I took the 9:15 am flight from Ottawa to Halifax yesterday morning , and although it was a little over an hour, I don't think I blinked the entire time. I knew there really wasn't enough time to finish up a movie, but I figured what I didn't finish, I'd catch on the way back. However, I was still optimistic that I could squeeze it in as long as they didn't cut it off when we landed (Air Canada's been pretty good with flights I've taken in terms of keeping a movie going). Besides, if there's an option to watch a movie right in front of you, you've gotta take it.
So I watched Unstoppable. About a train. Denzel Washington. Amazing. It was suspenseful the entire way through, and like I said, I didn't blink. Air Canada pulled through again for me, kept the movie running after we landed, so I squeezed in every last drop. I was the 4th last person off the flight, and I had to leave 20 minutes and 35 seconds unfinished. I know what I’m watching on the way home. The trick will be to not start another movie after that.
Once I snapped back to reality, we were in Halifax! What a beautiful city, lots of snow on the ground, and friendly Canada Games volunteers with smiles and warm welcomes. As we drove through town towards our hotel, we saw the Oval, and tons of Canada Games signs. Let The Games Begin!
There was a family reception in the evening where Cathy Jones just happened to be the MC! Man, she is funny. There were lots of laughs, a few awards, and lots of thank-yous. Chantal Kreviazuk was a special guest who sang her new Canada Games song - I can't wait to hear it again! The next act was SQUID; a precision drummers group that included some bagpipes and a fiddle. (You might remember them if you were at the CRC in Halifax in 2007) Their music was great, and the stage act was impressive to watch. I couldn't help but listen to some instrumental music when I got back to the hotel like "Melanie Doane - Mel's Rock Pile", "Spirit of the West - Canadian Skye", the Fables (Heave Away is a classic pre-game song with my mom)... and the list goes on. You can't beat that East Coast music.
Teams begin their practices today - then Opening Ceremonies in the evening. Be sure to tune in on TSN2 and RDS at 6pm EST. Canada Go!
-Emily
-Emily
