Do It Myself Blog – Glenda Watson Hyatt

Saturday Darrell and I met up with my aunt and cousin and went to LiveCity Downtown – one of the many ways to experience the Olympics for free! Yes, it was raining, but, being Vancouverites, we were well prepared while waiting in line. At the CentrePlace Manitoba, we learned about the Canadian Museum for Human Rights being built in Winnipeg. I’d love to be there for the opening in 2012!

With all of the road closures, the streets are almost eerie! I’ve never seen West Hastings so quiet! The streets, that is; the sidewalks are another story! I kinda like it though. What are the chances it’ll stay this way?

My man in a toque! He’s still handsome!

I love how most store fronts have got their “Canada” on! We can show our patriotic colours when we choose to!

Down in front of Waterfront Station, the sidewalks were like I’ve never seen them: jam packed with people from everywhere! Welcome.

The Olympic Rings floating on Coal Harbour. So cool when seen at night!

Disappointedly, the Olympic Cauldron is behind a chain-linked fence; no doubt for security reasons – for both the visitors and the cauldron. After wandering around the waterfront, I finally got a half decent photo.

Amazing to think that this flame traveled all of the way from Greece and then across Canada, viewed by millions of Canadians during the longest Olympic Torch Relay in history.

Sunday I enjoyed the Olympics from the comforts of the couch, with my Faith kitty curled up in her spot behind my knees. I had my red jammies on though!

(This party has been a long time coming and I’m going to make the most of it. Please bear with me! Regular posts will resume shortly.)

Thursday evening my wonderful husband Darrell surprised me with free tickets to the dress rehearsal of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Musical Ride here at Holland Park – Surrey’s Olympic Celebration Site!

I have often seen the RCMP Musical Ride on television, but never live. For someone who rode for years many moons ago, this was an exciting opportunity! Wheeling into the tent arena, the distinctive smell of leather and horse instantly hit me, bringing back a flood of memories. I was in heaven!

I shot this video (until my camera card filled), raw and uncaptioned. Please excuse the few headless horsemen!

I will definitely return for a second show and, possibly, a third, if I can get away with it! You are welcome to join me.

After patiently waiting 101 days, Surrey’s turn to celebrate the Olympic Torch Relay finally came to Holland Park on Monday night. Twenty thousand people meant twenty thousands bums. Even though Darrell and I were close to the front, we could see nothing, not even the large screen. Well, nothing except for bums.

People didn’t move to let us through in our wheelchairs. I even tapped a cop on his arm and asked for help, but he brushed me off.

I was very disappointed, having wanted to see the torch live. In the last moment I did stand up to see whatever I could. But I felt guilty because my husband could not stand up; he saw nothing, except bums.

In my eyes, the only redeeming aspect of the evening was gold medalist wrestler Daniel Igali lit the community cauldron. Daniel also attended my alma mater Simon Fraser University; I felt that connection.

Not too often in life do we get a second chance, an opportunity for a redo. However, Tuesday morning I had such an opportunity – and I snatched it without second consideration!

The Olympic Torch Relay continued through Surrey, a few blocks from home, on its way to New Westminster. I took my place on the street corner, like millions of other Canadians have during the longest Olympic Torch Relay in history. This time I actually saw the torch!

And even managed to shoot this video on my little Nikon Coolpix:

Yesterday Darrell and I unplugged from our computers and headed out for a photo wheel – a photo walk on wheels, of course! – to capture signs the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2010 are, indeed, coming to Vancouver!

The first stop was, naturally, the countdown clock. At that moment, the Olympics officially begin in 16 days, 4 hours, 39 minutes and 49 seconds, precisely!

On the opposite side, which many people likely don’t check and, hence, miss, is the countdown clock for the Paralympics – one of the very few signs I spotted that the Paralympics are also coming to Vancouver, but I’ll save that rant for another post! These segregated games begin in 44 days, 4 hours, 32 minutes and 42 seconds.

These lantern trees were made by Taiwanese children for the Taiwanese art display – part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Looking up at these paper lanterns drawn by children half a world away, I realized these Games are touching millions of people around the globe. And, despite the protests, the budget overruns, the road closures and other annoyances, for better or for worst, these two world events are going ahead. We might as well as enjoy the party while it lasts – the bill will come soon enough. This is our chance to show off to the world what we, the locals, already know: Vancouver and surrounding area is the best city to live in!

Who says Canadians aren’t patriotic, eh?

I like how this downtown building is wrapped in a gigantic Canadian flag.

My lunch date! Ain’t he handsome?

I love spending time with him, being with him. We can talk for hours – and we do! – about ideas we have, projects we want to create, and whatever else is on our minds.

This last photo is my favourite from the day. I learned nighttime photography with a slower shutter speed and jerky cerebral palsy are not the best of friends. But, after several shots and extreme patient (by both myself and my husband), I finally had an amazingly clear photo of this eagle sculpture – part of the Eagles in the City project by the Lions Club Society.

Determination and perseverance do pay off!

Visit Flickr for many more shots from the photo wheel.