Thursday, April 8, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
The World Just Keeps On Spinning
Is it a bad thing when you look forward to a good thing ending? Just something to consider.
This is my last blog post before I hit the "Big Slab." That's trucker for highway. I must say, this has been one heck of an experience. Canada has been good to us Americans. One thing is for sure, partying is a part of their lifestyle. Even though I am always up for a good time, even I am worn out. Of course, their type of partying isn't my type of partying, but the nice thing is, no one is judging anyone here. British Columbia is a place where individuals happen. That's a nice thing I will say. I am sick of smelling weed at every public, outdoor function I go to, though.
For the last two weeks, the world has celebrated peace with the event of the Olympics. For the next week, Whistler is celebrating pride, gay pride. The rainbow flags are lining the street lamps and a local bar is now the Pride House, in the same manner different countries had houses during the Olympics. I think that's a sign that it's time for me to leave. I leave on Wednesday, the 3rd. Not a day too soon.
For me, the Olympics have been an eye opener. Not the events, them selves. I knew what to expect after watching the Olympics over the years on TV, lots of flags and cowbells. The eye openers come from the people I've met, the place I lived, and the things I got to do. I have a greater appreciation for the world. It's fun to see everyone love their country as much as I love mine. It's also fun to be an ambassador and defend the quarks people think your country has. I can see how on a grander scale this can lead to conflict, but here, it was all good, clean fun.
I now know why people protest the Olympics. In a city like Vancouver, with a large homeless population, how can an organization justify spending billions on a two week festival instead of helping the homeless. In the Olympics defense, the money they are spending is for the Olympics, for the world, so to speak, not a few thousand down and out people in one small city somewhere in the world. There is help for them. Bold sides of the argument make sense to me.
I'm not going to miss Rainbow Village, at all. I look forward to clean bathrooms and a bed I can roll around in all night. I will miss laughing about it with the friends I have made here. I should find more opportunities in my life where new trials create new friendship bonds. The survivors of Rainbow Village have something in common that no one else in the world have. Yesterday, as I was doing a Vancouver run for people going home, I felt like I was on Schindler's List as I saw peoples' eyes light up when they saw their name on the paper on the clip board. Freedom was theirs and they are now home.
Finally, Four Man Bobsledding was a lot of fun. I feel honored that I was there to see Team USA get the gold for the 1st time in 62 years. Even though I could only see them for a split second as they whizzed by on their sled, my good ol' American Pride lasted all day. I made a short video that illustrates what it was like to be standing next to the track.
I am glad this is over, but I am sad to see it end. It's kind of like healing from surgery. During the recovery, it wasn't the most fun, but people really cared about you and you liked that. Now that you've healed, you miss the sympathy, but you are once again free to do what you want. Unless, of course, you get all four limbs amputated. OK, enough with the dumb analogy. Thanks for sharing this experience with me.
This is my last blog post before I hit the "Big Slab." That's trucker for highway. I must say, this has been one heck of an experience. Canada has been good to us Americans. One thing is for sure, partying is a part of their lifestyle. Even though I am always up for a good time, even I am worn out. Of course, their type of partying isn't my type of partying, but the nice thing is, no one is judging anyone here. British Columbia is a place where individuals happen. That's a nice thing I will say. I am sick of smelling weed at every public, outdoor function I go to, though.
For the last two weeks, the world has celebrated peace with the event of the Olympics. For the next week, Whistler is celebrating pride, gay pride. The rainbow flags are lining the street lamps and a local bar is now the Pride House, in the same manner different countries had houses during the Olympics. I think that's a sign that it's time for me to leave. I leave on Wednesday, the 3rd. Not a day too soon.
For me, the Olympics have been an eye opener. Not the events, them selves. I knew what to expect after watching the Olympics over the years on TV, lots of flags and cowbells. The eye openers come from the people I've met, the place I lived, and the things I got to do. I have a greater appreciation for the world. It's fun to see everyone love their country as much as I love mine. It's also fun to be an ambassador and defend the quarks people think your country has. I can see how on a grander scale this can lead to conflict, but here, it was all good, clean fun.
I now know why people protest the Olympics. In a city like Vancouver, with a large homeless population, how can an organization justify spending billions on a two week festival instead of helping the homeless. In the Olympics defense, the money they are spending is for the Olympics, for the world, so to speak, not a few thousand down and out people in one small city somewhere in the world. There is help for them. Bold sides of the argument make sense to me.
I'm not going to miss Rainbow Village, at all. I look forward to clean bathrooms and a bed I can roll around in all night. I will miss laughing about it with the friends I have made here. I should find more opportunities in my life where new trials create new friendship bonds. The survivors of Rainbow Village have something in common that no one else in the world have. Yesterday, as I was doing a Vancouver run for people going home, I felt like I was on Schindler's List as I saw peoples' eyes light up when they saw their name on the paper on the clip board. Freedom was theirs and they are now home.
Finally, Four Man Bobsledding was a lot of fun. I feel honored that I was there to see Team USA get the gold for the 1st time in 62 years. Even though I could only see them for a split second as they whizzed by on their sled, my good ol' American Pride lasted all day. I made a short video that illustrates what it was like to be standing next to the track.
I am glad this is over, but I am sad to see it end. It's kind of like healing from surgery. During the recovery, it wasn't the most fun, but people really cared about you and you liked that. Now that you've healed, you miss the sympathy, but you are once again free to do what you want. Unless, of course, you get all four limbs amputated. OK, enough with the dumb analogy. Thanks for sharing this experience with me.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Gold, Silver, and Sunshine
I don't know if you have heard this complaint before, but who ever decided to host the Winter Olympics in a rain forest shouldn't be surprised the weather isn't cooperating. It's about 45 degrees in good ol' Whistler today. I can't imagine how warm it is even further south in Vancouver.
Tonight is Super Sunday, as the Canadian sports news anchors are calling it. The USA vs Canada in hockey. They are treating it like no other countries matter in the match up. Of course I hope we win, but if we do, I am hiding under my covers for the next few days. Canadians are generally easy going until you mess with their hockey, beer, and medicine.
I just overheard a guys conversation with I am assuming it's his wife. He was saying goodbye to the kids and one of them said, "Goodbye, uncle!"
He replied, "I'm not your uncle, I'm your dad."
Man, this guy has been up here too long. As fun as the Olympics are, it's about time they are over so we can all return to normal life. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying myself and this is an experience of a lifetime, but you can have too much of a good thing.
This week was cool, in that we got to go to a medals ceremony, a few more concerts, and the weather has been really nice. Seeing those alpine skiers, lugers, and biathlon winners, makes me wish I had dedicated my life a little more to my passions so I could be standing on a stage accepting an award. But hey, winning $2,500 in an online video contest is a start, right?
Another week gone by and this entry feels a little more like senseless rambling. Things are well. The Olympics are alive and well. I am well. Keep watching those tight-clad athletes and cheering for your home team. As for me, Go USA, Go!
Tonight is Super Sunday, as the Canadian sports news anchors are calling it. The USA vs Canada in hockey. They are treating it like no other countries matter in the match up. Of course I hope we win, but if we do, I am hiding under my covers for the next few days. Canadians are generally easy going until you mess with their hockey, beer, and medicine.
I just overheard a guys conversation with I am assuming it's his wife. He was saying goodbye to the kids and one of them said, "Goodbye, uncle!"
He replied, "I'm not your uncle, I'm your dad."
Man, this guy has been up here too long. As fun as the Olympics are, it's about time they are over so we can all return to normal life. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying myself and this is an experience of a lifetime, but you can have too much of a good thing.
This week was cool, in that we got to go to a medals ceremony, a few more concerts, and the weather has been really nice. Seeing those alpine skiers, lugers, and biathlon winners, makes me wish I had dedicated my life a little more to my passions so I could be standing on a stage accepting an award. But hey, winning $2,500 in an online video contest is a start, right?
Another week gone by and this entry feels a little more like senseless rambling. Things are well. The Olympics are alive and well. I am well. Keep watching those tight-clad athletes and cheering for your home team. As for me, Go USA, Go!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Mud Doesn't Make Good Skiing
Chances are, you all probably know what's going on in the Olympic world as much, if not better than, as I do. I have been working a lot. I worked 6 days straight, all early shifts, mostly starting at 4 AM. I can't wait to be done with that aspect of this experience.
All these event cancellations have probably been a network nightmare, trying to schedule time to air their new time.
The death of the Gorgain Luger was felt all around the world, but it's interesting to be close to the drama. There was a distinct shadow cast over the festivities, but things are back on track (No pun intended). I drive past the sliding center everyday. I guess people aren't happy about the changes made in the track. But then again, other people wouldn't be happy if there weren't any changes made in the track. I am looking forward to witnessing the action first hand on the 27th with the finals bobsledding.
The concerts have been fantastic, mostly due to the price admission, FREE. I was excited to see Bedouin Soundclash, but was more impressed by Matisyahu, an Orthodox Jew, who sports ringlets, tassels, and probably a yamaka under his ball cap. He sings a Reggae/Hip Hop style that was pleasing to the ears. I look forward to discovering more new artists up here. There are concert sets every night for the next few weeks.
The living conditions aren't improving, but they're not getting worse. I think we've all grown used to it, which means we're probably getting more barbaric, like prisoners. Who knows, when I get out of here, I may just do a criminal act to go back. After all, we do get 3 meals a day. It's not really all that bad, other than the bathrooms. Just this morning there was an unidentifiable bodily fluid all over one of the bathroom floors. I feel bad for the janitors. We can use another bathroom, they have to clean it up.
When this is all said and done, I will have a lot of stories to tell and a lot to laugh about. I still haven't handed out any demo videos and resumes to media people. They're mostly from another country, or really busy, and I don't have as much guts as I thought I would.
Keep watching them Olympics and USA all the way!
All these event cancellations have probably been a network nightmare, trying to schedule time to air their new time.
The death of the Gorgain Luger was felt all around the world, but it's interesting to be close to the drama. There was a distinct shadow cast over the festivities, but things are back on track (No pun intended). I drive past the sliding center everyday. I guess people aren't happy about the changes made in the track. But then again, other people wouldn't be happy if there weren't any changes made in the track. I am looking forward to witnessing the action first hand on the 27th with the finals bobsledding.
The concerts have been fantastic, mostly due to the price admission, FREE. I was excited to see Bedouin Soundclash, but was more impressed by Matisyahu, an Orthodox Jew, who sports ringlets, tassels, and probably a yamaka under his ball cap. He sings a Reggae/Hip Hop style that was pleasing to the ears. I look forward to discovering more new artists up here. There are concert sets every night for the next few weeks.
The living conditions aren't improving, but they're not getting worse. I think we've all grown used to it, which means we're probably getting more barbaric, like prisoners. Who knows, when I get out of here, I may just do a criminal act to go back. After all, we do get 3 meals a day. It's not really all that bad, other than the bathrooms. Just this morning there was an unidentifiable bodily fluid all over one of the bathroom floors. I feel bad for the janitors. We can use another bathroom, they have to clean it up.
When this is all said and done, I will have a lot of stories to tell and a lot to laugh about. I still haven't handed out any demo videos and resumes to media people. They're mostly from another country, or really busy, and I don't have as much guts as I thought I would.
Keep watching them Olympics and USA all the way!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Media and Matching Suits
It's week two in my adventure and I can already see the signs of a big, Olympic party here in Whistler.
As I drive my bus up and down Highway 99 (Sea-to-Sky), I see tons of Mounties patrolling the different places where athletes stay and events take place. Have I seen any athletes? Yes, plenty. They stand out like a sore thumb. Everywhere they go, they are wearing matching snow suits. I don't know if the have to or if they want to. I am sure they like the attention.
My job has been fairly easy, but long. My day usually starts around 3:00 PM and ends at 2:00 AM, with an hour dinner break. The last few runs I have done require me to shuttle the security screeners from Rainbow Village (our lovely accommodations) to the Athlete's Village. I see groups of athletes jogging past security and out on to the busy highway. Crazy, if you ask me. The locals tell me that Athlete's Village was built on the former town dump and if the methane gas membrane that they put over the trash ruptures, those sorry saps who buy a condo there after the Olympics will be in for a smelly surprise.
I am typing this outside of Starbucks. It's probably 30 degrees outside. Inside is already crowded with laptop-clad people who are having the same issues of no Internet as I am having. Me and some buddies bought tickets to the final 4-man bobsled run. GO AMERICA and Jamaica. I wonder if they have a team here this year. Turkey does. They're gobbling like turkeys right beside me trying to figure out how to get to their next venue.
The Olympic rings are up and the torch has already passed through. As they always say, "LET THE GAMES BEGIN!"
I'll be looking for it.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Rainbow at Whistler
So, the squeaky wheel gets the greese, as they say.
I complained enough about the Lynnwood hotel and all the ruckus that was happening there and my boss moved me up to Whistler into the Rainbow Village. It's as quirky as it sounds. First let me tell you a little about Whistler.
It's a ski resort town, a lot like Park City. The resort its self is huge. Something like 8700 acres compaired to Utah's largest being only about 3200 acres. If you intend on watching the Olympics, Whistler is where all the sliding sports like the Skeleton, Bobsledding, and Luge go on. Also, a few down hill ski events and the biathalon will be held up here. Whistler is happening. I watched snowboarders and skiers jump through hoops lit on fire last night. I went out 80's dancing tonight. A poor, drunk girl got on my bus home in just her bra and sweats asking the driver to take her to some place he'd never heard of.
My job is to drive around security to the different venues. When I first heard this, I figured it was going to be a bunch of sub-machine gun toting bad A's the are here to keep peace and order, but then I remembered it was Canada. They have hired about 5000 people from across their country to run the baggage scanners and x-ray machines. I live with about 2000 of them here in Whistler. Most of them are around my age.
In our tight-knit community, and I mean TIGHT-KNIT, all 2000 of us live on an acre lot which is a suspended construction zone. Basically, we live in storage containers. Mine has four bunk beds in it and measures 8'X15". It's about the size of a regular sized bathroom. This place is great. I live in a building where the containers are stacked 3 high. I live on the 3rd floor. I hope the gods of Haiti don't attack Whistler and an earthquake topples us all over. That'd be about 2000 instant deaths. Aside from the living containers, we have internet cafe containers, dining containers, lounging containers, administrative containers, work out containers. People nick name this place club med. I figure it's more like having the luxuries of a minimum security prison in a maximum security facility. It's unique and quite humorous.
The people I came up with and me are the only Americans in the whole lot. We stick together and stand strong and no one can mess with us. I hope the outcome is the same with our Olympic teams. There's a possibility that a mixture of nationalities will be reading this, so I encourage you to cheer on your teams like I will be, but think of me when you hear Whistler.
I complained enough about the Lynnwood hotel and all the ruckus that was happening there and my boss moved me up to Whistler into the Rainbow Village. It's as quirky as it sounds. First let me tell you a little about Whistler.
It's a ski resort town, a lot like Park City. The resort its self is huge. Something like 8700 acres compaired to Utah's largest being only about 3200 acres. If you intend on watching the Olympics, Whistler is where all the sliding sports like the Skeleton, Bobsledding, and Luge go on. Also, a few down hill ski events and the biathalon will be held up here. Whistler is happening. I watched snowboarders and skiers jump through hoops lit on fire last night. I went out 80's dancing tonight. A poor, drunk girl got on my bus home in just her bra and sweats asking the driver to take her to some place he'd never heard of.
My job is to drive around security to the different venues. When I first heard this, I figured it was going to be a bunch of sub-machine gun toting bad A's the are here to keep peace and order, but then I remembered it was Canada. They have hired about 5000 people from across their country to run the baggage scanners and x-ray machines. I live with about 2000 of them here in Whistler. Most of them are around my age.
In our tight-knit community, and I mean TIGHT-KNIT, all 2000 of us live on an acre lot which is a suspended construction zone. Basically, we live in storage containers. Mine has four bunk beds in it and measures 8'X15". It's about the size of a regular sized bathroom. This place is great. I live in a building where the containers are stacked 3 high. I live on the 3rd floor. I hope the gods of Haiti don't attack Whistler and an earthquake topples us all over. That'd be about 2000 instant deaths. Aside from the living containers, we have internet cafe containers, dining containers, lounging containers, administrative containers, work out containers. People nick name this place club med. I figure it's more like having the luxuries of a minimum security prison in a maximum security facility. It's unique and quite humorous.
The people I came up with and me are the only Americans in the whole lot. We stick together and stand strong and no one can mess with us. I hope the outcome is the same with our Olympic teams. There's a possibility that a mixture of nationalities will be reading this, so I encourage you to cheer on your teams like I will be, but think of me when you hear Whistler.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
First Impressions
I decided that I would write an entry as soon as I got settled in and comfortable, but that's impossible in the conditions that I found myself in the first night. We rolled into Vancouver around 9:00 PM, got divided into groups, and went our separate ways. As the majority went on buses to dorms, condos, and decent hotels, nine of us "mountain drivers" got stuck on the North side of town, at the Lynnwood Hotel, literally in between two sets of railroad tracks.
I can deal with trains.
What I can't deal with is the live band that played second rate covers all night long in the bar below our rooms. In between their set techno music pounded our floor. This is the type of hotel that would have vibrating beds, but they don't because the music does the trick. I don't know what time I fell asleep, but the cops came at 3:00 AM to break up the party.
I don't know what today will bring, but this is a situation where if you can't beat em, you gotta join em. Maybe you will find me in a no name hotel bar somewhere in Vancouver. Chances are, not. I am doing my best to get the freak out! More to follow.
I can deal with trains.
What I can't deal with is the live band that played second rate covers all night long in the bar below our rooms. In between their set techno music pounded our floor. This is the type of hotel that would have vibrating beds, but they don't because the music does the trick. I don't know what time I fell asleep, but the cops came at 3:00 AM to break up the party.
I don't know what today will bring, but this is a situation where if you can't beat em, you gotta join em. Maybe you will find me in a no name hotel bar somewhere in Vancouver. Chances are, not. I am doing my best to get the freak out! More to follow.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Nothing Special, but Special.
Off to the Olympics I go. I will be driving a bus full of volunteers around I am sure. Hopefully this will produce some good stories to report. My goal is to write a weekly update for the 5 weeks I am there. Hold me to it. See ya next week.
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