By @MoniKanada

The Torch Arrives

Last night I stopped by Robson Square to see whether I could watch part of the 24-hour non-stop Paralympic Torch Relay. I got lucky and my timing was perfect! I barely waited for a minute until the torchbearer arrived with the torch safely travelling in a special mount attached to his wheelchair.

The Two Torchbearers

Despite the cold temperatures and that wet stuff falling out of the sky (I had almost forgotten that we sometimes get this here!) there were may be 100-150 people at Robson Square. Together with the crowd I witnessed how the Paralympic flame got passed on to the next torchbearer before it resumed its journey around downtown Vancouver. Today at 2pm the 24-hour torch relay will come to an end and the flame will be taken to BC Place for the Opening Ceremony to the Paralympic Winter Games.

Torchbearers and Their Flames

For me this brief episode last night was a touching one, for two reasons: First of all, there is something about this flame and what it stands for that gets to me every single time. I was similarly moved by the Olympic Torch Relay, which I watched close to the PNE one month ago, in the morning of February 12th, the day of the opening of the Olympic Games. 

Guy and his Inukshuk

And then, besides the flame there was something else that brought back emotions and memories of ‘good old Olympic times’: an Inukshuk made of cardboard boxes, painted in the proper Olympic colours travelling on his owner’s back or ‘posing’ for photo opportunities with Paralympic torchbearers.

Torchbearer and Inukshuk

According to his owner, Guy, this Inukshuk has travelled around town throughout the Olympics and has seen almost all of the official sites. Guy has assembled a proud collection of over 1,000 pictures of the Inukshuk and himself, which he’ll take back to his work place, the BC Cancer Agency. He hopes that he will be allowed to share these Olympic moments and impressions with the patients on a screen where they continuously rotate through. What a great way to bring the Olympic/Paralympic spirit to some of those many, many people that were/are unable to participate in and enjoy the Olympics/Paralympics in our city. Thank you, Guy, for your meaningful initiative! Our world is a better place because of people like you that make a difference in other people’s lives!

Monika Becker is the owner of Clear Directions – Consulting & Life Coaching in Vancouver BC, where she assists her clients in articulating and achieving important life goals with caring clarity, passion for possibility and soul-infused service. One of her specialties is the work with female entrepreneurs that are open to a holistic approach to business and life. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel

By @MoniKanada

Only three days left before the Paralympic Cauldron will be lit in here in Vancouver and the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will be opened on March 12th!

I was curious about the Paralympic Torch Relay  and will share some information with you which I adapted from the Vancouver 2010 web site and an online article by the Vancouver Observer.

The Paralympic Torch Relay is one of the most important tools to increase awareness and communication for Paralympic Games. It usually lasts at least seven days and starts after the closing of the Olympic Village.

Through public celebrations, school programs and online, the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay will engage Canadians, and hopefully the world, by introducing us to the stirring stories of Paralympians and other Canadians who inspire by defying the odds. It will shine a light on their achievements, celebrate their passion for sports and help spark a flame in the soul and heart of Canadians. We will have the opportunity to gather and participate in the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay when it visits our communities.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay Emblem is a metaphor for the fire within each and every one of us — the fire of friendship, inspiration and the spirit of the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay.

Unlike the Olympic Flame, the Paralympic Flame has no traditional starting place, so each Paralympic Torch Relay team has the freedom to choose a lighting method and organise a ceremony that is significant to the Host Country. For the first time in its history, the Paralympic Torch Relay will be run in a non-linear way, with the Paralympic Flame being carried in and around each community while the celebrations take place.

In the last three days of the Paralympic Torch Relay the following Celebration Communities are opening up their events to us to enjoy the experience, celebrate the possible and admire the achievements of Paralympians and others with amazing stories of courage and perseverance:

March 10, 2010:
Vancouver - Hillcrest-Riley Park (Community Centre)
From 11 am - 1 pm
A unique flame creation ceremony by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation will kick off the Paralympic Torch Relay. The Flame will travel in a circular route in Riley Park with exchanges taking place along the route and a street party on Ontario Street.  The event will be launched by Mayor Robertson along with other municipal officials.

Maple Ridge celebrations will take place at Spirit Square beginning at 6:30 pm.

March 11, 2010
Vancouver (UBC) — Celebrations on the UBC campus will take place outside of the Student Union Building near the UBC Thunderbird Arena — home to ice sledge hockey competitions. The event will begin at 11:00 am.

March 11-12, 2010:
Vancouver Downtown - Robson Square:
Time:   March 11-12, 2010   2 pm – 2 pm (24 hours)

The 24-hour Torch Relay will start from the stage at Robson Square and the Paralympic Flame will travel in a repeated loop along Howe, Georgia, Granville, Smithe, Bute and Robson with the exchanges of the Flame taking place at various locations. Celebration activities will include simultaneous live entertainment, sponsor activities, sports demos and cultural crafts display. Throughout the whole 24 hours the Paralympic Flame is continuously carried and passed between torchbearers.

The event concludes around Robson Square at 2:00pm on March 12. The Paralympic Flame will then be brought into BC Place for the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

I'm planning on going to one of the above celebration sites and let that torch spark a flame in my heart. Will I see you there?

PS: Follow the Paralympic Flame on Twitter: http://twitter.com/followtheflame

And go here  (choose album 'March 2010') to see some amazing pictures from the Torch Relay in Whistler on March 8th!

Monika Becker is the owner of Clear Directions – Consulting & Life Coaching in Vancouver BC, where she assists her clients in articulating and achieving important life goals with caring clarity, passion for possibility and soul-infused service. One of her specialties is the work with female entrepreneurs that are open to a holistic approach to business and life. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel

This post is a part of a photography project we at Nordica Photography are doing throughout the Games. It's called Faces of the Games, and essentially we are taking pictures of various people everyday that have a connection to the Olympics. Everyday we pick a different theme, so there's quite an eclectic collection of faces starting to build! You can read more about the project here.

This man was standing on the corner of Main and Hastings during the Torch Relay that cruised through on the opening day of the Olympics. While some people at the event had a lot of (negative) things to say in that area, this man was pretty darn jovial about the whole thing.

He is a painter and told us that recently, a short documentary styled movie had been made about his paintings by a company in Toronto! We asked him to pop his paint brush in his mouth for a picture, and boom he did it! Pretty cool stuff!

Thank you for letting us take your picture and good luck with your future paintings.

This was another gentleman that we bumped into on the corner of Main and Hastings while the torch relay was shaking down. This man seemed super spiritual to us for some reason.

We say that because behind him you can see the red tents and those tents were the symbol that a lot of the protesters were using to voice their argument. While they were doing their chants, waving their signs and hoisting this red tent, this man was more or less meandering in front of them and doing somesinging of his own. The singing sounded very traditional for the aboroginal people of the West Coast, and it was really neat to listen to him do this while the sounds of the protesters were in the background.

He was a very kind man though, very friendly and we appreciate him letting us take his picture!

Nordica Photography is the combined efforts of photographers Allan Cole Roberts andJakob Granqvist. Nordica Photography are Vancouver Wedding Photographers.

Learn More about Nordica Photography here or follow Nordica on Twitter, @nordicaphoto.

By Cybele Negris

What a great morning yesterday! I was on my way to meet Miriam Laroche, President of Vancouver Eco-fashion Week at the Blenz on West Hastings.  More on that in an upcoming post...

As I walked out onto Water St. in Gastown, the torch was right there! Crowds in their Canadian gear were all around me. I followed the torch down the street and as the flame was passed on from one torch bearer to the next at the exact moment the flames met, the Steamclock went off! It was a magical moment and somehow, that made all the years of listening to the Steamclock go off every 15 minutes seem worthwhile.

Torch Relay by the Steamclock

 See more photos of the torch relay in Gastown taken by the Webnames.ca staff.

 Cybele Negris is Co-Founder of Webnames.ca, Canada’s Original Domain Registrar. She is on the Boards of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Small Business BC, Government of BC Small Business Roundtable and the Vancouver Economic Development Commission. More information is available at cybele.tel or webnames.tel. Follow on Twitter @cybelenegris and @webnames

By Nordica Photography

This was certainly something special and Goddamn emotional if you want to get right down to it: The Olympic Torch being ran through the Musqueam Reserve.

The Musqueams are one of four First Nations hosts for the Games, and what a special group of people. We've never really experienced seeing such a sense of community before, and likely never will again.

Here are some photos from the rainy evening with a brief description of what's going on in each picture.

This flag is the flag of the Musqueam Reserve. It's gorgeous and the teal colour is rad (also their official colour!)

This is Larissa and her sign says something along the lines of "My Mother's a Star!". She's beautiful, eh?

These young fellas were taking in the special evening and waving the Musqueam flag with pride!

The best part about this whole experience was probably the fact that it truly was a family-orientated evening. How adorable is this beautiful young girl eh!

Yep, the police were everywhere. That goes without saying these days in Vancouver!

The look in this mans face as he gazed at the torch was pretty cool. Definitely a proud man, and even prouder perhaps of the contributions of the Musqueams!

The torch stayed lit even though it was raining! This women struck the most emotions with people it seemed as people went ballistic with applause when she started her run!

This was quite an adorable look on the ladies face. This was just before it was her turn with the torch, and you could see the excitement in her face!

This is a band member of the Musqueams giving a riveting speech about the contributions made by aboriginals to the Games. He spoke in his native tongue as well as in English!

The looks now turned to the man with the torch, as he looked at the women as though to say, "This is what we've been waiting for! Are you ready!"

And, the flame has been exchanged. Pretty special moment. And in case you didn't recognize him, the man in the red Hockey Jersey is Vancouver's Mayor, Gregor Robertson.

This is the same lady at the end of her run as she passed the flame along to her relative. They were both very emotional about this, and it was pretty darn special.

This man was all smiles about the whole affair, as were most. His toque and jacket were very, very stylish we might add!

This really says it all, eh? The Musqueam band really showed how intense and tight a community the are with the crowds and enthusiasm that surrounded the Torch relay. It was incredible to witness the emotions of all who gathered, and to think that the Olympics are only just starting! What an exciting month to come!

Nordica Photography is the combined efforts of photographers Allan Cole Roberts and Jakob Granqvist. Nordica Photography are Vancouver Wedding Photographers.
Learn More about Nordica Photography here or follow Nordica on Twitter, @nordicaphoto.

Jann Arden torch relay at Children's Hospital in Vancouver

Photos by Leigh Righton

www.madmannequin.com

twitter: @madmannequin

The Olympic Torch in my backyard

By Guacira Naves

I witnessed a historic occasion today, which I'll likely never see again: the Olympic torch itself, being escorted and carried practically in my backyard.

There was something emotional about seeing a flame that has not faded since its birth in Olympia, Greece, on October 22, 2009. The same flame that, tomorrow, will be watched by eager eyes across the world, as it reaches the cauldron.

I couldn't help reminiscing about the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, which I watched as a kid in Brazil. I recall crying when crowds on the stands formed an image of Misha (the 1980 Games mascot) shedding a tear during the closing ceremonies, as though it was wishing farewell. It represented the end of the Games.

Now, 30 years later, I got to see the Olympic flame, in person.

This experience also brought home a sense of the blood, sweat and tears invested by athletes for whom the Olympic Games are a lifetime goal. I have an Olympic hopeful in my extended circle, and have been privy to the sacrifices that he makes to even stand a chance to qualify for the competition. The strict diet, the gruelling exercise routine, the training, the toll that it takes in his social life. All for a mere chance.

I can only imagine how Olympians will feel during the opening ceremonies tomorrow. As for me, the flame has already accomplished something unexpected - it moved this slightly jaded heart.

Guacira Naves is the founder of The Online Strategy House. She's an online marketing pioneer with 19 years of professional history with the Internet and 13 years of experience as an online marketing strategist.  She serves on the board of the Social Media Club Vancouver. Follow her on Twitter (@OnlineStrategy) or find her at OnlineStrategy.ca

By Des Dougan

I took my 14-year-old son to Lonsdale Quay this morning for the Olympic Torch Relay. We breakfasted at a well-known coffee shop chain on Esplanade with a couple of networking colleagues, then we headed down to the Quay. Even at just around 8.00, the place was busy with musicians doing their sound-check, volunteers handing out Canadian flags (predictably, my son wanted one of the Coca-Cola sponsored ones, probably because they were glossier that a simple paper Maple Leaf) and a big group of kids from two of the nearby elementary schools. The kids had created great long banners and were proudly showing them off, along with their equally proud teachers.

By 8.30 the place was solid, with people up on the ICBC plaza, others on the external stairways and hundreds of others jammed into the space leading from the Seabus terminal and bus loop to the plaza. There was even one gentleman (who shall remain anonymous, as I know him well) on the roof of the office building adjoining the Seabus.

Just as my Grade 9 son was starting to get bored, we began to get some action, with a couple of morning DJs (are they still called that?) from Virgin Radio acting as MCs. There were the predictable speeches from the Mayor, MP and MLA and some very good drumming from the Stony Creek First Nation Drummers prior to the relay itself.

Scheduled for 8.42 a.m., the runner appeared almost to the second. Victor Kraatz, a former Olympian who figure-skated in three Olympic Games with Shae-Lynn Bourne, brought the torch into the central plaza to loud cheers.

Victor Kraatz carrying the torch in North Vancouver

Following a brief stop, the flame was handed over to another runner (unfortunately, I was unable to find his name on the Torch Relay information sites) who headed back out and up to Esplanade for the next stage of North Vancouver's big day of Olympic excitement.

Thankfully the rain held off while we were at the Quay; unfortunately we had to leave as soon as the torch did so that I could get my son to school. Overall, though it was a most enjoyable event.

Des Dougan is Principal of Dougan Consulting Group, which provides technology support services to small businesses in the Metro Vancouver area. Des can be contacted here and via @ddougan on Twitter.

By Des Dougan

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of North Vancouverites gathered at Lonsdale Quay early this morning to welcome the Olympic flame to the North Shore. Along with City Mayor Darrell Mussatto, MP Andrew Saxton and MLA Naomi Yamamoto, citizens from all over the North Shore met at the Plaza at the Quay to see the torch relay.

Crowds began gathering well before 8.00 a.m. and the plaza was packed by the time the torch arrived to cheers. Precisely timed to arrive at 8.42, the torch was handed over from one runner to another before it headed back out on its all-day visit to North Vancouver.

Des Dougan is Principal of Dougan Consulting Group, which provides technology support services to small businesses in the Metro Vancouver area. Des can be contacted here and via @ddougan on Twitter.