Anniversary

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Do you remember the feeling that the games brought to the city? It was electric.

Yesterday was also the one year anniversary of the death of the Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. It was a sad start to the Winter Games, and today there is still controversy surrounding the death and the safety of the luge track.

Yesterday was also the start of the 45th annual Variety Club Children's Charity Telethon. The telethon has been a local tradition since I was born. It was always held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre downtown, and was basically one big local talent show. Everyone from local comedians, to local accordion players, and Irish dancers took part. As teenager girls, before we were legally allowed to get into bars, we used to head downtown that weekend, and sit in the stands and flirt will all the guys in the audience. It was a cheap place to go (all that was required was a small donation), and you could come and go until all hours of the night, as it ran from 7:00 one night until 5:00 or so the next day. But, like all things, times change and no one wanted to see magicians, and one man bands anymore. So, later on, the telethon was moved to the local TV station's studios, and broadcast more popular concerts (like The Rolling Stones, U2, Elton John, etc. etc). That format is still on today.

But, going back to when the telethon was held at the QE theatre, there was one time, in my 20's, that was most memorable for me. I was dating a guy who worked the backstage area of the telethon. He invited me to join him, and I sat backstage for most of the night/next day, chatting with local celebs and newscasters, and trying to look like I belonged there. That's when I got to meet David Foster.

It was Valentine's Day 1993, and I was sitting on a couch backstage, watching the goings on. A gentleman sat down beside me, and we started chatting. I knew who he was. This was before he became an international celeb, but his roots are in Vancouver, so I knew his work. After chatting with him for 1/2 hour or so, I asked someone to take a couple of pictures with us together, and I asked him for his autograph too. He went on to become a big mega super-producer, appearing on Oprah, and even on his own reality show once. But, I will never forget how down to earth and genuine he was. It was one of the best Valentine's Days that I can remember.