And Finally, That Special Day Has Arrived...Welcome To the Olympics, World

It seems like only yesterday that Vancouver was awarded the Winter Olympic Games and here they are, ready to start tomorrow. Where oh where have the five years gone?

For me personally, the excitement has started to build this week as I feel the energy of the city setting upon me, like the warm glow of sunshine.

Did I say sunshine, here in Vancouver? Don’t you mean the liquid kind?

It’s really hard getting jacked up for the Canucks games this week when the Olympics start tomorrow. I mean, you can start to feel the buzz as I pass a number of cars driving to work, who are flying the Canadian Maple Leaf.

Tomorrow (Friday) at around 7:30 AM, the Olympic Torch will pass just half a block away from where I live in the West End of Vancouver, as it proceeds down Beach Avenue.

Although it’s not quite light these days at 7:30, I will be able to see and hear the people as they cheer the passing of the torch. I was thinking I might just wander down to experience it all. I must remember to set the alarm clock a little earlier.

Downtown, there are numerous signs of what’s in store, as countries have set up their pavilions in many locations.

You see more and more people from other countries walking around, as everyone is starting to display their colours.

It has been subdued here so far, but after tomorrow with the opening celebrations at BC Place, and the number of large video screens positioned throughout downtown, you are going to hear some noise that even I will be privy to from where I live.

It’s not hard to gravitate towards the action and the downtown core will be hopping on Friday night. I mean it hops away on Friday, but tomorrow people will be glued to their TV sets from all over the world, as they watch the Opening Ceremonies.

From where I sit in my living room, I have been watching all week long, the large spotlights as they scan the skies in crisscrossing patterns each night. Now that’s impressive.

For those of you that read my articles, I will try and bring you some insight as to what it feels like to be here and what is going on besides the sporting events. Of course I will be tuned in to all the hockey games and will have some forecasts and views on the different games.

This is going to be the best hockey you might see this year, with the number of great NHL stars representing their countries. Even tired and beat up, Peter Forsberg is arriving here tomorrow as he will attempt to skate for his home country of Sweden.

The Canuck fans here will see no fewer than seven of their players represent the countries of Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, and Germany. Although the fans love the Sedins, if it comes to cheering for Canada or Sweden, there will be no hesitation in who to cheer for. But in the games between the other countries, rest assured that they will make their voices heard for their favourites.

For those of you that live here, go experience it. Get out and enjoy what you can as there are many free events that you can attend. Not that this one is free, but I'm going to check out the Molson’s Hockey House, where big screens, food, drink, and live bands (The Odds on the night I go) will be the order of the night.

Did I mention that the women’s gold medal game will be played that night also?

As I close for now to collect my thoughts about tonight’s game between the Canucks and Florida Panthers, I know that when I awake it will be that special day that all of Canada has been looking forward to.

Come on Canadian fans, let’s all be “loud and proud!” Show the world a sea of red.