It's the 31st. I know I got here on the third and not the first, but it's close enough. One month down.
The snow I kept ranting about is still here. I'm kind of getting over it. The snow, I think, reacts with my nature the way the rain does with most. It's kind of a bummer. Just brings me down a bit. Today it's sunshiny and some of the snow is melting, but it'll probably snow tonight. It almost white-outed coming down the other night. Sasha, a sous chef of mine, sings. He spent all day the day before yesterday finding any song he could and changing the lyrics to snow. He's sick of it all too. "Here I snow again on my own," "come snow with me lets snow, lets snow away,".... Just think of any song and find a way to put snow in there instead. It was kind of hilarious. White Snake's "here I snow again on my own" was my idea.
It's kind of good for me though, because it's making me realize I can hibernate well. I watch movies with the guys, I work on my crafts, I read. I don't go out much though cuz it's too cold and most trails are closed. I can do this.
They say it'll stop snowing in June or July - for about a week. A very short 'summer' here in Canyon.
Oh, I'm on my weekend today. It's Sunday. The clothes are washed, the room is picked up enough, and tonight after a friend gets off work, we're going to cruise to West. Might bring Issac too. I started a new craft project. The baby dragon isn't done yet, but I don't have quite what I want to finish him, so I put him aside. I did find the cutest little knitting shop in Jackson - called Knit on Pearl I think. The woman who runs it was hilarious too. I wound up spending a half hour just chatting with her. When I finally get some spending money I plan on going down with my dragon and finding if she has something I want to finish him up. Right now I'm working on a mardi gras mask. I'm using all the fancy threads Mom gave me before I left. They wouldn't have gone through the machine easily, I can tell you that here and now. But they look kind of awesome on this. I think as I get projects done, unless I have an immediate use (like patching something), I'm going to mail them home and let Mom use them. That way she'd also get to see the completed project. It's not the same over pictures.
I managed to get past major arrival without a roommate. I'll probably get one, but it's nice in the mean time to have my own room. The rooms in Grizzly (the dorm I would have been in) are nicer, bigger than the rooms here in Big Horn, but I'm better off here. This is the 24 hour quiet dorm - for older people, people with funky hours (all security are housed here for instance), and managers - and I snuck in. Grizzly is basically the party dorm and I don't really want to deal with that. I can, but why. I have a friend from Grizzly who hangs out with Issac and I here more often than not because he dislikes the.... ambiance of his own party dorm.
Sasha and Lukas - two of the sous chefs - have realized I am basically a jukebox. Sasha said outright it takes little to put a song in my head, and working with Lukas for a half hour he would just say a title of the song he wanted me to sing. It was funny, because he wanted to get it stuck in Sasha's head - retaliation to something Sasha had pulled on him I can't remember what. We ended up on "It's a Small World" It worked too. I happen to know that song word for word and now I think Sasha does too. Then he turned it into "It's a Snow World" in his fit of snow songs.
Anyway, that's all I've got for now I think. Snow. Work. Snow. Work. Snow. Work. Hanging out with the guys. Snow. Work. Movies. Snow. Work. Movies. Snow Work. Ah well.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
This is the Post I Wrote Tonight.
We got internet, finally. And with so few people here right now, it's working well. So, tonight I caught up with all the posts I've written and saved, and this is actually tonight's post. From now on I should be able to post fairly regularly as opposed to writing and saving and posting in huge blocks. Yay.
I'm SO comfortable now.
Robert and I opted to just unload my car into my current room so we could go to Larkspur in Old Faithful to get his stuff out of storage and he can have his room unpacked. Well, when I got my stuff into my "interim" room, I decided I would be fine and I didn't want to move. The Grizzly dorm rooms are CONSIDERABLY bigger, and closer to everything. I'm currently in what's considered the "old people" dorm - the 24 hour quiet dorm. Doesn't bother me, I'm a recluse, I don't hang with people my own age anyway. AND if I want to party, I can walk up to Grizzly or one of the other dorms with the partiers, party, and come home to my not-a-post-party-mess room. SO, I talked to Jessica, a personnel woman, just briefly. She said to expect a roommate (of course, hence the bunk beds), but I could certainly stay if I so desired. SO I unpacked most of my bags, and I'm home. No longer do I feel like I'm living out of bags in a hotel. It's nice.
My bed has it's red sheets, the closet has my clothes.
I don't even mind the idea of sharing this dinky little room right now. I've gotten here first, I've gotten my stuff up, my bed and half the closet chosen. The other person can climb to the top bunk. Or de-bunk the beds if she wants to do so. I don't care. I'm done being nice to roommates though - no sex while I'm in the room, and if I'm asleep and need to work tomorrow damn well don't be super loud.
I just looked up to see a red breasted robin (I think?) dance lightly across the five feet of snow outside my window only to stop, then fly off.
ALL the managers got in today. The EDR was FULL. It was insane. I was also hit on by two new people. Yay. (Insert unimpressed "grr" face here) Most of the people seem nice enough. Generally speaking those who aren't managers are going to be EDR staff. It'll be nice having people to help out - not just having the four of us. On the other hand, we still don't have the upstairs running so downstairs in the EDR could get a little cramped.
Anyway, I think I'm going to watch a Marie Antoinette movie I borrowed. I'm excited. It's gonna be a good night, and a good three day weekend.
Oh, yes. I have my first - and probably last (Andrew agrees) three day weekend. Unfortunately, I'm not doing anything exiting outwardly. But to me, getting settled in, sleeping in, watching a movie, doing laundry, and maybe getting my embroidery back out IS exciting. Especially right now.
ALSO, before I forget. My phone doesn't get reception out here. I'm also almost out of minutes. I'm CONTEMPLATING not refilling them. You all can get to me via internet now, and the phone really is useless unless I'm off my home base location. We'll see, but I wouldn't count on my phone being in use until October....
I'm SO comfortable now.
Robert and I opted to just unload my car into my current room so we could go to Larkspur in Old Faithful to get his stuff out of storage and he can have his room unpacked. Well, when I got my stuff into my "interim" room, I decided I would be fine and I didn't want to move. The Grizzly dorm rooms are CONSIDERABLY bigger, and closer to everything. I'm currently in what's considered the "old people" dorm - the 24 hour quiet dorm. Doesn't bother me, I'm a recluse, I don't hang with people my own age anyway. AND if I want to party, I can walk up to Grizzly or one of the other dorms with the partiers, party, and come home to my not-a-post-party-mess room. SO, I talked to Jessica, a personnel woman, just briefly. She said to expect a roommate (of course, hence the bunk beds), but I could certainly stay if I so desired. SO I unpacked most of my bags, and I'm home. No longer do I feel like I'm living out of bags in a hotel. It's nice.
My bed has it's red sheets, the closet has my clothes.
I don't even mind the idea of sharing this dinky little room right now. I've gotten here first, I've gotten my stuff up, my bed and half the closet chosen. The other person can climb to the top bunk. Or de-bunk the beds if she wants to do so. I don't care. I'm done being nice to roommates though - no sex while I'm in the room, and if I'm asleep and need to work tomorrow damn well don't be super loud.
I just looked up to see a red breasted robin (I think?) dance lightly across the five feet of snow outside my window only to stop, then fly off.
ALL the managers got in today. The EDR was FULL. It was insane. I was also hit on by two new people. Yay. (Insert unimpressed "grr" face here) Most of the people seem nice enough. Generally speaking those who aren't managers are going to be EDR staff. It'll be nice having people to help out - not just having the four of us. On the other hand, we still don't have the upstairs running so downstairs in the EDR could get a little cramped.
Anyway, I think I'm going to watch a Marie Antoinette movie I borrowed. I'm excited. It's gonna be a good night, and a good three day weekend.
Oh, yes. I have my first - and probably last (Andrew agrees) three day weekend. Unfortunately, I'm not doing anything exiting outwardly. But to me, getting settled in, sleeping in, watching a movie, doing laundry, and maybe getting my embroidery back out IS exciting. Especially right now.
ALSO, before I forget. My phone doesn't get reception out here. I'm also almost out of minutes. I'm CONTEMPLATING not refilling them. You all can get to me via internet now, and the phone really is useless unless I'm off my home base location. We'll see, but I wouldn't count on my phone being in use until October....
Long Day
It's late. For the first time all season, I was actually with another living person until just two minutes ago. Crazy. We've gotten in a few new people on location. Only one of them is new-to-the-park new though. One of them is Issac (spelling?) who I knew from my first season out. Claims to have a girlfriend but she's never around, no one's ever met her, and no one believes him. He's a nice guy, but a bit of a creeper. Always trying - badly - to flirt. And now he's got long hair and long beard and neither look good on him and he tries the "stroke the beard in thought" action and it fails too. His creepy flirting drives me crazy. And NOT in a good way. He was not the one I was with.
Robert also got here the other day. He's a security guard this year but last year - and the year previous and the year previous - he was F&B. He closed his location and spent a few weeks - bout a month? - in OFI helping us out. I got to work with him for a bit. He's cool. We started talking and joking the MINUTE I saw him. It was good fun. It's a platonic thing, no flirting even in joking.... But other than the no joking flirting he's like Jordan. We spent the last five hours together - I got off at five, we walked "home" to BigHorn together, and hung out. Talking, swapping stories, etc. It was a lot of fun. Finally we were both so tired and he pointed out it's ten so we split ways to crash.
He tends to not get along with men, I tend to not get along with women. People tell him he's abrasive. I told him he kind of is, but not in a bad way. We hold a lot of the same principles and ideas and such. It's been a good night. I think I've got a good friend here, and getting in good with security is never a bad thing. :)
Anyway. It's late and I'm TIRED, so I'm gonna call it a night. Gotta get up at five to get breakfast out, but on the up side - it's my Friday tomorrow and I get a three day weekend!! WOOT! George and I were talking about hitting OFI, since he's never been anywhere but Mammoth/Gardiner area. Robert and I were talking about hitting OFI, since his stuff is in storage down there and George and I are going anyway. It will be fun regardless what happens. I'm looking forward to the weekend. I'm looking forward to the season in general, now that people are coming in - and people I know.
Robert also got here the other day. He's a security guard this year but last year - and the year previous and the year previous - he was F&B. He closed his location and spent a few weeks - bout a month? - in OFI helping us out. I got to work with him for a bit. He's cool. We started talking and joking the MINUTE I saw him. It was good fun. It's a platonic thing, no flirting even in joking.... But other than the no joking flirting he's like Jordan. We spent the last five hours together - I got off at five, we walked "home" to BigHorn together, and hung out. Talking, swapping stories, etc. It was a lot of fun. Finally we were both so tired and he pointed out it's ten so we split ways to crash.
He tends to not get along with men, I tend to not get along with women. People tell him he's abrasive. I told him he kind of is, but not in a bad way. We hold a lot of the same principles and ideas and such. It's been a good night. I think I've got a good friend here, and getting in good with security is never a bad thing. :)
Anyway. It's late and I'm TIRED, so I'm gonna call it a night. Gotta get up at five to get breakfast out, but on the up side - it's my Friday tomorrow and I get a three day weekend!! WOOT! George and I were talking about hitting OFI, since he's never been anywhere but Mammoth/Gardiner area. Robert and I were talking about hitting OFI, since his stuff is in storage down there and George and I are going anyway. It will be fun regardless what happens. I'm looking forward to the weekend. I'm looking forward to the season in general, now that people are coming in - and people I know.
Management??
Today has been quite an adventure.
I got to at least frustrate Will Standage - the head EDR manager of the park. I like Will, and I didn't mean to frustrate him. But I don't believe it was my fault. We have been running off paper plates, cups, corn-product disposable 'silver wear', etc. As it happened, we only had the "big plates" that Will dropped off - though we have a bunch of "tiny plates". We've been running low for the last few days - since before Matt's Friday. He told me that "if Will calls, let him know we need more plates." He didn't go in search of Will, he didn't leave a message. He didn't actually DO anything. HE is the manager. Not me. For the last three days I've been watching them dwindle and dwindle. Today I realized we wouldn't have enough for tomorrow - and Matt won't be back until the day after tomorrow. SO, I asked around and found a directory for the park. I called Will's appointed number, and got whom I guess was his receptionist. He's at Grant. So I call Grant Village, get a cook there, ask for Will. It takes twenty minutes from "OMG NO PLATES!" to "Hi Will". Not hard. I tell him that we're almost out of plates. I don't pin ANYTHING on Matt, I don't want to blame anyone. I just tell the situation and ask what he could do for us. He gets frustrated - at me! - for not telling him sooner. Well, I'm sorry I didn't want to step on my new managers toes and go above his head and do what he should have done and I didn't know I had to take on his responsibilities and etc etc etc. I was frustrated. I was frustrated that I got reprimanded. I was frustrated that Matt didn't do his job in the first place.
Then it occurred to me. All last summer, as much as I truly LOVE Jake, I took on at least half of his job. I DID half of his job as a manager. And already this summer I foresee a similar circumstance opening up. It's not that I foresee Matt being bad at his job, I just foresee me taking on the responsibility and me just doing it. Just like I did with Jake. And I figure, if I'm going to do the job, why not have the title and everything that goes with it? Yes, it means I have to take the management courses. Yes, it means I'm salaried and will get crappy hours and have to pick up everyone's slack. It means anything that goes wrong falls on MY head, not the "guy above me." But other than TAKING the management courses, I've done it all already. I've had crappy hours, I've picked up slack, I take on the responsibility, I've had the head chef come down on MY head because something wasn't done. Why not get the pay, the title, and the nice roommate-less room that goes with it? I need the experience anyway. And if I do it, I won't HAVE to worry about stepping on toes, there'll be no toes to step on. I can do it. I KNOW without a DOUBT I can do it. It won't be easy, but Hell, since when do I want easy anyway?
So, I think that next summer, I'm going to apply for EDR manager. Hell yes.
Also, without trying to sound arrogant (though we all know all kitchen people have arrogance complexes) I had the best pasta salad I've ever had today. I also made it. I don't like most vinaigrette style pasta salads. Just don't. I don't like most mayo based ANYTHING, but especially pasta salads. I find the vinaigrette has too much jumbled loud sharp flavor that doesn't work and I find the mayo based doesn't have enough flavor. So I made a Tzaziki (spelling?) style base. Tzaziki sauce is a Greek thing. VERY good. Plain yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, dill, and cucumbers that have been seeded and salted and left to drain for a while. I added celery and chicken and cooked macaroni pasta to make a pasta salad. Not only did I really enjoy it, everyone who tried it liked it too. It needed more pepper than I put in there (oh yeah, and pepper), but other than that it was very good. I was impressed.
Anyway, that's my adventure. Most of it was mental revelation. I'd been so opposed to management here in the park... But I already practically have the job. And the more I think on it the more I want to try it. And really, I can't gripe and moan about the way any manager does his job if I'm not willing to do it myself. Ya know? So here we go! I've got a plan and it's gonna be a wild ride!!
I got to at least frustrate Will Standage - the head EDR manager of the park. I like Will, and I didn't mean to frustrate him. But I don't believe it was my fault. We have been running off paper plates, cups, corn-product disposable 'silver wear', etc. As it happened, we only had the "big plates" that Will dropped off - though we have a bunch of "tiny plates". We've been running low for the last few days - since before Matt's Friday. He told me that "if Will calls, let him know we need more plates." He didn't go in search of Will, he didn't leave a message. He didn't actually DO anything. HE is the manager. Not me. For the last three days I've been watching them dwindle and dwindle. Today I realized we wouldn't have enough for tomorrow - and Matt won't be back until the day after tomorrow. SO, I asked around and found a directory for the park. I called Will's appointed number, and got whom I guess was his receptionist. He's at Grant. So I call Grant Village, get a cook there, ask for Will. It takes twenty minutes from "OMG NO PLATES!" to "Hi Will". Not hard. I tell him that we're almost out of plates. I don't pin ANYTHING on Matt, I don't want to blame anyone. I just tell the situation and ask what he could do for us. He gets frustrated - at me! - for not telling him sooner. Well, I'm sorry I didn't want to step on my new managers toes and go above his head and do what he should have done and I didn't know I had to take on his responsibilities and etc etc etc. I was frustrated. I was frustrated that I got reprimanded. I was frustrated that Matt didn't do his job in the first place.
Then it occurred to me. All last summer, as much as I truly LOVE Jake, I took on at least half of his job. I DID half of his job as a manager. And already this summer I foresee a similar circumstance opening up. It's not that I foresee Matt being bad at his job, I just foresee me taking on the responsibility and me just doing it. Just like I did with Jake. And I figure, if I'm going to do the job, why not have the title and everything that goes with it? Yes, it means I have to take the management courses. Yes, it means I'm salaried and will get crappy hours and have to pick up everyone's slack. It means anything that goes wrong falls on MY head, not the "guy above me." But other than TAKING the management courses, I've done it all already. I've had crappy hours, I've picked up slack, I take on the responsibility, I've had the head chef come down on MY head because something wasn't done. Why not get the pay, the title, and the nice roommate-less room that goes with it? I need the experience anyway. And if I do it, I won't HAVE to worry about stepping on toes, there'll be no toes to step on. I can do it. I KNOW without a DOUBT I can do it. It won't be easy, but Hell, since when do I want easy anyway?
So, I think that next summer, I'm going to apply for EDR manager. Hell yes.
Also, without trying to sound arrogant (though we all know all kitchen people have arrogance complexes) I had the best pasta salad I've ever had today. I also made it. I don't like most vinaigrette style pasta salads. Just don't. I don't like most mayo based ANYTHING, but especially pasta salads. I find the vinaigrette has too much jumbled loud sharp flavor that doesn't work and I find the mayo based doesn't have enough flavor. So I made a Tzaziki (spelling?) style base. Tzaziki sauce is a Greek thing. VERY good. Plain yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, dill, and cucumbers that have been seeded and salted and left to drain for a while. I added celery and chicken and cooked macaroni pasta to make a pasta salad. Not only did I really enjoy it, everyone who tried it liked it too. It needed more pepper than I put in there (oh yeah, and pepper), but other than that it was very good. I was impressed.
Anyway, that's my adventure. Most of it was mental revelation. I'd been so opposed to management here in the park... But I already practically have the job. And the more I think on it the more I want to try it. And really, I can't gripe and moan about the way any manager does his job if I'm not willing to do it myself. Ya know? So here we go! I've got a plan and it's gonna be a wild ride!!
People on the Horizon...
People have arrived. Not many, but they're people nonetheless. Jenny and Jessica - the personnel people who will be assigning me my real room. Robert - was a cook, worked with him a month last year - much fun to work with. Is now security, but currently shoveling snow. (teehee to those who shovel snow. SO glad I have a job I can actively do so I don't have to shovel) And a few other strays. It's nice to have a FEW other people. I think that I mainly only have that opinion because there are people now that I have known and I already have a relationship built.
One of the best and more tiresome things all at once about new seasons - or even new waves of people - is that you have/get to build those new relationships. We've all been at the start of new relationships - working relationships, friendships, passing acquaintances, etc. It can be fun, but it can get extremely tiresome. Especially when "major arrival" means that within a week - within a few days - we will go from 30 people to 400 here. That's a lot of new relationships to try to build at once.
It has also occurred to me how fast approaching major arrival is. It feels like I got here last week. How time has flown!! I got here on the third. It's the 17th tonight! Managers should be arriving in only a few more days. By the time I get back from my three-day weekend Will wants us to get before season starts, all the managers should be here, probably most of the EDR crew... We'll probably be cooking upstairs. Things will be a-chaingin'. And within a week or two from that, Major Arrival.
I'm nervous, truth to tell. It'll be an adventure. But I so dislike when all the managers come in. It's not just the managers of us that will be there all year. Oh no. It'll be bigwigs - the head chef, head sous, head EDR manager (Will), all our own managers, and all the managers of unopened locations that have nothing to do, that are here to "help open us up". The mass amounts of managers makes first-years nervous and hard to manage, and with three different managers telling you three different things they also screw up our crew. I have always felt they stay longer than they should - they stay so long they go from productive to moving backward practically. I've also always felt that the presence of so many bigwigs make it hard for our managers to develop relationships with the underlings they'll be working with the rest of the season. The first week, for first years, their bosses all seem like pricks because of the situation. Surely they'll find out that's not really the case, but it's hard.
Luckily, I already know Andrew - our head chef. "Another 'Crazy Oregonian'" is how I describe him. Especially to Oregonians. We've worked together - him as my PM Sous - for two years now and he can be strict and harsh but as long as you stay on his good side he's really cool. I really enjoy working with him - now that I know him ^_^
The others, I'll develop that working relationship with. I am less stressed because I know Andrew and I know he likes me and I know he has confidence in my abilities. We've a new Head Chef for the park this year - Chapman is gone. Which is fine by me. The Head Chef for the park is a mostly paperwork position - which is why Mike Dean won't take it. They have little to do with us and Chapman was especially distant. He had very little to do with anyone who wasn't a head or sous of a location. Mike Dean is the Head Sous for the park - has been for YEARS. He's turned down the Head Chef position - I've heard - three times, seen three come and go, because he doesn't want the desk job. Oh my is he qualified, but he prefers to be out there helping open places and helping train and being actively involved in the workings of the park. I really like Mike Dean. EVERYONE really likes Mike Dean. I used to think he WAS the Head Chef for the park because I only met Chapman once, and he seemed less impressive, less knowledgeable, less approachable, less everything that I thought a head chef for the entire park should be. This new guy I hear is more involved, and very easygoing and approachable as long as you're on his good side. I don't know yet. I love working with Andrew, and I love working with Mike Dean and they both know me so I don't mind much. I'm fairly confident.
One of the best and more tiresome things all at once about new seasons - or even new waves of people - is that you have/get to build those new relationships. We've all been at the start of new relationships - working relationships, friendships, passing acquaintances, etc. It can be fun, but it can get extremely tiresome. Especially when "major arrival" means that within a week - within a few days - we will go from 30 people to 400 here. That's a lot of new relationships to try to build at once.
It has also occurred to me how fast approaching major arrival is. It feels like I got here last week. How time has flown!! I got here on the third. It's the 17th tonight! Managers should be arriving in only a few more days. By the time I get back from my three-day weekend Will wants us to get before season starts, all the managers should be here, probably most of the EDR crew... We'll probably be cooking upstairs. Things will be a-chaingin'. And within a week or two from that, Major Arrival.
I'm nervous, truth to tell. It'll be an adventure. But I so dislike when all the managers come in. It's not just the managers of us that will be there all year. Oh no. It'll be bigwigs - the head chef, head sous, head EDR manager (Will), all our own managers, and all the managers of unopened locations that have nothing to do, that are here to "help open us up". The mass amounts of managers makes first-years nervous and hard to manage, and with three different managers telling you three different things they also screw up our crew. I have always felt they stay longer than they should - they stay so long they go from productive to moving backward practically. I've also always felt that the presence of so many bigwigs make it hard for our managers to develop relationships with the underlings they'll be working with the rest of the season. The first week, for first years, their bosses all seem like pricks because of the situation. Surely they'll find out that's not really the case, but it's hard.
Luckily, I already know Andrew - our head chef. "Another 'Crazy Oregonian'" is how I describe him. Especially to Oregonians. We've worked together - him as my PM Sous - for two years now and he can be strict and harsh but as long as you stay on his good side he's really cool. I really enjoy working with him - now that I know him ^_^
The others, I'll develop that working relationship with. I am less stressed because I know Andrew and I know he likes me and I know he has confidence in my abilities. We've a new Head Chef for the park this year - Chapman is gone. Which is fine by me. The Head Chef for the park is a mostly paperwork position - which is why Mike Dean won't take it. They have little to do with us and Chapman was especially distant. He had very little to do with anyone who wasn't a head or sous of a location. Mike Dean is the Head Sous for the park - has been for YEARS. He's turned down the Head Chef position - I've heard - three times, seen three come and go, because he doesn't want the desk job. Oh my is he qualified, but he prefers to be out there helping open places and helping train and being actively involved in the workings of the park. I really like Mike Dean. EVERYONE really likes Mike Dean. I used to think he WAS the Head Chef for the park because I only met Chapman once, and he seemed less impressive, less knowledgeable, less approachable, less everything that I thought a head chef for the entire park should be. This new guy I hear is more involved, and very easygoing and approachable as long as you're on his good side. I don't know yet. I love working with Andrew, and I love working with Mike Dean and they both know me so I don't mind much. I'm fairly confident.
Original Sinner
Don't ask me why, I'm not entirely sure. But I was thinking today about the idea of the "original sinner"... The idea is that women are all inherently evil because woman is the original sinner, right? Something like that.
But two things.
One - Lucifer was a man, and I'd think he would be the original sinner because he went against God first.... He talked the woman into it, and that was going against God's will, right? Which means he sinned first. HE'S the original sinner, therefore man is inherently evil. Just a thought.
Two - and more to the point - Eve was truly talked into it, right? Lucifer talked her into eating the apple, blah blah blah - we all agree on that, I think. Well, then, wouldn't that mean that she's inherently gullible, not inherently evil...? Then.... if that trait really does pull through like some believe, all women are simply inherently gullible, not inherently evil.... Make sense?
Just a thought. I think probably I'd rather people believe I was inherently evil than inherently gullible. That would open up way too much chance of stupid.
But two things.
One - Lucifer was a man, and I'd think he would be the original sinner because he went against God first.... He talked the woman into it, and that was going against God's will, right? Which means he sinned first. HE'S the original sinner, therefore man is inherently evil. Just a thought.
Two - and more to the point - Eve was truly talked into it, right? Lucifer talked her into eating the apple, blah blah blah - we all agree on that, I think. Well, then, wouldn't that mean that she's inherently gullible, not inherently evil...? Then.... if that trait really does pull through like some believe, all women are simply inherently gullible, not inherently evil.... Make sense?
Just a thought. I think probably I'd rather people believe I was inherently evil than inherently gullible. That would open up way too much chance of stupid.
Possibilities
You can tell, obviously, that I don't write every day. I will tell you, however, that every day, I sit here with my laptop and open "WordPad" and stare at the blank screen for a few minutes. Waiting for something to magically appear on the screen... I feel the urge, the need to write daily. I just don't have the content yet.
Most of the things to talk about are things that you'd need to be here for. I've taken a few pictures, but nothing can compare to first hand sights. I walked the Black Sand Basin two weeks ago. Didn't have my camera on me. The lack of camera made me realize, however, that even if I took pictures - especially of thermal features - that it wouldn't be the same. Even the beautiful, famous picture of Grand Prismatic (taken, I think, from a helicopter), while completely stunning, doesn't compare to standing there in front of it. And it's not because you can't smell the sulfur or feel the steam from the picture.... It's different. We all know what I'm trying to say, though I seem unable to articulate it properly.
So while I will post the pictures - mostly of the Tetons in the snow - know that it's not the same. Nothing will beat driving along near Lake, going up a hill and cresting it to see the snow topped mountains laid out before you perfectly flanked by trees on either side of the road. As you continue down the road, more of the mountains are revealed, only to be out of sight again as you turn a bend. That's why the maximum speed limit in the park is 45 - there is something around EVERY turn to take your breath away or stun you with it's amazing, simple, pure beauty.
I feel bad, truly, talking too much about it. Chances are good a good number of you will never get to see it. And I don't mean to boast, and I don't want you to think I'm exaggerating. Neither of those things are happening. That's really how it is around here, and I'm not trying to brag. I wish all of you who read this and everyone who DOESN'T read this could come see.
A few people are interested in coming this year. Krissy said she would try to find time and come out - potentially bring her new boyfriend. That'd be cool. Krissy is skilled with a camera and her photos of her experience would be priceless. Darrek said he'd love to come out with his girlfriend and let me show them around. They're great fun and neither of them have seen the park, it'd be an awesome experience for Derrek and Kayla both. Anyone else I can entice, I'd love to show you around. Chris could show us around the Tetons (as he has more experience there), and I could tour you through the park. You could be here a year, hiking and traveling and sightseeing EVERY day, and still not be done. I'd like to add the threat of "this might be my last year here" but that's a lie. I know I'll be back next year. Am thinking about maybe trying for a pub job - that sounds like great fun for me. I love working with/for the employees.
I've been thinking a lot about 'following the sun' or at least 'following the lack of snow'. I've heard great things about Death Valley in the winter, no snow, lowest temps around 40 or 50. Hassan did it last year said he spent the winter swimming and in Vegas on weekends. Said he loved it. Someone else told me they TRY to rope you in with year long contracts, because no one wants to do Death Valley in the summer. I wouldn't do it for a whole year, but I might look into it for the winter. I've also heard that Zion only gets a little snow, and has moderate temperatures. I've ALSO been thinking about wintering here. Or applying for jobs around the Tetons or in Jackson. Randy told me today that Hawaii has a lot of seasonal positions. Anywhere that is a resort town probably has a lot of seasonal work, it's just if I could get in. We shall have to see, I think!
Part of it will depend on where I can get Chris to agree to. After years of long distance with Michael, and now it'll be a year of long distance with Chris, I'm NOT doing it again. I don't regret being in a distance relationship - with either Michael or Chris, but I'm done. Part of it will certainly have to be where Chris and I can compromise on staying.
Part of it will be where we can GET jobs. Part of it will be on what we want at the time. Etc. But I'm ready to keep adventuring. Breaks are one thing, but to hibernate during the winter safe at home like some contented black bear goes against my gypsies' soul. (or so it's been dubbed)
Most of the things to talk about are things that you'd need to be here for. I've taken a few pictures, but nothing can compare to first hand sights. I walked the Black Sand Basin two weeks ago. Didn't have my camera on me. The lack of camera made me realize, however, that even if I took pictures - especially of thermal features - that it wouldn't be the same. Even the beautiful, famous picture of Grand Prismatic (taken, I think, from a helicopter), while completely stunning, doesn't compare to standing there in front of it. And it's not because you can't smell the sulfur or feel the steam from the picture.... It's different. We all know what I'm trying to say, though I seem unable to articulate it properly.
So while I will post the pictures - mostly of the Tetons in the snow - know that it's not the same. Nothing will beat driving along near Lake, going up a hill and cresting it to see the snow topped mountains laid out before you perfectly flanked by trees on either side of the road. As you continue down the road, more of the mountains are revealed, only to be out of sight again as you turn a bend. That's why the maximum speed limit in the park is 45 - there is something around EVERY turn to take your breath away or stun you with it's amazing, simple, pure beauty.
I feel bad, truly, talking too much about it. Chances are good a good number of you will never get to see it. And I don't mean to boast, and I don't want you to think I'm exaggerating. Neither of those things are happening. That's really how it is around here, and I'm not trying to brag. I wish all of you who read this and everyone who DOESN'T read this could come see.
A few people are interested in coming this year. Krissy said she would try to find time and come out - potentially bring her new boyfriend. That'd be cool. Krissy is skilled with a camera and her photos of her experience would be priceless. Darrek said he'd love to come out with his girlfriend and let me show them around. They're great fun and neither of them have seen the park, it'd be an awesome experience for Derrek and Kayla both. Anyone else I can entice, I'd love to show you around. Chris could show us around the Tetons (as he has more experience there), and I could tour you through the park. You could be here a year, hiking and traveling and sightseeing EVERY day, and still not be done. I'd like to add the threat of "this might be my last year here" but that's a lie. I know I'll be back next year. Am thinking about maybe trying for a pub job - that sounds like great fun for me. I love working with/for the employees.
I've been thinking a lot about 'following the sun' or at least 'following the lack of snow'. I've heard great things about Death Valley in the winter, no snow, lowest temps around 40 or 50. Hassan did it last year said he spent the winter swimming and in Vegas on weekends. Said he loved it. Someone else told me they TRY to rope you in with year long contracts, because no one wants to do Death Valley in the summer. I wouldn't do it for a whole year, but I might look into it for the winter. I've also heard that Zion only gets a little snow, and has moderate temperatures. I've ALSO been thinking about wintering here. Or applying for jobs around the Tetons or in Jackson. Randy told me today that Hawaii has a lot of seasonal positions. Anywhere that is a resort town probably has a lot of seasonal work, it's just if I could get in. We shall have to see, I think!
Part of it will depend on where I can get Chris to agree to. After years of long distance with Michael, and now it'll be a year of long distance with Chris, I'm NOT doing it again. I don't regret being in a distance relationship - with either Michael or Chris, but I'm done. Part of it will certainly have to be where Chris and I can compromise on staying.
Part of it will be where we can GET jobs. Part of it will be on what we want at the time. Etc. But I'm ready to keep adventuring. Breaks are one thing, but to hibernate during the winter safe at home like some contented black bear goes against my gypsies' soul. (or so it's been dubbed)
Exploits...
I had one weekend already and, much to my surprise, tomorrow seems to be my Friday again already. When the news of that hit me I was thoroughly shocked. I couldn't believe a week has past already. Truly, not a week quite yet, but as this is the end of Thursday and tomorrow begins the last day of the week I feel I can say a week has passed.
Today I was to be in from 8 to 5. That was my allotted shift. But the girl to take the morning shift - woman, I suppose as she is 69 as of yesterday - had never worked it by herself before. Matt, my manager, suggested he would come in and show her even though this is his Saturday directly after I suggested I come in early. What is two hours? Well, truly, a lot. Right now, we're not allowed to have over time. Will - the park EDR manager - would come down on Matt if I got over time, who would then come down on me, I'm sure. In the end I did in fact come in at six, as I will tomorrow, and took long clocked out breaks to make up that time. I ended up clocking out at four, an hour early, and just "hanging out" to make sure dinner was up on time - and to eat. All in all the point of this story is to say that this was the longest day I've had in quite a while. Technically I worked a normal eight hour day. Sure. But you and I both know that even if you clock out for two hour long "lunch breaks" to bring your working hours down to eight, being at work from six to five makes for a longer day than that. Strangely, though, I feel more energetic and less wore out than I usually do after my day. Maybe it's because of the breaks, who knows. But I am looking forward to my "long" Friday now more than before.
Already I'm making plans for my weekend. I'm excited that it's come around again - and so soon! Friday night is for washing my whites, and Saturday I think I will head to Jackson. Matt told me that it's approx. two and a half hours to anywhere when it comes to the big "cities" - Jackson, Bozeman, and Cody. To get to Jackson you need to go south through the Tetons and I've never seen them in the snow, so I'm excited for that. And, truly, I am hoping that Chris will be there. Being out of communication as I am here - I think I explained that already? - I have no clue what's going on with anyone. So I am hoping to magically get a text or voice mail from Chris once I'm within cell range informing me that he's returned to work in Jackson. We can hope, right?
I was thwarted today. AFTER work, not ten minutes ago. I bought a bottle of Beringer White Zinfandel (than you Wes for hooking me on White Zin wines). Then, I planned to share it with the girls, as they suggested we set aside a night to get together. Drinks and pool or something. Then I grew weak and wanted wine tonight. It's been sitting oh so nicely on my floor by my dresser for a week, calling me. So I ran it under cold water to bring the temp down (I prefer it really "chilled" but have no means to do that but to stick it in the snow for a while), and opened the top. Beringer White Zinfandel uses real corks. And good for them! And bad for me. No corkscrew. It must have been comical; me bending hopefully over the wine bottle on my dresser only to get the top off and quite aloud in this quiet room of just me to proclaim "CORK!".... I was thwarted. But I like Beringer White Zin, so instead of changing my wines to just those that come with twist tops (or heaven forbid the brightly colored box wines I know some drink, but only because it's cheap), I will simply purchase a corkscrew. I WILL NOT BE THWARTED FOR LONG!!! :)
I feel I am rambling now. These truly are my stories. Not much to tell. Daily activity. Work is fun. I quite like the girls - and Matt - that I work with. I would like for them all to stay EDR all season, but I know that only Shirley (the 69 year old woman) will remain. The others will be around though, all will be on location all year.
I got complimented on my food today. Someone loudly said "good lemon sauce" to Kelli behind the counter and I replied with a loud "thanks!" and then, on the way out, one of the guys (Don't know his name but I really like him) asked me - hopefully, I think - if I was staying all season. He seemed pleased I'll be here, I think he likes my work. And maybe my singing? No one has said anything, but I know some of them look at me twice when they hear it. I think it's funny because my singing voice is so unlike my lower speaking voice.
Anyway. That's my story, those are my exploits. I hope you've all had a good week. And I hope you all have a good weekend. :)
Today I was to be in from 8 to 5. That was my allotted shift. But the girl to take the morning shift - woman, I suppose as she is 69 as of yesterday - had never worked it by herself before. Matt, my manager, suggested he would come in and show her even though this is his Saturday directly after I suggested I come in early. What is two hours? Well, truly, a lot. Right now, we're not allowed to have over time. Will - the park EDR manager - would come down on Matt if I got over time, who would then come down on me, I'm sure. In the end I did in fact come in at six, as I will tomorrow, and took long clocked out breaks to make up that time. I ended up clocking out at four, an hour early, and just "hanging out" to make sure dinner was up on time - and to eat. All in all the point of this story is to say that this was the longest day I've had in quite a while. Technically I worked a normal eight hour day. Sure. But you and I both know that even if you clock out for two hour long "lunch breaks" to bring your working hours down to eight, being at work from six to five makes for a longer day than that. Strangely, though, I feel more energetic and less wore out than I usually do after my day. Maybe it's because of the breaks, who knows. But I am looking forward to my "long" Friday now more than before.
Already I'm making plans for my weekend. I'm excited that it's come around again - and so soon! Friday night is for washing my whites, and Saturday I think I will head to Jackson. Matt told me that it's approx. two and a half hours to anywhere when it comes to the big "cities" - Jackson, Bozeman, and Cody. To get to Jackson you need to go south through the Tetons and I've never seen them in the snow, so I'm excited for that. And, truly, I am hoping that Chris will be there. Being out of communication as I am here - I think I explained that already? - I have no clue what's going on with anyone. So I am hoping to magically get a text or voice mail from Chris once I'm within cell range informing me that he's returned to work in Jackson. We can hope, right?
I was thwarted today. AFTER work, not ten minutes ago. I bought a bottle of Beringer White Zinfandel (than you Wes for hooking me on White Zin wines). Then, I planned to share it with the girls, as they suggested we set aside a night to get together. Drinks and pool or something. Then I grew weak and wanted wine tonight. It's been sitting oh so nicely on my floor by my dresser for a week, calling me. So I ran it under cold water to bring the temp down (I prefer it really "chilled" but have no means to do that but to stick it in the snow for a while), and opened the top. Beringer White Zinfandel uses real corks. And good for them! And bad for me. No corkscrew. It must have been comical; me bending hopefully over the wine bottle on my dresser only to get the top off and quite aloud in this quiet room of just me to proclaim "CORK!".... I was thwarted. But I like Beringer White Zin, so instead of changing my wines to just those that come with twist tops (or heaven forbid the brightly colored box wines I know some drink, but only because it's cheap), I will simply purchase a corkscrew. I WILL NOT BE THWARTED FOR LONG!!! :)
I feel I am rambling now. These truly are my stories. Not much to tell. Daily activity. Work is fun. I quite like the girls - and Matt - that I work with. I would like for them all to stay EDR all season, but I know that only Shirley (the 69 year old woman) will remain. The others will be around though, all will be on location all year.
I got complimented on my food today. Someone loudly said "good lemon sauce" to Kelli behind the counter and I replied with a loud "thanks!" and then, on the way out, one of the guys (Don't know his name but I really like him) asked me - hopefully, I think - if I was staying all season. He seemed pleased I'll be here, I think he likes my work. And maybe my singing? No one has said anything, but I know some of them look at me twice when they hear it. I think it's funny because my singing voice is so unlike my lower speaking voice.
Anyway. That's my story, those are my exploits. I hope you've all had a good week. And I hope you all have a good weekend. :)
Give it a Chance Charlie Brown
Hello again. This is, what, day four? I can hardly believe that I've been compelled to write daily. Maybe it's because I've been spending so much time reading. I'm unsure if I've expressed my thoughts of how I dislike this place and have a foreboding feeling and such. I'm sure I have, it's been consuming much of my off time. Yesterday, walking home from work - the whole one minute walk, I began berating myself verbally. It would have been an odd sight to witness, I'm sure. You see, I realized my problem. It has nothing to do with this place, these people, the fact that there are now ten people on location. It was just me, I had the issue. I was doing the one thing that drives me most nuts, I just simply wouldn't give this place a shot. Give it it's own fair chance before condemning it.
Today, then, I went to work with a fresh outlook and a legitimate smile. All in all, this place really isn't bad. It's fun being able to cook whatever I feel like. I grated potatoes so I could make hash browns - or stuffed hash browns! Just cuz I wanted to. I got Matt (my manager) to put yeast on the list of hopefully things to get so I could make bread. I'm cooking for ten people. Such small quantities make anything easy to make in the time allotted. I'm also cooking off simply what we have right now - which is a fun challenge for me. Matt mentioned he put Andouilli sausage on the 'hopeful' list, and I said "cool! Gumbo!" and he got enthusiastic for my idea and added frozen shrimp. It's kind of cool. Matt and Monika are the two I've been working with most, but I get along great with both of them and with Kelli.
The interesting thing I found today is that I seem to be an enigma to the rest - to the matinence crew. To everyone out there that knows me, I'm sure you know me as a loud personality, but you have to admit I have my quiet streaks - especially around those I don't know well. I am an introvert, and I can be quite shy. Chris would tell me that "it doesn't become me" and he may be right, but he's not here to coax me out of my shell. So, when they all sat around me at lunch, I didn't automatically join in their conversations necessarily. And, when there turned to be several long - comfortable, I thought - silences, I turned inward. I began to contemplate the rest of my day, the day tomorrow, things I needed to work, etc. I know my face gets either dreamy or serious when I do this, so I wasn't surprised when I caught the shared look and shrug amongst all four of the guys sitting next to me. I was rather amused by it. I don't mean to be an enigma, and I don't mean to. I don't try to be the odd man out, it's just how I work. They are all nice guys, I just have nothing to say. If they want to get to know me they can have a conversation with me, they can walk through the EDR and watch me sing to myself, I don't care. I don't know if they've written me off, but I'm sure I'll be a bit of a puzzle for a while. I don't mind - keeps 'em on their toes. :)
We all, after all, need something to keep us on our toes. It's good for us.
Today, then, I went to work with a fresh outlook and a legitimate smile. All in all, this place really isn't bad. It's fun being able to cook whatever I feel like. I grated potatoes so I could make hash browns - or stuffed hash browns! Just cuz I wanted to. I got Matt (my manager) to put yeast on the list of hopefully things to get so I could make bread. I'm cooking for ten people. Such small quantities make anything easy to make in the time allotted. I'm also cooking off simply what we have right now - which is a fun challenge for me. Matt mentioned he put Andouilli sausage on the 'hopeful' list, and I said "cool! Gumbo!" and he got enthusiastic for my idea and added frozen shrimp. It's kind of cool. Matt and Monika are the two I've been working with most, but I get along great with both of them and with Kelli.
The interesting thing I found today is that I seem to be an enigma to the rest - to the matinence crew. To everyone out there that knows me, I'm sure you know me as a loud personality, but you have to admit I have my quiet streaks - especially around those I don't know well. I am an introvert, and I can be quite shy. Chris would tell me that "it doesn't become me" and he may be right, but he's not here to coax me out of my shell. So, when they all sat around me at lunch, I didn't automatically join in their conversations necessarily. And, when there turned to be several long - comfortable, I thought - silences, I turned inward. I began to contemplate the rest of my day, the day tomorrow, things I needed to work, etc. I know my face gets either dreamy or serious when I do this, so I wasn't surprised when I caught the shared look and shrug amongst all four of the guys sitting next to me. I was rather amused by it. I don't mean to be an enigma, and I don't mean to. I don't try to be the odd man out, it's just how I work. They are all nice guys, I just have nothing to say. If they want to get to know me they can have a conversation with me, they can walk through the EDR and watch me sing to myself, I don't care. I don't know if they've written me off, but I'm sure I'll be a bit of a puzzle for a while. I don't mind - keeps 'em on their toes. :)
We all, after all, need something to keep us on our toes. It's good for us.
Observations
Today I am at the end of my weekend. Sitting propped up against the headboard of my bed alone for the first time in over 24 hours, I'm compelled to write. I have had no extraordinary experience to speak of, just great fun seeing old faces for the first time in months. Talking, joking, reminiscing, hugging, laughing. It was a good time. I stayed so long I had to stay the night as I didn't like the concept of driving back to Canyon after dark.
On my way home, alone with my car, my music, and my thoughts I suppose is when my contemplative mood kicked in. Thinking on all the things I heard this weekend. All the reasons people came, reasons people stayed.
I am not an outdoors man, I don't hike avidly. I don't take pictures and capture life frame by frame. I simply admire beauty. Therefore I am here. I came once and was caught by the beauty of just casually looking around. Just glancing up from one's book or meal or job or computer or cell phone one is instantly grabbed and captivated by beauty. Even once you "get used to it" at the very least it always makes you smile.
I am not a social butterfly, but I also don't lock myself in my room all the time. The people are enthralling. Whether it's the strange almost-instant comradarie amongst co-workers and friends or the common ground that brings everyone together and makes everyone get along at least moderately amongst tourists. Yellowstone is magic. I don't often "instantly click" with many people. And yet year after year here you become at LEAST part-time friends with so many people. This place allows and even prompts you for some reason to let people in and get a little close. It makes tourists, for all their general stupidity, generally come together and be nice to each other. They are all here in a basic celebration of the beauty they are surrounded by, and on some level they all accept that in that aspect they are all alike.
No matter which location you call home, no matter which company you work for here, no matter how long your stay is for all of us have such a huge (2.2 million acre, right?) common ground that all differences can be put aside, at least for the most part and at least for just a time. It's incredible.
There are so many reasons to come here. So many reasons to stay. And so much to take away with you when you decide to leave. So to all who have visited to work or to play - or both - good for you.
On my way home, alone with my car, my music, and my thoughts I suppose is when my contemplative mood kicked in. Thinking on all the things I heard this weekend. All the reasons people came, reasons people stayed.
I am not an outdoors man, I don't hike avidly. I don't take pictures and capture life frame by frame. I simply admire beauty. Therefore I am here. I came once and was caught by the beauty of just casually looking around. Just glancing up from one's book or meal or job or computer or cell phone one is instantly grabbed and captivated by beauty. Even once you "get used to it" at the very least it always makes you smile.
I am not a social butterfly, but I also don't lock myself in my room all the time. The people are enthralling. Whether it's the strange almost-instant comradarie amongst co-workers and friends or the common ground that brings everyone together and makes everyone get along at least moderately amongst tourists. Yellowstone is magic. I don't often "instantly click" with many people. And yet year after year here you become at LEAST part-time friends with so many people. This place allows and even prompts you for some reason to let people in and get a little close. It makes tourists, for all their general stupidity, generally come together and be nice to each other. They are all here in a basic celebration of the beauty they are surrounded by, and on some level they all accept that in that aspect they are all alike.
No matter which location you call home, no matter which company you work for here, no matter how long your stay is for all of us have such a huge (2.2 million acre, right?) common ground that all differences can be put aside, at least for the most part and at least for just a time. It's incredible.
There are so many reasons to come here. So many reasons to stay. And so much to take away with you when you decide to leave. So to all who have visited to work or to play - or both - good for you.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Second day update
Today I almost did not decide to so ramble at the computer. Until I remembered how I rambled yesterday. How - still justifiably I believe - negatively I rambled. That alone demanded I follow up and tell how the next day went.
Only one work-day later, not even a full 24 hours, I feel much better about life. I'm still not through the roof, but I'm better. I'm no longer fantasizing about asking for a transfer to OFI.
There are now five EDR people, including myself and Matt. Kelli - a girl who was here for the end of yesterday. Shirley - an older lady who is very enthusiastic. Monika - who will be the pub lead and has been in the Canyon kitchen in one form or another for three years - this will be her fourth. All of them are nice, all of them are easy enough to work with. I think the sheer addition of people eased my anxiety. Now the work load is shared, and we know what we're doing. Things come easier. We have a schedule. I have tomorrow and the next day off. Then I work mostly EDR crew breakfasts, only cooking on Matt's days off. That's fine by me. I like waking up early. I'm nervous about starting the place up but I know I'm capable.
Things are, all in all, much better. I don't automatically know everything like I do in the OFI, and I don't automatically know the working dynamic with people like I do with the people there. That was home. This is an adventure. And I'm sure by the end of the season, this could well be home instead. It's all good - to me, ultimately, the park is home. Bozeman and Jackson are my favorite towns. I'll be okay as long as I'm in Yellowstone.
My key doesn't unlock my door. I left it unlocked. Canyon people are just nice. Right now pre-season it's such a close community that no one would even think of rifling through or stealing my stuff. I entered my room and it was untouched. I don't expect problems until the masses come through. But before they get here personelle has to, and so by then I'll have my room, and a key that works. The biggest downside is that they won't get here for a week, approximately. Or so the girls and I guess. I don't want to unload everything just to have to load it up again. Heck, I don't want to have to haul it all through the snow into the room until it's THE room. I'm hoping by then enough snow will have melted to make life easier. So I'm going to go out - as soon as this is done - and unload only a bag or two. Just enough to make life really liveable. My giant suitcase I had to open for the sake of my work shoes and I'm not sure how it's going to close again in my car but it'll have to. I'm not unloading it, however. Just in case I don't even end up in the dorm I'm in right now.
I'm still tired. Sore. But life is okay. Not super fantastic yet. But it has potential. I think tomorrow I'm going to drive down to Old Faithful. See the people. Potentially stay the night since I don't have to work the next day. Enjoy my old home. I miss it. More than I thought I would. I had this idea in my head that I was connected to Yellowstone, not Old Faithful. But the villages inside the park are so much like their own towns, they are their own communities. And just like Portland would never be home to a Salem person, even though they're not an hour apart and still all in Oregon.... It just doesn't matter, does it?
Now, I'm off to organize this room and bring in a bit more life.
Only one work-day later, not even a full 24 hours, I feel much better about life. I'm still not through the roof, but I'm better. I'm no longer fantasizing about asking for a transfer to OFI.
There are now five EDR people, including myself and Matt. Kelli - a girl who was here for the end of yesterday. Shirley - an older lady who is very enthusiastic. Monika - who will be the pub lead and has been in the Canyon kitchen in one form or another for three years - this will be her fourth. All of them are nice, all of them are easy enough to work with. I think the sheer addition of people eased my anxiety. Now the work load is shared, and we know what we're doing. Things come easier. We have a schedule. I have tomorrow and the next day off. Then I work mostly EDR crew breakfasts, only cooking on Matt's days off. That's fine by me. I like waking up early. I'm nervous about starting the place up but I know I'm capable.
Things are, all in all, much better. I don't automatically know everything like I do in the OFI, and I don't automatically know the working dynamic with people like I do with the people there. That was home. This is an adventure. And I'm sure by the end of the season, this could well be home instead. It's all good - to me, ultimately, the park is home. Bozeman and Jackson are my favorite towns. I'll be okay as long as I'm in Yellowstone.
My key doesn't unlock my door. I left it unlocked. Canyon people are just nice. Right now pre-season it's such a close community that no one would even think of rifling through or stealing my stuff. I entered my room and it was untouched. I don't expect problems until the masses come through. But before they get here personelle has to, and so by then I'll have my room, and a key that works. The biggest downside is that they won't get here for a week, approximately. Or so the girls and I guess. I don't want to unload everything just to have to load it up again. Heck, I don't want to have to haul it all through the snow into the room until it's THE room. I'm hoping by then enough snow will have melted to make life easier. So I'm going to go out - as soon as this is done - and unload only a bag or two. Just enough to make life really liveable. My giant suitcase I had to open for the sake of my work shoes and I'm not sure how it's going to close again in my car but it'll have to. I'm not unloading it, however. Just in case I don't even end up in the dorm I'm in right now.
I'm still tired. Sore. But life is okay. Not super fantastic yet. But it has potential. I think tomorrow I'm going to drive down to Old Faithful. See the people. Potentially stay the night since I don't have to work the next day. Enjoy my old home. I miss it. More than I thought I would. I had this idea in my head that I was connected to Yellowstone, not Old Faithful. But the villages inside the park are so much like their own towns, they are their own communities. And just like Portland would never be home to a Salem person, even though they're not an hour apart and still all in Oregon.... It just doesn't matter, does it?
Now, I'm off to organize this room and bring in a bit more life.
First day unlike any other.....
I have never felt so compelled to start writing a blog. Perhaps it's due to the sheer lack of internet here, the inability to share, that makes me want to do just that. Perhaps it was my first day today. Completely unlike anything I'd imagined it'd be.
This is my third season. I've had a "check in day" twice now. For two different positions. They were both quite similar. Go through Gardiner and get your paperwork done, my first year I had orientation in Mammoth, but I don't HAVE to if I don't CHOOSE to now.... Continue on to your location, check in with personell and get a room. Unpack as much as possible until you need to report for work, eat, go home and unpack, explore, etc. Reporting for work is a mere meet and greet and perhaps a bit of paperwork. Then, the next day, "training". More paperwork, videos and tests and lectures.... Finally, someone signs off that you're capable of working in a kitchen and learning to do your job without killing yourself. Then you're handed over to your manager and you learn what you're going to be actually DOING for the next six months until you're contract is up, and you dig in. It's a bit like the first few days of school... predictable, slightly boring, and full of meet-and-greet.
Not this day.
This day I went through Gardiner and did my paperwork. Got a letter from the park supervisor for EDRs to meet him in the Canyon EDR at 3 - after I get my room and unpack and such. Ok. I get to Canyon and after chasing and looking and asking and being led I learn that the personell office is closed - and the personelle people for Canyon aren't even in the park! So I meet with Will (the supervisor) early. Say, ten ten-thirty. A thirty second "how's it going" later, I'm working. My manager isn't there, any of the people I'm working with. No one. I don't have a room, all my stuff is still locked away in my car.... It's just me and Will prepping the EDR for the real work. A few hours later my manager, Matt, shows up and joins in after another thirty second meet-and-greet. There is snow stacked up almost as tall as I am EVERYWHERE, but the doors are open to air the place out and fans are blowing. SO, in the jeans, shirt, and shoes - and luckily Chris' oversized hoody - that I started the day in, I'm on my knees cleaning and working from ten thirty ish on. We break for lunch. Sure. Matt gives me the ten scent tour since everything is connected. Our third person for the day shows up... SHE somehow has a room, with her matinence boyfriend. Somehow they know exactly where they'll room for the season.
Cutting a long story shorter, the end of the day was the other girl and I breaking down the EDR, Matt and Will having gone home already. I got a key to a temporary room around four oclock in the mens room of a dorm, that I hadn't seen yet. I spent all day on my feet - and knees I suppose - in shoes that weren't meant to actually work at all. I am tired and cranky and cannot bring myself to have an altogether hopeful outlook on life at the moment.
I'm sitting on the lower bunk of a bunkbed in a room where my key doesn't work so I can only lock it when I'm IN it - that doesn't worry me terribly though. I'm the only person in this side of the entire dorm. And I would love to look up at my boarded up window (protection from the snow that is up, I beleive, to the second story on this side of the dorm) and pretend I'm looking out at clear blue skies and bright shining snow and say hopefully to you and myself that "tomorrow is going to be another day and a new adventure" but I don't have enough hope to tell myself that that "new adventure" is going to leave me any more satisfied than this one did.
Today for dinner we fed a grand total of 16 people, including Matt, my other EDR person, and myself. And somehow, I'm the only one on this location that A - has never worked here before and B - not only doesn't know everyone there already, but doesn't know ANYONE there yet. I'm learning names and faces, and luckily everyone is pretty kind. However, it has been a long time since I've felt like this much of an outsider.
There is a huge part of me kicking myself for doing this. The entire reason for leaving OFI was to get a more southern position so driving out to see Chris would be easier. That didn't work out, this is a more northern area. And now I'm away from all my friends and all the comforts of home. I understand that part of what makes this SUCH an adventure is just that - I'm away from all my friends. They're not unreachable, they're just not there to see every day now.
I will try to maintain a positive outlook. I think once more people arrive - and more first timers - I'll feel less like a complete newbie and outsider. Maybe next time I just shouldn't pre-season. Right now I'm tired and dehydrated and wore out.... And I can't remember a single funny quote or story or anything from the day. Though I'm sure there were some.
I shall report back later. For now, I am going to sign off and read and sleep. I hope Mom doesn't worry about being unable to reach me. My phone is telling me it has no bars here, and my computer is telling me there is no internet to be had here. Maybe that will change too. I doubt it.
This is my third season. I've had a "check in day" twice now. For two different positions. They were both quite similar. Go through Gardiner and get your paperwork done, my first year I had orientation in Mammoth, but I don't HAVE to if I don't CHOOSE to now.... Continue on to your location, check in with personell and get a room. Unpack as much as possible until you need to report for work, eat, go home and unpack, explore, etc. Reporting for work is a mere meet and greet and perhaps a bit of paperwork. Then, the next day, "training". More paperwork, videos and tests and lectures.... Finally, someone signs off that you're capable of working in a kitchen and learning to do your job without killing yourself. Then you're handed over to your manager and you learn what you're going to be actually DOING for the next six months until you're contract is up, and you dig in. It's a bit like the first few days of school... predictable, slightly boring, and full of meet-and-greet.
Not this day.
This day I went through Gardiner and did my paperwork. Got a letter from the park supervisor for EDRs to meet him in the Canyon EDR at 3 - after I get my room and unpack and such. Ok. I get to Canyon and after chasing and looking and asking and being led I learn that the personell office is closed - and the personelle people for Canyon aren't even in the park! So I meet with Will (the supervisor) early. Say, ten ten-thirty. A thirty second "how's it going" later, I'm working. My manager isn't there, any of the people I'm working with. No one. I don't have a room, all my stuff is still locked away in my car.... It's just me and Will prepping the EDR for the real work. A few hours later my manager, Matt, shows up and joins in after another thirty second meet-and-greet. There is snow stacked up almost as tall as I am EVERYWHERE, but the doors are open to air the place out and fans are blowing. SO, in the jeans, shirt, and shoes - and luckily Chris' oversized hoody - that I started the day in, I'm on my knees cleaning and working from ten thirty ish on. We break for lunch. Sure. Matt gives me the ten scent tour since everything is connected. Our third person for the day shows up... SHE somehow has a room, with her matinence boyfriend. Somehow they know exactly where they'll room for the season.
Cutting a long story shorter, the end of the day was the other girl and I breaking down the EDR, Matt and Will having gone home already. I got a key to a temporary room around four oclock in the mens room of a dorm, that I hadn't seen yet. I spent all day on my feet - and knees I suppose - in shoes that weren't meant to actually work at all. I am tired and cranky and cannot bring myself to have an altogether hopeful outlook on life at the moment.
I'm sitting on the lower bunk of a bunkbed in a room where my key doesn't work so I can only lock it when I'm IN it - that doesn't worry me terribly though. I'm the only person in this side of the entire dorm. And I would love to look up at my boarded up window (protection from the snow that is up, I beleive, to the second story on this side of the dorm) and pretend I'm looking out at clear blue skies and bright shining snow and say hopefully to you and myself that "tomorrow is going to be another day and a new adventure" but I don't have enough hope to tell myself that that "new adventure" is going to leave me any more satisfied than this one did.
Today for dinner we fed a grand total of 16 people, including Matt, my other EDR person, and myself. And somehow, I'm the only one on this location that A - has never worked here before and B - not only doesn't know everyone there already, but doesn't know ANYONE there yet. I'm learning names and faces, and luckily everyone is pretty kind. However, it has been a long time since I've felt like this much of an outsider.
There is a huge part of me kicking myself for doing this. The entire reason for leaving OFI was to get a more southern position so driving out to see Chris would be easier. That didn't work out, this is a more northern area. And now I'm away from all my friends and all the comforts of home. I understand that part of what makes this SUCH an adventure is just that - I'm away from all my friends. They're not unreachable, they're just not there to see every day now.
I will try to maintain a positive outlook. I think once more people arrive - and more first timers - I'll feel less like a complete newbie and outsider. Maybe next time I just shouldn't pre-season. Right now I'm tired and dehydrated and wore out.... And I can't remember a single funny quote or story or anything from the day. Though I'm sure there were some.
I shall report back later. For now, I am going to sign off and read and sleep. I hope Mom doesn't worry about being unable to reach me. My phone is telling me it has no bars here, and my computer is telling me there is no internet to be had here. Maybe that will change too. I doubt it.
Third Year
Good afternoon all,
I have decided to take this back up. I have also decided to just continue this blog as long as I so desire to blog as opposed to starting a new one each year. That didn't make much sense when you all are so kindly following this one now.
As many of you know, this is my third year out. Which means there is a huge gap of time missing during my first winter (not spent in Yellowstone) all the way through my second summer IN Yellowstone and last winter also not in Yellowstone. A quick recap, I worked EDR cook (cook 3), got engaged, broke up, got a new boyfriend, finished my season, went home. Obviously it didn't happen that fast, but it did happen mostly in that order. Life goes on and I see no need to go into further detail on the past. I try to keep the future in front of me, not history.
SO I have been writing posts and saving them to my hard drive as I do not have internet so far in Canyon area. Therefore the posts I do present will probably come - at least for a time - in great quantities with a low frequency.
To start off in this post I would like to add a bit of starter information.
The previous two summers I was in Old Faithful. This year I'm in the Canyon area. I'm an EDR cook (cook 3). I got here three days ago - I think. My season ends in September, but I plan on extending and closing down the Old Faithful area as well. I also am strongly considering applying for a winter job. The Canyon area does not have cell reception for anything but Verizon, and as of right now does not have internet at all. Currently, I'm sitting in an Old Faithful dorm using the internet here.
So, on to the posts containing things that are, hopefully interesting. They shall be both chronicles of my days and experiences here as well as thoughts on life the universe and everything (thank you Douglas Adams for giving that phrase to the world).
I have decided to take this back up. I have also decided to just continue this blog as long as I so desire to blog as opposed to starting a new one each year. That didn't make much sense when you all are so kindly following this one now.
As many of you know, this is my third year out. Which means there is a huge gap of time missing during my first winter (not spent in Yellowstone) all the way through my second summer IN Yellowstone and last winter also not in Yellowstone. A quick recap, I worked EDR cook (cook 3), got engaged, broke up, got a new boyfriend, finished my season, went home. Obviously it didn't happen that fast, but it did happen mostly in that order. Life goes on and I see no need to go into further detail on the past. I try to keep the future in front of me, not history.
SO I have been writing posts and saving them to my hard drive as I do not have internet so far in Canyon area. Therefore the posts I do present will probably come - at least for a time - in great quantities with a low frequency.
To start off in this post I would like to add a bit of starter information.
The previous two summers I was in Old Faithful. This year I'm in the Canyon area. I'm an EDR cook (cook 3). I got here three days ago - I think. My season ends in September, but I plan on extending and closing down the Old Faithful area as well. I also am strongly considering applying for a winter job. The Canyon area does not have cell reception for anything but Verizon, and as of right now does not have internet at all. Currently, I'm sitting in an Old Faithful dorm using the internet here.
So, on to the posts containing things that are, hopefully interesting. They shall be both chronicles of my days and experiences here as well as thoughts on life the universe and everything (thank you Douglas Adams for giving that phrase to the world).
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