Nathan Matthews
Rest In Peace
December 1, 1980 – February 13, 2010

Last night was the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. We were pretty excited and Vancouver was really pumped up after a great day 106 of the torch run. All went well and the protesters didn’t get their day in the sun as they had hoped. The torch went around them. Take that stupid protesters!

We gathered around, after uncorking the champagne to watch the ceremonies and watch for our favorite mountie. Even though he is my ex, I am still proud of him and the great work he does. Seeing him on display before the whole world was a very emotional and proud moment for the kids.

RCMP at opening ceremonies. Bill is the right marker and 8 RCMP officers carried in the Canadian flag across the stadium.

This next photo was a happy accident of mine, which turned out really amazing.

Tomorrow I will post some pictures of the kids at the torch run. I didn’t get a picture of the torch as it ran past as it was too fast, I was too slow, and we were too close! However…I do have a surprise so stay tuned!

When I was downtown the other day I was captivated by the artwork on the stairs. I found it completely intriguing that someone had used the face of the stairs as their artistic canvas.

The first is a surfer…

And the second a snow-covered mountain.

There stairs are on either side of the outdoor rink on Robson Street. It is very unusual to skate out of doors here as it is always too warm, but they have some amazing ice-making equipment that can keep the ice. The rink has been closed down for years, but they rebuilt it this year for the Olympics. I should have gone skating while I was down there as I may not get the chance again.

Monday the kids had tickets to the dress rehearsal of the opening ceremonies! How did they get those you ask? Or even if you didn’t I’m going to tell you. Their dad – super mountie – is in the opening ceremonies and each volunteer and participant got 2 free tickets. Seeing as he is in the performance and can’t use them he gave them to the kids. So, without giving anything away just look for the mountie on the front right-hand side of the Canadian flag when it is carried into the stadium and that will be my ex. There are 8 RCMP officers in total in the ceremony and he will be the oldest with the most service. The kids said it was super cool and they were so very proud of their daddy! I can’t wait to see it on Friday.

While the kids were at the rehearsal I wandered around downtown and took some more photos. Things were a little busier than they had been a few days before. It is wonderful hearing all the different languages and seeing people from all different countries. Everyone was in good spirits.

The weather is super warm here and of course the media (not Canadian media) is going crazy and saying the games will be super unsuccessful because there is no snow. Well – for those of you who know nothing about Canada, this weather is a little warmer than usual, but not that out of the ordinary. The west coast is warm and not unlike living in Oregon or northern California. Winter here is mostly rainy and the slim chance of snow. However, the alpine events are taking place in Whistler Village/Blackcomb, which is in the mountains. They do have snow and have been getting new snow all week. The snowboarding events here at the mountain in town have the IOC somewhat worried, but they have been busy making snow and hauling snow down the mountain specifically for the event. I believe things will be fine. We’ll show those naysayers!

At any rate here are a couple more photos I took the other night.

This is our big downtown shopping centre, which is being turned into an igloo. It made me laugh because there are a few not so well informed peeps out there that think all Canadians actually do live in igloos. Not so…

This is the Olympic Countdown clock in front of the Vancouver Museum. It has almost counted down to 0!

Sparkly totem poles that are part of the artwork on Granville Street, which express the rich indigenous culture of our area. (You can see Donna in the background checking things out)

Tomorrow – the torch run!

Last night Donna and I decided to take advantage of the nice, balmy Vancouver weather and head downtown on the bus to check out the scene. The Olympics have not started yet, but things are getting under way downtown. There were LOTS of people around, speaking many foreign languages and it was rather exciting. Donna was happy to see her first Russians, which of course made us both laugh. The atmosphere was fun and the street performers were out entertaining those of us that were wandering around. I had my camera in hand and took a couple of pictures. Hopefully they will be the first of many.

Donna is completely engrossed in some sort of “art video” that was playing on a big screen in front of the art gallery. I had no idea what it was about, a weird voice just kept repeating asparagus with graphics that had nothing to do with the video. I don’t get artistic weirdness.

Granville Street downtown is one of my favorite places. The neon lights that were prevalent in the 50s and 60s have been restored to their former glory.

More pictures to come. Stay tuned.

Less than one week until the opening of the Olympics! How exciting! Olympic fever is beginning to grip the city. Road closures have begun and commuters were surprised. Really? I mean it’s been in the paper for six months! Come on…get with the program.

All the little Olympicky flags and Canadian flags are up everywhere and you can feel the city begin to hum. On Thursday the Olympic Torch is coming right down our street so we don’t even have to battle big crowds to see it enter the city! Hopefully I will get some good shots of this once in a lifetime moment. Friday is the opening ceremonies, which my ex husband is participating in. Because he is part of the Olympics, he got two tickets to the dress rehearsal of the opening ceremonies, which he has given to the kids so on Monday they get to see the pre-show! So Jealous! However, I am so happy they get to go. I think I will go ziplining down Robson Street while they are enjoying the show!

I plan on wandering the streets of the city in my spare time and taking tons of photos and just partaking in all there is to do. Hopefully it won’t be pouring rain!

On a more personal note, the young man in ICU is slowly, slowly improving, babystepping his way back to health. He is not out of danger as yet, but at least he is moving forward. We continue to send our positive thoughts and prayers his way.

I have been tremendously positive in my exercise and healthy eating this past week. I think I managed to exercise 6/7 days and eat healthy 99% of the time, which is very good. Once the winter weather passes, exercise gets much easier.

On that note I am off to work.

Aside from Donna The Great’s birthday and the fun that ensued there, we have had lots of bad news of late. Before I go into that, I will say that we had a great weekend with Donna’s friends that visited from the island and a good birthday party. There were many laughs and good times, which helped push the not so good things from our minds for a couple of days.

This has been a horrible couple of weeks for my very good friends. Three of my best girlfriends in fact have had devastating news about their children. I am an expert in that area I can tell you that. However, this time it’s different for me because now I am the one doing the comforting and not receiving. A little role reversal. I do not like to see others suffer and it hurts to watch their pain. One young man that I have known since he was 4 is fighting for his life in ICU right now. The doctors are not sure he is going to make it. I had a lovely visit with his parents a few days ago before things took a downturn, which seems like an eternity ago. Now they are sitting and waiting at the hospital wondering if their son is going to make it and there isn’t much I can do for them. My girlfriend is on borrowed time herself, and I am really hoping all of this doesn’t push her health over the edge. Her husband is hanging on by a thread and I can imagine he feels like he could lose them both. It is a time to be thankful for what we have and to remember that family and friends are the most important things in our life for without them – where would we be?

Neil got laid off his job this week as well. He is in a transition period and was hoping to hang on to his contract for another 6 weeks or so, but he was let go early. Good news is he does deserve a break – bad news he could use some money. However, once he gets set up with his new real estate job, things will move in a more favorable direction. In the meantime – he is stressed.

I haven’t had much time for exercise the last couple of days, but will get back to that later today and the rest of the week. I have been eating well and couldn’t even indulge in the pizza and birthday cake because of my food sensitivities – so that was a bonus. Didn’t have to worry about feeling deprived at least and didn’t have all the extra calories that I don’t need.

It was great to spend time with good friends, babies and family this weekend and keep life in perspective. Now – go hug someone you love just because you can.

Today is the day I brought my darling daughter into the world! It is hard to imagine that she will be turning 29 today. It is her champagne birthday, so naturally, we are going to have champagne….and a party. You know – friends, pizza, cake the whole schmoe. Eleven people crowded into about 400 square feet will be cozy but fun.

I have lived with this remarkable young woman for 29 years and she never ceases to amaze me with her intelligence, clever wit and strength of spirit. Her outlook on life is inspirational and I can’t think of anyone I would sooner spend my days with. She is the best “life partner” I have ever had, and I am sure will ever have. I am very blessed to have her in my life. She has so aptly called herself “Donna The Great” since she was just a wee thing and the name has stuck and rightly so! Happy Birthday Donna!

Sadly – we did not win the house. I tried to use my powers of visualization, but this time they didn’t work. I am guessing the universe has another plan for me. I can say with all honesty I am disappointed. It would be nice to have a place to live that was mine instead of renting, but I am thankful for the fact that I have a warm, comfortable place to live that has the most beautiful, amazing deck that makes every season but winter a pleasure. I’ll keep working on my visualization. Last time it worked…maybe I just need more practice!

A+ on eating yesterday. Lots of fruits, veggies and goodness.
B+ on exercise. Only managed to sneak in 30 minutes. Wanted to do more, but shit happens.

Things in the city are starting to get exciting. There are more people milling around and stages and pavilions are getting set up all over the downtown core. I picked up our tickets to a couple of the Victory Celebrations today – which were all I could manage to get my hands on at a reasonable price. We are going to see Paul Brandt and Billy Talent. Looking forward to that! Can’t wait to get out with my camera!

Spent the afternoon at the hospital with my very good friends. Hopefully I added some measure of comfort and distracted them somewhat. They are going through a very horrible time right now. I wish I could do more for them, but I am hoping that just being close by is enough. They have always been there for me, now it is my turn to reciprocate.

The draw for the Millionaire Lottery is today! The grand prize is a waterfront estate, which in a few short hours will be mine! Can’t wait to move in and have an ocean view. Also there will be more room for guests and lots of space to enjoy their company. I’ll keep you posted as to when moving day is.

My vertigo seemed to disappear. Not quite sure what was up with that. Hopefully not my Hashimoto’s going into another flare.

Did manage to get an A in the food department yesterday. Can’t say A+ as I did take come Godiva chocolates to the hospital, and had to have 2..when 1 would have sufficed. But hey – they’re Godiva! Also managed to fit in 30 or so minutes of cardio while watching Psychic Kids, so an A on the exercise as well.

Today planning on getting lots of work done, my hair cut, and working in some exercise.

Is spring here so early? It has been so warm here the last couple of weeks. I did manage to get out for a short walk today, which was not what I planned, but better than nothing. There were crocuses peeping through the ground and some in bloom already and looking up as I walked my favourite route there were some blossoms on the cherry trees. It is still January right? I enjoyed the walk and getting out in the fresh air and away from my desk. Will aim for little more of a walk tomorrow and hopefully some time on the rebounder.

Yesterday afternoon Donna’s dad and his family came to visit. They were only here for about an hour and a half and I think Donna had a good visit. She hasn’t seen here dad since June, and hasn’t seen her step mom or sisters for 2 1/2 years. Do you think they visit often enough?

Last night I was hit with a very strong case of vertigo. Wow! Everything was spinning out of control. I am not sure what caused it, but by the time bedtime rolled around I was totally nauseous. I do feel somewhat better this morning.

Donna and I have been rewatching Buffy from start to finish. We just finished season 3 last night. Loved seeing principal Snyder getting eaten! Woot!

In working towards my goal day 1 I will give myself an A+ for healthy eating and only about a C for exercise as I didn’t get in as much as I had planned. Today is another day.