17Feb 2010 by R&O 1 Comment

An American point of view

Observations, Olympics, People, Rants
So what did our American neighbours think of our little Olympic opening show? Well, some were not terribly impressed. Americans have a habit of making most things bigger and better than everyone else which is one of the reasons we love 'em so much. But Canadians are a bit more reserved and do just enough to get the point across without being showoffs. Let me put it this way, when Canada participates in global sporting events and wins a medal we're happy but we don't scream, we're polite but not completely reserved and feel bad as heck for the losers. To prove the point, have a look at the picture below of Canadian Jenn Heil, book-ended by the American gold and bronze winners, accepting her silver medal for women's moguls.…
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15Feb 2010 by R&O 3 Comments

The Opening Ceremonies

Events, Observations, Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympic opening ceremonies have had mixed reviews since Friday night's big event. I, for one, wasn't too impressed with the 30-40 minutes after the snowboarder intro but it certainly picked up as time went on. The typical aboriginal theme was a bit much and the large poles that rose from the floor of BC Place looked more like adult sex toys than anything else, especially their silhouettes during some of the proceedings. Didn't anyone on the opening ceremonies committee think they looked like giant, battery-operated vibrators? I'm tired of every Canadian event being shrouded in our alleged native heritage as this just perpetuates the global stereotype that Canadians wear animal skins and spend most of our day hopping on one foot and warbling monotone, unintelligible songs. That's…
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13Feb 2010 by R&O No Comments

Who else?

Events, Observations, Olympics, People
Who else could possibly be the right person to light the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics flame other than Wayne Gretzky? Nobody, that's who! I was writhing in anticipation of who would light the flame during last night's opening ceremonies and had nightmares thinking of all the bad choices that could have been made. Names like Celine Dion (shudder), Anne Murray (part of the flag carrying group ceremony in B.C. Place), Steve Fonyo (as if!), Ben Johnson (was he even allowed to watch it on TV??) or a number of nausea-inducing possibilities ran through my head as I waited for the big moment. A group comprised of Bobby Orr, Julie Payette, Anne Murray, Romeo Dallaire, Jacques Villeneuve, Barbara Ann Scott, Betty Fox (a nice touch) and Donald Sutherland marched into B.C.…
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11Feb 2010 by R&O No Comments

Our dirty little secret is out

Observations, Olympics, Rants
Uh oh! Our dirty little secret is out. The BBC, along with the rest of the world, is in town to report on the 2010 Winter Olympics but one of their reporters must have wandered into the east end. The report on the BBC News web site, which refers to Vancouver as Drug Central of North America, outlines the problems in Canada's poorest, drug soaked neighbourhood. The BBC reporter, Rajesh Mirchandani, mentions the drugs, the addicts, the prostitutes and, of course, the violent crime. The first four paragraphs of his report sum it all up: As Vancouver prepares to host the Winter Olympics, the city continues to struggle with a vicious drugs war. Dozens have been killed in escalating turf battles that have spread far beyond the city limits. But…
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