All Things Vee

Chapter 6: Royalty

noreply@blogger.com (Savannah) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:09:00 +0000

Hello Everyone.

I know it may seem like I have fallen off the face of the earth. But here I am. We are in the middle of competition now and the days are long and extremely busy. Today, I actually managed to wrap things up early and walked in my door at 4. I sat down on my bed, laptop on my lap ready to get busy writing, only to get woken up 4 hours later by my roommates who found me curled up amongst my cell phones and laptop, sound asleep.

I had massive food poisoning of some sort the night before and was throwing up for hours. It was one of those where you don't know whether to sit or kneel...graphic I know.....horrendous. I finally called an emergency nurse hotline and spoke to one of the nurses on call. She informed me that given my symptoms, if I was unable to keep any fluids down within the next half hour, that I should head to the ER. Luckily I managed to keep down a couple sips of water and fell asleep. I struggled through the next day and have to say I am feeling much much better now. I don't know how these people do it, averaging 2-3 hours of sleep a night. I simply can't, and quite frankly don't want to do it.

We have one more day of competition tomorrow, and then we have a dark day which means...DAY OFF. Oh, I can hardly wait. I have it all planned out: I'm going to sleep in until at least 7 (hehehe) and then have a nice leisurely breakfast followed by a nice long bath. I have the last pile of paperwork for the attorney to finish on Monday but the timing on everything looks good, and I should return to beautiful sunny CA before too long..

Today was a very special day. We had the King and Queen of Sweden in the lounge as well as their son, the prince . I spoke with Her Majesty herself about the weather and the events. She was very personable, but you could definately feel the air of royalty about her...powerful energy! The King was very nice as well. Very humble and kind people. Their bodyguards had come through the lounge several days prior checking everything out and I spoke with one in particular on several occasions. A very nice gentleman who also trains police dogs. We talked a lot about training and came to realize that we both use the same approach: patience, persistance and positive reward. Awesome!

The Prince of Monaco was also here, as well as many very powerful and impressive figures. It was a spectactular day of competition, with about 5000 spectators. Tomorrow is a killer day because we have two-day run. Today was the Women's Super G and tomorrow is the Men's Combined. I never realized how impressive downhill skiing is, and how dangerous. The track is so slick. It's basically like a skating arena on a mountain side. So when they fall travelling at 100 miles an hour, it's like hitting concrete. I guess that's what makes the victory so sweet.

I miss you all so much and I can't wait to get my ass home and in the saddle!!! Love to you all, and I will write some more monday!!

Love, Verena

Chapter five....The Promotion!

noreply@blogger.com (Savannah) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:19:00 +0000

Good morning my darlings!!!

I"m sitting here in my beautiful palace on the mountain...a few days ago I was told that my accommodations were ready and that If I wanted to move in I could. I hesitated because I had just moved to my little den at the managers place and I didn't want to move again....that is until I happened to run into a girl on the chairlift who's jaw dropped when I told her where they had "put me up"and said, "what the heck are you still doing in the den, that place is amazing"!

Motivated by this I bolted home, packed my bags and started my little journey on foot, suitcase, duffel bag and all, across town towards Legends. A stunning hotel that's right at the base of the mountain where I work. Check in was really smooth and I couldn't help but feel like Princess Diana while I was marveling at the huge fire place, wooden furniture , high ceilings etc in the entrance way. I was on the fifth floor, so I pushed the button to the elevator, which incidentally had the same sound as the elevator in PRETTY WOMAN, (I would know this since I've watched it a million times)... I reminisced about that for a moment and thought well maybe there will be an alpine man waiting for me in my room too....:) Richard Gere would also be OK!!!

I swiped the key to my room and swung the door open... I could not believe my eyes. I had landed in Heaven ...Picture this...two bedrooms, one being the master suite with a fluffy king size bed, floor to ceiling windows overlooking the mountains, a closet with wooden coat hangers. Like the ones you can find at IKEA, and that I have at home....but something told me these were not from there. The quality was just too great. I sat and marveled at this for a moment before moving on to the huge bathroom complete with shower and a HUGE bathtub that one could easily swim laps in. A giant mirror that 's encased in beautiful wood framing. First come first serve right? I knew this would me My room and I was gonna live it up... I jumped on the bed like a 5 year old and giggled at my luck!!

The living room and kitchen are also beautiful with it's couches and fireplace and balcony. As well as the second bedroom with it's own beautiful bathroom...plus I have a huge washer and dryer.... Everything is made from wood and thoughtfully laid out. It is on the top floor of the hotel where all the penthouse style suites are. This is like a $1000 a night suite. If not more. If that wasn't enough, the front desk girl had also told me about the 2nd floor....

The second floor contains a gym, Jacuzzi, pool room, swimming pool , media room where they play movies every night, and a gorgeous living room in front of a big fireplace where you can hang out if you like. My precious little swipe card gives me access to all of these amenities! I could have jumped the counter and hugged her when I found out about the gym. I have worked out there every day since!!! :) I am in VEE heaven now.

So as for now I am still alone up here in my sweet Palace. Apparently I am getting some room mates. It's fair to say that out of all the staff housing . I have landed in the most pristine , and the nicest one of them all..... looks like the parties will be at my place. Even the managers could not believe it!!!! Suddenly I wasn't missing my little den as much!!!

It gets better.

There had been rumors flying around about my promotion for days! But nobody knew or said anything directly to me. Then a few days ago one of the big managers pulled me aside and told me that they would probably be moving me soon. I put up a fight and told her that I really didn't think I could leave my people at NBC. They have become like family, and I really loved being there..etc....A huge smile crossed her face as she said...' I know they love you, but you are strong, and I need you elsewhere. "! Of course I didn't say much else and told her I would do only my best for her, wherever she would put me.

Yesterday was the big day.... The confirmation came at 11 AM as I was heading off to the chairlift for my 12:00 shift. I AM BEING PROMOTED TO MANAGER OF THE OLYMPIC LOUNGE... this lounge is the most prestigious on the mountain. It is a beautiful glass lounge that sits right at the finish line for all the skiers, and it's where the Olympic families, the athletes with their entourages and everybody who's anybody will be.

I tried not to choke on the cookie I was chewing on as she muttered these few but precious words. "Training starts on the 12th Vee, and the lounge opens the 13th.....!" PHEW!!! I thought. At least I have some time to get myself together for this!!! :) As a matter a fact, I really thought I had like a week....think again...two days and counting. But what's there to worry about. With my years of managerial experience and elite lounge expertise. Who needs training...

That night the emails went out that everyone was to be at the security gate by 8 AM to meet their manager (ME!!!) and for training to commence. I pass this lounge each night after I finish my shift and I always get goose bumps. It sits right under the Olympic rings, and there's a huge TV that they have set into the trees where all the spectators and the world can watch the skiers make their decent... I will be right in the middle of it! where history will be made! The entire world will see this location....and I will be busy, probably up to my eyeballs in paperwork and food and drinks and celebrities!!!!!

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!
I can do this! a manual might be good at this point!!!

Security is ridiculous now after the sweep. There is a policeman every 30 feet. no corner is unguarded. They are all really nice. Flown in from all over the country. Nice gig huh!!!

anyhoo. I just looked at the time and I have to run!!!! this is the last of my leisurely mornings and I want to get in one workout before climbing the mountain. The funny stuff will come later. I have so much to tell all of you....

love to all....
Verena

Chapter Four: Whistler Chronicles

noreply@blogger.com (Savannah) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:46:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Last night, I finished my nice ten hour day and was rushing home in anticipation of my suitcase arriving next door to where I have been staying. Kolly had dropped it off at YVR and so I had to be there to pick it up ..They were supposed to be arriving at 6, and I arrived at the house at 5:15. I chatted with the girls and then set off at 5:30 to wait for the half hour just in case he might show up early...no sooner had I arrived, I see the bus turn the corner and voila, I was reunited with my stuff....wow...talk about perfect timing...do you see a theme here....my timing for things is just amazing up here...like torch girl, unsticking myself from the chairlift, scoring the NBC gig.....:)and yes speaking of timing..., I will respond to the half halt Angie...I loved what you wrote..

Then I was off again...suitcase and bags in hand I trudged off to my next destination which was the managers duplex. They were kind enough to offer me a den they had in their place the night we met. and incidentally also the night I was hired....and yes we were all a little tanked, but I still took them up on their offer...

I was so excited to have my own room. Couch or not. I wanted it. I unpacked and found my spurs in amongst my stuff...made me insanely homesick... who knows....maybe they'll come in handy I thought...I could sure have used them yesterday if I had worn them....I could have dug them into the snow upon arrival at the top of the mountain to free myself from the chairlift...mmmm...maybe I'll start a trend...

Our chef arrived yesterday from Sidney, Australia, Paul Lennon is his name, and let me tell you he is unbelievably hilarious....Born in Ireland but living in Australia for the past 6 years. He was hired by BTS to cook for NBC...He is like straight out of a movie...super tall, happy smiling face all the time, like he's just downed a pint of Guinness and cracks hysterical Irish jokes...your typical Irish bloke...Upon meeting him I commented on his name...HE SAID JOHN MCCARTNEY AND RINGO HARRISON ARE ON THEIR WAY...HAHAHA. it was early but I just about fell off my chair from laughter...I think the high altitudes limit the oxygen supply to the brain...things are so funny up there...

Monday night is lock down. What that means is that the military and everyone who's anyone are going to sweep the mountain...bomb squad...dogs..you name it....no rock will go unturned....
then from Tuesday on, we have to go through metal detectors and get searched before heading up the mountain.....Security will be crazy....two helicopters were circling most of the day...this sh*# is getting serious now.....

well I better get dolled up....The NBC editing and tech guys are taking me out for a drink...they are hilarious. I'm sure I will have more exciting stuff for you tomorrow!!!

By the enormous response from all of you, I feel compelled to keep writing. Actually I realized something today Writing really keeps me sane. I love it.

love to you all...
Verena

A Little "Piece" of Whistler

noreply@blogger.com (Savannah) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:37:00 +0000

HElloooooo,

Another day has wrapped and I'm back at my usual spot in Blenz. There was all this commotion on the bus on my way over here, and I realized that today the torch was coming through town. I was a little sad at having missed the action, but "Oh well," I thought, "Can't see it all." Then suddenly as I write this, I look up because there's a bunch of people wanting to take a picture with some girl. Then I clue in that she is carrying the torch....well the torch is out, but carrying the stick nonetheless. The girl seems to be meeting her parents for a drink after her exciting 300-meter climb to light the torch. She's being flooded by people who want to take their picture with her and the torch, hahaha ...random. I guess I'm right where I need to be. Now she's arguing with her parents about having to have dinner with them...the crowd has dispersed.....sounds like she wants to split and head for the party...hahahha...I'm busting a gut in the corner.....nice Persian folk it looks like....since the company I work for here is called BTS (behind the scenes) it's only apropriate that I see the raw footage unfolding of torch girl and her family....lol...

They seem to be playing nice now, so I'll focus on my screen again.

So as I was heading to work this morning on the gondola. (Never thought I would mutter those words in the same sentence.) It started snowing thick white flakes. Since I was the first one on the lift today, the seats were still covered in snow and a little frozen. I worried that I might get stuck and what would happen once I reached the top? "Shit!" I thought. "If I get stuck I will just have to ride the lift up and down and up and down until I start to thaw." I laughed it off and told myself not to think crazy, but just to be sure I try to move. Panic starts to rise as I try to wiggle back and forth on the seat and realize the inevitable has occurred: I'm frozen to the damn chairlift. Meanwhile, the snowflakes are getting bigger. I can't see by the time I reach the top it's snowing so hard. Panic is shooting through my veins as I see the gap closing in on my final destination. I almost lose the 6 litres of milk I'm trying to balance in my arms along with my purse, feeling like marshmallow woman in my ski jacket unable to move as I attempt to detach myself. No luck. The finish line arrives and I think,"This is it." I torpedo myself off the chairlift practically into the snowbank. A ripping sound ensues as I fly from the chair. I wanted to make sure I had enough momentum to get me off the damn chair. The milk almost goes flying and I almost do the splits in an attempt to keep my balance. I look up at the lift operator (a tall lanky guy that can't be more then 21), and flash a feeble smile...and then glance back to see if pieces of pants and thong are stuck to the chair. Nope, it seems I am intact. I trudge off down the slope to my station. Phew! At least I made it to my shift on time.

I had a somewhat steady flow of NBCers today: the tech guys are hilarious and have taken a liking to their catering girl. They invited me to their trailers to check out the inner workings of NBC. There is a good stretch of mountain between them and the catering tent (me). There are stairs that have been built to bridge this gap right into the mountain side. 125 steps: "stairway to heaven," we lovingly call it. I always have to listen to their moans when they arrive at my station about this descent and their complaints about the climb that is ahead of them upon finishing their food. "Suck it up!" I always tell them. I would kill to do those stairs a few times a day. Why, oh why do I end up working where I'm surrounded by food? Forget being afraid of sticking to the chairlift; if I'm not careful, I won't fit into one. lol

So during a quick little break I accompany two of them up the stairs. What a beautiful climb. I loved it, but we left poor Rob in the dust. He had to stop halfway to catch his breath. He drives all the camera equipment for NBC...cardio is not his forte.

The trailers were so impressive. There's like this whole world up there that I was not aware of. I took pictures...I can't even describe how awesome it was. Picture this: a million TV screens against one wall with keyboards and a million different coloured cables all leading to different places. Looked like a music recording studio. (Well I guess that's kinda what it is, plus the images of course.) It felt like I had stepped into the hull of some huge submarine...swallowed up by technology...I kept expecting Mavrick and goose man to walk in....(Top Gun)
They said because they will shoot mostly live, they won't have to do much editing but it also raises the performance level...they get like 6 feeds from their own cameras and then they have to also use the 30 other networks that are up here and make a compilation to show to the public as it's happening...Awesome.... I will visit them in LA...I got the personal invite....they are after all in Burbank, a mere 30 minutes from me....

I'm going to wrap this up....I could write ten more pages but I have to get some other work done!!!

I miss you all so very much!!!
Love Verena

Whistler

noreply@blogger.com (Savannah) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:21:00 +0000

Hi All,
So my first day of work is complete. That's right, you heard me. I happened to show up at the right place and the right time last night, after Shawna invited me to a little beer party in the office with all the bigwigs. Compelled by my "enthusiasm and positive energy" ( lol...barf)(as repeated to me by Shawna) they asked if I wanted to start work today. So of course, I had to jump on it.

I started my day taking the gondola up the mountain in the dark at 6am to my post that is on the finish line level. I am in catering for NBC. Even though I am not technically accredited for this prestigious level, they waved me in for the next four days anyway. The day was spent making coffee and small snacks for the many people who work for NBC: camera men on skis, tech support, announcers, anything to do with the network, really. They are a great bunch of people and by the end of the day they were all calling me VEE... "What's up Vee?" "What do you have for us VEE?" Are you going to reuse those muffins and croissants tomorrow Vee????" haha.

Yes, and the view is stunning...right into Creekside village. It was super mild today. In fact, it felt like the mountainside was melting off and there were little waterfalls forming. OK not quite, but you could go outside without a jacket.....and sometimes without a sweater...but that's only when you are hauling ass to the bathrooms in between serving.

It feels so good to be working because at least I feel like I'm being productive, although I wish my shifts did not have a time limit. 8 hours just feels too short. Don't get me wrong: my legs and feet are screaming right now, but I want to keep as busy as possible.

I seem to be adopting this Alpine lifestyle very quickly. I take the bus everywhere throughout the villages, another perk of being an employee. I've never taken public transit in my life. Somehow, I always avoided this when I was younger by either roping family or friends into driving me everywhere, and then of course getting my license at 16 and being independent. I always marveled at people who took the bus etc. And now I must say, I love this whole little public transit situation: no filling up gas tanks, or finding parking, and a lot more walking. I can dig it!!!!

I'm exhausted now that I'm sitting here. Some dinner, and then who knows....

love to all,Verena

Olympic Update Continued

noreply@blogger.com (Savannah) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:11:00 +0000

Hi again,
Yes indeed I am typing on my laptop and have just returned to my little spot at Blenz cafe. I finished my training, which consisted of a lengthy introduction and food safe training. Then a gondola ride up the mountain where some of our posts will be. Our locations change daily, sometimes down at the base of the mountain or partway up at the finish line where we receive the athletes and keep their family and friends comfortable with hot food and beverages. Then there's one more post at the top where the men and woman begin their hopeful gold medal sprint down the mountain. Lots of strict instruction not to ask for autographs and only speak when spoken to. After all , those are tense moments before their descent.

How thrilling! I was frozen solid and am only now beginning to thaw after my $4.25 small hot chocolate, which I gulped down in two swigs.... but it did reach my toes and now I am getting that nice tingling sensation indicating that my blood has indeed started moving again.

I can't get over how gorgeous it is up here. The houses all tucked into the mountain sides, the roofs so covered in snow that it's a wonder they don't cave in under the weight. Every direction you turn there are gondolas that lead up the mountain sides and the slopes lead literally right into the coffee shop......in fact, here comes one now...ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

Then from one slope which lands in Creekside, the eager skiers and snowboarders pile into the bus which will take them back to Whistler village to do it all again. What a life...I had no idea this world existed. It doesn't even feel like Canada. Everywhere I turn there are Brits, Aussies, Germans, Dutch, Russians, Japanese, Chinese, Hungarians, Spanish, a couple Americans and a few locals in the mix. Oh, how I'm soaking up the different languages! It feels strangely like home....even though I do feel like a fish out of water with my little pumas, jeans and no hat or scarf, slipping and sliding in and out of snowbanks. I only packed one outfit since I will be heading to Vancouver again tomorrow.

Shawna, Aarons's sister, is simply a gem. There's a special at the pub tonight: pint of beer and pizza for 10 bucks...count me in.... What a great group of people up here.

Anyway, I will keep this one short: I have to start on my visa stuff.

love, Verena

Olympic Update

noreply@blogger.com (Savannah) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Hi all,
Well here I am, nestled into a comfy loveseat at the local Blenz in the heart of whistler. I just got my accreditation so now I am an official Olympic committee member. Picture ID and all which gives me access to everything including free transportation throughout Vancouver and Whistler for the duration of the Olympic games.

I almost didn't make it yesterday due to a huge delay in LA. Finally after boarding, the pilot comes on and cheerfully tells us that the reason for the delay was that in the wings of the plane there are these little receptors that communicate to each other and this is vital for the plane to be able to land and take off. Well, two of these receptors were not talking so they had to fix it.....but now we were good to go. "Great", I thought to myself, "I'm going to die!." I ordered a beer and thought, "Well, I may as well go out a little happy..." Haha.

The flight was good and smooth and we arrived behind schedule. I hauled ass through the airport and made my second flight where I was placed next to a guy who "let it rip" the whole flight. By the end of the short but smelly flight I was pressed against the window screaming "Air...must have air...!!!!"

Kolly met me and we headed off towards to border to drop off my I-94. We parked at the duty free and I headed into the building: the infamous building that had swallowed me so many times before. "Wait here," I told Kolly, "and if I'm not back in ten minutes, just wait longer." It was like a deserted training death camp in there, unlike the crowded slaughterhouse I was used to. I was called over immediately and incidentally, it was the same officer who had sent me in there on that fateful 29th DEC.

He was very nice and stamped my passport and said "So you're heading north now right?" "Yes," I said with a huge smile. He handed me 'the orange slip and instructed me to hand this to the officer outside. "Almost home free," I thought. The officer outside was a little confused and started firing questions a mile a minute: "Hang on, let me grab you an escort!" "Shit!" I thought. "Here we go again.' I guess he saw that look, of "You're kidding, right? What now?" in my eyes and so he said "You know what? Just go and have a nice night." Don't have to ask me twice; I started booking it across the parking lot and wondered if this was maybe not a good idea, since it did look a little like flight mode, but no rifles were drawn and so I arrived at Kolly's car and off we went: home safe in Canada.

A quick dinner of pasta and we were off again to YVR to catch the bus up to whistler. Phew! Once nestled in the seat heading through downtown, I realized how beautiful Vancouver actually is. I had forgotten. I read my book and soon arrived in Creekside, where I called Shawna from some little diner that I had found to plug in my exhausted phone...turns out it was like 100 feet from her house. She met me outside, we caught up and then hit the couch. "WOW!" I thought. "Here I am."

Yesterday I was overwhelmed with bouts of intense loneliness and sadness at having to leave my life, but this morning I am feeling excited and ready for the adventure to begin. Everyone is soooooo friendly here and it's true what they say: it's one of the most beautiful places on earth!! Like an alpine village somewhere high in the clouds flooded with young, rosy-cheeked, healthy-looking people most of whom have a snowboard attached to their hip and covered in snow. Bright smiles and a haven for partying and fun. Other-worldly. Olympic mania and as it turns out I am in the best venue: the athletes are within reach (rather if I don't feed them , they might not perform to their max. lol. This is a huge responsibility. haha.)

I came across the bobsled team this morning: hilarious and straight out of a movie.

Now I just have to make money and be able to pay my attorney so I can get back to MY Olympic dream. But maybe I will enjoy the ride a bit...

Love you all,
Verena