Weekly Wrap

A Chick at the Olympics #8

Did you watch it? Did you watch the Team USA vs. Team Canada Gold Medal game? It was a nail biter up until the third and then Team Canada really turned it on. Our team had nothing left. After the Russian win, we were pooped. It was disappointing, but Canada really played great. If anyone was to beat us, they deserved it. They hadn't won a medal in some fifty years. Their team was made up of a bunch of nice guys, not to mention some superstars. We were happy for them, but that doesn't negate my feeling of total hatred towards the country in the last five minutes of the game.

At least I'm honest.

Team USA played their hearts out and ended the tournament with class, raising their sticks to the fans to say "thank-you and good-bye." I have to admit I was a little choked, but when they put the silver medal around Phil's neck, it erased some of the sadness. We got a silver medal! Sometimes someone needs to slap me.

We went to the Anheuser Busch party afterward anyway, and when the team arrived, everyone gave them a standing ovation. Phil was choked. It was a very proud moment for all the family members. I got to say good-bye to my friend Megan Barrasso, and we promised it won't be another thirteen years before we get together again. The kids spent the night running around the party trying to collect some last minute trading pins. Their hottest -- the green Jell-O Salt Lake City pin. I guess they sell for $100 a piece. Next month it'll be at the bottom of the junk drawer.

We woke up the next day and headed to the airport four hours early as we heard security was going to be at a standstill. It was. What a job trying to check in six people, 12 bags and two hockey sticks. (They were attached to Wilson's palm every since Chelios gave them to him.) My carryon bag had to be gone over with a fine tooth comb since something in it set the machine off. It was the silver medal. Impressed the heck out of airport security. As if that wasn't enough, Taylor carried the yellow roses that were given to medal winners throughout the whole airport. Everyone asked who won a medal and in what event. I'm sure it confused them looking at the four kids, me and then Papa Housley. The kids were not impressed with my "I'm a luger" story and proceeded to tell the right story.

The plane ride home was uneventful, except for the homework cramming. Papa Housley slept, Taylor (with flowers at side) finished her five hours of English, and Avery and I watched Shrek. Phil had to travel straight to Philadelphia as he plays the Flyers tonight. Anticlimactic to say the least. Then he's in Montreal for a game tomorrow. I hope he has some legs left. He's coming home for a small family party here on Thursday. It'll be good to see him. The weird part about the whole Olympic vacation is, we really didn't get to see Phil. In the ten days that we were in Salt Lake, we probably spent eight hours together as a family. It'll be good for the kids (and me) to get him alone.

All in all, Salt Lake did a fabulous job with the Olympics. I'm sure there were some pretty tense moments with the events of September 11th, but in the visitors eyes, things went very very smoothly. They should be proud, and their volunteers need to be thanked. (Especially the driver who was forced to drive the band KISS around for three days. He was our driver the last night, and boy, did he have horror stories about the immature rock band.) I'm going to go back for a relaxing vacation next time... and hang out in Park City. It was a beautiful place.

It's so good to be home. I love my bed, I love my shower, but most of all, I love the silver medal hanging over my computer. Now I have to get it to the safety deposit box. I'm one of those people that tends to lose things.

Thanks for reading along!

Chick Karin