OK so it's finally stopped raining in the middle of winter and in the middle of the winter olympics JUST LONG ENOUGH for the last batch of helicopters and dump trucks hauling snow in from Manning Park before it all turns into slush half way up the mountains.... From the initial ceremonies to watching some of the sports; well - it *IS* kind of exciting although many of us were jaded before it all started because - well, we're Vancouverites - we're just pretty jaded. And all too happy to walk or bicycle to work when it's 15degrees and sunny out. This is hilarious really. Today I washed both cars and starting polishing my Comet ready for spring time. I also started building a much anticipated workshop in the yard so I can work on my Comets all year round (esp. in the rain) and have somewhere to store all the car parts so they don't rot. 2 weeks ago I did some gardening when my ladyfriend gave me permission to build the workshed. Did I mention that all the petunias/tulips/whatever that she made me plant are flowering this week? Today as I basked in the sun and detailed my Comet, with helicopters flying snow in from higher distant peaks across a blue sky - racing to dump their load before the next mogul skiier "bails" on a "bale" of hay at the bottom of the thawing ski hill because it's melting faster than they can blow it out the snow machines, I think every hot rod and resto mod in North Van was cruising down my boulevard to the Canadian Tire parking lot to bask in the sun and show off their rides. If the Olympics return to Vancouver again, and the winter Olympics events themselves have evolved from adaptations to winter "sport" as well as "survival" (shooting a rifle while skiing, two muscular men snuggling/spooning on a bobsled, and OF COURSE simultaneously smoking a big fat joint of B.C.'s bed bud while selecting tunes on an iPod and snowboarding at the same time.... I think we *WILL* add those new special winter events that only global warming could precipitate (and by precipitate I am not referring to REAL SNOW... Like a political cartoon I saw last week... Winter Sports in Vancouver: 1. helicopters scooping up snow peaks from one mountain to the next before the next bus load of spectators gets stuck in the mud 2. dump trucks with trailers hauling snow in from Alberta AT THE SPEED LIMIT and while NOT USING THEIR CEL PHONES while driving 3. a 60,000 seat stadium with an inflatable roof held up with hot air having the world watch as 4 massive torches consuming oodles of gas are cautiously, and tentatively lit (hoping the gas lines were not made by the same company that made the hydraulic lines that failed to operate for one terribly awkward minute) - all with 60,000 people in attendance pretending it's actually like winter dressed in toques, mittens, parkas, scarves, boots, sweaters, and trying not to pass out because they're sweltering hot. 4. snow generators (that don't work in the rain) powered by carbon-neutral wind turbines (that don't work at all) 5. whose classic car looks the nicest in the middle of winter (mid-winter Wash & Wax or Show & Shine or Paint & Polish). Sponsored by Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons... perhaps... since we use their parking lot. I think this time last year my other Comet was under 2 feet of ice - tomorrow it might see a fresh bottle of Maguire's. Ciao! Whiskeeee.... yah - it's been a LONG TIME since I posted - so this is a LONG MESSAGE
Robb, just to let you know, you're not the only one jaded about the Olympics...I had many of the same thoughts watching the ceremony.....and as I sit here, with a foot of snow in my yard and minus 10 temps (not too bad) I am cursing all of those fellow owners who live in a place that would allow them to wash and wax in February! Just kidding, enjoy it while you can!
Heh.. some say "Why doesn't Vancouver just send the Winter Olympics back to the East Coast and then TRY AGAIN NEXT YEAR if it snows." But joking aside - I do appreciate the weather here - good and bad - since I lived in Alberta and Ontario for 10 years. The rain feeds our forests, the sun feeds my spirit, and only all the soldiers camped out in the snow covered mountains to provide security are likely cursing the nice weather we are getting "down here". It could very well snow next week - so I'm just making the most of this weekend. Then again - some of our mid-summer "Show and Shines" are accompanied by rain. Damn water spots!
