And that's all she wrote...

The party is over, and it definitely ended with a bang. The Canadian hockey team won gold in probably one of the most exciting games ever. In fact Canada won the most gold medals ever (in a winter Olympics). There were some incredible feats from world-class dedicated athletes. It was very exciting and the spirit of the city was vibrant and shining with good-feeling. The closing ceremonies were okay. The highlight for me was watching Neil Young (a quintessential Canadian icon) singing alone with his beat-up guitar on the main arena, like an old street busker who'd accidentally found his way into the ceremonies while the Olympic torch was being extinguished. Fantastic.

I keep hearing people people say that it's going to change Vancouver forever (for better or for worse). I'm not so sure about that. It's easy to imagine epic changes when the euphoria of a fabulous event is forefront in our minds. But it seems to me similar to the euphoric feeling that accompanies "feel-good" company weekends and two-day team-building seminars. You go home excited with possibilities of how you are going to change your life for the better. Anything seems possible. But then after a couple of days you find you're still in the same job, same commute, same life. Not a bad thing, just a reality check. I never felt that Vancouver needed to change and I'm not sure it will. However, if anything changes, perhaps it's Canada's national identity. Perhaps the Olympics has lessened the divide between east and west Canada and created a more cohesive country that people feel good about celebrating. I also think the Olympics show-cased to the world Canada's beauty, sophistication, humility and friendliness; it is not a backward arctic tundra and a poor relation of its American cousins. I am definitely proud to be Canadian, even if I wasn't born here!

I think Vancouver did a great job, while the world was watching. This is a picture of all the press working on their computers during the free-skating competition at Pacific Coliseum.

And it was amazing for the kids to watch all the winter sports and get involved in the games. Bronwyn even had an Olympic ski-cross event for her stuffed kittens! (skis and poles courtesy of me, some cardboard and some tape...is there no end to my talents!). Kitty, the well-loved...and a bit smelly...competitor on the right, won gold. She's Bronwyn's favourite stuffy...."The Great One" as far as Bronwyn is concerned.