Cabin Update
I'm jumping around with my updates a bit because I haven't had the time or patience to write up the last few episodes. Consider this an aside...
(Picture: An afternoon at the tubing cabin)
It's a Tuesday night in the tubing cabin and it is SILENT. Which isn't a bad thing - I'm aching all over from the past few days on the snow. Truth be told, my over indulgences the last week probably haven't helped either I mean, all this fresh snow is hard work.
To catalogue my woes: my thighs are burning and hamstrings are tight, my shoulders ache and my arms are twingey, my right knee is black and blue, I have scratches all over my hands from ice skates and the cold... oh, and I've managed to get a nasty looking cut and swelling happening on my chin as of yesterday afternoon. Life is pain. Existence is pain. Life is good. I'm feeling alive.
The last week has passed too fast, the weekend was a blur of celebration with the ticket's bowling extravaganza going right off. And since mid-last week we've had almost constant snowfall, which has meant some very nice skiing the last few days. Heck, we're almost up to 300cm, if only visibility would improve some!
Yesterday I was slated for a Gem shift, but they closed down the Gem Lake shift as we had thick fog and winds. Nevertheless, I was shuttled out on stand-by, returning by 1pm to make it on snow only a little later. Almost nobody was out, but the snow was heavy and fresh. Visibility was almost back to December, so thick you have trouble seeing your skis, let alone the next rise approaching at speed. I chanced upon Josh and we crossed through the trees to Black Forest, spending the afternoon speeding down the groomed runs, jumping in and out of trees, dodging branches and popping over the rises and natural rollers.
By 4pm we were pretty tired, but made our way off-run via the trees, cutting new lines in the fresh snow. It was on the home stretch that I found calamity. I hit a straight route through the trees, gathering way too much speed admist branches and bumps. Just short of finding myself back on the main run I realised I was on a collision course for a gap between trees - unfortunately snow had banked up and branches were low. Hoping to blow through I was battered by the branches and one of my skis stuck, launching me forward to bounce on my chest. Looking down I saw blood on the snow. A tactile inspection revealed that my nose was still in the same place, so I figured it was just a cut to the chin.
Of course, I had to go out this morning as well. So now I'm sore all over. Almost falling asleep. Drowsing. There are few customers and the heating is up. It should be a relatively quiet night. Only staff seem to be left on mountain, even though Sam's is holding it's final dress up theme tonight - Geeks and Freaks. .
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..
17 February, 2006 (Friday)
Epilogue: Making it hard to say “No”
A few nights after Valentine’s night I received a new story from Tim, our favourite security guard with an extenda-baton: The story goes that, at the end of the night, three Australian gals were looking for a lift back to Snowpines Estate. Snowpines is a good 20 minutes walk down hill at the edge of the Ridge, well away from the village.
Tim initially gave them a very firm: "No way! You gals can walk.” But one offered to show him Jager-Nipple Shots. Tim thinks to himself, heck “I think I’ve seen just about everything”, and says: “I know what Jager is, but I’m not so sure on the Nipple Shots…”
Well, for a lift home the girls were quick off the mark. Each pulled out a pair of shot glasses from their pockets, flipped up their tops (no bras) and stuck the shot glasses over their nipples. Tim was surprised but added the trick to his list and of course gave them a lift home. Wouldn't want to risk chest colds.
Not sure who the girls were (yet), but apparently it occurred in front of a crowd of 20 people. There are sure to be witnesses!
Moving on from Valentine's Day
It's a Friday morning and the Gem is (as you'd expect) relatively quiet. Yes, there are people lingering around the Westridge Warming Hut (tm of Big White Ski Resort ), but that's as much a symptom of the fact that it's shelter in a basin of chill as the company that's on offer.
So i'm sitting here at my ticket station, typing away with numbed hands. I'm not a morning person, I'll be the first to admit. So my head is still a bit muzzy and my eyes feel like they're dark pits in a crater of fatigue. I'll also blame the 10pm finish last night (and then the subsequent 45 minute call home. I'm such a good son sometimes), but not the fact that I sat up in bed after 12 typing away some thoughts which had popped into my head just on the cusp of sleep. No, definitely not self inflicted. Never that.
The Westridge Warming Hut is all happening today, although the crew haven't been their usual talkative selves. I think I've exchanged maybe 5 words with either Jess or Lauren. Do I smell funny? (Not a trick question) So who's who in the zoo?- There's Jess, who used to live with Tanya. She's from Melbourne (I think) and this is her second season in Canada. She's previously done a season at Silverstar with Kate (who's just headed to Ireland). Jess lives with her twin sister Emma - the resident masseusse on the mountain, her boyfriend Cam - who's currently enjoying a break from teaching activities, and the twins John and Mike. A household of twins! She also works nights at Raakel's. Jess previously worked as a teacher, but she loves the snow. I haven't seen her on the mountain yet, but apparently she and Em really carve it up.
- Then there's Alex, the Kiwi guy. He was telling me this morning that he comes from a background of fashion design where he was an assistant designer working 60 to 70 hours a week before coming over here. He's appreciating the break here, working 4 days to pay off his fashion addiction - 2 new jackets, pants and a pair of goggles last time he was in town. Ouch!
- And of course little blonde Lauren from Brisbane. She was due to leave pretty soon to meet up with her mother (at least that's her official version, but I hear...) and do a tour of Asia, but after a fall off her skis she begged out on account of a neck injury. The story is that she rang home with reports of a neckbrace and doctor's recommendations that she not travelin that condition... but she's been back on the slopes since.
She's a terror! I think she's staying the rest of the season now and deferring a semester of university. She's studying Business of some description. - Emily, her partner in crime is off today. She's the one currently seeing our neighbour from 306, the poet, Chris. Ah, romance in the snow. The sweet smell of new love post Valentine's Day. It's beautiful. Just beautiful. (Picture: Chris and Emily - V-day)
Idle reflections
This season is passing fast, two months already down and not more than two to go. Yet despite my best intentions I seem to be getting side-tracked fairly regularly with the lure of snow, pub time and general bumming.
Still, the last week or two I seem to have started to hit some sort of compromise where I've been putting aside a little time for writing. It isn't a raging torrent (yet), but the flow has been steady and the quality is steadily improving (from my perspective anyway). The subconcious has also been churning away, I can feel it - thoughts of "where to from here" and "what direction should I head" have been bubbling and burning. No clear answers as yet, but I can feel that it isn't too far off. The shape is there, it's now a matter of clarity and detail.
I'm thinking that a roadtrip could be in the offing at the end of this season. It'll mean having to find a vehicle (which will mean I'm going to have to save a fair bit in the next two months), but it'll be worth it. Although I'm a little scared at the prospect of driving over here. I've got the 12-month overseas license thing, but driving on the wrong side of the road... not good.
I don't think I've been on a proper roadtrip, bar the annual Hotham expedition, before. For travel mates... That's where I'm going to have to start investing some thought. Jae seems to be lining up a trip to Toronto with family. Not sure on Josh, I'm getting the impression that his plans could change significantly over the next few months. Dave seems hell bent on heading up to Alaska. He might even have started lining up a pose to go with him. Sneaky bugger! So the plan is still to do the coast. I'm looking forward to some sun and beach time in Tofino. Seattle and San Fran should be nice, and then perhaps to Vegas (if Nick can make it that far!).
The edges of a plan, next step will be feasibility and basic logistics. Dates and places, rough budget, a basic route and a few landmarks to get me started. With another two or three people it should be a lot of fun. Looks like I've got some work cut out for me.
14 February, 2006 (Tuesday) continued
A Valentine’s night
Mel had called me late in the afternoon to confirm my attendance at the Sam’s Dating Game. 
She urged me to bring Dave along (Mel: “It’d be great to have a genuine Australian bloke in there. He’ll give some real answers!” Me: “Hey! What are you trying to say about me?!?”) and had me promise that I’d arrive promptly at quarter to 9. (Picture: Josh and Chris in fashion glasses)
Not one for promptness at social events, nevertheless Josh, Chris and I were dressed up and at the doors at the appointed time. I thought I’d go to some extra effort and was wearing my patterned jeans, collared shirt and leather jacket. Walking in I realized how over-dressed I looked. Snow slobs.
The "Dating Game"
The Dating Game at Sam’s for the night was to be loosely based on the game show Perfect Match, from the 80s. Three contestants are hidden by a partition and asked questions by the Chooser. 
After a number of questions the Chooser gets to select one of the contestants for a date.
Of course, the suggested set of questions that Mel provided weren’t the type suitable for a family viewing slot. Suggestions ranged from “Skier or snowboarder?” to “If you were a condom what type would you be?”. The winners from each round winning a $200 complementary dinner upstairs at the Snowshoe Sam’s restaurant. (Picture: Steve, John, Dave and Mel - Round 1)
We kicked off just after 9:30pm, our complementary drink tickets and t-shirts in hand. Sam’s had gone all out with the drinks, offering a glass of Pilsner (cheapest beer on tap) for those of us with the guts to enter. … And they were wondering why they had more guys willing to enter than gals. Or is that a reflection of the ratio in these parts? (Somebody said it's 1:7 the other day. Some people are starting to refer to a night at Sam's as "The Sausage-fest". Not I.)
First up in the hot seat were Dave (our redoubtable housemate), John (the twin, who lived with Tanya) and a guy called Steve. They were squeezed into a couch and looking pretty happy with themselves. On the other end of the partition was Hannah, from London. She was well-dressed and looking very focused. After a round of anonymised introductions from the Host, DJ Foose, they got into the questions. (Picture: Round 1 - the questions begin)
Hannah: “My worst first date experience was in Vegas, where I was asked back for a foursome. What was your worst first date experience?"
Dave: “She never showed.”
Audience: “Awwwww…”
John: “I went to a movie with a mate and didn’t think anything of it. It was only later I found out he was gay.”
Steve: “Duh...”
Hannah: “What’s the most romantic thing you’ve done?”
Dave: “I gave her a bunch of flowers, then we had a picnic on a mountain top while the sun set.”
John: “I once bought a drink for a girl I was trying to get onto”
Steve: “I once slept in the wet spot.”
Hannah: “What was your most near death experience that you've had in the sack?"
Dave: “The lighting was bad and where I thought the end of the bed was… well, it was actually shadow. So I kind of put my knee where the end of the bed was… and that ended the night’s activities.”
John: "I was fooling around with my gf in her father's bed and her dad walked in on us."
Steve: “I slept with a fat chick once...”
After such quality answers Hannah got to select her date for the evening. Following much heckling and finger signals from the audience Hannah settled on Contestant Number 2 – John.
Personally, I thought Dave got rorted, being first up each time he didn’t have enough time to think of his answer – first off the mark each time. Then again, all credit goes to John – he was quick off the bat and seemed to just have the right comic timing for it.
My time has come
After a lengthy delay I was told by Mel that I was in fact the next up, as Chooser. 
Who can argue with that? Blindfolded and stuck in the behind-bar area I stood for a good 10 minutes. In that time I was given a sweet labeled “Angel” and spun until I was ready to be sick by two random girls.
When I walked on stage the lights were bright and the audience looked sufficiently liquored up. A microphone was stuck under my face and I was asked to provide an introduction. Now what did I say…?
(Picture: Me in the hotseat)
(Picture: An afternoon at the tubing cabin)
