Waiting for my uniform

I am counting down the days for picking up my uniform and accreditation: 5 more days!

I'll bring my camera so I get some pictures when I wear the uniform for the first time - what a

proud moment. I watched the video of John Furlong getting his uniform - he has his work cut out for him - and not really as a volunteer. I don't envy him - a lot of sleepless nights for sure to iron out all last minute kinks within the organizing committee and planning.

My venue-specific training will be Feb 06 at CHP (GM Place). Sorry Canucks - you'll have to find another venue to shine.

I am looking forward to meet other volunteers that day and learn all about the venue - especially: Where are the washrooms? Where is the 'Lost and Found'? and: where is the nearest Skytrain station etc, etc. Should be fun.

I'll be taking the bus and Skytrain from Langley- taling my car would be too much of a hassle to find parking.

I found out that the local Royal Bank manager is assigned to CHP as a group leader - so I might run into her during the venue training.

At CHAPTERS I found a boxed set of 'The Treasures of the Olympic Winter Games' for $10 - I couldn't resist and I bought it. It features the highlights of every Winter Olympics including a copy of a significant document in a pouch - a real treasure. Just looking at the changes in the type of equipment and sports gear used - pretty slick what we see now-a-days.

Canada vs USA

On Thursday, Sep 03, I made it to GM Place via Skytrain to watch the Canada Cup game. A few fans were on the Skytrain with Canada t-shirts. No die-hard fans with flags and noise-making equipment. At 6:30 pm lines had formed to get into GM Place - if you had a bag or backpack, you had to step in front of a table and security checked them out. I guess this was for sneaking in booze.
One outside wall of the building features a 3 story graphics of Canucks team captain Luongo - it's huge, you can't miss it!
Inside GM Place, lines formed to buy pizza and beer. On the second level, there's an Olympic training event in progress in one of the club
areas. As I look ahead, who is coming out: John Furlong, head of VANOC. He's accompanied by 2 VIP's (looks like) and they seem to be in a hurry.
I find my seat inside the arena - the lights are super bright.
The 2 teams are skating to the ice - no singing of the national anthems? I find that strange.
The game begins - very little chanting or flag waving. I wonder - if this series was held in the States if the fans would have been as subdued as this crowd. Basically, the 3 periods were plaid without much fanfare - the only big crowd response was for the 2 goals Canada scored.
By the way, the game ended 4:2 for USA - they were the stronger and sharper team (this time).

The e-mail brings exciting news

A few days ago, I received an e-mail from VANOC informing me that I had been chosen as a 'Host' for my role as a volunteer at the 2010 Winter Olympics. And the venue I have been assigned to is Canada Hockey Place, which is GM Place, the home of the NHL team Vancouver Canucks. I coudn't believe my eyes - that was the role a lot of volunteers had hoped for when they signed up almost a year ago. How could I be so lucky!

Next thing I bought a ticket to the Canada Cup Womens' Hockey game on Thursday, Canada against USA. It can't hurt to get familiar with the venue, especially when hockey is being played.
The added bonus for GM Place is the easy way to get there by using Skytrain - no need to find and pay for parking in downtown Vancouver.

Today I dusted off the training manuel I received last December at the volunteer training session 'Creating Team 2010'. I read up on Olympic history, venues and service excellence.
Can't wait for the next e-mail from Vanoc advising me of my next training session...