Changing gears. my journey as an official at the FIBA level has officially come to an end.  It's been a wild ride.  My semi-final was my last game.  It's been an exciting 16 years doing international ball.  I've travelled to countries I would never even dreamed or thought of seeing. 

I've met amazing people and have made new friends from all over the world who I will cherish for a lifetime.

My mantra: 

Dream-Believe-Achieve

I believe if you want something bad enough and are willing to work, ANYTHING is possible!  

I made my "anything" a reality.

Thank you all for your support!  

Olympic Games - Rio 2016

Today watched Men's 10M platform diving and I'm telling you, I would have a heart attack on the way down!  There would be no "pretty entry" for me...no way Jose!  These guys go down like rockets!  I don't know how they manage to remember how many times they've spun before they come out of a tuck!  Check out these photos.....

Seriously!!!!!  That's one of our two Canadians but of course you can't tell.  Aye Carumba!  Not for me!!!!!























Below you will see the video of our top Canadian.  Thought it would bring to life what is actually looks like when they dive off the top of a 10 story building, essentially!

There are always some super crazy fans at all events who dress up in weird costumes to support their countries' athletes.  It's really quite cool to see, hear, feel the passion this event brings out in people!  They talk about these games being ones that bring people together in the spirit of sport...and it's true.  While the competition to win a medal is fierce, you can see, as many or all of you may have witnessed, the sportsmanship of ones who are humbly defeated.  

WICKED SHOT!

Okay, handball is CRAZY!  What a great sport to watch live!  Those guys are HUGE.....and beat the crap out of one another!  So very awesome to see this sport live!  I didn't have a clue what was going on aside from the fact that you can pretty much beat the TAR out of someone and get away with it!
The court is not overly large either!  Imagine these guys going at each other like freight trains!  YIKES!

FACIAL!!!!!

I lucked out and got to move down behind Slovania's goal and look what I ended up beating someone up in the stands to make my own.....

Okay....the beating up part was a lie!  I just had to grab it out from under a foot!  Cool keepsake though!

I will be working the USA vs. France semi-final tomorrow at 7:00pm.  Even though the US has been pretty much crushing all opponents, I'm super excited to work them as they are in a league of their own!  Will be a great experience!

I know these don't look appealing on the outside, however I have found my new love in fruit!  They have these delicious green and yellow guava.... the pink fruit inside that is tangy and sweet at the same time!  Wonder if I can find these bad boys at home....

Game yesterday was awesome!  First off, I got to work with two people I was really hoping to work with....the Official from France - Eddie and my friend from the Dominican - Paola.  The game itself was hard fought, challenging, and the end result was a huge upset!  Serbia just does not give up!  They played their hearts out and took down the first place team in their pool - Australia.  It was a huge shock for Australia...however Serbia earned the win.  It was a pleasure to be part of such a great game!

Sadly, Canada struggled against France and did not pull out the win at the end.  I am sad for them as they have a really good team and had a very legitimate chance to be in a semi-final....but they unfortunately fell short.  

I'm excited as I am off to Men's quarter final handball today!  It's a crazy game as I mentioned before so I can hardly wait to see it live!!!!

Is it just me or o these look like lemons/limes?

Yummy pink fruit!

Have Quarter Final tomorrow at 11:00am my time - Australia vs. Serbia.  Will be a battle!  Working with my buddy from Dominican Republic for the first time - Paola!  We are both very excited!

This delicious Brazilian staple is called a "Caipirinha".  It's made with 2 ounces of Cachaca, 2 tsp of sugar, and 4 lime wedges that are muddled and blended with ice and mint.  These babies are one of the most delicious bevvies one could every drink.  I highly recommend them...however be careful....they sneak up on you and punch you right in the face when you least expect it! If you are not a rum fan, don't worry.......they are just as good with vodka!  I have been wise and have stayed away from them until today (bad memories from Pan Am Games in 2007) but had to indulge while on the Copacabana Beach today. Look terrible huh!

Finally had a moment to get out and see another sport...and with my buddy Kathy who came all the way from Edmonton to support me at the Olympics!

USA was playing Great Britain if you can't tell from the photo...LOL!  What a crazy sport....rock hard ball - rock hard sticks, and only mouth guards, shin pads and skirts!  Yikes!  No thank you!  I tell you what though.....WOW are these women FIT!  There can't be 5 ounces of body fat between the entire team!  Totally impressive!
Thank goodness Kathy knows the rules to the sport as I would have no idea otherwise!

This woman to the right was drilled which is why she's in a puddle on the ground.  Not as crazy as handball (which I would of loved to have played about 25 years ago) but still fairly rough!  So very neat to see some of these sports live!

Last day of preliminary play and our Canadian women have a very important game today against Spain.  This will determine who finishes second to the USA in their pool and be critical when they cross over for play-offs!  If Canada plays the way they can play, they should be able to come out with a win.

Oh, and for those who like to enjoy a cold one at any game, check out the really cool collectible cups you get.  Just to confirm...this is NOT MY BEER!  I am taking the picture of someone else's cup as it's totally cool!  I had to beg to get them to let me have the cup as a souvenir!

So if anyone thinks we're not secure here in Brazil....check this out!

These guys stand outside our hotel all day and night.  As we are driving to the gym or any other venue, there are trucks with military lining the roadway as all transport for athletes/officials drive on specially made "express lanes" the regular traffic is not allowed to travel on.  Certainly helps with potential traffic jams as the roads are packed with cars, motorcycles, busses!

These lovely fellows are at the entrance to our basketball venue.  Not sure about you, but I would not want to mess with them!  

We're getting close to the end of the preliminary round of the basketball tournament with our Canadian team sitting tied for 2nd place in their pool.  They are performing well!  Two more days of round robin play and the quarter finals will begin.  

The Golf Venue is right across the street from us.  Pretty cool as we can simply walk across the street, show our Olympic credential, and join the gallery and walk as many holes as desired, watching the best in the world perform!  Sadly, now that we're getting to the medal rounds in a number of sports such as soccer, handball, it's becoming more difficult to get in without a ticket as the events are selling out!  If you haven't purchased a ticket prior to getting here, it's really hard to find any available as scalping is not practiced.  

Have a blast and soaking up this truly amazing experience!  

LOL....

I can't get over our outfits!!!!!

Good Day from Rio!  The competition is well under way and the games are more and more exciting!  I have to say, the Brazilian fans are absolutely amazing!  They are so very passionate for their teams, but also support and cheer for other teams who are playing as well!  So very incredible to be a part of!

Our Canadian women's team is playing well so far and will face their toughest challenge tomorrow against the USA.  I watched the US play yesterday; what an incredible squad!  They move the ball so well and know exactly where each other are on the court, or are going to be at every moment!  Completely impressive to watch!

I have Brasil vs. France today, which of course will be super exciting because the fans will bring down the house as they have been doing all tournament long!

I have yet to get in to watch other sports, however a few of my ref buddies have simply walked in without a ticket by showing our reffing credential - they saw Serena Williams lose in tennis and Michael Phelps win the 100m Gold Medal.  I'm envious!  But I WILL get to see something for sure before I leave!

Today was a success in two areas!  1.  I was able to get in to the "megastore" and get some shopping done!  Finally!!!!!!  2.  Canada Women beat Serbia in a very close game...well Canada was down substantially but came back to win!  Huge for them and puts them in a really good position for the next round.

The Olympics are in full swing and I must say, it still feels surreal to me.  Maybe I'll actually come to realize it's for real at some point, but I certainly don't want this ride to end!  The hustle and bustle of fans (and I must say the Brazilians support every sport, every team like no other country I have witnessed) including some serious die hards (see photo below...woman from Los Angeles).  Had to have my picture with her as her outfit was AWESOME!

The many volunteers who are working hard to put this event on and take care of everyone are doing an amazing job!  They are so helpful, kind, and in abundance to make sure everyone who is here attending sports as a fan, official, coach, etc are well taken care of.  It's really something....and the media tried to make it sound like they could not pull it off.  Well I have news for them; they have been outstanding from everything I have personally witnesses.

Tomorrow I am standby for the Brazil vs. Belarus game.  It will be loud and exciting.  Think I might need ear plugs for that one!  

Day off was relaxing!  Only downfall was I set up my day to purposefully to head to the "megastore" at the Olympic Park for souvenir shopping just prior to watching the Spain vs. Croatia men's game...but the wind was so bad earlier today it ripped holes in the roof of the store!  They closed it down for repairs and it is not open until tomorrow.  That said, I can make my way there as I have the last game of the day tomorrow - China vs. Senegal Women @ 7:45pm.

Many games were close today -in particular the Spain/Croatia men's game.  The game ending play with a 1 point difference was Spain with the ball (specifically Gasol who was hot all night) who in spite of being triple teamed, had a very nice open look at the basket.  As he released the ball, which looked like it was going in, one of the Croatia players came out of nowhere and literally "swatted" his shot out of the sky!  It was amazing!!!!!

Even more amazing was the dance the Olympic mascot did during one of the quarter breaks.....Made me laugh!

Enjoy!

Day off was relaxing!  Only downfall was I set up my day to purposefully to head to the "megastore" at the Olympic Park for souvenir shopping just prior to watching the Spain vs. Croatia men's game...but the wind was so bad earlier today it ripped holes in the roof of the store!  They closed it down for repairs and it is not open until tomorrow.  That said, I can make my way there as I have the last game of the day tomorrow - China vs. Senegal Women @ 7:45pm.

Many games were close today -in particular the Spain/Croatia men's game.  The game ending play with a 1 point difference was Spain with the ball (specifically Gasol who was hot all night) who in spite of being triple teamed, had a very nice open look at the basket.  As he released the ball, which looked like it was going in, one of the Croatia players came out of nowhere and literally "swatted" his shot out of the sky!  It was amazing!!!!!

Even more amazing was the dance the Olympic mascot did during one of the quarter breaks.....Made me laugh!

Enjoy!

Okay.....the moment you've been waiting for....the "uniform".....

It's the typical "flight attendant" uniform...complete with scarf and all!  I know, I know....you're all envious and wish you had one just like this!  Well you're in luck....for the right price I will sell you one...in fact I have 2 for the price of one!  

Had the battle of home Brazil vs. Australia today and it ended up being the battle we expected.  These  women play for keeps and take no prisoners...oh wait...there is an Olympic Gold Medal at stake!  Silly me!  I'm fortunate and have the day off tomorrow which means shopping and watching some men's hoops and possibly some other events.   Tried to send you a video here of the opening ceremonies...not sure if it downloaded but will publish and see if it works.  

That's all for now!!!!

Hey All!
Opening Ceremonies were AMAZING!  I bawled like a baby when they lit the torch!!!!  I have to be very quick today as I am leaving shortly for the gym to watch Canada play China.  I work the Brazil women vs. Australia!  Sold out so will be very exciting and quite loud I'm sure.  It's on at 5:30pm Rio time....so minus 3 hours for those at home and 4 for those in the US on the Coast.

More later.  Figuring out how to download the mass of pics on to my computer as I've run out of space at this point....also video!

Hello from Rio de Janiero!  We've arrived at our Olympic hotel and have completed training camp!  We're one day away from starting the games....and all of us are excited to get on the court!

We took a tour of the main arena where a majority of the men's games will be played.  Very cool to see the rings on the floor!  The facility is beautiful!  

Today we have free until head to the Opening Ceremonies tonight!  I hear it is quite the event, so naturally, I'm very excited to see it!  

Of course, I know many of you are waiting to see what my "uniform" looks like - in fact we have to wear it to every game we work.  It's Olympic protocol and every official has to wear it!  Some officials have to actually officiate in it - I only have to wear it to and from the venue:)  Yes, yes....I will send a picture of it for you all to enjoy!  

Off to enjoy some shopping at the Olympic store!  More to come!!!!

Holy!  Where did July go? It's August 1st today.  Can hardly believe it!  We had a nice surprise today....only had training until 2pm and our boss let us have the afternoon off until dinner time!  We all hung out pool-side relaxing, getting massaged by one of our fellow officials from Korea who loves to massage everyone and is very good (and knows exactly where the trigger points are and how to get to them!), playing water polo and just chillin'!  Terrific day!

Back at it tomorrow as it will be our last day before the games begin, so will be important to ensure we're all set and ready to go - which I have not doubt we will be as the training material has been interactive and outstanding!  We're all really looking forward to taking the court and putting our new tools to work.

Let the games begin!!!!!

Morning group run on the beach!  Not sure you could lose this group in a sand storm!!!!  Was a nice change of pace for our pavement workouts, that's for sure.

Check out this nasty beast I almost stepped on during the run!  Yikes!  That would of been an "bloody" mess...eyeballs and all!

Third day of training down and 2 to go!  Almost had a couple of casualties during our team building activities today!  We were broken up in to 2 teams of 15 - half of the team blindfolded, the other half with hands tied behind their backs.  Played a game of handball on the beach, where the people with no hands could only direct the blind people to the ball as there was no kicking allowed.  Imagine a group of blind officials - aren't we all blind...LOL - all running at one another barking out instructions to the blind people telling them to bend down and pick up the ball and throw!  One official took a head in the nose....and people were falling and diving all over the place.  I got smart after having a few people fall at my feet that I could not see and decided to go stand in net with a couple of other officials who are much faster thinkers than I!  Crazy, but quite fun all the same.  Hopefully we finish the pre-tournament camp with all 30 officials in tact:)

Day 2 of training camp is in the books!  I almost started out on the wrong foot....as I set my alarm for PM and thankfully work up with 10 minutes to spare to make it down for "good morning exercise" with the group:)  My heart rate was certainly higher than it normally is that early in the morning as I brushed my teeth, put our running uniform on, and tied my shoes literally all at once!

The jet lag has clearly set in with the group as our team psychologist recognized we were all half asleep while finishing up our last class session before his "teamwork" session - therefore he made an executive decision and told us to all go rest as he could see the jet lag hitting us all like a hammer in the head!  Have to admit, the jet lag slammed me pretty hard today.  It's a really good thing we're here a week before the games start as we should all be ready to rock and roll by then!

Great group of officials; great clinicians and trainers.  Sessions have been awesome and interactive.  Our opinions and thoughts are promoted and valued!  It's been a valuable 2 days thus far and I expect will be extremely beneficial for the entire group and games themselves when we take to the floor on the 6th!

Completed first day of training camp.  Consisted of an 8am morning run and stretch for 40 minutes, mechanics discussions, group work assignments, and team work activities to help us strategize as a small group and figure out a given scenario/problem.  Was really neat!  Very good way to get to know one another and feel comfortable problem solving on the court.

The weather is a little cooler than we all expected, albeit it it's winter here.  That said, daily forecast is supposed to be 25-28 celcius, cooling off to 20-22 at night .....there is NO WAY it's that warm.  End of the day, doesn't really matter as we are not outside much of the day anyways as it's all business right now.

Four more days of training then we'll be on our way back to Rio to the Olympic hotel.  The opening ceremonies are on the 5th am I'm told by members of the officiating group here who have experienced it before, it's absolutely amazing to be a part of.  I can hardly wait....but I can wait to see the "uniform" we are receiving to wear!  If it's anything like the "flight attendant" uniform I received at the Universiade Games in Russia, I may have to cry:)  I know there will be requests for a photo of me in whatever catastrophe we receive!

Day is done and I am still fried from a bit of jet-lag, so signing off to have an early night in prep for another full and exciting day tomorrow!

After 15 hours of travel, I have arrived to Rio!  The US rowing and gymnastics team were on the flight, along with a couple of athletes from the Philippines.  Kind of cool!  I was very happy to be joined on the flight with my fellow Canadian official, Steve Seibel, as it's always nice to find one's way to the accreditation process, bag collection, then locating transport to our hotel "with" someone else instead of alone.  We get to our temporary hotel near the airport only to have USAIN BOLT walk right past us!  WHAAAAAAAT! The fastest man on the planet is the FIRST athlete I see who I recognize!  How incredible is that!  Off to meet the other officials for lunch before we all head to the hotel where we will begin our 5 day training session.  More to come!!!

Well it's finally here!  I'm leaving today and cannot actually believe it!  I'll arrive in to Rio tomorrow morning to meet some old friends and new officials and begin our 5 day training camp!  Looking very forward to a very exciting experience!  I can feel myself getting emotional thinking about the opening ceremonies - the realization of actually being at the Olympics, and seeing Team Canada walk in to the stadium!  Very excited and looking very forward to the moment!  Talk soon!