VALENTINE'S DAY

Signe taking care of her charges this morning.

Got down to hockey yesterday afternoon which finally had that Olympic feel.  Seems like a momentum is building for these Games and the Olympic Plaza down in Adler (coastal cluster hosting flame and all arena events) was crowded with people and abuzz with all tongues.  Felt lucky to score a last minute ticket for Signe.  You can't get into the plaza area without a ticket to an event.  Once you're in, you can stay as long as you like and there's plenty to do and eat, etc.  Hopefully some of that coastal energy can seep up into the mountains.  

Olympic Plaza has a  global party feel to it.

USA blew out the Slovakians 7-1.  There were some empty seats but a full feeling, not bad for a first round game.

Selfie pano ad nauseum.  I can't help myself.  

 Someone in Sochi got the memo and there is now color coding to determine toilet paper from paper towels.  Phew.  Paper towels are blue... I think.

Qualifying for the men's K120 tonight.  Basically an excuse to sell tickets (and TV) for an event that pares the field from 61 to 50.  Must be a cheap ticket as all kiosks say it's sold out.  (You never take the first answer as gospel in Russia- whether it's the answer you want or not;  there are many ways to skin a cat here.)  But at this point we're ready to accept that we can't get a ticket for K120 qualifying).  In training the gold medal K95 winner Stoch looked good and SUI Ammann seemed to be coming around.  AUT Morgenstern a mess.  Nick Alexander best USA.  On the brink of top 30 which is striking distance.

Director Jason is adamant that I not use the term "I think".  The expert is not supposed to think, he's supposed to know.  I was unaware of how much I think... but am working on knowing.