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And with the hint of an accent it all flooded back … Vancouver 2010

February 14, 2011 By 1 Comment

Funny how history repeats itself.  A year ago, I was somewhat blassay about the Olympics being in this fine city of ours. The Olympic Committee had not been especially warm or welcoming to locals, but a few of the Houses changed all that for me, especially La Maison de la Suiss and Saxony House.  Oh and how did I love the music at the Saskatchewan Pavilion and all the fantastic Arts at Atlantic Canada House! Well, I’ve been feeling a little the same way as the one year celebration got under way this weekend, that is until a heard a German accent yesterday and then I was taken right back, burning red face and all.

You see for me the Olympics weren’t really about the games or sport at all. They were about the people I met, both local and from around the world and in sharing in our traditions from music and celebration to food and beer.  Oh and there were some fine beers – thank you Saxony House, I get teary eyed just thinking about those tankards.  I’m happy to provide you with an address for a care package.

Saxon-Canadian Relations (aka Being a good Canadian Diplomat.)

So we all need goals, especially around games, and that I had, just like any of the athletes.  My goals were two fold.

  1. Enjoy as much food, drink and music from all around the world, as possible.
  2. Encourage International Relations by hosting a little competition of my own against my darling hummingbird604.  How you ask?  Well, our own Olympic Sport of seeing who got more Olympic dates.

Now, this really set a great purpose and tone to the Games as things got off to a roaring start in our Olympic Event.  The Opening Ceremonies alone I had three dates.  Needless to say, despite the odds, I was leaving Raul behind in a white wash.

Olympic Dates 2 & 3 (Yes, they happened at the same time, as did Date 1 - he's taking the pictures. I'm not a girl that wastes time.)

That was until this Saxon fellow got in the way, and turned me head over heels in a hunt for unrequited love.

Stealing a Kiss

Not wanting to lose though, I tossed my heart aside and still managed to get in a kiss or two:

Thats when Raul pulled off the mittens and started playing dirty, deeking me out and landing me a very real Olympic romance and case in International Relations in my lap.  Now, I’m not one to smooch and tell, but lets just say that that German accent yesterday was all I needed to take me right back to Vancouver 2010 and turn my face as red as a beet.

Faced with nostalgia, I think I’ll dig up a bit of our unused footage to share with you in the coming weeks.  Who knows it might even help to me cure of this past year’s weakness for foreign men.

Filed Under: All the Gossip, Altlantic Canada, Canada, Contests, Events, Germany, Meeting Mr. / Ms. Right (or Right Now), Olympics, Perfect Dates, relationships, Saskatchewan, Switzerland, The Tube, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Sexy Andrea Menard Struts Her Stuff Across the Prairies

December 4, 2010 By 1 Comment

Was reminded the other day whilst making my mixed tape of a few Canadian artists, of some of the incredible talent we have in this country of ours.  So many voices I love to listen to. In that mix is singer and actress, Andrea Menard, a woman who lights up the stage with her warmth and talent and is equally as lovely in person.  You can’t help, but love her, especially after you see her perform live.

I was lucky enough to have such an opportunity this past winter, thanks to the Saskatchewan Pavilion during the Olympics. In fact, I enjoyed listening to her so much that I went back two nights in a row.  Here she is, as filmed by moi:

Am a little jealous of the Prairie folk this week and next as Andrea is strutting her way across the Prairies in her Holiday Sparkle Tour, yet alas she stops just East of the Rockies.  Drat!  Oh how I wish I was in Toon Town with Teddy this coming Wednesday so I could go enjoy her show.  As for her other stops for all you fine Prairie folk:

And to make me even more jealous, it looks like Andrea is going to be joined by that fine Irish beast, Stephen Maguire along with Robert Walsh.  Anyone know what the cost of a flight to Saskatoon is this Wednesday?

Now, you got a taste of Andrea’s folkie tunes above, so I thought it only fair if you get a bit of a taste for her jazz too.  Besides which, this fan video fits nicely with the mo (not too late for a Movember donation) and pantie themes I’ve been enjoying this past little while.  Ladies – I think you’ll enjoy this!

mmm …  I think I may need a cold shower.

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

Filed Under: All the Gossip, Buds, Events, Jammin', Music Scene, Perfect Dates, The Tube Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Who’s Watching?

February 28, 2010 By 1 Comment

I spent nearly an hour with a huge crowd watching a man on a strange unicycle, waiting for something really big to happen.  There was so much build up going on that it was like watching a bad movie where you feel you have to stick it out to the end.  Meanwhile, I realized we were all missing the Olympics.  Was this really more interesting?

The engaging power of a unicycle

We decided to leave and never saw the big finish.  As we walked around, I started to think about all the things people are doing other than watching the games.  Myself included, they are spending hours standing in line.  The day before, I spent nearly 3 hours waiting to get into the Atlantic Canada House for their Kitchen Party.  It was well worth it and I did make some new friends whom I’ll never see again, but it was 3 hours spent waiting, rather than watching.

Standing in Line-The new Olympic sport

There were hundreds of people that unicycle night drinking hot chocolate and ice skating at Robson Square.  Even more were just sitting on the steps watching dancers perform.  There were crowds waiting for balloon animals and my favourite all time non-game watching activity….the rice cracker maker!  This machine would twirl around and shoot rice crackers out like fire works.

A delicious distraction

Wow

There were so many people just roaming the streets trying to be a part of the action.  As I’ve had a chance to reflect on this revelation, I’ve realized that I have watched less of the Olympic games than ever before in my life because I live in the city that is hosting them.  I have wanted to be with all the other excited people from Canada and all around the world and that has led me to downtown or surrounding areas where I have been nowhere near a television, but captivated by spirit.  I have to admit, that as thrilled as I am for the amount of medals Canada is winning, I am most proud of the fact that I got picked up while filling up with gas the other day and invited out to party with some out of town boys!  Of course, as a mom and wife I had to pretend I was unfortunately busy, but knowing you’ve still got what it takes is worth gold.  I do enjoy watching our athletes, but given the chance, I can see how some might  pick this alien dance party instead.
Alien dance party

Filed Under: All the Gossip, Brie Mason, Olympics, Vancouver Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

In the Name of Sport

February 23, 2010 By 2 Comments

I’ve never liked being left on the side lines.  I like to be in the game.

This is one of the many reasons why I am not an arm chair athlete and admittedly have not watched much of the Olympics on TV.  So what have been up to instead?  Well, competing, of course.

What?  You haven’t heard of me?  Which sport am I in?  No worries, I take absolutely no offence, as you see I’m in one of the experimental sports.  They are doing a soft launch of it this year with just two athletes – myself and hummingbird604.  And as we are all about inclusion are sporting events extends over both the Olympic and the Paralympic Games.

So what’s the sport?  Well, really its a long standing Olympic tradition played undercover. Yes, that’s right, the hummingbird and I are competing for whom can get the most Olympic dates. And NO, not, as others have suggested, the most Olympic shags. Neither, the hummingbird or I are tarts.  Simply, the most Olympic dates.

So far I am in the lead at 5 -3, despite twitter betting against me.  So whats the story on my dates?

  • A Swede enjoyed over a glass of wine.
  • A good, old American boy picked up our town’s latest meat market, the Canada Line.

Olympic Dates 2 & 3 (Yes, they happened at the same time. I'm not a girl that wastes time.)

  • A lonely Swiss man eating a meal alone.
  • Two drunken snowboarders, picked up in unison, at 4 AM on Grouse Mountain. (there is actually video on this one, I just need to find it for all of you voyeurs)

Olympic Date 4 wasted absolutely no time.

As for date number 6?  I am hoping it will be with this handsome Saxon.  Only problem is that he is currently MIA.

Have you seen my fella?

So my dear hummingbird?  Let’s hear the dirt on your 3 dates!

Filed Under: All the Gossip, Meeting Mr. / Ms. Right (or Right Now), Olympics, Vancouver Events Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Vancouver Is Waking Up!

February 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ok, so I may have just slept the entire day away, but my thoughts today are centered on the unusually lively spirits of Vancouver locals.  When I responded to the ‘Team Head Up Grouse In The Middle Of The Night Outing’ call from Emme, I thought we would be struggling to find anyone interested in having fun with us.  That was not the case!  At 3:00am, there were close to 100 people at the base of the mountain waiting in a long line, and despite the fact that the coffee shop was closed, none of them were grumpy!  People were even smiling and cheering loudly for the drunk party mountaineers as they watched them unload from the gondola.  Usually, I can’t even get a smile from Vancouverites when I say hello on the street!  I was amused by the different outfits I saw that would normally be considered too silly to wear in public.

Loving the Outfits!

Our experience on the top was even better.  Spontaneous kisses for Emme, stories from unknown great athletes, Canadian flag cape-wearing skaters, and free expert snow tips for our own novice Mario were some of our most pleasant surprises. We even got our snowshoe guide to do ridiculous yoga poses on top of the mountain (Well, our ‘top’ was only half way since Emme kept slipping and giggling, my water bottle kept falling out of my pocket and rolling way back down, and Mario was just trying to breath.)  Everyone we met was more than willing to participate in our shenanigans and held back nothing in the quest for a good time.

An Unexpected Kiss

I’ve noticed this new Vancouver spirit spilling over to my regular daily interactions at the kids’ school, stores, banks and the lines I’ve been standing in to party at the different Olympic houses.  I’ve made more instant friends this week than in my entire time living here.  Perhaps  it’s the infectious attitudes of our international visitors, or maybe it’s because we all feel united as Canadians fired up to win, but whatever it is, I hope it lasts.  Please keep the love alive Vancouver, and don’t go back to sleep!

Namaste

Filed Under: All the Gossip, Brie Mason, Olympics, Vancouver Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,