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Well, here we are on Day 4 of my once-in-a lifetime experience at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Unlike Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3, on this pivotal day, I try to see an Olympics sporting event and learn a valuable life lesson to boot.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Hello Friends & Family,

Cubs Cheng here, reporting from Day 4 of my Olympic Experience and sharing what happened during the FIRST day of competition at the Winter 2010 Olympics on February 13, 2010.

Sorry for not sending this out yesterday–I was too tired from cooking a Chinese New Year’s dinner.

Today’s lesson is: faith rules over reason.

I started the day determined to get into the Men’s 5000 m Long-track Speed Skating match. I wanted to see where Marcus has been working for the past six weeks. And I wanted to see the U.S. favorite, Shani Davis, go against the Netherlands favorite Sven Kramer. I heard it was the match to see.

On my way to the Richmond Oval, a 15 minute walk from the condo, I encountered many scalpers along the way. The first one offered me a single ticket for $400. You heard that right. $400. I knew tickets on the official web site had sold at $195 and $95. I kept walking.

I overheard other scalpers negotiating with other people along the path. The prices were high. I could tell from the way the customers were shaking their heads.

I got to the venue. There were about 15 people in line at the box office. I thought I’d try my luck. I stood in line next to a couple from Philadelphia and a lady from Boston. Even though we knew we had almost no chance of getting tickets, we wanted to try.

The husband from Philly would make the rounds with the scalpers while his wife stood in line. Every time he came back, me and the Boston lady would ask, “How much?”

The answer was always, “$400.”

I realized that people who come to the Olympics have a lot more money than me.

Are the Olympics becoming elitist? Can only the rich make it into the games? Something to chew on.

Then the rain began. The games began. All the ticketholders rushed in. The line moved a few inches.

A ticket officer kept making the rounds saying, “We are sold out! We have no tickets to any games today!”

The Philly couple gave up and left after 45 minutes in the rain. Even though the ticket officer came around again and told me to my face, “We have no tickets for today,” I stood fast and said, “I’m looking for tickets for tomorrow.” She shrugged and moved on.

After 1 hour in the rain, cold and shivering (I only had my hat, no umbrella) and losing my voice, I started to run out of hope.

Suddenly, the line moved and I was near the front. The gal in front of me let out a yell. They had just released a bunch of tickets! I asked her how much she was paying. She said, “$195.”

My heart dropped. I could not afford $195.

I got up there and asked for any tickets that had a partial view. Marcus told me they might have some of these seats for cheaper. The ticket officer said, “I can get you a single ticket with a full view for $95.”

My heart leapt!

“I’ll take it!” I said.

I had hoped to pay less than the web site rate before I came to the Olympics. But after getting here I realized I had to see at least ONE game before I went home.

I got my ticket and rushed into the Richmond Oval. I found my seat. It was only 30 minutes into the 2 1/2 hour competition so I hadn’t missed much. I was in row 13, on the aisle (love the aisle) and was also in the last turn before the finish line.

It was like getting “front of the mezz” seats at a Broadway show!

Shani Davis did not do well at all. Sven Kramer got the gold (there were so many Dutch fans in the audience that I almost went blind from all the day-glo orange outfits and hats ?‍?) AND he broke a world record. I saw it all.

And as luck would have it, I could see Marcus working with photographers from where I was sitting.

Reason would say that I should never have gotten that seat. But reason has no place at the Olympics.

Keep the faith!

Until next time, this is Cubs Cheng, signing off.

When was the last time you chose faith over reason?

Peg Cheng is the author of Rebel Millionaire, a guide for how to retire as a millionaire even if you make a modest income, and The Contenders, a novel that asks, can enemies become friends? She is also the proud owner of Plaid Frog Press with her husband Marcus Donner. Born in Southern California to Taiwanese parents, Peg currently lives in Seattle, Washington.

Photo of 2010 Vancouver Olympics Canadian Men’s Long Track Speed Skating Team by Marcus Donner. Photos inside the Richmond Oval during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics by Peg Cheng.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Day 1 and Day 2 of my time at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. During my third day, I wander all over downtown Vancouver and give you my unedited thoughts on the issues I had with the Opening Ceremonies.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Hello Friends & Family,

Cubs Cheng here, once again. On Day 3 of my Olympic experience, I spent most of my day in downtown Vancouver.

Every day I’ve been sleeping in because of my cold. It works. Try it next time you’re sick. Just sleep all day and only get up to eat and use the bathroom.

I got up in time to meet Marcus for lunch at a Japanese restaurant called Kimono near Canada Place. Canada Place is that building that looks like white sails near the water and it’s where the Olympic press office is located. Marcus doesn’t usually work there but needed to be there prior to the Opening Ceremonies. Kimono’s grub was the first mediocre food that I’ve had on my trip. We only had an hour. It was nearby. You can’t win them all.

I wandered around downtown after lunch. I got really close to the group of protesters in front of the Art Institute and took a bunch of photos. They had great posters, reeked of pot and were peaceful. I thought, “Gosh, these Canadian protesters are so NICE. Not at all like Oregonians.”

I am glad I went shopping yesterday instead of today. I got some nice swag at Sears (Thomas, I got your t-shirt. Linda, I’m sorry but I couldn’t find any of your stuff. Sorry.) Even though I did not get into The Bay (Canadian Macy’s) where the Olympic Superstore is (the line to get in was INSANELY long and not moving), I was able to walk by it and take pictures of the huge Olympic posters without shards of Bay window glass flying around me and breathing in paint fumes (which is apparently what happened today).

It was fun too to see people on a ZIP LINE in downtown Vancouver. Yes, zooming at least 15 meters from the ground were actual civilians having the thrill of their lives for FREE. There was tons of public art lining the sidewalks and just tons and tons of people. It was great people watching. I’ve never seen so much red and white clothing and accessories in my life.

After several hours of wandering and picture-taking, I went home to the condo to rest, eat beef teriyaki and chicken karaage leftovers, and watch the Opening Ceremonies for real.

Okay, I will TRY to be BRIEF (not my strong suit) about what I thought about the Opening Ceremonies even though I could really go off about it.

First, the coolest thing is that Marcus has been on a secret assignment as the Photo Supervisor for the Cauldron!!! That is why he’s been working loooong days and nights. He’s been coordinating photography at the Richmond Oval AND doing stealth coordination of the torch lighting by Wayne Gretzky on the waterfront.

Will Marcus’ resume be bulletproof after this month? Hell yes.

Second, the two best things about the Opening Ceremonies were the whales swimming through the floor (very cool projection) and k.d. lang looking very Elvis and belting out “Hallelujah” like a gold-medal winner. (Does anyone remember when k.d. first was first on Saturday Night Live and she was so into her singing that she actually fell backwards, purposely, on stage? That lady can sing.)

Okay, stop reading now if you don’t want to hear me get political.

Third and finally, it was disturbing to watch hundreds of aboriginal people dancing non-stop while athletes paraded past them and a crew of white people dressed ALL in white surrounded them.

Did anyone else see how bad this metaphor was?

During the dress rehearsal, Marcus and I couldn’t believe it was happening. Later when we talked to Marcus’s journalist roommate Erik from Port Townsend the next day and asked him what he thought of the ceremony, he said the same thing without any prompting.

The aboriginal people were supposed to be HONORED by the ceremony but instead they had to dance for nearly an hour and a half while a crew of white people stood guard over them. I mean, they might as well have played over the loud speakers, “Dance, brown people, dance!”

Now I know. The Canadians are just as oppressive of their native people as Americans. We just don’t get all artistic about it.

Until next time, this is Cubs Cheng, signing off. Good night, and good luck.

Have you been watching the Winter Olympics in Beijing? If yes, what’s your favorite event?

Peg Cheng is the author of Rebel Millionaire, a guide for how to retire as a millionaire even if you make a modest income, and The Contenders, a novel that asks, can enemies become friends? She is also the proud owner of Plaid Frog Press with her husband Marcus Donner. Born in Southern California to Taiwanese parents, Peg currently lives in Seattle, Washington.

Photos of downtown Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics by Peg Cheng. Photo of 2010 Olympics Cauldron by Marcus Donner. Photo of 2010 Olympics Opening Ceremonies by People.com.