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Written by Bryan Raiser   
Monday, 01 February 2010 08:49
Hmmm, what to talk about? Sure there are a staggering amount of things going
on in our community but those are going to have to take a back-seat to a little
event headed our way. Yes the Olympics are practically here and every day it
becomes more and more clear just how insane it's going to be.
With little detailed information available I have no expectations but there are
a few goals I have in mind.
Mostly I want to appreciate VANOC (didn't see that one coming did ya?).
Here's an organization given the task of setting up an event that will
drastically change everyone's lives for several weeks. At the best of times
people don't like change and completely screwing with people's routines is not
an enviable task. Of course this is not the fault of the majority of VANOC
employees who are, for the most part, great people. They are simply working for
an organization that has been instructed to get you the hell out of the Olympics
way. This is not a job I envy. Especially in Squamish when they introduced
themselves to our town by arrogantly ripping down our Heart of 2010
banners. But they never said they were here to help Squamish they are here to
throw one of the worlds biggest parties and that is exactly what they are doing.
They are also supplying endless topics of conversation as everyone has
ridiculous stories beginning with 'that's nothing, did you hear this
VANOC story?'
One thing is for sure, we are going to be talking about this event for the
rest of our lives.  Heck, already we have experienced things few others have in
their lives, we lived the lead up to the games. In the next few weeks if you
fully embrace the games or join the thousands running away, whatever you do
this will always be remembered as the 2010 Olympic trip. That's pretty cool.
Personally I have no expectations but there is one thing I'm getting excited
about: the torch relay. I continually hear that even those most bitter towards
the games admit to being moved by the Olympic flame. This intrigues me and I
seriously can't wait for February 4th (there's a link to the route at the
end of this newsletter). Brennan Park is going to go-off and it will surely be
something to see. I also like the rumor that the designer of the torch purposely
made it look like a poorly rolled joint.
As for Squamish, I'm still proud to say we ARE the heart of the 2010 Olympic
games. Even though many people tried desperately to give that heart a bypass.
I'm also proud to say we're Hometown Canada (I'm not positive what that
means but I do like the sound of it). It is also very exciting that once the
Olympics are over, our amazing Oceanfront can fill the void left by one of the
biggest parties in the world.
Oh, there is so much more to talk about but I suppose like everything else it
will have to wait until the 5-ring circus leaves town.
In the mean time please don't hesitate to drop me a line with anything that
is on your mind (that's what this job is all about). As well if you could pass
this on to others who may be interested that would be fantastic.

Have a great one
Bryan Raiser
Councillor, District of Squamish

PS. Council Fact: Ever watch a council meeting and wonder why it appears some
councillors are not voting? They actually are. In fact, you only have to raise
your hand if you oppose the motion, otherwise it's considered a vote in
favor.

http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/olympic-torch-relay/o...
http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/olympic-torch-relay/olympic-torch-relay-interactive-map/
Comments
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Sarah Weinberg   |173.183.1.xxx |2010-02-07 12:50:22
Hi Bryan,

A great letter on the site and as a Squamptonite that has joined the circus (my analogy as well! but not a hard one to come up with..) I have to say I am surprised at how flipping fun it is!

Working graveyard shifts, as the Olympics are a 24 hour event, I get an opportunity to practice French and Spanish, I am learning Cantonese, Russian, Korean and Italian. Every night is a cultural smorgasbord of language, customs, humour and new friends. It's pretty amazing to interact and have communication in a high stress and extremely fast paced environment with nobody that speaks the same first language!

Every person I work with has never done anything like this ever before in their lives and so when things go awry its important to remember that the show is being grunted out by folks who are thrown into the fire and have 6 weeks to make it happen. There is no time to decide if you enjoy your co-workers company, if you work well with them or not or even if there is a better way to do things. It seems like this job is about getting the show on the road, getting the rings rolling, getting the torch down the road, not about creating lasting systems that will be in place for 20 years. They will not. In 8 weeks the circus will pack up and leave town and its memories that we will have with us.

I admire your positive comments in regards to VANOC employees and all those subsidiary hiring outfitters that have filled the literally 10's of thousands of positions. The logistics are staggering and where I am employed it is just the smallest crumb of the entire pie. I really had no idea before I got involved at the immensity of putting together a global party for the rich! (oops, did I say that out-loud!) That being not-said I am super excited to check out the numerous free music events that are going on and to wheedle myself through the crowds in front of Citta's (like it was New Years 1989) and hang out to feel the international vibe.

It is moving, when at work, I meet people that have quit their regular day jobs in whatever country they are from, bought plane tickets to come half way around the world to be a moving piece of the Olympic machine. I get to hear them comment on the beauty they see when the sun rises in the morning and the graveyard shift is almost over, when they hike the Chief on their day off, see a bald eagle, or find themselves in the local cultural hub of the Brackendale Art Gallery wondering what century they have landed in.

I too have waivered my Olympic opinion as have many of my friends that were originally spouting exodus and are now looking for discounted tickets to the luge practices!

So there you have it. Roll on Olympic circus, as you will inevitably do and since you made our lives intolerable over the last four years lets let loose and enjoy the best party of 2010 Ever!
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