Finally...

Worked the ePort last night at the Village for the first time ... Really cool. My first walk through security at an Olympic Games. Tried to take a photo, but no-go.

The people were strict about everything - but also incredibly nice.

Made my way to The Athlete's Living Room, our location in the Van Village - which is a huge cavernous old warehouse - decked out in cool leather furniture, tons of video games, and a vitamin water bar. It was quite busy last night according to one of the wonderfully friendly volunteers. Man those blue jacket cladded people (mostly from Ontario they say) are nice! They (along with police) are everywhere!

Anyway, last night was my first 'on the job' experience - and it was fantastic. The ePorts technology was 'ok', but I did manage to get sustainability pledges out of three snowboard athletes (two Germans and a Russian). As well, I had a cool discussion about the state of waste diversion (and recycling) in Russia and Germany. As I finished up with the ladies, handing each of them a Coke polar bear (yes they HAVE TO do the pledge to get one and NO I didn't bribe them!) I thpught of all the great conversations I've had with athletes from all over - but never like this. Athletes have so much in common - even the old dudes like me get granted 'access' to the thpoughts and mental spaces of today's champions. I was both humbled and stoked to be able to talk about 'our earth' - another commonality we share.

The night ended with a long walk in the rain (can it stop already!!) And a nice solo dinner (one never feels alone here) at a little pub on Main Street, where I watched the replay of the triumphant debut of our Womens Hockey Team, the ever-so-fortunate Apollo Ohno' sixth medal, and the way-too-over-hyped moguls runs of the wonderfully positive Jennifer Heil.

I mean - a silver medal @ the Olympic Games a 'disappointment'??

Hardly.

Cheers!