by @bsainsbury

March the 20th at noon was the Gold Medal sledge hockey game at Thunderbird arena.

@bwestly, @mande2, Rachelle and I were there an hour early. There’s no security issues, it’s just a hoot to be there early, make friends with the folks around you and soak up the atmosphere. It’s the USA against Japan.

The first group we met outside the rink were Japanese fans who were letting us westerners know how to cheer for Japan. Nippon! Cha-Cha-Cha which translates to GO Japan GO!! Once we were inside we were presented with small Japanese flags made by elementary school children in Steveson (near Richmond). My giant flag was given to me by one of the Japanese cheering squad.

Japan wasn’t even supposed to be in the finals, let alone the Gold Medal game, but they creamed the Canadian team to get there.

The sledge for Sledge hockey was invented in Sweden in the 1960s and came to Canada in 1980 and the USA in 1990. It was recognized as a Paralympic sport in the Lillehammer Olympic games in 1994. The Vancouver Paralympics is the first time mixed teams are allowed. Men and women can play hockey on the same team!!

The sledge is a seat with skate blades attached and designed so the puck can pass underneath. Make no mistake, this is just as intense as the hockey played by the USA and Canada for the gold medal.

At the Norway vs USA game as well as the Gold Medal round, we didn’t boo the Americans, we simply cheered like mad for the opposition. How Canadian is that eh?

Despite a few annoyances (the ATM machines at the rink only took VISA debit cards .. what’s with that? we get the credit card thing, but only VISA debit cards?) this was the perfect ending to our Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic memories. Well if the underdog Japanese team had won - but that’s just my type-A competitive nature clawing it’s way out.

All the competitors deserve our respect and admiration for their amazing talent and dedication to qualify to participate in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics/Paralympics.

Was that a party or what?

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist and co-founder of Duet Media .. and an avid hockey fan!

by @bsainsbury and @mande2

How did you get involved with the Metro Blenz News Squad?

I had actually planned on spending this time in Palm Springs avoiding the Olympics.  That's where I was when I received a call from Adam Schelle,  a professional photographer I have known for some time. I have some background as a Photojournalist for the Vancouver Courier and the North Shore Weekend, and  this project gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion and do some street photography...which I couldn't resist.

Which of you blog posts was your favorite ?

My favorite post was also the most challenging blog post, so far, and had to do with Religion at the Olympics. My first encounter of this occurred when I was out-and-about with my daughter, and we came across a man who was using collectible pins as the lure for his own brand of religious dogma.  I listened and observed, and had to question his approach as he 'pitched' to passersby, attracting children with his 'gifts'. The price was in the listening, as he skillfully wove his own brand into the story he was telling. That made me wonder what other religions where doing at the Olympics, and I noticed a big difference as I encountered representatives of other faiths.

The Jehovah's Witnesses were very transparent about their purpose, and the Ismailis could not have been more helpful - like the other great volunteers we met.

I have been surprised at the sheer number of stories I have bumped into, so far, and there are still a few days to go.  It's all about the people, like meeting the parents of a French mogul skier, looking for directions.  Best of all has been the opportunity to explore Vancouver with my Son and daughtet and to share this Olympic experience with them.

What’s your Olympic memory so far?

I have been surprised at the sheer number of stories I have bumped into, so far, and there are still a few days to go.  It's all about the people, like meeting the parents of a French mogul skier, looking for directions.  Best of all has been the opportunity to explore Vancouver with my son and daughter and to share this Olympic experience with them. To write my own blog post about it was rewarding and then to have it published let me show off for my kids!

What’s your take-away from the Olympic /MBNS experience?

My take-away from the MBNS 2010 experience has been that I can write, as well as take photographs. My wife Jessica is a talented writer, so I have tended to rely on her for commentary.  Now I am inspired to do more writing myself, and to revive my how-to photography blog.

More about Toby

Toby is a freelance photographer/writer based on Mayne Island, BC. His passion for photography is photojournalism and is always looking for an opportunity to find and record the story behind the story. His art photography is available through hiswebsite or retailers on the Gulf Island and Sidney, BC. Currently he is writing a book and maintaining his blog "How to turn snapshots into photographs". On March 20 he will be giving a lecture   and demonstration in Victoria, BC entitled Provocative Exposure: The moment intensified focusing on high dynamic range photography, a new and exciting way to expand the dynamic light range of a photograph.

Bonnie Sainsbury and Marilyn Anderson are co-founders of Duet Media, a Social Media Marketing company based in Vancouver

by @bsainsbury

Hasn't this been a party? Everyone I speak to says the same thing. The Olympic experience is so far above anything they could have imagined. Yes, there are long line-ups and packed skytrains, endless security checks and people everywhere you go. It's an opportunity to be meet new folks and to renew old friendships and celebrate as a family. Last night I gave directions to three women from Langley who hadn't been to the downtown core for at least 10 years! Welcome and I hope you come back soon.

As the games wind down, it's time for all of us to personally thank the folks who made our party possible; the bus drivers, the smurf volunteers, the policemen, traffic control and yes the folks who manned the endless security checks. Anyone I've forgotten?

My challenge to you is to take the time to chat up and thank three people each day who made it possible for you to enjoy the games. Okay, don't chat up the bus driver while he/she is driving, but don't forget to shout out "Thank You" as you exit the bus. It's a Vancouver thing.

See .. wasn't that easy? And you're going to meet the most amazing people.

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist and co-founder of Duet Media who's thankful for all those folks who helped make her Olympic experience as great as it has been.

by @bsainsbury

Marc Smith is one of the first bloggers to sign onto the Metro Blenz News Squad project. I had the opportunity to chat with him earlier today. What he doesn't mention is Marc was interviewed by CBC about his blogging experience. My favorite blog post of Marc's is How 4.5 Hours = the Best 10 Seconds of my Life.

How did you get involved with the Metro Blenz News Squad?

Good friends Bonnie Sainsbury and Marilyn Anderson approached me in late November with a proposition. They knew I had started to blog under my business and suggested I could bring a fresh and unique perspective while also having a great time and gain further exposure. As an event planner and an openly Gay businessman I have two unique view points not present in the blog team mix. How could I say no!

Which of you blog posts did you enjoy writing the most?

It would definitely be my tour of the Canadian Mint Pavilion. Not only because it was a great experience but as a relatively new blogger I feel that my writing has only getter better with each and every blog I do. SO the most recent post is almost my best and most favourite

What’s your Olympic memory so far?

It has been nothing but positive. I am normally behind the scenes creating great experiences for others and this time I am enjoying all the hard work of the sponsors, athletes, organizers and volunteers. There have and are some challenges and issues that hosting an Olympics raises but it’s here and I have fully embraced the once in a lifetime opportunity I have been given. GO CANADA GO.

What’s your take-away from the Olympic experience?

I have always been a very proud Canadian. I’ve travelled and assisted companies in the US with major store openings and have always been the first to say no I’m from Canada. What I’ve enjoyed most about the Vancouver 2010 Games is that we as Canadians seem to have collectively puffed out our chests and said “we are proud of our country and what we stand for” “We are Canadian” All I can hope for is that the feeling lives on long past the Olympics while still maintaining our uniquely friendly and welcoming attitude as well.

Marc owns Amuse Consulting Inc. a full service boutique event planning company in Vancouver. They specialize in creating events for Businesses and Not-for-Profits that integrate seamlessly with the brand and identity of their clients. A strategic project management style approach infused with sustainability and community-minded initiatives ensure your event is on track for all of the triple bottom lines. Financial, Environmental and Social Impact. Going beyond the venue and catering is what Amuse is all about. Results oriented and focused on client satisfaction is what we strive to produce at each and every event they produce.

by @bsainsbury

I'm Canadian, but I wasn't a hockey fan until tonight. My friend Barbara came in from White Rock and we'd originally agreed to go to Heineken House in Richmond. She arrived at Waterfront Station a little later than she'd planned. It's 45 minutes before the Canada-Russia hockey game - we made the decision to head into Gastown. My twitter buddies has let everyone know the bars and restaurants in that area are almost empty.

Not a half a block away there's no line-up at German House. How can that be? Inside the place is busy, but we're able to find two seats right up front of the two-story screen with a sound system that rattles windows two blocks away. Everyone is happy, there's a table of Aussies whooping it up at the next table - we're all becoming fast friends.

The hockey game starts and the room errupts ..

HE SHOOTS - HE SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two tables over, a hockey fan has his Sasquatch costume from last Halloween under a red hockey jersey. Girls keep pestering him for photos with him .. Who knew a hairy Halloween costume would be a chick magnet?

HE SHOOTS - HE SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone around me is an expert .. they know what icing, offsite are .. they can referee the game better than the officials ..

HE SHOOTS - HE SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Russians did score a couple of times .. three actually .. we all boo'd. As I became a more experienced fan I realized this happens when the players allow the puck to stay in front of their net.  Canadian players got control of the puck again.

HE SHOOTS - HE SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is fun! The Canadian players can do no wrong .. I notice there's no fighting in this level of play .. stopping the clock is frustrating to a new fan like me. Let's get this over with .. isn't it obvious Canada is going to win?

HE SHOOTS - HE SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The intermission is awfully long .. I guess the players need some time to rest and get a pep talk from the coach. We're in the third period now and the Canadian players seem to have forgotten the thing about not letting the puck stay in front of their goal for any length of time. Luongo is a good goalie .. everyone at the table says it was a good decision to start him. I agree.

HE SHOOTS - HE SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know whether we scored in the third period or not. It's all a blur to this new hockey fan. Fans are getting frustrated that the Russians seem to have the upper hand. No-one is moving around .. we're all glued to our seats ..

HE SHOOTS - HE SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 .. 9 .. 8.. 7.. 6.. 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1.. The place goes crazy!! We sing O Canada .. there's much hugging and high fiving .. there's a run on the bar .. I think I have the hang of being a hockey fan.

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist and co-founder of Duet Media .. and an avid hockey fan!

by @bsainsbury

Even at Myriam Laroche's Eco Fashion Show on Friday night, Olympic red was evident. Red has taken over the city. Today on the 4th Avenue bus there were two very well dressed women wearing their homage to patriotic red. Puffy quilted designer vests, a red silk scarves paired with Rock & Republic jeans and Stiletto boots. I admire anyone who can wander around Granville Island wearing Stiletto boots.

I walked from the Main Street Skytrain station to the Yaletown Skytrain station looking for Olympic Red fashion. The outfits ranged from over the top hockey jersey and matching wigs to the fashionable woman I met near Soich House in her red wool jacket and white Quebec house scarf. The youngest fashionista was out for a walk with her dad in her chic hockey jersey and toque.

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist and co-founder of Duet Media. She ventured out in non-designer jeans (on sale), a long-sleeved red T-shirt she found in her closet, her favorite black vest with a white fleece scarf (also on sale).

by @bsainsbury

Teddy was hoovering up muffin crumbs near the CBC building when I noticed him. Who can resist a cute dog? And he's wearing a patriotic neckerchief. Not quite the Canadian flag photo I was looking for but I can't resist petting a dog.

I asked if I could take Teddy's photo and his mom told me Teddy's story. He's a rescue dog - he was starved and abused before he was rescued. He's very well behaved except for his obsession with food. Understandable considering his background. Besides being cute, he's very talented; he dances, does high five, down, stay and sit. He has other things he does, but he was distracted by more muffin crumbs. I'd say he won gold.

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist, co-founder of Duet Media and a sucker for a warm and fuzzy story.

by @bsainsbury

I checked out the Surrey 2010 Celebration Site today. It was rainy and cold, but several hundred brave souls braved the weather. The 3PM RCMP Musical Ride was sold out. The voluteer told me folks line up for the 11AM opening for the free tickets. The site is family orented, interactive with pleasant and cheerful volunteers .. even in the rain.

They have future Olympic hockey (notice it's co-ed), you can try out curling and there's a 30 foot canoe carved out of one log.

The canoe in the First Nations tent, sponsored by the Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Centre was carved from one 50 foot log that was harvested near Bella Bella. The project was sponsored by the Surrey Art gallery. Four carvers from several nations worked on the 30 foot canoe that actually floats. At 30 feet, this canoe is a "baby", useful for rivers and lakes.

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist and co-founder of Duet Media.

by @bsainsbury

It seems everyone in the neighborhood came out to watch the Olympic Torch Relay pass through our neighborhood. The crowd sang Oh Canada for the Coca Cola trucks, the police escort, the torch bearer and the CTV camera truck. We are nothing if not patriotic!

We had one protester - yelling that we should have spent the Olympic money on the homeless. She would have been more sympathetic is she hadn't been calling from the balcony of an apartment that rents for $1500 - $2000 a month. She was drowned out by yet another rousing chorus of Oh Canada.

In true Canadian fashion, it was a well-behaved crowd, we cheered like mad it all the right places and quietly dispersed.

I got huge compliments on my geeky musher hat. ($12.95 from the A&N Boutique).

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist and co-founder of Duet Media. She's a proud Kitsilanoite .. recyles, doesn't own a car, shops at locally-owned stores.

by @bsainsbury

Vancouver is not a particularly transit friendly city. We have a car culture. All that is going to change in February and March 2010, when 45,000 athletes, officials, media and volunteers travel to and from Olympic venues. Vehicular restrictions make using transit a necessity. Add those to regular commuters, new commuters, spectators getting to and from Olympic events and regular folk just trying to get around in their regular lives.

You’ll need to be prepared; know which buses/trains to take and where to transfer. Your computer and your iPod/iPhone will be your best tools. Translink does have a pocket map showing routes in the area. My head hurts when I try to read it and I’m familiar with the city and transit routes!

I use my computer to help me get around using transit. The most powerful tool is Google Maps. Yes, Google Maps provides transit information for most cities. I prefer this service to the Translink web page and it’s a common display for almost any city your in.

On the Google Maps home page, click on the Get Directions link (top left of your screen). a and b where are you starting from and where are you going. You need to use the city name in the address.

You can key in an exact address, the nearest intersection, the business name or the venue name. You’ll be given a list of destinations. Click on the one you want.

The next screen shows you the next three transit combinations that will get you to your destination. At this time, there’s no transit service to the oval, but closer to February, service will be established. The approximate travel time is also displayed.

Suppose you have to be at your destination for a certain time. Click on Show Options just under the start and destination fields. You’ll see that you can specify the departure or arrival time and date of your trip. Click on Get Directions and the display will reflect that date and time. The times are quite reliable, though I would err on the conservative side during peak hours.

You can magnify the map, to show you cross streets on your trip.

To display the return trip, click on the double arrow symbol to the right of the start and destination fields. You can change the arrival and departure times for the return trip.

You can print the directions, with or without the map.

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist and Principal in Duet Media. She doesn’t own a private automobile, she used transit and car-coops to get around the city.

by @bsainsbury

Soon you’ll be seeing Ask Me! buttons on Vancouverites all over the city. This city of Vancouver campaign is designed to let visitors know you’re happy to help them with directions, advice, or just to say hello.

What a great way to get to know some of our visitors. Who hasn’t been in a strange city with the tourist map upside down, trying to find a landmark that’s right in front of you?

Buttons are free and available in 24 languages American Sign Language, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Farsi (Persian), Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin/Cantonese, Norwegian, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog

You can pick up an Ask Me! button from:

Tourism Vancouver – Visitor Centre (Plaza Level, 200 Burrard St.)
West End Community Centre (870 Denman St.)
Vancouver Public Library – Central Branch (350 West Georgia St.)
Bonnie Sainsbury a Social Media Strategist and Principal in Duet Media and blogs at blog987.  She’ll be wearing her Ask Me! button proudly. Say hello!