I'm Canadian eh, and I love it.

It’s day 9 of the Olympics and we’re halfway through, and I know my life is going to feel so empty when they’re over. We have 4 gold medals and counting, making our total altogether 8, and we used to just be a bronze country.

Our Vancouver games has unfortunately been riddled with what many see as numerous problems that question the capability of those who have spent years organizing this monumental event. Yes, there was an unspeakable tragedy that happened even before the Olympic flame was lit. There is nothing that anyone can say to lessen the heart-wrenching circumstances of when a young and vivacious man loses his life from participating in a sport that he loved. There’s nothing that can be said.

But Canadians should not feel embarrassed or have any less sense of pride because of the few shortcomings from the fickle weather in Vancouver to the mal-functioning zamboni. Having a mal-functioning zamboni in Canada? It’s kind of ironic, don’t ya think? Sing it Alannis. But buck up Canada, we’re all super foxes and wave your flags proudly, and wear your red mittens with cheer. Maybe the rest of the world would get a better idea of how Canadians really are from watching our beer commercials as opposed to the Opening Ceremony. But seeing Jon Montgomery win the gold medal and he turned down the suck and turned up the good by chugging a pitcher of beer with a crowd of Canadians cheering with enthusiasm beside him, those are the moments that I love to see. Part of the reason why I’m so friggin proud to be Canadian.

Maelle Ricker doesn’t know it, but I love her first name so much it is now on top of my list to name my future daughter, eventually…whenever that will be…I have to have a boyfriend first…then maybe a husband…minor details. But Plushenko, the quad-throwing Russian, wasn’t able to leave the rink after his short program because he couldn’t fill his cup filled with pee for drug testing…there’s a minimum amount. Along with James Duthie, I find this amusing. And PS, if I ever saw James Duthie, I would totally fan-girl all over him. He’s up there on my Freebie 5 list of funny and smart hotties, along with Conan O’Brien and Seth Meyers. Don’t judge me.

Be proud to be Canadian, it’s cool to wear your Olympic gear around town now. I busted out the old school O’2 Roots sweatshirt. Let us love the fact that our flag has a leaf on it, and that others feel that we are nice and sweet. Times like these don’t come often in our lifetime, so don’t let it pass you by.

Yours in sports and stilettos,

Scotty.

I believe. Do you?

The Olympics is one of those monumental events that happen every four years for both the summer and winter events respectively. Think of it in terms of when H’M announced they would carry an affordable line of Jimmy Choo’s. But for those of you who don’t really see the magnitude of it, or don’t see beyond the person wearing that ugly piece of spandex and “clown-sized” figure skates, mastering the art of turning left around the oval in speed skating, here’s some food for thought. These men and women have dedicated their lives to whatever passion in athletics that have chosen to pursue, to force their bodies to perform to their maximum potential. Each and every one of them has dreamt of the moment of when they would be able to represent their country. The focus, the determination, the drive to pick themselves up after they received a bad result and the sheer will to keep going, knowing that the hard work will inevitably pay off – that’s what it’s about. It’s not easy to get to the top, and it’s even harder to stay there. The Olympics is not just about the particular sport that is being played. It’s about the journey to reach that point, and who will be able to perform at their best on the day of competition. And I am dying to know what is going on in the Olympic Village. My inside sources tell me there’s always an abundant supply of condoms readily available. Jeff Batchelor needs to watch out. Lets hope he remains disease-free.

With Vancouver hosting this year’s Olympics, there is a certain sense of pride that people are beginning to show. But, there will now always be a dark cloud hanging over the memory of these games. I don’t even really know how to begin talking about it. Shocking, devastating, heart-wrenching, are all emotions that have a place in the tragedy that took place yesterday. The young and zealous young athlete who was going down a training run on this treacherous track, only to meet his fate before he finished his run. The image will forever haunt me. There are a lot of questions of why did this happen? Can it happen again? Is there someone to blame? Athletes are scared. This is about athletics, not putting your life in danger. Is there a reason why they had to make this track as fast as it is? Are they just trying to get their name on the map? Well they did, that’s for sure, but probably not in the capacity that they were hoping for. Tragic.

I’ll be watching and I’ll be cheering. And hopefully all of you are too.

Yours in sports and stilettos,

Scotty.