Wednesday, November 4, 2009

100 Days and Counting

It starts 100 days from now. The 2010 Winter Olympics. It was the top story this morning on every local TV news program. Here they come...

I'm a huge fan of the Olympics, both winter and summer. I spend hours every 2 years in front of my television. Any Olympics are magical, but some of my favourite moments of the winter games are:
  • The magic and theatricality of the opening ceremony. Watching the Olympic flag come in, the lighting of the flame and the entrance of the Canadian team always brings a tear to my eye.
  • The grace and athleticism of the figure skaters
  • The amazing speed of the downhill skiers
  • The sound of the cowbells ringing from the Swiss fans as their bobsled teams race down the track.
  • The ice hockey (I AM Canadian!)
  • The insanity of the luge and the skeleton.

This is Vancouver; I live about 50 miles to the left of the picture.



This is Whistler; home of the downhill ski-ing and bobsled, luge, etc.




The speed-skating oval; already the recipient of a world-renowned architectural award. Huge amounts of the wood used is from trees damaged by the pine-beetle (a nasty varmint that traveled here from Asia about 10 years ago).


The Olympic flame arrived in Victoria last Friday. It now travels across the country before arriving in Vancouver for the opening ceremony February 12, 2010. It comes through my town February 11. Trust me, I'm there.

100 days until it all begins. I can't wait.

All photos found on Google Image.

16 comments:

  1. I'm another Olympic junkie! As a fellow Canadian, I also love the hockey & figure skating. Those are gorgeous photos. Can't wait!!

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  2. I love the Olympics, especially the Winter olympics! Love those pics!

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  3. Spectacular photos! You live in God's country up there, Elspeth. I'll think of you when watching the Olympics this year. ;)

    Marvin D Wilson

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  4. Are you related to the Elspeth, who was Olympic Downhill champion a few years ago? Seems to me she was from the Pacific Northwest, and, when not skiing, some kind of an esthetic—a writer or sage, something like that. Sorta sounds like you.
    Best Regards, Galen

    Imagineering Fiction Blog

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  5. I love the Olympics too! You're lucky to live close by. Enjoy!!

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  6. Jemi; It will be a time to be proud!

    Elizabeth; The Olympics are wonderful.

    Old Silly; It is a pretty part of the world. I'll think of you thinking of me!

    Karen; I'm glad you like my little corner of the world.

    Galen; Surprisingly not all "Elspeths" are related. I do not remember this Elspeth of which you speak, which is odd, because I generally remember people with my name.

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  7. Beautiful photos, and beautiful place!

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  8. GREAT PICTURES! What a beautiful country! I'm with Karen - makes me want to come visit!

    Thank you for sharing a part of the world I've never seen before, but certainly plan to! I actually had plans to venture up your way this time last year, but ended up getting laid off from my, as I call it (many have heard me say this) "just a job."

    But what a blessing that turned out to be, as it resulted in my pursuing doing something I LOVE doing. And that came with the added bonus of meeting so many wonderful people here in the blogosphere...like you!

    :)

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  9. Thanks for sharing those gorgeous pictures!! I love the Olympics, too, and I am really looking forward to these!

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  10. Elisa; I do live in a lovely spot. Wish I could take credit for the photos.

    Crystal; What a lovely thing to say! Thank you!

    Margot; It's going to be great.

    Alan; We know we're lucky to be so close; we're going to take in as much as we can; it's a once in a lifetime experience.

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  11. My favorite winter sport to watch is figure skating. Followed by luge. I'd LOVE to experience the rush of the luge.

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  12. I used to be an Olympic junkie too, but can't seem to dredge up the enthusiam again :-(

    But I do try to catch at least the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. They are quite spectacular, aren't they?

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  13. I love the view of the Vancouver skyline. I recall when the were building the convension centre. I was working in an office building in Gastown where we had a tremendous view of that site and the north shore from our back window.

    I bet the Olympics will be a great time.

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  14. It's fun you get to be part of the excitement this time!

    Gorgeous place you live in...

    Elizabeth
    Mystery Writing is Murder

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  15. One thing I love about the Winter Olympics is...seeing the snow! Something I don't see living in central Texas. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

    Helen
    Straight From Hel

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  16. Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing!

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