Olympics as shopping experience

Well before the games began I was already gearing up, so to speak, shopping bit by bit for pieces of Olympic and Team Canada clothing and more. A great t-shirt for me, some requests from a friend whose brother will be at the Games, accessories for Conrad's family, even Olympics leashes for two terrific dogs.

Since I've been here, though? Oh, the fun of it all! More requests from friends (the scarf is sold out, sorry to say), mittens (the hot item of the Olympics, or so I've read). We've got scarves for ourselves, a tie for me, a sweater, jackets, long sleeve t-shirt, other gifts for friends, non-wearable things. Oh, the fun of it.

Oh sure, maybe a year from now all of us Canadians will feel slightly foolish, being so patriotic, wearing all this gear with our country's name emblazoned about. We're Canadian, after all, and we're rather meek and timid in our national pride. Ah well. I'll still wear mine and think fondly of a great week in Vancouver. May all my friends who are getting some items think fondly of me, of the city, of the Games as well.