Before I moved to China, I thought all Asia would be like this.
I never experienced anything like this, thankfully. I think this is Tokyo.
Watch this short video.
And to think the bus drove by me at the stop today, because it was full. There's ALWAYS room for one more!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Moments
Life seems to be full of moments, and most of these we just pass by without a second thought. The moments where you check the mail, pull a pizza out of the oven, or catch the bus are forgettable. The moments when you win a championship, ace a test, or cash your first paycheque are probably more memorable. But what about moments that we shouldn't remember, but do?
I have a few moments that stick out to me, ones that have stayed with me in my mind. These moments don't represent achievements, victories, or monumental instances. I'm not sure what my memorable moments represent, but maybe I'll find out.
I'm sure I have many of these moments, but the only ones I remember distinctly have happened in the last year or so. Possibly this is because I have only begun trying to hang on to these moments instead of letting them pass by.
The first one I remember happened when I was driving from Erik and Minke's house in Waterloo to Mom and Dad's in Stratford. It was night, and I was driving along the Amulree Road towards 119, away from Waterloo.
It was February 2008, and Erik and Minke had been married a week or two previously. I was home for a few weeks to attend the wedding, a happy respite from my time as a kindergarten teacher in China. The Middle Kingdom had not been kind to me during the first half of my one-year contract, and I was not terribly excited to go back.
The moment happened as I was listening to English radio, (I don't remember what song) driving in the dark with no other cars, and being perfectly content. Right then, I was happy to be driving alone in the dark. I wasn't too excited about getting home, because that meant I was one step closer to China. I was happy to be alone in the car, surrounded by darkness, in Canada.
That moment sticks out to me as one where I was perfectly content in a singular time and place. I wasn't in a rush to go anywhere, I wasn't thinking about anything, I was just driving along in the dark. It was peaceful and I enjoyed it. I knew my life was going to get extremely complicated and stressful when I got off the plane in China, so I was happy to be calm, cool, and collected as I drove through the dark, quiet countryside.
My second memorable moment happened this summer while I was out for a run in the Old Grove. I was heading towards Dunn's Bridge, with the river on my left. I was about three-quarters of the way there, where the path is narrow, less maintained, and runs very close to the river. It was a good run, but when is started to rain it soon became amazing.
I wasn't prepared for the rain, but it came fast and hard regardless. I remember the dirt trail being half-coloured by the rain, while half of it was still try. I remember the atmosphere being really calm, and I couldn't hear anything but the rain falling on the leaves, into the river, and over the grass. I realized that I was really happy to be where I was, running. There was nobody else around, and the rain seemed to muffle everything else around me.
It was only me running on the trail, with wet leaves leaving blotches on my shirt as I ran. It turned into a downpour, and soon everything was soaked. But for a moment before that, I was in another place of extreme contentment. I remember ducking under a low, wet leaf, looking at the ground and thinking about how it looked, feeling energized and powerful. I stepped up my pace and continued on to Dunn's Bridge.
While that whole run was probably good, the moment I remember was just after it had started to pour. Nothing else seemed to exist; only the trail, the river, and myself. It was fantastic. I don't remember how long the moment lasted, but it was gone before I got to the bridge.
A third moment happened soon after I moved back to Whistler this fall. Again, it has to do with me being alone and content in my surroundings. I was walking home to Nordic from the Village, on the valley trail. It was dark outside, and the stars were out. It was a bit cold.
I came upon one section of trail that is bordered on both sides by steep out-croppings of rock, which had large evergreens growing on top. I remember coming to this section, and being surrounded by trees, rocks, and a starry night sky. There was nobody else around, and everything was quiet. I remember stopping on the trail, looking up, and seeing the stars blinking down at me, with the tops of the trees waving on the periphery.
As I was stopped on the trail, I lifted out my arms and closed my eyes, listening to the silence. It was fabulous. Soon, some people came around the corner talking, bringing my moment to an end.
When I read what I've written, and think about what I remember, I see that the moments I don't forget have to do with quiet solitude. Each time, I was alone and content in a quiet and still place. The common themes in my remembrances are silence and solitude.
This is good to reflect upon, as it shows me that my favourite places are quiet ones where I'm the only person. It would seem that I love this solitude and remember it in a different way than I remember other things. I think it'll be important for me to seek out similar situations, and that doing so may keep me from being too worried or caught up in the stresses everyday life.
I imagine that these moments aren't just about being alone somewhere quiet...I bet they happen in part as a result of the mental state I was in at the time. In all three instances, I can remember being stressed about the future. In the car driving away from Waterloo, I was worried about going back to China. Running beside the river in the rain, there's a good chance I was worried about the job interviews I had recently had. Finally, between the rocks and trees in Whistler, I was likely worried about employment, housing, and getting myself sorted in Canada.
I think it's time to start running again. When it's nice, I'll run outside. When it's not, I'll train at the gym on the treadmill. Hopefully I can find myself in one of these moments again soon, and keep everyday stresses at bay.
I have a few moments that stick out to me, ones that have stayed with me in my mind. These moments don't represent achievements, victories, or monumental instances. I'm not sure what my memorable moments represent, but maybe I'll find out.
I'm sure I have many of these moments, but the only ones I remember distinctly have happened in the last year or so. Possibly this is because I have only begun trying to hang on to these moments instead of letting them pass by.
The first one I remember happened when I was driving from Erik and Minke's house in Waterloo to Mom and Dad's in Stratford. It was night, and I was driving along the Amulree Road towards 119, away from Waterloo.
It was February 2008, and Erik and Minke had been married a week or two previously. I was home for a few weeks to attend the wedding, a happy respite from my time as a kindergarten teacher in China. The Middle Kingdom had not been kind to me during the first half of my one-year contract, and I was not terribly excited to go back.
The moment happened as I was listening to English radio, (I don't remember what song) driving in the dark with no other cars, and being perfectly content. Right then, I was happy to be driving alone in the dark. I wasn't too excited about getting home, because that meant I was one step closer to China. I was happy to be alone in the car, surrounded by darkness, in Canada.
That moment sticks out to me as one where I was perfectly content in a singular time and place. I wasn't in a rush to go anywhere, I wasn't thinking about anything, I was just driving along in the dark. It was peaceful and I enjoyed it. I knew my life was going to get extremely complicated and stressful when I got off the plane in China, so I was happy to be calm, cool, and collected as I drove through the dark, quiet countryside.
My second memorable moment happened this summer while I was out for a run in the Old Grove. I was heading towards Dunn's Bridge, with the river on my left. I was about three-quarters of the way there, where the path is narrow, less maintained, and runs very close to the river. It was a good run, but when is started to rain it soon became amazing.
I wasn't prepared for the rain, but it came fast and hard regardless. I remember the dirt trail being half-coloured by the rain, while half of it was still try. I remember the atmosphere being really calm, and I couldn't hear anything but the rain falling on the leaves, into the river, and over the grass. I realized that I was really happy to be where I was, running. There was nobody else around, and the rain seemed to muffle everything else around me.
It was only me running on the trail, with wet leaves leaving blotches on my shirt as I ran. It turned into a downpour, and soon everything was soaked. But for a moment before that, I was in another place of extreme contentment. I remember ducking under a low, wet leaf, looking at the ground and thinking about how it looked, feeling energized and powerful. I stepped up my pace and continued on to Dunn's Bridge.
While that whole run was probably good, the moment I remember was just after it had started to pour. Nothing else seemed to exist; only the trail, the river, and myself. It was fantastic. I don't remember how long the moment lasted, but it was gone before I got to the bridge.
A third moment happened soon after I moved back to Whistler this fall. Again, it has to do with me being alone and content in my surroundings. I was walking home to Nordic from the Village, on the valley trail. It was dark outside, and the stars were out. It was a bit cold.
I came upon one section of trail that is bordered on both sides by steep out-croppings of rock, which had large evergreens growing on top. I remember coming to this section, and being surrounded by trees, rocks, and a starry night sky. There was nobody else around, and everything was quiet. I remember stopping on the trail, looking up, and seeing the stars blinking down at me, with the tops of the trees waving on the periphery.
As I was stopped on the trail, I lifted out my arms and closed my eyes, listening to the silence. It was fabulous. Soon, some people came around the corner talking, bringing my moment to an end.
When I read what I've written, and think about what I remember, I see that the moments I don't forget have to do with quiet solitude. Each time, I was alone and content in a quiet and still place. The common themes in my remembrances are silence and solitude.
This is good to reflect upon, as it shows me that my favourite places are quiet ones where I'm the only person. It would seem that I love this solitude and remember it in a different way than I remember other things. I think it'll be important for me to seek out similar situations, and that doing so may keep me from being too worried or caught up in the stresses everyday life.
I imagine that these moments aren't just about being alone somewhere quiet...I bet they happen in part as a result of the mental state I was in at the time. In all three instances, I can remember being stressed about the future. In the car driving away from Waterloo, I was worried about going back to China. Running beside the river in the rain, there's a good chance I was worried about the job interviews I had recently had. Finally, between the rocks and trees in Whistler, I was likely worried about employment, housing, and getting myself sorted in Canada.
I think it's time to start running again. When it's nice, I'll run outside. When it's not, I'll train at the gym on the treadmill. Hopefully I can find myself in one of these moments again soon, and keep everyday stresses at bay.
Seattle
I drove to Seattle and back today, which is pretty far.
I got the call last night, asking if I would do it. I said I would. I figured out my route, my exit numbers, and all the rest of it so I'd be prepared.
I was driving some people from Whistler to Seattle, and then coming back empty. The trip down was eventful.
When we got to the border, the two guests I had needed to get the proper permissions to enter the U.S. We all had to go into the Customs Office, where most everyone was on their lunch break. We waited about an hour, and then they filled in the necessary forms, got finger printed and photographed, and finally got the necessary stamps.
My route would take me straight down I-5, and my destination was only a few blocks away from it. It would be pretty easy.
Driving the winding Sea to Sky Highway every day is very different from driving the I-5. The road to Whistler is full of pot holes to avoid, turns to negotiate, drivers to keep track of, and traction to maintain. The I-5 is very different. With only a few exceptions, it's straight as an arrow and very fast. There's nothing to do but sit there and wait for your destination to appear on the horizon.
The speed limits on the I-5 are higher than I'm used to as well, at 70MPH. That's just under 120KPH I believe. So everyone's cooking along pretty fast. At one point I needed to negotiate around a stray plastic shelving unit. I thought it was an isolated object, but suddenly everyone in front of me was hitting the binders pretty hard. I did as well, so I wouldn't rear-end anyone.
I'm pretty sure I heard my tires squealing, as I brought my speed down very quickly. There was a kitchen table in the middle of the road, and a pickup truck full of other things on the shoulder. The owner of the table was about to run into traffic to get the table, which rightfully made everyone nervous.
At that time, I was feeling pretty tired and was yawning a lot. But once I had to stomp on the brakes and avoid the table and other vehicles, I was hit with a shot of adrenalin that kept me very much awake for the rest of the day.
I was happy when I dropped off my guests, and could have a relaxing drive back. It's so much easier when I don't have people to worry about. I battled Seattle's rush-hour traffic, as well as Bellingham's and Everett's, two towns between Seattle and the border. It was slow going.
I ended up working for 13 hours today, and driving for most of it. I wasn't driving when I was waiting in line in customs or waiting for my guests to finish their coffees, but other than that it was a very solid day of driving.
I was thinking when I was driving back that I have a pretty good job, for right now. I got to see Seattle, see the Space Needle, experience Washington's rush hours, and avoid tables in the middle of the road. I've been to Seattle now, and I wouldn't have been if I didn't have this job. I also like the independence aspect of this job, since I don't really have a supervisor or anyone staring over my shoulder.
I'm happy I have the day off tomorrow (so far, anyway.) It's amazing what a day off will do for you. I had yesterday off, and felt ready to drive again today and was happy to do it. It was a very different feeling than when I was working my twelfth day in a row, feeling tired and unmotivated.
I hope that someday soon I'll have a job that's more predictable hours-wise, and maybe have scheduled days off. But for now, I'm happy to slave away behind the wheel, and work while there's work. This pace isn't sustainable though. I think that things are winding down after Christmas, but who knows because things haven't showed any signs of letting up. Other than me getting a day off, I guess!
I'll work when there's work, and try to stay positive. I'll make good use of my days off by catching up on my sleep, and eating oven pizzas. I'll also keep looking for other employment options that will give me scheduled days off, and a work schedule that looks more than twenty-four hours ahead.
But I'm happy to deal with the nuances this job brings, for the time being. I got paid to go to Seattle today! And that's pretty neat.
I got the call last night, asking if I would do it. I said I would. I figured out my route, my exit numbers, and all the rest of it so I'd be prepared.
I was driving some people from Whistler to Seattle, and then coming back empty. The trip down was eventful.
When we got to the border, the two guests I had needed to get the proper permissions to enter the U.S. We all had to go into the Customs Office, where most everyone was on their lunch break. We waited about an hour, and then they filled in the necessary forms, got finger printed and photographed, and finally got the necessary stamps.
My route would take me straight down I-5, and my destination was only a few blocks away from it. It would be pretty easy.
Driving the winding Sea to Sky Highway every day is very different from driving the I-5. The road to Whistler is full of pot holes to avoid, turns to negotiate, drivers to keep track of, and traction to maintain. The I-5 is very different. With only a few exceptions, it's straight as an arrow and very fast. There's nothing to do but sit there and wait for your destination to appear on the horizon.
The speed limits on the I-5 are higher than I'm used to as well, at 70MPH. That's just under 120KPH I believe. So everyone's cooking along pretty fast. At one point I needed to negotiate around a stray plastic shelving unit. I thought it was an isolated object, but suddenly everyone in front of me was hitting the binders pretty hard. I did as well, so I wouldn't rear-end anyone.
I'm pretty sure I heard my tires squealing, as I brought my speed down very quickly. There was a kitchen table in the middle of the road, and a pickup truck full of other things on the shoulder. The owner of the table was about to run into traffic to get the table, which rightfully made everyone nervous.
At that time, I was feeling pretty tired and was yawning a lot. But once I had to stomp on the brakes and avoid the table and other vehicles, I was hit with a shot of adrenalin that kept me very much awake for the rest of the day.
I was happy when I dropped off my guests, and could have a relaxing drive back. It's so much easier when I don't have people to worry about. I battled Seattle's rush-hour traffic, as well as Bellingham's and Everett's, two towns between Seattle and the border. It was slow going.
I ended up working for 13 hours today, and driving for most of it. I wasn't driving when I was waiting in line in customs or waiting for my guests to finish their coffees, but other than that it was a very solid day of driving.
I was thinking when I was driving back that I have a pretty good job, for right now. I got to see Seattle, see the Space Needle, experience Washington's rush hours, and avoid tables in the middle of the road. I've been to Seattle now, and I wouldn't have been if I didn't have this job. I also like the independence aspect of this job, since I don't really have a supervisor or anyone staring over my shoulder.
I'm happy I have the day off tomorrow (so far, anyway.) It's amazing what a day off will do for you. I had yesterday off, and felt ready to drive again today and was happy to do it. It was a very different feeling than when I was working my twelfth day in a row, feeling tired and unmotivated.
I hope that someday soon I'll have a job that's more predictable hours-wise, and maybe have scheduled days off. But for now, I'm happy to slave away behind the wheel, and work while there's work. This pace isn't sustainable though. I think that things are winding down after Christmas, but who knows because things haven't showed any signs of letting up. Other than me getting a day off, I guess!
I'll work when there's work, and try to stay positive. I'll make good use of my days off by catching up on my sleep, and eating oven pizzas. I'll also keep looking for other employment options that will give me scheduled days off, and a work schedule that looks more than twenty-four hours ahead.
But I'm happy to deal with the nuances this job brings, for the time being. I got paid to go to Seattle today! And that's pretty neat.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Some recent pictures.
I have a few pictures to share.
(Note: this is the first post I'm writing on my new computer! I'm excited, even though the final product won't be any different. The process should be though! Hurray for new computers!)
Here's the new gondola tower that broke. I wrote about it in this post. I don't know the exact day that things got back up and running, but people are using it now and it's back in full operation. I would have thought that public outcry and various regulations would have prevented this lift from opening up before next year. I was wrong.
These shots are from yesterday. 34cm of snow fell, which is about 13in. That's a lot! One of the shots is from the bus station, where I was waiting for the bus at 6:30 in the morning. The other is from the Whistler Skiers Plaza, at the base. The line-up is huge!
Everyone is hoping to get one of 650 "Fresh Tracks" tickets that allow you to go up the mountain early, eat breakfast, and ski the fresh snow before the rest of the lifts open. On big mornings like this, you have to be up earlier than everyone else in order to get one.
You can start buying the tickets at 7am, and begin uploading on the gondola at 7:30. I took this picture at about 7:10, so the tickets would have just begun being sold. The mountain opens to the public at 8:30, so that means you have less than an hour to hit the fresh snow.
In 2004, my first winter in Whistler and the worst snow season in history, I bought a Fresh Tracks ticket. It had snowed about 20cm the night before, and since it had been a terrible season, this was a very rare occurrence.
About half-way up, the gondola stopped for an hour. The gondolas hold about 7 or 8 people; six sitting around the sides, and one or two standing in the middle. I was one standing in the middle, as our gondola cabin bobbed and swayed, just above the season's first good snow dump.
When they finally got it working again, it was past 8:30 and the rest of the lifts had opened to the public. My Fresh Tracks ticket had not gotten me first access to the powder, but got me up the mountain after everyone else instead.
At the top, they gave everyone a free day lift ticket as payment for our suffering. With my season pass, I didn't want a free daily lift ticket...I wanted the fresh snow!
It's snowing right now, and has been all week. Finally the mountain is getting the snow it needs to cover all the rocks. After a slow early season, the snow is picking up, and that's good for the mountain.
The skiers and snowboarders in this town love the snow! But the drivers don't like it. It makes working more difficult and stressful. Whenever I look at the forecast, I look at it like a driver, not a snowboarder.
Hopefully there's no snow tomorrow, since I've got quite the drive tomorrow. I'm going to Seattle! It should take me four and a half hours each way under ideal conditions. We'll see what actually happens.
(Note: this is the first post I'm writing on my new computer! I'm excited, even though the final product won't be any different. The process should be though! Hurray for new computers!)
Here's the new gondola tower that broke. I wrote about it in this post. I don't know the exact day that things got back up and running, but people are using it now and it's back in full operation. I would have thought that public outcry and various regulations would have prevented this lift from opening up before next year. I was wrong.
These shots are from yesterday. 34cm of snow fell, which is about 13in. That's a lot! One of the shots is from the bus station, where I was waiting for the bus at 6:30 in the morning. The other is from the Whistler Skiers Plaza, at the base. The line-up is huge!
Everyone is hoping to get one of 650 "Fresh Tracks" tickets that allow you to go up the mountain early, eat breakfast, and ski the fresh snow before the rest of the lifts open. On big mornings like this, you have to be up earlier than everyone else in order to get one.
You can start buying the tickets at 7am, and begin uploading on the gondola at 7:30. I took this picture at about 7:10, so the tickets would have just begun being sold. The mountain opens to the public at 8:30, so that means you have less than an hour to hit the fresh snow.
In 2004, my first winter in Whistler and the worst snow season in history, I bought a Fresh Tracks ticket. It had snowed about 20cm the night before, and since it had been a terrible season, this was a very rare occurrence.
About half-way up, the gondola stopped for an hour. The gondolas hold about 7 or 8 people; six sitting around the sides, and one or two standing in the middle. I was one standing in the middle, as our gondola cabin bobbed and swayed, just above the season's first good snow dump.
When they finally got it working again, it was past 8:30 and the rest of the lifts had opened to the public. My Fresh Tracks ticket had not gotten me first access to the powder, but got me up the mountain after everyone else instead.
At the top, they gave everyone a free day lift ticket as payment for our suffering. With my season pass, I didn't want a free daily lift ticket...I wanted the fresh snow!
It's snowing right now, and has been all week. Finally the mountain is getting the snow it needs to cover all the rocks. After a slow early season, the snow is picking up, and that's good for the mountain.
The skiers and snowboarders in this town love the snow! But the drivers don't like it. It makes working more difficult and stressful. Whenever I look at the forecast, I look at it like a driver, not a snowboarder.
Hopefully there's no snow tomorrow, since I've got quite the drive tomorrow. I'm going to Seattle! It should take me four and a half hours each way under ideal conditions. We'll see what actually happens.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Throwback to Hong Kong!
Action Asia finally got their act together and posted pictures and videos of the races I was in!
Remember, click on the picture to make it bigger, then hit the BACK button on your browser to return to the blog.
Also remember that I wear the same thing to every race...so even though I look the same, the bib numbers are different.
This was my first race, at Sai Kung. I'm looking up the course, seemingly concerned with what I see. I bet the ropes were ahead, and I knew I would need them to scale the steep rocks. I don't look too pleased! Remember, this was my first taste of Hong Kong racing.
Here is a view of the last race course at Discovery Bay. It was pretty well impossible to run up these mountains. Walking at a brisk pace was all I could do.
This was the finish of the Repulse Bay race. I am knackered!
Action sequence of me running through the water trap in the Mui Wo race. I went out too fast this race, and hit the wall pretty hard a few minutes after these shots were taken.
This is Red Shoes, leading me away from the Discovery Bay water course. I'd been battling him most of the race, and this shot is taken about three quarters of the way through. We had to amble down the rocks, swim for a bit, then climb back out. Red Shoes stopped for water at top of the rock section, but I kept trucking and never saw him again.
Here is the Discovery Bay finish! I'm pretty sure I got him by a hair in the end, although it's impossible to tell. The results have us tied for 15th, so we'd need a better photo to see who actually prevailed. I'm almost certain it was me.
There are some videos posted as well, but I can't give you direct links because the link actually goes to the whole library of videos. You must find them on your own.
Look for a video called Sprint Discovery Bay 08. When there, see the surprise at 11:35!
Next, find the Sprint Mui Wo 08 video, and go to 7:34.
VIDEO LINK
Discovery Bay was the last race of the series, and my best finish ever. I ran fast and strong, and consider that race one of the best I have ever run.
Mui Wo happened in the place Kir and I went later, riding bikes and enjoying rural Hong Kong.
These shots and videos have made me want to get fit and ready for the 2009 racing season. Time to buy a gym membership!
Remember, click on the picture to make it bigger, then hit the BACK button on your browser to return to the blog.
Also remember that I wear the same thing to every race...so even though I look the same, the bib numbers are different.
This was my first race, at Sai Kung. I'm looking up the course, seemingly concerned with what I see. I bet the ropes were ahead, and I knew I would need them to scale the steep rocks. I don't look too pleased! Remember, this was my first taste of Hong Kong racing.
Here is a view of the last race course at Discovery Bay. It was pretty well impossible to run up these mountains. Walking at a brisk pace was all I could do.
This was the finish of the Repulse Bay race. I am knackered!
Action sequence of me running through the water trap in the Mui Wo race. I went out too fast this race, and hit the wall pretty hard a few minutes after these shots were taken.
This is Red Shoes, leading me away from the Discovery Bay water course. I'd been battling him most of the race, and this shot is taken about three quarters of the way through. We had to amble down the rocks, swim for a bit, then climb back out. Red Shoes stopped for water at top of the rock section, but I kept trucking and never saw him again.
Here is the Discovery Bay finish! I'm pretty sure I got him by a hair in the end, although it's impossible to tell. The results have us tied for 15th, so we'd need a better photo to see who actually prevailed. I'm almost certain it was me.
There are some videos posted as well, but I can't give you direct links because the link actually goes to the whole library of videos. You must find them on your own.
Look for a video called Sprint Discovery Bay 08. When there, see the surprise at 11:35!
Next, find the Sprint Mui Wo 08 video, and go to 7:34.
VIDEO LINK
Discovery Bay was the last race of the series, and my best finish ever. I ran fast and strong, and consider that race one of the best I have ever run.
Mui Wo happened in the place Kir and I went later, riding bikes and enjoying rural Hong Kong.
These shots and videos have made me want to get fit and ready for the 2009 racing season. Time to buy a gym membership!
Friday, December 26, 2008
A Tale of Two Christmases
It was the best of days, it was the worst of days.
My Christmas yesterday was fairly eventful, both in good and unfortunate ways. Here's how I spent it.
I did not spend time with family or friends, as I'm in Whistler and my family is in Ontario. I didn't spend time with friends because I figured that as long as I'm in Whistler, I might as well work. So, Christmas was another work day for me.
My driving schedule had two parts: first, I would drive to Vancouver, pick up some people and deliver them to a nice restaurant for a fancy Christmas dinner. I would wait around for them to finish, and bring them home.
I was under the impression that I was picking up two people, each at their own address. Since I don't know Vancouver very well, I studied my addresses and planned my routes. When I picked up the first person, it turned out it was a family of four. Instead of one more stop, I would be making two. I would be making a total of three stops before the restaurant, and picking up a total of six people.
My plans went out the window, and I had to rely on my passengers to help me drive to the pick up points. That's not so bad and they were friendly, but I would have liked to be able to navigate on my own.
I eventually dropped them off at the restaurant, and had some time to fill. The dinner was going to take up to three hours. I decided to go to the Casino, and see what it would be like to spend Christmas there.
There are a few places one doesn't want to find themselves on Christmas, and alone in a casino is one of them. I imagine a worse place would be alone in a closet drinking a bottle of hard liquor with the lights off. I wanted to experience finding myself it in a casino on Christmas.
It was quite busy, and it was hard to find a spot at a blackjack table. Once I did, I lost my twenty dollars in three hands. I left the casino in a foul mood because I lost my money so quickly. I guess I had nobody to complain to, so that made it worse!
I then went to find something to eat. I found a 7-11 that was open, so I bought some wine gums and a sub from their small deli shelf. I ate that in my car.
Three hours after I dropped the family at the restaurant, they were ready to be picked up. My traveling was better the second time around, as I had time to plan my routes and I knew where my drop off locations were. I dropped off the last members, and headed to the airport.
I had to pick up four people from a Salt Lake City flight, which turned out to be delayed. I got to the airport for their scheduled arrival time of 11:30pm, and didn't leave with my passengers until 4:00am. They kept delaying the flight, and the YVR flight board delayed it every fifteen minutes, leaving me with hope that it would be coming soon.
At midnight, it said the flight was delayed until 0030. At 00:30 it said it was delayed until 00:45. Then, 01:15. After that, 01:45. It kept going like that until the plane finally touched down at 03:30. My passengers emerged from the terminal at 04:00. I drove on the deserted highway roads until I dropped them at their hotel just before 06:00.
I was super tired and hungry when I finished work, so I bought a nice breakfast at a fancy restaurant using some tip money, then went home to bed. I had been in my truck from 4pm when I left Whistler, until 6am when I arrived back. Fourteen hours of Christmas working!
The day wasn't all bad though...there were definitely some good parts as well! The two highlights of the night were talking with the family in Ontario, and hearing how everyone enjoyed the gifts that I had sent home. I spoke with most of the family on the phone, and everyone expressed gratitude for the box of presents.
While I was in Vancouver, I also got a call from my Whistler friends. They wanted me to know that they had saved a plate of Christmas dinmer for me because I couldn't be there with them. They all got on speaker phone and we had some good chats and good times.
Even though my work day was long, drawn out, and frustrating at times, Christmas was actually pretty good. I got to commune with my family via the phone, and also my friends. I ended the day not feeling alone, but happy that I have friends here who care about me, and family at home who love me.
And I guess nothing can top that, right?
Merry Christmas everyone! Happy Boxing day!
My Christmas yesterday was fairly eventful, both in good and unfortunate ways. Here's how I spent it.
I did not spend time with family or friends, as I'm in Whistler and my family is in Ontario. I didn't spend time with friends because I figured that as long as I'm in Whistler, I might as well work. So, Christmas was another work day for me.
My driving schedule had two parts: first, I would drive to Vancouver, pick up some people and deliver them to a nice restaurant for a fancy Christmas dinner. I would wait around for them to finish, and bring them home.
I was under the impression that I was picking up two people, each at their own address. Since I don't know Vancouver very well, I studied my addresses and planned my routes. When I picked up the first person, it turned out it was a family of four. Instead of one more stop, I would be making two. I would be making a total of three stops before the restaurant, and picking up a total of six people.
My plans went out the window, and I had to rely on my passengers to help me drive to the pick up points. That's not so bad and they were friendly, but I would have liked to be able to navigate on my own.
I eventually dropped them off at the restaurant, and had some time to fill. The dinner was going to take up to three hours. I decided to go to the Casino, and see what it would be like to spend Christmas there.
There are a few places one doesn't want to find themselves on Christmas, and alone in a casino is one of them. I imagine a worse place would be alone in a closet drinking a bottle of hard liquor with the lights off. I wanted to experience finding myself it in a casino on Christmas.
It was quite busy, and it was hard to find a spot at a blackjack table. Once I did, I lost my twenty dollars in three hands. I left the casino in a foul mood because I lost my money so quickly. I guess I had nobody to complain to, so that made it worse!
I then went to find something to eat. I found a 7-11 that was open, so I bought some wine gums and a sub from their small deli shelf. I ate that in my car.
Three hours after I dropped the family at the restaurant, they were ready to be picked up. My traveling was better the second time around, as I had time to plan my routes and I knew where my drop off locations were. I dropped off the last members, and headed to the airport.
I had to pick up four people from a Salt Lake City flight, which turned out to be delayed. I got to the airport for their scheduled arrival time of 11:30pm, and didn't leave with my passengers until 4:00am. They kept delaying the flight, and the YVR flight board delayed it every fifteen minutes, leaving me with hope that it would be coming soon.
At midnight, it said the flight was delayed until 0030. At 00:30 it said it was delayed until 00:45. Then, 01:15. After that, 01:45. It kept going like that until the plane finally touched down at 03:30. My passengers emerged from the terminal at 04:00. I drove on the deserted highway roads until I dropped them at their hotel just before 06:00.
I was super tired and hungry when I finished work, so I bought a nice breakfast at a fancy restaurant using some tip money, then went home to bed. I had been in my truck from 4pm when I left Whistler, until 6am when I arrived back. Fourteen hours of Christmas working!
The day wasn't all bad though...there were definitely some good parts as well! The two highlights of the night were talking with the family in Ontario, and hearing how everyone enjoyed the gifts that I had sent home. I spoke with most of the family on the phone, and everyone expressed gratitude for the box of presents.
While I was in Vancouver, I also got a call from my Whistler friends. They wanted me to know that they had saved a plate of Christmas dinmer for me because I couldn't be there with them. They all got on speaker phone and we had some good chats and good times.
Even though my work day was long, drawn out, and frustrating at times, Christmas was actually pretty good. I got to commune with my family via the phone, and also my friends. I ended the day not feeling alone, but happy that I have friends here who care about me, and family at home who love me.
And I guess nothing can top that, right?
Merry Christmas everyone! Happy Boxing day!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Transportation Mayhem
For some, Christmas might end up being spent in an airport. Tonnes of flights are being canceled out of and into Vancouver, on account of poor visibility due to snow.
Here's a Globe and Mail article about it.
Poor Weather Leaves Travelers Stranded
I was meant to pick up some passengers coming from Seattle, but their flight has been canceled so maybe they will have to stay in the airport on Christmas Eve, instead of our quaint mountain village.
Driving should be good times today as well, since I heard there was a Whistler transit bus in the ditch already. It'll be slow going, and four-wheel-drive the whole way.
I envy those of you who get to sit around and play Settlers all evening, and nap all day!
Here's a Globe and Mail article about it.
Poor Weather Leaves Travelers Stranded
I was meant to pick up some passengers coming from Seattle, but their flight has been canceled so maybe they will have to stay in the airport on Christmas Eve, instead of our quaint mountain village.
Driving should be good times today as well, since I heard there was a Whistler transit bus in the ditch already. It'll be slow going, and four-wheel-drive the whole way.
I envy those of you who get to sit around and play Settlers all evening, and nap all day!
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