Well, it’s over, and my tired soul can’t help but be relieved. Nothing disastrous happened. We won our Gold. The city and the country came together like never before, and despite all the naysayers, it was a huge success.

This giant event that occurred for two weeks straight, was probably the most stressful event I’ve ever not had control over. As a resident of this great city, I wanted everything to go off with out a hitch. I can not tell you how many frantic discussions I had with Chad about snow on Cypress, or not doing well on the podium, or protesters making us look like fools on the world stage. I wanted us to suceed so badly that I couldn’t even watch any of the gold medal events because I was so nervous. But now, I can smile with pride, because these truly were Canada’s games.

Here are the last few pictures and stories from this amazing once in a lifetime experience.

Last week Alicia, Claudia, and I went for dinner down on Robson street while the Canada vs. Germany game was going on.

Claudia wore her Sock Monkey hat. Cutest thing ever!

There were guys playing drums in the middle of the street.

We went to Earls and got a table right away, which was pretty sweet.

Out on the Patio under a heat lamp watching the 3rd period.

We walked around Robson and Granville and were lucky enough to catch Joannie Rouchette skate her short program which they where projecting on the big screen.

The laser show was also really neat. It was pouring rain at this point and I was soaked.

—

Saturday was spend quietly.

I realized on Friday night that I am much happier when I am not on the Internet and attached to Twitter and Facebook at the hip. There are just too many stupid people on both networking sites and there are too many things that I read that piss me off. I realized that most of my anger stems from crap I’ve read on Twitter or Facebook. I know too much about people and their thoughts. More then I want to know.

Saturday I turned off the the Internet and the TV and worked away oblivious to the world while listening to Radiohead. It was very nice and peaceful.

Once Chad came home from work we decided to check out the Olympic Torch at night, since Chad hadn’t had the opportunity to see it yet. We headed down there around 9ish and braved the crowds to see the torch. Chad stood there in awe for quite a while. After all the work he has done for the Olympics, all the time and effort hes put in, I could see how proud he was.

We checked out the rest of the sights in and around the torch. The gold rings were amazing, though my camera would not get a good picture of them.

We decided to go for a drink in Gastown. In no way did I want to brave the disaster that was the downtown core. I’m not a party person at the best of times, and after my relaxing quiet Saturday I really wanted to continue down that path. In reality, it was pretty stupid to go downtown at all. None the less, Chad had to see the torch.

So, we walked down Cordova.

Every place was packed. Every place we thought wouldn’t be packed was packed. Not really all that shocking.

Then we came across this little pub. This was the pub we went to once during the Summer that Chad and I started to date where a homeless man walked by us as we sat on the patio and told Chad he had to marry me. Chad listened. Deightons Well is the name and from the outside it is tiny, and sketchy, but there was a table for two open and they served beer.

We sat down and I instantly became annoying with the chicks behind us. I did not have my party hat or my patients hat on at all during the courseof the evening. The chicks were so annoying I begged Chad to find us somewhere else to sit. Luckily we discovered the bar expanded to the back. The best we could get was a couch, but trust me, it was better then sitting at a broken table with a bunch of drunk air heads.

The rest of the evening was a bust. I’ve never been surrounded by a more annoying clientele. I’ve become a snob in my old age and I just don’t care to hang around overly drunk, super annoying 20 year olds. I want a nice spot in the corner with some dark lightening and good drinks where I can have a conversation. I was in the mood for class and I got white trash.

The waitress for our section was also clueless. I watched her bring the wrong food to 4 different tables, and even when she brought the right food it was wrong and sent back. She totally ignored us and it literally took an hour of waiting for her before we could go home. She tried to charge us for beers she forgot to bring us and was impossible to get a hold of. Not to metion she looked like she was a 15 year old and homeless. I’m sorry, but it was the worst bar I have ever been to. Everything was dirty, the atmosphere was bad and the lighting was horrendous.

Snob Alert. I was just not in the right mood for the evening and was totally turned off by everything.

—

I did not watch the hockey game yesterday, I would have thrown up if I did. Instead I locked myself in the bedroom and watched TV while refolding all my t-shirts and cleaning out the closets. I flicked back every now and then but I couldn’t watch it.

With about one minute to go I decided I was going to watch so that I could see us winning GOLD live. Yea, that was a bust. I’ve never sworn so loudly in my life. Chad thought I had broken things in the bedroom because I started to throw my boots on the ground. Over reaction much? No, I think the perfect amount of reaction.

I ran out to ask Chad what was going to happen next. He said there would be a break and then overtime. I asked him if he was going to watch it, but he didn’t know if he could handle the stress, so I asked him, if I wasn’t going to watch it, and he wasn’t going to watch it, how would we know who wins? He said, ‘You will just know, listen for it outside’.

I flicked back at around the 12 minute mark. Soon after that I heard little kids outside cheering. I kind of ignored it because I didn’t think it could possibly mean anything. Then there was more little kids. I turned the channel and there it was, GOLD.

Talk about relief.

I watched the closing ceremonies at my parents house. I enjoyed them making fun of how our torch didn’t work at the opening ceremonies and how Catriona Le May Doan got to finally light it. That was cute. I liked the way it poked fun at who we are. I was expecting more of a crowd reaction when Shatner, and the Mom from Home Alone, and MJF came out and did their thing. I enjoyed the dancing mounties and beavers and moose. I’m a sucker for Canadiana.

The musical acts where a whole nother story. I assume they chose who they chose because they wanted it to be up beat and fun, but they clearly have no clue which Canadian Bands people ACTUALLY want to see.

 But now it is all over. Now, I can have my husband back. Now I can stop worrying about Spring showing up in the middle of Winter. Now I can get back to all those things I started but didn’t finish two weeks ago. I will miss the Olympics, but all good things have to come to an end. 

More Olympic Pictures, More Olympic Pictures!!!

Saturday, while Chad was at work (whata good boy) I headed downtown with the Famiglia.

PHOTO EXPLOSION

Cristina and I got ID’d at Germany House. It was 11am, pretty sure I’m not about to get wasted!

Ma, Pa, and Cristina

Cooking up some German Meat.

A Brat for Breakfast. I even got sauerkraut. I have never been a fan of it, but I figured, if I was going to be German for an hour I was going to be FULLY German.

Inside the actual house. Already packed watching the days events.

German signed car.

Walking towards the torch.

March forward.

The flame from far away.

Probably a little creepy that I took a picture of someones kid, but it was too cute not to. He made his own torch. Omg, *sniff* adorable.

Thar she blows.

Speaking of blowing, you would not believe how many Russians were downtown on Saturday. There were tons of young Navy guys as well. It was nuts.

Everyone’s in Red. Do we look related!?

The view of the torch from downtown.

Shangra La

CTV

My buddies.

A floral VAG.

The Rossis

Melbourne and Cortina d’Ampezzo, where both sides of my family live!

MUKMUK <3

QUATCHI <3

Oh look! Another picture of the damn lanterns!

So apparently my Mother discovered that not only was there Casa Italia represented at the Olympics, but there was also Casa Calabria! Weird, yet interesting. Considering we will be travelling around Calabria in 7 months it only made sense to check it out.

Hand Made Glass Art

Damn Southerners!

Cheese and coffee and things.

Made it to Casa Italia, yet again. This time they were actually serving CHEESE! Hahah Mom and Dad got handfuls.

Cheese please.

Pappa Rossi

I could be a Skier.

I had this discussion with my Mom that Casa Italia would have been 10 times better if they decided to serve Pasta and Wine. Umm hello, talk about making a killing if you did that. At all our Italian events we serve a plate of pasta and wine for 8 bucks and we always sell out. People go nuts for that kind of thing and it is so cheap to do. I’m going to have to speak to the Casa Italia Organizing Committee. Clearly they were not very organized. Or they just like being snobs and only serving that kind of thing to the VIPs. Oh those Italians.

The Sea Wall in Yaletown.

Yes, this is why we live here.

Sunnies and a Toque.

After Eight. The biggest friggin Yacht I have ever seen!

Waiting in line for the Sea Bus, which, for some reason, we all thought was FREE.

GROUP SHOT.

SEA BUS

Checkin out the city

Love this building

Swiss House on Granville Island

Leaving the ‘Island’

Walking some where. Check out the Cherry Blossoms!

Yacht Club.

Sea Wall Fashion.

PIRATE SHIP

What a beautiful day!

Dreamy

Shadows

RCMP Boat

Us Italians

CANADA LINE SQUISH.

Our plan was to do many things, many things that all had very long line ups, so we just did a lot of walking around the city. All transit was packed so we had to squish.

By the time I got home I was so tired I actually thought I was going to die. I passed out for two hours and felt like crap for the rest of the evening.

That is what you get for never exercising!

Just another beautiful Olympic day in Vancouver!

Ok so I am going to try and pump out some Olympic posts.

Last Monday, Ryan and Elise joined us for some downtown Olympic goodness. This was the second time in a row where we went downtown and the weather was crappy, only this time, we didn’t bring an umbrella. Pretty stupid considering we bought an Olympic umbrella on Saturday. OH WELL.

Elise claims that because these mittens are made in China, that is the reason why they are falling apart. Umm…I’ve had mine for the exact same amount of time and mine don’t look like they got eaten by a dog! Something smells funny here Elise.

Chad and Ryan on la skytrain.

Hey, look who it is.

It was our first time on the Canada Line. The giant underground hole was a little freaky. It’s HUGE.

Hat twins. I hope Ryan doesn’t get confused as to whose who.

Waiting for the Granville Island street car at the Olympic Village Terminal.

Chad and Ryan on the Street Car!!!

Elise on the Street Car. I WAS SO EXCITED!!!

Here we be! Granville Island.

The line up to get into Atlantic House. Yea, I don’t think so.

We decided to head over to the Cats Social House instead. Less people and seats at the bar.

The Mojito.

Elise and I were on a Mojito rampage, as we usually are. These ones looked huge, but then we just realized it was just full of ice. They were tasty none the less.

Watching the snow boarders at the Bar.

We stayed for one drink and one appy and then ‘bar hopped’ as Elise called it.

This is how Chad protects himself from the rain.

Bombardier!

Elise was in love with the way the seats faced each other.

Back on the Canada Line heading downtown.

WOOOOO.

Back at the Bay.

More pictures of the lanterns in the pouring rain.

Why do I feel the need to take a picture of these guys every time I see them?

Mojito number 2.

Elise thinks I should start a Mojito blog. Ha. Like I need another blog.

The service and beer at the Olympic Bar and Grill was not the best this time around.

Ryan’s beer was warm so Elise decided to add to it.

It’s couple time.

An insight into our relationship.

It was a good night, but I was tired by the end of it. The rain sucked but the atmosphere outside was good. I slept like a baby when I got home.

I need to go downtown when it is not raining!

We decided to head down to where all the action was on Saturday Morning. We lazed around in bed for a bit, watching Olympic coverage on TV before heading downtown. Then of course, we heard about all those Ass Hats causing damage to the Bay, which got me pretty upset because I’ve been overly sensitive about the Olympics lately.

We took the skytrain down and got off at Granville hoping to stop by at the Olympic Store at the Bay (despite the damage done) to pick up some merch, but they closed it all off so you couldn’t get to it through the inside of the Bay, which sucked big time, and the line (from the outside) to get in was way too long so we gave up.

24 hour glass repair was on site right away. There was a lot of ‘Go Canada Go’ chanting going on which was cool.

I’m a Lumberjack.

Everyone’s already taken photos of this stuff, but I haven’t so here it is.

Walking south along Granville, checking out all the art.

In classic Danielle mode, I originally wrote ‘Here come the Cheques!’.

I made Chad take a picture of my good Bang day. (Thank you Marlee!)

For lunch we stopped in at the Olympia Bar & Grill on Granville. It looks fairly new, but then again, I haven’t been down to Granville in a while. The place was totally empty when we looked inside, but the wait staff was so nice and inviting that we decided to stay. Chad was astonish at how cheap the beer was ($4.25 to be exact) that he fell in love with the place and wants to go back ASAP. We might hit it up tonight if your original plan fails. I had the Mediterranean Pizza and Chad had a Calzone. Both were really good. I liked the atmosphere of the bar, so I’m pretty sure we will be back. By the time we left, the place was pretty full. Chad joked that they should give us a discount because we ‘brought the people in’. I think they actually did.

After lunch we headed to Yaletown. By this point it was pretty cold and rainy so we stopped in a little boutique that had some Olympic Merch (including an umbrella) so we picked one up. The store was adorable, expensive, but amazing. I would love to go back there. They had such cute home decor stuff and baby stuff.

We pit stopped it in the Roundhouse in Yaletown before going next door to Casa Italia cause Chad had to pee. Ha. He said it was the nicest portable he had ever been in. It even had granite counter tops! TMI?

Casa Italia. I don’t know what an of these words are suppose to mean.

Represent!

A map of places to climb, I believe.

Italian Olympic Merch.

I’m sorry Italy, I love you and all, but what the hell were you thinking?

Each item of clothing ran $300 to $450. Um…are you kidding me!?

A lot of fake cheese.

The had this section of Italian art which was pretty neat. I loved this clock with the little bird waiting to pop out. There was even this set of dishes that when you stacked them the right way they made a globe. Pretty friggin neat if you ask me.

Checking out all the sporting footwear. I, of course, loved the ice pick/hiking boots because of the sharpe violent spikes on the end. Kind of maybe wanted to use them on the ‘Anarchists’.

Walked through Yaletown and found this little building. I don’t know what it was but there was a lot of people on computers. Maybe the Yahoo house?

I asked Chad to take a picture of me.

“No, Chad, can you move back and get the whole thing?”

“What the hell, you don’t even see what I am looking at”

“Yea well I would have had to move really far back”

…

I swear to God.

I’m pretty sure I was British in my previous life.

Back downtown on Robson where all the madness was.

He can never give me a normal face. What, do I disgust you that much!?

CTV insanity.

Chad and our new umbrella!

A couple of Moms commented on how cute it was. Chad wasn’t impressed.

Adorable!

We walked up Robson so I could check out a couple of stores, but I didn’t find anything worth buying, so I grabbed a Starbucks and we headed home.

Found this really cool art installation at the Burrard Skytrain Station. I think is was a project done by an Emily Carr student.

See, we can never get a normal face.

Shhhh, look, theres Chads security pass. Don’t tell anyone.

You can’t really tell, but I swear to you that he looks Asian on all his Accreditation tags.

Good times spent downtown. Once Chad gets home from work tonight we are going to go down to Granville Island and *try* to get into the Atlantic House. But I have a feeling thats going to be a huge fail, especially since we are not going to stand in line for 2 hours, so we will probably end up back at the Olympia Bar & Grill. Fine by me anyways!

Alicia and I were both very excited this morning, dressed in our Olympic gear, waiting for the excitement and entertainment that is the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics.

My Mom kept phoning us giving us updates on the torch relay and we were following it on Twitter and Facebook. Then all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I saw a bunch of Cops riding on horses right in front of my window at work. I screamed in excitement. I’ve never been so excited to see cops on horses in my life. We watched in anticipation to see what was going on, but they just trotted up the street. I then realized that I had heard that the torch would be making its way down Commercial Street and quickly checked the status of it. It was currently at a pit stop not to far away, so Alicia and I grabbed our stuff, said we were going out for an early lunch and hulled ass up the hill to Commercial Street.

I imedietly saw the horses and started to squeel in excitement. These Olympic games, they have me getting excited over the weirdest things. There were people everywhere and we were a bit confused as to what was going on. Then the cops told everyone to get out of the way and they blocked the street with the horses.

We quickly saw a flood of people heading out way down Commercial. The first crowd was filled with Protesters, but there were people carrying Canadian flags behind them. We were very confused as to what was going on.

The look of pure excitement and exhaustion on our faces. Running up the hill was death, but the horses has me so excited like something REAL was going to happen. Also notice my giant 2 front teeth. Got to love them!

It was very disappointing to be so excited that we had the chance to see the Olympic Torch pass by, and then for it to be ruined by protesters, who didn’t even know what they were fighting for. Everyone was yelling random shit and I was getting so angry. It’s very hard to see people bashing and hating on something you love and feel so passionately about.

We wondered North down Commercial to see if the protesters were in front of the torch, but quickly realized there was no torch. A bunch of kids from the local school were walking behind them waving Canadian flags in support and we asked them what was going on. They informed us that everything has been re-routed because of the protesters. I yelled ‘Effing Hippie Douchebag Protesters’ really loud in frustration and they all laughed and cheered, which I thought was pretty funny.

Alicia and I took off towards First ave hoping we could catch it there but no matter how many blockaids the police set up the protesters kept by passing them. The more it went on the angreier Alicia and I got and the more we yelled back at them. I even got into a personal verbal scuffle with a couple of them. I was Italian Raging inside.

Eventually they took over the intersection of First and Commercial causing a major traffic jam, and really doing nothing other then annoying the shit out of people. A ‘Go Canada Go’ chant started to fight back all the bullshit they were chanting.  The torch had been completely re routed and they were no where near it so it was all pretty pointless and annoying.

Alicia called her Mom to see where it was now and we headed in that direction. However, people were already walking back so there was no point.

Just as we turned the corner I noticed an Olympic Torch Bearer standing around a bunch of people. I quickly pointed her out and Alicia and I went up to her and she asked if we wanted to take a picture with the torch. It was so nice of her! We didn’t get her name, and I tried to look online if there was a list of all the torch bearers but I couldn’t find anything.

It was a pretty neat experience dispite all the negative crap that was going on around the Drive. It was very nice of her to come up and to see all the people who missed the torch relay because of the protesters.

It really sucked not being able to be a part of the torch relay, and when I found out it was going to be so close to work I thought I was going to have the chance of a lifetime. I know people have the right to protest, but it really upsets me when their protesting prevents something from happening, something GOOD from happening. Think about all the torch bearers who were excited to run down the street with people cheering for them, having to be re routed just to run down a street where there is no one cheering you on, because no one knows you are there!  It also really bugged me that the protesters prevented the torch from being presented at Victory Square where Veterans had been waiting all morning to see it.

It was also really horrible to hear of the news of the Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili passing away today in Whistler. Alicia and I were sick to our stomachs when we first heard. What a horrible, horrible thing to have happen.

Now I kind of feel down about everything, even though I was so excited this morning. Hopefully getting toegther with friends to watch the Opening Ceremonies picks up everyones spirits!

I should probably blog this before too much time goes by and it’s really old news. This week has been crazy at work, followed by nights out, so I’ve had zero time to post the pictures from our date night on Grouse Mountain this past Saturday.

I took my time to get ready before heading out to the North of Vancouver. It wasn’t very cold at the bottom of the mountain, but I had my scarf and coat and gloves all ready to go. The ride up the gondola was fun. It was pretty empty and we were able to see the city until about half way up the mountain before reaching the clouds.

The glow of light pollution.

We went to Altitudes Bistro at the top, which of course was socked in with clouds. But that’s OK. The view would have been amazing had we been able to see it, but I knew we would be back eventually so I wasn’t too worried about it.

Our plan was to order a couple appies to share and then a small meal for dinner. Given that it was a Bistro, there were a couple soups, salads, wraps, and burger choices that looked good.

The friggin Grizzly Beer.

First off, I must point out that I am the kind of person who doesn’t actually READ anything, I just skim it. This means that I miss a lot of important information and end up looking like an idiot most of the time. Saturday night was a perfect example.

While looking through the cocktail menu I came across a drink that caught my eye. What caught my eye was that it said ‘Jack Daniels and Lemonade’. Now, there is this drink at Memphis Blues that is Jack Daniels mixed with Lemonade and I absolutely adore it, so instead of reading the whole drink, I just assumed it must be the same thing and immediately decided that I was going to order it. So the waiter comes and I order my Grizzly BEAR (because that’s what I read) and he gives me a look and then I guess realizes what I have said and goes to get me my drink. It comes in a big beer glass, with no straw, and nothing that would make it appear to be a girly cocktail. I take a sip, it’s good, but it tastes like beer. I mention this to Chad and he looks at me funny and says ‘that’s because it is beer’. Umm what!? I grab the menu again and FULLY read over the description, WHISTLER LAGER (ie BEER) topped with Jack Daniels, Lemonade, and Ginger Ale. Well, I wasn’t expecting that.

Dammit Danielle, why do you always do this?

It was good, filling, but good. Totally wasn’t expecting to get a beer, but rather a girly drink to match my girly date outfit but OH WELL. It’s my own fault.

To add insult to ingury, it wasn’t until I uploaded these picture to flickr that I realized the drink was called a Grizzly BEER and not a Grizzly BEAR. OMG DANIELLE!

Our first item off the menu was the Chicken Drumettes in Buffalo sauce with Blue Cheese. I can’t handle hot, but these were damn tasty.

Second off the menu was the Cajun Gaufrettes. Chad and I couldn’t figure out what the hell they were from the description on the menu, but we asked and they told and we ordered. They came with 3 different dipping sauces. So good. We basically filled up on them (and our beers) and had no room left for anything else. So much for dinner!

After the foods we headed outside to see what was going on. It was pretty much just a lot of cloud and a lot of people leaving the mountain. The ice rink was closed and we really couldn’t see anything else so we headed back inside instead of waiting in the cold for the next Gondola.

There was a wedding going on in the Timber room, Kim and Sarah. From the names I guessed Lesbians, but then Chad said that Kim could go both ways, which was news to me. They had a picture of the couple there and Sarah definitely looked like a girl, but Kim could have really gone either way. It was really weird because I couldn’t tell if it was a girl or a guy. Either way, the wedding looked cute. They had a little photography area set up and disco lights going on.

The Gondola was PACKED on the way down. Everyone was coming down off the mountain. The kids beside us were talking about this cool song they heard, ‘Sandstorm’, and how they can’t do their homework unless they are listening to it. Chad and I laughed to ourselves. Oh to be young again.

Over all it was a sucessful date. I can’t wait to go back on a clear night for drinks and appies with friends. I just love the atmosphere on Grouse Mountain!

I’m too tired to talk, so instead, wanna look at some pictures?

Ok.

Alicias Birthday at the Asian Hipster Club which actually isn’t an Asian Hipster Club considering there were minimal to no Asians or Hipsters.

Side Note. Some of these pictures may or may not have been stolen from Marlee.

Chad and Ryan doing their thing.

“Vodka, Cran, & 7 in a Tall Glass” – I sound like an alcoholic now demanding the size of glass I want it in.

Land of the rising Sun

Quan-er in her Birthday Dress. I was hoping for Birthday Suit.

Elise, Marlee, & Myself exhausted after walking 100 miles in the pouring rain in heels down to China Town.

Melface, Elise, & I. Her name isn’t actually Melface. Sometimes, I want to stick her in my pocket.

Marlee gives good face.

Apparently I am crouching in on Private Time with R & C.

It’s hard to make cleavage when you have nothing to work with.

His reaction to the picture above from my point of view.

Fighting off the Asian Hipsters to get to the bar for a scotch.

These two again…

Is this the face of a 22 year old? I think not my friends.

This is just a horrible picture over all. Thank you rain for ruining my hair.

This is more like it.

It is true. I am that hot.

“The look, of Love, is in your eyes, a look your smile can’t disguise”  as sung in Austin Powers.

My outfit decision.

Fuckers. My feet were in a lot of pain thanks to these bad boys. But I looked hot, and man was I tall.

I SPOT ASIANS!!!

What the hell? Another Ehman! Elise’s younger sister Sarah-Rose found and joined us!

Brothers in Scotch…

And evil stares…

It’s true. I was seduced by this photo.

Can you tell they are related?

The grey tights seems like a good idea at the time. At least my legs were warm.

“Whats that? Come closer and whisper your sweet nothings”

“Yes, that is better”

All I was trying to do was have a conversation with my fellow co-worker and BOOM it gets turned into a pervy photo. I swear.

Whoa. Sorry. Did not get the memo. Clearly we are over dressed.

Hello. Is it me your looking for?

I’m getting sick of these two.

Hot Chiquas.

Where did these babes come from?

Channeling my inner Pheobe.

Ekk!

Group Shot on the Dance Floor

Americas Next Top Model???

You better believe Adam got Alicia Champagne on her Chapagne Birthday!

I have no idea. But can I point out how GIANT my hand looks!?

I’m putting a little back into it.

This picture pisses me off only  because I spent an hour STRAIGHTENING my hair that night. Eff you RAIN. Eff you.

Evil Stare Dance.

Have you guys done ANYTHING other then stand and drink?

Black Tops.

A Flickr Favorite.

The fact that I was dancing was pretty much epic. I don’t dance. Like ever.

This is how the cousin does it.

The last photo of the evening.

Other then this one of Marlee’s reaction to her cheeseburger. Priceless.

So srsly guys, when can we go back, because other then the $500 to get in, and then long walk in the rain, I had the time of my life.

Thank you faux Asian Hipster Club. Thank you.