Eleven

The blue cast is now in position the sets are receiving their final touches, the camera crew are plugging in, the sun is about to rise, but we won't know it, and the world is tuned in...

...3,2,1

Take One.

"Burrard this is Charlie 1183, calling Burrard"

"Charlie 1183 this is Burrard go ahead."

"Burrard this is Charlie 1183, departing for YVR, picking up two passengers for 8:15 arrival time in bay 8, over."

"Charlie 1183 this is Burrard, copy that state once you have arrived over and out."

* * *

"Burrard this is Charlie 1183, calling Burrard"

"Charlie 1183 this is Burrard go ahead."

"Burrard this is Charlie 1183, I am departing from YVR with two passengers delayed 20 min and heading to OFH (Olympic Family Hotel). Do you copy?"

"Charlie 1183 this is Burrard copy over and out."

This is only one sampling of one of many conversations I have already rehearsed with dispatch using my two way radio system. I literally have to say Charlie because we are apart of the tier 3 drivers there fore we are assigned the letter "C" but the letter "C" is a homonym for sea and see, which could be quite confusing therefore someone assigned us with the name Charlie. I kinda of like it for the time being, not that I will respond to it, unless I am holding a radio with lots of background fuzz and have an important mission to accomplish.

This is Charlie 1183 over and out.

Twelve

Fellow blue people continue to cross my path during my early morning trek into pre dawn state of Vancouver. The residents are oblivious to the cities goings on at 5:30 am and why wouldn't they. As I cross intersection after intersection with flashing green lights anticipating the next pedestrian my body shivers with excitement. The excitement steams from this passion I have for the Olympics. I like watching the events and ceremonies on TV, following along with the medal count, learning interesting facts about the host city, and imagining what it would be like if I were one of those professional athletes.

This particular morning if felt as if I were apart of a movie set with the largest organized cast getting into positions. I am still on route to my final destination driving along the final stretch of road before I make one last turn off and scope out a parking space. I peer down many of the side streets along 2nd Ave running parallel to the athletes village and already many blue jacketed personal are manning their posts. My blue count doubles with each block I pass. I have passed blue jackets on foot, on wheels, ascending and descending stairs, and disappearing into waiting tents.