XLII: A Saturday of Olympic Proportions

What a full and long day!

• 8:30am wakeup call - this is early for a Saturday 
• 10:15am appointment in White Rock 
• 1:00pm voice coaching session in Vancouver (first one ever!) 
• afternoon with le ragazze (aka the travelling sisters) 
• 9:30pm Sam Roberts concert at LiveCity Yaletown

I won't tell you exactly how stressed out I was having to try and make my 1pm session from White Rock. Let's just say it was a dilemma that ran through my mind all morning. Yes, women ruminate. I rumiworry.

After the coaching session I made my way to Downtown and damaged the car for the first time. I made a tight turn into the parking lot and swiped the right bumper of my mom's car, causing the reflector to fall off. Normally I pride myself in my driving skills. I blame Olympic fever on my poor judgement today.

I made my way through the massive crowds in search of a quick (and cheap) lunch. I decided on a McFlurry at McDonald's as it was something I could eat while speedwalking. When I finally found le ragazze, they commented that my hair looked windswept--it better have after all that weaving in and out of the crowds! We chatted at Mink and then went off to see the Olympic Cauldron.

The Olympic Cauldron, lit by Wayne Gretzky ("The Great One")

In between this and the concert, we walked around Downtown, had a bite to eat, I bought two Italian desserts, and we waited an hour in line to enter LiveCity Yaletown, one of four main Olympic concert venues in Vancouver. The opening act was really great, led by a Quebecoise named Beatrice. The band's name was Coeur de Pirate and they played some French songs. Then at 9:30pm on the dot, the Sam Roberts band took the stage. We found a comfortable place in the mosh pit (yes, such a thing is possible in Canada sometimes!) and enjoyed the music. The most entertaining part, however, was a girl who danced as if she was not surrounded by people. As in full-out shaking, moving, twisting, coke-bottle-fist-pumping, cheering, etc etc.

The Sam Roberts Band ends the night

I was glad I got to finally see an Olympic concert, and I was equally happy that I could see my friends after what seems like an eternity apart!