Well the torch came to Whistler yesterday.  It was great to see everyone getting so excited.  I walked through the village in the afternoon and the energy was already fantastic.  I came home from work in at about 5:30 - just in time to watch the John run the torch right by our house.  Grant and I then went into the village to watch the celebration in skiers plaze.  It was terrific.  Click on this picture to see a video of the fun. 

I have been very positive and engaged through the entire process of the Olympics coming to Whistler.  As a 'big' Olympic fan since the time my swim club team mates Sue and Barb won bronze medals in the Montreal games I have made a point to watch and dream over the accomplishments of the worlds top athletes.  Living through the experience here in Whistler as we prepare for the games has also been very exciting and interesting.  I am a huge fan!  That said, what I have seen the last week makes me wonder...

I have an answer to that important question - why is there so much traffic congestion at an Olympic Games?

a. traffic experts get involved

b. pylons get put up all over the place to slow traffic down

c. people in yellow suites who don't know the local traffic patterns are put in place to further impeed and slow traffic down

d. add a bunch of bus drivers and don't properly train them on the routes

e. roads are closed for security reasons when no one is even there - traffic patterns changed so locals don't even know where they are going.

All o this does not really matter - just something to occupy my small brain until the torch arrives in Whistler in 2 days - then it is game on Yay!!

Every morning when I get up the excitement seems to grow.  Yesterday I was trying to build the excitement in my team at work and man the tears almost started to come.  I guess I'm engaged and excited.  Having been involved in organizing various large events and knowing that those were only specs when put on the scale of the Olympics, I am in ahh of the organization and challenges that is in front of VANOC.

As a marketing guy, I am really enjoying the commercials that are being  put out right now.  My absolute favorite is the excited young girl who works for McDonalds and is on her way to work in one of the McDonalds outlets at the Olympics and sits next to Cindy Klassen (Canada's most decorated Olympic athlete and speed skater) at the airport.  It really puts things in perspective.  As soon as that video is on Youtube I will post it.  Great job McDonalds!

Yesterday I bought my Red - Canada hoodie, so I think I'm all geared up now.  I have my mits, scarf, hoodie and touque.  Paint the "town red!"  Maybe get some red Christmas tree lights for the house???

Ok I missed a few days... I can not believe how time flys.  Lots has been going on and I'm personally committed to keep a journal for myself through this blog.  Today our hotel won the Chamber of commerce decorating contest.  The whole thing came together very quickly, but turned out absolutely fantastic.  Of course, the thing that took us over the top was the traveling Innukshuk with red mittens.

Over the holidays I have missed a few days on my personal countdown.  Well today - JANUARY 1, 2010, it is 42 days til the start of the winter olympics in Vancouver / Whistler.  The excitement truly is building.  My resolution this year... make 2010 the most amazing year ever!  2010 is the year I have been anticipating since 2001 / 2002 when I first started supporting the bid for the Winter Olympics to come to Whistler / Vancouver.  It is kind of strange to realize that 2010 is now here.

This last week it was interesting to see some things going on in the village in preperation for the games.  During the holidays, the municipality was still putting up lights in the village, on the stroll there were RMOW trucks parked everywhere, on of the busiest little roads were blocked during key times.  All of these creating some frustration and frankly I did not feel we were putting on our best for the guests that have come here this festive season.

Yesterday I met the venue manager for the sliding centre and I told her how excited I was and she was surprised as she has not been getting that from others in the resort.... come on people this is the Winter Olympics love it or hate it you will not get this opportunity at fun in this resort again - embrace it and move on... for you the countdown is 60 days till the event is over - tell then HAVE FUN!

Today it is 51 days to the Olympics and I'm attending the Grand Opening of a new yoga clothing store called FRUV - Freedom Ware - the store is located in the Market Place right behind the Whistler Celebration Plaza.  The owner, Dave Halliwell tells me they are going to have big splash during the Olympics.  This is on the heels of the contriversial but brilliant marketing and product offerings created this week by lululemon athletica.  Their 'Cheer Gear' is a fantastic effort to capture some of the Olympic spendig spree that is going on.  I love the Canadian sweaters with gold zippers and the other countries sweaters have silver or bronze zippers.

Santa visits FRUV and their grand opening and gives Ashley the store manager a hug.

Sue the store manager of lululemon show off her new store and the Olympic Cheer Gear.

50 Days

It is December 24th - Christmas Eve - this year however, while Christmas looms the big event is mostly on everyone's mind.  50 Days.... it is certainly crunch time.  I find it funny that even the Resort Municipality of Whistler seems to have forgoten about the important Christmas guests to the resort - on Christmas eve they are still stringing 'Christmas' lights in the village.  Somehow I think this year these are called Olympic lights.  Nevertheless, the town was a bustle with Christmas shopping and much good cheer.  It's Christmas!!

Now we are only 55 days away from the opening ceremonies.  There is a lot going on today.

At 2:30 a special group of yoga teachers came together to offer a 2 hour class celebrating the festive season and to raise money for a fantastic charity.  Six teacher shared the instruction, several more teachers participated in the class and the energy in that room was fantastic.  Not once did I hear the word Olympics in the conversation (not many of those conversations these days).  However, for that 3 hours this group talked about friends who have left us, our intentions for the Christmas season, the need to help others within our community and just how lucky we are.

Tonight I am going to the first `cold read`of Whistler the Musical - SNO`W, followed by a celebration at lululemon with the opening of theri new store and then the `big bang`celebration at the GLC  - wow I`m a busy guy and what a great bunch of human beings I`m with at all of these events.  Only 55 days to the Olympics and today is not about the Olympics.