Olympics

The Olympics are going to start in a few days, and for the first time in my life I am glad that I won’t be able to go.

Back in 1988, I dropped the ball and didn’t really take part in the Olympics when they were quite literally in my back yard. Calgary’s citizens were galvanized into a force that enabled the events to run smoothly and relatively inexpensively. I went to some of the events around the city and the kids got to watch hundreds of hot air balloons on a daily basis. We took them out of school one day to follow the balloons. Louise went to a few events with her mom, but there wasn’t anything that I though was worth the cost. Foolish me.

Since then, for every winter Olympics, I say to myself “Next time I’m going for sure!”, and I always pass. Probably because of the cost, but that is just an excuse. I could go if I really wanted to, but I suppose I don’t really want to that badly.

This year, I really don’t want to go to Sochi. I am doubtful that there will be any significant terrorist action, mainly because the Russians are very good at keeping track of people and just where they are at any given minute. The Soviet government will be monitoring all internet and cell phone communications as well as having an army (literally) of people and all of the defensive weapons at their disposal.

The Canadian Government has issued a warning that you attend at your own peril. They are basically saying that if you do something stupid (and I would) then you have to get out of it on your own. My life isn’t great, but I don’t want to spend the rest of it in some Siberian gulag.

I will be watching select events, and cheering the athletes on from the comfort of my home. I doubt I will cheer on the hockey team because I don’t think millionaire professionals have any place in the Olympics, and that goes for all countries and sports. My problem of course, not theirs.

GO CANADA!!!!