My first game

Paul and I were going to go see some of the sites yesterday, but it was so cold, we decided to pack it in and go for fondue at the Swill House aka Bridges. We were in line for lunch when one of the Swiss contingent walked outside and asked if anyone wanted to buy tickets to that night's game of curling. I thought it was a trick question. We bought seats- 7th row, centre, for the Canadian women's match-up against Russia. Josh really wanted to go, so off we went to the new arena, where we screamed our lungs out for 3 hours. It was a thrill to see our women participate in this sport. They were graceful athletes in a sport most don't understand. We won, too!

Girl with Olympic Locks

Talk about a Gold Medal in hair. We ran into this wonderful young fan from Victoria who really had the Olympic spirit. She sat still while her father created this braided version of the Oly rings. Congrats on being the best supporter of the games.

Monday at the Olympics

Continuing with the insanity, LJ, Meggie and I hit the various sites last Monday. We shared more than fun- we also shared germs. We all got terribly sick about a day or so later and ended up in bed for 3 days. But we had a fun day wandering around the city. The Mounties were straight out of central casting- too cute for words. The Manitoba House was wonderful in a small way. The Centre for Justice and Peace was something the province and the country should be proud of.

Surya Bonaly Backflip Video - Video of Surya Bonaly's Backflip on Ice - Backflip Surya Bonaly

Surya Bonaly Backflip Video - Video of Surya Bonaly's Backflip on Ice - Backflip Surya Bonaly
Quads? We don't need no stink'n quads when a skater can do a back flip. I remember this like it was yesterday. It's hard to believe this woman did not win a gold in skating. Let's see what the men do tonight in competition.

friends

There's nothing better than having great friends. This is Lynn and she is remarkable and inspirational. And the other beautiful lady is the famous Annabella. People in Europe ask her for autographs as she is "ask Annabella". The cute guy is my husband who gratiously agreed to accompany us on a fun day at the olympics.

Mounties and a Coke

If you are paying the bill, you might as well have fun. I swear these Mounties aren't old enough to shave and were hired from central casting!

Canada's Northern House

Canada's Northern House

THIS WAS THE BEST HOUSE BY FAR!

torch relay

I was a bit cynical about the whole torch relay, but I hate to admit it, watching the torch run by was really inspiring. All the neighbors showed up. Small children waving Canadian flags and screaming their lungs out, really moved me. The dogs even enjoyed the excitement.

zip line

There was a 6 hour wait for the zip line. I really want to try this but I won't stand in line for anything for 6 hours.

flame behind fence

Apparently visitors to the Olympic Flame cannot be trusted to get too close so photos must be taken behind a wire fence. On the day we were there a lovely policeman would take your camera, shoot a photo, then hand you back the camera. It was all so Canadian.

YouTube - Orcas Attack Seal

YouTube - Orcas Attack Seal

This is not for everyone but it is a one of a kind video. It's one thing to write that something like this happens in theory- it's quite another thing to see spy hopping.

Scientists freeze water with heat - LiveScience- msnbc.com

Scientists freeze water with heat - LiveScience- msnbc.com

Haven't checked the source of this story yet, and so I have no idea if it is bogus science. But it is interesting. The torch went past our street about an hour ago. I will post video of it after dinner. In the meantime the helicopters are buzzing overhead pretty much non-stop!

ice bar olympics

This is the -5 ice bar at Monks in Vancouver. They give you a parka and mitts so that you can enjoy freezing your tush off while looking hip and very cool. The glasses are made out of ice, which makes me wonder if your tongue or lips are going to stick to the edges while you drink vodka???

Zoologger: The troglodyte bat bird of South America - life - 10 February 2010 - New Scientist

Zoologger: The troglodyte bat bird of South America - life - 10 February 2010 - New Scientist

I'm about a week away from getting my new glasses and boy, do I need them. I kept staring at the photograph that accompanied the article and had the hardest time figuring out what I was looking at. There's also some very cool and I really mean COOL photos in my iphone of the ice bar at Monks, the restaurant near my husband's office. For some reason when we changed the formatting on the conputer, my photos have disappeared. It's going to be one of those days.

How the butterflies got their spots

How the butterflies got their spots
I know that moths have memory, but here's some really interesting information about butterflies. 5 days until the start of the 2010 Olympics!

Spherical cows help to dump metabolism law

Spherical cows help to dump metabolism law

You have to love a headline that includes the words, "Spherical cows" and "Metabolism laws". Apparently the law that's been around for ages is wrong and now there's a new formula. While this probably doesn't matter for most people, and really- why would it, it's is interesting that something they said was a law was wrong.

Viper Mishap | tiscali.video

Viper Mishap | tiscali.video

I hate snakes. This is a scary video and shows a snake close up. WARNING. Watching this video may cause nightmares. I can't watch this, but don't mind listening to the audio.

The Orangutan and the Hound | tiscali.video

The Orangutan and the Hound | tiscali.video

This is like a Disney movie. It would make a terrific book, too.

Draw! The neuroscience behind Hollywood shoot-outs - life - 03 February 2010 - New Scientist

Draw! The neuroscience behind Hollywood shoot-outs - life - 03 February 2010 - New Scientist

The strangest liquid: Why water is so weird - physics-math - 03 February 2010 - New Scientist

The strangest liquid: Why water is so weird - physics-math - 03 February 2010 - New Scientist

This article is for anyone who wonders why icebergs float, or for that matter why ice cubes float.

Groundhogs, Groundhog Pictures, Grounghog Facts - National Geographic

Groundhogs, Groundhog Pictures, Grounghog Facts - National Geographic

It's groundhog day. Which reminds me of a very bad joke... What do you get when you cross a Vancouver Canuck with a groundhog? Six more weeks of bad hockey. Fine, it's Canadian humor.
We are on the groundhog diet. That's right- mich like the movie, every day is the first day of my diet. Can't quite seem to get the hang of not eating.

YouTube - You Gotta Be Here in 2010 - Super, Natural British Columbia | 90 seconds

YouTube - You Gotta Be Here in 2010 - Super, Natural British Columbia | 90 seconds

Countdown to the Olympics. This video really speaks to me and it makes me realize how wonderful it is to live in Canada and especially to live in BC! Come visit.