I am actually enjoying working the Olympics. Saw Matt Lauer and a bunch of important politicians. Some athletes. Tons of journalists. There are rumours that Stephen Colbert is lurking around. Sometimes I scan their passes to make sure they can come in. As you do. Yesterday I gave directions to someone from NPR and couldn’t stop myself from telling her just how much I love NPR. She was surprisingly unperturbed by my nerdy media fandom.
I’m uncomfortable wearing the turquoise as people now see me as part of the whole thing. It gets weirder the further I get from downtown and someone yelled at me the first day I worked.
Although having a uniform sure helps when you have to wake up at 4:30 AM everyday and the interesting conversations with people from all over the world help pass the time. I explained trans rights to a girl from the Czech Republic today as we sat in the sun guarding a stairwell. And I have discussed with many people the reasons that lots of Vancouverites are less than supportive of the Games. (For example tragic job losses due to the loss of Gaming funds.) It’s a conversation I end up having with everyone I meet.
As vehemently opposed as I was before, I am starting to see the beauty in a gathering like this. The energy is palpable. Downtown literally seems to hum. Tomorrow I am helping kids make Olympic torches out of pop bottles. It feels good to be a part of an event like this, even if I hate the machine behind it.
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