PAOLA AND THE DEAD HEADS

Toronto is a-rockin' from the PanAm Games to the Beaches Jazz Festival. The multi-colour "TORONTO" sign at City Hall has become the focal point of giant crowds enjoying the festivities at the Games or at the free entertainment. If you don't fancy a Quebecois jig/chant/stomp, how about a Caribbean salsa/samba/jump-up?

At the indoor venue, the work sometimes gets so monotonous that the best action is watching the hotel construction across the street. But then Canada's Chef-de-Mission shows up and the excitement returns. (Curt Harnett is Canada's most decorated Olympian.)  The games are getting more intense as gold medals are up for grabs in volleyball and handball. You can see the bruises on both men's and women's teams.

The most dominant player to emerge on the courts is Paola Longoria of Mexico. 3-year reigning international champion in both singles and doubles racquetball, 1st player to hold both titles simultaneously. Champion since age 12, Mexican Medal of honour, etc., etc. What's interesting is she's the only pro player to use what's called a "semi-western grip". If it works so well for her, why don't the others use it?? She's the shorter player in the red/green in the singles match, white/green in the doubles, and then centre on the gold medal podium. Let me tell you, she can really blast that ball.

We cheered for Cuba against the U.S. in men's volleyball semi's, and !Bueno! they won. Later that day, Canadian men beat the U.S in basketball. Take that, eh?

Back in the Beach 'hood, the annual jammed Jazz Festival is in full swing on the street, too. There ARE swing bands and even some actual jazz ensembles. But a crowd-pleaser is always the DeadHeads, debauched old guys who can still rock --- right in front of the car lot on our corner! It's appropriate; Pat and I feel like deadheads from our long and grinding volunteer shifts. More about that next time...

THE GAMES (AND THE TWINS) GET GOING!

Up at Kemble the raspberries and beans need picking but we're in the city volunteering behind the scenes at the PanAm Games. All the grumbling before the Games about traffic congestion and the billions spent has changed to cheering and excitement at the competitions. The free entertainment at the outdoor venues is a big draw ---- wanna win a Corvette? Or maybe just line up for a free ice cream bar. The acts range from muggy-weather blues bands to new-era tap dancing to a rolling DixieLand Wheel. All Canadian, of course.

The first assignment was very discouraging, almost "I'm quitting" stuff. Standing around at the back of the buildings, guarding the loading docks or  checking I.D at the practice courts. Most exciting back there?? The court-cleaning after training sessions. Not exactly motivating.

But all that changed in the last few days. The serious matches have begun and the job is now to host the crowds and channel the enthusiasm --- literally, to the right seats. Marshaling in the stands, I get my first-ever look at handball. (It used to be 2 guys in an enclosed court whipping a little black ball against a wall.) It's a cross between dodgeball and rugby. Fierce and brutal, and the goalie doesn't have much of a chance: scores are like 35 to 27! Also on are women's and men's volleyball.

Hardest ticket of the week was women's volleyball, Canada vs. Cuba. The 5,000 exuberant fans lined up and then almost knocked us down racing to the stands. These players are awesome in strength, strategy, and focus; amazing saves and spikes. After all the roaring and chanting, Canada wins!! I thought the walls would come tumbling down from the noise and stomping. Goose bump stuff.

Next up was U.S. vs Puerto Rico, etc. This morning the standings show USA in a narrow overall lead, after Canada led in gold medals all week. But we're giving a special Gold Medal to two of our favourite Americans, Nikki and Christie, this week for the safe arrival of twins Conner and Marion. Mixed volleyball, anyone??

THEY'RE OFF & RUNNING (...and rowing & swimming & bouncing & rugby-ing & ...)

Quite a week for motion and speed. On July 7 I give a shout-out to Pamplona and fellow bull-runners, but I always hope the bulls get in some horns, too.

In Toronto the PanAm Games are in full swing (as in baseball, boxing, squash, etc.!). Big buzz around the party centres for free entertainment and  mascot Pachi photo-ops. Volunteers got tickets to the dress rehearsal of the Opening ceremonies and it was a WOW with typical Cirque du Soleil symbolism, mysticism, and did-you-see-that!-ism. Great recognition of area First Nations in tribal splendor. Blinding use of lights and fire. But very disappointing that they didn't open the roof of Skydome?!?! It meant that $pectators couldn't see the torch lighting and CN Tower fireworks. Duh!

The Canadian team is the biggest ever and in this morning's standings Canada is leading in the medal count. Quantity brings quality??

But we raced up to Kemble between our work shifts. The grass is high from recent rains. New blossoms are taller and more vivid than usual. Biggest shock is the thousands of tiny maple trees, bursting from all the seed keys that fell everywhere. Even the eavestroughs were doubling as maple nurseries.

So get your speed and motion on for the summer. Everybody into the pool?