London Called and I Answered!!!

What an awesome adventure I just took upon. I am so blessed to have had this great opportunity and having my goal fulfilled.  Thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law Brenda who provided me with the best 50th birthday present...so memorable..

What the Olympics means to me is:
A gathering of the best athletes in the world who have trained tirelessly for many years to make it to this pinnacle of their sporting career.
A gathering of fans who love to cheer on their country's athletes and in those 16 days of sporting glory, see the best of the us...the joys, the heartbreak, the human heart in action.
A gathering of volunteers who want to be a part of such a grand scale event.  This was on my bucket list and I am happy to cross it off, but only long enough to add back again.

The new friends I have made, the old teammates I reacquainted with again, the retired Olympians I got to congratulate for all their efforts and the new Olympians I had the pleasure to shake their hand and let them know that we are all so proud of them...medal or not..

As athletes we are very hard on ourselves, always striving for that perfection..it is only with the wisdom of age and the passing of time that you realize how special these moments are. 

As fans, I encourage you to get involved...be a volunteer for your local sporting team or local tournament...who knows where the road may lead you.  We all cannont be Olympians and Olympians cannot get there with you.

Sochi?????
anyone???

Day 16 - The last day of the Olympics...so sad.. After 2 weeks, I finally was able to get into the indoor volleyball arena.  The crowd was packed with Brazillians & Russian fans..LOUD...what a fantastic match as the sleeping bear was woken up and came from match point down in the 3rd to beat them in 5!! Good thing as the seat I was in was £150 and i was feeling bad for those that paid good money for a mediocre first half of the game.

Watching the closing ceremonies on TV like i have watched most of the games, of course with Britain doing so well all we saw was the British!!

Quiet few days, getting last minute sight seeing done...pictures are posted under London pictures for what I have been up to...

Sunday - I am going to the Men's VB Gold match, I was humbled to get a ticket from Randy Starkman's brother - by divine intervention!!! thanks Randy!!

Friday - worked at COH night shift after waking up for the day shift. spent afternoon watching tv at the BBC Olympics.  In the evening, COH celebrated the silver medals won by the 8's rowing. I was able to assist them as they signed 60 jackets, 20 flags, 6 huge Molson Bottles for charity.

Saturday August 4 - Traveled out to Windsor Castle (2.5 hrs by tube/bus) to see if the Queen was greeting visitors as she goes there for the weekend.  SPECTACULAR!!!  see the pics in the London Pictures section.

Day 9 - Sunday - worked the day...tired...lots of standing.  I have been able to help out Isabelle Charest (speedskater) as we greet the athletes, so I was able to congratulate Brent Hayden (bronze) & Ryan Cochrane (silver) on their medals and assist them as they signed jackets & flags.

Went out for dinner to a famous Pakastani/Indian restaurant 'Takkays' .

I was the friendly Canadian today as I helped out another Londoner this morning in the pouring rain by letting her share my umbrella. Ironic.  On the way home at night, this young girl wanted to sit beside me so I engaged in a conversation with her and gave her a Canada pin. 

I shared a cool moment on the tube as we popped out aboveground, the guy across from me was watching the 100m replay on his iphone. I was trying to look at the reflection thru the window but couldn't see anything.  So I asked if that was the final and he said yes, do you want to see it? So I sat beside him and we watched Bolt win.  Where was Bell, true Olympic Spirit moment!!!

Only foreigners talk on the tube.  Londoners read, i

Did door duty for Prince Harry today for his 30minute visit.  details to come, pictures posted. 
The building was essentially 'secured' and I was 'guardduty' for one of the main doors in the house.  Choose to be outside and it paid off as Harry walked thru the empty corridor within a couple of feet of me.  he was too busy listening to Sylvie Bernier (assisant Chef de Mission) to say hello, but we made eye contact briefly!!  Again as he left the room, he passed within feet.  He spoke to the medallists in the room and didn't venture to far from his 'schedule'.  He was there and cheered when the women's 8 rowers won silver medal.

With my vb peeps as we scored some tickets for beach volleyball, hottest ticket in town!