Slicing and Dicing - My Full Jerry Moment

Oh the highs and lows of this experience are unparalleled. From having a great few days skiing, having an interview and accepting the job, to injuring myself in what is questionably  a "Jerry of the day" moment. For those that are unfamiliar with this term,  "being a Jerry", it equates to doing something pretty stupid whilst skiing/ snowboarding, and I went "Full Jerry", but I'll explain later.

 

Cloud formation over Sunshine Village resort - I'm trying to work out where I am as per usual

In the mean time, I'll describe a few of my goings on. So the weekly Hostel bar crawl was another success, and the hangover cures in town are arguably the biggest I've ever seen. The Canadian's are showing me they are incredibly American in many subtle ways, but what isn't subtle is their breakfast options. To which there are many, including chicken on waffles. Yes that's what I said.. Fried chicken on a waffle. Mind (and waist line) blown. But I stuck to what I've come to rely on as a Bruncheon fav, Eggs Royale (smoked salmon) with Avocado... #SorryNotSorry and yes, you can take the posh boy out of England but... well you know the rest.

Hangiver cure

So how I went Full Jerry?

So it all started on a crisp autumnal Tuesday morning. Dan and I decided to go "shred some pow", yep, that's the equivalent of a normal person going skiing. I was already feeling slightly rough possibly from something we ate the day before, absolutely nothing to do with alcohol but I can't confirm that. We had a few lovely runs and we couldn't believe our luck with how lovely a day it was yet there were hardly anyone on the slopes. Blue sky and not too much wind. Getting onto the snow and a few runs down. I was gaining my confidence, starting to push the turns tighter, messing about hopping over berms and wee jumps. Everything seems to be going great. Stopping off for a water break and I dropped my bag so I could see what it feels like for once not taking it.. this could be where I went wrong. ME LUCKY BAG!!!

But yeah, we met up with friends from the hostel. JB and Nadine, who would come to be those on either side of me on the next chair lift..oh the fateful Wa-Wa chairlift.

So it all happened in about 5 seconds, but as we were coming off it was a bit of a jostle and I remember everyone converging onto a path in front of me. JB wasn't pushing left and Nadine was skiing into my path. I stating saying push left, push left, as I felt Nadine leaning more into me but as my left ski was up against JB's board I had no where to go. Losing my balance, I did the honourable thing and fell on my sword (ski). At first I got up and jokingly mentioned my annoyance at JB, wasn't his fault, for slicing my salopettes. Then when I opened the tear in the trousers, a load of red came out. My first thought was... heh, well I can't feel anything so it's probably not too bad. Well... I was wrong. A little anyway. 

Having pulled up my right leg, the blood started to dribble down somewhat. What happened next is something I've reflected on quite a bit. My reaction and what followed suite. I took control. Whilst being in good spirits, I told people what to do around me. "Someone go get a first aid kit". "You, apply pressure here". "I need to raise my leg". Yes I have had first aid training both since I was a lifeguard as well as being a reservist.. but you always wonder how you might react in situations like this. Posing for photos and making jokes until first responders came. When they arrived. I assisted them by applying the dressings and tying the bandages. Asking if they'd brought me my flat white coffee on their way up. Below are a few images, some you might want to look away, but I'll explain as I go along.

A crate was brought down from the lifty hut and Nadine can be seen applying pressure on the wound. It was only a few minutes before the responders turned up.

Hopping into the Bloodwagon (sledge of shame) I had a great time being ski'd down. These guys are decent skiiers and I have to remember to go get them and the medical team a crate of something.

The short but sweet ride down was actually pretty awesome. The dudes that took me deserve a medal. On entry to the medical centre, thankfully at the bottom of the run, I was met by a very professional crew. I was chatting away and assisted where I could. 

As you can see, it's not a small cut but luckily having recently tuned the skis it's super neat. Literally like a knife through a steak, but I'm the steak. 

I should also probably mention, the chap holding my leg is JB. He also comically fainted flat out and had to be looked after when he watched the doctor inject my cut. Granted that was actually the one bit that was teeth clenchingly painful. 

FYI Dr Butler, who stitched me up, is actually a full time airline pilot who fly's 767s for a day job. Amazingly he's also a fully qualified doctor and on his days off from flying he's on call up the mountain. Legend!

So enough of the gory stuff. What else have I been up to? Well clearly it's one non stop party. Hitting up the hot springs in Banff. Yep, naturally occurring and just the place to go when you can't get your leg wet.. Fun times.

 Hot springs!!

So the saga continues and it's 10 days until I can take my stitches out, to which I'm on antibiotics so no booze and hardly any movement. Whoop, great season. Oh and whilst I have accepted a job up on the mountain, it was offered to me because the other guy had hurt his leg. Yep, so it was a tricky one explaining to my new boss that I might need to delay my start date by a week because I too had hurt my leg! What a plonker. Only I could do something like this.

To work, or not to work...?

What to do, what to do? It's been an interesting week. I've declined job offers and I've received job offers. So I'm currently pondering whether I want to work at all this season. 

In the meantime, I've been having a great time at the hostel, being the oldest one here, but still getting involved in all the antics. 

The hostel hosts a pub crawl every Sunday and last week we had 95 people on it, ending in me looking after one of the workers from the hostel in Mackies at 2am. I vaguely remember mentioning "I'm just here for the Nugs!" when the manager threatened to call the police, shortly followed by a scene out of Team America and me having to clean up a lot of his vomit. Ahhh the things I'll take away from this experience. Anyway, I should also make special mention to spotting some interesting apparel whilst out in the town. The future is now people! You can take your pet anywhere, but it has to be in a "pokeball" themed rucksack, with vision bubble. 

And it's definitely turned from Autumn to Winter here. The first real dump of snow has also occurred and the temperatures rarely rise above -5C. All of which has lead me to finally getting my Season ticket!! 

So yeah, yesterday was my first day on the mountain. I'm incredibly fortunate to have some good people at the Hostel that I've come to spend most of my time with. Such a rich, diverse background and nations - not many and all English speaking (Aussies, Canadians, Brits (can't help it)) but they are hilarious. But importantly this is why I'm here!

So after declining one job that wanted me to live on the mountain, where you can't get back to the town due to the times of the gondola, I'm now apparently sort after from Sunshine. So the ball is in my court for once, which is nice. 

Come Monday I'm going to have a chat with another chap from Sunshine Village and see what his offer is. Until then, lets ski!

Failure to be.. a failure (of sorts)

So it's been a week or so since my last update, apologies for that, I was waiting to write about all the exciting times ahead working for Sunshine Village Ski Resort buuuuut I can't. Or at least yet anyway. 

It's the job I was waiting to hear back from. Well a job still might be on the cards but in a different position. Feeling rather melancholic about it all at the moment. I had an interview but didn't get the job. The interviewer has now passed my details on to another person and they will contact me directly.. but they haven't yet. (Hand plant to head). Mean while another week goes by, not to mention the guys and girls I've made friends with in the Hostel have all either found jobs elsewhere or started at Sunshine. I must admit, I haven't missed the applying for jobs, going through the rigmarole of interviews, getting back a polite but inevitable "shit sandwich". But it's early days and I have to remember why I'm here. 

SO what have I been doing whilst waiting on Sunshine? Well I haven't been completely stagnant. At the start of the week, Chris's friend Emil, Chris's partner Denise and I have actually had an awesome few days hanging out. From finding my love of flannels in Marks (not Spencers). We headed up to the top of Sulphur Mountain, for the first of multiple times. This was hilarious especially the hot cider at the top and the Gondola ride down. Loved it!

So after those guys left, I found myself waiting on the phone call/ email for the interview, prepping for the interview.. and waiting post interview. Because of all this I had time to explore the surrounding area. Not to mention in those few days it dumped a load of the good stuff. Just hiking in the area brings both excitement from the constant fear a bear or cougar is going to jump out and disembowel you, or the breathtaking scenery. It really is stunning and I'm finding myself just staring at the mountains, longing to ski or hike up them.

Post hike, I also bumped into my Aussies room mate Dan and we decided to wax our skis and snowboard. Now at first glance, it looks simple enough. Well it's not. Yes I know it's basically ironing and yes, I can iron. Ohh but how wrong you are!! Especially when it's ironing at -8oC. Your hands are freezing. The wax freezes before it can spread culminating in an interesting finish... but I know how to do it now, and hopefully, it'll save me a fortune. Plus it makes me self sufficient for the season. WIN!!

So what else have I been up to... well there was the one beer that lead to many, which lead to stumbling back at 4am. The right off the next day, and the sprint up a mountain to prove I don't have two day hangovers. 

Yes it was the same Mountain as before, but doing it myself, getting some time to mull things over and really going for it was well worth being incredibly sweaty when I got to the top. 

In addition to the great views, I went up to the Banff Cosmic Ray Station and learned a bit.. but yes.. those views!! 

So today, was quite a poignant one. Being in Canada, 7 hours behind, but seeing all my Army mates on Parade. I made the effort to attend the Remembrance Parade out here. Wearing my Poppy with Pride. Thoughts went out to my mates Maxi and Alfie out in Afghan at the moment, wishing them a safe and successful tour. Another friend, Payney, who has been brilliant all week sharing stories of his family history. All of this I found genuinely moved me. To the point where Spotting the Brits in the Parade left me feeling incredibly proud, and I wished I was marching with them. 

So after the 2 minutes silence and the wreath laying, I went up to them and had a quick chat. These lucky boys and girls get a 2 year posting. Dammit, this is literally what I'm doing but self funded. What a prat! I should also note that what equally made me smile was the quality marching and presentation by our guys. Made the Canadian look "Chip-shop".

So now it's back to reality of hostel life, and a bar crawl awaits with a bunch of 18-24 year olds. Fun times. Can't wait for the hangover. :-(

There and back again - To Banff

It's been a crazy week hence the lack of update. My main goal has been to get my accommodation 
in the mountains squared away for the coming season. To that end I headed to Banff again for a job fair for the largest ski resort in the area - Sunshine Village. This meant driving in Canada for the first time, and a special thanks to my Canadian chum Chris, he leant me his absolute machine.. An old Hyundai that on starting up assaults you visually with warning signs of fault lights, which if anything really gives you a feeling of being happy to be alive.. because you never know when the vehicle might blow up. 
I mean, that married up with the fact I have no idea what the speeds are and driving on the right was pure comedy. But hey, I didn't die!!

Anyways.. I booked a few nights in a hostel. What I didn't realise was the night of my arrival also landed on Halloween. Thus the Slutty pirate costume was coming back out to play!!

On arrival into the room, I was top bunk. A lad looking to be in his early twenties was unpacking on the bunk below mine. I introduced myself with, "you going out tonight? Oh and I'm Ali.." turns out "Lachie" (Aussie bloke and that is his name) was and there were a load of people already pre-drinking. Perfect.. play catch up, get drunk and meet new people. Ended up working surprisingly well. Having met a load of girls and guys alike, most either Aussies, they're everywhere, a German, a Kiwi, and a few Poms. Turned out to be a great night.. possibly a little heavy considering the open day/ interview the following day but that all went swimmingly anyway.

The next day came, having gone to bed after being out til gone 2am and up at 7am. It's at this point that I would like to note I am the old m an in this group. Most of these guys are barely out of Uni or haven't gone. A mixed bag from 18-me..30. So yeah, I was feeling pretty good for myself, considering I out lasted them all and I was up and ready to rock this interview. 

As you can imagine, jobs and especially accommodation are extremely difficult to get so having spent a whole day re-writing my CV and cover letter to try top make myself more employable as a rent boy/ ski bum. It was surprisingly painful to look at all the hard work and various engineering accomplishments and then deleting them from my CV. Especially as I had just emailed back Aberdeen to decline the offer they gave me.. so yeah, I'm committed, or at least until the next Decommissioning project comes in.

Below are some images of Banff, the Moose from the Moose Hotel will definitely be sat on at some point, and the queue ahead of me for the job fair. This was twice as long behind me and I turned up early.

The interview went surprisingly well. The first 28 to sign their names up got an interview that day, for only 8 positions. To which, there were 2 in rentals, and a few more in room attendants.. can't wait to get cleaning... then the interviewer on reading my CV mentions she might actually have a job for me. Outdoor maintenance and handy man.. something more in line with my engineering background.. I'm not going to correct her so I will wait and see. 

So I now wait for a call or an email... the jobs are meant to start on Monday so this could be last minute.. anyway. post interview a group of us from the hostel and I went for beers. On our travels we met this beast of a truck (below). These things are insane. I mean, the image doesn't do it justice but I'm kinda leaning towards needing one myself. HA! A cheeky F-350 Heavy Duty.. just can't get them in the UK. 

Beers led to going out that night and another sore head on waking up meant needing a coffee. At this point I met this cutie. I should also mention that I am honestly loving the fact everyone is super nice. You meet new friends here so easily. Chatting to someone or just having a coffee and then you'll end up going for drinks with them later. This poochkins was being looked after my Jasmine, a Brit who was on her break from the coffee shop, and I ended looking after him for a few minutes. Then everyone starts to stop and asks about the dog. Introducing themselves and all being really lovely and polite. Note to self.. GET A DOG!!! Also as I love dogs but yeah lots of other benefits as well.

After all this, I decided to kill some more time whilst waiting on this notional email, I'm still waiting, so I go for a walk to the nearest water fall come across this incredible massive old hotel, pretty much straight out of the Shining, but looks awesome. 

I must admit, I'm loving this place. The feel, the views and the people. All else fails with the job (after it for the accommodation), I think, I'm just going get a room at the hostel and ski all day but this place will be buzzing. I can sense it!  

Just stunning!!!

After all, this, still no email and I've come back to Calgary for a few days.