Tuesday, December 29, 2009

2010 & High Heels Tuesday Photo: The Fate of Skate Guard Ends

by Lisa Ovens


photo: Lisa Ovens
Last Christmas I was on a freelance photo shoot at Cyclone Taylor Dance Shop on Oak Street (your number one shop for everything figure skating in Vancouver). The subject: recreational figure skates.

 As I was leaving the shop, I noticed a basket on the floor. It was filled with the ends of skate guards. I guess the good people at Cyclone Taylor felt together, the guard ends were too pretty to throw away.

 I couldn't agree more :o)


Sunday, December 27, 2009

2010 Olympics: A Look at Accredited Olympic Media Centres

by Lisa Ovens


                               Grand Opening Weekend photo:Lisa Ovens taken April 2009

Well, after all the talk and action surrounding my video entry into the Petro Canada's Family Correspondent Contest, I felt this would be a good time to talk about Olympic Media Coverage.

There will be two accredited media centres in Vancouver, and one located in Whistler during the Winter Games. This means almost 10,000 media people will be employed around the clock bringing all the Olympic action to their home countries around the world.

Broadcast Media Centre: The Vancouver Convention Centre

A new fixture on Vancouver's downtown waterfront, the Vancouver Convention Centre (pictured above) will be a breezy, natural space for the 7000 accredited members of the broadcast media producing live television and radio coverage of the 2010 Winter Games.

In October I worked on a film in the centre so I had the opportunity to be there for a 15 hour day. Acting as a German business woman in the upcoming remake of the "A -Team" I spent most of my time in the massive lobby (the production company turned it into the Frankfurt train station for the movie).

I rode the escalators up and down for many takes as actress Jessica Biel ran around in a panic. It's quite possible Jessica did not notice the centre's living roof and the natural use of wood the designer's chose for this inviting building. She may not have been aware of the stunning water and mountain views seen through massive walls of windows.


Centre under construction: photo by Lisa Ovens, taken Sept.2007



Print Media and Photo Journalism : Canada Place




Canada Place is a busy spot on any old day:  it's home to the Pan Pacific Hotel, Vancouver Cruise Ship Terminal, the Port of Vancouver offices, the World Trade Centre and the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.

But during January and February, it's really going to be bustling and filled with the noises of thousands of fingers tapping on laptop keyboards and the sounds of lenses coming out of cordura camera cases. Approximately 2800 accredited print media and photo journalists will work 24/7 churning out the Olympic sport stories to be uploaded and emailed out to the world's newspapers.


Whistler Media Centre

Located in the Whistler Conference Centre, the Whistler Media Centre will be a warm, cozy retreat for media folk assigned to the skiing and sliding sport venues. Wish I had a photo of the conference centre, but in all my trips to Whistler I have neglected that building. So please enjoy this photo of Whistler Village I shot during the Whistler World Cup February 2008.





Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Seasons Greetings from Lisa and Hockeyandhighheels.com


by uncle Skeppy

Wishing you all safe, cozy and warm wishes this Holiday season!


With only 48 days to go until the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympics, I also would like to wish everyone travelling to my hometown, Vancouver Canada, the smoothest running of your travel plans and a safe and exciting journey to the Games.

See you all soon, in Vancouver!!!

love, hugs and Kisses

Lisa O.

It's official: Lisa Ovens enters PetroCan's 2010 Family Correspondent's Contest!!

By Lisa Ovens

Okay, I am going to come right out and say it. Just get it over with...Please vote for my Video, Behind the Rings on Petro Canada's Family Correspondent Contest Facebook page. I, along with hockeyandhighheels.com's very own contributing writer and photo artist, my Uncle Skeppy, have thrown our hats into the Five Rings, and would love more than anything to be chosen as one of two family teams, working to help tell the stories of our Canadian Athletes' heros...their families. This is a brilliant contest and many thanks to Petro Canada for creating a contest that would appeal to and bring out the best of so many Canadians.



If I may continue to campaign... Uncle Steve (Skeppy) and I are from a massive family, spread out all over Canada, and at re-unions, we often go into "interview mode" to catch up with everyone. (I have over 60 first cousins...yes, you read that right, 60 first cousins!) We love our big family, and know how important it is to have a family support network like our courageous 2010 Winter Olympic athletes have.


between the two of us, Uncle Skeppy and I would have the most unique pairing of voices in this contest: He's retired from media, but for many years was an anchor on news radio and then hosted a television news show while pulling the reins as news director for a television station. His voice is as smooth as any personality out there. I, on the other hand have been likened to Megan who played Karen on Will and Grace. But a much more warmer and friendlier sounding Karen. I do have my "interview, news gal voice as well.


I could go on and on here, but will close and say this: If chosen a  Petro Canada family correspondent, I will be so honored and will do my very best to share the stories with a warm, upbeat and fun presentation to Canadians everywhere.

Wish me Luck....and please go learn more about this super cool Petro Canada 2010 Olympic contest, view the other entries and vote now....

Behind the Rings by Lisa Ovens on Petro Canada Family Correspondent Page on Facebook


Thank you all for your support!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Not Your Average 2010 Contest: Petro Canada's Family Correspondent Challenge

by Lisa Ovens

If you have ever dreamed of being a field reporter uncovering the untold stories, then this is the contest for you. And if that very dream included a favourite member of your own family, then get the cameras rolling and yell "ACTION!"

It's all in the family for Petro Canada as they search for pairs of would be reporters for an assignment of a lifetime: interview the loved ones and number one supporters of Canadian athletes competing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

All it takes is a facebook account, a twitter account and a 30 second video to enter in the Petro Canada Family Correspondent Contest. Visit Petro Canada's facebook page for all the details, including current entry videos, prize details and contest rules... Petro Canada Dream Big Vancouver 2010 contest page

All I need to do now is get my Uncle Skeppy on board and who knows, you just might see me on Youtube dishing with the kin of our Candian athletes!!

Wish me luck :o)

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Free HDTV coverage of the Olympics If you live in a large city with Network Stations.


by Uncle Skeppy


Getting geared up for the 2010 Winter Olympics is on the agenda for most of us and part of the planning... " how am l going to see great TV coverage?"

At the top of this list is the size of our TV screen and with prices on LCD and Plasma units falling.. there are tempting buys out there with 42 inch screens going for 800 dollars or less. So we took the leap and purchased a new 42 inch HDTV and so far only one disappointment. The cost of the largest cable company's HD equipment and programming costs.


Hockey Night in Canada's Ron MacLean in HD

The HD Box runs anywhere from $250 to $500 dollars depending on wether you want the Personal Video Capture part of the deal. Then just when you think you might consider the purchase, you learn that the HD Programming will cost extra.

Refusing to get hooked on these outrages charges we let our fingers do the walking and guess what, you can get the Three Major Network stations HD programming for free !!!!!

ALL YOU NEED ARE A SET OF RABBIT EARS!

CBC,CTV and Global are now transmitting Off-Air HD quality programming, free, The channel numbers for HD off-air are CBC 58.1 CTV 33.1 and Global 22.2 CTV is the Olmpic Coverage Network. We don't know if or when other local stations will make the move to HD Off-air.



All you need is the old fashioned rabbit ears antenna sitting in the garage storage bin. We've hooked up the gizmo and the results floored us !!! the picture quality is super.. in fact better than cable because cable companies compress the HD signals to get more channels into their coaxial cables.
Try it you'll love it. This only works on HDTV sets and only recieves TV off-air broadcasts. Even if you have subscribned to HD cable.. the Rabbit ears are a good cheap back-up in any emergency.

Our thanks to the folks at the Digital Forum website where we found the details.

Happy Holidays and..Happy Viewing !

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

2010 & High Heels Tuesday Photo: The $800,000 Rain Drop

by Lisa Ovens



Hans Hemmert, Thomas A. Schmidt, Georg Zey, and Axel Lieber felt the people of Vancouver needed something to remind us of the rain...

Yesterday it snowed. Today it is rainy. Time for something sunny! This sculpture landed on a walking/ cycling path that runs along Vancouver's waterfront. The place is known as Bon Voyage Plaza and "The Drop" occupies a spot in front of the Vancouver Convention Centre, soon to be home to the International Broadcast Media for the 2010 Winter Olympics. To the right (off camera) is Vancouver's cruise ship terminal.

Designed by four Swedish and German artists (listed above), The Drop weighs 2700 kilograms (almost three tons) and stands 17 metres (55 feet) high.

 I must say it's the most cheerful looking raindrop I have ever seen :o)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

2010 Winter Olympics: The Vodka Battles

By Lisa Ovens


Paradis wheat vodka: triple distilled for your enjoyment.
I think I will finally crack open this bottle in celebration
 during the 2010 Winter Olympics...


Back in October I was out with my buddy Andrew and friends. We watched a Vancouver Canucks away game (a good one, too – beat Chicago Blackhawks, in Chicago...and oooh, that Willie Mitchell hit on Jonathan Toews!) and then decided to walk to a specialty liquor store so Andrew could get a certain bottle of beer. Along the way we stopped at a six foot tall plastic Absolut Vodka bottle just standing, unattended on the edge of a parking lot. I had noticed this bottle in the same spot, earlier that day.

The “Absolut Biggie” was acting as some sort of “speaker’s corner recording device”, but it was only fitted with a camera so naturally some jumping around ensued. I was too short for the lens’s view, but that was remedied quickly. Then off we went into the night.

Well, last night around midnight I had another “Little Water” run-in (Vodka means little water in Russian). I was walking by the Vancouver Art Gallery (Howe Street side) checking out the freshly lit Christmas Tree, heading to see the lights of Robson Square. I noticed an American made automobile parked on the art gallery’s lawn located on the south side of the building. I thought this was unusual.

On approach to the vehicle I noticed it had a projector sitting on the roof. I looked at the building across the street (the white exterior of Sears) and sure enough a large bottle of what I think was Russian Standard Vodka was there on the wall, glowing in the night (It was only a two scene commercial). I looked at the car and a guy was seated in the driver’s seat, but slumped down trying to be invisible. With so few people around, his cover wasn’t exactly threatened.

It’s a different kind of gang war: Vodka brands fighting for a shot to splash inside Vancouver’s tumblers. The 2010 Winter Olympics are 61 days away, and local Vancouverites can expect more marketing warfare in the weeks to come.

Personally, these vodkas have nothing on the limited edition Vodka pictured above: Paradis Wheat Vodka from Armenia. I bought this bottle three years ago at the Vancouver International Airport. It was obviously something I couldn’t live without.

It’s a bottle shaped like a freakin’ goal tender, Vodka peddlers. Enough said.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The 2010 and High Heels Tuesday Photo : Flashback to Torino 2006


"Luongo Eyes the Cupcakes"

by Lisa Ovens

At least this photo is a flashback for me. February 19th, 2006 my friend Michelle came over to watch Team Finland vs. Team Canada. Along with her 2006 Olympic Hockey Tournament enthusiasm, she brought two teams of Cupcakes: Team Finland's were decorated with our fave Finnish Player names, and Team Canada decorated with our fave Canadian players names. Plus she did up some cupcakes with the team flags. We had two plates loaded with the Patriotic treats.

At one point early in the game, there was a long close up of Team Canada goal tender, Roberto Luongo in his crease. It was like he was hypnotized by the cupcakes in front of me...just gazing at them.

Finland won the game 2-0 (Antero Nittymaki was in net for the Finns; obviously he didn't get distracted...)


Olympic Victory Ceremony Performers Announced


by Lisa Ovens

(This is what I look like when it's really cold in Vancouver, and it's been really cold lately. I'm talking -1 to -6 degrees Celsius kind of cold)


                                  BC Place Stadium and False Creek

The following is a list of musical acts that will be rocking BC Place as headliners during the nightly Victory ceremonies. I should say, mostly male musical acts. They are calling this the Vancouver 2010 Concert Series presented by Bell, but I'm calling it the 2010 Mostly Men Concert Series. 

Lisa's Tiny Rant

Yes, it's time for another tiny rant (I haven't had one since October) It's one thing to keep the ladies off the ski jump, but now the concert stage? The lack of female talent is a concern to me not only here with the Victory Ceremonies, but also with the acts scheduled at Molson Hockey House, too. As of now, these Vancouver 2010 Olympics are really shaping up to be just one BIG SAUSAGE FESTIVAL on Stage!

 I can only hope more rockin' chicks are enlisted to entertain soon. Alanis Morrisette, Bif Naked, Feist...where are you??

End Lisa's Tiny Rant

Performance Schedule...6:30pm Nightly


Feb 14 Nelly Furtado presented by British Columbia

Feb 15 To be confirmed  presented by Quebec

Feb 16 Barenaked Ladies presented by Nova Scotia

Feb 17 Paul Brandt  presented by Alberta

Feb 18 Hedley presented by Prince Edward Island

Feb 19 Theory of a Deadman presented by Northwest Territories

Feb 20 Stereophonics presented by Yukon

Feb 21 Trooper and Loverboy presented by Nunavut

Feb 23 Billy Talent  presented by Saskatchewan

Feb 24 INXS presented by Ontario

Feb 25 Burton Cummings presented by Manitoba

Feb 26 Great Big Sea presented by Newfoundland and Labrador

*Please note: there will be no medal ceremony on February 20 and no Victory Ceremony at BC Place on February 22nd. Schedule subject to change.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

2010 and High Heels Swag Off: Round Two Finland vs. Russia

by Lisa Ovens

Welcome to Round Two of the 2010 and High Heels Olympic Swag Off!

Before we begin round two, congratulations are in order to the winner of Round One, Team USA Olympic Rings Bracelet. The Bangle swag beat out Team Canada's drinking glasses (75% of votes) Click here for Round One.















Now onto Round Two...

Team Finland: Reindeer Antler Hats




The Finnish Reindeer Hat could very well be the must have 2010 Winter Olympic accessory, but you can’t get them in Vancouver (even though the photo was taken at the Hockey Canada Cup Tournament in August) We found out from these two Fin Fans that the Hats are only available at a market in Helsinki, Finland. What we wouldn't do for these hats!! But there is hope: Hockey and High Heels book designer/ field correspondent, Michelle will be searching for these hats on a Finland trip in January.


Team Russia: Cheburashka Doll



CHEBURASHKA, Team Russia Mascot. According to Cheburashka.com, “Troll dolls don’t have a thing on Cheburashka!” Cheburashka dolls were all the rage in Turin, host city of the 2006 Winter Olympics. A red version was Russia’s Mascot in Beijing 2008.

A lead character in a Russian children’s story, Cheburashka was originally from Africa. The wide eyed furry creature managed to find a crate of oranges to eat, fell asleep and then wound up being shipped to Russia along with the oranges. Cheburashka has been melting hearts ever since.

Vote for your favorite Round Two Swag Now...place your votes at the poll located top, right of this page.

The 2010 and High Heels Tuesday Photo

By Lisa Ovens


One of the "quick change" changing room pods at the 2010 Superstore in the Hudson's Bay Downtown.




Could also be a terrific little place to share Olympic kisses with your sweetie, too...