by Judy Bishop - The Travelling Eye

'Judy Bishop – The Travelling Eye’ is a Vancouver-based photographer specializing in travel and experience photography. Her stock images are sold worldwide by Getty Images,   Judy was a board member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics bid, and is a keen Whistler skier.   She is a long-time business/marketing columnist for Business in Vancouver newspaper, and sits on corporate boards.

Judy is also a strategic marketing expert, and managing partner of Bishop + Company, a 20-year old management consultancy providing corporate & market strategy for technology and growth companies.  Contact info & story summary available. Follow Judy on Twitter @travellingeye.  EM: judy@judybishop.ca

By Des Dougan

I was very fortunate this evening to have attended the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. BC Place was packed, colourful and loud. Seated high in the nosebleed seats with two of my children, we had an amazing view of the stadium floor as first the audience preparation then the main show kicked off. Clad in pale blue ponchos (there were ponchos around the stadium in 4 or 5 different colours) and armed with reflective gold cards and pompoms with build-in orange lights, we were prepared by the pre-show MC as he rehearsed when and what to do. Of course, once the main show kicked off, most of his instructions went by the wayside, especially in the use of the pompoms. When the stadium had darkened, and everyone (and I mean everyone) started shaking the lit pompoms, the sea of flickering orange lights was a sight to behold.

And did I mention the noise? As well as the excellent sound system, the cheers and screams of support from the crowd left my ears ringing as the performers strutted their stuff. Each country's athletes received loud applause and approval as they moved across the stadium floor. Finally, of course, the host nation entered the arena last and if I thought it had been noisy prior to this - the ovation for Canada's athletes was long and heartfelt and wonderful to see.

The emphasis on the future, showcased by the majority of performers being children, was an interesting and creative direction that differentiated the ceremony quite clearly from its sibling last month. The mix of able-bodied and disabled performers was well managed and brought home how physical challenges are no barrier to people with talent.

Lloyd Robertson's section on Terry Fox was extremely moving and emotional and led well into the lighting of the Paralympic flame, which ended the wonderful event on an excellent high note.

You never know what to expect of events such as this; and the show's directors had a huge challenge to create an event that could stand out on its own. That they did so with zest and some excellent performances is a credit to the entire team behind the show.

Downsides for me - the national anthem seemed to have been tweaked again (it wasn't clear in the stadium other than there appeared to have been an extra chorus added). It's fine as it is (actually, it's a great anthem), so why mess with it?? The second downside was John Furlong's absolutely awful French. I'm sure he's very relieved that he won't have to attempt speak the language ever again after next weekend!

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 @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 Judy Bishop - The Travelling Eye

During the 2+ weeks of the Olympics, I shot alot of photos of people having a blast ... cutting loose ... letting their inner 8-year old out for a romp.

The equation was simple:  take Whistler's general tendency for good times + the mad rush of Olympic revelry + international visitors = a potent mix of fun, frolic and some truly bitchin' attire.

The photos speak for themselves ... what a blast !

'Judy Bishop – The Travelling Eye’ is a Vancouver-based photographer specializing in travel and experience photography. Her stock images are sold worldwide by Getty Images,   Judy was a board member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics bid, and is a keen Whistler skier.   She is a long-time business/marketing columnist for Business in Vancouver newspaper, and sits on corporate boards.

Judy is also managing partner of Bishop + Company, a 20-year old management consultancy providing corporate & market strategy for technology and growth companies.  Contact info & story summary available. Follow Judy on Twitter @travellingeye.  EM: judy@judybishop.ca

By  @MoniKanada

After all the buzzing excitement and fun we’ve had during the Olympics, Vancouver has come to a state of content exhaustion, just like nature after giving birth to a raging thunderstorm or a heavy rainfall. I personally feel this way, too: Calm and exhausted, yet utterly content for having been part of something meaningful that has provided joy and inspiration to so many people.

Do you feel a bit empty and abandoned, too? I sure do. Where is everybody? The city seems so empty. Many of the special venues and sites have been dismantled, and all our cheerful friends are gone. For all of us that are suffering from POA (post-Olympic abandonment) here is the good news: Apparently, we don’t have to wait very long before we will see more friendly guests here in Vancouver and Whistler who want to celebrate with us!

YVR Airport has already started to provide a warm welcome to the first Paralympic athletes, their officials and spectators. We are expecting approximately 1,350 athletes and officials from 40 countries and 44,000 spectators in Vancouver and Whistler to celebrate outstanding athletic achievements, true passion for sport, and the greatness of human spirit and all it makes possible.

Are you ready for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12-21? Today, three days after the Olympic Flame is extinguished in Vancouver, a new flame will light in Ottawa, sparking the official start and inspirational journey of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay. And in just 10 days, on March 12, her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will officially open the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games at BC Place in downtown Vancouver.

Now that we are on the radar of the world in such a positive light, can we prove that Canada is a country where the Paralympics are supported and celebrated as enthusiastically as their big brother, the Olympic Games? Do we have it in us to be ambassadors for the true meaning of the word “Paralympic”, which is “alongside the Olympics”?

I realise there will be less athletes and spectators, less entertainment, less disciplines for athletes to compete in etc.  The Paralympics will run on a much smaller scale, at least on the outside. However, on the inside, where courage, determination, passion and persistence live, the Paralympics might actually outshine the Olympics when it comes to the extent of inspiration and valuable lessons they will offer to all that are open to see.

I challenge us to do our part and create a welcoming, joyful and supportive environment for all athletes and guests of our Paralympic Games. Don’t put those red clothes, the mittens and the Canada flags away quite yet. Let’s take some of that newly gained Canadian spirit and paint Vancouver and Whistler red again, and let’s have some more fun – we know how to do that now! Go Canada Go!

Related Posts: Vancouver Olympics done. Paralympics here we come!

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 start-up and seasoned entrepreneurs that are open to a holistic approach to business and life. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel

by Judy Bishop - The Travelling Eye

During the Olympics' 17 days, the Robson Square celebration site saw a staggering average of 75,000-100,000 daily visitors for concerts & entertainment, with approx 700 of them riding the zipline, 1,00o people skating, and 4,500 - 5,000 daily guests at the B.C. Pavilion and free admission to the Vancouver Art Gallery - daily.

Urban planners have long griped that Vancouver lacked a central gathering place, in the European style.  I think the new and improved Robson Square may well serve as our downtown heart - especially if you throw in lasers, explosions and flamethrowers !

Given the smash success of this celebration site, the BC Government is wisely re-opening the Robson Square free celebrations - including fireworks, light show and the Zipline - for a second run, during the Paralympics, March 12th through 21st.

I was fortunate to gain access to the BC Pavillion's upper deck to shoot a spectacular collection of images over the 17 days of the Games ...

'Judy Bishop – The Travelling Eye’ is a Vancouver-based photographer specializing in travel and experience photography. Her stock images are sold worldwide by Getty Images,   Judy was a board member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics bid, and is a keen Whistler skier.   She is a long-time business/marketing columnist for Business in Vancouver newspaper, and sits on corporate boards.

Judy is also managing partner of Bishop + Company, a 20-year old management consultancy providing corporate & market strategy for technology and growth companies.  Contact info & story summary available. Follow Judy on Twitter @travellingeye

By Marc Smith

What would you do if you found a $600+ camcorder on the street? I am guessing you’d look both ways and pocket it. I think that’s what most people would do in fact.

Not Josh Rimer and Craig Weckerle. They instead made a YouTube video hoping to find the owner and return the camera with it’s contents safe and sound.

Here’s the story and the time-line of how it all came to pass:

Feb 12th it’s the Opening Ceremonies and Josh and Craig decide to try to get into LiveCity Yaletown. As they are walking towards David Lam Park Craig spots a camcorder on the ground. They pick it up and wonder how they are going to find the owner.

Josh a YouTube star with over 100 + videos to his credit decide that a YouTube video reenacting the camcorder discovery+ highlighting some of the camcorders footage may be the solution to finding the owners.

Feb 20th Josh and Craig make the Video including a “dramatized” reenactment of the discovery. Here’s the video.

So now that the video has been made how can they get the word out? Both Josh and Craig have extensive Twitter and Facebook connections so they immediately start to post the video through both platforms asking for help to spread the word to find the owners.

Feb 27th Joseph Ruttle of The Province newspaper picks up the story and runs an article in the Provinces 2010 News Blog. As of today it’s had over 9000 views.

March 1st apparently someone at King TV in Seattle heard about the story and the search and a segment aired on King’s newscast which triggered the Motor Vehicle Dept to search for the owners via the shown WA license plate.

March 2nd Josh get an email from the OWNER! It turns out they are a family living in Seattle and they not only had lost their camcorder but also their tickets to the Opening Ceremonies. The tickets were replaceable but the camcorder had the start of their Olympic trip recorded along with the last images of the owners Father captured on film. He has since passed away and the footage had not yet been downloaded and saved. Josh and the owner are currently working out a way to get the camcorder back to it’s rightful owner.

The story of these two honest Vancouverites is starting to make the international news as well.

Josh was also contacted by two Seattle based news organizations today that want to do a story on the video, Josh and Craig and the return of the camera. Could a story have a better ending than this? Stay tuned I’ll update this post with any footage of the interviews I can get.

The Olympics may be over but the best part of Canada is still alive and proud. Our honesty and our neighbourly ways. Way to go Josh and Craig.

Marc Smith is Vancouver based event planner and will be reporting daily on various events happening around Vancouver. http://twitter.com/amuseconsulting

By Marc Smith

It’s been a couple of days since the Olympic flame was extinguished here in Vancouver and the city is quietly getting back to normalcy.

I’m exhausted! I was out every single day enjoying the energy and excitement that was so evident throughout our city. I’m so proud that Vancouver and Canada represented in a way that no one saw coming. Here are a couple of cool links to stories from some international press that I think sums up how the world felt we did.

Brian Williams (NBC) Leaving behind a thank you note

Bill Plaschke (LA TImes) Canada is a Winter Games Wonderland

So to wrap up my 17 day experience here’s a short video.

I promise to be just as excited and proudly Canadian for the Paralympics and I look forward to watching those athletes excel and reach for Gold.

Marc Smith is Vancouver based event planner and will be reporting daily on various events happening around Vancouver. http://twitter.com/amuseconsulting

by Judy Bishop - The Travelling Eye

"Am I in Vancouver, or Las Vegas?"  That was the question posed on Twitter by Dick Hardt, Vancouver technology entrepreneur and now San Francisco resident.   Who can blame him for wondering?  Our little city by the sea has behaved in a most energetic, sophisticated,. Canadian fashion - showing an ability to party hearty that few would have believed a fortnight ago.  Can we win gold?  You betcha.  Can we rock ?   Here's a few images to show that .... yes, we can !!

'Judy Bishop – The Travelling Eye’ is a Vancouver-based photographer specializing in travel and experience photography. Her stock images are sold worldwide by Getty Images,   Judy was a board member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics bid, and is a keen Whistler skier.   She is a long-time business/marketing columnist for Business in Vancouver newspaper, and sits on corporate boards.

Judy is also managing partner of Bishop + Company, a 20-year old management consultancy providing corporate & market strategy for technology and growth companies.  Contact info & story summary available. Follow Judy on Twitter @travellingeye

By Marc Smith

With the influx of tourists and locals alike into the DT core many long established restaurants made the decision to increase their prices along with adding auto-tipping onto the bill. Reason's for these practices have included increased staff and food costs and a tourist crowd not used to North American style tipping. Many traditional journalists have covered this story and you can click here to read one of them.

This post is not about the validity of the restaurant claims or even if it was right or wrong. What this post is about in essence is the power of social media and it's near immediate impact on a business or organization. How a business responds to it's customers and their feedback  says a lot about them and the people using Social Media aren’t shy about making their views known.

One such chain is Earls. Locally grown here in BC, Earls has come under some major fire for it's pricing and auto-tipping policies. An example is a gentleman who had an unpleasant reaction to the price and tip increases immediately went onto Twitter to voice his thoughts. Within 10 minutes over 20 responses and conversational engagements occurred creating a slew of online heat for Earls. Click here to see some of the conversations if you use the search terms Earls and Tip. What some businesses don't understand is that each person engaged in a Twitter conversation potentially has at least 300 followers and upwards of 10,000 +. That is a very large reach.

Earls Restaurants gets it and has a person dedicated to following the conversation online and is responsible for taking the pulse of its customers good bad or indifferent. After much criticism here is the response from Earls about the price increases and tipping policies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Earls Yaletown will be hosting a special locals-only event on Sunday, February 28th. On Sunday morning, Earls Yaletown will be opening one hour early, at 9 am for a complimentary brunch for local patrons only.

From 9 am to 11 am, Earls Yaletown will only be open to locals with a BC Drivers License or other form of BC Identification. All locals will receive a free brunch, they will get a chance to ‘take their seat back’ and amidst all of the madness, they will be able to secure a table for the Olympic gold medal hockey game at 12:15 pm.

We would also like to share with you that as 9 am this Sunday, February 28th, all menu prices will have officially returned to normal, and automatic gratuities will be removed from ALL BILLS.

Earls Yaletown will not be taking reservations for the locals-only event on Sunday morning. The event will be on a first-come-first-serve basis, so get there early, get your free brunch and enjoy the last day of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games at Earls.

So you decide. Is this effort by Earls enough to win the locals back? Only time will tell. I’ve talked here about Earls but trust me they are not alone in creating a backlash of anger and disappointment from their local customers.

I would really love to hear your thoughts and trust me I will be sure to pass them on the the management team at Earls.

Marc Smith is Vancouver based event planner and will be reporting daily on various events happening around Vancouver. http://twitter.com/amuseconsulting

Own the Podium dream over. That's that's the head line that read in a CBC /  National Post article on Feb. 22 2010 And certainly there has been a lot of talk about Canada's uncharacteristically bold statement and the public declaration of its  Big Hairy Audacious Goal:  To be a world leader in high performance sport. Own the Podium or OTP, quite clearly set its goals for these 2010 Games as follows:

• Place first in the total medal count at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games
• Place in the top three in the gold medal count at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games

OTP has been for more than a commitment to Athletes is has been our battle cry to the world that we intend to dominate these games.  That's why it was like an elephant left the room when Canadian Olympic Committee CEO, Chris Rudge, said Monday that Canada wasn't going to finish first at these Games.  Our National Pride was beaten and the media attention around it didn't do our top contenders any favors.

But I'd like to take the opportunity of  looking at this program, which is at risk of being unfairly seen as a failure simply because of its own wildly optimistic measure, through a different lens.  I think if we look at the entire context,  we'll see that OTP and our Olympic Team has been a HUGE success.

Limited Time First off, OTP has only been in effect for 5 years and with limited funding of just $117 M.  "The limiting factor here was time," Roger Jackson, the CEO of OTP, said in an interview Friday.   Own the Podium did not have enough time to guide a solid amateur up to international level, he said, and so the spending was focused on athletes who were already "in the system," and especially in sports with an already deep talent pool, such as curling and hockey.

Limited Selection Ratio The other factor that I have never seen acknowledged anywhere is country population and the selection ratio we have to draw from.  Let's put this in perspective and take a look a the populations of Top competing countries in these games.  Here are the Top 10 in Population in order:

• China  1.3 Billion  population,   20 % of world Population
• United States  309 Million  4.5% of world population
• Russia  142 Million   2.1 % of world population
• Japan  127 Million  1.9% of world population
• Germany  82 Million  1.2% of world population
• France  65 Million  .96% of world population
• UK - GBR  62 million  .91% of world population
• Italy  60 Million  .90% of world population
• South Korea  50 Million .73% of world population
• Ukraine 46 Million  .68% of world population

Canada isn't even on the list.  Simply from a population perspective of nations participating in these games  Canada isn't even in the top 10.  For the purposes of this post I'm not going to get into the funding, politicism or retirement incentives that many countries offer its top athletes, I just want to look at the talent pool to draw from. Simply from a selection ratio perspective Canada is at a huge disadvantage with a population of just 34 million.

At the time of this writing Canada is sitting number 3 in total medal count (21) and is sitting in 1st Place for Gold (10) ahead of the USA and Germany (tied at 8).  The games aren't over yet and we are guaranteed at least 3 more medals and are contention for Gold for each.  If you look at the limited time frame of the OTP program, our small population, limited athletic funding, and focus on "athletes already in the system" I think it's a fair statement that OTP has been a Huge Success.

Let's return briefly to the original vision and Mission for OTP:

Vision
For Canada to be a world leader in high-performance sport.

Mission

To lead the development of Canadian sports to achieve sustainable podium performances at the Olympic and Paralympic Games

If those were the goals and you look at the results we achieved, I'm proud to scream out  Go Canada!  - We Do Own The Podium!

Keep it up and with a continued commitment to develop and nurture yet undiscovered talent, we will own the podium for many generations to come

Howard Olsen  is President of High Output Training Systems and is one of Canada’s leading sales performance experts . He is on the Board of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and every year his perspective shifting keynotes and profit producing training programs help thousands of business people and their companies positively impact their bottom lines.  For more information visit high-output.com and HowardOlsen.com Follow Howard on Twitter @howardolsen

If you're like me, you may not have wanted Canadian clothing or accessories as badly as this past two weeks. Hudson's Bay has been slammed, with people lining up outside the store to get some 2010 gear. Since there are only two days left of the Games, if you don't feel like shelling out the dough or waiting in line at this point for at the Bay, you may want to check out the mini street market in Yaletown to get some cheap Canadian gear.

I know when people hear 'Yaletown' they usually don't think cheap (on some nights during the Olympics pubs were charging $20 to get in), but the strip on Mainland Street between Davie and Nelson has a bunch of booths selling various Canadian attire. Here you'll find  Canada t-shirts, toques, earmuffs, flags and even a rain poncho made out of the flag for prices under $20, and sometimes under $10. On top of the good deals, the atmosphere is filled with Canadian and international tourists alike strolling about in search of a good time. There's usually a busker playing out in front of the various pubs and restaurants that line the strip. If you can't afford to stop at the restaurants, you could pop into one of the refreshment tents for a quick popcorn or poutine (still a bit expensive but cheaper than the restaurants. I do feel at times that poutine can be worth $7!)

People walk down the little market strip in Yaletown

A woman looks at Canadian flag ponchos, which cost $20

This man says his business of selling $5 toques and scarves is thriving.

These men are selling flags. The most popular is the Canadian one, they say. Second most - the American, of course. You can get one for $7 or two for $12.

Cheap red white and black ear muffs.

by Judy Bishop - The Travelling Eye

Humans are a predictable lot: we tend to put things off until the last minute.  So, as FOMO ("fear of missing out") takes hold, people are dashing around making plans to cram in as much partying, events, pavilions, events and activity as they can before The Big Hangover takes over next week.

Visitors get lots of help negotiating Vancouver's attractions and finding out what's hot.  Information kiosks abound, maps everywhere ... we've put on a pretty impressive show in terms of helping tourists.   That's doubly important in Whistler, where tight density and pedestrian walkways can turn the Village into a baffling rabbit-warren that can even confuse locals.

Enter the Whistler Village hosts, set up by Tourism Whistler. Standing for long hours in unheated, outdoor kiosks scattered around the busy Village, wearing "Ask Me" buttons, the hosts dispense advice, solve problems and grease the wheels of Olympic visitor experience.  Why do they do it? Sure they receive a few event tickets, but mostly, it's the locals' way of making the 2010 Games special for everyone.

I staked out the central Village's information kiosk and watched a host at work.  George Pitman is an established architect (G. Pitman Designs) from Vancouver, now living and working in Whistler with his wife Joan Pitman.  I watched as he capably fielded enquiries from a steady stream of people, arms waving with directions, drawing on maps, and generally taking care of people.  Here's George at work .....

What's the oddest question George has been asked as a Village host?  Apparently it was when a boy asked him "How much does the mountain weigh?  You know, without snow?"

'Judy Bishop – The Travelling Eye’ is a Vancouver-based photographer specializing in travel and experience photography. Her stock images are sold worldwide by Getty Images,   Judy was a board member of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics bid, and is a keen Whistler skier.   She is a long-time business/marketing columnist for Business in Vancouver newspaper, and sits on corporate boards.

Judy is also managing partner of Bishop + Company, a 20-year old management consultancy providing corporate & market strategy for technology and growth companies.  Contact info & story summary available. Follow Judy on Twitter @travellingeye

By @MoniKanada

On my way through the city on Thursday night I was able to capture national pride – artfully presented on people’s faces. Not too many words are necessary here:

Australian Fans

Alison and Brook from Australia showed their national pride for Lydia Lassila, who won gold in the Ladies‘ Aerials on Wednesday. Brook and Alison were on their way to the victory ceremonies to cheer for their compatriot receiving Olympic Gold.

National Pride for the US

Four young women from the US (to the right) smiling despite their growing hunger. They were looking for a good place for dinner – I happily shared my recommendations with them.

And then some rap dancers proudly representing Japan spotted on Granville Street. There was quite a number of young people dancing away – they looked great and seemed to have fun.

Canada "Fan Dog"

Last but not least I also found some particular Canadian patriotism – I guess these days any living thing serves as a canvas for patriotic pride. Tough times for cute dogs – they don’t have a choice in the matter!

Go Canada Go!

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. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel

By Kassandra Linklater - @Klinked on Twitter

I write this post under time pressure because a) ‘I have places to go, things to do and awesome people to meet tonight’, and b) there are four minutes on the clock in the third period. If you aren’t aware of my time crunch, then you clearing aren't watching the soon to be shut out that our amazing Canadian Hockey team is throwing down at Canada Hockey Place (GM, post March 1^st).

The women have played a flawless game. Period. With the Great One in the audience, it is amazing to see how far women’s hockey has come. But let us not forget, the women’s team has been rocking it in the shadows of the men’s games for years. 98 – Silver, 2002 – Gold, 2006 – Gold, 2010 – and as the buzzer has just sounded – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD.

At the Vancouver Peace Summit in 2009, the Dalai Lama announced, "The world will be saved by the western woman." As much as enjoy the sound of that sentiment, I think the word 'western' should have been omitted. Given the chance, the possibilities for women just seem endless.

And tonight, I’m sure the Canadian women's team feels On. Top. Of. The. World.

Good job.

Signing off for now,

Kassandra

Check me out @Klinked or walking around the city, looking for your story.

Kassandra is currently the News Editor of Kwantlen’s independent student newspaper – The Runner, a member of Kwantlen’s President’s Ambassadorial Team (PAT) and the Vancouver Board of Trade’s Mentor program - Leaders of Tomorrow