Hey all - thought I'd put this out there... any chance that any of you know of 12 beds available on Feb 28 only? Not too expensive, but they will have earned the right to stay somewhere comfortable. In between downtown Vancouver and YVR would be perfect. Just thought I'd ask? Bragging rights would ensue for having an Olympic team stay for a night!
If you know, email me privately please. THX!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday (I think)
OK so first off I have to stop saying day four, eight, whatever because I seem to be unable to keep track of days properly any more. It's definitely all blending together, and I think it will be easier to start tracking as VANOC is. So T minus 2 today - Opening Ceremonies on Friday!
I was at the athlete's village all day today. It was a long day but a few interesting things happened. One thing I really noticed today was how many more athletes have arrived! It's real! It's real! It's almost here! Also, the media were allowed into the residential zone for 2 hours today, the only time that will happen until the games are over. So athletes and team officials were told that if they didn't want to be on camera, they should stay in their residences during that time. I, on the other hand, forgot they were here and emerged from the computer room to buy a Mars bar. Holy paparazzi, batman... they weren't taking pictures OF me, but I may be on the Bulgarian news tonight!!! Good thing I had ponytail hair and tired eyes. And I was scarfing a Mars bar, which is ALWAYS attractive. Truly a fantastic representation of Team 2010.
One thing I got accomplished today, through a series of roof-climbing endeavours, was to decorate the Andorran residence. Don't it look purty? I photo-shopped the address out, in case you are all terrorists (make that terrorists WITH accreditation to get inside the village), but after the games I'd be happy to show you where we all hung out.
I have to admit I was all pissy that they razed the cool kids playground behind MarketPlace in order to build the Medals Plaza. Then I realized that there were some new mysterious lumps where the playground used to be, all veiled in secrecy, but I still thought it might be part of the Medals Plaza. Tonight one of the lumps was uncovered! It's going to be a maybe-even-cooler playground!
And I do have to show you another sight I see on my walk home every night... the colours change, and it's pretty in the day, too, with the mountain in the background: 
And as a good night, since Carrie has exposed my "secret" blogging life, here's a shout out to the Peace Arch posse! Keep my boys safe and see you all soon! xo
I was at the athlete's village all day today. It was a long day but a few interesting things happened. One thing I really noticed today was how many more athletes have arrived! It's real! It's real! It's almost here! Also, the media were allowed into the residential zone for 2 hours today, the only time that will happen until the games are over. So athletes and team officials were told that if they didn't want to be on camera, they should stay in their residences during that time. I, on the other hand, forgot they were here and emerged from the computer room to buy a Mars bar. Holy paparazzi, batman... they weren't taking pictures OF me, but I may be on the Bulgarian news tonight!!! Good thing I had ponytail hair and tired eyes. And I was scarfing a Mars bar, which is ALWAYS attractive. Truly a fantastic representation of Team 2010.
One thing I got accomplished today, through a series of roof-climbing endeavours, was to decorate the Andorran residence. Don't it look purty? I photo-shopped the address out, in case you are all terrorists (make that terrorists WITH accreditation to get inside the village), but after the games I'd be happy to show you where we all hung out.
I have to admit I was all pissy that they razed the cool kids playground behind MarketPlace in order to build the Medals Plaza. Then I realized that there were some new mysterious lumps where the playground used to be, all veiled in secrecy, but I still thought it might be part of the Medals Plaza. Tonight one of the lumps was uncovered! It's going to be a maybe-even-cooler playground!
And I do have to show you another sight I see on my walk home every night... the colours change, and it's pretty in the day, too, with the mountain in the background: 
And as a good night, since Carrie has exposed my "secret" blogging life, here's a shout out to the Peace Arch posse! Keep my boys safe and see you all soon! xo
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Day Eight (Sustainability)
Most of today was supposed to be a driving day - we needed to go to Vancouver Athlete's Village and back up to Whistler this evening, although I didn't end up going myself. Which led me to think about the pledge of the Olympics to be Sustainable. I think they have done a lot in the construction of the housing and venues to be ecologically sound. And they are really awesome about sorting the garbage into compost, recycling, and waste. But the amount of transportation that goes into staging a games is huge!
(Incidentally, by the way, it is getting harder and harder to write and talk in English. I am communicating in French and Spanish all day, and I'm starting to think that way. Oh la la...)
There are many more buses on the road in Whistler, and at this point they are not all full by a long shot. But I do think that for the most part they have been necessary to allow regular residents and all us volunteers to get where we need to go since we can't take our cars. And my connections have been fantastic from where I'm staying! And come Friday, there will be a lot more spectators using the services that are currently used primarily by workforce (me!).
But since I've gotten used to walking everywhere here, to get in a car again and drive all the way down to the city seems a waste. But I know that my team is not wastefully driving everywhere, so at least we are doing our part!
And my commitment here at the cabin is that I will not generate more garbage than one white kitchen garbage bag during the month I am here. I have compost bags and recyclables, and so far, in one week, I've maybe filled only a quarter of the kitchen bag. So I'm on track! We'll see what happens when Mike and the boys join me on Friday... hopefully they will follow my lead!
Not much else to report for now. Until tomorrow!
(Incidentally, by the way, it is getting harder and harder to write and talk in English. I am communicating in French and Spanish all day, and I'm starting to think that way. Oh la la...)
There are many more buses on the road in Whistler, and at this point they are not all full by a long shot. But I do think that for the most part they have been necessary to allow regular residents and all us volunteers to get where we need to go since we can't take our cars. And my connections have been fantastic from where I'm staying! And come Friday, there will be a lot more spectators using the services that are currently used primarily by workforce (me!).
But since I've gotten used to walking everywhere here, to get in a car again and drive all the way down to the city seems a waste. But I know that my team is not wastefully driving everywhere, so at least we are doing our part!
And my commitment here at the cabin is that I will not generate more garbage than one white kitchen garbage bag during the month I am here. I have compost bags and recyclables, and so far, in one week, I've maybe filled only a quarter of the kitchen bag. So I'm on track! We'll see what happens when Mike and the boys join me on Friday... hopefully they will follow my lead!
Not much else to report for now. Until tomorrow!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Day 7 - Felic Cumpleanys
Today was one of the Andorrans' birthday. So I didn't do much work today, besides track down some candles, balloons, and make a card. We celebrated with cake and beverages at the Andorran house in the village. These guys and girls are all awesome - so welcoming and friendly! We walk in and it's all hugs and kisses. They're lots of fun to work with!
Here's one of the sights I get to see that others don't. I took great care not to photograph any athlete here!
I found some Swedes today too!
Another fun day!
Here's one of the sights I get to see that others don't. I took great care not to photograph any athlete here!
I found some Swedes today too!
Another fun day!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Full Day Today (Sunday, Day Six)!
I had to be up early today - all three of the Whistler NOC Assistants to Andorra were meeting with our chef de mission this morning to set our schedule for the rest of the month. I met Maria Ana on the bus, and Erin once we got to the NOC Services Centre. I think the three of us make a great team! We also have an Assistant in Vancouver, who I hope to meet on Tuesday.
After our meeting, I stayed on for the rest of the day. I didn't have a whole lot to do, but explored the athlete's village a little more to learn where the different teams were staying. I also saw the village store, the stage and the plaza area, which were all new to me.
This evening, Whistler Mountain did this Fire & Ice show at the base of the gondola, so I met 7 other assistants for dinner outside at the Longhorn. We FROZE, even under the heat lamp! Here's Erin, me and Maria Ana:
And here's another terrible outdoor night shot, showing the ring of fire that the skiers and boarders were jumping through and doing tricks: 
It was pretty cool... and SO cold that I am still not warm yet, and I got home almost 2 hours ago. Granted, the cabin is pretty freezing but me and the Magic Bag are huddled under two blankets and I'm also wearing 2 sweaters and fuzzy socks. Hmpf, maybe I will wear my tuque to bed tonight... :)
After our meeting, I stayed on for the rest of the day. I didn't have a whole lot to do, but explored the athlete's village a little more to learn where the different teams were staying. I also saw the village store, the stage and the plaza area, which were all new to me.
This evening, Whistler Mountain did this Fire & Ice show at the base of the gondola, so I met 7 other assistants for dinner outside at the Longhorn. We FROZE, even under the heat lamp! Here's Erin, me and Maria Ana:
And here's another terrible outdoor night shot, showing the ring of fire that the skiers and boarders were jumping through and doing tricks: 
It was pretty cool... and SO cold that I am still not warm yet, and I got home almost 2 hours ago. Granted, the cabin is pretty freezing but me and the Magic Bag are huddled under two blankets and I'm also wearing 2 sweaters and fuzzy socks. Hmpf, maybe I will wear my tuque to bed tonight... :)
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sunshine for my day five
Oh, I am just SO sick of this view. Wouldn't you be?
Sigh.
It's just SO ugly here.
As you can see above, it was PRETTY hard to get out of bed this morning. But I had things to do. Canada House 
had an open house today, so I went and had a cuppa with this guy: 
Just your average ordinary everyday dude... who HAPPENED to light the cauldron in Whistler last night! Meet Tyler, a super sweet 17 year old Whistler kid who hopes to qualify for London in 2012. I got to hold his torch! (no, that's not a euphemism...)
Also, you may know these cuties:
I was strolling around enjoying some fresh air before going back to the arctic-temp cabin for my solitary TV and Dorito ritual when I got a call from the athlete's village. Could I help a couple of confused young Andorrans? Well, YES, I could! So I bolted home for my uniform and hustled to the athlete's village. I was able to fix their Internet connection, their phone passwords AND their front door to boot. I am officially a rock star. Today I met three new Andorrans - two Alpine skiers and one support staff. I didn't catch his position but they were all very nice (and forgiving of my French/Spanish butchery).
R, one of the alpine skiers, was worried about his skis. When he arrived at the athlete's village, he was assured they would take his skis directly to the ski locker at Creekside. However, he knew he would not sleep until he saw them, so they set off to find them. I spent some time tracking down flags, white board felts and electrical adaptors, then had dinner (curry chicken, potatoes, corn, salad, and banana cake). At the dinner table I met some Spanish assistants, who were great. They offered me a ride into Whistler village and I got home not too late.
Up early tomorrow; meeting at 7:45 so off to bed I go! More tomorrow... Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone!
Sigh.It's just SO ugly here.
As you can see above, it was PRETTY hard to get out of bed this morning. But I had things to do. Canada House 
had an open house today, so I went and had a cuppa with this guy: 
Just your average ordinary everyday dude... who HAPPENED to light the cauldron in Whistler last night! Meet Tyler, a super sweet 17 year old Whistler kid who hopes to qualify for London in 2012. I got to hold his torch! (no, that's not a euphemism...)Also, you may know these cuties:
I was strolling around enjoying some fresh air before going back to the arctic-temp cabin for my solitary TV and Dorito ritual when I got a call from the athlete's village. Could I help a couple of confused young Andorrans? Well, YES, I could! So I bolted home for my uniform and hustled to the athlete's village. I was able to fix their Internet connection, their phone passwords AND their front door to boot. I am officially a rock star. Today I met three new Andorrans - two Alpine skiers and one support staff. I didn't catch his position but they were all very nice (and forgiving of my French/Spanish butchery).R, one of the alpine skiers, was worried about his skis. When he arrived at the athlete's village, he was assured they would take his skis directly to the ski locker at Creekside. However, he knew he would not sleep until he saw them, so they set off to find them. I spent some time tracking down flags, white board felts and electrical adaptors, then had dinner (curry chicken, potatoes, corn, salad, and banana cake). At the dinner table I met some Spanish assistants, who were great. They offered me a ride into Whistler village and I got home not too late.
Up early tomorrow; meeting at 7:45 so off to bed I go! More tomorrow... Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone!
Friday, February 5, 2010
I'm not Useless Anymore! It is now Day Four!
Hola! Bonjour! Awesome day today!
I woke up to this:
OK so you can't REALLY see the fat flakes of snow, but they were there, I promise. Beautiful view from the cabin window!
And then I got ready for my first shift. Do I LOOK like a keener? Because I am SUCH a keener:
I checked in at the Athlete's Village. Once I got there I received word that I had almost two hours to kill before the revised arrival time for my chef de mission. I loitered in the break room for a minute before I saw a sign that said, "Extra time on your hands? Call Jason to help Event Services". So I did. I ended up working 90 minutes at security screening, filtering athletes and coaches through the metal detectors. I was at the rifle checkpoint, but didn't think to be freaked out by that until later. Did I mention I hate guns?
And later, I helped check my team into their accommodations. It was great to meet them! They are very nice, and I am now able to relax a little about the whole language thing. I spoke French with her, and she spoke a little Spanish and French back, and we got along quite well. They have a townhouse for their team, and it's really very nice! After I left them to unpack a little more, I grabbed dinner in the dining hall (BBQ chicken, rice, green beans, Thai noodle salad - all quite yummy!) and left for Whistler as the Torch was arriving tonight!
Whistler was CRAZY. I have never seen it so busy! It was just packed at Skier's Plaza at the base of the gondolas. There was music and entertainment, and red mittens everywhere! The crowds were a little much for me, so I hiked up the mountain a ways, past the first tower on the Fitzsimmons chair. Looking down on the excitement was beyond words. I was also in the fantastic position of being right on the route that Julia Murray, the Canadian Ski Cross athlete that Westminster Savings is sponsoring for the Olympics, brought the torch by on the snowmobile. Um, yeah. So it would have been a whole lot better, closer, clearer if I HADN'T fallen down the mountain just a little when I jumped in excitement at seeing her 10 feet from me. This is the picture I took after I fell. Um, see her?
Yeah, me neither.
She lit the torch of Steve Podborski, legendary skier! He skied down into the village and lit the torch of a young Whistler resident chosen to light Whistler's cauldron. See that glow in the middle? That's Steve lighting Tyler's torch. It was a PHONE camera; don't give me a hard time.
It was a great day!
I woke up to this:
OK so you can't REALLY see the fat flakes of snow, but they were there, I promise. Beautiful view from the cabin window!And then I got ready for my first shift. Do I LOOK like a keener? Because I am SUCH a keener:
I checked in at the Athlete's Village. Once I got there I received word that I had almost two hours to kill before the revised arrival time for my chef de mission. I loitered in the break room for a minute before I saw a sign that said, "Extra time on your hands? Call Jason to help Event Services". So I did. I ended up working 90 minutes at security screening, filtering athletes and coaches through the metal detectors. I was at the rifle checkpoint, but didn't think to be freaked out by that until later. Did I mention I hate guns?
And later, I helped check my team into their accommodations. It was great to meet them! They are very nice, and I am now able to relax a little about the whole language thing. I spoke French with her, and she spoke a little Spanish and French back, and we got along quite well. They have a townhouse for their team, and it's really very nice! After I left them to unpack a little more, I grabbed dinner in the dining hall (BBQ chicken, rice, green beans, Thai noodle salad - all quite yummy!) and left for Whistler as the Torch was arriving tonight!
Whistler was CRAZY. I have never seen it so busy! It was just packed at Skier's Plaza at the base of the gondolas. There was music and entertainment, and red mittens everywhere! The crowds were a little much for me, so I hiked up the mountain a ways, past the first tower on the Fitzsimmons chair. Looking down on the excitement was beyond words. I was also in the fantastic position of being right on the route that Julia Murray, the Canadian Ski Cross athlete that Westminster Savings is sponsoring for the Olympics, brought the torch by on the snowmobile. Um, yeah. So it would have been a whole lot better, closer, clearer if I HADN'T fallen down the mountain just a little when I jumped in excitement at seeing her 10 feet from me. This is the picture I took after I fell. Um, see her?
Yeah, me neither.She lit the torch of Steve Podborski, legendary skier! He skied down into the village and lit the torch of a young Whistler resident chosen to light Whistler's cauldron. See that glow in the middle? That's Steve lighting Tyler's torch. It was a PHONE camera; don't give me a hard time.
It was a great day!
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