van_will_shine!

It has been a long and exciting night! I will put in my 2 cents about the opening ceremonies...I have not read all of the replies here, so forgive me if it will be repeated. I was fortunate enough to attend the ceremonies and just watched the NBC and part of the CTV coverage of the live ceremonies which I had DVR'd. First of all, I think it was very appropriate the way they honored Nodar Kumaritashvili. The experience on TV was completely different that what it was like to be there. Some parts were better in person, and some were much better on TV. Overall I think the ceremonies were fantastic !!! The audience was part of the show, the energy was pretty high and it seemed that everyone had fun. It was hard to see some of the effects that were projected on the floor as we had seats close to the floor and far from the screens in the stadium, but on TV my opinion and the opinion of the people watching with me today, was that they were spectacular but at the same time touching. As for the crowd at BC place, MOST of us were beating our drums and making noise even during the athletes procession, however I still wish more people would have cheered, as I noticed that on TV the noise we were making was defiantely muted. Continuing with the audience at BC place, I was really PISSED off that most people cannot follow instructions!!! We did go through a few rehearsals, but during the actual show alot of people still did not do the effects right, or were too immersed in the show to look at the instructions on the screen and at the team leaders. The biggest screw up for the audience was during K.D Lang, when the candle light was supposed to start from the center of the stadium where she was, and SLOWLY radiate outward, each row turing on their candle lights when the team leader walked and pointed to that particular row.....well NOBODY did that, they just simply turned on their candles when K.D Lang came on.....uhhh!! Also, can someone who was at the ceremonies please tell me what the secret effect was when the cauldron was being lit that we were supposed to do with out flashnights...I saw something on the screen that said something like hold on button for a few seconds, but I was focused on the cauldron (so yes, I am at fault too for not follwing the instructions, but to be fair we didn't practice that part because it was "secret") Also some effects and segments I thought were better in person, like the fiddler / tapdancing segment, especially when their feet were on fire, in person it was amazing!! The musical performances were great, and the crowd really got into it during Bryan and Nelly's "Bang the drum", and I mean we really got into it! it was a lot of fun....BUT, could't see any if that during the coverage of NBC or CTV, nothing...it seemed like the audience was dead almost...a little dissapointed As for the cauldron itself, NOBODY that I was with at the ceremonies noticed any screw up with it, other than the music going off for a second, so to us it was perfect ! Only when we listened to the radio, got home and saw highlights we were told what happened, and I think that if some cauldron lighters, especially Steve Nash didn't make strange f*&*& faces, even at home it would have been less awkward! Actually watching Romania's coverage of the Opening, they didn't even comment on any glitches, just like us in the stadium, it looked that that is how it was supposed to be lit. So, I am wondering anyone else who has seen LIVE coverage in other countries, how many commentators didn't even notice the glitch?? Obviously now it has been all over the internet, so they will report on it, but watching it LIVE I think millions of people probably didn't even notice. Now, what I thought could have been better was if the outdoor cauldron was lit at the same time, with the fireworks going off at the same time, I thought that that the biggest problem of the ceremonies, even bigger than the BC place cauldron failure if you ask me! Overall, I think it was fantastic!!! A-

It has been a long and exciting night! I will put in my 2 cents about the opening ceremonies...I have not read all of the replies here, so forgive me if it will be repeated. I was fortunate enough to attend the ceremonies and just watched the NBC and part of the CTV coverage of the live ceremonies which I had DVR'd. First of all, I think it was very appropriate the way they honored Nodar Kumaritashvili. The experience on TV was completely different that what it was like to be there. Some parts were better in person, and some were much better on TV. Overall I think the ceremonies were fantastic !!! The audience was part of the show, the energy was pretty high and it seemed that everyone had fun. It was hard to see some of the effects that were projected on the floor as we had seats close to the floor and far from the screens in the stadium, but on TV my opinion and the opinion of the people watching with me today, was that they were spectacular but at the same time touching. As for the crowd at BC place, MOST of us were beating our drums and making noise even during the athletes procession, however I still wish more people would have cheered, as I noticed that on TV the noise we were making was defiantely muted. Continuing with the audience at BC place, I was really PISSED off that most people cannot follow instructions!!! We did go through a few rehearsals, but during the actual show alot of people still did not do the effects right, or were too immersed in the show to look at the instructions on the screen and at the team leaders. The biggest screw up for the audience was during K.D Lang, when the candle light was supposed to start from the center of the stadium where she was, and SLOWLY radiate outward, each row turing on their candle lights when the team leader walked and pointed to that particular row.....well NOBODY did that, they just simply turned on their candles when K.D Lang came on.....uhhh!! Also, can someone who was at the ceremonies please tell me what the secret effect was when the cauldron was being lit that we were supposed to do with out flashnights...I saw something on the screen that said something like hold on button for a few seconds, but I was focused on the cauldron (so yes, I am at fault too for not follwing the instructions, but to be fair we didn't practice that part because it was "secret") Also some effects and segments I thought were better in person, like the fiddler / tapdancing segment, especially when their feet were on fire, in person it was amazing!! As for the cauldron itself, NOBODY that I was with at the ceremonies noticed any screw up with it, other than the music going off for a second, so to us it was perfect ! Only when we listened to the radio, got home and saw highlights we were told what happened, and I think that if some cauldron lighters, especially Steve Nash didn't make strange f*&*& faces, even at home it would have been less awkward! Actually watching Romania's coverage of the Opening, they didn't even comment on any glitches, just like us in the stadium, it looked that that is how it was supposed to be lit. So, I am wondering anyone else who has seen LIVE coverage in other countries, how many commentators didn't even notice the glitch?? Obviously now it has been all over the internet, so they will report on it, but watching it LIVE I think millions of people probably didn't even notice. Now, what I thought could have been better was if the outdoor cauldron was lit at the same time, with the fireworks going off at the same time, I thought that that the biggest problem of the ceremonies, even bigger than the BC place cauldron failure if you ask me! Overall, I think it was fantastic!!! A-

I was not sure where to post this. A few pics of the Torch travelling through my area, Queensborough. After a last minute route change, it actually passed RIGHT in front of my house, it was very, very exciting. Surprised to see so many people showed up on a work day in our little community, but everyone was cheering and running behind the torch, it was very fun !

Not exactly new pictures, taken over the last few weeks, my first attempt, but here we go !

MMMMMMMM...One of the reasons I like the olympics !

Very unique ! Best looking podiums I have seen ever at the Olympics !

Count me in as well ! Everything from Opening Ceremonies to curling, to Hockey and live sites, I will be there and try to post as much as possible

I apologize, I just noticed that you had already posted ALL the info, I guess with so much info you post I just missed it !

TVR the Romanian national network will have over 300 hours of Olympic coverage on 3 channels (including TVR HD). They will have Olympic coverage from 21:00 to 9:30 the next day. Their Olympic website was just launched, looks like they borrowed ALOT of visuals from the Vancouver2010 site. Alot of the features on the website are not working yet: Medals counts, contests, results, world records, etc, but check it out. TVR 2010 Olympics

I wonder what the opening ceremony tickets look like

here are a couple of pics of the tix as promised

I will be there - I'm totally stoked !!!

Yes I received my tickets at 9:00 AM this morning via Purolator, but I know that tickets are supposed to be delivered all week long and after that too, depending on where you live maybe, or the events that you got, or perhaps both...

I live in the Richmond -ish area, LOL I got tickets for Women's Semifinal Hockey, Women's Bronze Medal Hockey, Men's Curling Prelims (including Canada), and Victory Ceremonies ( hoping to trade a few for either Speed Skating at the Oval or any Mountain Medal Events). I did notice on Saturday when I logged in my ticketing account, that there was a link ( non working though) that said " Your Auctions", so maybe the trade/sell part of the website is coming soon My partner is also getting tickets in his name (including Opening Ceremonies) - but those are being delivered downtown on Friday

Today was my arrival date, and Purolator knocked at my door right at 9:00 AM ! I am glad it worked out that way because the Purolator offices have bad hours (9:30 to 5:30 ) and I couldn't make to the pickup location any day this week, so yeah if they had come 5 minutes later, I dunno what I would have done. I wonder if you can call in with your tracking # and request an alternate delivery address.....like work.

YEY !!! I received my tickets today by Purolator !!! I am so excited, the tickets look awesome, they come with a really informative Official Spectator Guide Booklet and a whole bunch of other stuff. No really surprises for me in the Spectator Guide, except for maybe that for the Opening ceremonies which i will be attending , the doors will open 4 hours before the start of the ceremonies, at 2:00PM, and spectators should be in their seats for the "start of the audience participation rehearsal" at 5:00PM !!

Has anyone heard about any celebrations, etc that are happening around town? I would like to see the rings being lit up, I wonder what the best vantage point is...

I cannot believe that you beat me to it. I just happend to check today, and at first I thought that the link wouldn't work because when you just click on view seats it does not compute, but after a few minutes of trying I figured out how to do it ! Well I am happy to say for Opening Ceremonies I am in section 222 - corner of the stadium...not bad I guess I am getting really excited I am going to check out my other events

A couple of weeks ago VISA volunteers came by and asked retail stored in downtown ( I am guessing more than just downtown Vancouver) if they want to sign up and get a free VISA 2010 Kit. Today the kit arrived at our business, it included tens of VISA pens, a few stickers for the front window, lots of POS retail displays, a couple if bags, mouse pads and a big 2X3 hanging sign, all displaying the GO WORLD visa branding (identical to The Bay banners). Apparently secret shoppers will come to the select stores that signed up and give out prizes (everything from VISA gift cards to Opening Ceremony tickets) to businesses that display these. Apparently from what I read in Torino something like 90% of the businesses signed up. I wonder how many business will display these in Vancouver?!

I couldn't put my finger on it before, but you are completely right!!!! LOL!

Found this on YouTube the other day, it's not bad...a little cheesy maybe. Looks like this guy is trying to get VANOC's attention, but I am not sure if he really wants to attract their attention seeing how he is using the Vancouver 2010 logo, etc.....anyways enjoy.

Rogge notes the low profile of the 2010 Games The Globe and MailBy Rod Mickleburgh, The Globe and Mail Posted Monday, August 17, 2009 11:13 PM ET There was no six-month countdown party, public events are few and far between, and the streets of Vancouver remain virtually bare of Olympic paraphernalia. Now, with just 178 days to go before the glittering opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Games, the top man at the International Olympic Committee has criticized local organizers for not doing more to promote the event. In an interview with the respected online publication Around the Rings, Switzerland-based IOC president Jacques Rogge did not dispute a suggestion that the 2010 Games have a very low profile. "I agree ... that a bit more promotion would be useful," Mr. Rogge said. He added that the issue will definitely be on the agenda when the IOC committee scrutinizing preparations for the 2010 Games comes to Vancouver for a look next week. His remarks came to light just as officials reported record registration for the 1,300 spots at the provincially funded International Media Centre in downtown Vancouver for journalists not accredited to cover the Olympics. Another 10,000 journalists from around the world have already signed up for the official Main Press Centre on the city's waterfront. Indeed, VANOC president John Furlong seemed perplexed by Mr. Rogge's criticism. "It may have been an awkward question. ... I really don't believe the question [to Mr. Rogge] was rooted in fact," Mr. Furlong said yesterday. "We have an extraordinary amount going on globally." VANOC officials pointed out that the 2010 Olympic website received more than two million hits from outside Canada last year, VANOC has hosted more than 50 visits from international media in the past three months, and Olympic mascots have already made appearances in China, South Korea, Japan and Australia as part of heavy-duty tourism promotions. "I don't believe we are in any different position from any other Games at the same time [as far as promotion is concerned]," Mr. Furlong said. In fact, the perception that the 2010 Olympics have a low profile may be fuelled by VANOC's own success, he surmised. "The project has not been plagued by the kind of things that put you on the front page ... venues not being finished on time, budget over-runs, that sort of thing." Mr. Furlong did not deny, however, that budget struggles, rooted in the current recession, are making it difficult for organizers to prepare for the Games. Frills and extras are out the window. "But I'm not sure anything that's happened so far will have changed the commitments we have made internationally," he said. "Look at the pressure for media. We are not going to be able to cope with the numbers [at the unaccredited centre], so that's pretty extraordinary." The IOC, itself, is causing financial problems for VANOC since it has not yet delivered on $30-million in sponsorship commitments because of a dearth of corporate global sponsors. As for the lack of a six-months-to-go celebration, Mr. Furlong said those kind of events are not all that necessary. "They are more to pat your own team on the back, celebrate with the volunteers and remind the local population, which is already well aware of the Olympics." He said the beginning of the torch relay is traditionally when national and international attention begins to focus seriously on the coming Olympics. The 2010 torch is scheduled to be lit Oct. 22 in Greece. Vancouver streets, meanwhile, will start to take on an Olympic look around the same time, according to Councillor Geoff Meggs. "Some buildings will be wrapped with Olympic themes, the Olympic Village will be handed over, and we'll begin to see banners," Mr. Meggs said, contending that such measures enhance the Olympic experience for visitors. "When you invite everyone here, you've got to make sure they have a good time."

I completely agree with both of you. It is too bad that a couple of people ruined it for everyone.

I just noticed something about the seating..all of the seat categories except for the most expensive one ( A ) say assigned seating...but not the most expensive level...so what does that mean? Does it mean that for the A level it's first come first serve kinda thing?? For example Opening ceremonies: A $1,100.00 - Lower and Upper Level* B $750.00 - Upper Level - Assigned Seating* C $550.00 - Upper Level - Assigned Seating* D $175.00 - Upper Level - Assigned Seating* and you can check it out yourselves by logging in, and when doing a search for tickets click off "Only display sessions for which tickets are currently available" so that you can see the seating charts of the events -

After waiting for 1 hour, I finally got in, and most of the tickets I wanted at the price I wanted were gone.....so I took a deep breath and a bought 2 tickets for the OPENING CEREMONIES for $1100 each!!! WOOHOO!!!!!! Now I just gotta sell the $1200 worth of tickets that I bought back in December Women's Hockey semifinal 2 tix - women's hockey Bronze medal game 4 ticks - men's curling qualifications 2 tix - and vancouver victory ceremony 2 tix because I cann't afford all of them plus the opening ceremonies !! Hopefully they get that trade/sell back webiste up and running soon!