I was wondering what your thoughts are on no day 0?
I have to say, it's nice not to have to worry about getting downtown from vaughan on time and not having to miss work, but I think I kind of miss it! The line ups were long but it was well organized and energetic, and it personally got me really pumped for the next day. I also liked trying to find my name on the remembrance flag. I could waste as much or as little time on that was I wanted :)
I think I wish it was optional instead of fully cut out.
I also don't fully taste the credentials this year. I have my old ones hung on the wall in my computer room and this one is going to look a little sorry next to the other 3!
Yeah, I'm the same way. It's nice not to have to take the day off work, and get all the way dwon there, but as you said, it kind of helped pumped me up for Saturday! So I do miss it, but I think the online check in was just easier for most of us. :) Plus I always wanted to make sure that I dyed my hair for day 0, but now I can do it tonight and have it that much fresher for Saturday (since you can't get permanent pink dye, it ends up fading each wash).
And yes, the credential is certainly a lot different isn't it. lol :)
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Team: The Travelling Ta-Tas
2011 will be my sixth year walking, but it will be Ottawa this year.
The online checkin was great, but I still have to stand in line to get my tent assignment since I didn't receive an email. It's frustating, I did the checkin and tent request soooo long ago!
I did miss the excitement though! There was alot of energy on Friday evening!
After participating in several cities over a few years I also see the difference. I presonally don't like not having day zero. It loses the build up that we had in the past. I have even seen people just step out of a car and walk through the start. I find that a little sad, to miss opening ceremonies, the camaraderie, the respect, all that goes with it. I wish it could go back but I don't think its possible.
As to photos, if you early enough you should still be able to grab Edwin for a team shoot.
It's particularly hard on him as there are so many walkers, more in Toronto than any city and he has to try and cram the team shoot into 1 hour which he used to be able to do over several. So that being said, to anyone looking for the team shoot, please be patient not pushy and respect what Edwin does for us. He works very hard to make us all look so great.
Have a wonderful sleep even though its hard to stop the brain from ticking. See you all in the morning!!
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Chad's Shadow Team: Butterfly of Hope 2010 Walking in all 6 cities.
I liked the option of not having to go down for the Friday. When I walked in 2006, I was in a different job so able to rearrange my schedule so I was off on the Friday and went to Day 0 during the day when it was not as busy. I was worried this year when I signed up about having to go down on the Friday as I signed up before the online check-in was announced. I do agree though that the Friday does gear you up a bit as you see how many people are involved. I like the tent assignments online thought as last time because I went at a different time than the rest of my team, I didn't get the share a tent with them as it was just stand in line for the next available tent so there was no way for us to request a team member if we were not there together.
I also read something somewhere on this page about the closing ceremonies and how you can sit with your family. Not sure how new this is but in 2006, our families were spectators of a sorts with all the walkers on the main floor standing together. I mentioned this to my husband and although it will be nice to sit together, he thought there was quite an impact of seeing everyone walking in and then standing together.
And I agree, the credentials are a little pathetic looking and I think the plastic will probably rip apart!
I think on line check is great for those you are unable to make it downtown on day 0, however I have always thought the line ups, watching the saftey film, turning in last minute donations, getting tent assigments & having groups photos was all part of a great weekend. I walked for 3 years & although Friday was crazy it was part of the weekend. As crew this year I still had to go to the Direct Energy Centre on Friday for a crew meeting & it just didn't feel right -- :0 -- However it was still a great weekend & I'll be back next year.
2010 will be my third year participating in the weekend. I have seen it from both sides now. One as crew and the second as walker. I come in from Windsor, ON. The online check-in was easier for me but I still had to get in line for my tent number since it was not emailed to me. I will have to agree though that I do miss day 0. Seeing large amounts of people in the hustle and bustle trying to get things squared away at the last minute. I do believe that there was a lot of energy there and that got me pumped for the following days to come. We did not even get a team photo done this year of ourselves. There was too much going on and no time. Half our team was crewing and the other half was walking. I have both credentials hanging on my wall and I am NOT crazy about this years. Sure there is a pocket in it but it can come apart so easily. Even though I feel there was something missing, still had an awesome weekend and will keep returning.
Hi everyone, as someone who works at PMHF on the Weekend, your feedback is really valuable to us. Please go to the main forum page and see a posting from me that pertains to your comments about the day zero change. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
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Christine Anderson The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation christine.anderson@pmhf.ca
