Paul Filek: Blog

VANCOUVER OLYMPICS 2010,

Im one of the lucky ones to say that they were fortunate enough to be in Vancouver during the Olympics. But i must say, thus far its been so busy and so crazy I dont remember much! Whats scary about that is that there is still another 6 days to go! Ive had a blast though and have had many many cool experiences.. Just to be one of the extra Million Plus in the city is a thrill. Walking down granville street or robson is just such a nutty experience I can't even begin to explain it.. Everyone is out and about and celebrating. Celebrating not only the olympics but it feels like people are celebrating life itself!! IF you get a chance and dont mind huge crowds of people singing, screaming, partying.. then i suggest you get downtown Vancouver as soon as possible.

I would like to take this time now to share with you my 2 most fondest memories thus far. My second most fondest memory would have to be while I was performing last Saturday at Doolins Pub right in the heart of all the action.  To my pleasant suprise my cousin Ryan showed up. He once told me that he was sick of everyone asking him if he was either related to "the singer".  I think he wanted people to know him for his days in beer league soccer. I mean come on, how could you not remember someone with such talent?!?! Anyways, I felt like it was now finally his time to shine.

As you know Canada typically pays no attention to its athletes up until the Olympics. Once the Olympics hit Canadian press, and delegates all swarm around our "heros" the athletes. In all reality most of our athletes are forced to fend for them selves, working three jobs barley making ends meet, with little to no help at all from our government. But it is because of these same reasons I was able to make my cousin Ryan the famous person in the room.

Because of such lack of attention put onto most of our athletes we the viewers and normal citizens of Canada really dont know "who's who" unless we are physically watching the event. This in reality is kind of sad, but for my purpose in life at this specific time of the day it was perfect. AFter finishing one of my songs I decided to announce to the 300 people in attendance that there was a celeb in the house. I annouced RYAN FILEK as just placing 5th in Cross Country Skiing. I pointed, he blushed and waved. The place went wild! wow a true Canadian hero amongst us! Go Canada Go!

My most favorite memory of my Olympic experience so far has to be performing on the eve of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. I got 45 mins on the big stage at one of the final Olympic Torch Relay Ceremonies coming through UBC on its way to the Olympics Stadium. Tens of thousands of people were in attendance. I was blessed by being able to play just before the torch ran through as it made my time on stage the peak of all excitement. However, performing in front of this many people was not my fondest memory. It was the events leading up to it that i will never forget.

Before all the masses of people gathered and before the torch ran through UBC, I was there early for sound check and for other little things to help get the night ready. I had my car with me. I was told I could go park my car in "that parking lot". So as i approached the parking lot i noticed two things. One, that it was one parking lot and that it was split into two sections. A section on the right, and a section on the left. Two, i noticed that it said "absolutely no parking".

To the left portion of the parking lot i noticed that there were about 8 cars parked in perfect parking fashion. To the right portion of the parking lot i noticed 3 cars all parked sideways and in a very unorganized manner. I sat in my car and I just stared. what do i do. My gut feeling was telling me to go to the left, but for some reason I really really wanted to park on the right hand side.. I'm pretty sure i grunted out loud as i went against my gut feeling and parked my car in a normal parking spot on the right hand side amongst all of the unorganized vehicles.

Fast forward 5 hours. I have just finished performing on the main stage. There are now probably close to 30 thousand people in attendance. I walk to my car to put my stuff away and to get ready to head out. As i walk closer my heart starts beating faster and faster.  I dont see any other vehicles anywhere anymore. All i notice are the tens of thousands of people waiting and walking and cheering "oh Canada"

To the left of the parking lot.. nothing but police officers, security, and two solid lines of people.. omg, that parking lot is the path for the torch to come down!! Good thing i didnt park there!! TO the right side of the parking lot. Tens of thousands of people and one black Nissan Versa. hahahah ! Im not sure how or why my car didnt get towed. Im not sure how or why nobody keyed my car or smashed my windows. But what i am sure of is how happy i am that i went against my gutt feeling to park on the left hand side.

I couldnt leave as soon as I had wanted. And when the crowds did finally start to leave it was a slow go for me and my little car, but There was no damage to my car, no protest, just thousands of people and my car enjoying the spirit of being Canadian and enjoying the crazy madness of the Olympics!

GO CANADA GO!

Thank you Canada for not destroying my car. Thank you Canada for believing even for a split second that my cousin Ryan placed 5th in Cross Country Skiing.

see you next monday!

PAUL