big crowd in Pt. Grey, Vancouver, to see the Olympic torch relay

Where Vanoc (the Vancouver [Olympics] Organizing Committee) has done an utterly terrible job of engaging the people of Vancouver leading up to the Olympics, there is one thing that’s made people feel included and excited: the torch relay.

Last night the torch went through the University of British Columbia (some hockey events will be held there, including the Canada-Switzerland women’s game we’re going to see Monday – oh, yeah!), and on its way to the Yaletown Live City for festivities at the end of the night, it travelled pretty close to my neighbourhood.

So I put on my rain boots and coat and went to see if my sleepy part of town would represent.

Anina @ Urban YarnsFirst stop: Urban Yarns, which is located on the torch route. It had been ages since I’d been there, but it’s my proper local yarn store so it was great to see the place and to catch up with the owner, Anina. Little did I know they were throwing a wee party just for the occasion, and I showed up just in time for snacks and wine (and to buy some yarn for the as-yet-not-chosen project I’ll cast on tonight for the Knitting Olympics).

Anina told me all of the business owners she’s spoken to say business is way down, that people have been successfully scared into staying off the roads (not scared for their safety, but scared by warnings of brutal traffic). She’s hoping folks will make it out to the store in the Point Grey neighbourhood, and I encourage all crafty visitors (and locals!) to do just that. Bonus: there are no parking restrictions in the area, and the 99 B-Line bus stops a block away.

Next stop: the streets. There was a brass band playing in front of the RBC bank at W. 10th Ave. and Sasamat, which was festive even in the rain. I think it was a firefighters band, and would love confirmation if anyone knows for sure.

Firefighters Band

Just as I began to relax into the realization that this sleepy community really was filling the streets, the most ridiculous pre-torch spectacle came through: neon-adorned Coke trucks with people dancing and shouting for excitement. Eye-rolls all around, and also some whooping.

And, about ten minutes later, the torch.

Olympic Torch in Pt. Grey

And just as soon as it came, it went.

Olympic Torch in Pt. Grey

And people crowded into the streets and followed it, and I felt so excited for my community and to be a part of it all.

Olympic Torch in Pt. Grey

And then it was over, as signaled by the streets opening up to traffic again and the #9 bus doing its part to get people back to the sidewalk.

#9 Bus Sez: "It's Over. Get Out of the Street!"

I’m so glad I went, and my cynicism is certainly at bay today as I get really excited to watch the Opening Ceremonies on television tonight with friends.

So, crafters, what are you making during the Games? And non-crafters and crafters alike, what do you think of the Olympics as they ramp up?


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Carol Bradley

I'm going to crochet! I haven't done any in years (okay, decades). I scooped up a little box called “Cozy Crochet Kit” on clearance at Barnes and Noble last week.

haley

I'm knitting these socks from Anti-Craft. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/las-calacas-danzantes-socks They are long and full of colorwork. Such a challenge for myself!

How exciting you got to see the Olympic Torch! It's always been a dream of mine to see it pass by.

Amber

Wine and yarn together? That is totally inspired! Sadly, I am about 1/3 of the way through a sweater right now, so I am not taking part in the Knitting Olympics because I don't want to put it down and using it as my project would be a total cheat.

I agree that the Coke truck was a bit much, even more because it came through my neighbourhood here in Coquitlam at around 7am. But even more ridiculous, in my mind, was the RBC party truck. Maybe it's because I don't bank with them, but the Royal Bank just does not equal party to me.

All the same, I did find the whole thing exciting. People were out lining the streets at 6:45am here in the rain yesterday, and just seeing us all come together with shared purpose was inspiring.

corporatebully

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$100,000 – MISTAKE (FISHERMEN'S LOAN)

I'm a commercial fisherman fighting the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC Bank) over a $100,000 loan mistake. I lost my home, fishing vessel and equipment. Help me fight this corporate bully by closing your RBC Bank account.

There was no monthly interest payment date or amount of interest payable per month on my loan agreement. Date of first installment payment (Principal + interest) is approximately 1 year from the signing of my contract.
Demand loan agreements signed by other fishermen around the same time disclosed monthly interest payment dates and interest amounts payable per month.The lending policy for fishermen did change at RBC from one payment (principal + interest) per year for fishing loans to principal paid yearly with interest paid monthly. This lending practice was in place when I approached RBC.
Only problem is the loans officer was a replacement who wasn't familiar with these type of loans. She never informed me verbally or in writing about this new criteria.

Phone or e-mail:
RBC President, Gordon Nixon, Toronto (416)974-6415
RBC Vice President, Sales, Anne Lockie, Toronto (416)974-6821
RBC President, Atlantic Provinces, Greg Grice (902)421-8112 mail to:greg.grice@rbc.com
RBC Manager, Cape Breton/Eastern Nova Scotia, Jerry Rankin (902)567-8600
RBC Vice President, Atlantic Provinces, Brian Conway (902)491-4302 mail to:brian.conway@rbc.com
RBC Vice President, Halifax Region, Tammy Holland (902)421-8112 mail to:tammy.holland@rbc.com
RBC Senior Manager, Media & Public Relations, Beja Rodeck (416)974-5506 mail to:beja.rodeck@rbc.com
RBC Ombudsman, Wendy Knight, Toronto, Ontario 1-800-769-2542 mail to:ombudsman@rbc.com
Ombudsman for Banking Services & Investments, JoAnne Olafson, Toronto, 1-888-451-4519 mail to:ombudsman@obsi.ca

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http://www.youtube.com/CORPORATEBULLY

http://www.p2pnet.net/story/17877

“Fighting the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC Bank) one customer at a time”

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