I was talking to one of my colleagues today and he said that he's never made better time to Vancouver than on Friday night (with 60,000 of his closest friends) for the opening ceremonies. He says just drive into Vancouver! Take 12th to Burrard and then park at Pacific Center for $6 all day. Considering that I spent more than than in transit fare and would have had a place to store all my extra gear for the day, I am taking my car next time! I agree with him because the streets were crazy with pedestrian traffic, not car traffic.
I have men's hockey tickets for Saturday, so we'll be headed in to town again! Mike is volunteering and is taking the West Coast Express today. I'll let you know how that went for him.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Olympics with Kids... We did it, so can you!
We spent the day in Vancouver on Saturday, and it was a "hoot!" A friend with 5 kids asked how we did it, so here's what I said to her--
If you have tickets to any events, the best way to travel is West Coast Express because it's also your transit pass for the day. If you go, plan to get there by 10 as that's when the pavilions open. We took skytrain from New West, because we parked at a friend's house. With a whole crew, I would start at the "Live Surrey" site, park the car, and get on the skytrain. Be sure to take a stroller or two as there is plenty of walking. Kids 5 and under ride transit for free. I found the hardest part of the day was driving home from New West-- if the ride was even 20 minutes shorter it would have been better.
However, another option is to park in Richmond and take Canada line in the Richmond O-zone. Or, just risk it, take the Cambie Bridge downtown and park somewhere near St. Paul's hospital-- this avoids transit all together, but you may have an issue with the truck in a parking garage. If you do this, you could bring your ice skates and skate at the Robson skating rink.
Free things to see-- Robson square, Science world (Sochi world), Ontario (4-D movie-- kids loved it!!), Granville Street (buskers, street performers, interactive art displays), Live City Yaletown (Live City Downtown is too busy), Aboriginal pavillion... so much more, just start walking!! Don't bother with the torch/cauldron-- too far to walk, and it's behind a fence. We haven't taken it yet, but there is a free streetcar that goes from Science World to Granville Island, and there's a lot to do on Granville Island, too. We ate hotdogs at Costco ($1.99!!) Best deal in town and it's right by the elevator to get to the Dunsmuir Viaduct between GM Place and BC Place. The Art Gallery has been transformed to a BC pavilion with interactive displays. The post office has trampoline stunts everywhere. The best place to pee is Costco or the Library, but there are a lot of portapotties near Robson. Avoid the CTV area-- too busy-- and find the live broadcasts by CBC. They have a great sock puppet display on the second floor. Plus, you may be able to collect a cool toque during their Radio 3 "toque sessions" (It was also my way of boycotting Pamela Martin... blech).
Wear one colour to stick out from the crowd-- we all wore orange-- it's easy to spot because everyone else is wearing red and white. Or, tie a balloon to your kids' belt!
Have fun!
So, the key to "doing this with kids" is-- keep them full of treats, eats, and time to rest! Make sure you have an extra pair of socks for the child who is drawn to puddles... believe me, you'll thank me later.
If you have tickets to any events, the best way to travel is West Coast Express because it's also your transit pass for the day. If you go, plan to get there by 10 as that's when the pavilions open. We took skytrain from New West, because we parked at a friend's house. With a whole crew, I would start at the "Live Surrey" site, park the car, and get on the skytrain. Be sure to take a stroller or two as there is plenty of walking. Kids 5 and under ride transit for free. I found the hardest part of the day was driving home from New West-- if the ride was even 20 minutes shorter it would have been better.
However, another option is to park in Richmond and take Canada line in the Richmond O-zone. Or, just risk it, take the Cambie Bridge downtown and park somewhere near St. Paul's hospital-- this avoids transit all together, but you may have an issue with the truck in a parking garage. If you do this, you could bring your ice skates and skate at the Robson skating rink.
Free things to see-- Robson square, Science world (Sochi world), Ontario (4-D movie-- kids loved it!!), Granville Street (buskers, street performers, interactive art displays), Live City Yaletown (Live City Downtown is too busy), Aboriginal pavillion... so much more, just start walking!! Don't bother with the torch/cauldron-- too far to walk, and it's behind a fence. We haven't taken it yet, but there is a free streetcar that goes from Science World to Granville Island, and there's a lot to do on Granville Island, too. We ate hotdogs at Costco ($1.99!!) Best deal in town and it's right by the elevator to get to the Dunsmuir Viaduct between GM Place and BC Place. The Art Gallery has been transformed to a BC pavilion with interactive displays. The post office has trampoline stunts everywhere. The best place to pee is Costco or the Library, but there are a lot of portapotties near Robson. Avoid the CTV area-- too busy-- and find the live broadcasts by CBC. They have a great sock puppet display on the second floor. Plus, you may be able to collect a cool toque during their Radio 3 "toque sessions" (It was also my way of boycotting Pamela Martin... blech).
Wear one colour to stick out from the crowd-- we all wore orange-- it's easy to spot because everyone else is wearing red and white. Or, tie a balloon to your kids' belt!
Have fun!
So, the key to "doing this with kids" is-- keep them full of treats, eats, and time to rest! Make sure you have an extra pair of socks for the child who is drawn to puddles... believe me, you'll thank me later.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Cities, Crowds, and Ceremonies.. oh my....
We went to the dress rehearsal tonight. One word-- Fantastic. We were asked to keep things a little under wraps, so I'll honor that and not blab. Gotta say, though, it honored Canada-- our heritage, our history, our land, our people. You will be blown away! I'll discuss this after the big unveil on Friday.
However, I did not appreciate being herded like a lost cow through the infinite kilometers of blue fencing. With all the volunteers wearing their blue jackets and identical toques, it was very difficult to negotiate the crowds. Thankfully my dad came along. I call him a professional "crowd weaver". He can get through the tightest of jams. Plus, he was wearing a black jacket. Under normal circumstances this is hard to spot. But, in a sea of peacock blue-- easy. We were forced to make our way through Yaletown on our way to get to the sky train. I'm sure hoping Vanoc has thought this through, because after sitting on your butt for 3 hours, it's tough to find your way in the dark and in the rain.
On another note, the city is buzzing! People are everywhere, taking video and pictures (I make it my mission to get in as many backgrounds and videos as possible-- I can't wait for my sister to get here so we can do this together. We're pros). I saw some athletes looking "important", a couple of torchbearers, some poor guy trying to explain how to get to some place with very broken English, and of course, the busker at the skytrain station wearing his regalia and carrying a drum. Ahh. Vancouver. You are quite something. I loved the lantern fesitval on Granville and the light display at English Bay (which reflects nicely on the cloud cover). Again, the theme is free. I hope things are waterproof, too, because the weather forecast looks grim.
One tip-- find a police officer from Vancouver if you need to ask for directions. Since this is "Canada's olympics" the powers that be thought it would be good to show their support for all the police across our land. But, when you are from Nowhere, Saskatchewan, you do not know how to get to the skytrain.
More on Friday. We hope to take the kids to the city on Saturday-- I'll bring my camera!
However, I did not appreciate being herded like a lost cow through the infinite kilometers of blue fencing. With all the volunteers wearing their blue jackets and identical toques, it was very difficult to negotiate the crowds. Thankfully my dad came along. I call him a professional "crowd weaver". He can get through the tightest of jams. Plus, he was wearing a black jacket. Under normal circumstances this is hard to spot. But, in a sea of peacock blue-- easy. We were forced to make our way through Yaletown on our way to get to the sky train. I'm sure hoping Vanoc has thought this through, because after sitting on your butt for 3 hours, it's tough to find your way in the dark and in the rain.
On another note, the city is buzzing! People are everywhere, taking video and pictures (I make it my mission to get in as many backgrounds and videos as possible-- I can't wait for my sister to get here so we can do this together. We're pros). I saw some athletes looking "important", a couple of torchbearers, some poor guy trying to explain how to get to some place with very broken English, and of course, the busker at the skytrain station wearing his regalia and carrying a drum. Ahh. Vancouver. You are quite something. I loved the lantern fesitval on Granville and the light display at English Bay (which reflects nicely on the cloud cover). Again, the theme is free. I hope things are waterproof, too, because the weather forecast looks grim.
One tip-- find a police officer from Vancouver if you need to ask for directions. Since this is "Canada's olympics" the powers that be thought it would be good to show their support for all the police across our land. But, when you are from Nowhere, Saskatchewan, you do not know how to get to the skytrain.
More on Friday. We hope to take the kids to the city on Saturday-- I'll bring my camera!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Free Olympic Shows. A Public service.
A list of free concerts in Vancouver, Richmond, and the throughout the lower mainland from February 12th through 28th 2010.
Part of the Cultural Olympiad
ALL showtimes are PM
Fri Feb 12th - Venice Queen - 10:15 @ Ozone
Fri Feb 12th - Bedouin Soundclash - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Fri Feb 12th - Blue Rodeo - 9:15 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 13th - Matthew David - 3:15 @ Ozone
Sat Feb 13th - Jet's Overhead - 8:00 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 13th - Five Alarm Funk - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 13th - Daniel Wesley - 10:00 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 13th - Califone! - 7:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sat Feb 13th - Hey Ocean - 8:00 @ Ozone
Sat Feb 13th - Bedouin Soundclash - 9:30 @ Ozone
Sat Feb 13th - Jessie Farrel - 10:00 @ Livecity Downtown
Sat Feb 13th - Default/Wilco - 6:15/10:00 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sun Feb 14th - Keisha Chante - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Sun Feb 14th - Mother Mother - 8:00 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sun Feb 14th - Rich Hope - 8:00 @ Livecity Downtown
Sun Feb 14th - Daniel Wesley - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sun Feb 14th - Elliot Brood - 9:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Sun Feb 14th - Serena Ryder - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Mon Feb 15th - Sloan - 10:30 @ Atlantic Canada House
Mon Feb 15th - Serena Ryder - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Mon Feb 15th - Jet's Overhead - 9:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Mon Feb 15th - Matisyahu - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Tue Feb 16th - Fresh IE - 7:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Tue Feb 16th - Alexisonfire - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Tue Feb 16th - Buck 65 - 9:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Tue Feb 16th - Eliot Brood - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Tue Feb 16th - The Trews - 10:30 @ Atlantic Canada House
Wed Feb 17th - DRUM! - 5:00 @ Livecity Yaletown
Wed Feb 17th - Corb Lund - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Wed Feb 17th - The Arkells - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Wed Feb 17th - Hawksley Workman - 9:30 @ Ozone
Wed Feb 17th - Hot Hot Heat - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Wed Feb 17th - Ivy League Brawlers - 10:00 @ Plaza Of Nations (Edgewater)
Thur Feb 18th - Jully Black - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Thur Feb 18th - Keisha Chante - 8:00 @ Livecity Yaletown
Thur Feb 18th - Corb Lund - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Thur Feb 18th - Rumba Calzada - 9:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Thur Feb 18th - The Arkells - 8:30 @ Ozone
Thur Feb 18th - Our Lady Peace - 9:45 @ Ozone
Thur Feb 18th - Marianas Trench - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Fri Feb 19th - Deadmau5 - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Fri Feb 19th - DRUM! - 8:00 @ Ozone
Fri Feb 19th - Jully Black - 10:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 19th - The Arkells - 7:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 19th - Dan Mangan - 8:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 19th - Sam Roberts - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 20th - The Arkells/ Sam Roberts - 6:30/9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sat Feb 20th - Marianas Trench - 9:30 @ Ozone
Sat Feb 20th - Mother Mother - 10:00 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 20th - DRUM! - 6:30 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 20th - Hey Ocean - 8:30 @ Holland Park
Sun Feb 21st - The Odds - 7:30 @ Holland Park
Sun Feb 21st - 54-40 - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Sun Feb 21st - Jully Black - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Mon Feb 22nd - Colin James - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Tue Feb 23rd - Wintersleep - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Wed Feb 24th - Wintersleep - 10:30 @ Atlantic Canada House
Wed Feb 24th - Damian "Jr.Gong" Marley - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Thur Feb 25th - Illscarlett - 6:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Thur Feb 25th - Wintersleep - 9:30 @ Ozone
Thur Feb 25th - Inward Eye - 11:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Fri Feb 26th - Tokyo Police Club - 9:45 @ Ozone
Fri Feb 26th - Inward Eye - 6:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 26th - Illscarlett - 8:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 26th - Marianas Trench - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 26th - TBC - 8/9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sat Feb 27th - Matt Mays - 6:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sat Feb 27th - Matt Mays - 10:30 @ Atlantic Canada House
Sat Feb 27th - The Stills - 10:15 @ Ozone
Sat Feb 27th - Illscarlett - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Sat Feb 27th - Blue Rodeo - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sat Feb 27th - Wide Mouth Mason - 9:30 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 27th - Tokyo Police Club/Wintersleep - 9/10:00 @ Holland Park
Sun Feb 28th - Five Alarm Funk - 9:30 @ Ozone
ALL showtimes are PM
Part of the Cultural Olympiad
ALL showtimes are PM
Fri Feb 12th - Venice Queen - 10:15 @ Ozone
Fri Feb 12th - Bedouin Soundclash - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Fri Feb 12th - Blue Rodeo - 9:15 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 13th - Matthew David - 3:15 @ Ozone
Sat Feb 13th - Jet's Overhead - 8:00 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 13th - Five Alarm Funk - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 13th - Daniel Wesley - 10:00 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 13th - Califone! - 7:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sat Feb 13th - Hey Ocean - 8:00 @ Ozone
Sat Feb 13th - Bedouin Soundclash - 9:30 @ Ozone
Sat Feb 13th - Jessie Farrel - 10:00 @ Livecity Downtown
Sat Feb 13th - Default/Wilco - 6:15/10:00 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sun Feb 14th - Keisha Chante - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Sun Feb 14th - Mother Mother - 8:00 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sun Feb 14th - Rich Hope - 8:00 @ Livecity Downtown
Sun Feb 14th - Daniel Wesley - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sun Feb 14th - Elliot Brood - 9:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Sun Feb 14th - Serena Ryder - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Mon Feb 15th - Sloan - 10:30 @ Atlantic Canada House
Mon Feb 15th - Serena Ryder - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Mon Feb 15th - Jet's Overhead - 9:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Mon Feb 15th - Matisyahu - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Tue Feb 16th - Fresh IE - 7:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Tue Feb 16th - Alexisonfire - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Tue Feb 16th - Buck 65 - 9:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Tue Feb 16th - Eliot Brood - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Tue Feb 16th - The Trews - 10:30 @ Atlantic Canada House
Wed Feb 17th - DRUM! - 5:00 @ Livecity Yaletown
Wed Feb 17th - Corb Lund - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Wed Feb 17th - The Arkells - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Wed Feb 17th - Hawksley Workman - 9:30 @ Ozone
Wed Feb 17th - Hot Hot Heat - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Wed Feb 17th - Ivy League Brawlers - 10:00 @ Plaza Of Nations (Edgewater)
Thur Feb 18th - Jully Black - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Thur Feb 18th - Keisha Chante - 8:00 @ Livecity Yaletown
Thur Feb 18th - Corb Lund - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Thur Feb 18th - Rumba Calzada - 9:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Thur Feb 18th - The Arkells - 8:30 @ Ozone
Thur Feb 18th - Our Lady Peace - 9:45 @ Ozone
Thur Feb 18th - Marianas Trench - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Fri Feb 19th - Deadmau5 - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Fri Feb 19th - DRUM! - 8:00 @ Ozone
Fri Feb 19th - Jully Black - 10:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 19th - The Arkells - 7:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 19th - Dan Mangan - 8:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 19th - Sam Roberts - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 20th - The Arkells/ Sam Roberts - 6:30/9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sat Feb 20th - Marianas Trench - 9:30 @ Ozone
Sat Feb 20th - Mother Mother - 10:00 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 20th - DRUM! - 6:30 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 20th - Hey Ocean - 8:30 @ Holland Park
Sun Feb 21st - The Odds - 7:30 @ Holland Park
Sun Feb 21st - 54-40 - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Sun Feb 21st - Jully Black - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Mon Feb 22nd - Colin James - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Tue Feb 23rd - Wintersleep - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Wed Feb 24th - Wintersleep - 10:30 @ Atlantic Canada House
Wed Feb 24th - Damian "Jr.Gong" Marley - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Thur Feb 25th - Illscarlett - 6:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Thur Feb 25th - Wintersleep - 9:30 @ Ozone
Thur Feb 25th - Inward Eye - 11:30 @ Livecity Downtown
Fri Feb 26th - Tokyo Police Club - 9:45 @ Ozone
Fri Feb 26th - Inward Eye - 6:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 26th - Illscarlett - 8:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 26th - Marianas Trench - 9:00 @ Holland Park
Fri Feb 26th - TBC - 8/9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sat Feb 27th - Matt Mays - 6:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sat Feb 27th - Matt Mays - 10:30 @ Atlantic Canada House
Sat Feb 27th - The Stills - 10:15 @ Ozone
Sat Feb 27th - Illscarlett - 10:00 @ Ontario Pavillion
Sat Feb 27th - Blue Rodeo - 9:30 @ Livecity Yaletown
Sat Feb 27th - Wide Mouth Mason - 9:30 @ Holland Park
Sat Feb 27th - Tokyo Police Club/Wintersleep - 9/10:00 @ Holland Park
Sun Feb 28th - Five Alarm Funk - 9:30 @ Ozone
ALL showtimes are PM
Monday, February 8, 2010
Olympic Fever!
I admit it. I have Olympic fever. In spite of the budget overruns and the lasting effects of our economic misspending, I love the Olympics. I watch them 24-7 when they are on. Summer. Winter. It doesn't matter. I root for the underdogs. I root for the Canadians. I root for the Dutch. I root for the Jamaican bobsled team. I remember where I was when Ben Johnson won the 100 meter, and when it was found out that he cheated. I speculate on who will win this year's hockey tournament.... you get it. I love the Olympics. Now, they are in my home province. An hour away!!! I am so excited. Can you tell???
Hubby is volunteering as a driver and has to work 13 ten-hour shifts. He has a "smurfy" looking outfit, but is pumped about chauffeuring people around to the various venues. I am a little jealous as I applied to work the Olympics, too, but they didn't need me. *sigh* Alas, I shall enjoy them from the comfort of my living room. But, one perk is that we get to go to a dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday. Again, I'm excited.
In the next few weeks, we are planning to visit and experience as much of the Olympics as we can. I will take you with me, if you want. But, here's the kicker.... I have to do things for free or mostly free. My first stop is the live site in my hometown. (www.abbylivesite.ca) The Russian Figure skating team and the Japanese Short track Speedskaters are practicing just a short walk from my house. I've visited a few times already. On our way home from watching the figure skaters, they jumped and twirled, giggled and laughed their way up the hill. Told ya, Olympic fever!
And now, the Free stuff...
On Monday, Mike went to pick up his Olympic volunteer uniform and we spent some time in Robson square figure skating. Free, of course. Yesterday we watched the Olympic torch relay run past our house and collected all the free paraphenalia we could. These are my rules for experiencing this event-- it must be free, family friendly, and fun. Let's see how many things I can do!!!
(Thanks to www.citycaucus.com and their where to be for free links).
I'll keep you posted!!!
Hubby is volunteering as a driver and has to work 13 ten-hour shifts. He has a "smurfy" looking outfit, but is pumped about chauffeuring people around to the various venues. I am a little jealous as I applied to work the Olympics, too, but they didn't need me. *sigh* Alas, I shall enjoy them from the comfort of my living room. But, one perk is that we get to go to a dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday. Again, I'm excited.
In the next few weeks, we are planning to visit and experience as much of the Olympics as we can. I will take you with me, if you want. But, here's the kicker.... I have to do things for free or mostly free. My first stop is the live site in my hometown. (www.abbylivesite.ca) The Russian Figure skating team and the Japanese Short track Speedskaters are practicing just a short walk from my house. I've visited a few times already. On our way home from watching the figure skaters, they jumped and twirled, giggled and laughed their way up the hill. Told ya, Olympic fever!
And now, the Free stuff...
On Monday, Mike went to pick up his Olympic volunteer uniform and we spent some time in Robson square figure skating. Free, of course. Yesterday we watched the Olympic torch relay run past our house and collected all the free paraphenalia we could. These are my rules for experiencing this event-- it must be free, family friendly, and fun. Let's see how many things I can do!!!
(Thanks to www.citycaucus.com and their where to be for free links).
I'll keep you posted!!!
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