Amazing Fun at Olympics

I cant believe the amount of fun that I have had this last week. I knew the Olympics would be great, but this week has been the best fun I have ever had in my own city.
Last weekend with a party at my place, Valentine's Day at figure skating, and then monday & Tuesday glued to the TV.

Wednesday up early to see Colbert Report, and then the whole day walking around to see the sites, making the coke tent our personal night club with some friends before going out to dinner.

Thursday back again to get a good sport for the Report - I had to occupy Mykah the day before. Steven is brilliant and such a good sport. I think it was so fun and crowd pleasing when he got up on the Moose and waved the Canadian flag.

Taking photos of the inushu alone the sea wall. Walking back and forth along the wall with friends to see Ontario house.

During the big Canada Hockey game hanging out in Mcdonalds eating samoms and drinking free hot chocolate.

Walking back down town with Harry and Sindy after the game...Mykah coping everyone screams I was wondering if he was going to be the first baby with a horse voice. We walked around Granville & Robson before Daddy and Baby decided to go home to bed when they where not able to get a Jappa Dog (funny it has been on the news about it's the cultural food the try)

Sindy and I walked along through Yaletown before we decide to go to July Black concert with Tanisha. I was lucky enough to get Mykah's pants signed by her. I loved Julie's speech about supporting our athletes all the time not just every 4 years.

Meeting new people seemed to be a theme that day and Sindy and I pated from Tanisha with a new group of friends to find a party. Walking along for hours was fun but it was a bust.

Friday Ozone was long lines and a waist of time. It is a huge space for having great performance but that is about it.

Saturday - Sam Roberts - yah lots of butting inlines....Sorry kids I felt bad when I jumped in line in front of you. Squished up to the front of the stage we got to the very front and enjoyed the rest of the show and fireworks from there. All though I can see the fireworks better from my place then through the back of the stage, there is something electrifying about smelling the gunpowder and felling the spray of water from the water works show that is amazing.

Pacific Coliseum Upgrades??????

We were lucky to attened the short program for figure skating on Valentines day - our gift to each other. We brought our son Mykah who is 15 months old. I thought it would be historical for him and amazing opportunity as he may not ever go again in his life.

Although I am still glad that I took him it was the hardest thing that I ever experience as a parent with him. Sitting still for 4 hrs, keeping him quiet and entertained was a huge heartache and tiresome task.

The biggest problems started when my son needed to nurse, crying and starting a fit I waited to ask not 1 not 2 but 3 people at the customer service desk, where I could go to nurse and change a diaper. After the painful wait I was taken to the handicapped washroom. The WC was old and dirty, no place to change a diaper and no place to sit except the toilet. This is where I was supposed to nurse my baby?

Frustrated and stressed I left and after changing him in woman washroom I braved sitting in my cramped and crowed seat to nurse him. A little to close for any comfort, and too load and busy for Mykah to drink for more than 2 sec. His failure to calm himself and have a proper nursing time lead to the frustrations that I had during the entire even, crying scared at the clapping and just generally miserable.

I wonder at the state of the washrooms, the long lineups for food, a lack of venders, what the hell did the government pay 30 million on in upgrades?

I have gone to see the super dogs at the PNE many times and I don't see what the difference the made here. Is there anyone out there that can tell me?

Stupid protesters

I have some advise for the protesters, since obviously breaking windows of The Bay is nothing but stupid. Perhaps my advise might be more helpful in making a difference in Olympic impact. You can avoid seeing or participating in any way shape or form.

If you live in greater Vancouver, don't walk around outside, if at home don't watch TV, or talk on your phone if your service is with Bell, or own a Samsung or Panasonic. If you are thirsty don't drink Molson or coke, or any of there products, If your breath is bad don't freshen it with Excel or Juicy Fruit. If you are hungry you cant have a sandwich on wonder bread, or eat McDonald.

If you think that this is a good time to do those home renos, think again cause you cant buy products from Rona. You can do renos on your light fixtures however, by changing your light bulbs from GE. But you have to through it in the garbage as the Olympics is all about being green.

You could go for a drive depending on what car you drive, but don't go to far, cause you might not be able to find gas that is not a sponsor of the games.

You could go shopping, but make sure you use cash, cause Visa and RBC are sponcers. As well you need to avoid any thing Canadian as every store has something that they have brought in or made for this moment.

Check the time tick by as this maybe a long boring 2 months for you, but make sure you remove your watch if you own an Omega.

What you could do it sit an pounder why if you are so against this happening where you were 7 yrs ago when the bid was going though, why you did not do anything then. Why you don't just realize all you are doing now is idiotic and selfish and suck it up and stop causing more money for everyone with damage you cause.

Opening Ceremonies

I enjoyed the opening, but what was with all the phallic artwork in the show?

I almost rolled off my couch laughing when the native totem pole things started to raise from the ground, with the round caps on there hear slowly rising... did they put any thought into how it would look on tv? It looked ok when the arms were raised, but I could not get the image out of my head.

Then the poor end when the last post would not raise up... it looked so sad. Of course it had to be a woman that did not get to light the final post.

Did anyone else find it hilarious when Gretzky was in the vehicle to light the outside culdrum and people were running along side...if you get to see a recap what the peoples faces as they try there best to keep up to a vehicle.

Opening "Live City"

I only found out this morning that the torch was going to be running up Pacific St. Right past our places, our home and store.

At about 6pm a count down began in "Live City" in David Lam park. I was at home getting ready to go out in a bit to see the torch run by. After the count down people started filling into the space. Feeding Mykah I looked out the window, heard speeches, listen the musical groups and watched the coke tent become a projection screen with mazing images plastering the side... Wow I cant believe how lucky I am to be living here.

Between 7 - 8 the street entire was filled with people. Way more people than I ever thought would be there...for a torch passing. Standing in the middle on the meridian.. hype was growing. WHen were they coming? Our store had the news coverage about the event and sound blasting out so that we could see from time to time the over head view of what was happening. The helicopters overhead drew your eye to see more light beams spreading across the night sky.

As the crowed pressed into the road excited shouting about the flam passing by, we suddenly saw the torch bearer = Micheal Buble, and then he was passed, with a flood of hundreds of people running along behind. We joined to to run up to the next corner on Drake, where the torch was passed to the next person. From there it was run into Live CIty...and everyone on the streets became one mass crowd.

Even though I live right here I did not know that it was opening today. It was awesome.. they light a podium and the flame will stay there burning. Speeches about torch bearing over the years, and how Vancouver is an amazing place was part of the fluff.

We started to wander home to be delighted to see that there was a beautiful firework show behind the stage over False Creek. It was beautiful. I am so glad that our place over looks the park and can see and hear the amazing events that will follow over the next two weeks.

Day 11 - Name change

So I have changed the name of the blog cause I realize that it is hard to make interesting to read about my daily challenge to wash and properly toss garbage away. It has naturally changed into what and how the games in general are effecting my life and how I want to make an impact.
I will still be do all my goals and doing my best to make a small impact.

Day 10 - Abbotsford

I drove out to vist my Aunt for her birthday. (it is really during the Olympics but not want to drive then).

We decided to go to the rec center there, as we had learned that the Russian team was practicing out there. After a 20 min wait... during which we got on some Russian News Station .. we were granted access.

Amazing view right over the rink. We were on the clock, only have 20 min to watch the training before the next group is brought in. As soon as we sat down we saw Maria Mukhortova & Maxim Trankov strutting their stuff, only to be disappointed that the next 10 min we waited for them to be ready to do stuff again.
It was interesting to see them this way. Maxim wearing a black shirt with a green skull on it, and black pants, Maria all in black. We could not hear the music, and it was only parts that they are needing to work on. We saw them talking and getting pointers from their coach. I saw where Maria is needing some extra work, her quad spin in the air (I dont know the real name). I think it will be interesting to see if she has improved when it comes to her performance on Sunday.
Over all it was great. and I can't wait till I get to go see the full program as it was in bits and pieces and to compare to all the rest of everyone. There is an other Russian pair skater that I did not get to see. She is 17 years old! How amazing for her to be here. I am super pumped for everyone I am going to see that day!!

The only negative part of the day was coming back home. I thought that by going on Wednesday I would be avoid crowd making there way home. I should have done some research cause I ran into all the people that went to the dress rehearsal for the opening show .
Lots of waist of gas to figure how to get around them:(

Day 9 - The Bay

In the mist of all the media craziness here I decided I want our little family to be all co-ordinating in our team Canada jackets. My husband black, me in red and our son in the white red and black jacket.
I decided that I can reuse and where the red as I can wear it for many future Canada days in the future. I guess I am not along in liking the red colour and I hope that it is for the same green reason I like red. Going to the bay it is sold out every place.
The " Olympic Superstore" is super crazy busy. It is a section of the down town bay store that is all Olympic stuff. It has been there for months and I have been several times. What is crazy that now it is a complete zoo. When I was there Russian team member where there doing signing. News crews were there weaving through the crowd. So crazy and busy... and it is just a store. I guess a glimpse as to what the Olympic venues are going to be like. My mind blogges at how much garbage people will casually toss away on the street.
So many staff have come to work from all over the country at this particular location... fun for them, I think waist of money for they bay... unless that fall to our government again for tax dollars. Why a waist? Cause they don't know anything, except for the product that they carried in there location. But this is a "superstore" and it is huge and lots and lots of stuff. For example, I was looking for the say canadian track suit for my son and I could only find it in age 3 size, staff told me that that was the smallest that it ever came in. Later I walked past the 50 people long line to pay and got on the elevator to the kids department and low and behold there is a whole kids section there with kids clothing, in size down to 12months!
Back down on the main floor similar thing happened with my red hoody. I was told that there is no other place in the bay that they sell Adult gear. I found out there on the 5th floor of the bay there is the international department and team canada hockey area. I had no idea that that is even there on that floor... if anyone decides to head down to the bay for Olympic gear I suggest to go to this floor and skip the superstore at they have all the olympic stuff up here as well. Sure not as big of an area as the "superstore" but a great alternative and no crowds folded and neatly organized and no line up and helpful staff.

Day 8 - Work Problem

My Husband and I own a lifestyle technology store = Digital Smart Homes. We having been working on a project since I was pregnant, and is now in the work process. However the product that we are installing has a flaw. That means that 20 some odd units of technology is needing to be replaced and remade and reinstalled. The problems is in the manufacturing, and of corse not our fault..but makes us look like the bad guys.

All the stress and issues with that aside, what happened with the poorly made product? What happened to the prior ones that did not even made it though to us?

This product is needing to be completed ASAP as people want to be in there new homes before the Olympics as it is overlooking a venue. UUggg 4 days away and the details of all involved is an impossibility.

Is everything done a waist?

Day 7 - The Suberbs

Every weekend we go over to my mother-in-laws house... they live in Surrey. It is such a differant lifestyle to how we live, driving to the store for every small thing, down town you walk every where.

I had to convince my sister-in-law to car pool with me to do some errands. It is strange how air is suppose to be cleaner in the suburbs than metropolis... all the people from the suburbs driving down here that are polluting are air.

They only see paper, and cardboard as something that can be recycled. Good thing though they use all the food containers instead of Tupperware and reduce waist that way.

Day 6 - Out with Friends

It is always interesting I find when you have not seen friends of yours for a while and not sure what it is that you can say is new.. where do you start?

Sometime I find that I feel my life is boring most new things are baby stuff, and is that really what people want to hear about when they are asking? Often I am so raped up in baby stuff I can honestly not even think what it is that is new with me.

This is what happened to me Saturday night. It was only after being out for about an hour that I realized that I have this whole project that I am trying to make a conscience change with and record how that has been effecting me.

It concerns me that since I could not even remember that there even something new with me that I am not making enough of a change. must be more diligent and aware, and try to get others on bored with trying as well to make a change.

When I finally did remember what is new my friend wanted to know what my goal of it all is. My goal? I never really had been asked that by anyone before... of course I have one, just no one had been concerned what it is.

Basically to make as big of an impact on things that I can, change the way that I do things and try to learn about the way our city dose things how other cities and countries do things and see if we can make a difference in the way that we create garbage, dispose of it, and consume gas, electricity and what out pollinates are. What channels we need to go through to make changes happen. A lot more work then just my personal changes or "rules" that I made for myself.

Day 5 - The Park

Our Weather in Vancouver has been so nice and warm... record breaking actually. Crazy this had to be the year of years.. since we have the winter games here. Why could it not have been like last year with all that snow? Cypress Mountain are driving and fling in snow so there is an ok amount!!! Crazy!!

Anyway, I got side tract. Cause of the nice weather we have been having I have been spending extra time outside and in George Waigbourn Park. I go there with my son Mykah, and my little dog Pepper. We run around and play..with dogs and kids alike.

Now every few days I see park maintance people there checking out the fountain making sure it is all ok.... great. But would it not be greener to have some sort of gadge to monitor if there is problem? Please inlighten me someone what is it possibly that they need to monitor every other day?

If they are wanting to send out parks people they should do some thing about all the poo out there.

All though everyone has there dogs off the leash here and lets them run free... not near any road and safe park.. it is not an off leash park. From time to time the park people come and give warnings and the occational ticket. The main reason why is cause there is the childrens playground that is in the park. There is sings up for not having dogs in the playground area or along the pathway that wanders through.

This is cause not all people that have kids or small children themselfs are comfortible with dogs around

Day 4 - the rules?

I realized That I have not noted at any time what I am wanting to be the guide lines for this project.. what my main goals and objectives are.

I started out with a few set rules and it seams that in these first few days I have already changed/added/or modifiyed what I originaly set out. Before this gets away from me I think I need to outline this, and add things if need be...so here it goes.

1) Anything plastic, paper or metal can not at anytime be throwen in the garbage.

2) No more use of disposible dippers (with the exception at night )

3) No more use of paper towels

4) Purchase of Newspapers and Magazines forbidden

5) Only Two Lights are alowed on at a time

6) Any food scrapes go into the Garbarator.

7) Discontinue use of Dishwasher, hand wash dishes. Uses less water and electricity

8)If getting take out the food containers canot be strofome - must be able to be recycled. **

The is also things that I want to learn and/or hopefully change things about our city and make a real difference. This process / goal for two months will be something to make me more aware and can be used as a gathering information tool.

** since there is no place in the city to properly recycle products - must take home to recycle in our building

So that is it for now it seems like I will be adding more new rules on.. not allowed to take any away.

Day 3 - Eating out

Out and about doing errands and I needed to pick up something to eat I realized something. Most Places now inside the fast food restaurant or mall food courts there is places for recycling. This is awesome, but why has the city not changed as well?

Most new garbage cans do have a recycling rack.. but this is only for cans and bottles. I think it just makes it so that the bums don't go rutting through the garbage, cause really there is so much more than that we can recycle. Definitely our coffee cups - thousands I am sure a week if not a day must go into the city garbage cans. That is just one such product.. what about all the paper bags and plastic stuff from take out that gets tossed..I mean really what else is it that people when they are out must put in the cans? I know I toss an occasion dipper or a doggy poo bag what really is it in or city garbage cans. Should we not beside each garbage have a recycling can as well?

Day 2 - Salons are not eco friendly

So today I was at the hair salon, for 3 1/2 hours. I had my hair streaked two different colors and a brass tone added overall. There was so much tin foil on my head it made me wonder about the Alcan workers in Kidimat BC. Are they happy that their work is used for such frivolous things as hair colour? Or dose it disgust them?

I mean after all more work for them is being generated but it is a dangerous job.

I casually ask my colourist about recycling the tin some how.. they have no idea to go about it. This could be a great new business to start... recycling hair salon tin foil...ummm...not for me.

After I get my hair colored I wait for the girl to cut my hair, she is still about 30 min away from being done on her last job. She dose not wanting to let me know the weight time, or wait in vain, she tells me that I need to have my hair blow dried curly so that she can cut it curly. Insidently I have never been told this in my life. This is a big waist of electricity. As I was needing to have a photo taken with my hair straight after she cut my hair (and she knew) so she straightened it then she ended up cutting it some more... damaging and wasteful.

To top it off when I mentioned to her my goal for the next two months she told me of a dry hair shampoo that might be great for me. It donates $2 from the sale to some charity earth thing.. I was not really paying attention cause it comes in an aerosole spray can. How can a company in this day and age justify that is ok...and how can people eat that up?

New project...to make my hair products more green...yah more research.

Day 1

So My first day..so optimistic, thinking maybe I could manage to not have to throw anything away.

As I stare at the thick hard banana I wonder if it will break the garbarator... hmm I decide to throw it in the garbage along with my cupcake paper liner as I am sure that just cause I put it in the recycling box dose not mean that it is really recyclable. I put a mental note to find out what can really be garbarated and recycled.

I changed my son's dippers to "G" dippers, a mix between cloth outer dipper and a paper inside liner - that is flushable if you rip it up, or if needing to be tossed in garbage taking only 150 days to break down vs 500 years a regular dipper dose. I thought it was a great idea, until it came to change a poopy dipper...not so fun. I imagined things flying around as I broke it apart, and I ended up tossing it.

So I ned to find other ways to make an impact obviously the garbage was not going to enough of a change to make a big impact. I decided only 2 light are allowed on in my place at at time, and I have changed from using a dishwasher...my favorite appliance... to hand washing.

hmmm felling good about day one, but have 58 days more to go.

The Start

With "The World" coming to Vancouver, you cant help but think how this will effect you. It seems that is all that the news has been covering lately.. road closers, train/bus wait times..ect. I take all this with a grain of salts and embrace the upcoming arrival, but lately I too have been wondering about the impact on my life.

To put things into my perspective you need to understand I live in Yaletown, my condo overlooks "Live City". My Husband and I own a business across the street. So I hardley ever need to drive, and can survive with only staying in downtown for the duration (although I will miss out on family dinners hosted on the weekend).

How I have been effected so far is directly related to our proximity to everything. The daycare I am waiting to be completed is put on hold till after the games (no biggie more time at home), my community center that I go with my baby is closed for 2 months... my street sidewalk is already having extra garbage tossed on it.

So I thought what can I do about my impact on my communitee? I want to be a great representative to my city, helping visitors find there way around extra.. but what about long lasting impact that will help the people in my community not just the visitors?

I have always been vary conciseness of environment issues and our carbon footprint - aware of the concept, but have not look further that that.

So my project for my community is to reduce my footprint, and reduce reuse recycle. This blog will record how my efforts on that are and what I am doing.

Can I stop having a garbage can? Can I last on natural light through out the day?

I guess I will find out.