Beet

January 12, 2007

Records going all over..

Snow this year (so far, in January note): 865cm
Snowiest *season* previously: 845cm

*giggles*

Posted by Mark at 8:40 AM | TrackBack

December 2, 2006

Whistler Film Festival, in review

The 6th Annual Film Festival rolled into town this weekend, as we did a large amount of work for them (I had only a minor role), we were given a bunch of tickets for free showings and to the opening gala.

The opening gala was excellent, the whole event was really nicely laid out, free drinks, free turkey sandwiches then the advanced screening world premiere of "Let it Ride" a documentary, or biography (auto or not, I always forget which) about Craig Kelly, who I guess can only be described as the Lord of snowboarding, or Glen Plake of boarding. The movie was great, highly recommended viewing for anyone into their snow sports.

Tonight I watched Candy, a bleak somewhat Requiem look at drug abuse, relationships, family and self destruction. Thoroughly depressing, amazing advertising for anti-drug campaigners and very entertaining. Followed immediately by Shortbus which is summed up perfectly on IMDB by "Like a gory car wreck, you try and look away but keep looking...". I would describe it as porn, comedy, porn followed by gay porn. I think it got a general release but I wouldn't say it was everyone's cup of tea.

The closing movie for the festival was Snow Cake, a humorous drama based on the friendship of Alan Rickman and an excellent autistic Sigourney Weaver. It's hard to explain without giving much away but excellent performances from all, touching story line and some hilarious lines made it my pick of the bunch. I can only assume it will get a global release pretty soon.

Here's to next year!

Posted by Mark at 11:57 PM | TrackBack

November 24, 2006

Ski day!

Hooray I finally got my pass sorted and spent this morning up on the mountain with Jaret. A few tentative blues soon got things sorted out and I got knee-deep fresh tracks up Spankys Ladder. The ache is beginning to kick in, and a bit of hiking out of the powder from "early-season falls" soon showed me quite how unfit I am.

Get this, ski out to the village in November! Peak chair opens on Whistler tomorrow should my legs be able to take it.

I posted some photos of my snowboard and Montreal in the link up top.

Posted by Mark at 1:10 PM | TrackBack

October 29, 2006

eeeeee snow!

I just threw a snowball teehee!

Posted by Mark at 10:31 AM | TrackBack

October 26, 2006

Global Warming

Hard hitting topic I know.. So I was treated to watching Al Gores knockout documentary about global warming last night and it completely awoke me to the crisis, some of the numbers and images are staggering. I'm probably, in relative terms, not a great producer of carbon emissions but I hope the facts and figures tossed at me over the course of 90 minutes yesterday will make me think twice about simple things like popping the toaster down a second time.

The movie actually manages (and I'm sure it was on purpose) to really make you think how someone with such responsibility, education and the correct political balance was beaten by Bush. Good on Al Gore he's showing everyone who voted against him up, and in the right way.

Whistler is in a unique situation where it could easily become a Summer only resort within 5-10 years, sustainability programmes are in full effect but without sounding like a hippy Greenpeace weirdo, everyone can do more.

I strongly recommend everyone tries to watch the film, if not, you can't ignore the science.

Oh incidentally, it's snowing at last!

Posted by Mark at 1:41 PM | TrackBack

October 19, 2006

TVIV and update

With it being fall, or autumn, the big TV lineup has recently commenced. Having not very much to do in the evenings due to weather, lack of people being around and general routine I ended up watching a fair few this year so here's a quick run down:

Lost - 3rd (and difficult season), it's only 3 episodes in but I'm finding myself increasingly uninterested in what's going on, it's really slow and the upcoming 14 week break is just enough to make me disconnect.

Heroes - A trashy superheroes living in the present day sort of affair where the story follows a few people who are discovering their "superpowers" and an undercover secret government sort of style coverup. Relatively entertaining but I doubt I'll stay interested past this season.

Jericho - Started out kind of slow and the acting/dialogue is both cheesy and poor but the story is quite compelling, nukes have fallen on the US and this small town remains dispite fallout, lack of power and all the other scenarios that go along with post apocolypse. Again it has a couple of secret stories of government officials and other such nonesense that is just beginning to be explained. Probably the best of the new shows.

Prison Break - I missed the first season but it's hardly a complex plot involving pretty interesting romp through a, surprise!, prison break.

Vanished - One episode and I was done, I actually think I read that the series is going to vanish after the first.

Veronica Mars - Entertaining and funny as always, easy on the eyes and brain and still going strong on the same formula after 2 seasons.

Extras - Excellent, I kind of lost interest in the first season of this after a few episodes, maybe I didn't give it enough chance because this, the last in the series, was hilarious.

Mitchell and Webb - Disappointing trashy sketch show from Peep Show lords Mark and Jez, it didn't quite survive the transition from an apparently amusing radio show.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - I take it back, this is the best new show of the year and infact up there with the original seasons of ER and the like. Matthew Perry puts his attachment to his Chandler mold in a superbly entertaining peek behind the filming of a weekly comedy show.

I should become a short column TV critic.

With that over we're onto the Mark news. I'm off to Montreal on the 1st to see Robyn, I'm there until the 20th then I finally might stay a night in the new house! Having already paid $1500 in rent.

I've taken up position working in the office on a pretty much daily basis and am really enjoying the routine, especially getting out of the apartment and the generic office banter, work is flowing in pretty steadily which is also pretty nice.

The snow still hasn't come, infact it's only rained maybe 5 days in the last month, a little worrying as this time last year it didn't stop raining, and by rain I mean proper West coast Canada style rain, unrelenting torrential downpour. Anyway, we've had none of that and there's more sun forecast. It's cooled down to a touch of frost (not the TV show) in the mornings and hoodie + jacket weather but we need some snow! The mountain opened the 5th November last year, we'll be lucky if there's enough for the scheduled 23rd this year.

Keith comes back into town this weekend which is excellent news as one of the original bunch of people to hang out with is highly appreciated.

I'll undoubtedly have a big amount of photos to share when I get back from Montreal.

Posted by Mark at 8:53 PM | TrackBack

September 21, 2006

All about Robyn..

Since I apparently didn't post about what a great time I had on Robyns last visit I am going to attempt make amends by dedicating this entire square inch of the Internet to her. Therefore I've compiled the below facts so you can all get to know her properly.

Things Robyn likes:

• Me


• Her dog, "Taffy"


• Photographs


• Arthur (the kids TV show)


• Buying clothes


• Hugging me while I am fetching something heavy and hot from the oven


• Mario


• Pizza, specifically my home-made type ;-)


• Americanos from Gone Bakery and cookies from Moguls

Things Robyn doesn't like:

• Cats, specifically Zoe


• Lying on my sofa bored while I work


• Meat

The above are not exhaustive lists, Robyn is a very complex girl and indeed holds very well educated, informed and strong opinions on most subjects.

I had a wonderful time during Robyns last visit and am very grateful that she took the time out to come visit it, I can only apologise that I had to work quite a bit and was not able to spend all the time I would of liked with her. I also hopes she accepts this public apology for my rather hasty descent down Sproatt mountain, leaving her trailing behind with a very sore blister, that was not nice of me and I am very sorry.

Posted by Mark at 7:45 AM | TrackBack

September 14, 2006

I take it back

All is forgiven for yesterdays post, it was indeed snowing in September.

Posted by Mark at 7:25 AM | TrackBack

September 13, 2006

Fall is here...

...did you bring your rain jacket?

Posted by Mark at 1:15 PM | TrackBack

April 25, 2006

Peectures

HOORAY ARSENAL ARE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL.

I also uploaded a bunch of photos from the past 2 weeks. I'm the tall one and Robyn is the cute one, if you couldn't tell.

Posted by Mark at 8:14 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

April 23, 2006

Summer is here the Robyn has flown

See what I did there? Clever huh?

So the past 2 weeks have been incredible for several reasons, not least of all Robyn. I had the most amazing time with her and created a whole new bunch of special memories, her leaving has to also be the lowest point of my trip but I'll forgive her for that.

This last week has been the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, which I must admit was a bit of a disappointment. Here's the run down of events:

a) A lot* of shit bands played between 2.30pm - 5pm every day on a stage at the base of Whistler
b) A lot* of tourists and townies invaded the town and made it nearly unbearable. The buzz was relatively nice but eventually it just got tiresome trying to do stuff.
c) It snowed, and quite a bit! We had about 30cm over the week which for April is astonishing.
d) Blackcomb closed. I had a great last day in full on sun in toasty temperatures convincing Rob to come up Spankys with me and promptly falling off a cliff (don't worry Mum I'm still alive)
e) There were a few random events in the village which caused a bit of excitement including a Big Air jump competition, a very cool art exhibition, a local film competition etc.
f) People gave free stuff away and I drank a lot of Yop.
g) I stayed at home a fair amount and just slobbed around enjoying the company.
h) I got an awesome sun burn which I added to today in Vancouver in blistering (again, for April) temperatures of 23c
i) Izzy left and now there remains only Sarah and I in our house
j) I have never made a list that has gone this far through the alphabet before
k) I'm stopping now

So Whistler is basically empty now, the bulk of the seasonaires have left or leave May 1st, all the tourists left, the locals are staying at home BBQing, I think it's going to be quite lonely so I have taken on fulltime support with Dereck answering the phones as well as a few new jobs for Chris (development) and I had a meeting with another local guy this week about working on a website for the Municipality. I'm hoping this is at least going to keep me occupied and money fueled enough to pass some time until I can go out East.

* Official numbers have not yet been released.

Posted by Mark at 11:38 PM | TrackBack

April 8, 2006

Home Sweet Home (King of Whistler)

I got back to Whistler on Wednesday and have been busy catching up on work and such-like since. Vancouver was pretty unexciting, except for the fact that it's a wonderful city and the weather was glorious. We did all the tourist stuff packed into a day so Kate got to see pretty much everything, a drive through the hobo/druggy/ohgodno Hastings district, breakfast on Granville Island, the tiny ferry back over to downtown, a walk along the seawall to Stanley park and the aquarium, shopping on Robson following by an evening jaunt through Yaletown and dinner in Gastown. How many other cities could you cover in an entire day?

The drive back up was perfect, it's the first time I've travelled between here and the city on such a clear day and the views are really spectacular.

The trip on a whole was a great idea. Getting out of Whistler was nice, it made me realise (once more) how lucky I am to be here, what a great place it is, and that there's still one of the greatest cities in the world just down the highway. Work is picking back up again and I'm completing on a large project in the next few weeks, after which I'll probably be taking on fulltime telephone support for my other job, in order to get enough money to fly East over the Summer.

Today was my first day back up the mountain for a week, since my ski insurance ran out and I've been away, and I'm afraid it's with great disappointment I have to report that the season is all but over. I guess I could have guessed that Spring conditions are very much like early season conditions, just with a bit more sun thrown in. Still there is great merriment in the fact that I am infact LORD OF WHISTLER BLACKCOMB as I have completed all runs on both mountains, which indeed was not as easy as it sounds, sure there are only 100ish runs but the map and sign posting are very poor.

Oh, if anyone wants to move into our place over the Summer we have a spare room...

I've saved the most exciting news for last as Robyn is arriving after the weekend, just in time for the Ski & Snowboard World Cup and more importantly just in time to douse the feelings of having missed her, badly, for the past 6 weeks. Do excuse me if there are no updates as activities planned include:

a) bed picnic(s)
b) sitting in the glacier
c) cheesy movies
d) filling our photo album

So as you can see, we're going to be awfully busy! Rather upsettingly her visit once again coincides with a housemate leaving. Mark departs on Tuesday, we've been hanging out a lot since Ads left and again he'll be sorely missed.

Visa application is back in the hands of my overly unimpressive lawyer who obviously couldn't find the time to get back to me before the weekend in order for me to be able to print out all the documents and get them sent off.

Oh and if anyone is after any sort of long-term insurance for a trip such as this, World Nomads are very cheap and comprehensive.

Posted by Mark at 12:42 PM | TrackBack

March 29, 2006

Blackcomb CONQUERED

I have scored victory over Blackcomb by completing all its runs today. I have 2 left do to on Whistler which will be done tomorrow then I guess I'm finished.

Today was beautiful as ever, I have an awesomely brown face now but the rest of my body remains a pale English-rose style white. So really it just looks like I am dirty.

Roadtrip '06 starts on Friday, using my newly acquired age we have rented a Pontiac Sunfire for a drive down to Seattle and stopover in Vancouver (staying in the lovely Waterfront Fairmont). So no doubt I will be poor as hell when I get back which is great news, the necessity to find a more reliable source of income (thus job) over the summer is becoming a little more apparent by the day. But then I knew I only really had the funds to be a bum for 6 months...

Finally, the visa application is underway. So far my impression of the lawyer who is handling it isn't very impressive, and since I struggled to find any opinions on them anywhere on the net I am going to update the entire process here in the hope that it helps someone else in choosing. So using Campbell Cohen from http://www.canadavisa.com let's hope they dont disappoint.

Posted by Mark at 7:30 PM | TrackBack

March 20, 2006

Goggle Tans

The weather has been incredible the last couple of days, hitting double figures in celsius with the sun being warmer than the height of summer in the UK. Of course this means 2 things:

1) Goggle tans
2) The snow is melting

However, 2 is going to be rectified at the end of the week when we're forecast half a metre of new snow. I have 3 runs left to do on Blackcomb before it's completed, pretty simple ones. Here's a pretty picture I took today:

Posted by Mark at 6:29 PM | TrackBack

March 16, 2006

Spankys Ladder

Yesterday was indeed activious (that's a new word). A pretty late meeting with only one goal, strike off a couple of the double diamonds up on Blackcomb, namely a group of bowls called Spankys Ladder. I figure actually the hike up is called this as it is sheet ice with random footholes and a good drop just off to your left, great fun and some moron decided it'd be a good day to ski (hint: me).

Up at the top the view over the glacier is spectacular, a ledge leads into 4 bowls namely Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond and Garnet. We hit the Ruby first under the impression it was the easiest and indeed it was a relatively pleasant double diamond, the powder was awesome considering it hadn't snowed for a few days. The hike up and out and down to the Glacier road took an hour so we headed up again to hit the next bowl, Sapphire.

At the entrance is a sign proclaiming icy conditions, well we're all used to them from November but they failed to mention the sheer rock face you were also skiing over. Phil headed over first, board attached, hit a rock and somersaulted over a couple more. Not very stylish but it worked well. The rest edged down on their arses using boards for stabiliy. Next comes ski-boy, for some reason I decided it'd be wiser to take my skis off and use my boots to dig into the ice. Note: ice is TOUGH. I slipped, over the side of the traverse, managing to hit about 3 or 4 rocks on the way down ouch. The worst bit was letting go of my skis, one of which decided to make its own way down the lovely powdery bowl we were now in! Phil chased it down and caught it within a 100 metres or so but I still had to get down a double black diamond in about a foot of powder with one ski. Superb.

I have about 5 runs left on Blackcomb before they're all covered - obviously all double diamonds but there's plenty of time for the bruises to heal yet. Not looking forward to "Blowhole" which looks like a half pipe... vertical.

Posted by Mark at 11:17 AM | TrackBack

March 14, 2006

ColdFX

Ok so I had a cold yesterday. Today I don't. That is the magic of North American drugs, as advertised by the mighty Don Cherry, ColdFX is possibly the greatest drug known to man. The fact that its only ingredient is something called CWT-E002 shouldn't put you off because that is seemingly the formula for magic dust.

Little else to report, I am starting to proceed with my immigration application which I'm told will have me a Canadian citizen within 6 months - I am somehow screwing the system by being offered a "fulltime" job by Chris which means I avoid the normal 27 month processing time and having to prove myself with a bunch of documentation.

I seem to be working a lot more these past few weeks and going out a lot less, which is fine by me. Funds are beginning to run low and if I am genuinely going to stay then I should stop pissing away money as it's going to be a tight few years.

Posted by Mark at 9:44 AM | TrackBack

March 11, 2006

Flute hike!

Today was Flute hike day again, I only remembered half way up the 30 minute walk that the last time I did the Flute I went on to bust my knee on the way back down the mountain.

This time was different thankfully and the weather and sun were glorious up at the top, I wish I'd taken my camera. Instead we had a picnic which was just as exciting if a little chilly.

Here's a really poor picture of the hike:

Posted by Mark at 4:07 PM | TrackBack

March 7, 2006

Incredible Powder Day #87

The apline opened on Blackcomb today after a 2 day storm and blessed us with ~50cm of fresh snow. Getting up at 8am, everythng seemed to get timed to perfection as we hit each lift just as it opened and got fresh lines down each run. Five hours (no breaks) riding later (and a bit of damage to the knee again) I am absolutely shattered, almost like the beginning of the season, my arms barely work and my back feels broken.

Nothing like snow up to your waist though. Just don't fall over.

Posted by Mark at 4:22 PM | TrackBack

March 6, 2006

Awesome day #54

I am beginning to run out of room for memories on this trip, today was another incredible day. It puked about a foot of snow overnight and the storm looks to stay over the early part of the week, made only better by the sheer lack of people here - seriously the village is dead. Phil, Gwen and I tracked out most of what they were able to open (due to 60km/h winds) and almost like the beginning of the season I am absolutely wasted, my whole body aches. I figure in the 4 weeks off I had I lost most of my stamina.

Who'd have thought I'd be getting up at 7am, exerting myself physically to the point of breaking and still not be moaning. Certainly not anyone that knows me.

Yesterday was much the same, the snow started around 11am when we headed up the hill (timed to perfection) to find a good couple of inches in places. With my knee feeling a whole load better I took on the challenge of a jump down the side of a piste and promptly landed on a) my face b) my bad knee. The laughing from Mark and Phil soon stopped when I hadn't moved for a few minutes. Luckily my helmet took a lot of the impact and I only saw black and fuzzy colours for a few minutes. Aces.

Erica is rather bizarrely in town, and we caught up for drinks yesterday evening, I struggled to maintain conversation in my half comatosed state (due to the fall and tiredness) but it was nice to see her.

Little else to report, we've barely been out since Ads left, just a few quiet nights watching the hockey but I have been busy maintaining relations with Robyn which is better than any night out.

The big TWO-FIVE is looming a week on Saturday, there's something to be said for settling down at that sort of age but hell when you're having this much fun it's easily forgotten.

Posted by Mark at 1:46 PM | TrackBack

February 26, 2006

Snow

Finally after a 2 week dry spell, it's snowed. There's been about a foot overnight and 10-15cm forecast every day this week, I may drag the snowboard back out of the cupboard after skiing 3 times this week my knee is feeling relatively strong, the ache kicks in after about 3 hours but it's great being back on the mountain and the time off has reinspired me... a lot of people are saying they're losing a bit of interest in riding every day. Rather annoyingly the huge contract I landed starts this week too so there may be a few quiet evenings in working.

This week has been pretty weird. Starting at the beginning, Ads and I went out Monday night, it was pretty slow and we were about to head home when two girls came over and spoke to us, somehow I was inspired enough to tell them we were Russian and a 3 hour conversation full of Ruski puns followed, Adam was on fine form and the evening was a blast.

Roll on Wednesday, I went to the Fairmont with Lisa for the most extravagant meal I've ever eaten, feeling completely out of place we managed to consume vast amounts of champagne and superb courses finishing off with a chocolate fondue. Total bill - $265, thankfully Lisa works there and after the 50% discount it didn't seem so extravagant. I also saw a guy propose at their table which was really sweet.

Friday night was Adams leaving party, starting out in Merlins for payday night and the plan was to roll round town in our "silly" hats. Elaine constructed me a helmet with streamers and condoms attached which was both beautiful and disturbing. We ran back into our Russian compadres and I totally struck it off with Robyn, having a slightly less Siberian orientated conversation.

Adam was leaving at 10 the next morning and climbed into bed with me at about 7am, my hangover wasn't particluarly welcoming but I managed to drag myself into the village for breakfast with him before he caught his bus, it wasn't until this moment that I actually considered how much I'd miss him, he's been a great laugh since day one and I'm so glad I got to meet him on this experience. *sheds tear*

Okay with Adam out of the window it was time to focus, skiing was the order of the day with Robyn and while we actually spent the majority of the day lay in the snow talking, it took my mind off Ads going. It actually turned out that I'd met my absolute match, she loves the Weakerthans and Bill Murray and also has an equally stupid sense of humour. I could go on, we had the most amazing day, dinner and drinks and then the kicker, she was heading back to school at 4am. In Montreal. So that kind of sucked but I have another incredible day to look back on when all this is over and the memories I take away from this trip are something I'll have with me forever.

Unless I get amnesia or something.

Posted by Mark at 11:07 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

February 18, 2006

Still alive!

Well there's not been much going on so updates haven't been necessary. The past 4 weeks have been spent hanging out in coffee shops. Joel's been here for the past 2 weeks and unfortunately I wasn't able to go up on the hill with him but Ads and the gang took him up a few days to show him round the lesser known places which I suspect he enjoyed more than being up on his own.

We've not had any snow for about a week but blazing sun and blue skies, it's odd seeing the sun for the first time in 2 months, typically the temperature dropped at the same time and we've been experiencing minus 40'c in the alpine, hitting as low as minus 10-15'c in the village. Bloody cold I tell thee. I went skiing on Monday for 2 hours where upon my knee was in quite a bit of pain but it was great to get back on the hill (even if I was restricted to greens) and my knee was feeling quite strong. A few more trips to the gym still needed however.

Thursday was extravagance day as Sarah and I sat outside the Fairmont next to a lovely big fire drinking $50 bottles of wine and consuming some of the finest lunch I've had in a long time.

I've pretty much decided to stay in Whistler during the summer, everyone I know will be gone so I'll need to find some summer friends but the last few days of sun have given a sneak peek into how beautiful it's going to be and I don't really want to miss it.

Adam leaves on Friday and Sarah moves into the palacial Blueberry pad.

Posted by Mark at 5:24 PM | TrackBack

January 29, 2006

Kneed entertainment

I am bored. 4.5 weeks to go. I had to stop taking physio because the Bunac medical insurance is pitiful and only covers £150 of physio, hell imagine if someone had surgery, at least 3 months worth would follow that...

In other news it has snowed an unholy amount tonight, there is easily a foot and it's only midnight.

Posted by Mark at 11:50 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

January 24, 2006

The cost of busting your knee...

Doctors Fee - $110
Emergency Fee - $300
Xray - $87.15
Lower extremity-spec (what) - $43.90
Crutches - $65
Knee Immobilizer - $65
Codeine and Ibruprofen - $34
Knee Brace - $120
First session of Physio - $90
Additional 3 weeks of physio - $1200

Making an insurance claim - priceless.

I landed a 200 hour, $45 an hour (that's $9000) contract today to create an activities/events management website. Should keep me busy while I'm out and keep me loaded for when I'm back.

Posted by Mark at 5:58 PM | TrackBack

January 22, 2006

Note to self:

Don't drink while on codeine.

Posted by Mark at 11:49 PM | TrackBack

January 20, 2006

:-(

Today was a good and a bad day. First off we hiked up the Flute bowl, a 30 minute walk uphill into the Whistler backcountry, I've never sweated so much in my life but it was well worth it for the views and the run down, untouched powder and a hilariously steep slope. 15 minute hike back out and Adam and I were heading back to the bottom of the mountain for drinks and rest when I decided I would dislocate my knee.

I ended up sat for 45 minutes on the slope, with mild hyperthermia and frost bite setting in waiting for mountain rescue to find us. Finally they did, without a sled meaning another 10 minute wait for that to turn up. Eventually they produced the notorious laughing gas and I was having a whale of a time going down the entire mountain on a toboggan in a state of surreal high-ness. Forms, ambulances, x-rays and 2 hours later I was sent home with codiene (woo heroin), a $700 bill and a knee the size of a football oh and a sweet leg brace which is almost like tying a matress round your leg.

Anyway the drugs are kicking in now so it is time for sleep. Doctors say I'm out for 6 weeks and I have to have physio also, guess it's going to be a dull month :-(

Posted by Mark at 10:33 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

January 17, 2006

So tired...

Fresh Tracks was awesome, we had 25cm of snow in the end and after getting up at 6am, lining up from 6.30 to 7.15 with 1,000 other hopefuls we were treated to an excellently greasy breakfast at 8am. The mountain opened up shortly after and we had 2 incredible runs down ungroomed slopes being the first people down and surfing the powder.

Hiking over to the far side of the mountain proved equally successful as we hit another untouched tree run and joined a line for the Harmony chair for an hour where a huge 200 person snowball fight ensued while we waited for Ski Patrol to finish blasting the avalanches. We had again another 2 pretty much untracked runs through Harmony, hiking out of the thigh-height powder a bit more often than I was totally happy with. Note to self: Snowboard needs a waxing.

Amazingly I took my camera and there's a few new photos uploaded. This pretty much sums up the day:

6 hours of boarding, epic. I'm so tired.

Edit: Actually I just uploaded a buttload of older photos too.

Posted by Mark at 8:40 PM | TrackBack

January 16, 2006

Fresh Trax

So here's the thing, it's snowed 2 inches already (its 8pm), the storm is going to last all night and I have Fresh Tracks tickets - you pay $16 and you get breakfast and an hour on the slopes before the masses descend (it's limited to 600 people).

Best get myself in bed early!

Posted by Mark at 7:55 PM | TrackBack

January 15, 2006

$45 an hour you say?

Yep I got a new job, doing some development freelancing and the pay is a relatively staggering $45 an hour. Certainly beats the $8.66 you get for working for the mountain. The guy in question said my skills were quite rare in Whistler (him having been here for 10 years) and I could easily stick around for a while and have plenty of work, he also suggested if I stayed in Whistler during the summer and worked for him he would sponsor me but I guess we'll see about that.

Skiing today, I demo'd a pair of Scratch BC skis, powder twin-tip skis and they were weird, I'm glad I didn't go out and buy any as they were really tough to ski on the piste with. Think I'll keep the board for powder and stick to the carvers. I have my eyes set on a nice new Prior (handmade in Whistler) board, which I'll hopefully keep as a memento.

Izzy (housemate) broke her neck on Thursday, well okay she apparently tore a ligament in it and maybe cracked one of the discs, still, not very pleasant at all. Medical costs are currently hovering about the $2000 mark.

Friday night was sensationally boozey, haven't been so inebriated in a very long time. I think it has something to do with the rather worrying trend that Ad and I have slumped into of creating shots at the bar. The concoction of Tequila and Sour Puss dubbed "wee" was a killer and I was hungover all day yesterday.

The town has been invaded by young college girls this weekend, a US national holiday, it's quite horrific.

Posted by Mark at 6:19 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

January 13, 2006

OH GOD THE SNOW

Thank you for the 40+cm of snow today it was a blast. Actually, there was TOO much snow in places, up to your thighs and you get stuck. Still it was fun to climb/roll out of.

So much for the day off tomorrow, 7th Heaven didn't open today and will be insanely powdery tomorrow.

PS My leg feels like it needs amputating I am in so much pain.

Posted by Mark at 4:05 PM | TrackBack

January 7, 2006

News

The immense amounts of snow have died down but thankfully so have the tourists, we're back to 2 minute lift lines and still being able to find fresh snow at midday. Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty amazing up the mountain, good 20-30cm of snow overnight then bluebird days, unfortunately we had to say goodbye to Laleisha who's left to pursue her teaching career back home in Aus, so good luck to her and she will be missed greatly.

Oh I need to do a New Years update which ended up being a small houseparty at ours, resulting in Naked New Year, thankfully there are few pictures. Unlike most New Years it was actually really fun and memorable, not least because it was again a pretty weird scenario.

Blowing through money as though it was cheap hookers and cocaine and I a footballer, hopefully it'll last though. It'd suck to have to work for my last month out here or something dumb. Parental loans are good for that ;-)

Going back to the two amazing days of snow this week, it really hit me how lucky I am to be out here, in "the best resort in North America", skiing and boarding every day, meeting some amazing people and having a fantastic time. It's about time it hit home really.

Posted by Mark at 9:35 AM | TrackBack

December 27, 2005

Powder take 2

Wheeee another 6 hours spent boarding in 2 foot deep powder today, now I remember this is EXACTLY why I came here. My body aches all over and unbelievably tired yet still in a great mood. There is 1 meter of snow forecast in the next 5 days so I can see this continuing for a few days yet.

For those keeping note, yes, I am snowboarding a lot more than I'm skiing, when the snow is like this it is like surfing on a cloud, something that you can't come close to even with powder skis.

I kind of lost track of the 600 hour target thing but know I am around the 100 hour mark so decided to start from there as of today and keep a better tally. I know I've done 30 days on the mountain so 100 must be about right.

Posted by Mark at 4:32 PM | TrackBack

December 26, 2005

POWDAY

Best day ever, ok let me backtrack to yesterday evening which ended up being an awesome Christmas, from the weirdness of sitting in a bar eating wings earlier on things moved slightly more traditional with Adams spectacular effort at dinner and Gwens triumph at dishing up a huge dessert helping, effectively we ate a lot and drank a lot then all fell asleep so I guess it worked out as most Christmasses do.

I was fully intending to sleep today until I was woken at 9 and kind of made myself get up, out of the house and tentatively onto the mountain and oh god was it worth it. 7th Heaven hadn't been open for 4 days due to 100km/h winds although it'd been snowing all the time so today there was easily 2 foot of powder and I must admit that it's an amazing feeling to board on it, like all floaty and surflike. I was on my own which was a shame but hammered it and I now feel like my whole body is about to collapse on itself. I am going to ignore the fact that below the restaurant it was raining and I got soaking wet on the way back down the mountain.

It's still snowing up there so Gwen and I are aiming for a 9am start tomorrow. I'm kind of tempted to board it again...

Posted by Mark at 7:25 PM | TrackBack

December 25, 2005

White Christmas

So I got my white christmas but I did have to travel 20 minutes up the gondola and it wasn't exactly "snow". Conditions remain poor and the wind meant they closed all the lifts just as we hit mid way on the mounain, at about 11am so we had no choice but to ride down, a bad choice in hindsight as I wrecked one of my skis. However after complaning I got a free tune up, hopefully they can fill in the MASSIVE gash with some P-Tex.

Chicken wings, pool and beer at lunch in a random bar is the best way to spend Christmas, believe me. Time to put the turkey in, judging by the size it should be done in about 7 hours...

Merry Christmas!

Posted by Mark at 2:44 PM | TrackBack

December 23, 2005

Sometimes stop, sometimes go.

There is not a great deal to report, hence the lack of reporting.

The weather has turned and finally wet weather arrived, however, it brought a warm front with it and dumped a bit too much rain on the entire village wiping out what snow we did have. Temperatures managed to stay below zero at the peaks and there is a good 10-15cm powder. In December so far we have had ~25cm of snow. Last year (the worst on record for snow) they had 221cm. Beat that.

Anyway the above means there has been a continuation of the alcohol consumption, the tourists have swept into the village and made going out and finding a quiet bar pretty tough but we've been out a few times this week and had a good time.

King Kong is a legendary and worthy remake, Jackson has surpassed himself again, I could have sat and watched it again, which is justified praise I think.

Apparently there's 2 days until Christmas, I don't think I've ever been so apathetic about the holiday before, I figure the general lack of routine and familiarity of this time of the year has taken the spirit away. So I bought myself a $400 coat which I figure almost made up for it.

Anyway, Happy Holidays all. I'll be up in the snow on Christmas day which is a pretty awesome way to spend any day, nevermind one where you get socks given to you!

Posted by Mark at 4:25 PM | TrackBack

December 17, 2005

Drunken 2.30am update!

Tonight was another awesome night out in Whistler and lots of drama has ensued. I am heavily inebriated after having been out drinking for 7 hours and having a great time and Mark just got a beating from the bouncers in Merlins for what he says is no apparent reason but in fairness he probably gave them a whole lot of lip. Still, nothing deserves the bloody face he has especially when the guys are employed by the same people as him.

Tucker and Nate are up for the weekend and I managed to keep Tucker out until around 1am so I think his day boarding is going to be about as much of a write off as mine tomorrow.

Time for sleep.

Posted by Mark at 2:36 AM | TrackBack

December 15, 2005

Switch

Since the snow is REALLY poor, and there hasn't been any new since forever we took the oppurtunity to learn to ride switch yesterday which was a very painful day. I must have fallen over more times than since I started boarding, the problem being I can ride normally and so have false confidence. Well, it was mastered by the end of the day and I can now ride facing the wrong way, albeit it doesn't look that great.

The skis are all tuned in preparation for it snowing sometime soon, or even again this year would be nice. All the holes from rocks are filled in and they look almost like new, except one of the edges which has a big hole in it.

Today was a write off due to going to a BBQ house party followed by Bills last night and quite a few beverages were consumed, one of the best nights out so far though.

OH GOD MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED:

COOLER AIR FROM THE INTERIOR POOLS ALONG THE SOUTH COAST MOUNTAINS. BY MONDAY THE RIDGE BEGINS TO BREAK DOWN ALLOWING THE FIRST OF THE ENSUING PACIFIC SYSTEMS TO MOVE IN BRINGING SOME SNOW.

Posted by Mark at 3:23 PM | TrackBack

December 10, 2005

I knew this would happen

So I didn't update for like forever. In an attempt to bring up to date here's a list of what has happened this week:

1) I got a cold and spent 2 days in bed
2) I bought some Xmas and Birthday presents
3) I went boarding with Adam for an entire day and am now happy off-piste and caning it down blue runs. Did a couple of blacks but they were a bit too steep for me to feel comfortable turning on. Had a couple of big falls, one leaving me about an inch from a BIG rock.
4) Bought a helmet (see above). It has speakers built into the ear protectors
5) Went out for Lucys birthday on Wednesday to Buffalo Bills which is ranking highest among Whistlers nightlife.
6) Got a replacement iPod from Apple, thank you Apple.
7) Am up to 68.5 hours on the slopes.

That's about it, imagine I made those updates once a day and I think I'm pretty much even again.

PVG (our esteemable landlord) is in town and griefing us a lot by coming over and slapping Izzys bum in the restaurant she works in. Please note he is about 60 and a bit gross, he refers to her as "a beaut".

It hasn't snowed for a week now, nothing forecast until next week either damnit.

Posted by Mark at 10:25 AM | TrackBack

November 27, 2005

The Ache

Lots of exciting updates, okay not exciting, but updates.

Friday was spent skiing with Mark up on Whistler, fairly average conditions and nothing much of merit to talk about. Ads, Mark and I went to Merlins at the base of Blackcomb in the evening and got pleasantly drunk, finding a half empty paint can on the way home we took turns in trying to sell it to innocent parties in the village, Mark put up a sterling performance to one couple who were on the brink of taking it until they saw me and Adam crying with laughter 10 yards away.

Was up at 8am on Saturday hungover like a loaf of bread to aim for the first full day for a while, and boarding. I was with fellow beginners Laleisha and Adam (who has an astonishingly good attitude to boarding, if you fall over, get up straight away - it seems to be working as he's progressing remarkably quickly), 3 runs down the green on Blackcomb and several bruises later I was beginning to feel slightly more confident about the whole thing. Since there was a few cm of new snow and I was bruised all over I strapped on my skis for the afternoon and took Adam out on a few difficult blues which should have killed him but he got it suprisingly well.

We sat in the bar from 4pm for some apres and were joined by the staff of the restuarant at the top of Blackcomb, or more we crashed their party and stole their beer and nachos but it was a good laugh, so much so, I left at 9pm to come home to bed...

Up again at 9am Sunday to the pleasant suprise of an inch of snow outside the window, riding on my own I went up Whistler for 11am and dropped into some of the bowls straight into fresh powder - being alone on the lifts is a great experience, I met and spoke to about 4 or 5 different groups of people. I can honestly say I've spoken to more random people in the past 4 weeks than in my entire life, Whistler and its locals are incredibly friendly and open which the tourists all seem to adopt upon arrival. Not to mention the number of people you see regularly in the village, be it locals or seasonaires who you don't really know but will stop for a chat. Do that in England and you'd get stabbed.

Sunday night, I ache ALL over and I'm finding myself hoping it doesn't snow overnight so I don't feel the urge to go boarding tomorrow as I really need a rest. Man cannot ski for more than 5 days solid, it's not possible.

Izzy is making a big roast and lots of people are coming over this evening, always a good way to spend a Sunday evening. Oh and it's locals night at the Longhorn which is an even better way to finish spending a Sunday evening.

39 hours on the slopes - will add to the list of completed runs later.

Posted by Mark at 5:28 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

November 24, 2005

I got a $50 board put your hands up!

Okay so I just bought a snowboard AND bindings from a big clearance sale for $45 ($5 off because I knew the nice chap in there) and it's actually in pretty good condition, the bindings are a bit shot at but for the price its an astronomical purchase.

A few of us went up Whistler today for opening day, the base was a bit thicker than Blackcomb but still icy on top and not a great deal of fun so was back down within 3 hours (running total now 29.5). Snow is forecast tonight and we already had a good shower of rain in the village which is often a good sign.

I'm going to go staple my bindings to my plank now and am contemplating a day on the ole board tomorrow.

Posted by Mark at 7:51 PM | TrackBack

November 21, 2005

When the ice falls down it's the end

After going out last night and getting back at 2am with plans to meet people at 10 this morning and do a few runs I got up bright and early only to be stood up. Anyway it didn't matter since the snow on Blackcomb is really poor now, ice and slush, so bad I NEARLY FELL OVER would you believe it?!

The weather remains incredible, inverse temperatures and blazing sun so instead of giving the edges of my skis something to complain about I sat on the deck of the restaurant sunbathing for an hour. 26.5 hours on the slopes and I think that's it for this week, no snow is forecast until Friday/Saturday and although Whistler opens on Thursday I'm reliably informed there is an inch of ice covering everything there too.

My iPod broke again, I actually set the RMA stuff with Apple this time now though.

Posted by Mark at 1:16 PM | TrackBack

November 19, 2005

Loads of new photos

I couldn't be bothered to add them to sets and they are all a pretty random selection of nights out, scenery and other generic pictures. Any full size ones of me are available on request.

Posted by Mark at 8:06 PM | TrackBack

November 18, 2005

Boarding pt. 2

Teehee I was linking turns after 2 hours of boarding today, which is particularly pleasing as I knew if I sucked I'd have struggled to keep my interest but as it stands I'm basically fine to hit the greens as of Sunday (day off tomorrow). I managed to nab an hours free lesson from some teacher lady who was on the nursery slope which helped a great deal with figuring out how to distribute my weight, apart from that, it's the same as skiing. The boots are a lot more comfy though.

It was Marks birthday last night so after playing Kings Cup for about 4 hours we headed into town and did the usual frolicking about a poor club, much humour and hundreds of photos later we got back at about 3am only to be up at 9am still drunk. Happy times. Anyway, photos will be coming soon I suppose.

24.5 hours on the slopes.

Posted by Mark at 5:45 PM | TrackBack

November 17, 2005

Snowboarding you say?

Okay I'll admit it, I'm bored of skiing BUT WAIT only because there are 8 slopes open at the moment and I have ridden the same terrain for the past 2 weeks. Thus I have invested heavily in the sport of snowboarding and tomorrow I will be teaching myself the fine art. Update on number of bruises on my butt tomorrow...

Posted by Mark at 7:28 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

November 16, 2005

Completed runs list

Okay I'm set up to work from home now, except LOOK, I'M NOT! Its 11am, I can probably have the emails answered by about 12 and go up the slope, but there isn't much new snow and no one else is up there, hmm what to do what to do. I took part albeit after everyone else had consumed about 3 drinks in a game of Kings last night, there were a lot of drunk people in our house by midnight.

I'm spending more and more money on new equipment, fleeces, goggles, hats, basically everything I brought over is fine for a weeks holiday in Europe, but not top range enough to use every day. I also took my BRAND NEW USED ONLY 5 TIMES skis into the tune up place yesterday and the guy nearly choked when he saw my edges and I explained they were new. I guess I should have taken heed of the "Pre-season conditions, rocks and trees on slopes" notices and bought a $50 pair to play in this week.

Anyway I did another 3 hours yesterday, so up to 19 and I compiled a list of runs completed so far, as I decided I wanted to have done every (ignoring the Double Diamonds for now) run by Christmas. A piste map is available here.

Runs complete to date:

Greens.
Easy Out
Jersey Cream Road
Greenline

Blues.
Ridge Runner
Rock n Roll
Zig Zag
Buzz Cut
Honeycomb
Cruiser
Ross' Gold
Jersey Cream
Cougars Milk
Wishbone
Springboard

Blacks.
Gladed Skiing
Black Magic
Catskinner

Posted by Mark at 11:15 AM | TrackBack

November 13, 2005

Sunshine and fresh powder

I'm up to 16 hours now, yesterday we headed up the mountain at around 11am after what is a really long walk to my locker at the base of the mountain, stuck around until 3 riding some lovely slopes round the less busy side of the mountain and I definately felt like I'd improved, I guess back to the level I was at the end of last season.

Overnight we had an 11cm dump which luckily I caught the tail of after going up at 1pm with Sarah, the sun came out just as we hit the peak and the view was spectacular. Coming down nicely powdered runs with the sun flashing through the trees really reminded me why I'm out here, just wish I had my camera so I could make you all jealous.

Posted by Mark at 7:20 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

November 12, 2005

9/600

Okay so the plan for this season was to get 600 hours up the mountain, after last weekend (3 hours) and today (6) I'm well on the way and because this is such an exciting countdown/up and a really FUN idea I will keep the updates going on here.

The mountain was awesome today. I shared the day with Gwen freezing our arses off on the lifts and sweating our way down a fair few slopes, barely any lines, a couple of really good runs down in the afternoon on a substantial base with 3-4 inches of powder, and my legs ache a lot less. Epic fall number 1; tried to do a jump, leant forward on my skis, tips of skis got stuck in snow, Mark detaches and slides down the mountain on his face. I actually got a fat lip from skiing...?!

Tomorrow is more of the same we're heading up at 10am (a rather more reasonable starting time I feel), hoping to slam home in the double figures.

Our house has somehow become a hang out spot and there is rarely a time I come back from work/town and there isn't some random body warming their feet on the kitchen floor or partaking of some high quality Canadian television. I am still unsure as to if this is because the people actually like us or that we live in relative luxury compared to Staff accommodation, the latter is probably most likely.

Time for sleeps.

Posted by Mark at 12:24 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

November 6, 2005

Ouch,

I'm so out of shape I can barely walk my calves hurt so much. Oh and the Canucks lost. Bah.

Posted by Mark at 2:26 PM | TrackBack

November 5, 2005

...

Well the first day skiing went pretty well, I headed up to the base at 10am to join the epic queue, there were 4 lifts open and about 8-9 runs, 3 of which were groomed. Finally at the top met up with Mark and hit a black run straight away, maybe not the best idea but I just about made it down. It was really busy and lifts queues were running into 30 minutes, we managed a few more (lesser) runs and grabbed some lunch, things work slightly differently than Europe in the food department - instead imagine a cross between McDonalds and a school canteen. Sandwiches from now on.

A few further runs in the afternoon as the slope and lifts had got a lot quieter and then finally an ungroomed black which was a fatal mistake, I fell over and hurt my knee and took several chunks out of my brand new skis while trying to navigate trees and rocks. Oh well. Also everyone on the slope appears to have my skis which I guess means they're pretty good but it's also a bit annoying as theirs are all rented and I bought mine.

Off to watch the Canucks give the Flames a good beating now.

I took a banana up the slopes with me and it got squashed in my bag.

Posted by Mark at 5:09 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

November 3, 2005

It snowed on my head today!

A good deal of snow has come very early and the lifts open Saturday, the earliest opening ever. The forecast for the next 6 weeks is as expected so the 50-60cm they have on the slopes right now will make for a perfect base.

It even snowed at our house today, typically as soon as I stepped outside it turned to rain.

Have done 2 days at work, the email support is as mind blowing, wait no, mind numbing as to be expected but there's a whole load of development to be done on the site and that should keep me occupied on the quiet evenings. I actually did a bit of development today for someone back home and almost felt like I had been missing it. Maybe it was because I was overlooking a huge snowy mountain while I was typing...

Posted by Mark at 8:15 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

November 1, 2005

Condo Video

As presented by Adam: LUXURY

Posted by Mark at 6:03 PM | TrackBack

OH GOD

Posted by Mark at 10:43 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

October 26, 2005

Snow!

We have a rather big update today:

It snowed a bit on both Whistler and Blackcomb, which is a very good sign, the weather has also gone a lot colder - it's like 2'c in the village today.

I got offered a job, rather cushty too, I enjoy always landing on my feet. I hadn't intended to get a job out here as I can probably afford a fairly luxurious 6 months pissing away what money I'd saved over the past 2 years and I have come out here with the intention of skiing and boarding, otherwise known as skiboarding, but I could hardly turn down a $15 an hour email support job that can:

• be done from home


• is a guaranteed 3 hours a day


• can be done at any time during that day


• the guy running the website is a keen boarder so wants to enjoy the snow as much as myself


• there is a bunch of development work available at extortionate 95north rates

This has perked me up a bit since I was awoken at both 3am and 5am by two unnamed members of our party getting it on about 2 foot from where I was "sleeping", a little unsporting I feel.

Finally, we secured a luxury condo for the season so thankfully I am all settled and ready for 6 months of snow. The place is in a place called Blueberry Hill overlooking the Whistler golf course and a few minute walk from Alta Lake (the biggest up here). It's about a 15 minute walk to the base of the lifts so some sort of 2 wheeled transport may have to be acquired, but apparently you can store your skis at the mountain so that would help. Besides, the flat has a jacuzzi bath, heated floors, about 600sq ft living room, awesome views of both mountains from the deck and is really nicely decked out. The landlord seems very keen to keep the place in top condition which may well mean he will screw us on the cleanliness at the end of the tenancy but at least he will remain interested in the place unlike our current dude.

Vancouver tomorrow. Oh and Canadian KFC is awesome, just the basic $5 meal tastes so much better than anything in the UK.

Posted by Mark at 3:21 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

October 21, 2005

No Canadians live in Whistler

So Thursday night was Canucks night and I'm really beginning to get into the game. Luckily they seem to be doing particularly well this season and picked up the 6th win of the season over Gretzys mighty Coyotes, I even cheered when "we" scored. I'm not sure I can use "we" yet so I'm going to use quotes for a bit longer.

Izzy and Ad had gone to a job fair at the Four Seasons earlier in the day, where I sat in the lobby enjoying the cackling women having a meeting over my shoulder while I finished my book, "What I Loved" (not recommended, a bit pretentious) where they ended up meeting a few other seasonaires, Jenelle, Gwen and Amy. Anyway, back to being at the bar watching the Canucks, Gwen and Amy joined us, along with Ads friend from University, Lucy with yet more Brits Lorna and Jamie and a random Kiwi they met in the taxi who I am informed was a bit weird. After the pitchers had been emptied we moved onto Garfinkels for locals night, one of 3 or 4 clubs Whistler has to offer, better than the last we went to although it smelt of balloons inside. Drink, dance (yes, I know) and chat a bit more until people started to depart.

Of course, the only day that it hasn't rained for a week, I am hungover and we are all suffering from a lack of sleep. Today was another wasted day sat in bars, coffee shops and the like. Only 4 weeks to go until the lifts open *sigh*

There's another bunch of photographs from last night I'm about to upload.

Posted by Mark at 7:50 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

October 16, 2005

It's still raining.

Well I make that 5 days of rain now. After a slow start to the day we walked about 10km around the Whistler "Valley Trail" which takes in the most scenic areas of the area, lakes, forests, golf courses etc. Very good to get out of the (cabin fever) apartment and do some excercise. Ad and I hopped in the hot tub after and were joined by about 8 US college students which wasn't totally unpleasant, we're heading out for a few drinks later to try and catch up with them.

The beard has gone. I'll post the final images soon. I also have a few pictures from Saturday night I'll put up, when we hit Whistler in style and knocked back a few white russians.

I'll be heading to Vancouver next Friday, going to a couple of shows during the week and then heading over to Victoria the Friday afterwards.

Posted by Mark at 7:37 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

October 14, 2005

More beards...

There really is nothing to do in Whistler, I've seen more rain than I've seen in my entire life and aside from the odd game of shithead we are trying to waste time on the net. I'm heading back to Vancouver on Thursday or Friday next week.

Here's the beard update for today:

Posted by Mark at 5:14 PM | TrackBack

October 13, 2005

Beard update, day 11.

If you couldn't already tell I have a semi-permanent net connection now. Here's the promised beard update:

Posted by Mark at 12:32 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

October 12, 2005

Whistling

Waking up with what felt like a "Stella Hangover" wasn't the best start to what was going to be a horrible trawl from Vancouver to Whistler, and of course the weather had turned typically wet. Sweating my way to the station I met up with Adam, Mark and Izzy who made the actual 3 hour bus trip pass without much boredom, the weather remained awful and spoilt what could have been incredible views across the ocean.

I'd booked into the only hostel near the village, the aptly named "Shoe String Lodge" although the Lodge part literally comes from the fact it's a building made of wood and not quite as idyllic you'd imagine. The 4 of us grabbed the same room giving the slight relief that I'd not have another episode with a fat guy, unless Ad slept below me.

The next 4 days have pretty much passed in routine, worringly. Consisting of going to the Whistler Turkey Fair, a huge past season ski and snowboard sale and us buying various necessary ski equipment, spending hours in a warm coffee shop, making the same stupid puns and jokes about various locations in the village and slumming in the hostel playing poker and watching (previously on...) Veronica Mars. The one highlight would be watching a movie called "Descent", a Canadian cinema offering that from the appearance of the formidable Luke Perry should have warned us of its quality.

Unfortunately it looks like we were premature in our adventure up to the mountain, although many others are here trying to do the same thing, the "summer" season isn't over yet and a lot of the rental property isn't yet available.

We managed to find a property for 5 weeks right in the village (above Starbucks, oh god) and it's a perfect, if somewhat small, location to find somewhere more permanent AND IT HAS A HOT TUB. I'll be heading back to Vancouver in a few days probably to meet up with Angela and pop over to Victoria before the season kicks in and the lifts open around early November.

I've uploaded a few pictures of drunken escapades, hit the link at the top.

Posted by Mark at 5:07 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

October 11, 2005

Beard watch

Proper update coming soon, I am keeping offline diary entries, I just don't have my laptop with me.

Top stories:
I have a short-term apartment sorted shared with 3 guys I met in Vancouver.
I am growing a beard.

More soon.

Posted by Mark at 1:21 PM | TrackBack