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Post by Political Incorrectness on Feb 21, 2010 23:16:34 GMT -8
Oh I appreciate getting CBC, it means I get to watch a hockey game every Saturday during the regular season, news from north of the border, and get the Canadian perspective of things. As much as some on this forum don't like it, it is a blessing to have something Canadian to watch instead of advertisements galore, blabber and crap.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Feb 22, 2010 8:07:47 GMT -8
Oh I appreciate getting CBC, it means I get to watch a hockey game every Saturday during the regular season, news from north of the border, and get the Canadian perspective of things. As much as some on this forum don't like it, it is a blessing to have something Canadian to watch instead of advertisements galore, blabber and crap. The NYTimes article was widely picked up today by various papers. Interesting your comments Dan and those of the paper. I was speaking with a friend on Saturday night who is working part time in Buffalo so spends a couple days a week there. He has gone balistic about the stuff he is missing. He was so frustrated he was claiming he was going to rent a fleabag motel across the bridge in Fort Erie, ON to just go and watch the events he wasn't seeing and then return to the Hilton in Buffalo to sleep . He also has been setting his DVR and computer back home to record various events but it isn't the same not watching it live. The Olympic buzz and flush of patriotism isn't confined to BC. Crowds gathering here to watch the events at public locations are also psyched. The Olympic clothing is everywhere, similar to when Roots was the sponsor. I was a unique event on Saturday night where the above coverage discussion took place. An old location of a Steakhouse chain was closed then and it reopens a block away in a new building next week. Since the restaurant had been there so long, there is a large group of alumni and loyal customers in addition to the staff from other locations. All were invited to the closing party. The place was ear ringing loud as reunions and re-aquaintenances were made. Over on top of this din was first the cheering for the Raptors as they squeeked a win, and people glued to different TV's cheering for the different Olympic events. The gasp when the Hamelin brothers ran out of gas in the speed skating was clearly heard. It is nice to see all the flags flying outside of people's homes and the renewed patriotism. Similar is the crowds that gather whenever another casualty from Afghanistan returns to the Trenton Air Base. A motorcade drives from there after the repatriatation ceremony to the main coronors office in Toronto. The route, now renamed the Highway of Heros, is lined and all the overpasses are crowded with people showing respect and flying flags in honour. Spontaneous singing of the national anthem also is happening there. The people often cause such a traffic jam that it is part of the traffic reports here.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Feb 22, 2010 20:00:22 GMT -8
A couple more Olympic notes, after I wonder if the Games are to blame for putting this here forum into a near coma recently...
I've always been curious as to where women's hockey fits into the overall hockey spectrum. We got a bit better idea this winter, as our national team played thirty games against teams in the Alberta AAA midget league. That's basically 15-17 year olds. The women ended up with a record of 20 wins and 10 losses. That record might be a bit better than it sounds, since I doubt the boys would have been allowed to bodycheck, which might mean that they would have had to alter their usual style of play- or is bodychecking not allowed at the midget level?
Anyway, a 20-10 record against midgets might indicate that the women are closer to the next level up, which would probably be junior 'B'. I've never watched a game at that level, so I decided to take in the final regular season match Saturday night of the North Delta Devils, of the Pacific International Junior 'B' League, at our Sungod Arena. Must be kind of discouraging for players at that level, in the sense that, according to the team's marketing director, crowds range from 40 to 120 in a 2000 seat building. I counted 80 fans for the game against the Squamish Wolf Pack, which first place North Delta won 6-2. It was very obviously a long way down from major junior, in every area from basic skating to play finishing on rushes; I'd say it just qualified as a spectator level of hockey. A lot of small players, a lot of guys who were 19 and too lacking in speed or skills to move up to a higher level.
Still, watching tonight's game between our women and the Finns, I'd say that either North Delta or Squamish would have handled Finland with ease. I enjoy women's hockey when it's Canada against the U.S., but beyond that, it's very undeveloped, and probably not even at the AA midget level. Canada and the U.S. might fare okay at the junior B level. I think I read somewhere that there are only 300 women playing hockey in all of Russia, which shows how far the game has to come.
Chris (Ferryman) reported on his foray into Vancouver's Olympic festivities the other night. I'm not an Olympic fan per se, but I was curious to see what downtown feels like these days. Went downtown this afternoon, on another beautiful sunny day in our alleged winter. The atmosphere during the day is apparently quite different from what Chris saw at night, at least in regard to people over indulging in various stimulants. Robson street absolutely packed around Granville and Burrard, Granville mall almost as much, but a very positive family oriented, almost carnival feel. Street entertainers, tons of little kids, and despite the throngs, everyone in good cheer and moving around without much trouble. Ridiculous line-ups for things like the viewing platform for the cauldron, and that absurd thirty second ride on the zip line. I didn't line up for anything. Our city shows off it's Olympic attractions exceptionally well on a day like today, from Science World to Coal Harbour and the cauldron.
As I said, I'm not really into the Olympics, but on a purely organizational basis, and taking into account how the crowd flow has been facilitated downtown, the various attractions, and the hordes of friendly volunteers guiding people around, I think you have to give VANOC fairly good marks for putting this all together, despite the glitches.
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Feb 22, 2010 22:08:34 GMT -8
Agreed, Neil.
I was fortunate enough to be invited along with a friend to the Czech-Russia hockey game yesterday. I was very impressed with the way VANOC has organized everything, from fast security screening to easy directions. There was always a presence of some kind, whether it was police, city employees or VANOC volunteers, there was always somebody to ask for help or directions.
The transportation aspect was amazing. We went across on the 7:00 ferry, and were downtown Vancouver at Waterfront Station by 9:35. Considering the crowds, I think that is fantastic.
Along with Neil, I found that the crowd and atmosphere downtown was very pleasant, family oriented and incredibly easy going. Even the crowds going through town after the disappointing loss to the US in men's hockey were very friendly, with most people congratulating the American fans that were brave enough to celebrate.
The only gripe I have is with BCF. We arrived at Tsawwassen shortly after 2000, and the 2100 sailing was already full for passengers. The part that gets me is that the Coastal Celebration sits there with a full crew from 2000 to 2359, and BCF refuses to run her. Instead, they ended up running the New West on another round trip, 4 hours on overtime. This makes economic sense?
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Feb 23, 2010 10:52:52 GMT -8
Decently organized, yes, but on another front, it seems that the COC is beginning their COA (Cover Our big toes) campaign well before anyone expected it. We thought we'd be seeing all the post-game bills first.
The medals have been slow in coming, and the Own the Podium campaign has become the butt of jokes. You can own it, say the cheeky Americans, and we'll just rent it for a couple of weeks. The same Americans who get no government funding, when Canadian taxpayers have shelled out the majority of Own the Podium's $117 million program cost to produce winners. And the reason for Canada's less than expected medal haul, according to the COC, can be found partly in overly enthusiastic fans spooking the athletes.
This was the same COC, who along with VANOC, did their best to turn these Games into a tribal religious experience. We had the transcendental Torch Parade weaving hearts and minds together from one end of the country to the other. We had the elevation of the athletes' life stories and their training regimens making them into nationalist superheroes. We had doe-eyed kids forever peering at us from our TV screens asking, "Do you believe?" We had the iconic mitts, pins, and assorted knick-knacks and mascots- all the adornments of devotion. And of course, the constant prompting to get behind the athletes, make some noise, cheer them on, own the podium, believe.
So that's exactly what Canadians did. And now we have Chris Rudge, CEO of the COC, talking about "an audience so big, with so many Canadians, and so loud... and how each athlete responds to that I don't know. The size of the crowd, the level of support and the noise- I'm not sure to what degree it was addressed by each of the coaches and the team leaders."
So, Canada, it's partly your fault that we're not winning more medals. Oh, and the coaches too, for not preparing athletes for the crowds. The COC wanted you to believe, just to do it a little more quietly.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 23, 2010 12:07:29 GMT -8
Which is the best way to get to Lonsdale during the Olympics??? Would it be easier coming from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen cause I can go either route! I would like to check out some of the Olympic stuff going on around town and see the Olympic Cauldron and so on. I guess the best way would be to take the bus???
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Feb 23, 2010 12:40:45 GMT -8
Which is the best way to get to Lonsdale during the Olympics??? Would it be easier coming from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen cause I can go either route! I would like to check out some of the Olympic stuff going on around town and see the Olympic Cauldron and so on. I guess the best way would be to take the bus??? Greetings, Karl! Last week, I came up for the games as well as soaking in the beautiful British Columbia scenery. Took the train up from Seattle and back. Last Thursday, I took my first ride aboard the QUEEN OF COWICHAN on the HB-DB run. Great ferry! I think the best way to get to Vancouver is by the DB-HB run. You can get to Vancouver by the Route 257 Express from HB via the Upper Level Highway. It drops you off near the Flame. From the Flame, it's within walking distance to the SeaBus. BE SURE TO ASK BCF IF DAYPASSES ARE SOLD ABOARD THE FERRIES. NEVER PAY BY THE TRIP! You can use DayPasses on Transit buses (even on West Vancouver Transit), SkyTrain, SeaBus, and is good toward a down payment on the commuter rail. I think there is connecting bus service between Lonsdale and HB. Ask a driver. One more note. Be sure to eat at the Cheshire Cheese Inn Restaurant at Lonsdale. Great restaurant! I ate dinner there one night when I was in the area last week.
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Post by Balfour on Feb 23, 2010 12:51:20 GMT -8
Which is the best way to get to Lonsdale during the Olympics??? Would it be easier coming from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen cause I can go either route! I would like to check out some of the Olympic stuff going on around town and see the Olympic Cauldron and so on. I guess the best way would be to take the bus??? Definitely come via Horseshoe Bay if you want to get to Lonsdale Quay and taking transit is a good idea. If you do come via TSA, you will have to take the 620, the Canada Line, and the Seabus. Both the Canada Line and Seabus have been experiencing a lot of crowds and plenty of line-ups. Coming in via HSB would be better because you can get downtown via the 257 Express bus. Another important piece of info is that Translink Day Passes are now sold in Passages Gift Shops - More info here
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 23, 2010 12:54:54 GMT -8
What is the bus area right by the Seabus??? Where all the buses come in?? Is that where they drop you off and pick you up??
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Feb 23, 2010 13:07:42 GMT -8
What is the bus area right by the Seabus??? Where all the buses come in?? Is that where they drop you off and pick you up?? Lonsdale has a pretty good transit center (centre). Lots of routes originate from there. You can get a bus to Grouse Mountain from there as well. For you, it'll be better to take the 257 Express to Vancouver first. See the Flame and take your time seeing this. There's an excellent boardwalk west of this to see the Olympic Rings. Then, take the SeaBus to North Vancouver. Go up Grouse if you wish. Then, take connecting transit back to Horseshoe Bay from the Lonsdale Transit Centre (across from SeaBus) and return to the "Bathtub City". BTW, I'm coming back to Vancouver for the Para-Olympics. Will be attending the Opening Ceremony in BC Place Stadium on March 12 and see a couple of Sledge Ice Hockey games at UBC. Whilst in the act of mentioning UBC, some UBC engineering students have pulled off some interesting stunts. Their most famous was hanging a VW bug under the Lions Gate Bridge.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 23, 2010 13:32:57 GMT -8
I am just running through ideas here! Is there any public parking in North Van that you can park in??? Or would they be full I assume! And how could I time it right to ride the new Seabus?? lol!
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Feb 23, 2010 14:20:34 GMT -8
I am just running through ideas here! Is there any public parking in North Van that you can park in??? Or would they be full I assume! And how could I time it right to ride the new Seabus?? lol! Mr. Coastal Skier will fill you in on parking. I did not use a car when I was there. I waited in the SeaBus departure hold at Vancouver until the new BURRARD PACIFIC BREEZE came in. I told the transit folks I was waiting for the new one. She'll disappoint you a bit as her end windows are a bit high and require you to get up out of your seat to get a better forward view. Her front window sills are higher than the older ones. Even though the new one has softer seats, I like the older ones better. It's nice that you can see through the front windows on these at night. Vancouver looks even more beautiful at night from the water. It's equally said of the North Shore and the lights of the mountains.
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Post by Balfour on Feb 23, 2010 18:09:23 GMT -8
I am just running through ideas here! Is there any public parking in North Van that you can park in??? Or would they be full I assume! And how could I time it right to ride the new Seabus?? lol! You could park along the residential streets up the hill (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Streets). There is pay parking at Lonsdale Quay and on weekends and evenings, the ICBC parkade has free unlimited parking. As for timing of catching the Burrard Pacific Breeze, the seabus vessel assignments are quite random, although the last few days, the BPB has been the 3rd boat going in service around 10AM for the 10 frequency.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 23, 2010 18:55:53 GMT -8
Are you allowed to park on residential streets?? Well that is good to know I dident know if the parkades would be reserved for people attending the olympic activities or like usual if anyone could park in there!
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Post by Ferryman on Feb 23, 2010 19:03:37 GMT -8
Hey Karl,
On Sunday I was able to park my moms car in one of the Parkades at Lonsdale Quay with no problems. The lineups for the Seabus can get horrendous in the late morning/early afternoon I noticed. But like everything else in Vancouver right now, be prepared to do alot of standing around and waiting if you'd like to see any specific things. I also do believe you can buy a Transit pass in the Gift shop on the Ferries right now as well. Also if you plan to walk on to the Ferry, have a plan B ready for parking because I had to park at a friends house in Nanaimo and get driven to the Ferry from there because the parking lot was full at Departure Bay.
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Post by dofd on Feb 23, 2010 23:38:39 GMT -8
"Are you allowed to park on residential streets??"
No, but enforcement has always been by the ski entrances. There is parking in Vancouver, but at a very high rate. And meters, only two hours.(the average wait to get in to a pavilion)
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 24, 2010 9:33:17 GMT -8
No need for parking! Me and Scott are actually doing a route 30 trip Thursday then heading into Vancouver for some Olympic sights and a Seabus ride.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Feb 24, 2010 9:44:04 GMT -8
No need for parking! Me and Scott are actually doing a route 30 trip Thursday then heading into Vancouver for some Olympic sights and a Seabus ride. Hope you two have a great trip! Enjoy the sights. The flame is spectacular to see. I've never seen an Olympic flame in person until last week. Don't set any time limits, just enjoy every minute of this once in a lifetime experience.
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Mill Bay
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Post by Mill Bay on Feb 24, 2010 15:17:06 GMT -8
WARNING RANT AHEAD: Mill Bay, If you really want to know what complaints are deserved, it is not in part of the games having issues, it's the coverage south of the border. Just check out NBC Olympics coverage and tell me complaints from the Internet are not justified. Their coverage is HORRID! You should be thankful to have all the events live! We have them all TAPE DELAYED, on the West Coast. Los Angeles viewing is down 50%. The only events we get live are hockey and curling. Even the tape delayed events are bad, personals stories all over, figure skating, all the moves are given. In curling, they just blab on til there is no tomorrow and do not wait for a good break. Hockey is probably the only redeeming thing about the coverage in the United MISTAKES. If you wonder why we get so many complaints from here? It's because NBC's coverage SUCKS and we're PREVENTED from watching Actually, I haldn`t complained about that to this point. To this point, I haldn`t really technically even complained. I just noted that I`ve seen a very skewed amount of negative complaints about the games on the internet, and wondered if there isn`t something we should be concerned about in unedited mass media putting about small-minded thought. You`ll note that in my original comment, I said I`ve been quite enjoying the coverage of the games. This, despite CTV and their programming oddities. I must agree, though, that I always preferred it when CBC got the coverage of Olympic events, because they would actually provide a range of different coverage on separate events on their subsidiary channels, if you could get them, so you could watch something that was of more interest to you. With CTV, all the content is all the same on every channel, in every timezone, even their smaller local city based subsidiary channels. In that lack of accessibility, I think the coverage is markedly poor. I`m confused on one thing, though, you should at least be able to get TSN as part of your cable package down there, that`s where all the hockey games seem to happen live and uninterrupted.
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Post by Scott on Feb 24, 2010 23:52:25 GMT -8
CTV has very excellent online content live and delayed. That's how I've been getting it.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Feb 25, 2010 17:47:18 GMT -8
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CANADIAN LADIES!Our US ladies tried their best in the Gold Medal hockey finale. But, your Canadian ladies played their hearts out, scoring all the goals they needed to win in the First Period. From the south side of the border, hats off to your great ladies hockey team. Enjoy your celebration!
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Feb 25, 2010 19:28:50 GMT -8
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CANADIAN LADIES!Our US ladies tried their best in the Gold Medal hockey finale. But, your Canadian ladies played their hearts out, scoring all the goals they needed to win in the First Period. From the south side of the border, hats off to your great ladies hockey team. Enjoy your celebration! Marie-Philip Poulin's first goal- on that nifty centering pass- was a nice one, in any league, by either gender. Shannon Szabados was solid in goal. It was a good, even match. From the post-game ceremony, it was pretty obvious that the Finns were a lot happier with their bronze than the Americans were with their silver- I was impressed with the play this tournament of the Finnish goaltender, Noora Raty. Last night Canada's men finally showed us what we've been looking for all tournament- even without Sidney Crosby firing on all cylinders. Some of what we saw in the Russian end was pure artistry, and the Canadians contested every loose puck and shut down the Russians vaunted forward firepower. Next Tuesday night, we get to see the Columbus Blue Jackets play the Canucks. Enjoy this marvellous Olympic hockey while it lasts. And a note to Pavol Demitra; try to bring some of that Slovakian spirit back to your play as a Canuck come Tuesday.
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FNS
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Post by FNS on Feb 27, 2010 19:37:17 GMT -8
Saturday greetings, Olympics fans!
This ferry geek is wishing both countries best wishes in the Gold Medal hockey game on Sunday. I wish both teams could win, but that's not achievable. If I had to pick which team to win, I think I'll lean toward the fellows wearing the maple leafs, even though my land flies the flag of stars and stripes.
Will be in BC Place for the closing.
The folks in British Columbia really know how to put on a great show. They did their best, despite a few challenging conditions.
Be sure to take in the last moments of the lit flame. I think a similar one would be lit for the Para-Olympics, which I'm attending.
Thanks for the memories, Vancouver!
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Post by hullnumbers on Feb 28, 2010 15:53:53 GMT -8
XD WE DID IT, WE WON GOLD FOR CANADA XD CHEERS XD
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Quatchi
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Post by Quatchi on Feb 28, 2010 22:53:44 GMT -8
Well, I spent the good part of three days in Vancouver during the games, it was a once in a lifetime event and a once in a lifetime outcome.
For me the most notable events were:
-Seeing the Olympic Cauldron for the first time. I really tried not to see it before hand so it would be a surprise to me, that failed, its not very easy to do, but I was still excited to see what it really looked like. I think its pretty cool.
-It was really the first time I had ever explored Vancouver and It was an amazing thing for me to do.
-A Friend and I were literally body checked onto the Skytrain so that the doors would close behind us.
-I saw what appeared to be the biggest crowd I had ever seen, later turned out to be the largest crowds in Olympic history.
-Lastly I was at the corner of Robson and Burrard with about a million other people when Crosby scored the gold medal goal and gained Canada Men's Hockey gold at home. At the time I couldn't make the TV screen out, but i knew when the crowd erupted in cheers that we had won.
It was a great event and I think it was very well managed and executed, especially transportation.
Cheers,
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