Day 1

So what was the purpose of a dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremonies if they didn't make sure everything worked to a tee? So far it's been a bit disappointing. Originally I thought I would be getting emotional but the musical acts were OK at best. It wasn't until the "flag carrying ceremony" when I finally smiled. Anne Murray looked like she never aged, same with Donald Sutherland. And of course Betty Fox reminded me of perhaps the greatest athlete of them all. I hoped so much that the "rumor" of some sort of a Terry Fox hologram lighting the cauldron would be true, even though part of me was thinking it couldn't happen. But if not, then it had to be Wayne Gretzky.

The "group" that finally lit the cauldron was worthy of Canada. All were great athletes. But then some half-working contraption came out of the ground. Oops. Great preparation. Poor Catrina Lemay Doan.

That being said, I'm watching the Olympics for the sport and not the glitz. It is time for Canada to show everyone who we are.

Torchinator?

How does the governor of CALIFORNIA (which is in the United States) get to carry the torch at Stanley Park on Friday? Did we become part of the USA? Is Paris Hilton going to light the torch or perhaps Britney Spears? What did I miss here?

The Other Casino (not that one)

Even though the Edgewater Casino is a different company from mine, I really feel bad for them during this Olympic thing. I could be an impolite fool and laugh at their misfortune but instead I'm going to shake my head and once again question the worth of all this. As in my last post, businesses have been lost. People trying to make ends meet must put their lives on hold while road closures and lack of parking take over their lives. I have a lot of friends who work there who I hope can make it through this rough time for them.

Goodbye Vancouver (and most of Richmond)

No, I'm not moving out of town (unless I win the lottery and move to a remote island in the South Pacific where I can eat coconuts and....oh but I digress), but now that the road closures have started, I'm going to limit (and eventually stop) my driving into Vancouver (well downtown for sure) until the hell known as the Olympics are over. It's bad enough now and we're not even close yet. The city will survive without me. It will be hard enough getting to work.

News

I'm not trying to make a joke out of a tragic situation, but I was just wondering. If Michael Jackson had died on the same day that Haiti's earthquake hit, what would the networks be showing?

Yuk

Yesterday my morning drive from my girlfriend's place (near Metrotown) back home (Garden City and Francis) --which normally takes 30 minutes-- took 65 minutes. I didn't see an accident anywhere. I believe No. 3 Road in Richmond will be closed for the Olympics. That means Garden City will become the new No. 3 Road, which means traffic will be horrible (and that's assuming the traffic lights are working). Maybe I can go the long way and take No. 4 Road. Maybe I should rent a bike or scooter. The Skytrain I can forget because it will be packed with rude people. I'm so NOT looking forward to the next month and a half.

Screw CBC

It was bad enough early last year when CBC decided to give up the Hockey Night in Canada theme to TSN, angering hockey fans everywhere. And now what happenened on the weekend and turned me away from the station forever.

What gives Ron MacLean the right to give the most one-sided "report" in recent memory? It's a shame that Colin Campbell gets to sit beside him looking like an idiot. He's a joke, the whole Burrows-Auger situation has become a joke. Isn't it a shame that players and coaches have to shut their mouths for fear of fines, but the officials can say whatever they want? And it's not just Burrows, the bad officiating is everywhere. There, I've said it. Does Colin Campbell and the other loser Gary Bettman want to fine me too?

In the meantime, I hereby swear that I will not watch CBC for any hockey games and Coach's Corner until further notice.