only 1 more day.  Now we get a rest before the next party begins in a couple of weeks.

Started putting together the Retired Teachers' newsletter as the deadline looms.  Am more than 1/2 done tonight.

My ribs are feeling much better and I am sleeping a lot.  Even fell asleep this morning in front of the TV.

Air Care

Slept better last night but ribs really hurt when I woke up and turned over.

Had to go to BCAA to renew ICBC.  Too stupid to read the letter and had to leave to get Air Care.  Took a minute to test my car (for the 1st time) as they just plugged into the onboard computer.  Too cool!  Back to BCAA and then picked up some groceries on the way home.

Spent the rest of they day watching the TV, iPhone and computer to keep track of all the sports.

What a great hockey game and exciting speed skating.

Sore ribs

Arrived at the Cancer Agency early for my bloodwork but the nurse who saw me come in checked my name on the chemo list instead of the one for a blood draw.  Another nurse who knew me figured out the mistake after a while.

Saw my nurse and told her that the ribs on my right side started hurting yesterday and kept me awake last night.  She called Dr. Gelmon and she immediately sent me for X-rays of the ribs and chest.  Still haven't heard from her so that probably means nothing drastic is wrong (except my sticky g key).  I am to take Ibuprofen for a bit.

The trial people sent out a warning that 9 people have developed blood clots.  I guess that makes me #10!  They will reword the consent form and I'll sign it when it finishes going through the approval process.  My treatment went well today and I saw Mae and Darline a few times.

I was able to follow the curling on my iPhone and watch some of the skiing in one of the lobbies.  I stopped at Safeway for pills and groceries and headed home for the next events.  Loved watching the Women win the first hockey gold ever won in Canada!

The skating was perfect http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7wbJZIFf1o

Slovakia is next

Nipped out to Costco for water this morning (I know Vancouver water is perfect but my building has old pipes).

Settled in for a day of Olympics.  We set a record for 4 medals in one day.  The big hockey game with Russia turned into a rout and we face Slovakia next.  Where did the Sedins get to?

End of an era

I saw my GP, Dr. David Brough, for the last time today.  He retires at the end of the week.  He is why I am still alive and kicking.  A good family doctor is the first line of defence against disease.  He always knew when to send me for more tests or to a specialist.  On the other hand, he also knew when to pat me on the head and reassure me that there was really nothing wrong that a few days wouldn't take care of.

Had a chance for curling tickets tonight but wanted to watch too many events on TV.

My letter was in the Province today:

The Pravda and Guardian articles show that maybe we should sent our most vitriolic journalist to the upcoming summer and winter games in London and Sochi.

I don't know if the writers of these pieces are actually in Vancouver, but they aren't seeing what I am. The games are wonderful for Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler.

There are glitches and mistakes but most are corrected quickly. The weather in Sochi right now is the same as here -- no one could predict that.

The fatal luge accident was terrible but that course was approved by the International Luge Federation and there will be a full investigation because that is what happens in a democratic country.

Evan Lysacek was the better skater on the day he won gold. Doing a quad does not guarantee a medal -- that's like saying the team who hits a grand slam should automatically win the baseball game.

Richmond jaunt

Took the Canada Line to the end of the line and walked to BC Street near the OZone.  The dislays from different regions of BC were well done and interesting.  I tried to get into Heineken House at about 2:20 but the were clearing everyone out of the site in preparation for the 3:00 opening.  Too bad the web site didn't say that.  I didn't want to stand in line so went into the mall for lunch and headed home.

From Olympic Games 2010

We want Luongo

Stayed parked in front of the TV all day.  Brodeur gave away 2 goals by showboating.  We need Luongo on Tuesday.  Everyone I cheered for lost today!

Now have gold medals for 1st 3 categories on Bejewelled.

The II Olympics Geo Meetup

Caught the Canada Line this morning and rode to Yaletown. Met some geocachers who asked me to join them in finding a multiple cache in honour of Sweeney's Cooperage.  We were in the area for an event cache in honour of the Olympics.  There were quite a few other geocachers at the gazebo near the Cambie Bridge.  We signed a balloon to record our visit.

Shopped at Urban Fare before heading home.  I think I might do that more often.  The train was busy and I let a few pass by before cramming myself onto one.  A man moved his daughter to his lap to let me sit down.

Russell Medal

Spent the day watching Olympics and loving it.  Went to Pru's for family dinner but only Patrick and Jesse showed up.  Didn't matter.  The food was great and we watched TV together.  Great to watch Jon Montgomery win gold in Skeleton.  He is from Russell, Manitoba and that is the town next to Rossburn, where my family homesteaded in the 1880's.  I have cousins there and Uncle Jim's family is from Russell.

Pru and I are addicted to Bejewelled.  She was playing on her computer and I was on my iPhone (which connects to the Facebook game).

Found my tripod and headed to the airport but couldn't find a place to park to try photographing the rings.  Gave up and took some shots of the Richmond Oval.

From Olympic Games 2010

Olympic Flame

Rode the Canada Line to Waterfront at 9 this morning and walked over to see the Olympic flame.  There was a line and stairs to get on the roof to see it so I just took shots through the slit they've put in the fence.  I think the backdrop from the high shot was too busy and I did better looking up at the sky.

From Olympic Games 2010

Walked up to the Bay.  There were a lot of people and I was overdressed for the temperature.  Decided I'd had it and was home by 11:15.

Spent the rest of the day enjoying the events.

Couch potato

Don't want leave the Lazy-Boy!  At least if you watch all day it ends early and I get to watch real TV I've recorded on my PVR.  24 is much better if you can fast forward through the commercials and watch 2 episodes at once.

Feeling better today but still have a bit of a headache.  I only made a quick trip to the library and Safeway.

Spring has sprung

To listen to some of the world press you would think it was pouring rain and everything is failing.  I don't know where they are, but I've seen a lot of good events.  Every Olympic games and World Cup events have these weather delays.  Nagano had two events on the closing day with no spectators.  This is winter and no one can control the weather.

Today I watched us get the 2nd gold in snowboard cross, men and women's curling, figure skating, hockey and biathalon. 

Rough night but am feeling better today.  Must have been something I ate.

Day 4

Had to see my rheumatologist this morning.  He is impressed with how much my hands have improved and wants to continue the medication for another 6 weeks before possibly adding another.  There was not traffic in Richmond.

Watched TV all day and then met Louise for dinner at Cactus Club.  Must start taking transit now meters are more expensive.  I tried the Agency lot and he wanted $14.  I backed out to the street instead.  Our group went well and I was home by 9.

Feeling a bit sick tonight.  Need a day of rest.

1st Gold Medal

Out to Richmond for a bit of shopping this morning after sleeping in until the phone rang at 10:15.  My legs still hurt from last night.  Spent the day watching the games.  So glad I bought the big TV.

To Pru's for Daniel's birthday dinner tonight.

Women's hockey

Went to Zellers and the Bay early this morning to buy some tops to wear.  Came home for a while and then headed downtown on the Canada Line.  Tried meeting Mae but she was stuck in long line at her station.  Walked around and took some photos.  I hope the courts come down hard on the anarchists who wore masks, used spray paint, had a ladder to push police back and had rocks in socks to swing at windows.  They can't claim that it wasn't planned and need to be kept in jail until they agree to stay out of Vancouver.  A bunch of cowards hiding behind masks.  I have marched to protest and I did it a couple of times when it was illegal but I always did it with my face uncovered and was ready to be arrested for what I believed in.

From Olympic Games 2010

Took Canada Line to Waterfront and then Skytrain to Stadium.  Finally got in touch with Chris and he was still at home.  I went into Tinseltown to sit while I waited and had some Chinese food.  It was full of stuff for Chinese New Year.

Finally met up with Chris and we had to stand in long lines to go through security.  Kathrine and her boyfriend met us at our seats.  What a wonderful game.  The shots were Canada 67 Slovakia 9 and the score was 18-0.  Our goalie kept doing exercises to keep limber and warm.  The Slovakia team skated around as they left and waved at the crowd.  Lots of cheering for them.

On the way out we met Daniel who was volunteering.  Chris took us all to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory.  We watched the Canadian win Silver on the moguls as we waited for our table.  It was in the bar so we could keep watching events.

On the way to Waterfront, we ran into Jessie.  Amazing when you consider how many people were downtown.

Three of us got on the wrong bus in the Cambie Loop.  Not used to the same number going both directions.  We got off and tried again.  The final stop was right at the end of my lane so it was pretty easy.  I walked further when I had to catch the Oak or Granville buses.

Today I walked 6.07 km.

1st Day

Met Pru and Daniel and others at Chinese restaurant for a great lunch after spending the morning watching the torch run on TV.

Chris had a family dinner to watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics.  They were wonderful. The flag and torch bearers were perfect.  Also liked the poem "We Are More" by Shane Koyczan.

My night was made when kd came out.  I knew it was her when I heard the opening note.  Here is another performance of it:

Cheer the flame

Mae wasn't well so I went back to bed this morning instead of picking her up.  A pile of books I reserved at Winter Tonic were in so I stopped at the library.  Bought some more swag at the Oakridge Bay and then went to the Cancer Agency for lunch.

Met Kelty, another Vancouver TL, in the waiting room.  For once my pills and the chemo were both there on time so I was finished quickly.

Drove down 12th and parked near Victoria.  Saw the torch go by - very emotional!

From Olympic Games 2010

SeaTac

Drove to the Cancer Agency for a 9 a.m. bloodtest (5 vials).  Cambie was clear and the parking lot was half empty.  I picked up a card to show I can use the parking lot during the games.  It is too close to a Canada Line stations and there is a temptation for muggles to park and ride.  Bean So Good has changed hands and the scone was hard and stale - must switch coffee shops.  Saw my oncologist at 11:15 (an hour late) and she is happy with my condition.

Headed down to SeaTac to pick up Pru as she returned from visiting Patience in Houston.  Bought a bunch of stuff at Harry & David's and then found a cache in Marysville.  Soon realized I was running out of time due to the big Seattle rush hour.  So glad Vancouver isn't full of freeways!!!

Pru's flight arrived 15 minutes late at 6.  My GPS took a circuitous route to the Seattle Crab Co., near Northgate.  We had halibut cheeks and mashed potatoes topped with carmelized onions and blue cheese.  Excellent!

Got Pru home at 11:30 and Daniel was there to greet us.  He came from Shanghai at noon and is volunteering for the Olympics.  I drove 550 km.

Winter Tonic

Slept in this morning but still did the laundry.  Found an outfit that wasn't mine when I finished, so put it back downstairs.

Remembered the right day this year for Winter Tonic.  Met at Gladstone at 4.  The new superintendent made a good speech and things will be changing.  Facebook and Twitter are already unblocked.  Mary's son David (baritone) sang opera for us along with a tenor.  Amazing!

Got some good tips for Adult Reads and put reserves on them using my iPhone as the VPL Librarian talked about them.  Also kept track of the Canucks game.

The theme was Carnivale and Italy so the meal was Italian.

Failed to find a cache near Purdy's and was home by 9.

Red Cross is ready

Didn't do much all day but arrived at Red Cross at 6 for a team meeting and an update on readiness for any problems during the Olympics.  Plans are well in hand.  An example would be a fire in an apartment house.  People usually housed in hotels would have to be put up elsewhere during the Games.  Always impressed with the planning going on behind the scenes.

Didn't get home until 10.  Liked it when they were on Oak Street instead of Lake City.

Who Dat?

Drove to Port Moody this morning to give birthday presents to Andrea (late) and Matt (early). The rest of my week is so busy I figured I'd better do it while I could.

Home in plenty of time for the Super Bowl. Actually cheered for the winning team for a change.

Considering that they cost about $3 million each, some of the ads were pretty lame. Others were good. Will Betty White ever get old?  Had to watch them on the computer as they were stripped in Canada.  Didn't even understand a couple of them.  The anti-abortion one was just stupid.

Olympics

Woke up just in time for the start of the Canucks game.  Kept switching to curling but we didn't make the semi-finals.

Drove around downtown to see what was happening.  Most roads were clear and I got some photos.  Tried for a new geocache in Stanley Park but couldn't find it.   Picked up a book for Matt at Character's and a prescription at Safeway.

Met Moira at White Spot for dinner.

One week to go!

Went to Mark's Work Wearhouse and bought a jacket on sale.  It was $50, marked down from $140 and is a 4 in one: shell with or without sleeves, with fleece and a fleece without the shell - that should confuse me!  Also stopped at Chapters.

Feeling perkier tonight.

The long road trip

Canucks need to step it up if they are going to survive this road trip.  Need more shots on goal!

Tired after yesterday's headache so didn't go out at all today.

Drive to Harrison

Drove to Harrison for a swim and found a few caches on the way home.  Had an early dinner at Chilliwach Airport - chicken stew and raspberry/peach pie.

Filled up near Mission for 95.9!

Didn't really feel well and probably should have cut the trip short.  A headache came a few times through the day and a couple of times I had to pull off and take a catnap!!  Floating in the pool did make the headache go away for a while.

Forgot Tuesday

Was really tired all day so didn't do much.  Caught up on VHS tapes.  Love my new PVR.  Can tape stuff at Eastern times and watch later, fast forwarding through the commercials.  All those years of setting my VCR are behind me!

Avatar

Picked up Matt this morning and we had breakfast at the White Spot in Langley.  Tried to see Avatar in 3D IMAX but the theatre didn't have matinees any more.  Back to Coquitlam and saw it in 3D.  Wonderful movie and deserves all the praise.  The new generation of 3D glasses are comfortable to wear for the whole movie.  At times it looked like things were floating right to me.

I loaded up at Thrifty's and was home by 4:30.  Really tired tonight.