Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Criticizing the Critics
So I hear “the critics” are knocking the Vancouver Olympics.
They’re calling them “the glitch games”. They say the weather has been lousy.
But that’s “the critics”. Are they ever happy? Does anyone even care?
Pity the poor critics. Critics get paid to criticize, and that has to a sad way to spend your time, always poking around the shadows of Negativeville.
I read one critic this morning whine about how the dominance of the Canadian and United States women’s hockey program is hurting the development of the rest of the world’s women’s hockey programs. I suppose for the sake of the sport, the Canadian and U.S. teams should be broken up, or at least made to skate with 100 pound packs and forced to wear thick coke bottle glasses. Citius, altius, fortius (faster, higher, stronger) is an outdated concept anyway, right? It’s downright rude for those two teams to come to the games to compete at their highest level!
As for Vancouver, personally I believe they’ve done a marvelous job putting on the Olympic games. I’ve mingled with tens of thousands of humans in downtown who would all agree. I’ve been to three Olympic games now (Seoul ’88, Salt Lake ’02 and Vancouver ’10) and this is by far the friendliest gathering.
No matter how many people are crowded on the streets, everyone seems to be in a great mood. They’re happy to share with the world this beautiful place they call home. Yeah, the weather here isn’t exactly wintery. But most of the events in Vancouver proper are held indoor, or on refrigerated tracks. It got a little dicey at Cypress, but the folks here managed. Besides, who can control the weather? That would make a fine Olympic event. Of course, even if Vancouver Olympic officials could make it cold and snow, the critics would have found something to whine about. They always do.
-Carp
They’re calling them “the glitch games”. They say the weather has been lousy.
But that’s “the critics”. Are they ever happy? Does anyone even care?
Pity the poor critics. Critics get paid to criticize, and that has to a sad way to spend your time, always poking around the shadows of Negativeville.
I read one critic this morning whine about how the dominance of the Canadian and United States women’s hockey program is hurting the development of the rest of the world’s women’s hockey programs. I suppose for the sake of the sport, the Canadian and U.S. teams should be broken up, or at least made to skate with 100 pound packs and forced to wear thick coke bottle glasses. Citius, altius, fortius (faster, higher, stronger) is an outdated concept anyway, right? It’s downright rude for those two teams to come to the games to compete at their highest level!
As for Vancouver, personally I believe they’ve done a marvelous job putting on the Olympic games. I’ve mingled with tens of thousands of humans in downtown who would all agree. I’ve been to three Olympic games now (Seoul ’88, Salt Lake ’02 and Vancouver ’10) and this is by far the friendliest gathering.
No matter how many people are crowded on the streets, everyone seems to be in a great mood. They’re happy to share with the world this beautiful place they call home. Yeah, the weather here isn’t exactly wintery. But most of the events in Vancouver proper are held indoor, or on refrigerated tracks. It got a little dicey at Cypress, but the folks here managed. Besides, who can control the weather? That would make a fine Olympic event. Of course, even if Vancouver Olympic officials could make it cold and snow, the critics would have found something to whine about. They always do.
-Carp
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
You're from where?
It’s sometimes said that you should go big or go home. Obviously that’s a motto that’s carried through during the Olympics. Athletes have worked years to land a spot and they want to show the world that they have what it takes to be here. At the Channel 2 Winter Olympics bureau we follow that motto. When I say we’ve gone big, I mean that it’s not just four KTUU people here, but our giant satellite truck as well. But it seems that response to our presence here in Vancouver falls into one of two categories, disdain and admiration. Well, admiration may not be the exact word, perhaps “cool” would be better.
It’s amazing what people will say about you when you’re not more than a few feet away. The other day we were walking down the street wearing our blue coats with the giant 2 and peacock logo. I could hear the usual street noises and the chatter of people behind me. But my ears perked up when I heard NBC. The lady behind me said “NBC from Alaska, what are they doing here?” in a not so nice tone of voice. I have no idea where she was from, but I wanted to turn around and say, “We are here to cover our fabulous Alaska athletes, do you have a problem with that?” But I didn’t, because I do represent Channel 2 and one thing you learn in life is that sometimes you just have to let things roll off you. Luckily those comments have been few and I’ve just chocked them up to ignorance.
Then there is the other group of folks. The people who are awed that we came “all the way from Alaska” (you’d think it was the moon) to cover the games. They want to know how we got here, how long we’re staying and what it’s like up there. Several times I’ve had people approach me to say they visited Anchorage or took an Alaska cruise. It was cool to hear them talk about the great time they had. I’ve also commiserated with those from the Northern Canadian Provinces. They too, are constantly asked if they live in igloos and take the dog sled to the store.
But I almost left out the biggest draw of all, the satellite truck. Hundreds of people have taken photos of the truck. I’m guessing people see it as a novelty since I haven’t seen any other vehicle to compete with the truck in the uniqueness category. It’s definitely getting noticed. At least a dozen people have said to me “I’ve seen your big blue truck around town.”
So our Olympic journey is nearing the end, but I think we’ve made our presence known and hope that we encouraged a few people to find out more about our state and others to come for a visit.
-Myrna
It’s amazing what people will say about you when you’re not more than a few feet away. The other day we were walking down the street wearing our blue coats with the giant 2 and peacock logo. I could hear the usual street noises and the chatter of people behind me. But my ears perked up when I heard NBC. The lady behind me said “NBC from Alaska, what are they doing here?” in a not so nice tone of voice. I have no idea where she was from, but I wanted to turn around and say, “We are here to cover our fabulous Alaska athletes, do you have a problem with that?” But I didn’t, because I do represent Channel 2 and one thing you learn in life is that sometimes you just have to let things roll off you. Luckily those comments have been few and I’ve just chocked them up to ignorance.
Then there is the other group of folks. The people who are awed that we came “all the way from Alaska” (you’d think it was the moon) to cover the games. They want to know how we got here, how long we’re staying and what it’s like up there. Several times I’ve had people approach me to say they visited Anchorage or took an Alaska cruise. It was cool to hear them talk about the great time they had. I’ve also commiserated with those from the Northern Canadian Provinces. They too, are constantly asked if they live in igloos and take the dog sled to the store.
But I almost left out the biggest draw of all, the satellite truck. Hundreds of people have taken photos of the truck. I’m guessing people see it as a novelty since I haven’t seen any other vehicle to compete with the truck in the uniqueness category. It’s definitely getting noticed. At least a dozen people have said to me “I’ve seen your big blue truck around town.”
So our Olympic journey is nearing the end, but I think we’ve made our presence known and hope that we encouraged a few people to find out more about our state and others to come for a visit.
-Myrna
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Canada T's and Flatscreen TVs
What did you get for Christmas? An Xbox, a camera, or maybe a pair of socks? Well I think everyone in Vancouver got a shirt with “Canada” written on it and a flat screen tv. Seriously.
You can’t walk 5 feet without running into someone wearing something that says “Canada.” Hudson’s Bay is the chosen clothing company for Team Canada and boy did they do a great job marketing the line, why else would people stand in line for hours to visit the “Olympics shop” at their store? They have baseball hats, stocking caps, sweatshirts, hoodies, long sleeve t-shirts, short sleeve t-shirts, pants and of course those iconic red mittens.
The gear comes in all sizes too from newborn to 3X so no one will feel left out. Of course the most popular colors are red and white, but you can choose from yellow, blue, black, gray and green.
It has also come to my attention that nearly everywhere you go there is a flatscreen tv. If you weren’t able to find the model you wanted recently, blame it on the Canadians. Flatscreen televisions aren’t just for sports bars anymore. Every place has one. I watched the opening ceremonies on a tv in a café attached to a grocery store. The Subway near the marina has one and even the mom and pop sushi shop
put one up. I guess they figure it’s just one more way to get customers in the door. You can’t fault them, especially when you consider how few people actually can afford to attend an Olympic event. What better way to get in the Olympic spirit than to head to downtown Vancouver, stop at the Fatburger (a local burger chain), eat and see LIVE Olympic action. (Yes, I did say live, ‘cause the Canadians are actually airing many competitions without tape delay on network tv, what a novel concept)
So while you watch the Olympics on tape delay (thanks to NBC), remember that they know how to do it right in Vancouver. And yes, I do have a pair of red mittens, but thanks to my Canadian connection I got them long before they were the “it” item.
-Myrna
You can’t walk 5 feet without running into someone wearing something that says “Canada.” Hudson’s Bay is the chosen clothing company for Team Canada and boy did they do a great job marketing the line, why else would people stand in line for hours to visit the “Olympics shop” at their store? They have baseball hats, stocking caps, sweatshirts, hoodies, long sleeve t-shirts, short sleeve t-shirts, pants and of course those iconic red mittens.
The gear comes in all sizes too from newborn to 3X so no one will feel left out. Of course the most popular colors are red and white, but you can choose from yellow, blue, black, gray and green. 
It has also come to my attention that nearly everywhere you go there is a flatscreen tv. If you weren’t able to find the model you wanted recently, blame it on the Canadians. Flatscreen televisions aren’t just for sports bars anymore. Every place has one. I watched the opening ceremonies on a tv in a café attached to a grocery store. The Subway near the marina has one and even the mom and pop sushi shop
put one up. I guess they figure it’s just one more way to get customers in the door. You can’t fault them, especially when you consider how few people actually can afford to attend an Olympic event. What better way to get in the Olympic spirit than to head to downtown Vancouver, stop at the Fatburger (a local burger chain), eat and see LIVE Olympic action. (Yes, I did say live, ‘cause the Canadians are actually airing many competitions without tape delay on network tv, what a novel concept)So while you watch the Olympics on tape delay (thanks to NBC), remember that they know how to do it right in Vancouver. And yes, I do have a pair of red mittens, but thanks to my Canadian connection I got them long before they were the “it” item.
-Myrna
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Carp's Observations
A few random thoughts from the Winter Olympics…
I wonder how many medals Canada has in synchronized swimming? I‘m guessing none. I figure if they can’t synchronize traffic lights, they’ve got no shot at getting 6 or 8 people in a pool doing the same thing at the same time. Traffic lights here are insane! You can make one, maybe two, but in the two weeks we’ve been here, we’ve never hit three green lights in a row. Come on man! You’re telling me there’s not some 8th grader living here with an X-box and an aptitude for math that can’t get these stops lights in order? It’s killing my photographer, Mike Nederbrock. He’s doing all the driving (God bless him!) and every time we hit a red light, he gets so frustrated I think he’s going to stroke out.
Here’s a shout out to the imbeciles at NBC (yeah, I said it!)… Our mother network held us, and every NBC affiliate hostage for credentials to these games. They demanded $85,000 for a credential. Ouch! If KTUU were an affiliate of FOX, ABC or CBS, we could have been credentialed by either the International Olympic Committee, or the United States Olympic Committee, for free (zero, zip, nada!). But because we were an NBC affiliate, we had to pay through the nose. The reason? The network bozos told us they had to recoup some of their costs for what they paid for the rights to these games. After the whole Conan/Leno debacle, I can understand how NBC might need some cash. Just for the record, they wouldn’t have to pay me $40-million not to work at NBC. I’d only charge them $1-million not to work for that dysfunctional group of wahoos. As much as it pains me to say this, here’s hoping someone other than NBC gets the rights to the Sochi games in 2014!
Finally, I must say, I am so proud of the athletes Alaska has sent to these Winter Games.
Every single one of them is a great human being. They’re all humble, they’re nice, they’re hardworking, and they’re all so easy to cheer for. There’s not a “Bode Miller prima donna” in the bunch. I’m not saying this just because they’ve made time to talk to us (which they very graciously have). In fact they seem genuinely happy to talk to us so they can share a piece of their Olympic experience with their fellow Alaskans back home. They’re all class acts. They’re the kind of role models Alaskans can, and should, be proud of. Very Impressive!
-Carp
I wonder how many medals Canada has in synchronized swimming? I‘m guessing none. I figure if they can’t synchronize traffic lights, they’ve got no shot at getting 6 or 8 people in a pool doing the same thing at the same time. Traffic lights here are insane! You can make one, maybe two, but in the two weeks we’ve been here, we’ve never hit three green lights in a row. Come on man! You’re telling me there’s not some 8th grader living here with an X-box and an aptitude for math that can’t get these stops lights in order? It’s killing my photographer, Mike Nederbrock. He’s doing all the driving (God bless him!) and every time we hit a red light, he gets so frustrated I think he’s going to stroke out.
Here’s a shout out to the imbeciles at NBC (yeah, I said it!)… Our mother network held us, and every NBC affiliate hostage for credentials to these games. They demanded $85,000 for a credential. Ouch! If KTUU were an affiliate of FOX, ABC or CBS, we could have been credentialed by either the International Olympic Committee, or the United States Olympic Committee, for free (zero, zip, nada!). But because we were an NBC affiliate, we had to pay through the nose. The reason? The network bozos told us they had to recoup some of their costs for what they paid for the rights to these games. After the whole Conan/Leno debacle, I can understand how NBC might need some cash. Just for the record, they wouldn’t have to pay me $40-million not to work at NBC. I’d only charge them $1-million not to work for that dysfunctional group of wahoos. As much as it pains me to say this, here’s hoping someone other than NBC gets the rights to the Sochi games in 2014!
Finally, I must say, I am so proud of the athletes Alaska has sent to these Winter Games.
Every single one of them is a great human being. They’re all humble, they’re nice, they’re hardworking, and they’re all so easy to cheer for. There’s not a “Bode Miller prima donna” in the bunch. I’m not saying this just because they’ve made time to talk to us (which they very graciously have). In fact they seem genuinely happy to talk to us so they can share a piece of their Olympic experience with their fellow Alaskans back home. They’re all class acts. They’re the kind of role models Alaskans can, and should, be proud of. Very Impressive!
-Carp
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