Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A Warm Red Giveaway

Last night the Olympic torch passed by our house as it made its way around Greater Vancouver, and not wanting the kids to miss something special that they'll totally forget in a few years, we dragged them out the door to catch a glimpse. They were more interested in playing Mario Brothers at the time, but once we told them they'd get to see somebody carrying a burning stick, they were all over it.





The picture below isn't the greatest, but I was holding my little point and shoot above my head, still, it was pretty impressive to witness. What amazed me more than anything though, was the amount of people lining the street. You can't really tell from this shot, but there were thousands of people out there. I don't think you ever really stop to think about just how many people live around you, at least I never have. Sure you're surrounded by houses and you see people come and go, say hi to your neighbour and such, but actually seeing all of those people lined up in one spot is pretty surprising.


Giveaway! I have been lucky enough to receive quite a few fantastic gifts from fellow bloggers in the last few weeks (blogs to follow), and with the official opening of the Olympic games only two days away now I figured it was time to give something back, and tie it in with the games. And what will it be? Well, every Olympics have their must have items, and for Vancouver it's these, the red mittens. If you live outside of Canada you probably won't have heard about them, but if you are planning to watch, trust me, you'll see a lot of them.


So here's the deal. Wait, there is no deal. Leave a comment, that's it. Feel free to tweet about it or post it in some way or whatever you want, but I only care about the comments. Who has time to count all those damn 2 votes for a tweet, blah blah blah? The unemployed guy, right. Well, this unemployed guy is too lazy for that BS. Leave a comment, leave as many as you like. They're a size medium. Oh, and because I'm all about the love, I'll ship them wherever you live, no questions asked. On station in Antarctica? No problem. Uzbekistan? All good. Not that I'm saying you people who have draws and only ship within the continental US suck, because, sure, I suck too, I just suck much less than you do. So there you are. I'll pick a winner Sunday night. Don't forget who loves you.

PS. If you win and have strangely small hands or maybe gigantor hands, I may be able to work something out for you.

PPS. If you happened to read my Monday post, it really wasn't meant to sound like a pity party, but I do have man-cold and maybe it sucked the funny out. But thanks for all the sympathy. And sympathetic kicks in the ass.

103 comments:

  1. If by "strangely small" you mean "toddler-sized" (4T-ish) then count me in. Otherwise I'll let the other people trolling for free stuff have dibs on this one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is so cool that the torch ran right by your house!!! Are you going to any of the events?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sure could use those mittens down here in snowy D.C.!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Who doesn't love to run with a good burning stick?

    Hey! That's a GREAT idea! Since I'll probably be home today because of the snow, I think I'll light up a stick and run around the neighborhood. Guaranteed I'll get some admiring stares, and a ride in one of those cool cars with the lights on top! Score!

    ReplyDelete
  5. put me in...i have really big hands. smiles.

    going to see someone carrying a burning stick...thats awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I could gift you guys some snow...looks like you will be needing it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Who told you I say 'hi' to my neighbours? It's a lie.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Pretty red mittens. I wanna win. I've got snow up to my eyeballs. I could use something to stay warm.

    That must be a pretty awesome thing to see marching past. I admit I'm a wee bit jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm quite positive I have your man-cold.

    And no

    I'm not a man

    But this cold is of epic proportions. So much so that the doc gave me 14 days worth of horse pills (thats in reference to the size although I'm sure 14 days of this shiz is enough to fell a horse).

    Groovy mittens. I love mittens. I don't own a pair of mittens. Red is a great color too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You might think I am only leaving this comment to win those wicked cool mittens that I *must* have. But I am not. I read your loverly blog ALL THE TIME but I will be the first to admit that I don't leave comments as often as I should.

    I think it might one of the coolest things ever that you get to expereince this Olympic excitement first hand. If you see Appollo Anton Ohno can you just tell him I dig him - but be cool about it cause I don't want him to think I am freak or anything.... I mean I know I am but he can't know that.... just yet.

    Where was I?? Oh yeah, still LOVE the blog and this comment isn't only because I *really* want those mittens.

    Oh and loved seeing your ink in Steenky's post. Fun!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Rehearsal for the Olypmic opening, at BC place was awesome. Special effects, truely amazing. Can't wait to see the actual live broadcast on Friday, Febraury 12. -D

    ReplyDelete
  12. -->All of my relatives live in Canada which is probably why I haven't seen most of them in 20 years. Eh?! ;-)

    http://www.websavvymom.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'd love the mittens because I have to be in Denver and Washington DC in March. Those are two really cold places.

    Oh and JR says that you are not lazy because you got one thing done while you are off work. It will just take a little while longer to see the fruits of your labors. (pun intended. HA!)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fantastic!!!! I'm totally the opposite of sporty, but I've always wanted to carry the Olympic torch. I have no idea why other than, well, I would ALWAYS have the best anecdote at a party.
    I mentioned you yesterday in my RTT! You should stop by and see my request. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I want the mittens! They look very cute.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm going to tell you a joke in hopes of getting favoritism.....

    ReplyDelete
  17. What's he difference between a protein and a hormone?

    ReplyDelete
  18. You laughed. I made you smile in a very 12 year old boy kind of way.

    ReplyDelete
  19. How cool is that . . . the Olympic Torch going by your house!
    I saw a pic of the mittens somewhere (don't know where . . .) and love them. Do you take bribes? Maybe a mitten exchange of some sort? I could ask my mom to make you some mittens (and her mittens ROCK, but they don't have a maple leaf on them).

    ReplyDelete
  20. Gilles DuCeppe FOLLOWS ME on Twitter. I think I deserve the mittens.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Exclude me,, I have my mits from my mommy from Christmas. Hope you are feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Um, I could totally swing you a Roots baret if you let me win those swanky "must have" mittens. Come on.....me love you long time.

    Also - We watched the torch relay here in SLC too. A bunch of demonstrators (pro-life) got in the middle and showed the most graphic and disturbing images as we waited for the torch. Bad form.

    ReplyDelete
  23. If I win, I promise to wear them and sing "O Canada" during the opening ceremonies.

    PS - Please give me a heads-up so I can actually learn the words to "O Canada."

    ReplyDelete
  24. Okay, so I didn't want my comment to end on such a downer. When you think of my comment here, please think of happy things like rainbows, sushi and fun pants that fit you just so...

    ReplyDelete
  25. Boys and fire..nuff said. My hands are average girl hands and I love red.

    ReplyDelete
  26. So apparently I missed the Pro-Life demonstrators as the torch passed through SLC... not that I'm sad about it!

    I kind of laugh when I see people wearing the Roots Beret from the 2002 Olympics out and about town. They WERE kind of ridiculous. Who wears berets?!

    Anyway, the mittens are adorable and I won't make fun of them if I win... they're actually functional, unlike a damn hat that just sits on top of your head, instead of actually providing warmth!

    Hope you're feeling better. Those man colds are as close to death as you can get... or at least that's what all the men in my life act like when they get them.

    I'm rambling...

    ReplyDelete
  27. that had to be amazing, really being a part of history...and someday your kids can say, Hey I was there;)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Even I would brave the cold to step outside my door and watch the torch pass by--very cool! (Especially if I had those nifty red glove....)

    ReplyDelete
  29. A man-cold....awww...poor little bunny!

    Go flaming stick!! That may or may not have been my chant as it went by....how cool that it was right outside your door. :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I just lost one of my last pair of matching gloves, so I could totally use those mittens! I promise to wear them while watching the games...

    ReplyDelete
  31. Very cute mittens! How close do you live to the Olympics? Are you going to any of the events? Laughed out loud at the image of your boys getting excited about seeing someone carrying "a burning stick." :D

    ReplyDelete
  32. Would you believe that my recently deceased father in law bought everyone in the entire family those red mittens for Christmas? Except for me because the store ran out of medium.

    True story. The next two weeks will entail my four children and my husband all wearing their red Olympic mittens in memory of their grandpa and dad as they cheer on assorted events and I'm going to be sitting in the corner all left out.

    It's sad, really.

    Really really sad.

    But you should probably just draw a name so it's fair, and not base your decision on a particular person's grieving.

    ReplyDelete
  33. First of all, thank you for not having a deal. I hate, hate a "giveaway" that I have to work for. Ugh.

    That said, I am a freaky Olympophile and would LOVE them mittens! Not that I would ever use them here in Los Angeles. But still...

    ReplyDelete
  34. My dad took me to see the torch in 1984. I will never forget it. I think it's pretty cool that you took your kids too!

    Love those mittens!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I live in the US, and I know about those mittens. I would drive up there to pick them up...seriously! Though Mahoney's Musings really tugged my heartstrings....

    Good job tearing the kiddos away from Mario Brothers with the promise of a burning stick. My son would have been all over that.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Luckily, my hands are average sized. It's my heart that's too big. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  37. That is great - love that you *dragged* the kids out even the one that's still percolating. I will say you have inspired me I am going out tonight to purchase a few more pairs to share the love with friends far and wide.

    DO NOT COUNT THIS COMMENT -- don't want to take away from that lonely soul in the Antarctic.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Dude, I LOVE THE OLYMPICS. No shit, I watch every damn event from start to finish. For the entirety of it I shall be glued to my television. I'm just so happy that it's in my time zone.

    For serious, dude. I'm like a freak for this shit.

    ReplyDelete
  39. RED mittens! With the Olympic Rings on them! Count me in. I didn't know that they ran the torch down regular neighborhood streets. That's quite awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Oh, dude, I want those mittens!!!! Me, me, pick me. It's fricking freezing in Cleveland, and I'm probably the only adult you know who actually wears mittens. And they'd look good on me, too. I might actually cheer for Canada while wearing those mittens. That flying tomato guys annoys the snot out of me.

    ReplyDelete
  41. i apologize for identifying your belly as a dicky-do.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Did I say pick me? Cause I really meant it. I'll pretend to be a Canadian. I promise, eh?

    ReplyDelete
  43. I do hope you're feeling better and I can hardly wait for the olympics! How cool to see someone carrying a burning stick through your very own neighborhood. That rocks.

    ReplyDelete
  44. We went to see my Mom run the torch when th Olympics were in Salt Lake. It was not the best neighborhood, and someone broke into my car.

    Now, whenever I talk about the Olympics I wonder who took my stereo.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Forget the mittens, send Tim Horton's. Im in withdrawl!

    I guess the people who run across the country with the torch get to keep what they run with. My mother works with the mother of one of the runners in Ontario and she had her picture taken holding the torch. Pretty cool. I didnt even know my mother knew how to forward a picture until she had one of herself she was excited about lol!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Wow, that's pretty awesome to see all of those people lined up and down your street and all the torch too. Now send me my fucking gloves.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I have been looking for some red mittens for about three months now. They've been sold out here. So excited for the olympics, my husband and I are going to be there.

    ReplyDelete
  48. 'Think cheap shipping' send across the boarder to Seattle.

    ReplyDelete
  49. this is wonderful thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  50. My kid would have loved watching the torch pass by .. I mean, after all the eye rolling and fighting to drag her out of the house and threatening her within an inch of her life ... she would have loved.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I am totally only commenting so I can have a chance at those mittens!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Oh, okay. Not really. That is very cool about seeing the torch! Sigh. I love the Olympics.

    ReplyDelete
  53. We could use these warm mittens! thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Would love my litle man to be sporting Canadian Olympic mittens in all this snow were getting.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I can't wait to see the great show Vancouver will put on for the world.
    thanks for the chance
    msboatgal at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. How funny is it that you have all sorts of people rocking out the comments for a pair of mittens? We're such losers out her in bloggsville. Or maybe we're closet Canada lovers.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I already know the words to O, Canada, like any good hockey fan. And Pamela, it's 'eh' not 'ay'. So sad to see all these poseurs.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I live in Connecticut, but have heard of this mittens. According to some news program, these are the hottest selling item at the Olympics.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Dude! I totally didn't know you were Canadian!

    ReplyDelete
  60. 2000, Sydney Olympics, lined the streets, watched the torch run past. Been there, done that, but didn't get THE MITTENS.

    I want them!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Or until the wireless slows down sufficiently that it takes a coupla minutes of rolling to get the comment up

    ReplyDelete
  62. Page rolling, you weirdo: not me rolling on the floor. Jesus.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Although I must say, if rolling is what it takes to get those mittens....

    ReplyDelete
  64. Although you did say "warm red", and I'm thinkin' a bottle of the stuff might be good....

    ReplyDelete
  65. Would I need the mittens for that?

    ReplyDelete
  66. As the mom of 3 boys I loved how you bribed them to get outside to be a part of history up close! Nothing like a fire to get the XY chromosomes in an uproar!

    ReplyDelete
  67. How awesome!!! I am not that into the Olympics, but if Mr. Olympic Torch ran by my house-I would definitely be into it!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Ohhh pretty pretty red Olympics mittens, I won't put you on my kittens. I will put you in my fingers so mr frostbite doesn't make the tingers.

    My poetry rocks and I should totally win! I made up the word tingers too!

    blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  69. If the mittens don't fit you can just warm your man-hands on the Olympic torch.

    Ellie

    ReplyDelete
  70. Ugh, keep your man cold off the blog sphere. People are trying to stay healthy around here.

    Very cool you got to see the torch. The Olympics always gets me right here.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Well count me in! I need some good Canadian mittens! Or Canadian kittens! I love kittens! They probably don't ship as well though.

    Hope I win!

    ReplyDelete
  72. If you send me the mittens my hands won't get cold when I grab a frosty Molson Canadian.

    ReplyDelete
  73. And it will make up for the fact that my heart-shaped horse poop melted.

    ReplyDelete
  74. I can't wait for the Olympics! THanks for the chance at the mittens!

    ReplyDelete
  75. This is great. I would love to be entered. I live in canada and definately know about these!! And want some!! Will be watching in anticipation of Canada getting its first gold on home land!! GO CANADA!! OH CANADA!

    ssummmer(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  76. How come nobody ever thinks to spray the torch-bearer with gasoline? That would be funny, and would definitely make the news.

    ReplyDelete
  77. I'm not visiting again vainly hopint that multiple comments will win me the mittens, sorta...

    Thanks for dropping by the other day and commenting. I do love vistors.

    ReplyDelete
  78. You do suck way less than me...wtg! We could use these gloves day after tomorrow as we're going to drive to northern AZ to look for snow. Guess that's cutting it a little short, oh well.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Please enter me in your giveaway for the beuatiful mittens. I could use some, the temperature is in the teens. I hope you get well soon.

    ReplyDelete
  80. I have gigantor hands. But, to be fair, I'm pretty tall for a lady.

    Did I just call myself a lady? Bawhahahaha!

    ReplyDelete
  81. Yes please, I believe I have normal size hands--I do actually have a daughter with tiny hands--so if they don't fit me they can go to her. I'm 5 ft 10 and my Grandmother was about 4 ft 10 and my Mother passed on my Grans wedding ring to me--I had to have it sized down several sizes--which at the time seemed very strange--I was convinced that when she died the funeral home had some sort of mix up and sent the wrong ring--but my mother insists that idea is just silly!

    I was just out of high school in 1984--and lived in Southern California so I attended several events at the 1984 summer olympics--and it was amazing!! We met tons of people from all over the world--back then everyone was really into collecting and trading pins--it was lots of fun.

    Hope you have fun--even if you don't attend events --I'm sure you will get to meet lots of people from around the world.
    kakihararocks@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. Very cool having the Olympics in your backyard! I thought about taking up Curling...until I heard it didn't involve 'curling' my body around a pillow with a blanket on top. Hmmfph!

    In any case I'd lurve me a pair of them mittens. I'd leave you a little ditty about how my three little kittens lost theirs, but I'd be lying and basically I just really want a pair for myself.

    Anyhoo, I'm back in the saddle so plan on me stalking you...but in a good way.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Shit!! Braja is cheating!!!

    That was actually pretty cool....(with the exception of those canadian flags you made your kids hold up...WHY would you do that?? Why? When there are American flags just a little further south? :-)

    I NEED those mittens here in Sudan. That way, I can put them on my fingers (cause they look like they might be a little small) and it will give me bona fides for when I create some kinda shitstorm here and then tell the people "WHAT!? I'm Canadian you hosers? Eh?"

    COME ON! Do a sista a solid!!!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Oh my golly goodness, it took a long time wading through the comments line to get to the box to add my own. Though I admit, many of those comments were indeed entertaining; though of course, not nearly as entertaining as your own words. Few can compare. As another said, I read much of what you write and am highly entertained, you sometimes get me to think, often to smile, sometimes to laugh out loud, sometimes to sigh - and when you are down or sad I send good energy (from the generation of good vibrations); little did you know you have been adopted as a faux nephew to a US Citizen. Ah well, now the secret is out.

    ReplyDelete
  85. How cool that you got to see the torch! I'm way behind on reading but keep thinking of you when they show the coverage! Can't wait to hear if you have any good celebrity spottings.

    You know why I need those mittens? Because nothing is funnier than a person wearing mittens in Texas...that's why!

    ReplyDelete
  86. Who needs mittens when you can just shove your hands down your pants...on second thought, the mittens would be nice...

    ReplyDelete
  87. Please send me the mittens for my son so he will stop shoving his hands down his pants.

    ReplyDelete
  88. You know how I feel about these games. That flaming stick is one of the most beautiful things I've seen in my life. Ever.
    And my daughter and I wore our red mitts to wave at the torch bearer as he ran by us.

    ReplyDelete

Come on, sailor. I love you long time.