The Upsons

Today, the Olympics officially start for many fans with the only event that matters to some.  It is finally time for Game 1 of Men’s hockey, Canada vs. Norway. Ever since the failures of Torino in 2006 (an embarrassing 7th place -- 7th!), the entire country has been excited and terrified at the idea of the team excelling or choking on home ice.

Before we headed out to watch the game we decided to enjoy some much needed down time and just hang around the house.  And what better way to relax than play the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics on PS3!  Here’s Martin’s dad Raymond cheering us on – I’m loving the Sumi hat.

Then it was time to brave the Downtown crowds once again.  The one good by-product of my failed attempt to see Sloan was a ticket to a Keith’s tasting birthday celebration.  We got to witness our second Gold medal from Maëlle Ricker and celebrate Alexander Keith’s bday.  And yes, those are Keith’s moose antlers.

Then game time.  Besides actually being at the game, it’s always a critical decision to decide where to watch such a momentous event.  With scalpers starting at $400 per ticket (we asked around, and checked with the RCMP) we opted for Ontario House right beside the arena.  Also right beside the arena is the Molson’s “Hockey House”.  You may have heard of this exclusive venue where you pay $100 for the privilege of standing in a big tent with big TVs paying more money for food and drink -- and it’s sold out every day.  But I think we made a genius choice because we paid nothing to stand in a big tent with insanely large TVs and get food, drink (free samples of local Ontario beers), and conduct Mind Control experiments…more on that in a minute.

But first back to 2006…I had to go look up this miserable showing to remember how bad it truly was.  No wonder I had erased this from my memory.  After defeating Italy and Germany in opening games Canada then lost to Switzerland, Finland…and were ultimately ousted at the hands of the dreaded Russians in a 2-0 shutout.  Especially after gloriously ending the 50 year Gold drought in Salt Lake City in 2002 this was a bitter, bitter followup and only raised the pressure for 2010.  So with that context, I think I speak for the entire country when my thoughts after the first period ended tied 0-0 with Norway were “oh oh”.  But then this…

Iginla scores and the place went insane -- chanting, stomping, flag waving madness, and it just continued with every goal as all of Canada breathed a collective sigh of relief with an 8-0 victory.  Ironically, Switzerland is next and there will be lots of talk of revenge for 2006.

Now back to that Mind Control comment.  In addition to enjoying the game with an amazing crowd in such an energetic setting I also got to amuse myself during intermission with the main exhibit at the Ontario pavilion.  Changing the colour of lights on Niagara Falls, Parliament and the CN Tower with MY THOUGHTS.  Yes, that’s right.  This device reads brain waves and based on how low or strong the activity is it will shift the colours live, real time as you watch it on large screens of a live feed.  I was quite proud of myself with my range of capabilities to “slow” my brain down (into greens and blues) and “fire it up” into reds and yellows.

Hey, if they write about it in Wired then you know it’s cool.

Tags: Hockey, Mind Control, Olympics, Vancouver
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