Haggered

My best friend Jaelynn came down this weekend to visit me and she made me realize what this town can do to you on a Saturday night. Enough said she might have broken her tail bone and lost her voice. We headed down to The Brick House and got hooked up with the best nachos ever (by the best staff ever). We played pool with some miners at the Fernie and danced to techno at Bulldogs to end the night. Needless to say this town will wrap its arms around you and give you a wet willy so you just better hold on tight and enjoy it.

Delayed Delay

After not having internet for A MONTH I let my blog slide... But it is back and running and I hope you continue following my adventure. A lot has happened in a month so I will make a point form list of what major events have been going on:

• I have learned how to use a topographic map and compass to navigate around the Rockies.
• The class went on a five day backpacking trip but was snowed out on day four! 
• We have spent the last week learning climbing knots, anchors, and mountaineering safety. Can you tie a munter hitch?
• At all breaks at least half the class is in our climbing gym bouldering and creating climbing routes such as "Jersey Shore" that requires "The Situation" abs.

Photo Cred: Byron W. Crossing Sunken Creek on MAST outrip 1

Schemes

I've been thinking about how I can aquire money while being a student without having to work minimum wage. Is there such a thing? I started watching this show on HBO, How To Make It In America, about these two twenty something dudes hustling in New York. Of course, some of there financial adventures are illegal, the general idea is that they have fun and are never bored. As a student am I suposed to wait out the few years of spam and used books and write it off as a part of a "coming-of-age" right of passage or can I really find a get rich quick scheme that gives me financial flexibility? If anything watch this new show because although it may be fantasy, it gets you thinking big.

Lead their lives

"When someone sees the same people everyday, they wind up becoming part of that person's life and they want that person to change. If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how others should lead their lives, but none of his or her own." -Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
I came home from Halifax in May, without most of my stuff and a lease signed for September. I thought I would be going back to Dalhousie but instead, I am going to college to become an outdoor guide in Fernie. I am not sure how I changed my life course over the summer but the ride has been a challenge because like Coelho says I do not have a clear idea of how to live my life. And i've been so angry all this time! Who's life have I been leading instead of my own?

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP!

Wow! Today I went to Calgary with my dad to pick up a chunk of my gear from MEC. We spent about 4 hours in the store shuffling from department to department. I wish they had shopping carts there because I had to buy so much stuff! I think this was the biggest shopping spree of my life. Climbing gear, paddle gear, Gortex, socks, and packs! MEC Calgary has a small but useful climbing wall to test out any harness or shoe you try on so you know what your getting into. But I did not know what I was getting into until I saw the bill. Oh lord! My gear better pay off this year. One more week and classes begin!

Beer Cart

Working at a golf course this summer has left me a lot of time to think, especially when I am driving the beer cart around holes 3-9 and 14-18. The beer cart is a noisy mammoth that guzzles gas and sends you flying when you hit the tinniest bump. It makes me wonder if a "green" beer cart would be considered an option at golf courses. Wouldn't it be a fun job to pedal bike a small cart full of refreshments around the course? You could get one of those bikes you sit and lay back in and managers could advertise the beer cart job as one that gets you fit and tanned while enjoying the golf course greens. It would make no sound, be easy to repair, and save you the cost of gas. I wish I could drive around a beer bike instead of the mammoth.

A place to live

Here is what I know, I have two male student roommates who are both twenty and we are living in a rental attached to a daycare three block away from the college.  I met them both on www.ourfernie.com, a great online resource for finding a place to live with roommates. I can't wait to have my own place to cook!