Happy Canada Day

Canada is a young and virile 143 years this July 1st, 2010. Still a work in progress, some imperfections but deserving of a very happy birthday.

At the Opening Ceremonies of Vancouver's recent Olympics, a local slam poet, named Shane Koyczan, told the world a little about this country. He bravely stood alone in front of an overflowing stadium audience and a billion more watching on TV.

In his poem, We are More, he said in part:

"some say what defines us

is something as simple as please and thank you

and as for you're welcome

well we say that too

but we are more

than genteel or civilized

we are an idea in the process

of being realized

we are young

we are cultures strung together

then woven into a tapestry

and the design

is what makes us more

than the sum total of our history  

we are an experiment going right for a change...                        

we are the surprise the world has in store for you

it's true                          

                        

Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"...                              

we are the true north

strong and free

and what's more

is that we didn't just say it

we made it be. "                                                                                                               


    Thank you Shane. Here is the full version of your spoken word.

Deflating Vancouver's Domed Stadium

Vancouver has deflated the world's largest, air-supported dome. Home to the BC Lions football franchise, numerous trade shows and mega-concert events, since it opened in 1982, this 60,000 seat stadium recently hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. But this Tuesday, May 4th, the 16 giant fans were turned off and the 10 acre teflon-coated fibreglass roof sagged like a spent balloon. In only 48 minutes, the city skyline was changed forever.

Check out the time-lapsed video to see the changes.


And check back in the fall of 2011 for the new $458 million dollar "crown" - a steel and cable retractable roof. Here is the vision.

Olympic Pictures tell the story...

Immediately prior to the Vancouver Olympics' Opening Ceremonies on NBC, Tom Brokaw explained Canada to Americans in just six minutes - well worth a look!




On Day 1 of the Games, between two and three thousand spirited Vancouverites formed a "flash mob" the whole length of a Robson St. block to kick off one of the greatest people parties ever.



Courtesy of The Big Picture on Boston.com, some of the world's finest photographers captured extraordinary images of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. The photo essay is compiled chronologically in Part 1 and Part 2. Enjoy!