Today marks the 10 year anniversary of the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games held in Salt Lake City. As I mentioned previously, I was a volunteer during the Olympics, and I wrote a journal most of the 17 days during the Games. I hope that you will enjoy reading about my Olympic experience as much as I enjoy remembering those wonderful days.
Friday, February 08, 2002
WOW! After all this time, It is finally here: the Games of the XIX Olympiad, the Olympic Winter Games of Salt Lake City. There has been such a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air today. I’ve been psyched up all day; the people at work were jazzed up. There was an energy in the air. It was just amazing.
Just a quick note: T and I saw Air Force One tonight. I was parked at the Air National Guard runway right across from T’s school. Very cool!
I just finished watching the Opening Ceremonies on TV. I went to the dress rehearsal on Wednesday night, so I knew what was coming. My favorite parts were the Native American segment and the Great Western Suite. Although they were very cool on TV, it was nothing like being there. It was amazing to see the five nations of Utah coming into the Stadium, gathered together in their beautiful costumes, and dancing with joy and abandon to the five drum circles, then to the rock beat of Robbie Robertson.
The Great Western Suite was just amazing. From the entrance of the explorers and trappers and pioneers, to the puppet animals brought in by skaters, to the hoe-down, to the re-enactment of the meeting of the trains on the trans-continental railroad, it was spectacular. I just can’t think of enough superlatives for it.
I also really loved hearing Sting sing “Fragile” accompanied by Yo Yo Ma on cello. Beautiful.
One thing we didn’t get to see on Wednesday was the President. Tonight, after he officially opened the Games, he sat in the stands with the athletes. I thought that was cool.
We also didn’t get to see who lit the cauldron on Wednesday night. It was the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” USA hockey team. :0)
Tomorrow is the first day of competition. My first official day of volunteering. I’m excited. My shift starts at 8:30. I am in a carpool. We’ll leave no later than 7:45. I have to take T to school. I plan to have him there by 6:30; I should be able to leave there by 6:45 and get to the carpool house by 7:30. MT has to leave for Deer Valley by 4:45 am. Jeez! Courtney (the babysitter) will sleep over tomorrow night. I have a shift at 6:30 am on Sunday. MT scored tickets to the ski jumping on Sunday. He is taking his mom & Jake to that.
Well, I better get to bed. It’s been a busy week. Now the real excitement begins!
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