Life of Dave

Life of Dave

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Grouse Wind Turbine

I noticed this afternoon that I could actually see the giant blades turning on the wind turbine at the top of Grouse Mountain.

I guess the sky was bright enough and I happened to be looking at the mountains on my way home from work on Skytrain. I haven't paid much attention recently to that massive white golf tee thrust firmly into the mountain just above and to the East of the ski runs. There's been a bit to distract me lately, what with a quarter of a million visitors stopping by to say "Hello" over the last few weeks.

Being rather attracted to most things mechanical, I continue to be intrigued by this new generator. Weather permitting, I see it every time I go out the back gate into the lane to take our dog for a walk. Somehow she doesn't seem quite so intrigued by it.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Patriotism

I came across a few still un-posted photos that comment upon the nationalistic fervor that permeated the City during the Olympics, and continue to do so now for the Paralympics.

The crowd leaving Canada's first sledge hockey game at Thunderbird Arena on Saturday morning was al"red"y to cheer Canada to a triple crown win; Gold in Men's, Women's and Sledge hockey!

This roof deck is typical of a surprising amount of Canadian Olympic pride on display in Vancouver this past month.

I first got caught up in the spirit myself when I attended the Olympic Torch relay with many of my office colleagues. It was scheduled to pass by Broadway and Sperling one morning, so we all trekked down the hill, and up another one, to see it. At the time I wasn’t all that stoked, but now I’m awfully glad I went. Looking back, it’s one of those events you’d have kicked yourself for missing.

This Yaletown vendor even brought in a snow machine! Let's get this party started!

A fine cast of characters was on hand to make merry in the streets.

Canada flag capes weren't a rare sight.





















Either a true Caped Crusader, or one of the Super Friends, perhaps?

Monday, March 15, 2010

Paralympic sledge hockey

We took in a sledge hockey game on Saturday, the opening day of competition of the Paralympic Games in Vancouver. We didn’t go to any live events during the Olympics, but the Paralympics held more interest for me. My Dad was a paraplegic for about 23 years before he passed away in 1991. The Vancouver Paralympics got me to thinking about him and how he would have been excited to see this event unfold so close to home.

My dad was involved in target shooting with a small club in New Westminster for a number of years. He got quite good at it. My Mom gave me the plaques that he won, and they’re mostly inscribed with “Expert” level. I remember in the late ‘80’s my parents traveled to a few competitive events in BC. At each event they seemed to acquire commemorative duffel bags. I know I have three different ones, but I could only find two of them in preparation to write this article.

Two of the three events were in 1988; “The BC Championships for the Physically Disabled” was held July 14-17 in Trail, BC, and the “BC Summer Games“ were in Victoria from July 28 to 31.

I wanted to know the names of the events, because I was wondering how come he’d never mentioned the Paralympics. At the sledge hockey match I learned that the Paralympics only came into existence in 1992, after my father died.

Canada’s matches were already sold out by the time we got our act together to buy tickets. The next best thing, we thought, to seeing Canada play was to at least see a game on the day the Games opened. The match we saw was between Norway and Sweden. By the way, I learned that sledge hockey was invented in Sweden.

It turned out to be a tight game. Sweden scored in the first period, but you really get a feel for how different the game is since the players have to propel the sledge with their arms, while stick handling the puck at the same time. The goalies have an even harder time of it trying to defend the net. The puck that was scored on Norway crossed the goal line so slowly I could really feel for the goalie as he tried had to position his sledge before he could actually defend against the shot. It was like we were all watching it in slow motion.

Another interesting side note about watching a match in which one’s home team is not involved is that it can be challenging to know who to cheer for. At first all I could think of is that this game would be IKEA versus the Norwegian curling pants, those wild diamond patterned pants of the Olympic men’s curling team. But after Sweden’s goal I found myself pulling for Norway, especially as they began to pull away from Sweden in shots taken on net. In the 2nd period the clang of the puck hitting the crossbar was clearly audible. By the end of regulation time the shots on goal were 22-7 in Norway’s favour.

All in all, the spectators were treated to a fine game, complete with a 5 minute overtime period, plus a shoot-out, which also went right to the end. So close to the end in fact, I began to wonder what would come after a tied shoot-out. Another 5 minute overtime period? Norway’s winning goal prevented me from finding out.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

SRD

I wouldn’t be surprised if our beloved Spaniel, Tannah, suffered a bout of Season Recognition Disorder this morning. Is it Spring, as evidenced by the blooming Daffodil? Or is it Winter, judging by the snow on our front lawn?

It’s a good thing Tannah isn’t weighed down by wardrobe choices. She’s ready for a walk no matter what the weather throws at us.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Victory Ceremony


We went to a medals presentation ceremony towards the end of the Olympics. It turned out to be good timing as 2 women's bobsleigh teams won 2 medals that day; silver and gold! And the women's short track speed skating team won Silver. Since we didn't have tickets for any live competitions, we figured the next best thing would be to take in the atmosphere of a Victory Ceremony.


There were 3 huge video screens, one on either side of the stage, and one opposite the stage to give those far-away seats (i.e., us) a better view. Most of the time I photographed the video screens for clarity's sake, but since the Canadian Silver Medal presentation for short track speed skating team pursuit was live on the floor in front of us (not video-linked from Whistler), I zoomed in my camera for all it was worth to show the team raising their arms in victory to the thunderous applause of a BC Place amphi-theatre full of appreciative fans. It was one of those warm and fuzzy moments, I have to say.


I think she's trying to sign something about "...With Glowing Hearts".


The kids in front of us were having a great time holding up a Canadian flag at any opportunity.


And this is us, with glowing hearts.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Sun Run 2010 photo

While I'm on the topic of photo similarities (see previous post), I was rather amused to see a Sun Run 2010 poster taped up at work. I like the artwork they come up with for the t-shirts and ads, but this year seems a bit personal since I was able to take the same photograph from the roof of the Shangri-la building in downtown Vancouver a few months ago.



Granvillympics

I'm still getting around to posting some of my favourite shots from the Olympic celebrations. Perhaps my tardiness will help ease some of you through your withdrawal symptoms. I hear there's somewhat of a hangover happening all across town. Good thing the Paralympics are on the doorstep. It sounds like it's going to be another party!

I was paging through the Georgia Straight a couple if issues ago and I came across a photo that looked familiar. Sure enough, after checking my hard drive I discovered I'd taken almost exactly the same shot. Me and a couple thousand other people, I'd hazard to guess. I still find it hard to imagine we actually walked amongst such a sea of people in little ol' Vancouver.



Monday, March 8, 2010

Go Canada Go!

Keep your Canada pride going! The Paralympics are just about to start.

We've got tickets to see sledge hockey on Saturday. All the Canada matches were already sold out, so we're going to see Sweden vs Norway. I just heard today all that all the sledge hockey games are sold out, not just Canada's matches.


Go Canada Go!


A cool display in the real Canadian Superstore on SE Marine Drive.


Canadian pride in Yaletown!

Grad from Beginner Obedience

Tannah placed 2nd in her Beginner Obedience class tonight. There were about 8 dogs. I was too busy taking her through her paces to get an accurate count. In April we'll be in the Advanced Beginner class.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Olympic rings

The media has made much ado lately about the existence of Vancouver’s post-Olympic hang-over. I must admit I felt a twinge of let-down as I happened across a flatbed trailer-truck yesterday hauling away the Olympic rings. I had thought they’d keep them around for the Paralympics, but apparently there’s a dedicated logo for that event that will be displayed.



As an interesting side note, the odds of seeing the Olympic rings being transported on a truck are impressive enough, but how about in front of a Tim Hortons?

Priceless.

Or at least as good odds as winning Timmy’s RRRRoll-up-the RRRRim-to-Win contest.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

"Terry Fox Rocks"

From the list of Cultural Olympiad concerts we reviewed at the start of the Games, we really wanted to see Sam Roberts. I had a hunch the crowds would be huge so we hopped on a Skytrain to Surrey on Friday night to see the show in a (hopefully) smaller crowd setting.

We arrived around 6 pm and had dinner in the large on-site food tent. I had a great piece of salmon from the Aboriginal stall while Shauna had Thai.

There was some sort of rap band on stage that I didn’t recognize when we arrived (wasn’t it a bit cold for the shirtless guy?) but I didn’t recognize (or particularly like) their music. After dinner we took in the Arkells performance, then Dan Mangan. He really got some crowd participation singing the chorus of Robots Need Love Too.




We were quite close to the stage and the sound was excellent. I’m not used to standing so close to the amplification equipment and it was interesting the way that I could actually feel my down-filled jacket pulsate from the sound waves created by the drum kit. I haven’t had the pleasure of attending an outdoor show in quite some time (that was part of the draw) and the sound was very clear and crisp. It was a night and day comparison with the U2 show we experienced in BC Place.

There was a bit of a delay between acts as the roadies sound checked Sam’s equipment and the show got underway at 9:30. The sound was even better, which is usually the case with the feature performer. However, it was the drummer’s t-shirt that really stole the show for me. I kept trying to get a picture of it every time the drummer was flashed across the huge video screens. “Terry Fox Rocks” was emblazoned across his chest. How cool is that?

Generally I get good shots with my non-SLR camera, but there is an annoying digital equivalent to a ‘shutter’ delay. I finally gave up with the camera and just enjoyed the great music.