The Winter Olympics are now over but I am still so pumped!
The Men’s Gold Medal Hockey Game – I watched the last 10 minutes of the 3rd period on the computer while tidying up some stuff at work on Sunday. When the US scored in the final seconds, putting the game into overtime, I was so tense, I just couldn’t sit still and watch anymore. I called JD to say I was on my way home. He asked when I would arrive. I said “By the time Canada wins the gold”. “So, in 4 years then?” came the reply – JD’s way of steeling himself in case we lost.
On the way home, I tried to relax by coming up with consoling thoughts (a survival strategy) in case we did lose. Thoughts like : “Well, the women got gold in hockey anyway”, and “Our goalie couldn’t help himself, facing such an onslaught” and “We still have the most gold medals we’ve ever won, and the most of a host country”. Somewhat calmer, I charged into the house, shouted hi to JD and ran right to the remote. The TV revealed the hoisting of the flags and there was the Maple Leaf in centre, top position, and then the camera panned to our team, hung in gold medals and smiling. OMG, OMG, OMG – we did it!!!!
I was glued to the TV from then on, watching replay after replay, analysis after analysis, interview after interview.
I watched the Closing Ceremonies in their entirety too (and taped them for JD, who was finishing an assignment on the computer) and I have to say how much I just LOVED the piece with Michael Buble (sorry I can’t figure out how to accent his name in Blogger) and The Maple Leaf Forever.
Flying moose! Dancing canoes! Giant inflatable beavers and Mounties! Scantily clad Mountie and Maple Leaf showgirls! Cutouts of tabletop hockey game players! Loggers, bears, and courier des bois! Plaid flannel shirts! Stetsons! Cloggers! The only things missing were mocassins, igloos, Niagara Falls and maple syrup. Oh yeah, and a dogsled or two. Maybe a snowmobile too. (Bob and Doug McKenzie would have been a nice touch, however diverting from the Canadian souvenir theme).
It was like the tackiest Canadian tourist trap gift shop sprung to marvelous, over-the-top, self-deprecating life! Like Night at the Smithsonian, only at Table Rock in Niagara Falls instead. (Only in Canada can something be both over-the-top and self-deprecating at the same time).
What I didn’t like about the Closing Ceremonies were the two pieces by William Shatner and Catherine O’Hara. Not only unfunny, but O’Hara’s piece was very un-Canadian – rude, and somewhat gloating. Too bad, because I usually really like Catherine O’Hara. What was she and/or the writer of this piece thinking?!?!?!?
Overall, I thought it was a good ceremony though, although I must confess I don’t have anything to compare it too, never having watched a closing ceremony before.
This morning I ordered the 5 disc Commemorative DVD set just because….I AM CANADIAN. After fuelling up with my “Ode to the 2010 Olympics” breakfast: steel cut oats with cinnamon, dates and raisins, mixed with Greek yogurt and topped with golden-y (is that a word?) maple syrup!
