24.02.10
    The ride home today was one of the most hassle-free commutes I've ever had. We should always schedule major sporting events during rush hour.

14.02.10
    Today we waded into the mellee that is the 'lympix, as did most of the city, it seemed. Between us, we ran into friends, family, and co-workers. It invovled standing in a lot of lines to be able to stand in more lines. Every corporate-sponsored space was an utter disappointment; either the most interesting thing there was the furniture or there was some cringingly bad entertainment going on. We braved the crowds at the cauldron (or the aluminum foil wire-frame volcano) along with a few thousand other people held behind security fencing and jockeying for a decent view. It worked out so that we were at Robson Square when news of Canada's first gold medal was spreading. Flag-draped youngsters ran through the streets and a spontaneous chorus of the national anthem rang out. Random people ziplined across the sky as a sea of revellers took over the street. Despite the crowds and lines everywhere (and kudos to Translink for having people on the ground and plans in place) people are in a good mood, and you can feel it. I might have to do it again.

    I was walking into the restroom in the mall, as per most of the high-traffic areas in the urban centre, the entrance was stanchioned off into two long corridors, one leading to the men's room and one to the ladies', and there was an unusually clacky set of footsteps following me.
    "I'm in the men's room," came a distinctly un-manly voice, as a woman in a long white coat and high heels walked in a few moments after me. "You know what, I have to pee so badly, I don't even care. Sorry, gentlemen." She walked into a stall.
    "That's fine," said a man finishing up at the sink. A few moments passed, as I occupied a far urinal.
    "There's no toilet paper in here," said the woman. "Could someone hand me some some tissue paper?"
    There was a moment of silence, I would have obliged her, had I not been otherwise engaged at the time. When I was in a position to turn around, a middle-aged man was dangling some paper towels over the top of the door. A feminine hand was waving around at the bottom. Eventually they connected.
    "Thanks, dear," she said.
    A mall employee was at the sinks, very much amused. We shared a smile as I washed up and left before the end of the show.

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