I have arrived home, safe and sound, and still trying to digest all that I have seen and been a part of.
I really don't know how this will all eventually play out, but do we ever? What I do know is that traveling to the Olympics and being a small part of what Right to Play is doing, and trying to do, has been one of the most exciting and interesting experiences of my life.
I am pretty sure words will never do it justice, and I am quite certain the photos that follow will not either.
In any event, enjoy them and I hope one day everyone gets to experience the fun and excitement I enjoyed these last 8 days.
You can view the slide show as is below, but if you'd like to get a real look, you can make it bigger (click on the slide show, and then choose 'full screen') and slower (you can control the speed with the + or - signs at the bottom).
Thank you so much to everyone who read my blog, those that commented, and especially to those in Vancouver and at home who made this all possible with their kindness and generousity. THANKS!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
MR. DINNER IS EXHAUSTED!
I am hoarse. I am soar. I am tired. I am happy!
What an incredible 8 days!
But I am exhausted.
So my last post from Vancouver is going to be short (highly unlikely) and sweet.
Spent my morning and early afternoon spending some final hours trying to take in as much as I can about what makes Right to Play so special for me. Still hard to put into words, so I won't (which is rare). Got to say hello to a few more great people, and of course had to say goodbye to many great ones.
From there I got to participate in the what seems like the one Olympic event everyone here in Vancouver gets to go in....standing in line. I must point out here this is not a complaint. Just a fact. If you came down to Vancouver for the Olympics along with hundreds of thousands, if not millions of other people (okay maybe tens of thousands) and didn't expect in line, well then I think you expect a little too much of what others are supposed to do for you. In fact the line proved to be a nice time to finally slow down, and the families and friends around me (and there were a lot of them) enjoyed their time together...hmmm, weird...people actually enjoying family and friends on a beautiful sunny day in, for the moment, the greatest place on the planet.
Sat down to watch some television on an amazing HD television, watched our Olympians triumph and come up short, witnessed joy and disappointment, say the pride in what they do, all the while re-living everything I have just seen and participated in, believing in my heart of the potential we all have for greatness. It's a pretty awesome feeling, and hopefully it's not just because I am exhausted.
What an incredible 8 days!
But I am exhausted.
So my last post from Vancouver is going to be short (highly unlikely) and sweet.
Spent my morning and early afternoon spending some final hours trying to take in as much as I can about what makes Right to Play so special for me. Still hard to put into words, so I won't (which is rare). Got to say hello to a few more great people, and of course had to say goodbye to many great ones.
From there I got to participate in the what seems like the one Olympic event everyone here in Vancouver gets to go in....standing in line. I must point out here this is not a complaint. Just a fact. If you came down to Vancouver for the Olympics along with hundreds of thousands, if not millions of other people (okay maybe tens of thousands) and didn't expect in line, well then I think you expect a little too much of what others are supposed to do for you. In fact the line proved to be a nice time to finally slow down, and the families and friends around me (and there were a lot of them) enjoyed their time together...hmmm, weird...people actually enjoying family and friends on a beautiful sunny day in, for the moment, the greatest place on the planet.
Sat down to watch some television on an amazing HD television, watched our Olympians triumph and come up short, witnessed joy and disappointment, say the pride in what they do, all the while re-living everything I have just seen and participated in, believing in my heart of the potential we all have for greatness. It's a pretty awesome feeling, and hopefully it's not just because I am exhausted.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS!
Continued technically difficulties (and probably a lack of rest) have once again prevented photos from being included in today's entry. Arrrrrrgh!
This is especially disappointing as for the 7th consecutive day things got even more exciting. I couldn't imagine it was possible after the stress of a shootout with the Swiss led to an enormous explosion of energy that nearly toppled the city of Vancouver. Last night was crazy, and to be a part of it was something I will never forget.
At the time, this was especially true as it looked as though taking in any actual 'live' events wasn't going to happen and I needed to cherish my moment. I was fine with this.
Of course, they do say ignorance is bliss, and if I had missed out on the opportunities I took advantage of today, I would have missed out on something extraordinary. As my story goes, I went from seeing no events to seeing two in one day - the Latvia vs. Czech Republic in men's hockey and the Victory Celebration. Incredible!
This was then followed up by being in the streets of Vancouver - an incredible experience to say the least last night, but tonight a party/experience/celebration I have never once been a part of. Roads were closed (again). Cheering and yelling was everywhere (again). High fiving (again). You name it (again). I'm not sure what made tonight that much more insane - maybe it was the gold medal in skeleton, or maybe it was more people, or maybe people are now, after a week, getting familiar with everything and just letting loose. Whatever it is/was, it is/was working to perfection. The love of life was in the air and everyone was infected - it was great!
And so my final day here in Vancouver is near - I will spend one final day at the Right to Play exhibit - some 40, 000 people have visited the tent since I arrived, and almost the same amount in dollars has been raised! As a result, the goal now becomes to have 100,000 people come through leaving behind them some $100,000 in donations which would be an incredible number for the short of time we've been at. Good luck to all who are going to be there when I am gone.
I am then hoping to head out to Richmond to the Ozone and the attached Heiniken House along with the speed skating oval. I can't imagine tomorrow any more insane or unforgettable, but as I am a person who learns from his past, I can't doubt that it won't either - I got a feeling, today is going to be a good, good day!!
This is especially disappointing as for the 7th consecutive day things got even more exciting. I couldn't imagine it was possible after the stress of a shootout with the Swiss led to an enormous explosion of energy that nearly toppled the city of Vancouver. Last night was crazy, and to be a part of it was something I will never forget.
At the time, this was especially true as it looked as though taking in any actual 'live' events wasn't going to happen and I needed to cherish my moment. I was fine with this.
Of course, they do say ignorance is bliss, and if I had missed out on the opportunities I took advantage of today, I would have missed out on something extraordinary. As my story goes, I went from seeing no events to seeing two in one day - the Latvia vs. Czech Republic in men's hockey and the Victory Celebration. Incredible!
This was then followed up by being in the streets of Vancouver - an incredible experience to say the least last night, but tonight a party/experience/celebration I have never once been a part of. Roads were closed (again). Cheering and yelling was everywhere (again). High fiving (again). You name it (again). I'm not sure what made tonight that much more insane - maybe it was the gold medal in skeleton, or maybe it was more people, or maybe people are now, after a week, getting familiar with everything and just letting loose. Whatever it is/was, it is/was working to perfection. The love of life was in the air and everyone was infected - it was great!
And so my final day here in Vancouver is near - I will spend one final day at the Right to Play exhibit - some 40, 000 people have visited the tent since I arrived, and almost the same amount in dollars has been raised! As a result, the goal now becomes to have 100,000 people come through leaving behind them some $100,000 in donations which would be an incredible number for the short of time we've been at. Good luck to all who are going to be there when I am gone.
I am then hoping to head out to Richmond to the Ozone and the attached Heiniken House along with the speed skating oval. I can't imagine tomorrow any more insane or unforgettable, but as I am a person who learns from his past, I can't doubt that it won't either - I got a feeling, today is going to be a good, good day!!
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