What if Toronto Was Hosting the Olympics

I am addicted to the Olympics. Although we are 3 hours ahead, it doesn't matter. I plan my schedule around the games.

I saw history in the making  when Alexandre Bilodeau won the first gold Canada and what he did is contagious. Several others have followed suit. Way to go Canada. I only wish I could have been there. Tickets to many events are over $100 so I can't imagine that being much different if Toronto hosted. You can't really avoid the high price of tickets because you have to factor in several other things. Take the opening night celebrations for example. That one must have cost a pretty penny. Or  what about the costs required to upgrade existing facilities and the cost to build new venues for competitions.

If the Winter or summer games ever makes its way to the TDot, there are a few ways  you can get around the exorbitant price of things. I will:

1) Volunteer - There are so many opportunities to help out with the Olympic Committee. Not only will I stand a better chance of seeing a few events for free, but I will get a chance to meet the olympians too.

2) Apply to carry the torch - When the torch lit its way across the country thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse. There were celebrities, journalists and every day people bearing torches.

3) Start saving up from now.

4) Lots of people sell their tickets off for more than half price if an event has to be rescheduled due to inclement weather which causes a conflict with the ticket holder's schedule. I'll be there to offer them the best price.

Well who knows if Toronto will ever win the bid for the Olympic Games, but we do have the Pan Am Games in 2015 in the bag. At least that is something to look forward to.

Feb. 11 and 12 at the  Don Mills Town Square shopping centre was the place to be. Smack dab in the middle of  the shopping centre's new skating rink, you'll find some great ice sculptors by Don Mills Collegiate students in the Technological Design and Green Industries course. They're paying tribute to Canadian athletes competing at the Olympics in Vancouver.

 

A beautiful ice sculptor by Don Mills Collegiate students.

  

Will standing proudly by his creation.

It is inspired by the physicality and athletic competition of the salmon run -- an interpretation of west coast, First Nations design. One of the students, Will, told me he was out carving and chiseling since about 10 AM. It was 4 PM when I dropped by and while there for only 10 minutes snapping photos, my fingers nearly froze off. A lot of the pieces had been finished as yet but his was complete.

The ice sculpting is a precursor for what is to come on Feb.20 at Yorkville's Ice Fest. event. Looks like things are just warming up in the city.

So Adam Giambrone is out of the mayoral race but who will replace him? I guess we will have to wait and see.

No Cell Phones while driving

It’s official. No cell phones while driving. It makes sense. You can’t focus on two things at the same time – the road and other cars. Well 4 actually --the 2 ton tank you’re driving, other cars, merging in and out of lanes and of course pedestrians crossing or jaywalking.

There has been a recent surge in pedestrian fatalities in the city and you really have to be aware of what is happening on the road at all times whether you are driving or walking. Driving responsibly is not only about being sober but driving while not texting or chatting on your cell. And that goes for pedestrians too.

I think there should also be a rule about people crossing the street while on their cell phones. They aren't fully aware of what is happening around them because the have the phone propped in one ear which is blocking their peripheral vision. Not to mention they are so engrossed in the conversation that they don't look around. It is tunnel vision but I think of it as tunnel hearing.

I was in the parking lot of a busy shopping mall on Sunday, had put the car in reverse and was about to drive away. Something told me to ease up on the gas. It is a good thing too because this elderly man comes strolling by into the path of my car. The thing is he wasn't even on his cell, he was just preoccupied. Now imagine if he was driving while on his phone, thinking about something that the person on the other end of that phone had said? Well needless to say, the result would have been disastrous.

Freezing in the Winter City Cold

Angel of the Apocalypse with blazing feathers


It was really cold Saturday night when I headed out to Nathan Phillips Square to check out the WinterCity Festival. Like so cold that my wool ski socks and winter boots couldn't keep the chill out of my feet. There were arial artists from the Campagnie Les Passagers that performed Cosmogonia which was inspired by the book of Genesis. The acrobats contorted and dangled like spiders from what looked like silk web sheets. I felt I was watching Cirque de Soleil. It was weird because I saw pretty much the same thing the following night while watching Pink's performance at the Grammy's. It must be a true feeling of freedom -- soaring above the cheering crowd, mouths agape as bodies defy gravity.

After the performance, there was a beautiful metal fire sculpture that was spitting out flames intermittently. The dragon's breath warmed up a bit but not enough. I didn't stay to see the Olympic torch inside the Warming Station nor did I stick around for the Flaming Lotus Girls: Angel of the Apocaplyse Performance. After an hour I decided it was worth a repeat visit. Let's hope it is warmer next week.