3 Irish girls + Adam = a whole lot of Craic on Canada Day 2010.......

Finally, the Vancouver Sun gives due respect to a Vancouver institution. Fittingly, on its busiest day of ferrying trade which is Canada Day, readers woke up to read about Geoff and Margo celebrating 25 years of boating service to locals and tourist alike. 'A ferry became a fleet over untroubled waters'(Link below) is an interesting read on how the little company that could came about. The attached picture shows the happy couple after 26 years standing on the Arts Club ramp, with a impressively scowling Jakkie standing off against Cyquabus 2.



For this most important day, the weather is unusually overcast. As the day progresses, it has a noticeable effect on the crowds. Although the two new Cyquabus' have a total capacity of 60 passengers, which can take big chunks of the crowd, there is little for me to manage topside. This has seriously affected my scream therapy sessions with the tourists, which leads me to give my 'mind freak' stare at Jody and young Mr. Adam on a number of occasions. For some reason, there is unusually high number of screaming toddlers running everywhere on the dock today. But, there is always time to do my Ambassador duties and pose for tourists, especially for two healthy female tourists from Florida and Montreal. Why does Jody insist in getting into my group shots? This is clearly my job and I will have to appeal to the right authority on his continuing indiscretions in my area of expertise......


Meanwhile, those respected elders of the GI community: Del and Dennis monitor the island entertainment. By all accounts, they are not suitably impressed with one of my own brethren from the old country named Owen. He is a travelling magician and his attempts at humour have been described as 'poor to miserable' for mocking the crowd at their own expense. Which very well may be the case. The British form of wit and sarcasm can be a little off at times, especially travelling from so afar. It can go sour like a bad bottle of Merlot from Espana. Dennis prefers his Merlot at room temperature and suitably well rounded. Nevertheless, I can't help shaking the hand of my fellow national, for attempting to make a honest crust against slim odds. But, by all accounts, he's not doing to bad with his tipped hat.....

Jody probably takes the most unusual request by an employee in the 25 years of Aquabus service. The lovely Siobhan texts him asking 'Can I bring my beaver to work?' Appropriate or not, we are all delighted to see her bring her stuffed flea bitten friend Adam to the dock. He is such a good employee he clears over $40 in tips! Well done you manged ridden beast ya!



I head over to Yaletown to see the lay of the land - it's Sunday morning quiet. What is going on? And so it is for the rest of the day. By 6:30pm I am hoisting my first celebratory ale and the bawdy humour is already kicking off with a cackling Allison. Mentions of 'baby elbows' and 'what is wrong with this sir?' so early is a little worrying, but judging by the occasional giggles in the top office I haven't offended anyone.....yet. Maybe I'll try harder later.....

Well, I have to say: it didn't take long. For it doesn't take much of an excuse for the games to begin at AQHQ. With a load of young fertile lads and some lovely Irish girls fresh off the boat and raring for some craic! And viola we're off! Aishling, freshly minted at Aquabus brings her friends Elaine and Rebecca along. 19, gorgeous and full of life they are here as the Celtic tiger has been defanged and put in an old moggy home for senile cats. There are simply no jobs in Dublin and these lasses represent the first wave of an expected Irish invasion. If so, bring it one - we love them! Good for them for grabbing life and jumping on a plane, at a age where that can fully experience it all. The Irish are famed travellers, and these lovely bright young lasses have plenty to offer. James, who runs the chocolate counter in the food marker can't praise Elaine enough for her work ethic and charm.

All chaos ensures as multiple requests come in: Will wants a couple of loud MF's and we kick off an AQ and countrywide tradition, when I declare my allegiance to the Maple Leaf at exactly 9:30pm and sing O Canada. Work helmets get filled, and temporarily defaced with public health warnings to all. A good one proclaims 'I've had to much to think' while Adam and my own are poor, pitiful and pathetic. But we drink from its hollowed chalice as expected. Mr Two Phones loves it and keeps me on track every half hour for more group celebratory singing.


Standing on my chair with Adam, brings a new perspective on the proceedings before me. It's a visual soap opera; I feel like a King surveying his kingdom. I love it! The addition of the 3 young Irish tenors is fantastic. And I am shocked when the girls love my promo postcards.....'Fack Micheal Bubbles I want it signed by Des'...of course I have to get the toddler t - shirt on, which considering my muscular physic (well, I have a 3 pack and the deposits for the others some where) surprisingly goes on very quickly. Bravo! And who thought you could have so much fun with zap-straps...oh behave! (Note to Jody next time: Beer!? tick! Aquabus stickers? Tick! Zap-straps? TICK!) Mr. Two Phones is beside himself and we are all the better for his presence. But we are sad that Adam decides to take Shebang home - its been a long day and he wants to get back to the dam for a knorr or two. Don't we all Adam!


So, its off to the Arts Club and dance, dance, dance crazy. Those Irish girls can fairly go wild on the dance floor and I try to keep up without looking like the celebrity creeper that I really am. Oh OK take another picture please and show me....somebody has to do it? Congo Bob and Garth are fair excited by the proceeding of the young bucks and the shamrock show before them. What better way to end the night, but to say 'Is tú mo ghrá' to lovely Aishling and Elaine and head off giddy with another great Canada Day night of fun.

God bless the Irish girls! By the way, that's a lovely beaver you have......

So, who was the bone head who set the alarm off in the office and had to call Jody......you work that one out.....

For now, as a wise and lovely lass told me:

Go n-ithe an cat thú is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat*......


peeeaaacccceeeee out sisters.......

Geoff and Margo in The Vancouver Sun:

http://www.vancouversun.com/ferry+became+fleet+over+untroubled+waters/3223656/story.html

*May the cat eat you and the devil eat the cat......wise words indeed Aishling..

Hello Colbie Caillat!

You never know who is going to drop by at Aquabus. On the last day of my job as a Youth Worker, (before the summer vacation) Jody summoned me to AQHQ. 'We've got a female singing star coming down, get your togs on and do your celebrity stalking bit' Well, not exactly.....I hadn't heard of her, so I hit YouTube and was suitably impressed. She's been on Letterman a number of times, and her performance on Jimmy Kimmel with her latest single 'I Never Told You' in April, was stunning both for her beautiful vocal style and, for the little black number she wore making her look just gorgeous. Her latest album 'Breakthrough', follows 'Coco', both consistently strong efforts. I loved the the piano version of 'Magic' and the acoustic version of her last hit single 'Bubbly' on 'Coco'. Her music is Adult Contemporary, in the vein of Micheal Buble. The perfect road trip music on a sunny day to California, where she comes from in Malibu.

My dear friend Kat Thorsen, who is an Art Therapist at an alternative school in the lower mainland, is part of 'Operation Sock Monkey'. As a way to divert at risk kids from the issues they face, she encourages them to make stuffed monkeys based on ordinary socks. She has also connected with the international group 'Clowns Without Borders' in Kwazulu - Natal, South Africa. Kat takes the sock monkeys made by her students and dispatches them to similar at risk children half way around the world. As a way to show Geoff and Margo these stuffed wonders, Kat made an 'Aquabus' rainbow coloured version. They loved it! (We hope to be able to sell them at the Aquabus docks, with proceeds going to fund further shipments of student made simians to Africa in the future!).

So, with my Olympic 'Goodwill Ambassador' outfit on, we waited while her entourage arrived at the Arts Club dock. I had a little bag, with an Aquabus goodie bag, Sock Monkey, adoption monkey card and my promo postcard of this site in hand. (How could she not be impressed!). Finally, she arrived, her 'US Wekkly' group incorporating video crew, multiple photographers, director and other unknowns. She is as gorgeous in person, as the photos suggest. Congo Bob was on site to direct the boat as needed. But, they decided to stay dock side, and shot Colbie, who is surprisingly tall, with her girlfriend sitting in the boat, pointing at the creepy guy all in red and white. One women, who passed as a local asked if I wore this all the time....'Yes, its for tomorrow. Don't worry I'm not a celebrity stalker...' The grizzled hairstylist looked on with a frown or three.


On Jody's orders '...to make it quick' I approached Ms. Caillat and welcomed her to Aquabus. I offered her the goodie bag and presented the said Sock Monkey, which she 'ooooo' over. I tried to get her to engage in a little chat mentioning she's been busy with 'Letterman', and that she performed before President Bush in Washington DC. 'Yup, Yup'.....I faltered when I thought she had just got back from the UK to promo her album (that's what it said on her Facebook page) but she told me that was a year ago. 'You're Australian aren't you?' Maybe her dad, Ken Caillat, isn't English after all, even though he co-produced Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' and 'Tusk' albums. Her CD's signed, a few mandatory shots taken with our very own celebrity on the island and she walked away. 'You forgot your bag!' which I passed on and we hope didn't get lost by her numerous assistants, and assistants assistants and grizzled hair stylist.....


Next up, our favourite day of the year!

To see the first dispatch of 40 lucky monkeys heading to South Africa, see my Flickr page at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelimey2010/sets/72157624372843704/

Kat Thorsen's Operation Sock Monkey homepage is at:

http://klasssockmonkey.wordpress.com/

peeeeaaaaaccceeeeeeee out sisters!

Aquabus at 25, a night to remember.....

Is this going to work?

You know its summer, when it takes 15 minutes just to get on to Granville Island because of the traffic on a typical Saturday afternoon. Jody had asked me to come down for 2pm to help him out. Yet, at 2pm I'm still at home, trying to iron my suit, and print a 3 minute speech while thinking - is this going to work? Am I being to self indulgent even though I want to explain why I ended up printing a book of my Winter Olympic adventures and want to give Jeff and Margo my first copy. I pulled into the office at approximately 4:40pm, fully expecting to incur the wrath of Jody for another late arrival. But, true to form, he simply says: 'How you doing?'

Boat one, stands newly restored and gleaming in the stark sunshine outside Performance works. It is a testimony to the 25 years when she first wet her hull in False Creek and started her 6500 days of service, traveling 200,000 nautical miles or nearly 10 times around the world! I guess Jeff and Jimmy paid the loan off on that baby quite some time ago! The photo attached show two boys edgy with hipness, as if captured from an actual still of a classic James Dean flick such as 'Giant'...'...hey! let it ride baby, let it ride!'



A blinding tableau of red, green and black greets me as a gorgeous redhead approaches at high speed. Hello Julia! We have a giggle as she explains that she has mirrors on her killer pink heels - which I suggest could be very useful for checking everything is good up above. Oh another line to explain to St. Peter at the gates.....but don't you just love a girl that can laugh at herself? Aquabus is just stacked with such lovelies.....We take a snap with her bodyguard - oh! silly that's Jody in Jacket, Ray-Ban's and a Scottish tie? You wouldn't be having a sale?

It must be redhead night, as I notice another stunning lady at the door with Christine Dior sun glasses, checking in visitors. She chose well, wearing a simple black dress which suits her toned form very nicely - she must work out surely?

Qu'est-ce que c'est? Je suis bleu! It's the lovely Heidi! Grrrr!



Whose taking 'the' picture anyway?

I attempt to do a warm up and see if I can address the crowd over the PA. But for some reason they fail to even look at me, which amuses the 'bodyguard no end. Confusion prevails, as there is a buzz about who is going to take 'the' picture in front of Bus Numero One. As Margo, splendid in her Aquabus hat, rallies the troops from the cockpit as only the lovely Margo can, it becomes quickly obvious that it is going to be that silver grey fox Tony and myself that will capture this moment of Aquabus moments digitally.



Here, gathered before me, is the history of Aquabus in 25 years; in the boat house the Pratts: gentleman George and his Lady Dame Marg, Jimmy M., while Jake resplendent in black looks on, as Jeff and Margo holds sway over their gathered guests. This is it - this is 25 years of collective good times and testimony to a family that started the little company that could. And despite relatively low pay (but with a small company - what can you expect?) people keep returning because it really all comes down to the vision and good decency that George Senor instilled in his son, and that son took those life lessons and applied them to his own business. And I can tell you, Jakkie is his fathers son and has the same fortitude which places Aquabus future in good hands....

If anything, it quickly becomes obvious to all those gathered here, they all care deeply for this family and its company. They want to be here for that reason. My good friend Paul Barrett is definitely here in spirit and represented by his wise hirelings all gathered here tonight.

Lovely Shelagh Rogers: Legend.....



Margo's sister: Shelagh Rogers approaches. I have been eager to see her again as she was such a delight when she came to one Aquabus gathering last Christmas. Shelagh is a CBC Broadcast legend, who currently hosts CBC's Radio One: The Next Chapter. Canadian celebrities are generally renowned for their modest and self effacing nature. Shelagh is not only a beautiful person, but she is truly grounded and wonderfully human to all she meets. Like Margo, you can't help loving them both. I loved listening about her days on Morningside and working along the CBC man of radio himself: Peter Gzowski.

My humbleness is only compounded, when I realize that the elder gentleman who approaches Margo to ask if she is still on Radio, is none other than Red Robinson himself! Oh my Goddess! I am trying to keep my composure as Red talks of his refusal to do another 'Elvis' symposium at Graceland (yes!that Elvis) and says one Phil Esposito is coming to stay with him. Yes, we'll make sure you can get an interview with him Margo. Jeffff! Help!

Shelagh goes on, and in that caring and professional style gives a beautiful precis of the last 25 years of how this little company came about. And how cool was it, when she asked a certain dapper gentleman to step up to the podium to explain to the crowd, how significant Jeff's boats are to the Maritime history of the west coast. It was none other than one James Delgado: Executive Director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum, who stated that the best sight is seeing a Aquabus ferry leaving the dock, setting off on another journey across the creek. Well said Sir!



The boss himself steps up to the podium. While he stated he was nervous talking before an audience, he hit his points with precision and style. It was very classy to thank his long serving customers, and to acknowledge that his opposite at the 'other' ferry company on the creek has been a worthy competitor all these years. Little did Jimmy and Jeff know what they were truly starting back in 85! It was very touching to see Jeff thank his wife for the last 25 years of support. Apparently, she kept a firm hold on the purse strings but released them a little for tonight's party. Actually Margo let them go alot, for as Jeff told me, he hoped his dear daughter Ang wouldn't decide to get wed in the next year or so!

'Ditch it after a minute Des....'



Unlike Uncle Ray gorging on the Beef Tenderloin, I'm a little to nervous to fully enjoy the great food. John Scarco advice to ditch my speech after a minute doesn't inspire any more confidence even though its only 3 minutes in length! Despite cutting a few paragraphs, it seems to go down well anyway - the bit about the 100 hours of training hits the spot! I have to admit Congo Bob off the cuff vignette, on putting together a memorable trophy in 48 hours from the many discarded 'artifacts' in his basement was classic. Hedi thanked her 'angels' and aren't they just!

As Jody was going a shade of puce, echoes of Jeff's 'keep in short' could be heard burning in my cranium. Yet, it was also heartfelt and poignant as Alexis grew emotional showing her appreciation for all that Jeff has done for her, while Eleanor mused on two young girls coming of age in a company like Aquabus! A little long maybe, but sometimes it does seem that appreciation is not returned as nearly enough for all the gestures small and big that Jeff shows to us all out of his own pocket. A '..you can't pick your family, but you're surrounded here by friends' from yours truly, and Margo wraps it up nicely with a cue to show some pictures.



With that, we turned the slide show on - and watched in eerily silent awe at images over the last 25 years. What a babe Margo was (and still is!) when Jeff and Margo started out together. It's very apparent how important family is to them. But as the later scenes start appearing, it quickly becomes obvious that I am the official Visual Documentarian for the last 7 years of Aquabus life. Oh Steve - you have alot to answer for!

'Have some class....' was echoing in my ear by one horrified on-looker as we witnessed many a glazed eye including me passed out in the office after one long Canada Day. Yet, life outside Aquabus as portrayed through my roving lens shows what any good entity should create for those who have to spent extended periods of time together. A postice atmosphere, with a sense of community where people are celebrated for who that are, and respected for their unique outlook. That is Aquabus and why we all keep returning year in, year out to serve its customers.

An old Celtic greeting.....



It is a night of old friends, as Big Kev stands quiet in his tribute shirt to wooden cruisers of the '30's, alongside Eleanor, looking healthily plump and happy in her pregnancy. Max figures it's also film tribute night, as he poses with Aviation Ray Ban's with visions of Risky Business. Some hairy Tom Cruise he is! A night, of all nights like this, is ripe to challenge the gods and get the Olympic Commander hat out! We have tp make a toast to our beloved country, to christen the occasion and all newcomers to the company. The lovely Lisa in blue, and just four shifts fresh, drinks from the helmet and promptly baptizes her shoes as well. Well done Lisa, and welcome aboard!

We are delighted to meet our very colleen Siobhan, whose parents departed the old country many moons ago and who generously blessed their daughter to Canada and our very graces. I am delighted when she confesses she knows me well from my dispatches on this blog! And to confirm our new found familiarity, she proceeds to show me a unique Celtic greeting involving me standing behind her.....enough said on that one I think.



The night carries on, in all its celebratory fun, with many pictures taken with Dan, Max, Adam and the gang. Murat strips down to his wife-beater (a most unfortunate description for an item of clothing) and poses his very unusual muscle set. Quebec's loss, is our gain, as Heidi confesses she is returning to our coast for another adventure soon. Single life looks good on her, as she revels in her independence by being herself, and smoking to her hearts content. I look forward to her return, and that vibrant energy and humor, which does make her a perfect fit to her chosen career of acting. For sure, we should have co-host together tonight!

Or should I?



Despite Eleanor reassurance, I'm still not sure if Aquabus' previous 'Jack of all Wit' is pulling a fast one or telling the truth. With that signature shy grin, Ryan informs me that I put him in a very 'tight 'position, after not turning up at his fire hall, so that his fellow fireman could do me proud and allow me to get pictured on their Fire engine. They called BS, and it cost him 2 red ones for lunch for his colleagues and his Captain. 'But don't worry about it!' I feel a little glum that I let our men in blue down....or should I? Nevertheless, I still admire them for the great men they are in our community.....

As I call time to closing, I find myself in a little awe and surprise with one past employee who I now find before me. Back in 03, fresh and green to the fold, I went to the Arts Club to have a few with my new found crew. The decision to have the 2010 Winter Olympics had just been announced by IOC President: Jacques Rogge. I was giggy with excitement that the world was coming to play in my beloved city in 7 years time. So, I was very, very taken back when this unknown, very attractive but overly determined female upstart, proceeded to challenge me for the next 40 minutes on why she was so adamantly against the games coming here. She continued to challenged me on my views, when I was simply delighted with the thought that I would eventually experience the chance of a lifetime in my wondrous city. Which, as this blog attests to, I did! Ironically, in many ways her views did became quite accurate. But, at the time I thought: 'What the!' I just want to have a good time beatch!.



So, here I am tonight and, the same women before me, is still gorgeous and confident, but clearly more mature and simply lovely. And I tell her so, as she posed in farewell snaps with her brother Scott, the bodyguard and myself. All, whilst hamming it up and loving it! So, take a bow Julia! You're supreme flirting is much respected and loved and you are a true heroine!

Goodnight, you've been fabulous one and all....



The night is ending.We walk out into the night air, where gaggles of people are deciding what to do next....Helen and I find out why we love the beautiful smile and great humor of Siobhan P. as her ma and pa are from Belfast and we quickly find we are kindred spirits..the prospect of a kegger at the water-slides really isn't that appealing for a couple in their middling geriatrics and we peace out looking for a taxi home. But, who should we find lurking under the bridge but me old mate Jakkie and Brenden who offers a generous swagger on his bottle....I can't help admiring the wonderful grasp that Jake has of the English language, delivered in his own street sty-lee patter....oh! gives us another hug you big lug you! Alex and Craig also drop by and over the next half hour, it quickly becomes obvious that what some would fear is a hostile group of lads up to bad business so late on a Saturday night actually are the pride of Lord Bing. Brenden is taking tourism and wants to travel. Alex retells of his dearly departed father, yet barely breaking his '20's is already a second home owner. I tell him his father would surely be proud and I could see his visible pride at his mentioned memory. Jake continues to show he that he has priorities in order making his already proud dad, prouder tonight. It's a fitting ending to a truly wonderful night and one that rightly showed how much love surrounds the Aquabus family, and how we are all much richer to have them in our own lives. (The Aquabus Golden Anniversary is in 2035, and if I'm still alive, I will be 72! I promise I will give Margo a dance to celebrate....if I'm invited to go....bloody try stop me going more like!)



Thank you Jeff and Margo, a big hug to you both.....

peeeeaaccceee out sisters....

Life ever afterwards.....

Life, as they say, goes on....

In retrospect, as time travels on pass the Olympics, it does seem a little surreal now. But it's back to my other job as a Youth Worker and dealing with a rambunctious house with two young hooligans. But this whole Olympic experince has made me catch the blogging bug and I have decided to set up shop at a new locale! Here it is people:

desreid.ca

Find out now about my life away from Aquaboose......

But wait, theres more......I do have my summers free from June to September. And I do return to haunt the waters of Burrad Creek in a very inconsistent basis. Only because through the immense generosity of Geoff and Jody who allow me the most flexibility to come and work on an occasional basis. So, I will, from time to time keep updating my occasional adventures on the high seas. You can guarantee that you will see an entry every July 1st, as this is a huge day here in Canada.

It is Canada Day and I have a contract in perpetuity to work on Granville Island regardless of my circumstances. Canada Day is Aquabus, Aquabus is Canada Day as far as I am concerned. And I am very proud to represent the maple leaf and rainbow colours on such a important and proud day for all Canadians coast, to coast, to coast!

So until then, be gentle with each other.....

peeeeaaaaccceee out sisters!

Where were you in February 2010?

'These were the best Winter Games ever'
Salon.com

'Now you know us, eh!'
VANOC Chief John Furlong, The Vancouver Sun

This is my dream, and the dream came true. That we would see a shift in our indifference to our city and the face we portray to the rest of the world wouldn't be so mundane. Somehow we would realize what we have here is highly valued and admired by those living abroad.

Maybe this was our defining moment...our Berlin Wall. This was our wakening realization what it is to be called a Canadian and what it really stands for. For while it is easy to be cynical for waxing lyrical in praise upon ourselves.....something did happen during those two weeks in February....we came out in our thousands and flooded the streets, with our hearts on heaving chests, with good humour....with dignity for each other...and it didn't go unnoticed:

The bright-eyed exuberance can be a little overwhelming to someone who has spent many years absorbing cynicism in the Middle East, but the sheer earnestness helps temper what could elsewhere be an aggressive nationalism....The Jerusalem Post

'For Canada, I'd call it a 'coming of age' moment. The country, all 35 million of us, were able to bare our patriotic souls in an outburst of unbridled patriotism not seen before' The Toronto Stars

'Thank you Canada. For being such good hosts. For your unfailing courtesy...For reminding some of us we used to be a more civilized society..... Brian Williams, NBC News

For our own much maligned Prime Minister Stephen Harper, for once, he captured the whole beauty of the moment when he suggested that these Games would elevate Canada onto the World stage:

'Mark my words, some day historians will look back at Canada's growing strength in the 21st century and they will say it all began right here, on the West Coast, with the best Winter Olympic Games the world has ever seen' CBC.ca



And then, the flames was extinguished and it was all over. As if like the most wonderful dream, we all awoke with a sense of disbelief. I know I did on Monday. Downtown just seems empty without its cheering Red and White Army. Why, when I am watching 'Dancing with the Stars' with Olympic Gold Figure Skating Medalist Evan Lysacek meeting his new partner, as they stood overlooking Coal Harbor, do I feel emotional? Because that's my city and I feel so proud to say that....

Hi, my name is Des Reid and this is my legacy after one of the most magical and breathtaking journeys of my life. If you weren't here in February 2010 - where the heck where you? You missed one helluva of a party my friend. This is my personal record with words and pictures of my Olympic experience and how it affected me, my friends, my country and really the rest of the world as they looked on.....



If you do read on, you'll get to meet some of the characters that made this personal journey so rich...thank you to the huge generosity of the owners of Aquabus: Geoff and Margo, who just allowed me to be me. I really hold you both dear to my heart. Jody, Aquabus Manager and all round Trouble Shooter...who always held himself in calm professionalism and help put together the 'plan' over the previous 2 years....a close friend who always was there in my corner...thank you Jody for just being you (Oh! give me a hug you big lug).....and of course! My wife Helen, who realized that the 3 weeks I would be working on Granville Island would be wild and woolly, and just accepted that my whole focus would be just the Olympics and acted accordingly....'Where's daddy?' became a familiar and sad lament from my long suffering sons....Thank you so much for allowing this time away, really to just have self indulgent fun! It really IS about me - isn't it? ;-)



And all the other host of characters whose absence would have made this the adventure all the less memorable: Jakkie (a man among men!), Brandon (my step brother for ever!), Mr. Two Phones (the legend of the high seas), Heidi (so wonderful to work with you again! Love her!), Gerry (who commanded the dock with a iron fist, and we all so indebted to him for doing so...)...Big Kev (good times ridin Shotgun!), Congo Bob (Gentlemen Supreme!)...the list goes on + on: Paul, Johnny, Max, Adrienne, Uncle Ray, Bry....thanx to everyone who really did pull this together and make this all work....

Since then, as some would have us believe otherwise; our economy hasn't tanked and in fact our housing market has rebounded better than ever. ('Oh, mark my words - we'll pay for these games - property will crash after the games just like Expo 86...' blah! blah! blah!) Maybe we will be paying the bill for some time but aren't we in a better position because of the games to pay the piper that much quicker, more united as ever and proud of it?



As you know, my original country folks back in England, called these the 'Calamity Games' but started to chow down on a huge bowl of crow afterwards. I'm sorry Marina Hyde of The Guardian, you're not fooling me that teasing the Olympic Hosts is a 'time-honored tradition' and that we should '...lighten up, Canada' as the British media themselves will be '...cheerily undermining London 2012 more than the British themselves' (The Week 27/02/10).



You criticized us for our $118 million 'Own the Podium' campaign as you cheered your only medalist Amy Williams (as you should, a great story how she won gold) returning home. But after all that, the British media jumped on the bandwagon and had to admit that the Brits need to be more Canadian in their outlook. To get behind their team as we did, after delivering a massive 26 medals home. As the BBC rightly stated about the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in the UK:

'London faces a big challenge to generate the same level of enthusiasm for the games'....

Yes, you really do.....

I hope you enjoy reading my exploits as much I did writing them....

In the meantime: peeeaaaaccceeeee out sisters!

Love + stuff: The Limey xxx

The Limeys Top 10 Olympic Memories.....

....after a week back at school, the only way I can get any sort of perspective on what just happened to me in February is over a cold Cerveza, lounging next to a cooling pool in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico....did the Olympics really just happen just over a couple of weeks ago?

Reflecting back, I came up with the following:

1 - The Mens Ice Hockey Gold Final: Canada v. USA - Crosby's Revenge!

(Especially watching it with Jody, Big Kev, Geoff and Margo, Adrienne and Boy Wonder Bry.....very very hard to decide between 2002 and 2010....both magically...)

2 - Writing this Blog (a seed of an idea, timing and the freedom to write...thanx Paul!)

My good friend Kat said it best...I probably needed to do this just to gain some perspective of this whole experience - as it happened...and doing so re-energized that dormant writing muscle..I really loved it..

3 - Meeting Olympic Gold Medalist: Steve Holcomb


The icing on three brilliant weeks - I left feeling elated believing that the old fashioned virtues in the purity of competition, humbleness and character are very much alive in athletics like Steve. The world isn't that bad after all....


4 - The Return of the Old Gang at Aquabus with Paul B and Heidi....


A venture this large needed experienced hands at the helm, and this reunion only made the ride more enjoyable and sweet together...

5 - The courage of Joannie Rochette....truly the Queen of Vancouver....


The spectacle of great competition, in essence, is the journeys of life we all face: success, failure, love, life and death. With the Olympics, like some great play before us, they are written large on the open stage which only makes them more compelling to watch....Joannie suffered the saddest lose of all, while the whole world looked on....yet despite her grieve, she fulfilled her mothers wish to carry on and still performed beautifully as a result....

6 - 3 in 1 Day: Happy 3 / USA v. Le Swiss/ Canada v. Russia


February 25, 2010 - A spin around the bay on Happy 3 with Big Kev....row 8 seats to the USA v. Le Swiss game at Canada Hockey Place....watching Team Canada take apart the Red Machine in 13 minutes with all the gang....I kept saying to Jody: What a great day!...what a great, great day! And it was.......Thank you so much every body!....


7 - Meeting Matt Lauer and Micky Bubbles and that infamous picture together!


I know, I know they're just people like anybody else...yet despite their positions of influence they weren't assholes at a time when everyone and anyone were just being happy, kind and fun....thanx Matt and Micky for showing a genuine face to celebrity when it was most needed....

8 - The Atlantic House Girls: Alicia, Ida and Sable!


It was so fun to chit chat, giggle and help each other out, while working the lines together...love those girls and I miss them!


9 - The Red and White Army + The Police on Mainland, Granville and Robson...


A new era of awakening confidence of being Canadian, demonstrated with smiling faces en masse, a human face to those wonderful man and women in blue who kept cool heads and made us proud to say they are us (who would have thought that was going to happen??).....I don't care if I'm gushing....I love my country and I love saying: I AM CANADIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 The PINHEADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


The second biggest sport of the Olympics by participation....in the end a lot of us turned into amateur pinheads....it was just so nice to witness everyone from children to retirees (and all in between) approach each other and spark up conversations with mutual happiness and respect.....all great communities need face to face exchange to encourage peace and harmony among diverse populations...maybe Pin-trading should be a legal mandatory activity to citizenship!!!! I loved it!

...so there you have it....in the meantime people....

peeeaaaaccceee out sisters!

A dream come true......

It was a dream come true, and one that I wished for when I was about to jump abroad this whole wild Olympic ride.....wouldn't it be great to meet an Olympic hero and actual see a real medal? As they say, be careful what you wish for: it might just happen. Eric and Stephanie are Americans who reside in Vancouver, and both look straight from the book on the American dream: good looking, athletic and genuine with three beautiful, healthy kids. Their youngest son is in the same class as my youngest, and I have coached soccer (I know - it's really football!!!) with Eric for the last couple of years. Come to think of it, they could be the Canadian dream team as both their sons are naturally talented in any sport they touch (to early to know what talents their youngest daughter possess but it would'nt be a surprise if she does have the same acumen for sport like her brothers!)....yes! really! that good! So, it must run in the genes on both sides of their respective families, as Stephanie's brother is one Steve Holcomb. You might have seen him, as he was part of one of the biggest stories of these Olympics for Team USA, as recently highlighted on the front cover of Sports Illustrated this month. He was the driver, that led the 4 man bobsled to gold in Whistler on Saturday and, amazingly ended a huge 62 year drought for Team USA in this adrenaline fueled sport.



So, it was hugely exciting to get a call from Stephanie, inviting all of us to meet Steve 'to toast' his success and meet him and that infamous gold medal. I had to dress up in my Canada gear and stayed resolute despite my eldest son Aidan saying 'Dad, you're not going like that - he's American!' I know I explained, but this is not about his nationality but the chance to meet a true hero in the very purest sense. This was a man who lead his team to the very top of his sport. I just wanted to shake his hand, congratulate him and get a sense of what's it's actually like to win such a highly prestigious accolade. And who wouldn't want to get the chance to see, and if touch the real deal: an actual 100% genuine Olympic Gold medal won at these very special games not 72 hours or so ago!

I turned up in costume, and a few parents I knew cheered. A few I didn't looked on cautiously and I had a pang of guilt...I knew this wasn't about me but I really wanted to get a picture to finally complete this whole journey.....

Steve was already taking pictures with some gathered families. It was just so cool to witness young children stare in awe at a real Olympic medal. Steve was so relaxed about allowing them to put it around his neck, it was quickly obvious this was a very genuine man. Slightly shorter than me, his broad chest showed what explosive strength and power he must possess to propel that huge sledge. Yet, his soft voice and quiet demeanor reflected a man of true character, one who allows his supreme achievements to speak for himself. I asked what it must have felt like to win gold and he said he felt it just hadn't sunk in yet. No wonder, especially when it hadn't been done by Team USA in 60 years! For him, this was his sole profession, 12 long years of sole dedication to his sport, while living with his parents. He freely admitted he didn't have any money, with all his training underfunded by the US Sports program. Yet, here he was, having gone to his nephews school earlier in the day, and now allowing friends and family to share his success and happiness.




Steve's story and how he got to the games is just as remarkable . This was a man who had a disease which compromised his most vital asset: his eyes. Two years ago he was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease called Keratoconus. True winners don't complain but finds ways to succeed, so he learned to drive by feel (imagine doing that down while going down a white tube at 130km/hour!). Even after surgery, he continued to drive with a dirty visor, purely for the magic of driving by feel: 'I do still drive alot by feel' he recently said ('Steven Holcomb, USA-1 end 62-year American drought' NYDailyNews.com 27-02-2010).

Of course, there was his new companion: that infamous Gold Medal, which surprises you by its actual size and weight when touched. The check out girl I showed the Sports Illustrated cover to (with Steve and his team mates propelling to gold on the Whistler track), told me she had met one of the women from the Canadians Women Hockey team as a volunteer of the games. She said they had placed their own gold medals on a scale and they weighed just under one and a half pounds each. It's unique rounded shape, in the form of waves mimicking a shell, native etchings and neat inscription on the rear, highlight the beautiful piece of art that it is. Helen and I got a picture with Steve, but I somehow couldn't foresee myself asking to wear it. It was only later, witnessing others doing it, that I plucked up enough courage and put the actual medal around my neck, by myself!! After attending the USA v Le Swiss Hockey game and this very special moment, both have afforded me a rare privilege to experience a very small part of the Olympic magic from the athletics view point. Eric, ever the real gent followed my direction and took the famed shots. I was so in awe that I kept saying 'I don't want to drop it!' as I gave it back. Some might see it as just a lump of medal, to me and those there tonight it was much more than that. We were living in a moment of pure occasion that I will never forget.



In this age of commercialism, and cynicism, where we value getting ahead by the expense of others, how refreshing to have an event that produces a true hero in the purest sense. One so dedicated to his dream, he pursued it to the ultimate conclusion with integrity, character and humility. I was very honored to meet him.



For if we strip away all the commercialism in today Olympics, Steve and those athletes like him, are what we should cherish and value from this experience. We need him, to hold up as our true models for our children and all we want in their world. Hearing to today (March 3 2010) that the Federal government is set to double the expenditure for the 'Own the Podium' program only gladdens me more, and my hope for the future.

I can only thank Steve for being so kind to take the time out to allow us to share this moment together, and for Eric and Stephanie for being the wonderful hosts on the night. You are one very special family.....

...I left giddy and happy on a night which really topped 3 unforgettable weeks in February 2010....

For now friends.....peeeeaaaccceeee out!