White Rock Olympic Torch Run

I’m never thrilled when my alarm clock rings before 7am.
Seriously, if my alarm clock went off at 5am to alert me my house was on fire, I’m the kind of guy who would think ‘eh, the fire’s just in the kitchen, I’ve got another 15 minutes before I need to get out’, and I’d hit the snooze. This morning though, with the Olympic Flame Relay coming through White Rock, B.C. at 6am, the buzz of the alarm jolted me from my slumber at 5:15am.

When we hit the streets it was still dark outside, and cool. Not Anchorage February cool, but I did have to zip my fleece coat about halfway up.
The torch route was lined up with thousands of cheering folks, dressed in red and white with Canadian flags everywhere. It looked like a windy fall day with all those Maple Leafs waving in the air. People were absolutely stoked to be able to share in this part of the Olympics. It’s amazing how a small amount of fire can produce such a large amount of pride.

I remember how that felt.
I was privileged to carry the Olympic Flame for a short kilometer in 1996 prior to the Atlanta games. I recall the excitement of standing there on a street in Seattle, waiting for the flame to make its way to me. I remember the moment I saw the runner coming my way with his torch blazing, and how suddenly this fun little adventure had become an important national obligation. I had to make sure this little piece of fire got to its destination. I remember a wave of fear coming over me as my torch was lit, and thinking ‘Dear God, please don’t let me drop this thing!’ I recall how the pride I felt in being chosen as a forerunner for the Olympics, was way too big for me to keep to myself. It was a highly charged, emotional moment shared by everyone who gathered to take part in the event. And so it was for the people of White Rock this morning. It was their moment to touch the Olympics, and they were there, waving, cheering and soaking in that pride.
It was a very powerful moment.

I just wish they had scheduled the event a little later in the day.
-Carp

Where are my Cheez-Its?

So this is the spectacle that is the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Ok… the games don’t start until Friday, four days from now. And I’m not really in Vancouver. But I am in White Rock, British Columbia. That’s about 25 miles from Vancouver (don’t ask me to make the conversion to meters, I refused to do that in the ‘80’s and that resolve is still strong in my spirit!).

The Channel 2 crew is staying at a house in White Rock, because as it turns out, the price we paid for a month’s rent here is a whole lot cheaper than getting a hotel in Vancouver. And when I say cheap, please know that term is relative. I don’t want to give up any company secrets, but suffice to say what we’re paying to stay at this house for 23 days, is just a smidge less than what I pay for my home’s mortgage… for a year!

It is a nice house though. It has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, balconies that look out over the ocean, granite countertops, a big screen television, washer and dryer. It beats a room at the Howard Johnson by a bunch.

We still need to see just how long it takes to make the commute from White Rock to Vancouver and back. I’ve heard estimates between forty minutes and an hour and a half. I’m kind of spooked by that. I’m not a big fan of traffic.

It’s also taking some time to get used to being in Canada. Nice place, nice people, but it’s not home. It also lacks some of homes comforts… for instance, no Cheez-Its. I’m not joking, I searched all through the local grocery store, but there wasn’t a single box of Cheez-Its to be found. And Canada wants us to consider them as an equal? You want to be a super power? You’ve got to have Cheez-Its, or at least Cheese Nips. I also found a lack of bean dip. Imagine, I had to make it through the entire Super Bowl without any bean dip! I know the Canadians like to project an environmentally friendly image, perhaps they figure to cut down on carbon emissions by banning bean dip. And speaking of the Super Bowl, here in Canada they actually cut out all the cool commercials! I can’t tell you how unhappy our crew was when we realized that! It’s a good thing Dudley Do Right didn’t show up here yesterday afternoon, we probably would have knocked him off his faithful steed.

Ok… enough Blah-ging (I know, I spelled it that way on purpose!) it’s time to go to work. Gotta find out first hand how long it takes to get to Vancouver… and I’m keeping my eye out for some Cheez-Its!

-Carp