About a month ago I became aware of a deal online at Telus where you can get a 'refreshed' iPhone for 30$ with a monthly plan. I immediately thought "30$, what a deal, and if it turns out bad, then I'm only out 30 bucks. What could go wrong?"
Everything apparently.
I hopped online on May 20th and ordered an iPhone, tra la la. They said it would be there within 3-5 business days. I put my work address down as Telus' instructions said they would not deliver to rural addresses. Okay then. I then continued to play email and phone tag for a week with the web orders on line store and helpline. I played along in the beginning but by the start of the 2nd week of still not receiving my phone I started to get a little peeved. I'd checked my bank statement and had indeed been charged for it so it should have been here by now. A lot of my calls to Telus went a little like this:
"Hi, and welcome to Telus. Press 1 for English, 2 for French.
I press 1.
"Hi, and welcome to Telus. Press 1 for English, 2 for French.
um, what? Press one again, a little firmer, just in case.
"Hi and welcome to Telus. Please press 1 for English 2 for...
I hung up. Swore. Took a deep breathe. Tried again. I don't know what I did right this time but after pressing 1,a 4, a 3 and 5, I got to a robotic voice asking me to enter my 10 digit phone number.
Well, I don't have my phone yet. So I don't have a number do I??? I waited calmly while the robot asked me three more times for my non existent phone number, and explained to me why I had to enter it so that they could better assist me. Soon enough I was put on hold to an agent. I went through my story, telling her I ordered a phone, hadn't gotten it yet, wonder where it is. Okay, she puts me on hold for a minute, asks me a couple of questions, then says she's going to transfer me to another agent. I asked her why, but never got a straight answer. Plus I have to start all over again with my story! What does she do? She puts me on hold, except she accidentally hangs up on me. My lunch hour now over I'm steaming mad. I give up for the day, sent a few more emails that went unanswered.
Called again a few days later on my break. I'm tired of explaining my story at this point so when I get an agent I just blurt out my account number I know off by heart now and let them read the story of my iPhone life, which apparently has been sent out and sent back again. Well good for it. Hope it took some pictures along the way! I get transferred, put on hold, etc. I'm using my 'angry voice' and scaring Helen who works in the office as well. My cheeks are flushed. I'm on hold for a good 20 minutes.
Buddy from Telus: I'm so sorry ma'am, but we have to get you to phone 18664882709 to deal with web orders. They should help you.
Me: Well, that's the exact number I called to get to you right now.
Buddy: What? Really. That's weird. I don't know how that happened.
Buddy wants to transfer me to a sales person but I have to go back to work. I arrange for them to call me at home at 6pm when I have time.
I get home, wait patiently till 6pm. No call. I wait rather less patiently till 7pm. I get online and file a complaint with the head honcho communications people and tell them Telus has some serious issues. Press send. Phone rings, it's Telus, I think, well there's some instant response, that's what I'm talking about.
Except it's a man from Telus who is trying to get me to switch from Shaw Phones to Telus. Ironically that's exactly what I'm trying to do too sir!!! Thanks for helping guy in India!!! Except he has nothing to do with my iPhone so I hang up on him.
The next day I call again, on my break again.
Me: dialing 1-8664882709. Hi and welcome to Telus..." GRRRRRR.
Guy: Hi how can I help you?
Me: Can I give you my account number cause I'm tired of talking. I'll give you a minute to read my file.
Guy: Ya...there's some notes here. Please hold.
Me: You don't say... (footloose song plays)
10 minutes later.
Guy: Ya, so what I'm going to have you do is dial a different # for your web order.
Me: uh huh, and what number would that be do you think?
Guy: 18664882709
Me: well guy, that's the number I called to get to you right now. (Standing. face turning purple. grey hairs growing by the second)
Guy: whoa. That's not right
Me: Exact (swearing) conversation I had with you guys yesterday.
This guy was actually helpful to a point and in the end they wanted to make sure I was who I said I was and they didn't like that I had a different shipping address than my billing address. At one point I got so mad I snorted, and that's saying something. Long story short another appointment to call from my house land line so I could be who I said I was..?
At this point I really didn't want the god damned phone anymore, and my shiny dream of being part of the iPhone club and comparing apps was diminishing rapidly and I was about to murder the next person I saw, and the blood would be on Telus's hands.
So I got home on Friday, called up my dear friends at Telus, pressed one for 'I hate you so much Telus' in English and listened to 'Footloose' for the umpteenth time until I got a lady. She believed that it was me, and I was calling, and that the world was round and that I wasn't the person on the grassy knoll and that I didn't know what happened at the end of Sopranos. She said, yes, that's all good and asked me to hang up so she could call me at home. I silently nodded in defeat, questioned my existence and whether or not I actually was speaking English and hung up. Not 30 seconds later Telus called back again. A man who clearly did NOT speak English was on the other end, he was most likely at a call center in India in fact and was asking me about switching to Telus from Shaw. I could not believe it. The timing was too crazy. I was so astounded I didn't even let the guy get his allotted minute in so he could get paid.
Him: " ...and we would like to offer you a one time low-"
Me: I'm sorry, but does this call have anything to do with an iPhone?
Him: excuse me?
Me: an iPhone? On any level, will you be sending me an iPhone?
Him: uh, (rustles paper, checks his notes) uh, no.
click.
Two seconds later my lady calls me back, says I am who I say I am and says it will be delivered in 3-5 business days. Oh how I have heard that before.
So on Tuesday June 15th at around 10am the Purolator guy dropped my phone off at work and instead of an excited plonk it landed on my desk with a dull thud. I opened the box and inside it was a smudged phone, unwrapped in a box labelled "previously enjoyed iPhone." It was not shiny, it was not wrapped in an Apple box, it did not make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
It was disappointing but in the end I was excited about the new toy, and glad I had stuck through it to the end. My life motto is fight to the death or quit and die-never give up. Stick to your guns and hold your ground. Dad once said to me "some might call you obsessive, I'll just call you tenacious." I like it.
So the squeaky wheel gets the iPhone or however that saying goes and I'm currently waiting for my phone to make me dinner and change my cats litter. I'm sure there is an app for that.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Stanley
I will never win the Stanley Cup. I know this because I am a girl. And I can't skate.
Well okay, I can figure skate, but hockey is a different kind of power skating with moves and dekes that I don't have.
The Stanley Cup was won last night by the Chicago Blackhawks who beat my Vancouver Canucks. I am okay with this because 5 of the players are from BC which is pretty awesome and a couple of those guys are from Penticton. These guys just won the Stanley Cup. The Holy Grail. The Reason You Play Hockey. No matter who wins I'm genuinely happy for whoever it is, as it is so much work just to make it to the finals, let alone win the damn thing, and the players revert to being kids and jumping on each-other when they win and their parents and spouses are there and it's all very, very weepy for me.
If I did win the Cup I'd be honored with one solitary day with it, as each player is once they win one. I would have a hard time planning my day around it.
It would travel everywhere with me. I mean room to room people. This thing would not leave my sight. I'd take it out for breakfast. I'd take a lot of photos of it. I'd like to have a picture of it on top of Whistler Mountain and on the Peak to Peak Chair, I'd have to somehow get it to mom as well, although if this is a fictional story, she was there when I won it. Anyways, I'd want to take it to Powell River to my Aunt's property just for the sheer beauty and photo opportunities on the beach. Stanley likes bonfires, so we'd have one.
I'd eat Cheerios out of it.It would be the best Cheerios you'd ever tasted.
I'd lie on the couch with my arm around it and watch a movie.
I'd tell it my deepest darkest secrets (Stanley is VERY understanding.)
More photos.
There would come a time where I would just sit in silence and stare at it. (Editor's note: In the bath. With a glass of wine. Definitely)
After a day of Whistler/Powell River/Victoria we'd both be very tired so a steak dinner at The Keg should be in order. With family of course (and anyone I'd ever met) and Stanley would pick up the bill. Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Family Trees
My Auntie Marcie sent me an e-mail the other day asking me for some family history- a friend of hers, or a relative I've never heard of, is making a family tree and wanted my mom's parent's information. I thought sure, no problem, let me just call up mom.
Me: Hey Mom, where was Grandpa born?
Mom: 57 Albert Street
Me: Wow, that's specific. Maybe just give me a city and a year. That would be great.
Mom: Oh. I have no fucking idea. But his mother was the first person to drive a car in Ontario.
Me(in my head): seriously how the frick do you know this stuff?
Mom: Her last name was Shirk
Me: okay, so can you tell me where Ashley (my sister) was born?
Mom: At the original Grace hospital.
Me: Wait, is that Grey's as in Grey's Anatomy or Grace as in Amazing Grace?
Mom: the second one. You could still smoke in the hallways there too.
Me: excellent. I'll see if there is a spot for that on the tree. (in my head) OMFreakingLORD.
Me: Do you have any information whatsoever concerning when and where your parents were born or when they died? Any at all?
Mom: When who died?
Me:You know what? Maybe I should have just emailed your sister for this.
Mom: Probably.
File this one under "Things I should have known were going to be frustrating before I even started"
Me: Hey Mom, where was Grandpa born?
Mom: 57 Albert Street
Me: Wow, that's specific. Maybe just give me a city and a year. That would be great.
Mom: Oh. I have no fucking idea. But his mother was the first person to drive a car in Ontario.
Me(in my head): seriously how the frick do you know this stuff?
Mom: Her last name was Shirk
Me: okay, so can you tell me where Ashley (my sister) was born?
Mom: At the original Grace hospital.
Me: Wait, is that Grey's as in Grey's Anatomy or Grace as in Amazing Grace?
Mom: the second one. You could still smoke in the hallways there too.
Me: excellent. I'll see if there is a spot for that on the tree. (in my head) OMFreakingLORD.
Me: Do you have any information whatsoever concerning when and where your parents were born or when they died? Any at all?
Mom: When who died?
Me:You know what? Maybe I should have just emailed your sister for this.
Mom: Probably.
File this one under "Things I should have known were going to be frustrating before I even started"
Monday, April 26, 2010
Lessons learned
Disclaimer!! I say all of this with love and compassion for my parents...I take nothing away from what they taught me and this isn't meant to be cruel or mean spirited. It's just the truth. Which sometimes can be cruel and mean spirited.
1. Feeling flu-ish? Mom: Drink rum. Hot Toddy's mainly.
2. Spicy food? Dad: Drink beer.
3. Always clean up after yourself. Dad: This pertains to grooming snow mostly. Never leave a mess behind, you've got to leave it smooth, like you were never there. Now when he cooked, this was a different scenario. The man leaves a messy kitchen like I've never seen. You've got 12 more bran granola flax muffins left on the counter when he's through.
4. Dad: Know where the fuse box is and how one 'works'
Side note: The thing about fuse boxes is that you could take ten thousand panels and line em up and they would all look exactly the same- half assed labelling, chicken scratch writing, abbreviations, old labels scribbled out and written over (toaster got replaced for the cappuccino machine, and what used to be the switch for the microwave is now the "brand new power tool extravaganza shed").
5. Safety first. Dad: if you are driving/walking through a construction site or walking by someone working an excavator/tractor/or any other heavy machinery, always make eye contact with the person before blindly strolling/driving through so that you know it's safe to cross and the operator knows someone is there.
6. Dad: Never sign a contract without reading it thoroughly.
7.Dad: Know how to use a CB radio and how to use a chainsaw.
8. Mom: Television shows go on hiatus before the months of November and May, in order to draw in more viewers during those select months and thereby winning the ratings war. Until then, it's repeats folks.
9. If your feet are cold put a hat on. Never ever ever were we allowed to turn up the heat. The wood stove did it's best woodstoving most of the time, but you'd normally find us fighting for the little ledge RIGHT beside the fireplace. Quite often we'd have burn marks on our pants. Luckily we had 16 layers on.
10. Visitation rights: Coming over to visit? Chat? Great- bring a load of wood in for the fireplace as you enter.
11. Mom : never date someone who is prettier than you are.
12. Mom: don't point at people. It's rude.
13. Laughter is the best medicine: Both Mom and Dad- Find yourself hilarious. Tell a bad joke to break the ice, and then chuckle at your own unique cleverness. Think to yourself "My gosh, I really am funny aren't I? I bet they've never encountered someone like me before" And they probably haven't met someone like you. But that's why it's such an awesome lesson. Quite often ( and if you've read any of the previous posts you'll know this)I've tripped in public or gotten tangled in my headphone wires at the gym while on the treadmill, and instead of getting flustered or embarrassed I make a joke of it. It's not that big a deal. I often wish I had a camera following me around for moments where I've walked into a pole (it's happened) or miscalculated a step or two (yup, been there) because I imagine it looks hilarious. And it's way better on you and your ego to think you are awesome than to get bogged down in meaningless mistakes or embarrassments from every day life. Just roll with the punches. And maybe find some better jokes.
14. Love your parents (something I've taught myself) They may drive you crazy. You may have to be the adult most of the time. You probably have a ton of traits that remind you of them and you might resent them for it. Don't. Embrace it, accept it, love the fact that you are so much like them and remember how funny they are, even in the moments that make you crazy, because it will help you get through it most likely. Exhibit A: my mother and any VCR.
Okay, I'm about done here. These obviously aren't the only lessons. And if they are then I am in more trouble than I thought.
1. Feeling flu-ish? Mom: Drink rum. Hot Toddy's mainly.
2. Spicy food? Dad: Drink beer.
3. Always clean up after yourself. Dad: This pertains to grooming snow mostly. Never leave a mess behind, you've got to leave it smooth, like you were never there. Now when he cooked, this was a different scenario. The man leaves a messy kitchen like I've never seen. You've got 12 more bran granola flax muffins left on the counter when he's through.
4. Dad: Know where the fuse box is and how one 'works'
Side note: The thing about fuse boxes is that you could take ten thousand panels and line em up and they would all look exactly the same- half assed labelling, chicken scratch writing, abbreviations, old labels scribbled out and written over (toaster got replaced for the cappuccino machine, and what used to be the switch for the microwave is now the "brand new power tool extravaganza shed").
5. Safety first. Dad: if you are driving/walking through a construction site or walking by someone working an excavator/tractor/or any other heavy machinery, always make eye contact with the person before blindly strolling/driving through so that you know it's safe to cross and the operator knows someone is there.
6. Dad: Never sign a contract without reading it thoroughly.
7.Dad: Know how to use a CB radio and how to use a chainsaw.
8. Mom: Television shows go on hiatus before the months of November and May, in order to draw in more viewers during those select months and thereby winning the ratings war. Until then, it's repeats folks.
9. If your feet are cold put a hat on. Never ever ever were we allowed to turn up the heat. The wood stove did it's best woodstoving most of the time, but you'd normally find us fighting for the little ledge RIGHT beside the fireplace. Quite often we'd have burn marks on our pants. Luckily we had 16 layers on.
10. Visitation rights: Coming over to visit? Chat? Great- bring a load of wood in for the fireplace as you enter.
11. Mom : never date someone who is prettier than you are.
12. Mom: don't point at people. It's rude.
13. Laughter is the best medicine: Both Mom and Dad- Find yourself hilarious. Tell a bad joke to break the ice, and then chuckle at your own unique cleverness. Think to yourself "My gosh, I really am funny aren't I? I bet they've never encountered someone like me before" And they probably haven't met someone like you. But that's why it's such an awesome lesson. Quite often ( and if you've read any of the previous posts you'll know this)I've tripped in public or gotten tangled in my headphone wires at the gym while on the treadmill, and instead of getting flustered or embarrassed I make a joke of it. It's not that big a deal. I often wish I had a camera following me around for moments where I've walked into a pole (it's happened) or miscalculated a step or two (yup, been there) because I imagine it looks hilarious. And it's way better on you and your ego to think you are awesome than to get bogged down in meaningless mistakes or embarrassments from every day life. Just roll with the punches. And maybe find some better jokes.
14. Love your parents (something I've taught myself) They may drive you crazy. You may have to be the adult most of the time. You probably have a ton of traits that remind you of them and you might resent them for it. Don't. Embrace it, accept it, love the fact that you are so much like them and remember how funny they are, even in the moments that make you crazy, because it will help you get through it most likely. Exhibit A: my mother and any VCR.
Okay, I'm about done here. These obviously aren't the only lessons. And if they are then I am in more trouble than I thought.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A whistle while you walk
Ever been wolf whistled? What's your reaction?
There are a few options. Some risky.
If you hear the whistle and look, and it's not actually meant for you, then you look conceited and feel kind of embarrassed. If you hear the whistle and don't look at all it could mean one of three things 1) Heard it but don't bother looking. 2) you heard but don't look in case it isn't for you, hereby saving face 3) wait, what wolf whistle? I fall under #2 a lot, but mostly it's # 3. This is due to the fact that while I walk I am literally miles away. I walk a lot and don't often hear people calling my name the first few times. Okay ten times. Sometimes they have to chase me down, sometimes they are literally in front of me and I look stunned for a minute while my mind races back to the present space and time and I can say "oh hi!"
Generally as I walk I'm thinking about other things. I think about the time my sisters did that thing that one time that was so hilarious, or the guy 16 cars ago who gave me a funny look as he drove by and 'gee I wonder why he did that, there must be something on my face' or how the bottom of my foot is so freaking itchy and I can't wait to get home to deal with it. Or that scene in Lost which didn't make any sense and why that show doesn't make any sense and 'gee I wonder why I still watch it at all'
If you see me on the street, and I don't immediately recognize you or jump up and down with enthusiasm for a minute just bear with me. I'm a little slow. I zone out while I walk and quite confidently walk across sections of traffic without paying attention, and make it to my front door without remembering a single moment of my trek home from work. Just keep yelling my name or sending smoke signals and eventually I will respond.
Oh ya. If you are on the receiving end of a wolf whistle and you look and it is indeed meant for you, then that is just fantastic. You and your wolf can whistle off into the sunshine and live happily ever after. Just look both ways before you cross the street.
There are a few options. Some risky.
If you hear the whistle and look, and it's not actually meant for you, then you look conceited and feel kind of embarrassed. If you hear the whistle and don't look at all it could mean one of three things 1) Heard it but don't bother looking. 2) you heard but don't look in case it isn't for you, hereby saving face 3) wait, what wolf whistle? I fall under #2 a lot, but mostly it's # 3. This is due to the fact that while I walk I am literally miles away. I walk a lot and don't often hear people calling my name the first few times. Okay ten times. Sometimes they have to chase me down, sometimes they are literally in front of me and I look stunned for a minute while my mind races back to the present space and time and I can say "oh hi!"
Generally as I walk I'm thinking about other things. I think about the time my sisters did that thing that one time that was so hilarious, or the guy 16 cars ago who gave me a funny look as he drove by and 'gee I wonder why he did that, there must be something on my face' or how the bottom of my foot is so freaking itchy and I can't wait to get home to deal with it. Or that scene in Lost which didn't make any sense and why that show doesn't make any sense and 'gee I wonder why I still watch it at all'
If you see me on the street, and I don't immediately recognize you or jump up and down with enthusiasm for a minute just bear with me. I'm a little slow. I zone out while I walk and quite confidently walk across sections of traffic without paying attention, and make it to my front door without remembering a single moment of my trek home from work. Just keep yelling my name or sending smoke signals and eventually I will respond.
Oh ya. If you are on the receiving end of a wolf whistle and you look and it is indeed meant for you, then that is just fantastic. You and your wolf can whistle off into the sunshine and live happily ever after. Just look both ways before you cross the street.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Elevators, or Why I take the stairs
First an elevator joke: guy says to elevator repairman: how was your day? repairman says, oh it was up and down. bwahahahaha.
Elevators are the most awkward social experiment I have ever experienced. There is some unspoken agreement that people just go along with when it comes to elevators. If you are there first you get in first, of course after the previous occupants unload. Then you tell the person the floor you wish to disembark on and they have to press it. Even if your hands aren't occupied, they pressed the button first, they are now in charge of the panel of floors. It's their call. The person to first step up to or into the elevator has all the power and holds your life in their hands. Is that being a little too dramatic? I didn't think so. Also, if you enter first you are inevitably getting off first, which means you are stuck behind everyone that got on after you. That's just how these things, and Murphy's law, work.
Now that you are safely in the elevator, and you check to make sure you haven't randomly dropped your keys down the shaft, the awkwardness begins. For me at least. What do you do while shifting between floors? Stare up at the ceiling tiles, over to the side, god hopes there isn't a mirror in the elevator. What a cruel joke that was, putting mirrors in a small awkward elevator. Whose idea was that anyways? Do you slyly stare over to the other person hoping they don't notice to see if they secretly want to make some sort of contact? No? Quick look away! Maybe sigh a little bit. If the ride is longer than three floors, Jesus, I would rather walk. I really would. Very rarely do you make friends on an elevator. What do you say to the person when you unload? See you have a nice life, enjoy your ride, it was great riding with you?
There is a large percentage of time that I have spent on elevators making small talk, babbling nervously as I get off on my floor. This is usually in front of an attractive male. There is a small percentage of time where I actually manage to pay attention and get off on my floor. I have a bad habit of zoning out and blindly following people off the elevator. I then realize my mistake, twirl around in confusion, and decide to take the stairs the rest of the way. I announce this decision to the person staring oddly at me, and yes, it is normally an attractive, nice smelling male.
Oh, and to those people that press the buttons more than once, it doesn't help. It doesn't make the elevator move faster, I'm sorry to say but you just don't have that much power in life.
So this is why I choose to suffer up 6 flights of stairs. Not for the exercise or the well being of my heart, but because I'm awkward and nervous and you generally don't run into attractive nice smelling males who think you are just a little bit wierd.
Elevators are the most awkward social experiment I have ever experienced. There is some unspoken agreement that people just go along with when it comes to elevators. If you are there first you get in first, of course after the previous occupants unload. Then you tell the person the floor you wish to disembark on and they have to press it. Even if your hands aren't occupied, they pressed the button first, they are now in charge of the panel of floors. It's their call. The person to first step up to or into the elevator has all the power and holds your life in their hands. Is that being a little too dramatic? I didn't think so. Also, if you enter first you are inevitably getting off first, which means you are stuck behind everyone that got on after you. That's just how these things, and Murphy's law, work.
Now that you are safely in the elevator, and you check to make sure you haven't randomly dropped your keys down the shaft, the awkwardness begins. For me at least. What do you do while shifting between floors? Stare up at the ceiling tiles, over to the side, god hopes there isn't a mirror in the elevator. What a cruel joke that was, putting mirrors in a small awkward elevator. Whose idea was that anyways? Do you slyly stare over to the other person hoping they don't notice to see if they secretly want to make some sort of contact? No? Quick look away! Maybe sigh a little bit. If the ride is longer than three floors, Jesus, I would rather walk. I really would. Very rarely do you make friends on an elevator. What do you say to the person when you unload? See you have a nice life, enjoy your ride, it was great riding with you?
There is a large percentage of time that I have spent on elevators making small talk, babbling nervously as I get off on my floor. This is usually in front of an attractive male. There is a small percentage of time where I actually manage to pay attention and get off on my floor. I have a bad habit of zoning out and blindly following people off the elevator. I then realize my mistake, twirl around in confusion, and decide to take the stairs the rest of the way. I announce this decision to the person staring oddly at me, and yes, it is normally an attractive, nice smelling male.
Oh, and to those people that press the buttons more than once, it doesn't help. It doesn't make the elevator move faster, I'm sorry to say but you just don't have that much power in life.
So this is why I choose to suffer up 6 flights of stairs. Not for the exercise or the well being of my heart, but because I'm awkward and nervous and you generally don't run into attractive nice smelling males who think you are just a little bit wierd.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Favorite moments from the Olympics
Now that my post party depression has set in, here are some of my Olympic moments that I loved. In no particular order, they may be added to as I remember more amazingly awesome moments from some of the most exciting Games I can remember.
1. Having the games at home, and broadcast at times that don't require me to stay up till one am to watch an event live. This was of course negated by the fact that I stayed up late to watch replays, highlights, and interviews anyway.
2. My father getting a 'shout-out' during the ladies super combined downhill. This guy had worked tooth and nail and plates in his leg to make this course, and on a beautiful sunny bluebird sky day the woman were attacking the course. Brian Stemmle was commentating and taking the viewers, people from around the world, through the course. As they passed over Rod's Route, Brian said 'this course was named after Rod MacLeod, a guy who put his heart and soul into this course'. Quite possibly the proudest moment of my life.
3. The spontaneous renditions of Oh Canada heard throughout Canada. I was privy to this outburst of pride on the bus from Squamish to Whistler. There are no words for moments like that in life.
4. Watching friends, neighbours, skating buddies, and people I went to school with compete at home in the Olympic Winter Games. So very cool to watch, so emotional to witness, and very surreal to know that I shared bath water with some of these people and changed their diapers. Makes you feel a little lazy and less accomplished!
5. Alex Bilodeau and his family. The first gold medal meant nothing compared to his story and relationship with his brother. If you didn't cry watching Frederics' reaction of his brothers gold medal run than you don't have a heart.
6. Long track speed skating: It's way too stressful for me to watch. And after all the training they have put in these elite athletes are still laid flat out on the ice after a strenuous 10,000 metre race. So exciting, and I loved how the Richmond Olympic Oval simply became the ROO.
7. Short track speed skating: it's way too stressful for me to watch. Seriously!! So much drama unfolded and intense exchanges and crashes and disqualifactions. The team relays were mesmerizing and 45 laps of a rink went by in a blink.
8.Britt Janyk's recovery during the Super G. This woman flew over Frog Bank and was headed to a spectacular fall. You have to see it to appreciate it but she has some serious core muscles to be able to get back on both skis. She should win a medal just for that.
9. Jennifer Heil. After a stupid question from a reporter about how it felt to lose gold she responded with 'I didn't lose the gold, I won the silver'. And she donated $25,000 to Right to Play, a move followed by many other Canadian athletes after her. Classy, dignified, and downright ballsy.
10. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. If you weren't a fan of ice dancing before you were after they skated. It seemed like they knew they were going to win as they skated. And you felt like you were at their wedding as they stood at the top of the podium. Now just hurry up and fall in love already so we can all sleep soundly at night.
11. Charles Hamelin and Marianne St-Gelais. These two are not afraid of showing how they feel. They love each other, they support each other, they get ridiculously excited when watching each other compete. Their leap over the boards to embrace after Charles win was the cutest thing since Virtue and Moir.
12. Crosby's Golden Goal. The country had written the ending to this story already, now we left it up to Crosby to direct it. And boy did he. It was always going to come down to Crosby. It had to be Crosby, that's how fate or destiny or whatever you want to call it works.
13. Jon Montgomery. His run, his reaction to winning, his stroll through Whistler Village, his reaction to the pitcher of beer. Most athletes would have ignored that gesture- he embraced it and drank it like it was his last day on Earth. Well it wasn't- it was his best day, and we loved him for being human (and a beer drinker.)
14. Joannie Rochette. The strongest woman I know, except I don't know her. I don't know where she found the strength. She skated, she fought through every minute of her long program with sheer will. She finally broke down and let us witness her grief. She won the bronze but it didn't matter. She skated for her mom, and a country cried for her.
15. The Canadian athletes that did medal, every single one of them 'shared it with Canada.' Typical selfless polite Canadians, they thanked the crew workers at the venues, the volunteers, and everyone that had helped them get to where they were. You're welcome.
How many days till London 2012???
1. Having the games at home, and broadcast at times that don't require me to stay up till one am to watch an event live. This was of course negated by the fact that I stayed up late to watch replays, highlights, and interviews anyway.
2. My father getting a 'shout-out' during the ladies super combined downhill. This guy had worked tooth and nail and plates in his leg to make this course, and on a beautiful sunny bluebird sky day the woman were attacking the course. Brian Stemmle was commentating and taking the viewers, people from around the world, through the course. As they passed over Rod's Route, Brian said 'this course was named after Rod MacLeod, a guy who put his heart and soul into this course'. Quite possibly the proudest moment of my life.
3. The spontaneous renditions of Oh Canada heard throughout Canada. I was privy to this outburst of pride on the bus from Squamish to Whistler. There are no words for moments like that in life.
4. Watching friends, neighbours, skating buddies, and people I went to school with compete at home in the Olympic Winter Games. So very cool to watch, so emotional to witness, and very surreal to know that I shared bath water with some of these people and changed their diapers. Makes you feel a little lazy and less accomplished!
5. Alex Bilodeau and his family. The first gold medal meant nothing compared to his story and relationship with his brother. If you didn't cry watching Frederics' reaction of his brothers gold medal run than you don't have a heart.
6. Long track speed skating: It's way too stressful for me to watch. And after all the training they have put in these elite athletes are still laid flat out on the ice after a strenuous 10,000 metre race. So exciting, and I loved how the Richmond Olympic Oval simply became the ROO.
7. Short track speed skating: it's way too stressful for me to watch. Seriously!! So much drama unfolded and intense exchanges and crashes and disqualifactions. The team relays were mesmerizing and 45 laps of a rink went by in a blink.
8.Britt Janyk's recovery during the Super G. This woman flew over Frog Bank and was headed to a spectacular fall. You have to see it to appreciate it but she has some serious core muscles to be able to get back on both skis. She should win a medal just for that.
9. Jennifer Heil. After a stupid question from a reporter about how it felt to lose gold she responded with 'I didn't lose the gold, I won the silver'. And she donated $25,000 to Right to Play, a move followed by many other Canadian athletes after her. Classy, dignified, and downright ballsy.
10. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. If you weren't a fan of ice dancing before you were after they skated. It seemed like they knew they were going to win as they skated. And you felt like you were at their wedding as they stood at the top of the podium. Now just hurry up and fall in love already so we can all sleep soundly at night.
11. Charles Hamelin and Marianne St-Gelais. These two are not afraid of showing how they feel. They love each other, they support each other, they get ridiculously excited when watching each other compete. Their leap over the boards to embrace after Charles win was the cutest thing since Virtue and Moir.
12. Crosby's Golden Goal. The country had written the ending to this story already, now we left it up to Crosby to direct it. And boy did he. It was always going to come down to Crosby. It had to be Crosby, that's how fate or destiny or whatever you want to call it works.
13. Jon Montgomery. His run, his reaction to winning, his stroll through Whistler Village, his reaction to the pitcher of beer. Most athletes would have ignored that gesture- he embraced it and drank it like it was his last day on Earth. Well it wasn't- it was his best day, and we loved him for being human (and a beer drinker.)
14. Joannie Rochette. The strongest woman I know, except I don't know her. I don't know where she found the strength. She skated, she fought through every minute of her long program with sheer will. She finally broke down and let us witness her grief. She won the bronze but it didn't matter. She skated for her mom, and a country cried for her.
15. The Canadian athletes that did medal, every single one of them 'shared it with Canada.' Typical selfless polite Canadians, they thanked the crew workers at the venues, the volunteers, and everyone that had helped them get to where they were. You're welcome.
How many days till London 2012???
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