That's a lot of blue! Olympic Hodgepodge #1

So, if you live in Vancouver, you may have noticed that there is this sporting event in town that is closing roads, creating line-ups the like of which haven't been seen since Soviet Russia and bringing some of the best musical acts in Canada to town.

I have been meaning to write about a variety of Olympic-related topics, so here you go ... my first Olympic Hodgepodge!

Get in the Olympic Spirit

While I haven't been wearing red everyday, I have followed one of the suggestions in the Paint the Town Red guidebook: hang red and white xmas lights.  I've hung them on the balcony and they seem quite fetching. I do think the people across the street who have hung their multi-coloured xmas lights from December back up are kind of missing the point.  But I only mock them a little, because showing your spirit is a good thing, right?

But don't confine showing your spirit to your physical surroundings! You'll want to dress up your digital digs as well.  I made these patriotic avatars using Team Canada's "It Takes a Nation" app.  

 
 
 

Olympic Gear

Now, if you're looking to dress the part of Olympic fan/fanboy/nerd, you will definitely want to check out the Vancouver 2010 store.  Now, I'm not generally a proponent of rampant consumerism, but, two things here:  1) the Vancouver 2010 store is powered by the very awesome (and homegrown! Go, Vancouver!) e-commerce software and company Elastic Path; and 2) I really like the pins.  

You've probably heard about the 2 hour lines at the official HBC store - well shopping online eliminates those lines! And (AND) Elastic Path has partnered with VANOC to offer local residents free shipping and overnight delivery. Sweet! So if you need that cowbell for your day at the bobsleigh track or the big plush Mukuk for cuddling at home, you can get it delivered NEXT DAY!

When the good folks over at Elastic Path told me about their great shipping deal for Vancouverites (heck, actually all Lower Mainland folks), they also sent over a few sample items. No giant Mukmuk, but they did send pins!  And I want to give a couple away to YOU - whether you live in Vangroovy or not!  Details below. At the end. Keep reading ...

Speaking of Pins

I am a very lucky girl. Enough people have heard me blathering on about my pin obsession that they instinctively know to look for them on their outings or ask people who seem pin-inclined.  I've managed to score a few great pins via these sympathetic friends and family.  Most recently, Rosemary ran into the delightful Andrea who pens the amazing Olympic blog 2010VanFan.com and was given one of her limited edition pins.  These are a HOT commodity and on the top of my list.  

The other happy acquisition this week was via my colleague Kathy who was visiting from Calgary.  She was out walking the sea wall and ran into a Japanese TV crew.  She asked if they had any pins and snagged me one of the awesome NHK Domo pins! Sweet!

Chronicling Your Olympic Journey

So, a few weeks ago (longer?), there was a signup on the Vancouver 2010 site to get a free Olympic Journal. I kinda forgot about it and then on Friday, a courier arrived and low-and-behold - there was my fancy-schmancy Olympic Journal. Personalized and everything!

It's a pretty cool souvenir of the 2010 Winter Games.  There are several different types of pages inside for writing impressions and memories, fun little activities and questions "What song would YOU choose for your figure skating long program", Olympic trivia and several pictures - both photographs of Vancouver as well as the "Look of the Games" and Mascot images.

It's one of those things, though, where I'm a little afraid to write the first thing in it.  I wish I had gotten it earlier and then I could maybe have used it as a pin journal.  Well, I guess I could still do that :) Writing the first entry or memory is a little intimidating though.

Did anyone else "reserve" one? Have you received it? What was the first thing you wrote in it?

Right, the Olympic Pin Giveaway

So, I have two pins to give away: a Double Diamond Snowboarder pin and a Crossed Hockey Sticks pin.  To enter my random draw, just leave a comment telling me what your favourite Olympic moment or memory has been so far.  I'll leave it open till, say, Sunday, Feb 21 at 5PM PST. Then I'll draw two winners on Monday the 22nd.  Just make sure to leave your correct email address (it won't be posted publicly) so I have a way to get in touch with you.

Update on Tuesday, Feb 23 - winners are Carolyne and Adrienne, both from Vancouver! Thanks for commenting! Pins will go into the mail ASAP.

Update 2: EAVB_SMXCTWQFOG (don't ask :)