Weekly Wrap

A Chick at the Olympics #6

I just thought I'd pop in quick to tell you about our Olympic Village visit today. We got up (I was a bit slower due to my late night with the Roots beret designer, and didn't get up until 10:00 a.m. I spent the next hour on the phone with everyone who was just as pumped about Phil's goal and the U.S. game win as I was.) Once we got to the village we went through at least a half hour of security checks. The shuttle had to be searched, complete with a check under the hood and a metal detector sweeper. After we got in, we went through a couple of tents of security personnel and metal detectors. When we finally got through we met Phil in the game room. The kids loved the game room. The could have spent the whole ten days in the game room. The really loved the free part. Then we went to see Phil's dorm room.

The Olympic Village is located within the campus of the University of Utah. I have no idea what the students did for the past three weeks, like where did they go? I'm guessing that the University must be closed for this semester so they could let the International Olympic Committee take over the place. All of the buildings have been converted into things like the Post Office, General Store, Photo Shop etc. It was like it's own little International Town.

All of the athletes stay in the dorm rooms. In Phil's quad, he stays with all the defensemen. There are four rooms, two to a room, each guy with a single bed. There are two bathrooms for eight guys. Phil had hung up the sign from Wilson's fourth grade class above his bed. Wilson was very proud. Phil also carries Taylor's lucky penny and Reide's lucky toothpick (don't ask) with it him at all times. Somehow they all need to feel responsible for his career.

Then we went and ate dinner in the cafeteria. Again, the kids were in heaven because everything was free. They had different stations of Asian food, Italian Food, Scandinavian food etc. My kids went straight for the McDonalds. They NEVER eat McDonalds, but thought this was cool. They even kept their receipt from the meal as it tallied up the burger and fries and it came to $0.00. This could quite possibly be the highlight of their trip.

Then we ran into a bunch of the guys on the team. Chris Chelios and Mike Modano gave Wilson and Reide some Junior Synergy Hockey Stocks. These are coveted by any 10-12 year old. The highlight just changed from free McDonalds to free Synergy sticks.

We didn't run into any famous athletes,but it's hard to recognize them unless you're watching them on T.V. or they're in their full country identifying garb. The dining room was full of athletes, but I had no idea who anyone was, except for the hockey players. Phil said that he ate breakfast next to the Canadian figure skating pair this morning and that's the extent of who he has recognized. But I think some people were staring at me since I was wearing the "authentic" beret, and have the Roots jacket that all the U.S. players wear. Some people even asked what my event was, in which my father-in-law would promptly reply, "She's a luger." Get it? Loser? He thinks it's funny.

Anyway, that was our Saturday. We are headed to either 'NSync tonight or that new hot Canadian band, Pusch, up in Park City. We have tickets to both. If I could get the kids out of the lobby of the hotel I might be able to get going. They are addicted to this pin trading stuff. I'll take pictures of all their valuable junk tomorrow.

Later!
Chick Karin

P.S. By the way, Candace Cameron Bure called me today after they won the bronze. She said that she used up all of the Kleenex's after their loss yesterday. And she was serious. She and the Russians are heading home in the morning with the bronze. She did wish the Americans luck, and hoped that we could beat the Canadians!