This morning I appeared on Fanny Kiefer’s morning TV show Studio 4. We had a great conversation ranging from Afghanistan to my childhood. Somehow she got a copy of a picture of me in a football uniform when I was about 5. Very embarrassing. Unlike the interview on CTV last night we were in the same room. It’s a lot easier to be relaxed when you are talking to a live person, not a dark room.

After the show we drove up the Sea to Sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler to check out the Olympic venues. The ride is about the most beautiful I have ever seen. While there are many places with majestic mountains, there aren’t too many that have those mountains against the backdrop of the Strait of Georgia. The drive is definitely worth the trip.

We had lunch with Mayor Ken Melamed of Whistler and MLA Joan McIntyre who represents the region in the BC Legislative Assembly, and Fiona Famulak from the Whistler Chamber of Commerce. We talked about the Olympic bid process, all the work that goes in to the preparation and the fact that the whole world will be watching.

What they will see is something very special. If there is one word that comes to mind about the Whistler Olympic Park its “impressive.” This place is first rate. I had looked forward to the seeing the sliding venue and it did not disappoint. People have to be either crazy or brilliant to slide down these slopes at speeds illegal on most highways. They go past so fast you can barely see them.

We also had a chance to visit the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center and visit with Chief Gibby Jacob and a group of young people who put on a performance for me and Julie. I am excited about the Olympics!! Can’t wait for them to start.

DJ