Let the Games Begin

The 2010 Winter Olympics kick off in Vancouver tomorrow. The world will be watching.

It has been said that we Canadians are a rather shy lot; we like to be involved but are happy not being front and centre. Generally that is left to our buddies down to the south.

This inward way of looking causes great doubt. It takes very little before we are convinced that we are not doing as well as we should at something.

Some suggest that self-flagellation (not, it doesn't mean THAT - dirty birds) is a form of national sport.

I've read reports suggesting how poorly we'll do initially in the medal count.

Apparently the pinhead Conservative idiots in Ottawa (the same dolts who have closed up Parliament until AFTER the Olympics are over because hockey is far more important than the business of running the country in a transparent manner) have been openly discussing how many medals will need to be won in order to send Canadians into a fuzzy, happy place that will allow us to forget the Harper Conservative's 4 years of horrid rule and elect them in a majority.

The cynicism leaves one wholly disheartened.

To be honest, we Canucks are generally slow starters at the Olympics. It seems to be the pattern that we do poorly in the first week and then really come out of the gates in week two.

You can understand our fears . . . while we have hosted the Olympics twice in this country NO Canadian has ever won a gold medal on Canadian soil.

This is not a happy record.

In fact. It is a record we all trust will go by the wayside in Vancouver.

Canadians are getting into the spirit. Tomorrow is red and white day to honour our athletes. Lots of people have started talking about the games.

I'm sure that the senior who pooped on the floor in the middle of the Olympic Wear section at Paul's work yesterday was not making a statement about the Olympics. Note to elderly protester - fecal displays of anger are best directed at Stephen Harper.

Errant fecal matter aside, we are getting into the spirit. Yes, we are.

The TV waves are full of Olympic ads. Personally I am skeptical of the Olympic athletes seen in commercials eating McDonalds food. I am sure that they aren't eating a Big Mac before heading down the mountain. That aside, I get that when you live below the poverty line (we don't sponsor our athletes to the same level as other nations do, although we have kicked in some big bucks for OUR Olympics) you'll do just about anything for some sponsorship cash.

At the end of the day, given the hellish few years we have all been through, it would be nice to think of something happy for a change (and I promise to not dwell too long on the money being spent on a sporting even when there are countless people living and dying on the streets or children showing up in our schools not having had breakfast and with no lunch). So, politics aside, let the games begin . . .

Comments

[Sandrac]

Jerry, I'm afraid that all I see when I look at the Olympics, is bread and circuses (panem et circenses.) But I pledge to keep my criticisms muted and clean (unlike Paul's unfortunate customer.)

[girasoli]

I can't believe they have closed up the Parliament until AFTER the Olympics are over! I am rooting for a gold medal for Canada.

[JDeQ]

It ia always wise to strive to be a better person that Zellers defecators.

So are we girasoli, so are we!

[nancyhol]

I am keeping my fingers crossed for a gold medal for Canada. Soon!

[JDeQ]

Thanks nancy - we managed to grab one or two. *smile*