Flashback to 2002 Day 3

(My email program ate the first attempt.)
February 12, 2002
Having a day off was a lifesaver. I got to relax, a little, and do some damage control at home. BTW, the Canadians were ROBBED!
I loved it when I got to work and found out that they had to get 3 extra people from Systems Operations to work with the 3 that were assigned there already. See, I am indispensible.
Walking through the stage area I happened on an emergency rehearsal with some of the "Children of Light" who help with the medals ceremonies every night. It seems that some of the happy winners are reluctant to give up their place in the spotlight and they were trying to figure out the nicest way to give them the hook. She said, "If they seem to be stuck on the platform, just tap their leg and say, 'Let's go out this way.'" I was relieved that they weren't supposed to smack them in the knees with their "Light" lanterns.

Right after we opened the gates we had a very nervous young woman rush in. She and her elderly mother in law had been separated coming through security and she was worried that the MIL would be confused and stressed. They were from out of state and MIL had tickets in the seats and the DIL was in standing area and she didn't know how they would get back together at the end of the night. I sent a host out with her to search the section.

Tonight was Bob Saget's last night as emcee. I am amazed that he lasted after they booed him off the stage the first night before Dave Matthews. Someone suggested that he had just done too many projects with a large "cheese" factor.

The host and DIL came back to the IB after scanning the stands and other areas. I sent the DIL out with another host to check the security areas and in front of the gates.

We haven't seen too many athletes, yet. We have heard that the numbers will increase daily as the events conclude. We did have a couple of coaches from the Czech team who needed to get back to Park City - the buses quit running after 6 p.m. Try explaining THAT in sign language. We finally directed them to the shuttle to the Trax station, on Trax to the U then the shuttle to Deer Valley. Sometimes you have to be pretty resourceful.

The barely controlled DIL, who by now hasn't seen any of the medals ceremony, comes in again, just in case MIL has been sent in in a panic. No sign of mom.

I have gotten pretty friendly with several members of the media. They are generally nice guys who need a little help, occasionally, to get meet their deadlines. We had a photographer from the Deseret News stop in to use our phone line to relay some pictures to the paper. He was camped out on the end of one table with his gear and a laptop. He was glad to find a semi-quiet spot for a minute.

Frantic DIL comes back again and is sure she and MIL are just circling around each other. I put a call out on all the radios to be on the lookout for confused, frightened older woman.

I've given up trying to eat the food provided. My tolerance for institutional food has dropped off. I think the item labeled "stuffed cabbage" did it!

The now hysterical DIL comes back at the end of the concert and decides to call the friend they are staying with to see if they have heard anything. But she doesn't know the number and we don't have a phone book. I'm trying to call Directory Assistance, but for some reason our cell phone isn't working and the DN guy is still using the other line. The door opens and a lovely lady peeks in and says, "Is it alright if I come in to warm up a bit?" DIL spins around and screams, then runs over, hugs her and starts yelling that she will never take her anywhere again. The astute DN photographer, recognizing a photo op, snaps several. Turns out that the MIL had happily been in her seat all along, rocking with the crowd. What a night!