February 27th, 2010

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Games of Glory

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

By Greg Lui

There’s only three more days left until the Closing Ceremonies and yet the immaculate performances of the Opening Ceremonies are still an engaging conversation piece.

Millions of Canadians from the east coast to the west coast watched these stunning ceremonies and ignited a patriotism that is rarely observed. Flags are flown in all places from vehicles, bikes, buildings, and bridges. Downtown Vancouver is an invariable sea of red–a symbol of pride and passion for the country and for the sport.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games is 17 days, 5,500 athletes, 80+ participating countries, 3 billion worldwide television viewers and all made possible with the help of 25,000 passionate volunteers. Some say these Games were 40 years in the making. And for the athletes, it was a lifetime of perfecting their sport; coming down to one day, one time, and one place. And sometimes winning gold or not winning at all is defined by one millisecond.

The Olympics should be more than just winning gold. The Olympics should not just be about the triumph but the struggle; it should not just be about the victories but the battles.

In any case, it is very safe to say the Vancouver Olympic Games has meant battles fought; battles won; dreams fulfilled. A country united in red.

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(not so) Ordinary Heroes

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

by @bsainsbury

Hasn’t this been a party? Everyone I speak to says the same thing. The Olympic experience is so far above anything they could have imagined. Yes, there are long line-ups and packed skytrains, endless security checks and people everywhere you go. It’s an opportunity to be meet new folks and to renew old friendships and celebrate as a family. Last night I gave directions to three women from Langley who hadn’t been to the downtown core for at least 10 years! Welcome and I hope you come back soon.

As the games wind down, it’s time for all of us to personally thank the folks who made our party possible; the bus drivers, the smurf volunteers, the policemen, traffic control and yes the folks who manned the endless security checks. Anyone I’ve forgotten?

My challenge to you is to take the time to chat up and thank three people each day who made it possible for you to enjoy the games. Okay, don’t chat up the bus driver while he/she is driving, but don’t forget to shout out “Thank You” as you exit the bus. It’s a Vancouver thing.

See .. wasn’t that easy? And you’re going to meet the most amazing people.

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist and co-founder of Duet Media who’s thankful for all those folks who helped make her Olympic experience as great as it has been.

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Olympics, Interrupted

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Re posted from www.metroblenznewssquad.com

It’s hard to believe that these marvelous Games are close to ending. I should have spent the last several days braving the lineups at the Olympic Houses and the zipline, wandering up and down Robson and Granville Streets and generally drinking in the atmosphere. But I didn’t. Because of Molly.

Molly is our soon-to-be-17-year-old cat. She’s a petite tuxedo, black with white chest, tummy and paws. She’s always been small, but age has her shrinking down to just over five pounds. She’s the love of my life. She’s my baby. And last Saturday we almost lost her.

Without warning, a nasty infection and high fever rendered my sweet girl from lively and inquisitive into an almost lifeless state in mere hours. If not for the Emergency Animal Hospital, I’m pretty certain Molly would have left us. She’s on heavy doses of antibiotics and subQ fluids, but she’s with us, thank God.

So this week I’ve curtailed some of my Olympic activities in favour of sitting at home in front of the TV holding my Molly close. And it’s been just heavenly.

Here’s to you, Mollykins, and to all the pets we love and have loved. I’ll treasure you forever.

Cathy Browne is a PR and social media professional in Vancouver BC. She is @CathyBrowne on Twitter and blogs at Cathy’s Clean Slate.

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