Hockey Hangover.
Sid, the Kid no more, raises his hand to answer the Hero’s call.
Having gorged myself on the National Pastime, I find myself in the midst of the morning after. Moments of the rapture’s afterglow are met with stiff neck and sore throat. I have been over served. And loved it to the perfect last drop.
What a week. Bookended by Canada US Men’s Hockey games at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Brother Bern and myself arrive in Vancouver last Sunday and went directly to the hockey rink to see our boys get whipped by the young and fast US squad. A startling eye opener to the lots of who assumed the red and white would be untouchable in this tournament.
We left the rink with a bad taste in our mouths and decided to dive into to Olympic night. Vancouver has never looked so good. What a showcase for the city and indeed the entire country. We quickly made use of our Accredited Passes to get quick entry into the Provincial and Regional Pavilions. Checked out Ontario and Quebec and had fun at the Molson Hockey House, but the Saskatchewan Pavilion proved to be the most fun.
A quick dart across False Creek found us in Atlantic Canada House and we fought the jet lag with some good tunes from Hey Rosetta. Is there anyone out there who have not heard this band? Quite possibly the most impressive music I’ve heard in many years.
A boat ride back across False Creek led us walking up Granville to make our way back to our hotel. The infamous call was made for ‘just one more pint’ and we stuck our noses into a pub, Johnny Foxes, I believe it was called. There in the corner holding court with several cracker Irish tune players was Newfoundland Accordion maestro Graham Wells. A wink and a nod from him and the game was on. We sand and played till they politely asked us to leave. Then till they not-so-politely told us to leave. Then two more accapella songs on the sidewalk as the night made its turn towards daylight.
The nights that followed were not all as epic as that one but suffice it to say that I felt that I got a real good taste of the Olympic Experience in Vancouver. My favorite site was the group of hand made (sp?) that lined the rocky edge of False Creek near the Provincial Pavilions. Kids and visitors from all over the world took it upon themselves to stack a few stones on top op each other in the form of the official Olympic Logo. By mid week, there must have been ten thousand of them standing along the shore. All personal beacons to commemorate the occasion. Nothing better to say “we were here”.
It was an experience of a lifetime. Quite a privilege, considering I was getting paid to be there.
The professional obligations went very well I think. GBS played a to a well-lubed crowd in a post Canada Russia hockey game party at Molson Hockey House. We had fun our comrades from the Rock at a celebration for the Province. We are grateful to Bell Canada for asking us to sing and dance in their private event as well. But the Daddy of them all was the Medal Ceremony at BC Place. Close to 30,000 people in the room lent us their hands and voices to ring close Newfoundland and Labrador Day at the Olympic Games. What a day.
For Bern and Myself the whole event was focused on watching Team Canada win a Gold Medal on home ice. We got to do just that. Twice as a matter of fact, as the guys and gals brought home the prize.
Can’t begin to describe the vibe in the room and city when Sid slid the winner home in OT. The place went up. Laughter, tears, cheers, the whole bit. But the coolest part was the second of dead silence as the puck left his stick and crossed the goal line. It only lasted for an inhale, but it felt like a lifetime. It was as if no one wanted to jinx it by being the first to shout, ‘he scores’. I’d like to think Sid was the first to break the silence, but I could not say for sure. I can tell you that it was not me, as I could not utter a sound for a minute or two, partly because Bern had me in a near choke hold he was so excited.
Unbelievable storybook week. Again, what a privledge. Thank you GBS for providing me with this chance to live in the Olympics and get paid for it. Thanks to T and M at VANOC for making room for us. Thank you Vancouver for hosting the best party our Country has ever seen.
On the way home now. Since I started typing this blog, I have flown from Vancouver to Montreal. Waiting now for a connector flight to Home.
With all the excitement of the Games, I never really did get a chance to congratulate our Sean on the launch of his solo CD. Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes is a very lovely and heartfelt collection of tunes. I know that all of them are very personal confessions and query’s from the poet I’ve stood next tom for almost twenty years. Hearing he and Jeen O’brien sing ‘Razor and Rust’ is to hear as close to a perfect combination of voices. There are other fav’s of mine, but I’ll let you decide for yourselves which tunes move you the most. You won’t find a more honest group of songs anywhere. You can get the stuff on iTunes, or in stores. Check it out at
www.greatbigsean.com
Really cool. Really proud. Well done Magoo.
Cheers,
Alan