Here in the Terminal City the Olympics have arrived, the sun is making a rare February appearance, and Vancouverites are uncharacteristically Canada-clad. It’s a lovely scene.

So far, thanks to my brother in Whistler, I’ve been able to attend the final dress rehearsal of the Opening Ceremonies which at times reminded me of Cirque du Soliel and left me similarly jaw-dropped. If you watched it, I’m referring to orcas taking breaths through the floor of BC Place. From our vantage point in the nose-bleeds, it was breathtaking. Nelly Furtado and Sarah MacLachlan weren’t too shabby either. 

I’ve been donning my cherry red Olympic mittens with pride as Madeleine and I galavant through Metro Vancouver, and my red Roots hoodie has been getting its share of wear. Oh Canada. 

I’ve only watched a bit of the actual Games because we live in a cable-free home. On my mom’s t.v. I saw Canada pummel Norway in hockey (sorry Hunny,) at our neighbourhood coffee shop I witnessed the Dutch kick-ass in speed skating, and while I got my haircut at a friend’s house yesterday morning, I took in some curling. What I’d really like to see is some big air. 

Last week I spent the better part of a morning with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, interviewing them for a piece for Decision. No, they weren’t called in in the wake of disaster (although the first few days of the Games had its share of it.) Instead they are in town to serve with the More than Gold, a Christian umbrella organization, as community chaplains and hospitality volunteers. You know, serving hot chocolate and all that. They were a great bunch, the oldest of which was a spry seventy years. I met them at the base of Canada Place (aka the International Media Centre,) steps away from the Olympic torch, which also happens to be my little sister’s place of work. So, her and I met up.   

Thursday is my big Olympic Day. I am going to bundle Madeleine up in her adorable blue and white sweater (the most Olympic-looking item in her ‘closet,’) comb through downtown and buy her a Quatchi bear. 

Vive les Jeux Olympiques!

So, I splurged.

Yesterday we celebrated Father’s Day with a visit to my dad and stepdad, but before stepping out of the house my husband got to experience his very first father’s day:

Eggs Benny. Homemade Hollandaise. Fruit Salad. Bacon. Fresh coffee. A letterpress card.

And tickets! to see Death Cab at the Coliseum next month. Woohoo!

I read this interesting article about how to bond with your preborn baby over the weekend. Apparently baby will be rocking out at the concert with us!

“Concert-going mothers report their preborn babies jump at the sudden sound of drums. In fact, from at least the 23rd week on, a preborn baby’s hearing is developed enough to enable him to respond to outside noise… Even the five-month-old fetus has been found to have discriminating musical ears.”  - From 7 Ways to Bond with your Preborn Baby 

And now Michael is off to Toronto for a week of work. Darling, I miss you already.

It’s that time again. The Regional Assembly of Text hosts their monthly letter writing club the first Thursday of every month. No need to sign up ahead of time. Everyone welcome. No cost. Supplies (and yummy treats) provided.

I’ll be sad to miss it. Instead I’ll be accompanying my stepdad to a father & daughter dinner at the Vancouver Club.

Death Cab for Cutie (with the New Pornographers and Ra Ra Riot) hit Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum on July 16.

The last time we saw them was in 2006 when I surprised Michael with two airplane and concert tix to see them in New York City. I’d be the first to snag seats for this show but I’m hesitating because I wonder how my then-eight-month-prego-body will manage in the Coliseum stands along with Vancouver’s trademark marijuana clouds.

High baby? Hmmm…

Vancouver, how I love thee. Let me count the ways…

1. Strolling through the ravine behind my house and running into Steve and his friend at Choices Market.
2. Visiting with a friend on a lovely outdoor patio and having a perfect stranger politely interrupt the conversation to mention he loved my idea for a story I’m developing about my fear of strollers. “They’re like hummers!” he exclaimed in front of his construction worker buddy. Yes, yes they are.
3. Running into an old colleague of my mom’s (now with the VAG) strolling along Broadway, just as I got off the #99 bus. Book recommendations exchanged. (Stanley Park is now next on my list.)
4. Exploring Granville Island in fantastic company (Aurora!) and running into three friends over the course of an afternoon. Paper-ya indulgences were not avoided. Also, made a new friend at Edible BC and discovered Backyard Beans. 
5. Friday night BBQs. Especially steak. 
6. Getting a free frappuccino/Vivanno/latte every time I’ve visited my neighbourhood Starbucks in the last two weeks.
7. Having rad friends BRING US a Greek dinner!
8. Running into Vicky, giving her feedback on her new website and discovering I have a friend who is an upholstery expert (among many other things)! 
9. Visiting with amazing friends, namely: Jenn, Avital, Miranda, Anneli, Marisa, and Laura…
10. Enjoying complimentary tickets to The Stanley — Les Miserables, tomorrow night.  

I am terribly disappointed to have missed the make it fashion, art & design market. My very own slice of London on Vancouver soil! Did anyone make it? (pun intended)

I hope there’s another coming soon…

Any other recommendations? Portobello or otherwise?

She’s best known as a hip-hop and pop songstress, but tonight, Vancouver’s Kinnie Starr will be showing off her talents as a poet.

Starr will read from How I Learned To Run, her first book of poetry and drawings, which is described as “a contemplative look at love, history, sex and the complexities of being part Mohawk in a Canadian family that has yet to come to terms with its indigenous roots.”

Starr has been performing across Canada and around the globe since 1995. She is also the co-founder of Vancouver’s Aboriginal Music Lab, and teaches with Artstarts in schools.

Tonight’s reading is from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch (350 W Georgia St.), and it’s free.

Or, if you can’t make it to the reading, you can check out poems from How I Learned To Run or order a copy here.

:::::::::::::

From the CBC Radio 3 blog

I leave Toronto one week today. I can’t believe how fast it’s flown by. Just three months ago I was curled up in our condo cursing the cold and nursing my 24-hour ‘morning’ sickness. Today I am staring out at the sun-kissed waters of Lake Ontario filled with regret. I will miss this city and all its eccentricities — the buskers of St. Lawrence Market, Kensington’s nooks and crannies, Little India on Queen Street — where you’ll find us 3 out of 7 nights a week. I hope to share a few more ‘Signs of Hope’ from Toronto before we hop our plane next Wednesday. 

Priority number one, upon my return to Vancouver (April 18, after our trip across the pond) is hitting up Raw Canvas: a full-service paint-on-canvas art studio complete with wifi, lounge and fresh crema. 

I’m making plans and taking names. Who’s in?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In partnership with No Shortcuts Design, boutique writing and editing company The Word Studio announces the launch of its website: www.thewordstudio.ca.

The Studio’s recent work includes:

• Feature Article: Celebrating British Columbia’s Unique Cultural Footprints in Canadian Museum Association’s MUSE Magazine, Nov/Dec 2008
• Book Launch, November 28^th: From out of the Flames (ImaginePublishing) edited by The Word Studio owner, Christina Crook
• Upcoming Writing Projects: with Global Peace Initiative, Absolute Leadership and Tourism New Westminster

Visit our blog at www.thewordstudiocanada.blogspot.com.

…..

My company website is LIVE at last!