20 February, 2006 (Monday)

A brief update
President's week has been busy, but not the frantic rush that it was built up to be. We have had a fair amount of mad Americans lumbering about with their insipid brood, but they haven't really clogged the ski fields or eaten the mountain empty.

My personal experience has been mixed, some were quite polite while others seemed to expect VIP treatment, discounted prices and bowing and scraping, if for no other reason than they happened to have a wad of greenbacks (which should be the global currency...). Can't say I met any big tippers though.

Nevertheless, we extended hours and I only had one day off in 14. That day was spent visiting town, doing rent and going costume shopping. Still, it was nice to get off the mountain, even if only for a while.

Anyway, I'm feeling hale and hearty. I'm looking forward to a few days on snow early next week (when I'm finally off), especially after the 30cm of snowfall we scored in the past 72 hours. I'm a little over tickets and I'm proud to say that I've only popped in and out of the pub. Behaving? Afraid so. It's another week and the season is passing too fast. But, there's still time...

(Picture: Canadian west - highway tree)

Big White news:

• President's week: The US public holiday week was busier, but not as busy as we'd been led to believe. The cold snap last week (hitting a low of -27 degrees on Friday night) scared off some of our potential guests, with a number of late cancellations and more than a few families claiming it was too cool to travel north for snow. The snow was hard-packed, alost ice.
• Visiting Kev: Jae's friend from Edmonton, Kev, visited for the long weekend. We got out for a ski on Monday. I tried to take him over to the far reaches of the mountain, but unfortunately didn't realise how hard it had frozen up over the past week. In the process I took him down some hard black terrain which wasn't particularly visitor-to-Big-White friendly. Sorry Kev. Still Kev managed to maximise his weekend - on and off the snow. Catch you soon mate! (Picture: Kev and Rentals Nick @ Hills' 21st)
  
• The Cat Shop Shuffle: The Big White social event of the year, the Cat Shop Shuffle, is just weeks away. Tickets were limited to 300 and sold out almost straight away. Tickets was luckier than most departments, with our allocation sufficient to get us all in. The night includes live entertainment and dinner. Gals have to wear a garnish and guys a tie (as tacky as possible).
  
• Tickets bowling: Tickets is going bowling on Sunday evening. The ever-generous budget includes transport, steak sandwiches and bowling. Should be a good night out with the crew. Look forward to photos soon.

Hill's 21st Birthday
Hill's 21st Birthday party was on Sunday @Bumps, the theme: trashy cocktail. I turned up with Dave and Kev. The evening was cool but it felt like it was going to be a good night.

Dave was dressed to the nines in old-style hat, blazer, vest, tie and white shirt (with jeans). He was looking pretty smart. Kev scored some flashy powder blue pants from Hills as soon as he got through the straight door. (Picture: Dave dressed to the 9s)

For myself, I'd dredged a few pieces out of the cupboard but I couldn't compete with the talent. Hills was all class in a crazy frilled lace number so short she had to wear shorts underneath to maintain her decency. Liz was wearing a leopard skin bustier and most of the guys had hit up Value Village (like St Vinnies back home) for snazzy and trashy blazer / tie combos.

Before long there was 20 of us overdosing on sugar, alcohol and ice blended cocktails. Liz was making sure everybody was topped up as the music blared. The group mixed. jello-shots were found and outfits rated. Hills received her 21 presents for 21 years, with everything starting with H - a handbag, a voucher for a hug, a voucher for a hangover... unfortunately no handcuffs. (Picture: Birthday gal Hills)

It was a great night, everybody had a ball. Of course the night ended at Sam's, but Kev and I wandered off before quarter-past 11 to sup on pancakes and crash out. Dave however powered on, ending up on the dance floor. I think it was the blazer that topped it off..