Last Saturday's annual Miss WESA (West End SloPitch Association) competition at Celebrities...well, let's just say I expected a bunch of semi-professional baseball jocks and a whole lotta bad drag. Sure, my brain was sun-addled from a day at Third Bitch...I mean Beach...and from an unexpected car tow that prevented me from making it to the Big Gay Wedding 2 gala elsewhere in town.

In any case, you can imagine my surprise when this blew onto stage:

Can you say ringer?

No seriously...congratulations to Miss Downtown Vancouver Rentals, Gina Talia, for a well-deserved win.

Brandon Gaukel was also onsite shooting the event and shared these two photos with Up Your Alley. Check out his Gaukel's Boys series by clicking here.

Miss WESA 2010 Gina Talia (Photo by Brandon Gaukel)

2nd Runner Up Dick Fondal, Runner up Gai-Ping Ho and Winner Gina Talia (Photo by Brandon Gaukel) 

Congratulations, Canada! 14 gold medals! The most won by any country during a single winter Olympic games. That's news! And as a resident of the host city, let me tell you: I've never been prouder to be Canadian. There's been a lot of talk about the cost and at what cost, but if you had seen the streets last night after the men won gold in hockey, if you felt what Vancouver felt during the Closing Ceremony, you'll know it was worth it. This was a celebration of our country and our culture... and it's about fucking time, eh!

**I've been advised by the organizers of WinterPRIDE (which starts today and goes until March 8) to warn anyone thinking of coming up to Whistler for what will surely be one of the most historic Pride celebrations in North America, to get your tickets to events now. They are selling out fast. Don't be left in the proverbial cold**

Now on to post-Olympic things: there's a fashion event coming to Vancouver on March 11th called Rock the Hem Line. It's been billed as Fashion Rocks (a Toronto event) for Vancouver and proceeds go towards the Play 4 Phil Foundation. 

Why am I letting you know? Well, I'm hosting of course, so come out and support my ass — or else. More importantly, it's also profiling some great local designers, including Red Jade, McKillop Underwear, CC 1827 Fashion House & Malene Grotrain.

They are also looking for models. Click here for more info.

As we come to the last Olympic weekend and the closing ceremonies on Sunday, you can be certain that Vancouver is going to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime experience that has taken place here since February 12.

I started my Olympic nighttime experience at Celebrities Nightclub, and it's looking like I will end it there this weekend. Calvin Harris is spinning tonight and Ana Paula on Saturday night.

Here's a video blog from my visit to the club for Freemasons on February 13:

Hope to see you out this weekend. Good luck to the men's and women's curling teams!

There have been a couple of performances by Canadian athletes this Olympics that encapsulate the true meaning of what it means to be a competitor and an artist. Joannie Rochette's performance last night, in light of her family tragedy, is one that Canadians will remember for years to come. Having lost my mother in 2001, in my eyes, Joannie's skate last night is worthy of a gold.

If you missed her last night, check it out courtesy of CTV here.

You should also check out CTV's YouTube page for videos of performances throughout the Games.

I'm sure Xtra.ca and Canada's LGBT community are with me when I say: Own the podium, Joannie! Good luck Thursday!

Now, if you're considering getting out this weekend to celebrate the Closing Ceremonies, stop by Celebrities Nightclub. Here's a teaser from the video blog I'll be posting on Thursday covering the Freemason's night on February 13th:

So how many of you haven't been able to get Constant Craving out of your head since kd lang took the world stage at the Opening Ceremonies on Friday? Holy shit. She killed it! SO PROUD! And the level of amazingness that followed in Vancouver. I don't even have words for it.

I am a big Canada fan, people. Let's be honest: I can't watch most of the Olympic coverage without getting all teary-eyed. The forest part of the Opening Ceremonies...<tear>...the Prairies tribute featuring Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" <tear>...Jennifer Heil, Kristina Goves winning medals...<cheering>...Seriously, congrats to our first two medalists. And for Alexandre Bilodeau...I'm devoting this post to Canada's first Golden Boy on home soil.

He won the men's moguls on Cypress Mountain last night and probably a lot of hearts across the country. If you were in Vancouver, you would've heard the city explode. And listen: the guy even started crying talking to reporters when talking about his win and his relationship with his brother.

Congratulations, Alexandre!

And here's an interesting profile on some out lesbian athletes competing at these games.

I've got a lot planned this week on Up Your Alley. I managed to capture an exclusive video interview with Russell Small from The Freemasons when he played Celebrities on Saturday night. That was an UBELIEVEABLE DJ set so make sure you check out some of Celebrities upcoming Olympic shows. I'm aiming to have it edited and ready this week. 

In the meantime, see you out there!

GO, CANADA!!!