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41/365 (February 10, 2010) – The Flame passed through our neighbourhood early this morning and is currently making the rounds of the North Shore. It came down Capilano Road, made a tour of the Squamish Reserve before popping out a block East, where there was another handoff, and then another on Marne Drive…. all within about a block of our home.

For the past few weeks, Vancouver has felt like it was holding its breath. Now, with the flame so close to downtown and its final destination, people are waking up and getting excited. Canadians are usually such a restrained lot, but more and more excitement is building and it’s pretty neat to see the pride starting to swell.

After the flame passed our neighbourhood I grabbed my scooter and did a bit of a relay chase and caught some neat vibes everywhere I went. I also accidentally found myself a block ahead of the torch a couple of times. At the bottom of 3rd I saw it coming down the hill and pulled over to watch. I didn’t realize who it was at the time, but I caught a great photo of Karen Magnussen with the torch. She was our 1972 silver medalist for women’s figure skating.

Friday morning the flame crosses the Lion’s Gate Bridge and circles Stanley Park before heading around the downtown area and ending up at the final cauldron at 6pm. I may try and get down to Stanley Park in the morning to see Arnie take up the flame…there is a lot of debate as to the appropriateness of his carrying the flame. Is it political? Probably. Is it inappropriate? Maybe, maybe not. He loves Vancouver and has a place here. He held the Mr Universe title for years and took the Mr. Olympia title as a pro. He is a supported of the Special Olympics. Yes, he is not Canadian, but Lance Armstrong isn’t American and he carried the torch in the Salt Lake City Games. I say whatever and enjoy the quirk that the Terminator will carry the flame.

The excitement is building….