Inclement Weather

It's been raining in Whistler for the last few days, so things have been cold and obviously wet. I haven't been up on the mountain recently, but I hear it's not raining up there, and snow is falling in its place.

I was driving up from The City last night in the hardest downpour I've experienced since moving out of Guangzhou. As I was sitting at a traffic light, I saw some pedestrians trying to stick it out sans parapluie. It made me remember doing the same thing in China.

One day it looked all nice and sunny, so I ventured outside without my trusty umbrella. It started to pour, with raindrops the size of golf balls peppering me from above. I hid under an overpass, and waited out the downpour.

When it cleared, I began walking out in the open again. I was downtown, close to the shoe store I liked, and close to the Ocean Hotel where Carol and I often caught the shuttle back to YiHe. (This story happens after Carol was forced to retreat to Canada for medical reasons). I was walking across a plaza of sorts, when suddenly I became very frightened.

The biggest explosion I'd ever heard was busy ringing in my ears. While there was subway construction going on close-by, I knew it wasn't that. It was too loud to be natural, so I figured it could only be man-made, and was likely meant to hurt me.

In the middle of the plaza, I got down on one knee, ducked, and covered my head with one arm. I was now as prepared as I could be for the imminent explosive destruction.

Nothing happened, and when I peered out from under my arm, I saw all the local Chinese walking along like nothing out of the ordinary had happened. I realized the explosion must have been natural, and was simply a really really close and loud clap of thunder.

This Chinese thunder possessed a depth and volume that I was not used to, and had never experienced before. It'd be like listening to music on homemade speakers for your whole life, and then suddenly being exposed to amps-to-eleven surround-sound with extra bass.

I stood straight, and continued strolling through the plaza. I was embarrassed, but felt I had made the right decision. What if it had been a big plaza bomb? I would have been prepared! Plus, they say that children often take after their parents. Evidently, this was the case because as soon as I continued walking, I recalled Dad's story about the first time he visited Stratford. He heard the daily Festival cannon, which signals the start of the production, and quickly dove into a ditch for cover.

Better safe than sorry!

China. Providing quality memories, since 2007!

Bring me sleep, or give me death!

I'm really tired!

Yesterday I worked a double, meaning I would make two Whistler-Vancouver trips. I don't mind doing it, as driving is not too tough.

My last flight of the day was supposed to come in at 9:30pm, and with luck I'd be back home before midnight. My first drive the next day (today) was scheduled to leave at 6:00am, meaning I could have just enough sleep to get through the day.

Turns out yesterday's flight was delayed one hour and fifteen minutes, and I didn't leave Vancouver until midnight. I finally got home to my bed at 2:30am. I set my alarm for 5:00am the next morning, giving me enough time to shave and get the truck ready for another trip.

I began dreaming about not waking up, and in my dream I was wondering what time it was. I woke up to check, and I couldn't find my alarm! I found it with me in bed, covered in blankets. It was 5:45! I was supposed to be waiting outside the hotel, not covered in my warm blankets! I must have turned it off in my sleep, and hid it away so it would stop bothering me.

I tossed some water into my hair, grabbed a slice of gum, and ran to the truck, which I had luckily brought home with me. I made it to the hotel for 6:00am, and the guests weren't looking for me or anything, and were just in the process of checking out when I arrived.

I drove them to the airport, and got there safely.

Er called me and we chatted for a bit, and he recommended I get a few hours sleep before my next pickup which would happen at noon, in about three hours. Before I nodded off, I figured I'd confirm the details of that next pickup.

When I spoke with dispatch, they were hoping that I could drive back down to the base and take my boss to North Van to the mechanic's garage. I would also have to buy a booster seat because I needed one and there were none left at base.

Before I took off to pick up my boss, I stopped at Safeway (like Zehrs) and picked up a travel size shaving cream, a pack of pink disposable razors (they were cheaper than the blue ones) and a set of four kitchen mess cleaner-uppers ($1.25!). I then sat in the parking lot and shaved, since I obviously hadn't had time in the morning. Since I would be driving my boss around, I had to look responsible, not frousty.

I doused the razor with water from one of the bottles we give to guests, and wiped the blade with the kitchen catchers while sitting in the truck, using the mirror to see what I was doing.

I went through three blades, because they were getting clogged with hair and I couldn't get a good enough shave, and I didn't want to deal with wrath from my boss.

I got to the base and he wasn't there. I couldn't afford to wait around, so I cleaned the truck then set out to find a baby seat to buy, which I did. I then rushed to the airport for my last pickup of the day.

I was getting close to Whistler, looking forward to parking the truck and sleeping until tomorrow. It was going to be glorious! Then, the office called me and said I had a restaurant transfer to do, at 6:00pm. ARRRUUUGGGGHHHH! That means I can't sleep, but must drive people from the hotel to the restaurant, wait around, then drive them back. All I want to do is sleep! Who knows when they'll be finished! I'm on just over three hours of sleep, and I've been driving for two days straight!

So, it's 5:30 right now and I have to pick them up soon. I've just prepared some food, which I'll eat quickly, then go off and drive some more. They have kids, so hopefully they won't spend five hours eating, which would mean five hours of waiting for me!

Yawn! Oh well, smoke 'em while you got 'em, as they say.

edit: It did turn out to be five hours! It's midnight now, and I'm finally done for the day. Back at it tomorrow morning though. It'll be a nice paycheque at least. I worked 14 hours today.

Olympic Torch Unveiling

Today, the Olympic torch was unveiled in the Village, as part of the One Year Countdown ceremonies.

I had an interesting drive this morning, taking three people from a hotel to the village, about a three minute drive. I had to do it because the hotel's regular shuttle is down in The City getting fixed.

The people I drove were involved in the torch unveiling, and I heard them chatting about the speech they would be delivering.

I drove into the village later, because I had my truck still and wanted to see what was going on. It turned into a much bigger deal than I expected.



There were media outlets setting up broadcast centres and preparing to do live feeds,



freelancers setting up and jostling for position,



and lots of fans holding flags and balloons and cheering on cue.



I arrived right when IOC President Jacques Rogge opened the ceremony. He was in the news last summer for criticizing fan-favourite Usain Bolt's celebrations during the Beijing Olympic track events. The controversy sparked THIS VIDEO, much to the enjoyment of internet users everywhere.



After taking some pictures, I heard a speech which I recognized snippets of, from my truck. I looked at the stage, and saw on the screen part of the reason I had to wake up at 5:00am this morning. I didn't recognize the speaker though, so maybe I transported his speech writers. I'm happy for all the work I get, but sometimes it's fun and easy to complain!



I decided to get a bit closer to the stage, and was surprised that the crowd of people seemed to be parting in front of me as I walked! Just as I started feeling like Moses, I realized that there were police officers clearing a path for the torch to run through. I quickly got out of the way, and found myself with a great vantage point in the front row. Small flags were being handed out, and I grabbed one and joined the celebrating throng.



I got a fairly good picture of the torch as it came down the channel. I had to jostle a bit, and I wish my picture was better. But it all happened so fast and everyone was trying to get pictures, just like me.

The torch is meant to be reminiscent of snowdrifts and the path of the winter wind, as well as the smooth marks that skates and toboggans leave in the snow during a quintessential Canadian winter.



The torch and the first torch bearers made their way to the stage, where they joined some politicians and leaders of industry. They waved and posed for pictures, as I picked my way through the crowd and walked back to my truck.

It was interesting to be there in the midst of Olympic torch celebrations for the second time in less than ten months. I joined the throng previously in China, when the torch relay came through Guangzhou in May. That blog post is HERE.

What to write about?

Now that I've bedded into my driving job and my life in Whistler, my daily grind doesn't seem interesting enough to blog. I'm also lacking inspiration and the creative juices aren't flowing.

Inspiration is wonderful when it happens, but the writer must develop an approach for the rest of the time... The wait is simply too long.

That little nugget comes to us from Leonard Bernstein. Who is he? I asked the same, although I had heard his name thrown around. Let's find out.

Turns out he is most notable as a composer and conductor of music. He did the score for West Side Story.

So, what will my approach be, for this, "the rest of the time"? I'm going to throw it out there. I'm interested in writing about anything, and I wonder if there is anything that you, my loyal readers, can recommend I try my hand at?

Topics could be things like "What is your opinion on the Leakey family and their place in paleontology?" or "Should Paranthropus aethiopicus be classified in genus Australopithicus?" Other, less anthropological topics could be discussed as well.

You may wish to hear my thoughts on Hunter S. Thompson, or you might be wondering what I think about leaving dirty pots and pans in the sink. There may also be a few of you who wonder if the hype surrounding Windows 7 is genuine, or if it's a case of successful viral marketing.

I'm for trying to write anything ...opinion pieces, short research-type essays, a political treatise. Let me know your favourite format!

I'm in a rut. I've been watching too many internet videos and have been overly interested in the Canucks. I'm not reading enough, and haven't written anything lately that I've been proud of.

Help!

Big snow day today.

And I missed it.

It snowed a lot yesterday and last night, so today would have been a good day to go up the hill. I have one day left on my Edge Card (I bought a five-time ticket) and opted not to use it today.

The highway ended up being closed because of an accident, so nobody could make it up to Whistler unless they were already here. My flatmate (I hesitate to use roommate because in Whistler, that could mean someone you actually share a room with, or the whole house. I'll defer to the more accurate term that Brits use) Andrew went up (he has a full pass) and said it was awesome.

"Don't worry, you didn't miss much. Just a foot-and-a-half of glorious, fresh powder..."

He spent the day with experienced Whistlerites, and was shown good spots that aren't on the trail map. I've been on most of the ones he's mentioned, but apparently it was just awesome up there today.

I'm happy that it was a good day though. The snow's been mediocre this year, so today would have served to lift the spirits of the whole town. Whistler businesses are laying people off and people are abandoning town. This town is a sinking ship for those of us in the service industry, and it casts a pall on Whistler life.

You can read this article in the Pique, our local paper that comes out weekly.

Click here to read the article. Some excerpts:


Unusual local weather mixed with this instable world economy meant bad news for Whistler. Fewer visitors skied here than previous years as Ullr - the Nordic god of snow and unofficial Whistler mascot - failed to deliver his usual blanket of Coast Mountain powder. Worse, the snow pack is volatile. To date, there have been 16 avalanche fatalities in B.C. this winter.

According to Diane Foster, owner of Uniglobe Advanced Travel, her office has seen a huge rise this winter in the number of people leaving Whistler earlier then originally planned.

"We have been extremely busy changing the return tickets of people who had come for the season - and also booking new tickets - for people who are leaving early," comments an astonished Foster.

"We've never had so many changes of tickets. Ever."

A lot of the ticket changes have been for Australians and New Zealanders who planned to go to Europe after the winter season but now want to go earlier, explains Foster, adding that many European travellers also want to head east soon.

"Basically what everyone has been saying in town is their hours are being cut back and there is really bad skiing and no snow. There is no reason to be here, and financially they can't afford to stay," she confides.


So, amid the doom and gloom of a marginal snow season, it's great that a good snow day appeared to make everyone happy. For a little while at least.