Skating Anyone?

I have just returned from my first Skate Canada Event in Victoria, BC. For eight days we hosted the worlds best singles and pairs skaters in the world as they short programmed, long programmed and danced their way to the winners podium. I will say one thing about figure skating - it's some kind of serious work! I have never been so up-close and personal with professional athletes before (sorry, Amy), and I was very, very impressed with the physical and emotional stamina that these people (most of them nearly children) have . The focus they have, the respect for one another and their devotion to their sport is outstanding; they have my utmost respect. Beyond the skaters was the phenomenal amount of work that goes into putting on a production of this size. I saw ice being painted, jumbotrons being lowered and reconfigured, miles and miles of something called 'patch cables' being installed and tens of thousands of people filing in and out of our building in orderly, manageable form. Our team definitely took the gold for 'event staging'. I am exhausted, jet lagged and my feet are still aching, but it was a really great time. I really bonded with my coworkers and it feels good to be part of this team. I will say, however, that Victoria is not the end all and be all of beautiful places to visit, as the residents of Victoria would have you believe. While they get very little (or no) snow, it rains all the bloody time; you can't ski on rain, people! Have you ever seen a rainmain? Kids making rain angels? Ever whipped a rainball at someone? No. What you may have seen is leaking roofs, frizzy hair and people being drenched in a tidal wave from a roadside puddle. The other downside to thier mild climate is that the homeless and the aged outnumber anyone else at least five to one, so unless you're a widower looking to score some crack, stay East with the hardier Canadians. Relieved and happy to be home, I have the entire week off and two weeks of office time before my next destination, tropical Moncton, NB. Stay Tuned.