Olympic recap day 03

This is the Yaletown Subway entrance/exit. I think you can count about ten volunteers in the blue Olympic parka. They are waiting for people to come up and ask them questions. The most amazing thing about Vancouver was the volunteers. On every corner, at every turn, twice as many as you'd expect, all giving freely of their time to make sure the guests of their city had the best possible experience. When you watch the closing ceremonies, and the representatives of the Vancouver Volunteers is presented, take note of the deafening roar of the crowd. It was certainly heartfelt by the 60,000 guests inside GM Place that night.

Day 03 in Vancouver for the final Winter Olympic weekend. It's a bit fuzzy. Mostly, everyone was trying to firm up exactly where they were going to be on Sunday for the big US versus Canada Men's Gold Medal Hockey game. In the midst of that, we toured. The friends that Mikka was staying with had been given last minute tickets to the Gold Medal Curling game. Mikka called to say she was on her own and would we like to see her? Hell yes!

So we met downtown and went for coffee. Then we caught the subway one stop to Yaletown and headed for the LiveCity venue. Mikka claimed to have connections to someone who offered to get her (us) in ahead of the lengthy line.

We got there and the line wasn't nearly as long as it had been on other days. Was it wrong to be disappointed that we were only cutting ahead of a half hour line instead of getting to feel superior for cutting ahead of a three hour line? Please note, Mikka's commitment to the hat. Once the hat is on, all photos for the rest of the day will be with "the hat".

Mikka's connection, Roy, came through and we were sent through with ease. When Mikka asked him what he was in charge of at LiveCity, he gave a sweep of his hand and said, "All this." We were duly impressed.

I want a BEAVER TAIL!
(pssssssstttt.... it's a big flat doughnut)

Roy gave us a brief tour and told us that the Coca-Cola tent was probably the longest line to go through. He said he would see what he could do, and found a Coke representative to see about getting us in "VIP". As the Coke representative radioed their boss, Mikka interrupted, "Are you asking for Dave _____? Does he have a twin brother? Tell him it's Mikka! We went to High School together!"

And that is how our VIP experience in the Coca-Cola tent came to pass.
Coke has sponsored the torch relay since 1992. In the entryway they showcased torches of previous Olympics. On the far left is Vancouver, next to it is Beijing, the blue one to the right is Torino and the last one at the far right is Athens.

This is what Coca-Cola employees wore at the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988 to work in the Coke pavilion. You may not be able to tell the boots are shiny silver, and the pants are a sparkling red. The hat, is not optional.

Inside the tent is a whirlwind of Coke propaganda and Olympic spirit. As we waited in line, Canada won a gold medal. A Siren/Horn wailed and my first thought was, "Tsunami! Run for higher ground!!!" But then the giant Coke bottle in the center of the room turned glowing gold, the event finale was projected all over the roof of the tent, announcements were made and the party kicked off!

At last we make our way to the front of the line and it's our turn to touch an Olympic torch!

Two gay guys and a girl with a big prop, official photographer, how will we ever stand out and make this photo our own?

Good Morning Charlie's Angels!

We left LiveCity and walked along False Creek toward the Russian Pavilion. Across the water was the athlete's village.

You can see flags on the balconies to give you an idea of who was staying where.

I was having major deja-vu on the walk. This was the former Expo "86 grounds. I spent almost every day here on this site way back when. I thought it funny that two completely distinct, international events could happen in the same spot and give me so much joy. As I walked, I flashed between current moment and 1986. Things have changed (I can buy more that a McDonald's ice cream cone for dinner for 39 cents), and things are the same (I have the best most amazing friends!).

The Russia Pavilion was closed by the time we got there, so we doubled back to the Quebec tent. We ducked in to get warm, get dry, get a snack.

Mikka still working "the Hat"!

Maple syrup butter tarts with whipped cream.
I wish I'd bought the whole tray!

We parted way so everyone could re-group, have a real meal and meet again for the fireworks finale at LiveCity. Roy had been kind enough to give us VIP passes to return with later that night. I love Roy.

While Robb and Lewis took a much needed rest, I hauled ass back to the cauldron and my elusive view of the "Five Golden Rings"! It was 7:30, it was dark, no umbrella or woman was going to stand in my way.

Simply gorgeous.

We went for dinner with friends where I learned that all businesses had to receive their shipments between 6 am and 11 am. Most restaurants weren't normally staffed those hours and had to bring on additional help. The businesses weren't complaining. They were all full!

David, Mark, Me, Robb and Lewis.

We walked down to LiveCity and went past what felt like Time's Square on New Year's Eve. MASSES OF PEOPLE lining every sidewalk, street, balcony all waiting to see tonight's final fireworks show over False Creek. We raced to the back VIP entrance and walked right in. As we gave our passes, the woman checking them asked for our names to go with each ticket. I reached for my wallet to give her my ID. "Oh not that. Just your name. SO when you want to use them tomorrow, you won't have any problems." Tomorrow? "Yes, these are good for either LiveCity venue tomorrow as well."

And BANG! Just like that we had in our hands the golden tickets to get into one of the hottest venues for Gold Medal Hockey in the city!

LiveCity, from day... into night.

As if the night couldn't get any better, we were about to watch a fabulous fireworks show!!!

Olympic recap begins.... NOW!

Let's launch this blog post into outer space!

Forgive me Blogger, it's been over a week since I have written anything. I've been overwhelmed.

It's not that I took a 6 day tour of the Great White North, or that I have all this work to do. Nor is it that my parent in-laws are visiting. My problem is that I am still trying to process everything I saw and did at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. And what I am slowly realizing is... that it's impossible.

There is no way to explain the level of hype and expectations that I was feeling just getting on the airplane. No way to share how those astronomical expectations were EXCEEDED. When they tell you it is a "once in a lifetime" experience... BELIEVE IT.

Although I hope not. Because the Olympics are like crack, now that I've had that high, I am going to be chasing it for the rest of my life. I think this explains why all those athletes come out of retirement, participate in spite of broken bones, or hang on well after their moment may have passed. I get it. I need it. Now I too, am an Olympic Junkie.

We join our Olympic tale at midnight the night before I am going to Vancouver. My flight is at 6 am. I will need to be in a cab (no way Lyle is driving me at the time of day) at 4 am. I will need to shower at 3:30 am. I normally go to be around 2 am. Screw it, I'm staying up. And that is how I arrived giddy, and punch drunk at the customs and immigration counter in the Vancouver Airport. I've been awake for 38 hours. My flying companion, Mikka, sensibly got 5 hours of sleep. She is so wired, you'd never know.At the baggage claim carousel, there are TVs showing Olympic coverage. While waiting for our bags, Canada wins a gold! The entire airport staff and all Canadians in the waiting area erupt into a joyful cheer. I've never seen such a friendly, joyful, smiling airport in my entire life. Olympic Fever crack, the first hit is free.

Driving into the city everything is red and white. Normally there are a lot of Canadian logos that utilize red and white. But this? This is different. Yards have signs, flags are flying everywhere, block after block of store windows have Canadian flags draped elegantly, hastily, crooked, repeatedly. This land of polite people seems to have found a pride that no longer hides. Olympic Fever makes me giddy.

On the street, there is red and white on all the people. My Gucci scarf of grey, green and red seems out of fashion immediately. Lucky for me, my advance team has warned me and I have packed a vibrant full red scarf. I change scarfs before we get to my friends home. "Bienvenue, Canada! Je suis Canadian, aussi!" my scarf cries out in French, because of course as any good Canadian scarf would tell you, he is bilingual.

My scarf is also very respectful of the native arts, pausing to pose in front of these official sanctioned blow up totem poles with LED lights.

Our first Olympic act was to get to a viewing venue to watch the Women's Hockey Gold Medal game. We walked toward LiveCity downtown and the line was a shockingly short at only 30 minutes to get in. We met a friend of Robb's, Ben, who told us that he heard there were seats available at the gay sports bar Score! a few blocks away. We left the line and high-tailed it over to the Sports bar. There were two seats, outside, on the smaller unheated patio. We were three people. We squeezed in. We arrived and the score was already 2-0 in Canada's favor. Clock running out on the third period and... Canada wins the GOLD!

The volume on this is VERY LOUD.

The volume on this is VERY LOUD.

Thank god I was outside. I was stunned. I was overcome. These people are nuts! Inside, it was crazier. All that noise all that testosterone (quite a few lesbians in attendance) and all that joy forced to live inside a square box. Unbelievable.

The locals had been doing this for almost two weeks at this point. I asked a few people how they were managing to keep going after two weeks of this kind of energy? Most everyone agreed, PURE ADRENALINE.

After dinner we walked the two blocks from Robb & Lewis's house to Robson Square. A fantastical light show was performed here twice a night. The bright orange blasts in the video are fire. From a block away you could feel the heat on your face. There was a zip-line across the sky spanning two blocks. By day, you could wait four hours in a line-up to pay and take the 10 second ride over the crowds. By night, they added another dimension to the light show. Watch in the first half for the skier in the sky!

We caught the first light show at Robson Square because we had plans for later. We were watching a different fireworks show 10 blocks away! Robb's friend Ben hooked us up with a 15 stories high skybox views in a condo next to the launch site with floor to ceiling windows.
The lighted village on the lower right is "LiveCity" on False Creek. The two small blue rectangles to the front of it are the stage. About 5000 people fit in front of the stage. The red and white square in LiveCity is the Coca-Cola pavilion. We'll see that in a later post.

Donna and I are working our "Italian Super-Model on the ski slopes" look with our skinny jeans tucked into our boots. It may not have been snowing in Vancouver, but I promise you, it was definitely cold enough for my silver puffy. (Keep in mind, I wore my silver puffy coat to walk the dogs here in Los Angeles two nights ago as well.)

And so, after being awake about 40 hours in a row, we made our way home to sleep. Tomorrow promised to be another banner Olympic Fever day and I was going to need my full 6 hours of rest!

OLYMPIC FEVER!

Though we had planned on being in Vancouver for these Winter Olympics with our friends Robb & Lewis, alas, we are not. As gracious and giving friends, they have launched a limited blog to take us all along for the ride of a lifetime. I am going out on a limb and recommending Robb & Lewis In The Olympics!

As Robb emailed me last night:

I figure you'll be hearing so much about Vancouver that you'll be thinking of us constantly! Or maybe you forgot altogether that the Olympics are in Vancouver starting in a few days... So in case you want to follow us through the Olympics I've created a blog (I think I can manage a two week blog). Now you can get the real on the ground story. And please, I won't be offended if this is the last time you look at it - it may be the last time we update it!

So, get it while it's hot!

Also, another friend of mine who regularly blogs, will be attending the Olympics and sharing her experiences, check out Haute Today. She should be arriving in Vancouver in the next day or two.

Via my friend Derek Morrison (another Vancouver Local), come these photos (I stole off his facebook page)

Inside BC Place where the opening ceremonies will soon begin.

Derek and a friend who ran part of the torch relay. He tells me that for $400, you get to keep the torch after. It's like going to A&W and paying extra to keep the mug, only better.

As for my Olympic viewing plans, I will sitting in front of my TiVo watching every night suffering through the NBC coverage with far too much talking, and far too many "human interest" stories interrupting the coverage. What other choice do I have? Oh, and I ill be rooting for my favorite figure skater, Johnny Weir.

Big Fat Cake

Robb, Lewis and Robb's mum are driving from Arizona to Washington state. So of course the most direct line is by way of Los Angeles. I was worried that they may choose a different route so I promised them cake if they came to visit. Specifically Carrot Cake. My Carrot Cake.

I have a disease. I can't cook small. When I make "a" carrot cake it always gets too big and turns into two. Same with quiche. If I'm making two quiche, I wind up with 3. I know i should measure, but then I don't get enough. If I follow the measurements for two quiche, inevitably I have add some stuff at the end because the pans aren't even half full.

So I started THE CAKE on Friday for Saturday consumption. That's right, it takes more than a day.

I use the recipe from "the New Basics" cookbook. It doesn't have any photos so I won't compare myself and feel I've fallen short. My secret is I one and half times the recipe to make one cake. So it's sort of a cake and half right out of the book. I do other stuff like leave out walnuts, add in raisins, a little more this, a little less that. This time I added macadamia nuts and they were a big hit. If you have the recipe book check it out, if you don't have the book, here is a very similar recipe. I've not used this one on-line, but it looks close.

So Lyle demanded that I make "JUST ONE CAKE" and I had every intention of doing so. I measured out just enough coconut, the right amount of raisins, only one can of pineapple and then I added all my cooked grated carrots. Oops. I only needed about 2-3 cups of carrots and I think I put in closer to 7. So I started making more batter. One thing led to another and I had two 9x13 cakes in the oven. And I was in trouble.

Oh, another secret to my carrot cake is I use Tupperware Ultra 21 Ovenware to cook it in. They don't make it anymore and mine is golden to me. It distributes the heat very evenly and doesn't burn the cake in the corners while the middle is still a sloshy mess.

After I made the cake I set it out to cool overnight and went to bed. On Saturday I made the icing. Okay, I had basically 6 times the cake the recipe called for originally. So I needed a fair bit of icing. So I multiplied the icing recipe by 12. That's right, TWELVE. I don't even know the Latin term for that.

I cut the cakes in half horizontally to create four layers. I troweled on the icing over the first layer and set the next layer on top. The weight of the layer forced most of the icing out the sides. The battle had begun.

I cleared out an entire shelf in the refrigerator to hold the beast and cool the icing. I returned in half an hour and spread more icing on top, then placed the third layer on. Squish, out when most of the icing while the top layer started to slide to one side. I grabbed the layer and it split in many places. I grabbed toothpicks to pin it in place but they were too short. I grabbed steak knives and stabbed through the entire structure. Victory was mine.

It was then I realized that the cover of my cake container would not fit over another layer. Great, I had a fourth layer I couldn't even put on. I cut that final layer in three pieces and created an iceberg of icing three stories tall as a "bonus cake".

From 10 am to 4 pm I had the cakes going in and out of the fridge getting various layers of icing in the middle, on the sides, filling chasms, and finally decorating. Lyle asked if I was "getting fancy" with my cakes. I told him I had to do something because they weren't' looking so good.

Ultimately it didn't matter because they tasted so much better than they looked. We gorged ourselves on cake that first night and vowed that dinner on Sunday would be "light" (so we could fit more cake in after).

And that brings me to our photos. Here is my idea of a "light" meal.

We started with a green salad. Lettuce was from our garden. Cucumber, radishes, a pew pine nuts. Then I threw on some grated cheese for color. Someone mentioned there didn't look like there was going to be any protein at the meal, so I pulled out leftover steak from the night before, sliced it and coated it in chipotle Tabasco, salt, pepper and lime. I topped the entire salad with an oil and vinegar with shallots dressing.
That probably would have been plenty. But I had already started the gnocchi. Seated on a bed of sauteed peppers then topped with Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and a confetti of rosemary. Here's my secret, the gnocchi is out of the freezer section of Trader Joe's.
Stuffed to the gills, out came the cake. THE TWENTY POUND CAKE.
See, all that colorful icing? That's me getting fancy!
And here is a side view so you can see just how thick and overly iced it is. On the far right side, you can see the the cake is still sliding off top...

Starmaker

I make celebrities into reality. Or is it the other way around, making reality into celebrity?

From Sarah's blog, a friend of our niece:

Yesterday, I had to run out to grab the umbrella from my room [that got used as a cane on our walk about on Granville Island, but that's not the point of this story], and at the door of O'Doul's was a group of gentlemen, two of whom looked familiar. So familiar, that I had my hand half raised to wave and the syllables for an uncertain hello in my throat. When I realised....

I've never met Robb and Lewis. I've only seen photos of them plastered all over Jim's Blog. They haven't been featured in photos in a while, but none the less, I recognised them from photos on a website.

I apologize for not featuring Robb & Lewis recently. But its their own damn fault for being out of the country for so long. I miss them too and so just to satisfy the needs of my readers... Let's take a photo visit with them again.

Robb gives his best impression of my standard surprise photo face.

Lewis is thrilled to get a bell tower on his head in Rio.

Jesus, that guy in the background is tall.

Welcome, welcome, all are welcome...

Two of my bestest friends are off on a globe jaunt. In an effort to stay in touch they have started a blog. I have no idea how much they will post or even how much they want to to share. But I am so excited to be able to follow them as they take a tour without me (really, with me is better, but someone has to sit here and squash the doggie revolution at my house).

I've added their blog link over there on the right hand side: Robb & LewisMe, Robb, Lewis and Lyle in the world's most hideous hotel room in Venice, Italy.

Lyle, Lewis, Robb and me having Gelato in Florence, Italy exactly where my brother Gary told us to.

Me, Lyle, Robb & Lewis in Laguna Beach, California.

All of us are STUNNED that only Lewis bought something at the Prada outlet.
STUNNED.

Princessess!

Yes, yes I know you are hoping to see all about Christmas going up at our house, but these things take time... it's about half up. The lights are all on outside. But a few more details need to be added... Today we finally got the "go-bo" projector up on the roof so it shines down a lovely snowflake pattern swirling on the front porch. The snowman made it up in the first go round.

Inside, all the greenery is up and lit. 4 out of 6 have the ornaments on. The tree is still not on the schedule yet. Probably next weekend.

In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy these Princess pictures. We went to see "Enchanted" last Thursday. After the movie, in a special tent out back of the theater they had the "Enchanted Experience". Well I did not see my size in princess dresses and I didn't want to jump in the bouncy castle or color with glitter... all that was left was to collect a picture of each Princess on hand for our entertainment. And I knew as I did it that this is where they would end up. Here are the best of the bunch!

Jasmine and Lyle square off.

Chanda talks glass slippers with Cinderella and her Prince Charming.

Its another face off between me and Ariel, the fish wife.

And then, as a bonus, I got this photo today from Robb & Lewis back in Vancouver, BC. They have their tree up, decorated and SNOW outside on the balcony!

Vancouver final day & departure

Here's some ramblings and more that I may have left out before.

I think these fairy princesses were the same folks who wore the fabulous pink frocks two years ago. Can you imagine, Halloween twice a year, and in the summer, people would applaud your outfit!

On our final morning in Vancouver, we got up and went out for coffee... no wait, we stayed home and had coffee! It was shock to my system as well.

I think I spent too long at Gay Pride the day before as this outfit seems totally "gay" to me... wait a minute, I packed this from home and fully intended on wearing it just like that... nope, I was gay before I left home.

Robb & Lewis needed to do some work things (even though Monday was a holiday in British Columbia), Lyle and I got out of the way and took a walk along the water. Everybody was out. Young, old, gay, straight, dog, child, bike, rollerblade and skateboard... all out and about on a lazy holiday Monday.

Lyle lets the Granville Street Bridge rest upon his head...

Robb & Lewis met us down by the water and we had our final coffee together. You knew we'd have coffee again before we left. (this one was THREE blocks from the condo. Across the street from yest another Starbucks.)

Apropos of nothing, my petite friend Cathy and I recreate my photo opportunity as Shrek and Florence Henderson.

As the husband had to go through immigration to renew his visa we knew we needed to allow some extra time. Since it is normally 2 hours in advance for international departures, we allotted 3 hours. Then since there was no one at the airport in line, the whole process took ten minutes, leaving 2 hours and 50 minutes to kill in one of the world's most boring international departure terminals. UGH.

After three days of a knotted stomach (cause you never know with U.S. Customs and Immigration) the hubby pigs out on a rare Canadian delicacy, a Tim Horton's Maple glazed doughnut.

Our flight from Vancouver to L.A. took about two and half hours. Once we got to L.A., we were early and they had to wait for a gate. Then the luggage took an eternity to arrive at the claim check. It took so long that Alaska Air was forced to make announcements (three times) letting people know their bags were ACTUALLY coming in the next five minutes, no make that five more minutes, no wait it will be about five minutes more... From the bags to the shuttle bus, to the car park to the cashier and voila! We had no been on the ground longer than we had been in the air and we weren't even home.

Glad to be home. Happy to be with the dogs.

Other observations about being in Vancouver:

We took a Prius taxi. Tree hugging hippie Vancouver has quite a few of them. There was enough room for three of us to sit in the backseat together.

We met a woman in the elevator and she used the term "carbon footprint" in casual conversation. And also mentioned that we all needed to watch ours. (Could she tell we owned a Range Rover?)

The recycling program for cans and bottles in the city is to have a caddy on the outside of public trash cans where you can leave the items that have a deposit paid on them and other people come by, pick them up and take them in for money. Recycle and give homeless people a job at the same time.

I am totally looking forward to attending the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver even though I hate the winter up North. I've already made my condo reservations with my friends in advance.

Our view from the 34th floor for four days.

Vancouver Day 3

We are ready for Gay Pride, but is it ready for us?

Sunday - Gay Pride in Vancouver. Are you starting to see why I might be tired? We got up and went out for coffee. (there's a reoccurring theme here) Then breakfast. Then to the parade. Friend's of our friends had rented out a Japanese restaurant, Black Tuna Sushi, at THE corner of the parade. Davie and Denman. We were on the second floor, removed from the crowd, and able to drink copious amounts. Well, others were able. I just had a couple glasses of champagne.

The Pride parade in Vancouver is like nothing I have seen in Los Angeles or New York. It's like a hometown parade with better music. Sure it starts with the required dykes on bikes, but instead of black electrician's tape or stickers over their bare bosoms, they just have bare bosoms. It's legal for woman to go topless in British Columbia! Because to require a woman to cover her breasts and not a man to cover his would be sexist and Canada is very P.C.

Mixed in between convertibles with this dignitary or that tanning salon came the local bar floats with go-go boys in their underwear. Here's a question worth posing for all occasions, why is it that the people you most think should be seen naked always have their clothes on and the people you most think should have their clothes on always want to be naked? Yes, next came the Nudist society.

In the midst of the parade were the political statements, "9-11 was an inside job" "Overthrow the Bush monarchy now" and then came the national leader of the NDP party. That last one was a big deal. Sort of like having one of the candidates for President walk in the Gay Pride parade. Welcome to Canada.
There's Robb & Company up on the second floor at Black Tuna, post parade.
Following the Parade, we walked along the water towards the festival. Here's a funny thing, to get into the festival in Los Angeles, you have to pay about $15. You can get a wristband with your ID that says your over 21 and then drink all over the festival, no limit to how much you can consume. At the Vancouver festival, it is all open. No fee to get in, no fences. But the Beer Garden was separate. Again no fee to get in, appropriate ID for drinking age (19) but then you can only buy tickets for up to 5 drinks at any time. (as opposed to LA where you can buy enough to quench an army and its horses providing you brought that kind of cash).
You may have already guessed, Robb & I went to the Beer Garden. Lyle and Lewis went home. The drink choices were beer, cider or wine. Who would drink wine on a hot day at a gay dance party? Robb did. But we got our dance on anyway (oh yeah, I was drinking beer. That happens about twice a year in my world). The music was well received but they never, never, never played anything from a year past 1993. WTF? Suddenly there I was, THAT drunk girl at a bar going, "Why can't they play Umbrella!? I wanna hear Umbrella! That's my sooooong.... Umbella-ella-ella!" She's always so pretty and popular isn't she?
This man was, as you may have guessed, part of the Nudist group that had marched. In the photo above he is wearing a grocery sack to cover his, uh, sack. It was a clear bag and you could see all the produce he had in his, uh basket. This is the most I had seen him in all day as he had previously been on teh dance floor sans sack.

Lyle had made a reservation for 8 pm for dinner at the restaurant where we had had our wedding reception 2 and half years ago, the Parkside. Oh my goodness, the food, the food, the food. I can only remember mine as the day was getting a little hazy after 9 pm...
I started with the frozen Cosmopolitan. Cranberry sorbet shaken with vodka and a splash of lime. First course, the foies gras parfait, served with mini-toast (naturally) and a sweet fog compote. Second course brought the first bottle of wine and my porcinni mushroom risotto, then my main course of Duck confit and another bottle of the red wine. Finally I was torn between the lemon souffle crepes stuffed with ricotta cheese and fresh strawberries or the chocolate torte. I went with the souffle crepes as did most of the table. Then the waiter brought out an extra chocolate torte (with whipped cream!) for us all to share. Once again, something that rarely happens occur ed, I couldn't finish my dessert(s). So amazing.
We walked all the way back to the condo. Which means that by now I have crossed the West End of Vancouver north to south and east to west. More than once. All that walking and I've failed to mention the BLISTERS on my feet. I brought the wrong shoes. They'll be the right shoes soon enough, but here's a tip worth remembering when you travel; don't take brand new shoes. Oops! One of us had to give and it turned out it was my heals.

Tomorrow (in this recap) we head back for home (cause we've already made it home).