adventures in Katieland

2009-01-06T20:41:00.001-08:00

I feel much better. There may be something to these folk remedies...

medical advice

2009-01-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

My trusted medical advisor, Witchdoctor Jose, tells me that my insomnia, jitteriness, apathy and winter blahs are due not to illness but to stress. He says I need to drink.

...update after medication.

The numbers just don't add up

2008-11-17T01:38:00.000-08:00

I'm currently working on an article on two of Moncton's biggest Christmas thingamabobs, Turner's Christmas at the Coliseum and the Santa Clause Parade.

The official Santa Clause Parade website says this is the parade's 41st year. But the cached pages from back in 2006 call it the 34th (or in one case, the 34nd).

The official Turner's website has them beat, though. On it's opening page it refers to the event as the 21st, 20th and 18th annual Turner's Christmas at the Coliseum.

That's right folks: the two largest Xmas events in the Maritimes. If the numbers are accurate, that is.

teeth

2008-10-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon, I was feeling a great deal of empathy towards stroke victims. I tried to put on some lipstick, but only half of my mouth would move, and when I tried to blot it, my lips wouldn't do what I wanted them to do.

Take care of your teeth kids, or you too may one day have lipstick troubles.

I had two cavities filled yesterday.

It's funny how deeply teeth are buried in my psyche. Over the years, I've had a lot of dreams wherein my teeth start to loosen and fall out, causing me to panic. According to the dream interpretation dictionary, that symbolizes a feeling of impotence and lack of control.

Whatever. It's freaky.

I can also usually judge how much I like a guy by how much I obsess about his teeth. If I'm not that into him, but am trying to convince myself I should be, his teeth will begin to mesmerize me. An overly large gap or an overlapping tooth has become a deal-breaker on more than one occasion. On the other hand, I've dated guys who had freaky-deaky teeth and been crazy enough about them that I thought the fangs were just a charming quirk.

Which I suppose gets me to my next point. The dentist told me I should get veneers because my teeth are discoloured and I have a chip in my front tooth.

It's weird, because a few years back I would have agreed, but now, I was just insulted by the suggestion. My teeth are part of what makes me me, damnit. I actually happen to think I have very nice teeth, and they also happen to be the teeth I was born with.

And what about my wisdoms? I have been informed that I have an appointment to get them extracted on Oct. 28. The receptionist at the dental clinic handed me my appointment card as I left. Well, guess what? I don't have any interest in getting them extracted. I don't see the wisdom in it. Ha ha.

Love me, love my teeth.

I am so very, very, very, extremely tired right now...

2008-10-05T20:47:00.001-07:00

But I said a blog every Sunday, didn't I?

My brain is mush right now, so you'll have to settle for a recap of my week, boring as that may sound/be.

Let's see... I missed two days of work because I flew to Ontario for Ritchie's funeral, so I spent the whole week playing catch up. Instead of working 4-12 at Rogers, I worked 2-12. Add an hour to walk to work every day, and you, in a nut-shell, have what I've been doing lately.

And when not working, I've been on the phone with my employer's competition, Telus, trying to find out why they feel justified in taking $239.85 out of my bank account. For some reason, while they feel justified in taking the money, they don't feel justified in telling me why they did it, because -- get this -- they say I don't have authorization to get that info about my account.

Guess who I plan to spend a great deal of the coming week on the phone with??

I have managed to squeeze some fun in... On Thursday Neen was gracious enough to join me for an after-work rant at Docs, and on Friday Ryan led me down a path that, while fun, I was still regretting when I went to work at the Silvery Moon Saturday night.

I think I'm getting to old for this sh*t.

Oh, and tonight (Sunday) I also worked at the Silvery Moon.

And that is why I am too tired to write an interesting blog entry tonight.

So there.

I know... I lied.

2008-10-01T21:06:00.000-07:00

Actually, that's not quite true. I did in fact write a blog on Monday, it's just still sitting in my draft box and may remain there for the forseeable future.

Right now, I'm slogging through bills and chores and drudgework and life. I'll be a better blogger soon.

In the meantime, care to pay a bill for me? Or two?

...Or maybe just clean my kitchen?

No, I didn't forget I promised to update my blog every Sunday

2008-09-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

And yes, I know it's Sunday. So here's my post explaining that life has been quite complicated this past week.

A much longer posting will come tomorrow. Promise.

a promise is a promise...

2008-09-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

And I said I would update this blog every Sunday.

So here it is:

I'm tired, and I find the fact that winter is coming very discouraging.

I will try to write something a bit more upbeat sometime this week.

In other news... I find I am not terribly unique:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
4
people with my name in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

mysteries

2008-09-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

One has to wonder what was going through his parent's minds when they looked at their brand new baby boy and chose a name for him.

"Why, he looks just like a ritual form of Japanese suicide," his mother must have thought as she admired his little fingers and toes.

Why else would she have named her son Harry Carey?

No lie. I lived next door to the man for several months. He gave me a freezer full of moose meat and a fair amount of smoked salmon as well.

This is only one of life's many imponderables that I've been contemplating lately.

I've always had the bad habit of reading the last few pages of my book first. I like to know how things are going to turn out before I start to read. No reason to get attached to a character if they're just going to die or skip out halfway through the action.

I call it a 'bad habit' because that's what other people tell me it is. But secretly, I've always kind of wished I could read ahead in life, too. People always tell me that my way of reading spoils the surprise. I always say that a well written book will delight you no matter how many times you read it or how well you know the plot.

But life is not a book plot. It doesn't have a nicely crafted story arc, and as much as I would like to I can't read ahead.

--I have interviewed people who claim to be able to. But then, if you've read my other blog entries you may remember that one of those people thought I was Australian.

So what is next? That's as much of a mystery as what Harry Carey's mother was thinking, I'm afraid.

back to school

2008-09-10T21:13:00.000-07:00

Training at a call centre has proven to be amazingly like going back to school... and I don't mean high school or college. No, training is remarkably similar to my memories of elementary school. We do lots of group projects and make colourful posters with smelly markers.

We also play role playing games.

Which leads me to the subject matter of this blog.

Today, in class, we were learning about asking the client questions in order to determine what their problem is. In order to demonstrate, our instructor announced that she was going to be a patient, and one of my classmates would be a doctor.

My classmate, Jose, was the doctor.

"Hello," he said to my instructor. "What seems to be the problem?"

"Well, I have a rash," she said.

"How long have you had it?" he asked.

"About a week."

"And have you showered in that time?" he asked.

"Um... Yes."

"And do you have a boyfriend?"

Following the extremely enlightening role playing demo, Jose told us a story about how some cream the doctor gave him for a rash caused him to develop a continuous tent problem.

After that, we learned how to read a customer's bill.

A new beginning

2008-09-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

The other day I was mowing the lawn when a neighbour from down the street walked by. He paused, and I stopped the mower so that we could have a chat.

Having dispensed with the questions of where I had been for the past year, he complimented me on my new hairdo.

"I did it for the Relay for Life," I informed him.

"Oh," he said. "I thought it was an indication of a lifestyle choice. I love Ellen, you know."

Yes, that's right. I'm back in home sweet home, aka Riverview.

A week after my last post, I was in Digby, Nova Scotia, visiting with Mom and watching fireworks explode over another harbour.

I've taken a job at Rogers for the time-being. The pay is good, as are the benefits. The staff discounts aren't anything to sneeze at either.

In other news, I got an email from the fine gentleman who is currently possession of my second suitcase (I had to leave it in BC due to new Air Canada regulations). He informed me that he had attempted to send said suitcase home to me, but that when he got to the Greyhound station it was closed.

"Why does everything shut down at 5 in this bloody town?" he emailed me. "I even drove out to the dump, only to be greeted by a locked gate."

I am going to give Mr. Q the benefit of the doubt and assume that that final line had nothing to do with my suitcase.

Now I needs must go. I'm waitressing at my home away from home, the Silvery Moon, tonight.

*Also, please note: I will be updating my blog every Sunday for the forseeable future, barring natural disasters and acts of God.*

Welcome to the neighbourhood!

2008-07-31T00:24:00.000-07:00

Watched the fireworks from the balcony of a friend of Kim's. Fireworks, you say? And yet no major holiday in sight, you say? I'm in Vancouver now, I say.
Today was a pretty lazy day. Having said that, it was still a lazy day in which things were accomplished. I'm moving into my new place tomorrow, having found it this morning. Now, to find a job.
Kim had a few friends over for supper tonight. Her friend Aaron brought me a black and white photo of a couch in the back alley, on which he had written 'Welcome to the Nighbourhood.' Aaron is leaving the neighbourhood himself, at least temporarily. He jets off to India to do some filming next week.
Kim took me out to Granville Island yesterday. It was pouring rain, but we had a good time checking out the various art studios and the market.
I'm looking forward to exploring the city more in the coming days.

big city lights

2008-07-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

I remember very little from my last visit to Vancouver, except that Mom wouldn't let me let go of her hand.

Today, though, I'm sitting in the grass in my Cousin Kim's back yard in East Vancouver. A extremly ancient and mangy looking cat keeps trying to climb into my lap, and Mom is nowhere in sight.

Shannon asked me yesterday if my blog had been disconnected for some reason... A not so subtle hint that I should update it, I suspect. And Quinn pointed out to me a while back that now that I no longer work for The Interior News I can go back to writing whatever I want in my blog, without censoring it for work/community consumption.

So, yes. I'm back on my blog. And yes, I have left The Interior News and Smithers.

Where to next? That's what I'm in Vancouver deciding right now. I'm contemplating staying here for a while. I have family here, and friends. Plus, I found a job posting yesterday for a circus performer, which seems like it would be a nice change of pace.

Right now I'm just enjoying the fact that it's July, the sun is out, and I don't have to wear a jacket. In fact, I'm getting a tan.

My 100th post!

2008-05-27T00:02:00.000-07:00

Carebears are not the same bears they were in my youth, and My Little Ponies now have magnets in their heels. ...I'm not sure I like this new world order.

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted.

2008-04-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

The psychic I interviewed today thought I was Australian. Maybe it's a sign. I did talk to Robyn last night about taking a jaunt to Surfer's Paradise last night...

A post for all the people who say I never post anymore

2008-04-01T22:50:00.000-07:00

My new room is a disaster area. I switched rooms in order, in part, to escape the disaster that was my previous room. But then I spilt water on my bed, tripped over my dvd player and had it fly across my room and knocked a plant over, breaking its stem and adding dirt to the water on my bed. Oh, I also bought a bird, whose idea of amusement is throwing seeds out of his cage and onto my desk.

On the plus side, this room is sunnier and the window closes all the way which means it's warmer without costing me an arm and a leg in hydro.

In other news, I have grave concerns about the sunflower seedling I gave Quinn. I may be a poor mother to my plants in that I knock them over and also let my bird eat them, but at least I water them.

And now I must go to bed because tomorrow is coming up fast.

2008-02-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

I met a bunch of my new neighbours this morning.

Quinn had lent me his jeep for the day, but when I went out to start it this morning the battery was dead. This was not actually a surprise. The battery is often dead. And let's face it — it's a friggin cold day out there today.

Anyhow, some nice man named Dave was standing out on his second floor balcony, smoking. He called down and offered to boost the jeep. First, though, we needed to push it out of the parking space so he could access it. Luckily, some girls on the third floor looked out their window and observed our struggles. Alana and Jessica came down and helped us push it out.

Dave then boosted the jeep using his shiny black jeep. I'm guessing HIS jeep cost more than $900 and starts just fine on cold mornings.

...By the way, thanks for lending me the jeep, Quinn. I really didn't want to walk to work this morning. And it's a very nice jeep. Really.

2008-02-01T17:17:00.000-08:00

I'm filling out a bunch of paperwork, right now. I've been gainfully employed by the same company for three months, now — yeehaw! Anyhow, as such I now qualify for benefits. being employed by Black Press for three months also, of course, means I've been residing in B.C. for three months now, which means I have to switch over my medicare and my drivers lisence. It is all very confusing, and a huge pain in the patooey: for example: all the forms ask me how long I've been in B.C. They then ask, "Is this a permanent move?" How am I supposed to answer that? I've been checking yes, but feeling mildly guilty about it, since permanent, to me, suggests forever, and all I can really guarantee is the upcoming year.

And get this! All you non-B.C. residents will be shocked and horrified by this, I know. I now have to enroll in the B.C. Medical Services Plan. It's mandatory, as a resident of the province. And, I get CHARGED for it. What the hell? Isn't the whole point of being a Canadian that I get free, basic medical coverage? Isn't this why I pay taxes?

In other news, I've found a place of my own to live — an advancement I am very excited about. It's like I'm becoming a real adult or something. ...Or something, likely. Anyhow, I am now the proud renter of a spacious two bedroom apartment. Right now, that apartment's sole piece of furniture is a bed, but I'm sure that'll change. A TV is soon to be added, as well. Of course, I don't have internet, as of yet, so it may be a while before you see me online again.

I'm still alive

2008-01-22T22:41:00.000-08:00

...just almost completely drained of my urge to write in this blog, due to work-obligated writing, including a column that (I hesitate to admit it) bears the same name as this blog. God, if only I could go back in time and name this thing something other than 'Adventures in Katieland.'

Life's pretty good, all in all. The days are too short, though.

...And now to end this in true journalistic style (as I learned earlier this week):

-30-

art

2007-12-13T16:03:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking for a while that I need to get back into my artwork, and I'm pretty sure the time to do it is now. Or at least, now, as in during the time I have off from work during Christmas. I was looking at some pictures I took today of a girl, Lisa Conway, and there's one I really like of her standing in this nook of a building, all huddled up in her coat, looking off at something outside of the frame. It's not necessarily a newspaper shot, but it is a shot I could work with in charcoal. There's another one, a profile shot I took at the recent Red Hat Ladies tea, that I had similar thoughts about.

boo! It's almost Christmas

2007-12-12T14:08:00.000-08:00

You will be happy to hear I have had no new spaghetti issues in the past six days.

I did, however, turn around yesterday and discover that Christmas had snuck up on me. Thirteen days from now it will be Christmas Day. Oy. Maybe it's time I sent all those Christmas cards, eh?

I think I may have made a record in photography sales. At the Interior News, we make $8 whenever someone comes into the paper and buys one of our photos. I sold 12 the other day! I wish I could say it was my amazing photography skills, but I'm pretty sure it mostly came down to luck. I did an 'Our Town' profile on a woman with Down syndrome here in Smithers, and her mother bought the photos I took to send to the relatives for Christmas.

Speaking of 'Our Town' profiles... The things are a major pain in the patooie. I have to do one a week. The paper has been running this feature, and a virtually identical one called 'Our Sports Town' in the paper every week for the past two years. You do the math... How many more interesting people can there be in the Bulkley Valley for me to interview?

I did get a refreshing break from it this week. This week, I interviewed Mrs. Claus about Santa's high blood pressure and her fondness for Tim Rice Lib Tech snowboards. It was an entirely factual and accurate piece, I assure you. I got her number off a friend of a friend and phoned her up in Santa's workshop on the North Pole.

spaghetti

2007-12-06T18:04:00.000-08:00

I just had a meal of cold spaghetti.

It didn't start out cold. Oh, no. That happened when I inadvertently dumped the whole load of spaghetti down the sink when I was trying to drain the water.

Now some of you may be saying, "Katie, this happens EVERY time you try to drain spaghetti using a pot lid."

Well, aren't you smart?

Actually, when the spaghetti all fell in the sink, it was still hot. I discovered this when I tried to use my fingers to scoop it back into the pot. It got cold when I ran cold water into it to clean it off.

In other news, I watched a most excellent movie the other night. I really must recommend it, as I suspect most of you have never seen it. It's a New Zealand flick called Black Sheep, or La Nuit de Moutons. It involves man-eating were-sheep. Need I say more?

Must sign off now, as I need to go back to the office and call a man about suicides among aboriginal teenagers.

2007-11-29T18:00:00.000-08:00

If someone were to do a graph, and track my ratio of posts to having a life -- and anyone who would do that would be suffering from even less of a life than I myself am -- I suspect the graph would go like this: active social life, little to no posts. No life, posts every day.

Hmmm... What does that say about my current situation?

Having said that, I'm fairly content with how my life is unfolding at the moment. I seem to be kind of floating along right now, not making any waves. At the point when cruise control become overwhelmingly tedious, I guess I'll have to grab hold of the reins. Wow... Within two sentences, I managed to compare my life to a boat, a car and a horse. It's a wonder anything I write for the paper makes sense.

I managed to get sick last week, so I didn't accomplish all my goals for the week. Having said that, I do think I improved the quality of photographs I was submitting to the paper significantly.

Hmmm... Not much else to say, really. I had some very interesting and witty comments thought up, but I forgot them somewhere along the way. No doubt as soon as I post this blog I'll remember what they were.

Here goes... I leave the witty comment, a la Katie, up to you today.

a web link

2007-11-27T19:12:00.000-08:00

Ashley sent me this link last night.

www.freerice.com

Basically, it's a vocabulary test. For every word you get right, 10 grains of rice get donated to someone in a third world country. I keep getting up to 150 grains of rice, and then my vocabulary seems to fly out the window, alas.

Sometimes my life is so exciting it's scary!

...stupid dogs...

2007-11-24T19:19:00.000-08:00

Well, the little ankle biters were standing at the door staring at me, so I figured I'd take them out back to their kennel. I've done it before. They all just kind of dart around my ankles and run into the kennel.

Anyhow, one of them. The one whose name may or not be Mia, or Chia, or something like that -- the black and white one -- took off.

The woman I'm staying with often complains about Mia/Chia/black and white dog, but still, in spite of having said, "I wouldn't mind if she just lost herself," I didn't figure she'd be that pleased to find her gone.

So.

I brought the other two back in, and proceded to holler "hey puppy!" for the black and white one to no avail. Finally, I went back inside figuring she's small and has very little hair, so sooner or later she'll get tired of the snow and cold and come home... Hopefully, before her owner does!

On about my fifth trip to the door, sure enough, there she was on the porch shivering and waiting to come in. I opened the door for her, and what's-his-name, the youngest one (Chi Chi, maybe?) took off through the opening. Dammit. Again, who knows where he's gone. Back to hollering "hey puppy!"

...oh, the last dog just came home, so I guess this blog rant is over.

Life in Smithers, take 2

2007-11-19T21:26:00.000-08:00

Well, today I just put my third paper to bed. It's hard to believe I've been working at the paper for three weeks now... That means I've been in Smithers for almost a month! Still feels like just yesterday Thom was picking me up at the bus stop and I was hearing smart alecky comments about my lovely Simon Chang coat.

This week, I very nearly reached my story quota... Which means next week I will definitely make, and bypass the quota. Damn straight!

My big problem is pictures, and I don't even know why it's such a big problem. I have an extensive fine arts background, I should be able to snap a good photo, right? Maybe I'm just lazy. Or maybe, I'm just -- as I was once told -- a perfectionist who would rather not do it at all if I can't do it perfectly the first time.

I saw my first moose earlier this week. Actually, this week I saw two! It was very exciting, I assure you. In my time at Banff I saw countless elk, but not one moose. Steve pointed one out, one day while we were on a trail ride, but I was too busy giving my tourist spiel and by the time I looked it was gone, alas.

I am no longer the new reporter at the paper. My position has been supplanted by Mike, whose last name I cannot spell, nor pronounce. He is our new sports reporter and comes to us from Montreal.

Quinn, after a week of dithering (yes, Quinn, I know you read this blog, and yes, I did say dithering) has finally decided he is definitely-probably-almost certainly-yes, for sure leaving town. Which means, since I am taking over his apartment, that when my mother comes at Christmas I will have a place for her to stay!

Some of you might assume Quinn's departure means I will soon be scaling the ranks to senior reporter -- But no, a fellow by the name of Ryan is returning to the paper to take over that position. Ryan seems to be a very nice person, so I will try not to resent him too much.

That's it folks. Nothing more to report.

Oh... I finished knitting the hat. Am not sure I'm satisfied with it. May unravel it and start again.

So... Smithers

2007-11-10T19:42:00.000-08:00

No, I don't hate Smithers.

I've been asked if that was what was meant by the title of my last blog entry there: Change is bad, and now for some change.

But no, Smithers is so far just fine.

It seems like a nice little town.

Housing has been a bit of a problem. Smithers is a mining town in the middle of a boom, so there's not much available out there. In fact, that was what my first article for the paper was about.

Anyhow, right now I'm renting a room from a very nice lady named Joan. Joan has three little, yappy chiuahua-type dogs. She works at the local local hospital and is very mellow in that perma-fried former hippy kind of way. I'm renting this room week by week, and plan to move into my fellow reporter Quinn's place when he vacates it sometime next month.

And with that, on to my job.

Right now, the paper's writing staff consists of myself and Quinn. Next week, a new sports reporter from Montreal starts. I've been told I'm the first reporter to not start on the sports beat, a fact I am thankful for.

Once this new guy starts, the paper will be up to full staff (three). Quinn is planning on leaving us for the bright lights of Vancouver sometime next month, whereupon, I suppose, we will be back down to two --- although Todd, the publisher/editor tells me he has a stack of applications on his desk.

Nothing terribly interesting to relate right now. I'm in the process of knitting a hat, bought with yarn from the store nextdoor to the paper, but that's about it.

Oh, and if you want to check out the paper, here's a link: interior-news.com

Change is Bad... And now for some change (aka Yes, Katie finally updated her blog)

2007-11-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

Do you remember that Hershey’s commercial with the little boy attending school? The first year, he has a beautiful, soft spoken teacher who you just know smells like freshly baked cookies and gives great hugs. The next year, he walks into the classroom that first day and is greeted by a fire breathing old bat---you know the one. You had her as a teacher at some point, for sure. “CHANGE IS BAD,” the commercial says, and then continues with “Hershey’s, unchanged since blah, blah, blah (I’m no go with dates).

Anyhow, I’ve always kind of agreed with that philosophy. Secretly--and sometimes not so secretly--I consider ‘change for the sake of change’ people to be wingnuts and idiots. I subscribe to the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ theory of life.

A few weeks ago I visited my college town of Woodstock, N.B. Imagine my dismay--nay, my horror--to discover that my beloved Riverside Pub was in the midst of a renovation. Gone, I was told, were the tables decorated with laminated beer caps. Gone was the wooden table that I had chipped the paint off of in the shape of a peacock (the owner of said table did not seem to appreciate my artistry). The bar and eating area were now two separate areas: the restaurant now served by bitchy waitresses instead of the bartender whenever he could spare himself from the bar.

“It’s classy,” I was told.

This change made no sense to me. College students frequent the Riverside because of its close proximity to the school--not because of its ‘class.’ They go because on Thursdays, happy hour offers two for one bar shots. It’s the start of a Thursday night that begins with the consumption of as many doubles as is humanly possible in an hour, followed by stumbling home and continuing to drink for the next several hours, followed by stumbling out to the pool hall later that night for more of the same. All of which, of course, in a time honoured tradition, is followed by stumbling into class Friday morning a little green around the gills, if not still drunk.

I ask you: why would they mess with that?

What, you may ask, is the point of this nostalgic monologue on evil elementary school teachers and the alcoholism of college students?

I guess the point of it all is that I’m a bit of a hypocrite. Yes, change is bad. Except, that is, when I’m the one who has decided to make the change.

When last I updated this blog I was living in Banff, Alberta. Since then, I’ve been home to New Brunswick, have visited my family in Ontario, and am now living in Smithers, B.C.

It was time, I guess, for a change

choices.... choices....

2007-08-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

Where do I want to go next? I'm pretty much 95% sure I've had my fill of Banff for a while.

I'm going to go home for a bit, but what after that? I'm thinking New Zealand right now, but I don't really have any concrete plans for there... I'm also thinking Nunavut at some point. Then again, maybe I should give some serious thought for working for a small community paper for a while.

What do you think?

sorry about the long absence...

2007-08-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

But I moved into a new staff accommodation located almost directly beside the stables, and it doesn't have internet. The old digs didn't have internet, either, but they did require me to walk by the internet cafe on the way home from work, and I used to pop in on nights when I wasn't too tired.

Anyhow... Life. Where shall I start?

I was at my very first whipping competition tonight. A bunch of the Warners staff were showing off their whip skills. Trish, an Australian girl who works in the store is quite amazing. She can do all sorts of tricks and twirl and crack two bullwhips at the same time. She and Ronnie, one of the Aussie guys, got in a whip off, which turned into a whip fight. I gather whipping is a competitive sport in certain circles over there.

I also took Chief, my old appaloosa friend, out for a jaunt after work tonight. We rode up through the quarry and down through one of the subdivisions and the Bow River park. It was nice. Usually, I go out with a group and we race through the pathways at breakneck speeds (always keeping an eye out for pedestrians and park wardens, since we really aren't allowed to do that), but tonight Chief and I stuck to a trot for most of it...

Andy, my British photographer, and I broke up. It sucks, and I really hope it's not for good--which no doubt sounds odd, seeing as how I was the one who instigated the breakup.

Anyhow, I went up to Sundance Lodge last weekend. It was beautiful up there. So peaceful. No way in but on foot or by horseback, and no way of communicating with the outside world except by radio. It had been supposed to be a vacation on my weekend off, but at quite literally the last minute Barry, the foreman, told me he needed a second guide to go out to the lodge with a group of guests. I had time to go home and get changed into work clothes and that was it. So, it wasn't the lazy weekend I had hoped/planned for, but it was a lot of fun notheless. We sang around a campfire and made smores and then the next day I learned how to pack a mule.

I took some pictures today. It rained all day, and as the horses were being let out to feed in the evening a rainbow broke across the sky. I'll try to post those pictures sometime soon.

Now, I'm going to go home. I have to be at work in eight hours.

2007-07-07T10:19:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post an entry for quite a while. I compose them in my head while I'm on the trail, and then never have the time to get online after work.

Anyhow, life's pretty good.

Watched the Canada Day fireworks from the barns. The fireworks were being set of in the adjacent field, so the show was spectacular. A bunch of us sat in one of the covered wagons and drank beer til the show started.

Work's good, if hard. I took a couple from Minnesota on a private three-hour ride the other day and got a $40 tip for my troubles. They were very nice--he owned a landscaping company, and she was an events planner. We spent the three hours discussing topics ranging from paintbrush flowers to serial killers.

I'm sure there's a whole lot of other stuff that I could tell you, but I can't think of it right now... But yes, I am alive and well.

the cowgirl life

2007-06-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

First, appologies to my sister... I will try to give you lots to live vicariously through in this post.

I suppose first an anecdote about working with a criminal wouldn't hurt: When I first started working at the barns there was a big, burly guy by the name of John working there. John was a racist loudmouth and generally considered to be a bit of a jerk, but you know, whatever. John was supposedly a rodeo star from Texas, where his parents had a big Quarter Horse ranch.

Anyhow, one day John asks my friend Pam if he can borrow her car to go into Calgary. Pam loans him the car. He does not return that night, nor the next night. Then her credit card is used in Olds, Alberta... THEN she calls the cops. It is at this point that we find out John already has warrants out for his arrest. Oh, and he's from Ontario, not Texas.

For a week or two nothing happens. The cops are looking for John, Pam is looking for John, my boss, Ron, is looking for John, and John's old roommate, who he stiffed for the cable and internet bill is looking for John.

Then, one day, a woman calls from Olds. A fellow named John is dating her daughter. He says he works for Warner Stables, and she wants to know if there is anything she should know about him.

"Yeah, call the cops."

Other than that, life's pretty much settled into a routine. I've developed a hardcore farmer's tan. I work a lot. I party occasionally, although not so often as most of the people I work with. I'm dating a very nice Brit who is a photographer for us down at the corrals (the Fairmont).

Now, I must go do my laundry and pick up an ice cream cake. I have no clean clothes, and it's my friend Tia's birthday tonight.

a surprise day off!

2007-05-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

Apparently the ranch foreman accidentally missed scheduling me for one of my days off, so today I get to merrily stroll about town before going back to those 6 a.m. workdays.

I'm going horseback riding later today with a couple of my co-workers. One of them, Mike, told me to call him when I got up this morning: "But I get up kinda early, Mike." I woke up at 5:30 this morning, woke again at 7:00, and finally called Mike at a little after 8:30, to his great dismay. Hey, he INSISTED. Anyhow, Whitney, Mike and I are going out to who knows where in a while. Sarah, my roommate may come too, if I can get her out of bed.

In the meantime, I think I'll mosy on over to the bakery and maybe the kayaking place as well

my job

2007-05-21T20:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is actually a section of a letter that I just finished writing... But I figured I would post it here just to give you all an idea of what exactly I do every day.

Here's an average day at work:

Work starts at 6:00 a.m. I hitch a ride into work with some of my housemates. We put hay and grain out in the outdoor stalls, and then open the gate to the 'dude horses' pasture. The dude horses pile on out and find themselves a stall and start munching away. While they're busy eating, we go along and put a halter on each horse (they know what's going on and very politely lift up their heads and poke them into the halters). At the same time as they're being haltered up, someone else is going along and setting the horse's saddle on the wall beside him (they're all geldings). Once they're all haltered, we brush them all down: this is a really quick brushing and takes less than a minute per horse---basically, we concentrate on the saddle area and ignore the rest unless he's caked in mud. Then, we saddle them up.

Once the dude horses are saddled, we grab a halter and head over to the guide horse corral. There, Booner, the foreman, assigns each of us our horse for the day. Usually, I wind up with Chief, a big appaloosa. I share Chief with another girl, though, so sometimes she has him and I wind up with another horse... Sometimes that horse is a guide horse, and sometimes it's a dude horse that just got in from a winter in the back country and that they want to test out before they send back to the dude pen.

As soon as I've saddled my horse and made sure he has food, I hop back in the car and head back to staff accom. Usually, it's around 6:45 at this point...

I have to be back at work again at 8:00. Once we roll in again at 8:00, we grab the dude horses and take them over to their pen. Usually, we grab three or four of them at a time, to make things go a bit faster. Once they're in the pen, we take their halters off and bridle them. Then, we do the same for our own horses.

And then, our day begins! Rides start at 9:00 and leave every hour on the hour. From the main stables, we offer every thing from one hour to three hour rides. We also offer half day rides, full day rides, breakfast rides and steak fry rides... Everything up to six day rides, actually.

I'm only doing the one to three hour rides right now, with the occasional steak fry thrown in there. On average, I usually spend between 5 and 7 hours in the saddle, but that'll probably go up in number once the busy season starts. The other day, I came in from a ride and went straight back out on another without my feet ever touching ground.

When I'm not guiding, I'm usually doing barn chores. That involves a lot of shovelling manure (we can't have the paying customers seeing horse poop). I've also helped fix a few fences and have learned how to hook up and drive the draft horses, which means I can now drive the shit wagon over to the manure pile... The joy!

I'm usually out of the stables by around 6:30... 8:30 if I go on the steak fry.

Of course, that's just my day if I'm at the main stables.

Sometimes, I'm stationed over at our other location by the Fairmont. If that happens, my day starts pretty much the same, but I have to be back from breakfast by 7:45, so that we can tie the horses together and guide a string over them over to the 'Spray River Corrals' as it's called. The Corrals are pretty fun... because we don't have a foreman there watching over us and no barn to clean, we tend to spend the time not guiding playing card games or napping. We only offer two trails there, a one hour and a three hour, but both are very cool and involve a lot of river fording and mountain climbing.

Anyhow, that's my summer job for you... I wrote my 'guide test' today, which means I will soon be officially guiding, as opposed to just kind of tagging along on the rides.

Being a cowgirl is hard work.

2007-05-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

I'm really tired. It's taking me twice as long as usual to write this entry, because I keep typing in the wrong letters and having to go back and correct 'em. If I haven't corrected them all... Oops.

I learned how to hitch a draft horse up to a wagon today! I also learned how do drive him. Awesome, eh? I drove the shit wagon all the way over to the giant shit pile.

Tomorrow's my day off, which is excellent. I've been getting up at 6 a.m. every morning and working until 8:30 every night. My muscles are sore and my body is all bruised. My formerly pretty fingernails are disgusting.

All moved in and ready to start work in the morning

2007-05-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

So, tomorrow after I finished writing that blog entry I finished moving in. Then, my new roommate and I decided our room was too small and repacked all our stuff and moved into a HUGE room in the basement of the house across the street.

My new roommate's name is Sarah. She's from Nova Scotia and seems like she'll be a lot of fun.

Sarah and I headed down to Warner Stables at around 5 for 'beer time' with the cowboys/girls. We all sat in a circle by one of the barns and drank Pilsner. Then, we headed back to our new house, where our new housemate, Richard, cooked us spagetti. What an excellent fellow!

After that, Sarah and I headed over to visit with Texas John, one of the Warner crew. He reshaped our cowboy hats for us and showed off all his rodeo trophys, etc... He showed us pictures of his parent's Quarter Horse spread in Texas. Very nice. The three of us went to the Rose and Crown, where nothing at all was happening. I did, however, notice that bartenders are very impressed by cowboys/girls. ...Actually, I noticed the same reaction when Sarah and I went to breakfast at Bruno's today.

Anyhow, looks like it's going to shape up into a fun summer.

Went on a trail ride today. Start work tomorrow.

Moving Day

2007-05-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

I really quite detest moving... even when I am just moving one block over. It is beyond me how I have managed to accumulate such a large amount of useless shit in such a short amount of time. About half an hour ago I was pushing a grocery cart full of my belongings across the street, tripped on the curb and took a header into traffic. I then decided maybe it was time to take a breather from the whole moving thing, so here I am, sitting in the internet cafe.

I start work at Holiday on Horseback on Wednesday. Right now, I'm enjoying my four days of freedom.

I spent the weekend in Calgary visiting with Rokaya and Chris. It was a good time... Friday, Rokaya has a 'girl's night.' We did manicures and pedicures... Girly stuff. I also wound up doing a ton of shopping (well, not really a ton by most people's standards, but considering this is me, the anit-shopper talking, a ton). It's been getting warm, and I have almost no spring/summer clothes here in Alberta. Oops.

Okay. Break time's over. Back to ye olde grinde.

shwa...

2007-05-10T20:48:00.000-07:00

The kitchen is clean. It was a frickin' pigsty when I started cleaning it an hour ago. But now, it shines. And none of the previous mess was mine, thank you muchly... but according to the schedule on the bulletin board, it was my week to clean the kitchen, so... Having said that, I had forgotten how satisfying I find cleaning. It's dirty, you make it clean: presto, you have affected a dramatic change in the world!

I worked the 5:30 a.m. shift today. It was supposed to be 5:45, but Alex asked me to come in early. Yay. I got out of there before 10, though! And tomorrow's my last full time shift at the restaurant!

Sarah, my friend who went to Queen's at the same time as me, but who I didn't meet 'til I came to Banff, and I went hiking today. She's got a car--a nice one, at that--so we drove out to Lake Minnewanka. The sun was out, the air was fresh. I've been missing springtime in the Maritimes, but this was pretty nice, too.

I am actually in a pretty good mood, these days

2007-05-06T15:13:00.000-07:00

Mom tells me that my last few posts have seemed somewhat grouchy/bitter, so I thought I should clarify that point.

Yesterday, I had the day off. I went on a hike of Grotto Canyon with Alec, a guy from my staff accom, his buddy whose name escapes me, and James, a.k.a Prettyboy from the U.K., who used to work with my roomie Jess. Then, in the evening I went out for drinks with John, who my former boss Pam has been after me about since the second day I started working at Snowflake. The drinks wound up streching out over 4 hours, before I had to cut it short and go home (5:45 a.m. work-day today).

And then today, as I just mentioned, I was at the Inns of Banff by 5:45 a.m. Fun, fun. My boss, who was also there, asked me if I was all right: "You look like shit."

Me: "It's 5:45 in the morning."

Why, you may ask, were we there at that time? A group of 120 Japanese schoolkids wanted to eat at 6:00 a.m. It was quite a surreal sight. They marched in by class and found their seats, chanting something as they walked in. Once they found their chairs they sat with their heads bowed until everyone had filed in. Then, the headmaster jerked his hands in the air, and two teachers ran forward in unison to close the doors. He made a brief speach and the kids, again by class, filed up to eat off the buffet.

I was in charge of tea and coffee.

The early morning kind of sucked, but I was also out of there by 10 a.m. Not bad at all.

I served two tables frozen chickens last night.

2007-05-04T20:04:00.000-07:00

Which went over well, not just with them, but with all the surrounding tables who had ordered chicken.

One lady called me over.

"Oh, they weren't raw," I said. "They were just frozen." Apparently frozen, previously cooked chicken is just as bad as raw chicken.

I don't eat at the restaurant much.

work = ugh!

2007-05-02T13:00:00.001-07:00

So, today I came into work a few minutes before my starting time of 6:30. I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT MY START TIME WAS 6:30. The restaurant was dark, but as I approached, I could see figures standing in it. I stepped over a dead bird that was lying in the entryway of the hotel, and entered the restaurant. One of the front desk guys was standing in there, along with a few of the cooks, and a japanese tourist.

"Hey, there's a dead bird..." says I.

"Where the hell have you been?" asks the bellman. "The restaurant is supposed to open for a japanese tour group in five minutes, and nothing been done."

Just to clarify, two servers always come in a half hour before the restaurant opens and get it set up for the day. There's a huge amount of stuff that needs to be done behind the scenes, and never enough time to do it.

Today, however, that didn't happen. Myself an Magda were scheduled to open the restaurant at the same time as a group of 21 japanese tourists were scheduled to dine.

Yay.

I turned on the lights and threw a pot of coffee on. What else could I do? The customers kept coming up and asking me, "Um... Where is the ----?" At which point I would run and get the ketchup, the cream, the bread, the butter, or whatever else hadn't been brought out yet.

Good times.

And then... THEN... We had 100 middle school kids in for lunch. They were having fajitas. And of course they didn't understand the concept of one serving each, or portion sizes, which meant that some kids wound up with four helpings, while others wound up with none. I also wound up with none, which sucked, since the only reason I like working buffet functions is because I get to eat the leftovers.

Good times.

the intransience of Banff...

2007-05-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

My roommate, Jess, has been packing her bags for the past two days. Our room is a mess. Jess is off to Hawaii to catch some sun, and then she's going home to the U.K.

The Aussie's are all packing their bags, too. Frosty flies home tomorrow. Ben flies to a job in Sweden. Chris and Jus are doing a quick tour of North America, and then they head back to Aus.

MJ, who lives in room 4, and has been dating Chris, is moving back to Montreal. Claire, who only just moved into the room beside me is moving back to Ontario next month....

And even the people who are staying here in Banff are moving.

Magda, my super at the restaurant is moving up to the campgrounds on Tunnel Mountain for the summer. It started out as just one person, Remi in maintenance, moving up there. Now half the staff seem to be! I'm kind of envious. It looks like a fun way to spend the summer. If I wasn't moving into the staff accom for the stables, I'd do it! In any case, I'm definitely checking out their bonfire in a few weeks time.

It's a beautiful day in Banff!

2007-04-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

I worked from 6 a.m. until 2:30 at the restaurant today, then went for a walk down by the river. Visited my future place of employment. Now I'm tired and thinking a nap might be nice...

I don't work until 4:30 tomorrow, a fact which is also nice.

The end.

yay, facebook!

2007-04-26T20:13:00.000-07:00

I found Laura Redman today! We went to Queen's together, and rented a apartment together our second year... I lost touch with after I left Kingston. Lost her email address and everything when my icq crashed a few years ago, alas.

The internet is an amazing thing, isn't it?

And now I must go to bed, because I have to be at work at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow... We have four tour groups coming into the restaurant.

My last day at Snowflake was today, by the by! I only have one job now! No more 14 hour days! I feel so FREE!

Oh... I'm thinking about taking a break between the two jobs. Any ideas as to what I should do? My now-former Snowflake manager, Pam, told me to go somewhere sunny. Mom said to go visit the sister in Ontario. Opinions? Suggestions?

the semi-weekly update

2007-04-25T02:10:00.000-07:00

Hello, all!

Well... let's see... what's new with me?

It's three in the morning, and I just got back from a house party at my assistant manager's house. I have to work at nine tomorrow, but I'm trying to sober up a bit first.

The party was a blast, though! ... And still going strong when I left. It was Marie-Josee's going-away party. I'm going to miss her! She's heading back to Montreal to be with her boyfriend.

I attended another going-away party on Sunday. Hannah flew home to England this afternoon. This morning, I was walking with her. She turned to me and said, "You know what I'm going to miss about Canada?" I had been walking and thinking about how beautiful the mountains were... So guess what she's going to miss the most about Canada? Our free refills on soft drinks!

Anyhow... Is anything else new in my life? Hmmm.... I joined Facebook the other day, and have already reconnected with my friend Jen Mitchell, who I lived with at Queen's. Jen is now married and has a kid.

Speaking of Queen's... I met a girl at tonight's party who attended Queen's at the exact same time as me, and who came to Banff at the exact same time as me. She's working as an X-ray technician at the hospital. We even have friends in common. How awesome is that!? Exchanged phone numbers, and will have to hang out sometime.

And now, I must say adeau. Like I said before: I work in less than six hours.

itchy feet

2007-04-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

I think I need to get a haircut. I'm feeling restless. And yes, the two are connected. When I start to feel the need for a change the first thing that goes is my hair. I've been pretty content the last year or so, which is how my hair has managed to grow shoulder length and stay blond.

I start my new job next month. Not a moment too soon, in my opinion. I'm going stir crazy, and it doesn't help that all the friends I've made here in Banff are leaving me. My house mates are heading off to the U.K. and Aus in the next few weeks.

It's time to try something new. I had been considering spending another winter here, but I just don't know anymore. If I do, I need to try something different, job-wise. And if I do, next season I'm definitely putting in more time on the slopes. My skiing hasn't improved a bit since I came to Banff, and that's just SAD.

This morning, while I was at work at Inns, I saw a man unicycle through the parking lot. It brightened my day a bit, and I remembered that learning to unicycle was on a to-do list I made last year. Back when I was at Queen's, there was a fellow who unicycled to class everyday...

This is a dead month for Banff. The ski season is drawing to a close, but the hiking season has yet to begin. The hotels are all empty, and so are the stores. It's no good for business, and no good for tips. I made five dollars the other day, and today, which as a Saturday is traditionally the busiest day of the week for the restaurant, I made twenty dollars It's disgusting. If I didn't live in staff accommodation, and therefore have to work, I would take the next week or so off. As it is, the restaurant can't give me enough hours... The have too many staff, and too few customers.

What all this means, is that I need to book a hair appointment.

A quick note... I actually wrote this last night, but then my internet connection decided to spaz out on me. I didn't wind up booking a hair appointment... Went out with my roomie, Jess, instead, and watched her spend an obscene amount of money on three t-shirts and a pair of shorts. In a bit, I'm heading to the Keg for supper, but first I think I may need a rejuvinating nap.

Still tired, but this time I have an excuse

2007-04-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I hope everyone had a most excellent Easter!

Ryan Hilliard, a friend of mine from my NBCC-Woodstock days came up (or maybe down?) from Edmonton for the long weekend. It was great to see another East-coaster, and it was also wonderful to see a familiar face from home. Ryan slept on the couch at my staff accomodation, which is reason #1 that I am tired: we aren't allowed to have overnight guests, and every time a door opened in the house, I woke up, convinced it was Pam, the building manager coming in for an improptue inspection.

In any case, I managed to beg, borrow and steal some time off from work. We went up to the Banff Centre and saw the new exhibit there. The exhibit, called Beckett, is a series of video installations inspired by Samuel Beckett. There is one entitled 'Clown Torture' that is just trippy. As soon as I saw it, it brought back memories of my old housemate Ed Duncan, who was terrified of clowns. (I miss you, Ed! If by chance you stumble across this blog, send me a line, eh?)

We also went on a long hike out by some lake or another just outside of town. We managed to get hopelessly lost in a marsh of overgrown pussy-willows. At one point, while we were charging through the brush we came across four elk---they very politely ignored us and continued the important business of lolling around and eating the bark off trees. I took a nap on a dock on the lake and wound up with what could be described politely as a healthy glow.

Anyhow, it was awesome to see you, Ryan! Come visit me again soon.

I've also been working lots. Yesterday was one of my lovely 14-hour work days, where I go straight from one job to the other. After work, I went down to the Bear's Den Pub and had a few drinks with Irish Angela, Aussie Ben and Ryan. Fun stuff. We got to see Matt, the bartender, have a fit and chase some teenagers out of the bar after they refused to tip him.

Today, I'm back working at Snowflake. After work tonight I may or may not go over to bartender Matt's place. He's having a barbecue or something for Angela and Ben, who are, alas, leaving town.

TIRED

2007-04-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

I am extremely tired.

So tired, that when Tina and I finished dinner last night, I went straight home and went to bed (at 8:00 p.m.), waking briefly at around midnight to have a conversation with Justin the Aussie and then crawling back into bed again until 8:a.m.

So, I missed saying goodbye to Brady, and yet am still exhausted. Goodbye, Brady! :(

My dreams last night were dominated bye a serial killer in the sewers, a pack of wild dogs, an escalator that went far too fast, a medical check-up and a man who wouldn't stop text-messaging me. Somehow, this made up one, semi-coherent dream.

Now, I must return to work. Au reviour.

Happy April, Fools!

2007-04-01T16:15:00.000-07:00

Got a call today at the restaurant from "Room 123." The gentleman there was looking to order a Jambalaya, and his name, he said, was "Big Load." Uh huh. It was Chris, a.k.a That Weird German Guy Who Works in Maintenance.

Then, the I.T. guy from head office came up to me and very slyly informed me that he had forgotten to bring money for a tip (head office doesn't pay for food---they all have accounts). "I'll bring money in later," he said, "or maybe I can just buy you a drink?" Katie being slow on the uptake sometimes, I didn't clue in to the fact that he was asking me out until after I had already agreed.

Brady, a.k.a Sideways Cap Guy, is leaving town on Tuesday. He's going back to London, Ontario to finish his diploma in Journalism. This means tonight will be a party night, in all likelihood.

Oh, and my friend Ryan Hilliard, from NBCC-Woodstock, might be coming to visit me Easter Weekend! Ryan's living up in Edmonton, right now, and has just acquired wheels.

Anyhow, must go and meet up with my friend Tina for dinner at Carumba's.

My Grandmother

2007-03-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl, I liked to play hairdresser. My 'Granny' was a frequent client, or victim, as the case may be. I remember getting her circular brush hopelessly stuck in her hair---a traumatic experience, to be sure, that is still embedded in my brain (as deeply embedded as that brush was in Granny's hair) almost 20 years later.

Some of my earliest memories centre around my Grandmother's farm. I remember swinging from a tree, my grandmother having brought the swing out and hung it from the tree in honour of my sister's and my visit. I remember lots and lots of kittens, many of them the result of drive-by 'cattings.' I remember going down to the barn to stare at the cows, always an exciting passtime, to be sure.

Pink Flamingos. In the summer, the front yard of Granny's house was always full of lawn ornaments. Whenever I see a pink flamingo I immediately think of her. I think I may get my occasionally garish and tacky tastes from her.

I definitley came by my pack-rat tendancies honestly! When Granny moved into a seniors home, we auctioned off the contents of her house and barn. My favourite item, I think, was the airplane wings: a remenant of my late uncle's teen-aged passion for flying. He had stolen them off an airfield years before, and my grandmother had kept them stashed in her barn every since.

My Grandmother was an amazing cook. When people talk about visits to her farm, they always remember her food. The secret to her amazing food was sugar---and lots of it---a fact that no doubt contributed to her eventual diabetes. She boiled her corn in water liberally flavoured with sugar. Her sticky-buns were to die for. And she never used measuring cups.

Granny had an amazing green-thumb. Her gardens surrounded the house. Roses creapt up the exterior walls---with the occasional fake, plastic flower tucked in amongst the real ones (those pink flamingo tendancies, again). Inside, the house was overtaken with flowers and huge, towering cacti. Her vegetable garden was even more impressive, and ensured that we were never without fresh potatos, strawberries, corn and carrots during our summer visits. When I think of Granny, I usually picture her in the garden.

In later years, a bouquet of flowers was always a surefire way to my grandmother's heart. Her memory wasn't the greatest. My mother would send her a boquet for mother's day, and recieve a phone call every day for a week thanking her for the flowers, as Granny rediscovered them with pleasure every morning.

Granny lived a long life. A full life, too. She is survived by her two daughters, my mother and my Aunt Helen, as well as whole lotta grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Back in Banff!

2007-03-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hello, all!

Yes, that's right, I'm back in Banff again, already.

The trip home was great, excepting the flight, and even that wasn't awful---just long. (Although for some reason the flight back seemed to take waaaay longer).

Shannon Edgett and Danielle surprised me at the airport when I got into Moncton. Thanks, guys! It was awesome to see you, and thanks for the crown, too! (They were celebrating Tiara Day)

It seems like during my six days home I did nothing but socialize---and since the socializing seemed to always centre around going out for breakfast, lunch, or supper, I was continuously stuffed!

The Silvery Moon, my Riverview home away from home, was closed. Peter and Kitty (The owners, and my former bosses) were away on their annual month-long sojourn to Hong Kong. I had been craving their food every since I left home, and I didn't get to eat any of it! The horror! The tragedy!

I did however get to eat at Zen Garden and The Taj Mahal. And of course, even better than eating all the food that I had missed, I got to see many of the people that I have missed! Thanks, Kath, Ashley, Missy, Janine, Julie, Yuriko, Shannon, Danielle, Bonnie, Uncle Al and Sherry, and Mom! It was wonderful to spend time with all of you again. To everyone I didn't see on this trip home, I'm really sorry... Come visit me in Banff!

Missy and Janine's reception was a lot of fun. Mom has a photo of me just standing there staring at Missy's bouquet, which had landed at my feet. What can I say, I have extremely slow reflexes. Katherine, who was standing beside me wound up leaning down and 'catching' it.

Banff, to my surprise didn't change at all while I was gone. In fact, from what I can discern, my housemates spent the entire time I was gone sitting on the couch doing nothing. Well, they must have gotten up at SOME point, because Ben is now sporting a beautiful black eye, and Frosty has shaved and now looks like a 12-year-old.

In much sadder news, my grandmother passed away last night.

flying home tomorrow morning

2007-03-12T21:19:00.001-07:00

I'm at Rokaya and Chris's right now, watching man of the year. Laptop computers and wireless internet are amazing things, aren't they?

I fly home tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m.---or at least I'm supposed to. Calgary seems to be engulfed in some sort of freakish snowstorm.

I went by the Holiday on Horseback headquarters today. I have now officially been hired by them for the summer! The interview process in Banff is truly bizarre. I have applied for, and been hired for three jobs since coming to Banff. I mean, for the Holiday on Horseback job, I went in spoke to Ron, the owner of the company... He sent me down to the stable, where I hung out with the stable manager and some cowboys, drank a can of pop and heard some outrageous tall tales. When I went in to the main office today, Jill, Ron's assistant, told me the stable manager had been very impressed by me and had specifically said they should hire me. So that's it, she pulled out my file, and wrote hired across it in block letters. Presto, I'm a trail guide.

Can't wait to see everyone!

Coming Home!!! (for a visit)

2007-03-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

I have a helluva lot of stuff to get done here in Banff before I can leave tomorrow. I'm going home for Missy and Neen's wedding reception! Yay! I can't wait to see everyone!

Unfortunately, I booked my flight home for the 13th and only then found out that my roommate's birthday is the 13th. I'm sorry, Jess! I'm the worst roommate ever! ...But now if you want to bring someone back to the room, you can, right? lol

I'm working at Snowflake tomorrow, and then I'm busing into Calgary. I'm going to stay overnight with Rokaya. I managed to convince my boss to let me out early, so I'll be able to to take the early-ish bus in... which means we will have a chance to catch up! I haven't managed to see Rokaya since I moved to Banff in December. We keep making plans, and then they fall through.

Well, everyone in Moncton, I will see you sooooooon! Now I must go buy Jess something nice to make her forget what a lousy friend I am.

A new job?

2007-03-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I walked down to the Trail Rider's stables today. I had an interview with Ron, the big boss, on Monday, and he told me to go down to the stables, talk to the stable manager, and check it out.

I spent the last three hours on a wagon drawn by draft horses, watching a bunch of cowboys shovel snow. Also hung out with them for a while in the tack room. I've been told to come by anytime, and that I have a job starting in May, if I want it.

Apparently I'd be working five to six days a week. The things I don't know how to do, such as horseshoeing, and wagon driving I would be taught on the job. They rotate the trail riders, so sometimes you're working at the Fairmont Banff Springs, sometimes you're working at the main stables, and sometimes you're backcountry.

I wouldn't be making as much money as I am now, but on the other hand I think it would be a lot of fun, and a great experience!

I posted this to myspace before....

2007-03-02T21:41:00.001-08:00

I'll repost this at blogspot at some later date, but right now I don't have the time to wait for it to come up again... have to be at work in 20 minutes.

Life in Banff is good. I lost a nail today trying to put my shirt on, but whatever.

I'm thinking about switching jobs for the summer. Not that I don't like the places I work, but hey, there are all sorts of experiences to be had in Banff, right?

Holiday on Horseback is hiring. www.horseback.com I think being a trail rider would be a really cool way to spend the summer, so I think I'll send in my resume.

The Big 3 (the ski resorts of Norquay, Lake Louise, and Sunshine) is advertising for someone to run Media Relations. Looking at the qualifications, I think I actually have all of them. Weird, huh?

And the following job is not for me, but maybe one of my friends might be interested:

Hello everyone,

I apologize for the mass email, however, this is a sure fire way I'll be able to get this information out to as many people as I can in the quickest way possible.

I've been living in Thailand for the past year and a half. While here I've been working with a company by the name of Mediakids. They are a placement company for people who want to travel and teach for a minimum of a 4 month stay in Thailand.
It's a great way to travel and make money, and the salary that they offer, although very little when converted to canadian dollars, provides more than enough for a middle class lifestyle. You'll find it hard to spend all of your salary.

This year the company is searching to fill a quota of 120 teachers to teach in Thai government schools for atleast one term (aprox 4 months). Here are the working packages available, however, if you are interested and none of these suite you, please contact me as we could possibly work something out.

Teachers need to posses a university degree and/or a TEFOL/ TESOL/ CELTA certificate. The company can provide connections in Thailand where you can recieve your TEFOL/ TESOL or CELTA certificate while studying in paradise.

OPTION A:
No university degree, No TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 20,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for TEFOL training or airfare (up to 40,000 baht ( aprox. $1,355.60 CAD))

OPTION B:
University degree and/ or TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 20,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for airfare (up to 40,000 baht ( aprox. $1,355.60 CAD))

OPTION C:
University degree and/or TEFOL (or equivilant)
salary: 25,000 Baht/ month
free accomadation
Mediakids will pay for airfare (up to 20,000 baht (aprox. $678.25 CAD))

All teachers need to be in Thailand by April 29, 2007 where they will recieve a one week training course, and in which accomadation will be provided free of charge.

If you are interested or have any questions please feel free to contact me kevinjesuino@gmail.com.

Please forward this email on to everyone you think would be interested (or just mass email it to everyone on your contact list).

Thank you so much for your help.
Sawatdee-Khrap
-- Kevin Jesuino
Project Activity Organizer
Media Kids Co.
Bangkok, Thailand
www.mediakids-edu.com
Phone: +08-7923-5472

I posted this to myspace before....

2007-03-02T21:41:00.000-08:00

a quick post, cause I'm almost out of minutes at the internet cafe

2007-02-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

I bought my plane ticket home for the wedding! Yayyyy. I'll be home from March 13-19, and I had better see you ALL!

Today was boring, boring, boring at work. The 1 to 10 shift sucks. By 8:00 you are ready to fall asleep. Noone was buying anything, either. Grrr.

Might go out tonight with Jess (my roommate). Not sure. I don't have to work tomorrow, but I've discovered to my dismay that it doesn't really matter whether I'm working early or not---my body is programmed to wake up at 5:00 a.m. Ugh.

Well, have a good 'un, everyone!

....Oh, yeah! I had a dream last night that someone I knew had a book published. Not me, though. I think it was my subconsciousness telling me to get off my duff and write.

Happy Belated Valentines Day, everyone!

2007-02-15T12:53:00.000-08:00

I actually got my computer on the internet for a whole five minutes the other night. Not long enough to actually accomplish anything, but still...

Yesterday at Snowflake I had a couple come in who had just, just gotten married! They met in Mexico two months ago, and have been drunk and in love every since, apparently.

Working two jobs is getting a bit tiring, but the money's good! I think I'm going to give up the Snowflake one in a few months, once my bank account has bounced back a little.

Went out partying Valentine's Day night. It was Brady from the Ski Shop's birthday, so a huge crowd of us hit the clubs. At the gave us all name tags (Jess and I were terribly unoriginal and actually put our names on them---everyone else put things like, Captain Amazing and Mr. Cool on theirs). They also all gave us stickers indicating our relationship status. Each person got a half of a players card, too: if you found the person who had the other half of your card, you both got free drinks, and were entered into a draw for a dinner at one of Banff's nicer restaurants (not the Inns, in other words). I found several guys with the same card, but none who were a perfact match, alas. Then I went to the washroom and lost my card---the new Aussie Ben (not to be confused with the old Aussie Ban) gave me his card, seeing as how his broken and unset arm was hurting and he wanted to go home, but by that time I had given up the quest. Oh, well.

In any case, it was a pretty fun way to spend Valentine's Day.

Chugging along on fumes...

2007-02-08T15:41:00.000-08:00

It's now 4:40 p.m., and I'm taking my break from Snowflake. A lady came into the store earlier and bought a Lishman knit beaver hat, a rex rabbit weave scarf, and a pair of fox-trimmed gloves, all within a ten minute span. "I'll get these, and these, and these." She paid cash, too. $900. She was seriously considering getting her 80-year-old mother a $2500 mink shawl, but decided she would just leave it at the legion, anyways.

Worked the 6 a.m. shift at the restaurant today. When the door opened, we had a lineup twenty deep at the door. Fun stuff.

My friend and fellow waiter, Jason, has apparently injured himself to such an extent that he will not be working for two months. From what I hear he has a black eye, a concussion, and a broken arm. Oh, and today's his birthday! Happy Birthday Jason! I'm guessing he'll be headed back to Montreal. Poor lad :( I hope I get a chance to see him before he leaves.

Tomorrow is Calgary... I'll finally be able to use that Chapters gift card Katherine gave me for Christmas. Yay! I'll also be able to close my T.D. bank account and buy some shoes. Kick ass!

Forgive me for the lack of recent updates...

2007-02-07T18:13:00.000-08:00

But I have very little free time. Oddly enough, I am perfectly content with this arrangement. I like both of my jobs, and when I'm not working I manage to squeeze in a fair to middling social life.

Tomorrow, I'm working both of my jobs. What this means is I will be working from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Money, money, money, right?

The other night, a couple came into the restaurant. Turns out they own the International Guide that is in all the hotels locally. They also seem to be fairly filthy rich. We hit it off quite well, and they left me a glowing comment card, plus an offer of employment as an advertising salesman (yeah, right). I have a faint suspicion they may be trying to set me up with their short, balding, swishy son, though---they sent him into the fur store twice, yesterday.

Went out on a date with a fellow by the name of Carlos, from Toronto, last night. Have run into him a few times since I came here to Banff--he's actually one of the first people I met when I first came here. Anyhow, he came into the fur store yesterday and asked for my number. Seems nice enough.

Friday, I have the day off. Heading up to Calscary for the day.

tired but rich

2007-02-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

I worked until almost midnight last night---then I came back to work for 6 a.m. this morning.

Should have been out of the Wildfire at around 11:00, but the computer systems were down. What this meant was that we were unable to do our cashouts. Our manager told us we'd have to stick around until the system was back up---which took a while because the technician was out partying and was quite unhappy about being called in---but in the meantime, here's the keys to the liquor cabinet, guys. So, we sat around and I whined about having to be back at work in 6 hours and drank a beer. Oh well.

I have tonight off---yay! Am going to supper with a few of my housemates.

Sorry it's been a while...

2007-02-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

My computer has been on the fritz. My new wireless card is picking up signals, but the strongest one lets me connect, but won't let me use the internet (what's the point in connecting, then?) The other signals all let me connect and then immediately drop me, to the delight of Artan, my house supervisor, who sits beside me using his laptop and getting just fine signals, thank you very much.

I'm writing this from the internet cafe, where I have come to pay my overdue online bills, seeing as how I've been trying to pay them off for the past several days from the comfort of my own home to no avail...

ANYHOW.

Banff is still good.

Went to the movies with Jesse last night. Hadn't seen him since New Years Eve. He's heading back home to the land down under in a month.

Went out partying with the housemates Tuesday night. Good times.

And other than that? I've been working a lot. Will post some amusing work anecdotes at a later time. For now, must go pay off that credit card bill so I can buy a plane ticket home for Missy and Janine's big day!

Lake Louise

2007-01-27T20:31:00.000-08:00

Lake Louise was beeeeeautiful, today. The sun was shining and it was only -4 celcius.

I almost didn't make it there, which would have been a shame. Woke up this morning and thought, "Wow, I feel so refreshed and my alarm hasn't even gone of yet!" Then I noticed sun shining through a crack in the curtain... Here's the thing: I get corporate ski passes through my work, but if I don't pick 'em up by 9:00 a.m., I not only lose the pass, I also lose my privledges for three weeks. The sun doesn't rise here until well after eight.

I jumped out of bed, hollering for my roommate. Jess works in the ski shop. She groggily gave me the number for the shop and they agreed to hold onto my tickets for an extra half hour. Thank God.

Went out for coffee with a guy I met on the bus back from Lake Louise. He seemed nice enough---and he bought the coffee, which is rare these days. Richard, from the U.K. Formerly as soldier in Iraq, now a ski instructor at Lake Louise. He wants me to go skiing with him sometime. We'll see.

My nails are in really rough shape.

....

2007-01-26T23:27:00.000-08:00

Today, I worked 11 hours at the Inns of Banff. In between my shifts, I walked to the post office to mail a $5600 fur coat to Everette, Washington, in the States.

It's Aussie Day---a day that seems to revolve heavily around vegemite and meat pies. Oh, and lots and lots of drinking, of course. But then, every day is a drinking day if you're an Aussie.

Tomorrow, I head off to Lake Louise for a day of skiing. My first day off in forever! Yay!

Yes, I'm still alive

2007-01-24T22:50:00.000-08:00

Tonight, while walking home from the movie theatre, I crossed paths with a deer. It was quite calmly walking down Martin Street. We passed within a metre of each other. There were other people on the street also, all going about their business in a kind of 'oh, look, there's yet another deer walking down the street,' way

I have seen more deer on the street since coming here than I have black people... a fact that may sound racist, but is nonetheless true. Tosin, you need to come out here and even up the ratio a bit, man. They're advertising for graphic artists here in Banff!

Went and saw 'Pursuit of Happyness' with my coworker from the fur shop, Tina, from Nova Scotia. What a downer! I mean, yes, in the end Chris Gardner becomes a multi-millionaire, but for most of the movie he just gets repeatedly kicked in the teeth. All I could think was that I was glad I lived in a small town in Canada.

I've put in for some time of in March to come home for Missy and Janine's wedding. Can't wait to see everyone.

Sorry it's been a while since I updated the blog. I've been working split shifts at the Inns, and long days at Snowflake. This means money, money, money, but also means that I am more inclined to sleep when not at work than write blog entries. I have this coming Saturday off, though!

I also now have internet. After a month of waffling, I coughed up the dough for a wireless card. I even sprang for the pricier one. What this means, is that I'm able to pick up wireless signals from the nearby hotels from my bedroom, while everyone else in the house can only pick them up by sitting beside the window in the living room.

this blog entry has no title

2007-01-18T09:32:00.000-08:00

I left the house early for work today, so that I could swing by the tailor's and get a pair of pants hemmed. She doesn't open 'til 11:30! GRrrrrrrr. She's the ONLY tailor/dressmaker in Banff, so I guess she can work whenever she damn well pleases.

Went out Tuesday night with a couple of my housemates (or flatmates, as the Brits say). $1.75 highballs at Melissa's Pub all night long. It is beyond me how I managed to wake up perky and not at all hungover the next day (yesterday).

My manager at Snowflake seems to have decided to set me up with a local. Yesterday, one of her friends came in for a chat. When he left, she rushed over to where I was inventorizing: "Did you think the man who just left was cute?" Me: "Ummmmm....?"

I work 11-8 today at Snowflake, and then tomorrow it's back to breakfasts at the restaurant.

Happy Birthday, Shannon!

2007-01-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

My little sister turns 22, today. How time flys, eh?

The other night, I was out with my (18-year-old) roommate, Jess, and a couple of her friends. I was dancing with one of the guys, and he asked how old I was. "Oh, I'm really old," I said. "What, like 20?" he asked.

I'm having fun with my jobs. Which is a good thing, seeing as I work over 60 hours a week between the two.

Alex, one of my managers at the Inns of Banff asked me the other day if I would be interested in writing for the comany newsletter, so that might be a fun change.

We have a new chef and sous-chef at the Inns. I've been unknowingly serving them for the past several days. They're two youngish guys who previously worked at the 5 star restaurant at the Jasper Fairmont. The chef has a kid in Calgary and wanted to be closer to her. Anyhow, they seem nice.

Anyhow, time to get back to work!

long day working all day long

2007-01-13T16:46:00.000-08:00

This morning when I got a lunch break I ate pancakes. Aussie Ben, the kitchen guy who made them for me wrote my initials in chocolate chips on them. It was my only break of the day, though. I worked non-stop from 7 a.m. to 5:15. Fun, fun.

Should have been a shorter shift than that, but Amanda, who was supposed to come in and open up the Bear's Den Bar so that I could close the restaurant naver showed up, which meant the restaurant had to stay open.

Tomorrow I work at 6:00 a.m., but only for the breakfast shift. Then I'm off until 4:30 p.m. on Monday! This is fantabulous, as Sunday night is Banff's official local's party night, and I'm never able to stay out late because I always work morning shifts. I can't wait!

Happy half-birthday to me!

2007-01-12T10:27:00.000-08:00

Today I am 24 and a half. Ancient, really. The girls I waitress with and I were trying to guess the age of one of the guys who works both maintanance and front desk at the hotel, today. He's 18 and works 60 hours a week.

My jobs are going quite well, I think. I like them both. Which is good, seeing as I am currently working every single day of the week. I'm really happy about next week's schedule. Yes, I work every day of the week, but I have several evenings free, and one morning! This means I can actually attempt to have a social life!

Must sign off now, as I have numerous errands to do this afternoon, before returning to work the evening shift at 4:30. The hotel's supposed to be at 92% capacity tonight... Among other groups, a busload of 80 people are checking into the hotel tonight, and none of them will have eaten... the restaurant may be a tad busy tonight.

my new job

2007-01-10T12:52:00.000-08:00

Today's my second day at Snowflake Furs. It's quite a change from waitressing, I'll say that! Still getting used to it, but I think I'm going to like it. I seem to have a knack for being able to tell what kind of furs something is, which is cool/useful. "Oh, that's rabbit. Oh, that's beaver," I bullshit quite airily to the customers, only to discover afterwards that I was, in fact, right. I've also learned a bunch about the history of various furs, such as sable, which was reserved for Russian royalty, and is still the priciest fur in the world.

The cold seems to be subsiding (fingers crossed). I've still got this sexy, husky voice, though.

Today's going to be a crazy day. I work from 9-6 at Snowflake, and then from 6:30 til whenever at the Inns. In case you're wondering how I'm managing to post this: I'm on my lunch break, thank you very much.

more whining about my cold

2007-01-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

Had to get up at 4:30 this morning in order to be at work and presentable by 6:00. Fun stuff. On the other hand, I was all done work by noon. Can't complain about that!

My nose won't stop dripping. I can, and will, complain about that!

One of my customers today said, "Are you all right, dear?" I was like, oh, great, the customers can tell I'm sick. Bloody marvelous. But apparently she was just concerned about the fact that every time she walks by the restaurant or comes in to eat, I'm there. She was worried I'm working too much.

Running errands, today. Start work at my second job tomorrow.

frickin' colds

2007-01-07T15:12:00.000-08:00

I have a sexy new raspy voice. Am chugging Robitusum and have sucked so many Fisherman's Friends that I can't feel my tongue any longer.

When I'm not working, I'm sleeping, trying to fight this damned thing off.

Went to Norquay with Edward the other day, as planned. We went first thing in the morning---it was quite lovely out, if cold. I met a couple from Plaster Rock, N.B.! They had been in Banff for 30 years. The hills were so icy it was less skiing and more skidding. I'm pretty sure it didn't help my cold any.

Would like to go to a movie tonight, but the movies here never seem to change over. There are only four, and I've seen Night at the Museum and The Holiday, which only leaves The Good Shepard and Rocky. Big whoop.

Think it's a night to stay in and read/watch t.v. Tonight (Sunday) is the big night for locals to go out on the town, but I don't know if I'm up for it.

the joys of roommates

2007-01-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

I now have a roommate. She seems nice enough: a British girl by the name of Jess. Can't say for sure, really, since we've spoken a grand total of twice.

Jess and I are both waitresses for the Banff Lodging Co., but at different restaurants. She seems to work mostly evenings, I work mornings, afternoons and evenings---but especially mornings, lately. What this means is that I get up at 5:30 a.m. for work, while she returns from work at around 2:00 a.m.

Last night, I put my work clothes in my cupboard in the kitchen, so I wouldn't have to stumble around in the darkness of our room trying to find them in the morning. Fun, fun.

An unrelated annecdote: our restaurant does room service. People call for the weirdest things. New Year's Eve, a guy called wanting to order a funnel. Uh huh. Wonder what he wanted that for. I told him the restaurant was clean out of funnels. Today a guy called and wanted to order water. I kind of get that, but still, jeez buddy, if you don't want tap water, open your door and use the vending machine in the hall. Alex, my supervisor, says he once delivered a room service order to a couple of stark naked girls.

Tomorrow, I go to Norquay. Edward, an extremely lazy young Brit who also 'works' (yeah, right) in the restaurant is coming along. Should be fun.

first cold of the New Year! yay

2007-01-03T17:03:00.000-08:00

At some point yesterday I began to notice my throat was getting scratchy. They say pride goeth before a fall, and I've been feeling smug about how healthy I am compared to everyone around me. This morning I woke up with a full blown sore throat: drank some orange juice and enjoyed the sting of it on the way down. Now I'm at that throat-clearing stage that always annoys the hell out of me in other people.

Worked from 7 til 4 today. Work from 6:30 to 4ish tomorrow. Friday is my day off: I hit the slopes of Norquay. I'd told Jesse I would probably go with him to Sunshine on Friday, but the Inns of Banff only had lift passes left for Norquay, so Norquay it is---sorry, Jesse!

Tonight, I've decided to go to a movie. The Holiday, I'm thinking. My co-worker, Ashley, is a manager at the movie theatre when she's not waitressing, and she said she'd hook me up (i.e. get me in for free).

I'm still alive.

2007-01-02T11:36:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

Happy New Year to everyone. Hope you had an excellent time.

I went out New Year's Eve. Wound up at four parties and still managed to be in bed asleep by 1:30. Pretty impressive, eh?

New Year's Day was pretty hellish at the restaurant. I think I was one of the few people on staff who wasn't hungover. I was just tired, seeing as I had to get up at 5:30 to be at work on time. Everything that could go wrong on the breakfast shift seemed to. More than one customer walked out of the restaurant in a huff. I had one guy leave without paying his bill, because he said it was taking too long---which was true, but totally not my fault. The manager was supposed to be in at 10, but when I left at 1, she still hadn't showed. I was back at 6:00 for my second shift of the day, which went quite a bit better. Wound up going out on the town with two of my co-workers, Gabriel and Ashley, after work.

Today's my day off.

I also have Friday off, and I'm thinking I may go skiing. If I call the reservations desk at the Inns of Banff two days in advance I can get a free lift ticket: one of the perks of being staff.

Round Two

2006-12-30T21:55:00.000-08:00

Well, I went home and had a nap. Then I went out ice skating with Dan, which woke me right up for the first time in days. We followed it up with a few games of pool (and no, my pool skillz have not improved... Dan insisted there was some sort of British tradition where if you have seven balls left on the table at the end you have to pull down your pants and run around the table: I told him it was a good thing I wasn't British, then) and a hot chocolate. The hot chocolate may not have been a wise move, because it knocked me right out.

Having said that, you'll note I am not in bed. I'm meeting a couple of people for drinks and then hopefully getting a few hours of shut-eye before work tomorrow. I have this problem where I am a social beast.

SO TIRED

2006-12-30T14:39:00.000-08:00

Well, one thing is for sure: I HATE working split shifts. You all know me... I like my sleep. I value my sleep. I treasure my sleep. Split shifts are hell on sleep.

Let's see... Tomorrow (New Year's Eve) I start work at 6:30 in the morning. Then I have the lunch shift off, only to return for dinner at 5:00. AND THEN I turn around and do the same frickin' shift again New Year's Day.

I would really like to go out New Year's Eve. I'm told it's an amazing time here in Banff. I ran into a waiter I had met a while ago yesterday, and he invited me to a New Year's party. However, if I do that I also will not be getting any sleep whatsoever.

I am so tired right now, and I haven't even been doing any partying. I've been going to bed as soon as I get home from work, and then getting up at 5:30 so I can be at work in time in the morning.

Yay.

And the thing is, I really do like the job. I like the people, I like the environment. I just hate the shifts.

I've decided to say to hell with the Inns of Banff staff accomodation once this week is over. If I'm not in staff accom, I can scale back to part time (i.e. reasonable shifts).

Snowflake Furs also has staff accom, and I'm going to give them a try. We'll see.

I broke my nail

2006-12-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

That's right---one of my BEA-U-TI-FUL long nails snapped today. I blame it on a cardboard box I was trying to open at work.

And how IS work going, Katie?

Why, thank you for asking! It's actually going pretty well. I'm only working the one job right now: as a server at the Inns of Banff. I worked from 7:00 to 12:30 this morning, and have to go back into work for the supper shift at 5:00. The hotel's at a high capacity right now, though, so business is booming.

I also have a job at Snowflake Furs, if I want it. I think I'd like it... the only problem being that right now I am booked solid with continuous double and split shifts at the Inns. And I don't think the situation is going to improve unless/until I get out of staff housing. As a resident of staff housing, I'm required to work at least 30 hours a week for the Inns.

Haven't been doing much socializing, lately.

Most of the people I met at the hostel have dropped off the map. The Irish couple I used to hang out with quite a bit are still in town, I know, but I don't have their contact info. Sam and Jesse are both still in town, so far as I know, but I haven't heard from them since I left the hostel.

Went out for a burger the other night with an English electrician by the name of Dan---my sole social act of the week.

Rokaya and Chris are supposed to come down skiing this weekend, though! I am, of course, working, but I hope I'll get the chance to at least say 'hi' while they're in town.

MY ADDRESS!!!!

2006-12-27T10:33:00.000-08:00

I finally have a mailing address. It's soo exciting!

Katie Cushing
P.O. Box 4938
Banff, Alberta
T1L 1G2

My life seems to be settling down a fair amount. No real excitement, no wild parties. I was talking to Tosin last night... He informs me this means I'm getting old.

It's been snowing nonstop since last night, to the delight of all of Banffs skiers and boarders.

well...

2006-12-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

I had to quit Earl's after just one day. The schedules were NOT matching up. Inns of Banff kept switching my schedule, and since I'm in staff accom I HAVE to be available for their shifts.

Other than that... let's see... Boxing Day sales in Banff are NOT sale.

Wow, I used a lot of CAPS in this post, eh?

Oh, and Night at the Musem is excellent.

Tomorrow I have the day of, since I no longer work at Earl's.

Happy Christmas!

2006-12-25T09:52:00.000-08:00

....that's what the Aussie's say. They look at you weird if you say Merry Christmas.

Anyhow, I'm moved into the staff accomodation. Right now I have the room to myself, and I can't really complain. It's clean, the bed's soft, there's room for all my shit, there's a common room with cable t.v. and it costs $8 a night.

Hung out with some guys on the couch last night and then went to sleep at around midnight.

Today I work at 4:00. Before that I think I'll see if I can track down Jesse. He emailed me earlier this week and said we should go ice skating today... but he doesn't have a phone and I don't think he's been checking his emails the last few days, the bugger.

Anyhoooooo.... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Damn those Irish and their Canadian Beer.

2006-12-24T02:08:00.000-08:00

It is very strange to realize that it is Christmas and I am away from home. Even odder to know that while I am out here surrounded by Rockies my best friends are at home surrounded by one another and presents.

Tomorrow is Chistmas Eve. It's also the day I move into my new place. That's right, I told the Inns of Banff I needed staff accom or I was gone, and presto, they bumped me ahead in the line. (And, yes, I am aware I already said this in the previous post). Apparently two poor young boys are still out in the street because of me and my assertiveness.

Tonight I went out with Shane and Sinead (not Siobane). One of the girls at Shane's restaurant is looking for a roomie. $500 a month, but you have to provide your own furnishings. On the other hand, the place is recently renovated. I'm thinking I should ask for a look-see.

Merry Christmas everyone.

decisions... decisions..

2006-12-23T16:59:00.000-08:00

So, Inns of Banff found me staff accomidation surprisingly fast after I told them I was leaving if they didn't. I move in tomorrow.

Today I did my first shift at Earl's as a hostess. It's a nice place. However. I also have a job offer from the fur store I had mentioned before. And. I've got to work a certain number of hours at Inns of Banff to keep my staff com.

And that's not even counting the possibility of the Canmore job.

The fur store job would start in January. I think I'll hold onto the Earl's one for now and think on the fur one. The thing with Earl's is sure it's nice and all, but two waitressing jobs could be a bit much. Snowflake Furs would be a welcome change, I think. Plus, it also has staff accomidation, and the manager there told me she was going to keep an ear on the ground for a place for me.

Soooooo.... Any opinions?

It feels very odd to realize Christmas Eve is tomorrow. It's my only day off this week, too.

In Canmore

2006-12-22T11:50:00.000-08:00

At the Canmore Public Library. Torn. Think I would enjoy the job at PPP, but I like Banff better as a town. But I could find a place to live here in Camore... which a huge problem in Banff. Oh well, until they make an offer no use in worrying. Work at the Inns of Banff tonight, so need to catch the bus back in a while.

grrrrrr

2006-12-21T11:55:00.000-08:00

I am still unable to access TD Easyweb. ALL I WANT TO FRIGGIN' WELL KNOW IS WHAT MY ACCOUNT BALANCE IS!!

In other news... I work tonight in the bar downstairs at the Inns of Banff. Then, tomorrow morning I am going to bus into Canmore for an interview about a job as a Recruitment Specialist with People Postitive Placements (PPP).

I'm not entirely sure I want to move to Canmore---I like Banff a lot. BUT---and this is a big but---I'm kind of stuck for accomodation here. I haven't mentioned it before in my blog, but the hostel I stay at is all booked up for New Years, as is every other place in town. In fact, they're all over booked! I'm not the only one in this boat---it seems like half the people I've met out here are in the same situation. Staff accomodation is all full at the place I work, and while I'm on a waiting list I don't see it opening up any time soon. If I can't find anywhere to stay I'm going to have to tell my places of employment I can't work from the 27th through the 1st and head back to Calgary for those days.

The guy at the computer station beside me won't stop sniffling. It's driving me up the wall, so I'm going to sign off now.

lazy kt

2006-12-20T16:35:00.000-08:00

First off, to all those people who have been asking me what my address is, I don't have a permanent address right now. If you haven't mailed anything yet, please hold off for a little while.

So, it's been a few days since my last post.

On Monday, I went out and found a second job as a hostess at a very nice restaurant in town, since the waitressing job didn't seem to be giving me many hours. I work Thursday and Friday evenings of this week as a waitress at job #1 and Saturday I spend lunch hour as a hostess at Earl's. Also on Monday, I applied for a job with a job placement firm here in Banff. They were advertising for someone with strong writing skills and a background in sales. I heard back from them today---they want to set up an interview. I think they would be like an actual-factual career type 9-5 thing, which might be kind of good in a way.

On Tuesday, I went to the Banff Hot Springs. An Aussie guy named John I had met here at the hostel tagged along. The springs were great! The water was 39 degrees celcius, but your hair was freezing and turning into ice at the same time. After the springs we sat in the cafe above them and drank beer, ate hotdogs and enjoyed the view. In the evening I hung out with an Irish couple, Sionbane and Shane, one of my roommates, Eve, and John. An unproductive day, to be sure, but excellent all the same.

Today I went skiing with Jesse, who I had met my first night here in the hostel. He's not living in the hostel anymore---found a job as a dishwasher. He hates it, but it offers staff accomodation and leaves his days free to ski. We hit the slopes at 9:00 a.m. and stayed out there until 3:30. Again, not exactly productive, but what can I say? I had a good but exhausting time.

Today's blog comes at you from the Banff Public Library

2006-12-18T09:53:00.000-08:00

Had my first night of work last night. The restaurant was dead, dead, dead. In fact, we closed at 7:00. I choose to look at this as a good sign, however: My first night at the Slivery Moon was dead, and I spent 4 fairly ok (not dead) years there. I understand that several large groups had just checked out of the hotel, hence the deadness.

I don't work there again until Thursday, at which point I'm going to be serving in the bar---I hear the tips are better there.

All good, but since I don't work again until Thursday, I had better find myself another job! Today I am once again pounding the streets looking for work. I think I would prefer to only work at one restaurant, so I might look for something in retail.

I would also love to go skiing sometime this week. We'll see if schedule and money permit it.

I hear there will be jobs opening up in January. Apparently a lot of kids come here over their breaks, lie about how long they'll be here, and then go back to school in Jan.

My friend Jesse the Aussie got a job with accomodation included, the lucky bastard. I ran into last night as he was leaving the hostel, suitcases in hand.

Last night I went out on the town with a group from the hostel. Apparently Sunday nights are a huge party night in Banff. Whodathunkit, eh? I ran into a guy one of the bars who looked vaguely familiar. Turned out he had been one of my roomies when I was staying at Samesun. As soon as he said that, I remembered him: he was the guy who kept running across the room and doing flips into the top bunk bed. Sean, a Kiwi.

For the first time since I moved into Hostelling International I had to share my room last night. I got in at midnight, and they were already asleep. At 8:30 this morning, when I got up, they were still in bed and seemed quite peeved at me for making noise in the room. I need to go back to the hostel and look for my resume, etc... Couldn't find it in the dark this morning (they had closed the curtains).

I hate you, TD Bank!

2006-12-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

Last night while at Rokaya's I tried to access my bank account through EasyWeb. No go: they said my my password was invalid. Well, I was a bit P.O.ed about it, since I wanted to pay off my creditcard bill, but I just wrote it off on the fact that Chris' computer is a piece of crap.

Just now, in Banff, I tried to access my account. No go: my password is invalid. NO IT'S NOT!!! I've been using the same internet password every since I opened the frickin' account. And what gets me, is my card is still working... the internet account just isn't.

Oh well, Banff has no TD banks, anyways. If it wasn't a Sunday I would just walk down the street and change my account this minute.

In other news, I start work tonight.

And, the Banff dollar store sells zip-all for a dollar.

...can't think of a title...

2006-12-16T13:35:00.000-08:00

First, a quick note. On the request of one Katherine Marie Fitch, I have changed my settings so that anyone who may wish to can comment on this blog. So there you go, Kath! One person CAN make a difference. :P

I'm writing this blog from Rokaya's apartment in Calgary. I've come back just for the night, to get my remaining stuff. She cooked pancakes as a late lunch, and it's slowed my thinking just a bit, so forgive my somewhat meandering thoughts. (Although I don't know that it will actually make any discernable difference... My thoughts are always kind of fragmented).

Today on the bus to Calgary one of the windows flew open towards the back. I heard this whistling and felt a cold breeze, followed by the guys back there shouting for the bus driver. The bus driver just kept on driving. The guys kept closing it, only to have it fly open again. This happened about four times, before someone decided since yelling for the bus driver didn't accomplish anything, maybe they would have to actually walk up to the front of the bus and talk to him. The bus driver seemed quite put out, andargued briefly before agreeing to pull the bus over. wtf?

And in another wtf anecdote, last night I was in the hostel pub where a live band was playing. Anyhow, there was this pretty Japanese girl down there, and some guy tried to kiss her. 'She' got all pissed off. Turned out she was a guy and couldn't figure out why anyone would think 'she' wasn't. Well, a) he was very pretty, b) he had long flowing hair, and c) he had on what were quite clearly girls clothes. The japanese guy stormed out, and the other guy was kicked out. However, it was a hot topic of conversation for the remainder of the evening. For the most part, people seemed to be shocked that the guy wasn't a girl. I saw him checking out this morning, still dressed in girl's clothes---however, he did indeed have a very deep voice.

Also, last night a guy and girl from Norway gave me their email addresses and told me to send them a line if I ever wanted/needed a place to crash in Oslo. They were very blond and very nice. Snowboard fanatics, of course.

Banff babe

2006-12-15T14:20:00.000-08:00

I am now officially an employee of the Inns of Banff, working in their something-or-other-grill. Booyah!

I also applied at a very nice fur shop on Banff Ave today. They pay $13 an hour, plus commissions and I didn't see anything in the store under $500. They seemed very interested and told me they would definately be calling me for an interview. Huh. Was it the very nice coat I was wearing or the fact that I rewrote my resume to emphasize my advertising sales background? Well, the restaurant job is mainly evenings... so maybe I could swing both jobs. I need money, but I don't want to burn out. We'll see.

The Inns of Banff have staff accomodation, but it's all full at the moment. I've been put on a waiting list. Til then, the hostel it is... But I kind of like it there, so whatever.

Last night I wound up in a deep philosophical discussion with a guy named Sam from the the UK, a guy named Bridge from Ottawa, and a guy named Jesse from Australia (Jesse I had previously met in the pub the night before). Sam and Bridge have travelled EVERYWHERE.

the job search picks up speed

2006-12-14T15:42:00.000-08:00

Today I wandered around Banff looking for jobs. I have an interview tomorrow with the Banff Lodging Co., which is the parent company of any number of Banff area establishments.

I'm staying at Hostelling International, now. I have to say, it's way nicer than SameSun. The place was renovated recently, I understand. In any case, it has plenty of sitting areas with toasty fireplaces. My room is in a dorm, but by some twist of fate I wound up with it all to myself last night. Hopefully, my luck will hold out again tonight. Even if it doesn't, I have the big double bed. Booyah!

The pub at the hostel held a jam last night. I mosied on down for it. Felt a bit awkward for the first little bit, seeing as I was all by myself, but I sat down on a bench and soon enough I was chatting with the people sitting around me. Let me see... there was a guy from Ireland who was just passing through on his vacation, a girl from France, and (of course) a whole load of Aussie's.

The guy from Ireland said to me, "You know what they say about Aussies, right? They're like dog shit: they get everywhere."

"What'd he just say?" asked Jessie, an Australian, of course.

"You're like dog shit."

"Oh." Then he told me I reminded him of a girl back home named Katie who worked in a coal mine, and offered to buy me a drink.

You will all no doubt be amazed to hear that I did not drink even one alcoholic beverage all night.

Tonight, I was thinking I might catch a movie in Banff. Yes, I am indeed a party animal.

Not sure if I mentioned my ski adventures in my last post... So here goes. I spent a whole lotta money (ouch) and went out to Sunshine. The weather wasn't exactly ideal, and it's been a while since I last skied, so I was a bit nervous. On the gondola up the mountain I sat with two people from Ontario. The girl was vacationing, I gathered, and the guy (who had a degree in Journalism) was working at the Fairmont Banff. He told me it wasn't as much fun as he had thought it would be, that he spent most of his time with guests, who he wasn't allowed to socialize with, and that there were an awful lot of middle-aged philipino ladies woking there. That being said, they're hiring servers for positions starting in January. I may as well at least drop a resume off.

So, right! Skiing: It was windy and snowy. I lost my gloves god only knows where, and wound up having to buy another pair (more money down the drain... ouch). I wiped out once, on my first time down the slope, but only once. At one point I found myself on the top of the mountain unable to see anything, the snow was so heavy. The one thing I COULD see was a sign with a double black diamond. I was like, oh great, now I'm going to die. But the lift guy came out of his little ski hut and pointed out the direction of an intermediate slope. I had to take it on faith, though, since I couldn't see the signs through the snow. Obviously, since I'm writing this I survived the ordeal. It was fun. I'll do it again, definately, but under better weather conditions preferably.

I miss my family and friends.

another post from the Banff bus station

2006-12-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm waiting for the bus to Sunshine Village right now. Going to go down and ski for the day. I'll also take my resume along, just in case.

I spent the night at a bed and breakfast here in Banff: 'At Wits End'. It was just me, and two women who are members of a seniors ski club. One of the women was from Rexton, N.B.! She moved to Calgary when she retired from the Navy. The other woman was from Australia, originally, but also lives in Calgary now. They gave me their phone numbers in case I ever needed anything, and also gave me a ride to the bus stop. The couple who owned the bed and breakfast showed us a video of their son skydiving with his dog. Fun stuff.

I am so frickin' wishy washy! I can't decide what I want to do. Well, I know what I want/need to do: finish my book. But what to do while I'm doing that? If I can find a job in Banff that includes accomodation, I'll stay out here, otherwise I think I'd just find myself deeper and deeper in the hole. I think I'm also going to keep applying at papers, but only if I don't find a place out here... seeing as if I do find a place out here, I'll have to sign a contract. Meanwhile, my savings are rapidly dwindling. The Elvis tin is empty, alas.

blah

2006-12-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

I am tired and cold today. It seems as if the warmer (like in the mild + zone) it gets, the colder I get... Especially when I'm inside.

Tomorrow, I'm going to head back out to Banff. I'll ski there for a few days, and look for a job at the same time. Last time I stayed at a hostel, and it was fun... But I think this time I'll go with a bed and breakfast, at least for the first night in hopes of getting some real, uninterrupted sleep in a real bed.

I had applied for that job Mom mentioned to me, at the Vulcan Advocate. I figured there was a fairly strong chance I'd at least get a call on it, seeing as I was actually quite well qualified. However, today I was looking at the JeffGaulin.com website where it was posted (which said on it that the posting would be taken down as soon as the position was filled) and I noticed that a) the posting was dated mid-October, and b) the person listed as publisher/contact was no longer listed as publisher on the paper's website. So, I called. Sure enough, the position was filled quite a while ago. A bummer, to be sure.

Man, I'm tired. I've finished all my Christmas shopping and should really mail it today, but all I want to do is lie down and sleep.

x-mas shopping and other stuff

2006-12-10T11:05:00.000-08:00

Today is the day I finish all my Christmas shopping so that I can mail it all tomorrow. I swear it!

Went to the mall with Rokaya and her bud Stephanie (another former dancer) yesterday. We did a little bit of shopping and then got distracted by gel nails. I've never had my nails done before. My ragged, chewed-up nails have always been a bit of a point of pride. Rokaya and Steph had never had it done either, and it was hard to say who had the ugliest/shortest nails. So yeah, we all now have long fancy nails. Mine have pretty sparkly flowers on two of the nails, too. I don't think I'll ever get it done again, but it was a good time.

Rokaya and I went out to a night club called Mynt on Friday night. We had a pretty good time. The music was good, and the crowd was mostly around our age... Sometimes the nightclubs back in Moncton make me feel ancient. All the guys seemed to be wearing suits, but I think in part that was because there were a bunch of Christmas parties going on. I didn't drink at all... I've been really watching my sugar intake these past few days and am feeling so much better.

I have a few job applications out right now... In the meantime, I think I'm going to head back up to Banff in the new week and do some skiing.

Fun, fun.

Impressions of Banff

2006-12-08T15:33:00.000-08:00

Got into Banff last night... Am now at the bus stop waiting for the bus to take me back to Calgary. This is not due to a hatred of Banff on my part, but more due to a promise to Rokaya that we could go partying tonight.

I have come to the conclusion that I am just not a city kind of girl. The further from Calgary I got on the bus, the lighter I felt, and I liked the looks of all the smaller towns we passed through. This may explain how I was able to live in Woodstock, New Brunswick for two years and not only have no complaints but miss it horridly upon my departure.

In any case, the mountains are amazing! Every way you turn, you can see them. It's so different from New Brunswick. Calgary is a nice city, but it could be a city anywhere.

All this said, I'm not sure what I'm going to do now. I think I'll be coming back in the Banff direction... There seem to be plenty of jobs around. However--and this is a bit of a sticking poin..........

OK. The computer at the bus terminal timed me out right then. I'm not back at Rokaya's place. It should have been a ten minute walk, but it turned into a 40 minute one, followed by a cab ride, because---and this will surprise no-one who knows me---I got hopelessly lost.

Which brings me to something else I liked about Banff. There were so few streets that even when I did get lost, which of course happened repeatedly, I found myself just as fast.

Another thing that was nice was the trees. I started to notice them as soon as we left Calgary. REAL TREES. Lots of 'em. New Brunswick is almost entirely trees, and it feels very odd to have none around.

Anyhow, yeah. The thing was, in Banff even the retail jobs wanted employees to sign contracts specifying how long they would be around.

I was thinking I might check out Canmore, too.

And Mom sent me a job post about a newspaper opening in Vulcan, Alberta.

Hi again. Week 2 down. Week 3 begins.

2006-12-06T18:39:00.000-08:00

Well, today I had a little bit of a melt-down, but I'm back and feeling a-ok now. Just needed to eat some protein and do some thinking.

I went through with it and quit Ric's. It and I were never that good a match in any case. I like my meat as processed as humanly possible and burnt to a crisp---not rare and straight off the cow.

I've decided to go down to Banff tomorrow morning and stay overnight. I have no intention of actively looking for a job while I'm there, although if I see something and it calls to me, who knows? But everyone has told me about the mountains in Alberta, and in my two weeks here I've yet to see any.

After that we shall see. I think I'm going to stick around Calgary for a while, although I don't know if I'm going to continue in the waitressing vein of things--I have the feeling I may be a little burnt out. I applied for a job as an editor/proofreader for a textbook company today, and I think I'll apply for a few more jobs along the same lines. P.R., etc.

In the meantime, I think maybe I'll look for something, heck, maybe a few somethings, in retail for the Christmas season.

New direction

2006-12-05T16:06:00.000-08:00

I've decided to quit Ric's. It just hasn't been going that well: I find myself dreading going into work. I'm pretty sure they think I'm an incompetant: for one thing, I got sick that first week---a cardinal sin. And secondly, there was a whole section missing from the training notes they gave me, although they seem to think I'm making that up. I ask questions, and get a LOOK, and then the response, 'It was in those papers we gave you, didn't you read them?' Anyone who knows me knows that if there is one thing I am good at, it's reading things thoroughly.

I like some of my coworkers----went out with a bunch of them last night. However, I feel like there's a 100 pound weight hanging precariously over my head. Liking my coworkers isn't enough of a reason to stay.

Tomorrow, I think I may go check out Banff.

Huh.

2006-12-03T18:03:00.000-08:00

You know how I told you that last night (Saturday) was really quite awful? Well, tonight was either better or worse: I can't decide which.

I started work at 6, so I went in a little early. Upon arriving, I was informed I would be working in the back room with Robyn and Jason. We were expecting a large Christmas party of about 40 people. At 6:10 the first of the party arrived. He informed us the party was probably going to only be 20 people, if that. I was sent to get a drink order---on my way back from the bar the manager pulled me aside and told me to go home. Great. So I signed myself out: 15 minutes on the clock. Twenty minute walk there, 20 minute walk back.

Uh huh.

I think I need to find another job.

Last night's horrible, horrible shift

2006-12-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

Went in to work a little early... Shift started at 6:30, I was there at 6:20. Since it was my first real night, Val had only given me one table, which was already seated and working on their appetizers. They proceded to sit there for the next four hours! THEY WOULD NOT MOVE! There was a group that had a reservation for that table for 8:15, but after waiting for half an hour my table still hadn't opened up, and another table had, so away they went. After tip-out (the percentage we put in a pool for the hostesses, dishwashers, etc) I made a little under $23 in tips.

People who are not in the restaurant business do not realize just how much table hogs are hated. Don't you people have homes?? Go talk there! lol

Yesterday, and the beginning of today

2006-12-02T10:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I had two shifts. The first one was kind of a practice shift: a waiter named Jason followed me around to all his tables, but let me do the actual work, while he made corrections, gave advice and took the tips. Jason used to be a manager at restaurant in Montreal, but came out here with his girlfriend.

Then, I went back to the apartment for a few hours rest, discovered the apartment was locked up and I was keyless, so went over to Starbucks and hung out with Rokaya for an hour 'til her shift was done.

At six, I was back at work, this time as a hostess. Basically, I got to dress up in a black skirt for a change and hnag out at the front door with Alana and Leah. Alana is 16 years old, and I believe I've mentioned her in previous posts. Leah just moved here last week from Victoria--she's 23 and seems cool. She recently returned from teaching ESL in Tialand.

Hostessing is far more stressful than most people realize --- I certainly never realized! Last night the restaurant was almost entirely booked up, including the lounge area. So our job was to make sure that nothing got double booked, that everyone got to their seats at the correct times, and also to turn drop-ins away in such a way that they wanted to come back and eat at Ric's. The problem was, tables weren't moving. What that means is this: they had paid their bills, but they thought they could just sit there and chat for another hour or so. Meanwhile, there were parties with reservations waiting to be seated, and we couldn't even send them into the lounge to wait because that was full of reservations, too! To complicate matters, you have waiters with empty tables (just not the right size empty tables) coming up to you bugging you to send customers their way. Oy.

As I was seating one table, later in the evening (a walk-in, as it happened) one of the women in the group asked me if I was french. "No, but I'm from New Brunswick," I replied. Turned out they were, too! I sat them in Rick's section: he's from Cape Bretton.

Rokaya and her friend Kelly went to see the Calgary Flames play, while I worked. They came and visited me after the game, which was kind of cool. Especially cool about it was the fact that I was able to catch a ride back to the apartment with them!

Also cool (well, maybe not so cool for Chris) was the fact that Chris pulled a night shift, so I was able to sleep on his half of the bed last night.

Today I've been bumming around the apartment in my pajamas. I've put a few feelers out for places to rent, and I'm reading Bill Bryson's 'A Short History of Nearly Everything'. I don't have to work until six... At which point I will begin my first REAL shift! (I think)

adventures in Katieland

medical advice

The numbers just don't add up

teeth

I am so very, very, very, extremely tired right now...

I know... I lied.

No, I didn't forget I promised to update my blog every Sunday

a promise is a promise...

mysteries

back to school

A new beginning

Welcome to the neighbourhood!

big city lights

My 100th post!

A post for all the people who say I never post anymore

I'm still alive

art

boo! It's almost Christmas

spaghetti

a web link

...stupid dogs...

Life in Smithers, take 2

So... Smithers

Change is Bad... And now for some change (aka Yes, Katie finally updated her blog)

choices.... choices....

sorry about the long absence...

the cowgirl life

a surprise day off!

my job

Being a cowgirl is hard work.

All moved in and ready to start work in the morning

Moving Day

shwa...

I am actually in a pretty good mood, these days

I served two tables frozen chickens last night.

work = ugh!

the intransience of Banff...

It's a beautiful day in Banff!

yay, facebook!

the semi-weekly update

itchy feet

Still tired, but this time I have an excuse

TIRED

Happy April, Fools!

My Grandmother

Back in Banff!

flying home tomorrow morning

Coming Home!!! (for a visit)

A new job?

I posted this to myspace before....

I posted this to myspace before....

a quick post, cause I'm almost out of minutes at the internet cafe

Happy Belated Valentines Day, everyone!

Chugging along on fumes...

Forgive me for the lack of recent updates...

tired but rich

Sorry it's been a while...

Lake Louise

....

Yes, I'm still alive

this blog entry has no title

Happy Birthday, Shannon!

long day working all day long

Happy half-birthday to me!

my new job

more whining about my cold

frickin' colds

the joys of roommates

first cold of the New Year! *yay*

I'm still alive.

Round Two

SO TIRED

I broke my nail

MY ADDRESS!!!!

well...

Happy Christmas!

Damn those Irish and their Canadian Beer.

decisions... decisions..

In Canmore

grrrrrr

first cold of the New Year! yay