a start

Hello,

This will mark the official first post of my blog. I thought a lot about what would be a start, a beginning to series of many posts.. I was expecting something thought-out, meaningful, poetic maybe..but, in light of "recent events", I think it would be appropriate to mention the Olympics. I have recently been watching some live footage of the games and read up on a few articles. There's really so much surrounding them I want to comment on a lot but won't go into too much detail. Firstly, watching live footage and listening to interviews of Canadians evokes a proud little spirit in me. Hm, I guess I am proud to be a Canadian, and more so a native of Vancouver, or the surrounding area. To have millions of people from around the world travelling here to be a part of something huge - it brings a spirit of unity. Also there is an expected 3 billion people that will be watching the games - that is crazy! Imagine that many people, plus the millions that will be IN Vancouver and taking part brought together for a bigger reason than the games, something bigger than anything else in this entire world. Just to think that the Olympics have this much influence is crazy.. I was recently in Kitsilano, Vancouver visiting my sisters and brother in law and on one day Melissa took me downtown to show me the activities, scenes and feel of the 'olympic downtown vancouver'. There was lots of people, tourists, and fun artsy stuff displayed - also construction on minor projects was STILL underway! Looking at some of CTV's live footage today I saw lots of the same sights, and the area around the countdown that mel and I checked out, now full packed with hundreds of people, press, and this big wooden sort of hut, shelter which only 3 days ago was unfinished, is, well, finished :) Very neat to see lots of attractions that I've seen so many times being broadcasted on national television! Also, some news is bringing light to the protesters of the games, the anti-olympics. Its interesting to hear their opinions - the arguement is mostly that the government should be and could be spending our billions of tax dollars of providing public housing in downtown, and providing better services in vancouver, since many have been cut these last couple years. One interviewee mentioned that the HIV rate in Vancouver is actually equal to that of Botswana Africa - and Vancouver is home to the highest child poverty rate. Its hard to pick a side really. The Olympics have a huge history, and bring the best athletes from all over the world together. However there are bigger issues that need to be solved, but do we put a hold on world entertainment for these? Just earlier today a "luger" was killed in training. He was going "too fast" and coming around the corner on the last 200 m of the track when he got flung off. At about noon today  Nodar Kumaritashvili was pronounced dead from his injuries. I can't imagine being the family of Nodar, some being in Canada and some not, finding out that their loved one who has trained for years for this event, just died only hours away from the competition while training. The luge track built in Vancouver is said to be the fastest track in the world. I'm assuming the architects knew this when they were building it, and then I question why? Just watched a clip from the recent press conference regarding this accident, and people are saying that the cause of this accident was mostly due to the fast track - and the angle of that particular corner. They mentioned that another olympian the previous day had also had a crash on that same corner but her injuries weren't severe because she was going much slower. I wonder how all the lugers representing all the countries feel going into the competition tomorrow - I would think I would back out - I wouldn't want to go fast enough or take the risk of death - but then I probably wouldn't win due to a slow time. Then again, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most people. But enough banter! The ceremonies start in 2 hours and fifiteen minutes. Go Canada! So, not quite the nature that I thought it would be, but you have a little insight to my olypmic-scope :) This concludes my first post!

Love,

Karoline