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...
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...
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