Thursday, July 20, 2006
Coming into Calgary...
I just got some photo's emailed to me from a nice guy who was sitting next to me on the plane flying into Calgary. I was too lazy to get my own camera out and take them myself. The view of the Rockies is beautiful from the plane. Thanks Dennis!!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
More Stampede photo's...Cowboys & Cowgirls
Self Explanitory really!!!!
Apparently these ones are world famous - NOOOO Idea!! 
I am no Cowgirl!!! 
Cute Bums!!!
More Stampede photo's...
Outside The Big Four where my office was located
The Grand Stand Show 
View from the Bud Big Rig 
Cotton Candy Stand 
The Lemonade Stand 
'Achuil' My favourite employee from Sudan (14) CALGARY STAMPEDE
Well, Well, Well.... Stampede has been and gone and it all now seems like a blur!!! I get to Calgary and go to the Stampede and find by boss eventually. I get there and start work that day. Little did i realise that i would be working 4pm to 4am and sometimes longer. I was actually working at the Scheduling desk with the security department. It was my job to work the night shift and schedule in hours for people to work and make sure there was enough staff to secure the park. I worked closely with my Supervisor Tom and together we made night shift happen. I never knew i was capable of working those kind of hours but obviously i can. So with the Stampede being short staffed i worked 12 hours a day along with just about everyone else. My god i feel like i need to sleep for a week!
With the hours that i worked i didn't get to see very much. I thought that i would be walking around the park and seeing lots but no - i was stuck in the security office. But when i did get out i went to see some things. I did get to see 2 days of the rodeo. I went to the last 2 days so i got to see the best of the best. I got some ripper shots. I quickly went to an hour of the Grand Stand Show and the Chuck Wagon Races and quickly ran around the park and took some photo's before i started work one day. It's very much like the Melbourne show but with a Rodeo. I met a Kiwi called Sam and she took me around quickly one day and introduced me to a couple of Cowboys. Lucky for Sam or i wouldn't have met any.
There were free berakfasts down the street from the back of Chuckwagons but due to my hours i missed out on that. Though it was just pancakes, sausagses and bacon. I can make that any day.
My poor Boss Paul Burrows got some ear bashings from me because i was sitting inside feeling like i was missing out on all the fun. But i am so glad for the experience that i had and proud that i proved i could work the overnight shift and at the same time got to meet some really nice people. Especially Park Patrol. They were the guys that went out to break up the fights, deal with the trouble and keep us safe throughout the Stampede. They put up with so much crap and have to wear heavy gear in the heat. Thanks guys!!!! You were all so great to work with.
With the hours that i worked i didn't get to see very much. I thought that i would be walking around the park and seeing lots but no - i was stuck in the security office. But when i did get out i went to see some things. I did get to see 2 days of the rodeo. I went to the last 2 days so i got to see the best of the best. I got some ripper shots. I quickly went to an hour of the Grand Stand Show and the Chuck Wagon Races and quickly ran around the park and took some photo's before i started work one day. It's very much like the Melbourne show but with a Rodeo. I met a Kiwi called Sam and she took me around quickly one day and introduced me to a couple of Cowboys. Lucky for Sam or i wouldn't have met any.
There were free berakfasts down the street from the back of Chuckwagons but due to my hours i missed out on that. Though it was just pancakes, sausagses and bacon. I can make that any day.
My poor Boss Paul Burrows got some ear bashings from me because i was sitting inside feeling like i was missing out on all the fun. But i am so glad for the experience that i had and proud that i proved i could work the overnight shift and at the same time got to meet some really nice people. Especially Park Patrol. They were the guys that went out to break up the fights, deal with the trouble and keep us safe throughout the Stampede. They put up with so much crap and have to wear heavy gear in the heat. Thanks guys!!!! You were all so great to work with.
The Park @ 6.00am in the morning
Me and my supervisor Tom on my very last morning
Paul Burrows and Jackie Lachapelle - my two bosses
Park Patrol - (Now it's all Over) Mike 'The Freak'
Park Patrol - Jeff one of the nicest
Park Patrol - Curtis, Jason and George
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
(13) Calgary here i come
calgarystampede.com
To sum up the past week i have spent ages looking for accommodation in Calgary because so many people go to the Stampede all the accommodation is booked up. So finally in have found a place to stay with a lovely lady and her daughter and i have work at the Stampede with the security department. I am going to be an information officer (i think) i will be in different places throughout the stampede and will be able to direct people to where they can get first aid etc... The part i am most excited about is that i get my very own cowboy hat and i get to keep it!!! How cool will i look!!!!!
So i am flying to Calgary on Friday and i don't know how busy i will be or when i will update the website again but i will as soon as i can. So if i am not in touch with people over the next couple of weeks then please understand that i am just busy and caught up in the stampede and will be in touch when i can.
I think of you all often and miss home from time to time.
Shell
xxx
To sum up the past week i have spent ages looking for accommodation in Calgary because so many people go to the Stampede all the accommodation is booked up. So finally in have found a place to stay with a lovely lady and her daughter and i have work at the Stampede with the security department. I am going to be an information officer (i think) i will be in different places throughout the stampede and will be able to direct people to where they can get first aid etc... The part i am most excited about is that i get my very own cowboy hat and i get to keep it!!! How cool will i look!!!!!
So i am flying to Calgary on Friday and i don't know how busy i will be or when i will update the website again but i will as soon as i can. So if i am not in touch with people over the next couple of weeks then please understand that i am just busy and caught up in the stampede and will be in touch when i can.
I think of you all often and miss home from time to time.
Shell
xxx
Grouse Mountain cont...
Getting to the top was a relief to say the least. I took some photo's previously of Grouse Mountain with snow on the top but as it is summer now i got some photo's without snow. The Ski hills are now naked. ha ha ha. It's interesting to see them with and without snow.
Grouse Mountain cont...
I was absolutely knackered walking up the grouse grind. It was tough going but i got some good shots. The walk takes everyone about 1 and 1/2 hours but it took me 2 and a 1/2 hours because i had to keep stopping. I drank a litre of water on the way up. And it did feel good when i got to the top.
(12) Grouse Mountain
The Grouse Grind
Challenge yourself with Vancouver's most famous hike, the Grouse GrindTM - often referred to as "Mother Nature's Stairmaster." This rigorous 2.9 km (1.8 mile) hike takes you straight up the face of Grouse Mountain. By the time you reach the plateau, your ascent will have gained 853 metres (2,800 feet) - one and a half times the height of Toronto's CN Tower! Once you make it to the top, take a minute to enjoy the adrenaline rush, spectacular views and all that you have accomplished!!!!
(11) Vera's Burger Shack
www.verasburgershack.com
Well after working 7 days a week (with 1 full day and night off) for nearly 5 weeks in two jobs i have finally quit both and am moving onto Calgary. I worked during the day for Searchlight 9.00am to 5.30pm (previously talked about) and then started working after work (2 - 4 nights a week) 6.00pm to between 10 & 12pm and then weekends as well both Saturday and Sunday and so as you can imagine by the end of those 5 weeks i was extremely tired and feeling pretty exhausted. Hence the reason i look awful in the photo's.
So i can now say that i have worked in a North American Burger Shack and loved it. I had great people to work with and they make pretty good burgers. I was amazed when i got there and discovered that the works was as follows:
Ketchup
Mustard
Dijon Mustard
Vera Sauce
Hot Sauce
BBQ Sauce
Relish
Hot Peppers
Raw Onions
Tomato
Pickle
Lettuce
Plus the patti and then there were even more extra's that can be put on the burger... I don't know how they do it!!!
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