Snowboarding Is Life

Busy day in the 'office'

parky — Fri, 4 Dec 2009 16:36:00 GMT

A great nights sleep in the new bed! I spent all morning emailing and doing work then decided I needed a break so walked back to the house on Cave Avenue to get the rest of my stuff. AJ was kind enough to give me a lift back into town as I had way too much stuff to carry. By 4pm I was all unpacked. There is lots of storage and the room in big so everything fits nicely. There is even a big glass desk so I can do all my work on a nice comfy office style chair. Every friday I have to issue the group a weekly bulletin so I went to get it photocopied. On my way home I got a call to say one of the group had broken their wrist. I walked a couple of blocks to the hospital to find out he was having surgery but stuck around to see what I could get from the hotel for him as he was going to have to stay over night. I met some of the boys from the course and walked to the local sports centre for a game of 5-a-side football. I was able to get a taxi back to the hotel after the game with Craig's roomate and picked up his toothbrush etc... to drop at the hospital. 9pm I got home to a lovely dinner of spag bol cooked by Adam and Zac. It was all ready to eat...my very own gourmet chef!

Moving Day

parky — Thu, 3 Dec 2009 16:49:00 GMT

Today I got to move into the apartment I am renting with Adam this season. It is the perfect location - right in the centre of the highstreet in the middle of town! It is so spacious and homely. I know the couple that rent the apartment (Carlo taught both me and Adam how to snowboard on NONSTOP). Carlo is instructing in Japan this season and won't be home till March. His partner Cherie has a job with a heli-ski company so she will be away for 2 weeks at a time with her work. We pretty much have the place to ourselves for most of the season.

Today I realised how much more I like Sunshine than Lake Louise. I would never want to teach full time at the Lake!

Dinner with the group tonight - 28 people got through 85 portions of ribs! Holy cow!

Bumper Cars!

parky — Tue, 1 Dec 2009 16:56:00 GMT

Ouch...I backed a Jeep into a concrete post today! The bill to replace the damaged bumper is going to sting a bit. It was a hire car that Sam and Shane had organised so that I could pick them up from Calgary airport. I had my first 'blizzard' of the season to cheer me up! Adam came to Calgary with me and I lapped the airport pick up bay while Adam went to meet them from immigration. We got back to Banff really late and Sam and Shane ended up sleeping on my floor as we could wake Steph up.

Street Hockey Pool Comp!

parky — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:57:00 GMT

My friend Page stayed over last night so I left her sleeping at 6.30am and walked to the other end of Banff Ave. to meet the group for breakfast at 7am. I had to meet you a couple of boys interested in taking the 11-week course in January at 9.30am then it was time to head up the hill. It was my first day shredding with Adam and we just rode WA WA chair so we could hit the park features all afternoon. So, aparently you need sticks to play street hockey! Well, we didn't have any, thanks to one of the instructors not bringing them like he said he would. I had 30 people in the parking lot, in minus something waiting to get a street hockey tournament on the go. I made a quick decision and, turns out a good one, to head inside to the warm bar next door to the hotel and play a pool comp instead. Good banter and no complaints.

Lesson 1

parky — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:33:00 GMT

It is the first day of lessons for everyone today. I walked to the Voy carrying way too much stuff, feeling like a complete donkey. Anna gave me a lift to the hill in her car which has a built in voice activated phone! Met with the 4 instructors who are delivering the course and joined them on a run. I Spent the rest of day shredding with Page (my room mate for 3 months at the youth hostel in my first season), and looking out for the groups. I met one of my favourite female riders in the day lodge called Raewyn Reid, and spent the rest of the afternoon pretty much stalking her! Dinner with the group was a delicious roast beef. I showed about 6 of the group around town and then met Katie, Page and Adam for a beer in Tommys.

Saturday shredding...welcome to Sunshine!

parky — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:09:00 GMT

An early start, rewarded with a breakfast muffin. I decided to get the bus to avoid getting too hot and bothered in my puffa. I was going to join the gym but a 20minute speed walk twice a day could be just the ticket. The group listened to a talk on how a ski boot should fit and we all caught the bus to Sunshine. It was a chance to say hi to instructor friends in their red suits then pretend I was an instructor again and lead my group of 9 around the hill. Kept it mellow with no teaching just touring. The welcome meal at the Elk and Oarsman went really well. My public speaking could take some definite improvement though...rrrrrubbish! Well, group seems happy and so far, so good!

Check yourself....in!

parky — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT

By 9pm everyone on the course had arrived in Banff...let the fun begin!

I breathed a massive sigh of relief as the ski passes and bus passes allowed those already in town to head up the hill. Sleepless nights and worrying for nothing.

5 runs!

parky — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:29:00 GMT

Got my first run of the season in. A very stressful day but felt 200% better after 5 runs!! Holy smokes, was this job a good idea?

Wednesday

parky — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:31:00 GMT

...not been up the hill yet. There was loads of snow but none for me.

Working 9-5

parky — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:48:00 GMT

...well more like 8am - 6.30pm

Wow, that was intense day of new information. I am feeling a bit frazzled. Tuesday night is locals night at the Elk so it was steak sandwiches all round. I love sweet potato fries!

Making Connections...

parky — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:25:00 GMT

My first day of work.

Connected with my boss, colleagues, internet and Rogers!

The Joy of Jet Lag

parky — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:07:00 GMT

After a sleepless night listening to one noisy heater that sounded more like a rocket preparing for a mission to mars I got up. Task 1: get mobile (in the telecommunication sense). Bumped into birthday boy Carlo and chilled at his apartment...soon to be mine too! Can't wait.

Back in the Bow Valley

parky — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:33:00 GMT

After an emotional flight watching 'My Sister's Keeper', soaking my scarf in tears I got through immigration in record time and breathed a sigh of relief as I located by board bag and luggage. The Banff airporter man was so friendly and welcoming. Even though it was 4.35pm and I hadn't booked on the shuttle to Banff, he would ensure I caught the bus that had been scheduled to leave at 4.30pm. Too perfect! No 2 hour wait for next shuttle. Celebrated my return to Banff with some safeway sushi and 6 pack of Balley. Chilled with Adam, Daryl, Sophie, Kati and Phil. Cheers to the season! It's good to be back.