2010 Olympics Valunteer

THE GAME

2010-03-02T14:58:00.000-08:00

Posthumously recording Sunday's Hockey game day - What a day! Out of Control! I thought for a minute I was going to witness 7 simultaneous aneurysms! Whew - I have never been so relieved in my life as when Canada made the sudden death goal - heheheh - spared me from packing that night :) See humorous video - game not yet over (click title link for more photos):

All joking aside, I really was glad my host country won. They deserved it after all the blood, sweat and tears putting on the Olympics cost them. Oh, and did I mention that Joe served Cocktails, Cheese fondue (heaven!), then Chocolate fondue during the game? See photo and drool. That's ho-made pound cake (thank you Colleen), ho-made merengues (thank you Joe).

Here's the final win video "Get the Heart Paddles!!" "Get the cuff!!":

Last Smurf Day (Saturday)

2010-02-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

Myself and only one other Smurf were the last of the Volunteers to work yesterday. In fact my boss, Aniket, called me the day before at the biathlon to beg me to get to work at 7:00 a.m. because there was no one to be at the media center. This means I have to get up at 4:30 to catch the 5:20 bus down the street - Ugh! This only sucks, because I don't trust my alarm, so I keep waking up every hour to look a the time - needless to say, I was not bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (is that last thing really ever good?) until 4 cups of the drip at the venue went down my gullet (and pretty much all day). In retrospect, I'm really lucky I didn't have to always work in the media center, because you stand on your feet the whole time - so I was basically on my feet for 13 hours yesterday - that might be an all-time record.

Media Center action:

Cool stuff: The race -this last event - the slalom - is clearly for the cheetahs of the ski world. The skiiers who were in the top 30 were waaaay better than the other skiiers. They all had a much more slender build than say, Bode Miller, who not only spun out, but looks like Paul Bunyan. The winner, a young Italian guy, was clearly going to become a rock star back home, because this was the first slalom win for Italy since 1994 and Alberto Tomba.

I also watched my first press conference, and the Italian was just coming out of his skin, he was so excited - really cool. The silver medalist was a VERY serious older Croatian, who had come back from some very serious hospitalization to win this medal. His support crowd was far less serious, and walked, sang, made merry in a cloud of hops - video:

The bronze medalist was a Swede - are all Swedes this boring? Perhaps their normal language is monotone, also - show some excitement dude!

After more standing, and just helping to pickup press garbage for something to do, I got to help my team haul computer boxes all the way to the top of the press cabins - this pleased me greatly, because my blood had pooled in my feet, and a little sweat felt really good. (nice to see I can schlep and climb as fast as the 20 yr olds...) Also, I climbed ALL the way to the top and got some photos of where the camera elite perch. WOW! What a view!

THEN they threw a Smurf party at 5 or so - a couple of beers, or glasses of wine and a hot dog - not too bad. So funny - this was the second hot dog in a week I've eaten. More than I've eaten in probably 20 years! It didn't kill me, and the grease and the heartburn make for a long-lasting treat! A little Smurf video...

My other boss Jane (the gorgeous red-headed of Scots descent) gave me a beautiful 2010 backpack as a gift, and my last shift-gift was a big blue Swatch Watch! Really cool!

Friday - Biathlon!

2010-02-26T15:30:00.001-08:00

4-man Biathlon!!!

No work today, so I joined Joe and Nancy at the Whistler Olympic Park in the Callahan Valley - beautiful! Snowing soggy flakes like a bugger - I didn't realize that the coat and snow pants given to us by VANOC were so absorbent! Check out the cute, spontaneous spectator art on the way in - not sure how many snowmen, but it was alot!

There was definitely a minority of US and Canadian folks at this shindig: beaucoup Norwegians (I fit right in), Austrians, Russians, Germans - The top 3 finish teams were as I just listed. It was noisy! People scream for each good rifle shot, make a sad sound for each bad one, scream REALLY loud when the skiiers go by - It was just a blast - except for the absorbent part. Some folks even come up to these things wearing thin sweatpants and tennis shoes???WTF??*&^%

Here's a couple of good Videos:

Beauty shot here at the end on the way out:

Work and Racing Tuesday and Wednesday

2010-02-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

News Flash! We now learned why Russia House was so boring - the health department shut them down!!! How can you shut down service of Vodka - how could that possible get contaminated???? So much for Canadian Bon Vivant - apparantly numerous other houses got food/drink service shut down, fer cryin' out loud...

Forgot to post this video "Cafe Crepe":

Tuesday evening was enhanced when I returned home to the tail end of Nancy's Friend Colleen's Birthday Party (what??!!! another party you say?) where an international exchange of gifts took place - one of my scarves for a Canadian Flag!

Wednesday was another boring work day with Womens Giant slalom first heat, with Linsey Vonn crashing, breaking her pinkie finger, Julia Mancuso flagged off the course, allowed to finish in another run, then crying like a baby because she did so poorly - where did your 'nads go girl? (I have my own video of crash, etc., but it would probably be boring to everyone)

After work, I went to Whistler Village to join my new co-volunteer friend Angela, and we watched the Canadian Hockey team serve the Russians their pucks on a platter. The bar was crazy with inflated wieners being smacked by all. Click on the title for really pretty pics of Whistler at night...

Me and Angela:

Vancouver! The Olympic City

2010-02-23T10:04:00.001-08:00

Spent yesterday in the city with Joe and Nancy - what madness! In a good way - We took a good long walk along the waterfront to start, cherry trees and daffodils blooming, across the bay from the Athlete's village - enjoyed the thousands (?) of Inukshuks constructed along the shore, the builder busily working as we watched.

On the left is the shore covered with Inukshuks - appearing and disappearing as the tide comes and and recedes.

We then walked to the Russia House - it is in their Science Center - the big sphere in the background - Nancy really wanted to see this based on recommendations by friends. After 1.5 hours in line (not bad for a free event) - we were totally disappointed! What it was: homage to their corporate sponsors for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia - Augh! We definitely got a bum steer.

Walked to see the flame - it really was incredible!!!

Then, we just walked through the streets that are now closed to cars, milling around with Canadians and people from all over the world. There was plenty of entertainment everywhere, down in the Robson Square ice rink, above the street with the zip line, and (yawn - more Canadian hockey) the street hockey game. Joe livened up the latter by screaming "Car!!!" at them - heheheh. Beautiful street art, including a lantern exhibit made by gradeschool children from Japan (?) and B.C.

As usual, click on the title for all the photos :)

THE GAME - Movie night at the Sotham's

2010-02-21T19:35:00.000-08:00

Watched the US v. Canada hockey game this evening - there was alot of words to be shared, but in the end, the video tells the story (as usual) - try not to laugh your butt off... (sorry about the non-hollywood lighting - the tv is THE most important thing in the room - except for our words, of course)

Saturday the 20th - more racing!

2010-02-21T15:33:00.000-08:00

We really are stoked every single morning to get up early, ride the long bus ride, and see the world's greatest athletes hurtle down the slope faster than I can take a photograph (thank god for video) - by the 3rd frickin' gate!!!! Today's event: Ladies Super-G. I take video just as much as anything now - hope you find it entertaining. As per my routine, click on this post's green title for the photos - Go USA/Canada!!!!! However, super sad the Canadian gal crashed - this course is now infamous for it's degree of difficulty.

Here she is: Lindsey Vonn

Friday the 19th - husband joins me!

2010-02-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

Yay! Don came back up for the weekend - actually Monday is our 13th anniversary, but we're celebrating early. We went up the mountain to watch the Men's super G - Fantastic! U.S. took silver (Miller - It's Miller time!!!) and bronze (Andrew Weibrecht) - we watched from the mountain-side with many other spectators. It is sooooo much fun to watch the skiiers go by, and everyone screams equally for all the racers.

Click on the title for pics of the day - here are some fun videos from the race

Thursday the 18th - work day

2010-02-21T14:49:00.000-08:00

Just a normal long work day - very dull, I'm happy to say. Did get a silly field trip to Whistler for my boss, but otherwise quiet. Got a couple of pics of my co-workers and myself on the chairlift to work - Another amazing view. Click on the title to see pics.

A Walk in the Woods

2010-02-18T06:32:00.000-08:00

Day off on Wednesday - Nancy takes me to one of their local hikes about 5 minutes drive away. A rainforest wonderland. Click on the title to see pics.

Men's Downhill!

2010-02-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

Started the day out on the timing flats with my trailer family - here's a video:

Then, we all took turns going up to the finish line and I got up there just in time to see Bode Miller's race - unfortunately my little camera video resolution is not good enough to see when he's making the last two jumps into the finish! (WARNING - turn your sound WAY down because I got a little excited):

Also rode the chairlift down afterwards with 3 Swiss guys wearing Swiss flag umbrella hats - they got a picture with Bode - He quoted Bode "F&^%&^%ing Swiss...."

Here's the slide show for the day: http://cid-1d830ff0d49b62ab.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Men%5E4s%20Downhill%20Day?authkey=vmsKbCRQ7nI%24

Weekend with Family!

2010-02-15T16:23:00.000-08:00

I worked only 'til 2 on Friday at my highly technical position here - this is a picture of me with my caulking gun, sealing up the tv boxes - woo hooo!

Then my whole fam damily (plus boyfriend, as usual) show up in a mo-ho! Friday we all go skiing/snowboarding - good conditions and alot of fun.

We get invited to Nancy's friend's (Colleen) home for a pot-luck dinner party - fantastic party! Really super folks, a beautiful house, great food - My contribution was a couple of roasted organic chickens from my freezer that Don brought up. Quite popular, I'm proud to say. Some kids stayed out late, some came home, a good time was had by all. Then - Skiing! Here's the apres ski video - first Longhorn visit with both our girls! Check out the slide show... http://cid-1d830ff0d49b62ab.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Whistler%20Family%20Weekend?authkey=XUJKqTODDW8%24

Day 5 - Bad Weather!

2010-02-12T06:02:00.001-08:00

We really have got bad weather for the skiiers now - one of our american gals crashed on the course - I believe she is not hurt just shaken. My friend Denise had a great idea "why don't the just bring giant fans in to blow the fog away?" THAT would be a great contract to have! Heheh.

Our troubleshooting at the media center is very much at a minimum - perfect! Still meeting new folks in Helpdesk Trailer - all very cool people. Looking forward to seeing my family tomorrow and the weekend skiing/boarding with them. My daughter Meredith got tickets to the Opening Ceremony! Way cool! So, we may not see her till very late Friday - still waiting to here when she'll get up here to Squamish.

Actually posting this on day 6 - 6:00 a.m. Here is the picture of our morning worship alter:

Day 4 - Settling In

2010-02-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

Wednesday the 10th was my first proper work day - myself and my colleagues: Mildred (from Phillipines-Acer employee and Angela-Volunteer from Winnipeg) were stationed at the Alpine media center - see left. Not too busy first thing in the morning, but press are still arriving. And forgetting their logins. And not applying microsoft patches so when the first connect to the network "I have no internet" because the god of MS is applying patches automatically and hogging all their RAM and/or CPU. Also figuring out the actual tech. process by which the press functions in real life, as opposed to the intellectual method of reading all the manuals ("this is everything you need to know"). So! Met some lovely Austrians who complemented my German, some Italians who were so well prepared: I suspected they were not Italian at all. All the VANOC staff are extreeeemly hyper to make the press happy - it is our raison dete for being there!

Ran up to the finish area as much as possible, and got to see skiiers finishing their training runs!!!!!! Amazing!!! I missed Bode Millers run, but I'm really not sure what their spandex looks like, so I may have seen him after all. My new profile picture was taken by none other than the head of Medical for the U.S. Team! Quincy-don't laugh- let me know the team is all healthy and ready! Fog came in at about noon, so there was a "Start Stop" which means not all the skiiers got their run, which sucks. Hopefully they'll get it this morning, because they have to change the runs for the next event training runs.

After the Start Stop, we all were completely amazed when a wild Lynx jumped the left (looking up the mountain) fence, shallowly crossed the finish line, then jumped over the right fence and back into the woods! My camera is not good enought to zoom on him properly, but I tooks shots of him via the big screen. Lots of "crossing the finish line" jokes!

Click the link to the slide show for all the pics for the day! http://cid-1d830ff0d49b62ab.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Olympics%20Day%204

Day 3 - On the mountain!

2010-02-09T18:16:00.000-08:00

Click my link for pictures http://cid-1d830ff0d49b62ab.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Olympics%202010%20Day%203?authkey=KxfzUDpNMaU%24&ct=photos
So yesterday (technically day 2) I didn't work, and took advantage so I could get the Squamish lay-o-the land. Scoped out the Pilates studio, the Yoga studio, the Yarn shoppe (cool spelling, eh?) the latter is not just a yarn shoppe, but also a gelateria, and an organic bulk foods market - odd, but the Squamishians (?) love it. I did too. Anyway, the Sothams fed me great food again, poured me delicious wine, and it was a wonderful day.

TODAY - had my first somewhat negative experience - there is all kinds of rules about how voluteers can/cannot ride the transit: basically, if I'm on duty (wearing full uniform), I can only ride the custom, luxurious shuttle, ABSOLUTELY NOT the B.C. transit bus - better not wear it on my day off, because I would be mistaken for an "on-duty" person. I can't go through the entire drama, because it would take too much typing, but there are jerk supervisors down here with the B.C. Transit. And he called me a Smurf using a nasty tone of voice.

The rest of the day was glorious, perhaps a little creepy - Whistler/Blackcomb was empty, or nearly. I had runs all to myself: look up, look down, no one. wierd. But, I did get to see the skiiers training, and wow! That was great -see photos.

Another great meal this evening with Joe and Nancy - pesto pasta, salad, grainy bread. Joe even baked a lovely spice cake. I did manage to get into the village before I came home and bought a decent bottle of wine to share.

Work tomorrow! looking forward to it - hopefully boring as all get-out!

First Day

2010-02-07T22:17:00.000-08:00

My first day volunteering on the technical team was utterly boring - PERFECT!!! As with most computer/technical related situations, no news is good news. But, I got to meet my team - fantastic folks - and I got my boss' (Aniket, from India) boss (Jane, from Vancouver) to myself all morning. I am the last tech team volunteer. Anyway, they're all great people, and we really, truly will have no problems to troubleshoot! I will show a couple of pics as I hiked up to the alpine finish numerous times today. My hosts also cooked a fantastic prime rib, potatoes, gravy, broccoli dinner - accompanied by delicious wine - fabuloso!!

I will set up a couple of slide shows tomorrow - ready for dream time....

Slideshow for the day: http://cid-1d830ff0d49b62ab.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Olympics%202010%20Day%20One?authkey=xDZTRMH3xJ4%24&ct=photos

I have arrived!

2010-02-06T20:53:00.001-08:00

I am established here in Canada! Squamish, to be exact, with my wonderful host family: Joe and Nancy Sotham, and their son Will (18). They have 2 older daughters living in the big city of Vancouver. I am SO pleased and feel extremely lucky to be placed with such a great couple - they are into fine food, wine and travel as much as I am, and there was an instant rapport! Bonus: The direct bus to Creekside (my work venue) is a 2 block walk away!

The drive up here was absolutely gorgeous - visibility was perfect and I could clearly see all mountain ranges from the Olympics (ha!) to the Cascades, Mt. Baker, and the Tantalus range.

So the Sea to Sky highway has been improved tremendously, however, when there were already 2, wide, improved lanes, they created 3 lanes out of it using 3 foot plastic poles, spaced about every 25 feet, dividing the lanes. I first encountered this setup my getting in the middle lane - it is very like being in some wierd video game - stay between the stakes or you will die! There are long sections set up like this, for up to 5 k in distance. The Squamish residents now call the Sea to Sky highway the "Yellow Stick Road".

After meeting and unpacking a bit, I did my road trip up to Whistler and got my accreditation and uniform - it's fantastic! (the ladies like to look fine) My hostess Nancy will photograph me in my getup in the morning. I was very pleased to get the "outdoor" gear - full ski pants - this ensures I will NOT get stuck in the network closet.

I already have established my line - everyone (absolutely everyone) asks you where you are from - I get to say: "I am an Olympian, from Olympia, Washington" - super dork - I'm almost sick of myself already. But - no time for that - my first shift is tomorrow. 8:30 to 5:30. Totally excited, and Joe is making prime rib for dinner when I get back - I am so spoiled!!!!

Schedule Chaos

2010-02-05T13:48:00.000-08:00

So, I get my voice mail from my cel phone on the way to yoga this morning, and I have a message from the homestay supervisor, checking on my arrival time - for last night!!!

That was my ORIGINAL arrival time, not the new arrival, scheduled for tomorrow, since 3 weeks ago! ()*&()*&*(&^%%^$ Someone was seriously out of the loop - I frantically call her back, and they are completely nonplussed - She said not to worry, this is standard procedure every day! All I could think of was that my hosts were there, waiting for me to show up, and I don't, and they dump me, and I'll never get up there!! She assured me this was not the case, and made sure she now has my arrival as tomorrow, 3:00 p.m. Don't want any last minute surprises!

Now - back to packing...

The eve of the adventure

2010-02-05T09:07:00.000-08:00

Pack, Packing, verpackt - This will be the most stuff I've ever packed on any trip - ever. All the winter stuff is huge, and I must stay warm, or die. The reality (as my husband has suggested many times) will probably be that I'll be stuffed into a hot network closet with many machines, and I will have to wear the approved shorts provided with my volunteer uniform. Oops, no shorts provided - what to do. What Olympics? Where are they?

Enjoyed the Last Supper last night with my friends Adriano and Susan - delicious and thank you! We will all meet today at the Power Ball yoga class and burn off the fat and (for me) fumes.

Still no word from my homestay hosts in Squamish - I sincerely hope they actually exist, and are not virtual, because I will be again concerned about the cold thing - Camping in the Suburban for more than one night is not really on my list.

Leaving tomorrow at 8:00 a.m.!

Gettin' down to the wire

2010-02-02T20:18:00.000-08:00

Almost there: still no word from my homestay hosts, but who cares! I'm sure they're great.

Of course, the Volunteer schedulers sent out a hue and cry for folks to take more shifts - I took 3 more, but trying to stay away from doing 12 hours in a day. I will start packing tomorrow!

Anxious

2010-01-31T18:20:00.000-08:00

I've been notified that my host family in Squamish knows who I am now - they have my email and all essential information, but I have to wait for them to contact me - I'm not allowed to contact them. So, I may not meet them until this Saturday, when I show up - sigh... I'd love to know a little about them before I get up there, so I can bring a suitable gift or something - I'll just have to sit tight!

I've also gotten a personal email from my supervisor up there: Jane Robertson.

My Venue

2010-01-24T08:15:00.000-08:00

Here is the link for the Alpine Venue where I'll be working: http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-alpine-skiing/

This is the last weekend of public skiing to the bottom of Creekside, and I'm sure nearly all of Franz' run will be closed as this is the main Giant Slalom run. Although tickets to events are around $100 each (augh!), I'm hoping if I strap on my snow shoes and get a little vertical, I'll be able to view the skiers whizzing past!

Schedule Mayhem

2010-01-22T08:40:00.000-08:00

I was scheduled for a training session in Squamish this weekend, but it turns out that it is not mandatory to attend - a LOOOOONG way to drive for an optional training! The flyer for the training clearly stated it was not mandatory, but when I called the main Volunteer Centre, they said YES, it is mandatory... So we got all set up to drive up there, but the volunteer coordinator in Squamish sent me an email today telling me it is NOT mandatory!

This is probably the most miniscule of bureaucratic mess-ups in the giant Olympics machine. My wonderful husband was going to drive up with me, we were to visit our daughters in Bellingham on the way - no long drive now! We'll see them again soon :) My first REAL training gig is on February 4th - Then work begins on the 5th - Stay tuned!

It's official!

2010-01-18T16:15:00.000-08:00

I now have a gracious homestay host for the duration of my volunteer gig at the 2010 Olympics at the Whistler Creekside Venue! My name is Valerie Van Horn-Cotey, and I signed up for the volunteer list over 10 years ago, when Vancouver/Whistler B.C. was trying to get the bid. My "val"unteer title is: "Helpdesk Technician Level 2", which means a generic computer geek to troubleshoot and maintain computers at the Whistler Creekside venue. The big joke from my husband all these years was "They're probably going to stick you in a network closet for 2 weeks and slip food under the door to you". This may still happen, but since I'm getting outfitted with a giant blue parka and 5 other pieces of clothing, my assumption is that I will get to go outside! I have a general training class to attend in Squamish this Saturday, then more training and uniform fitting on Feb4 - work starts Febd 5! Stay tuned, and I will add photos, comments and whatever else turns out to be incredibly interesting!