It's a small small world

Quite by accident I found out that Maria Adversalo, a woman we know well from Star of the Sea (she was one of Ryan's preschool teachers), is also going to be at the Olympics as a volunteer. I tracked down her cell phone number and talked to her today. Guess what? She is a volunteer at my very same venue! And she has been in Vancouver for over a week for training so she knew way more about the venue and what is going on than I do. She is staying right up the way from me in Whistler and I'm sure we'll be boarding the same bus to the Whistler Olympic Park at 4:30am! More when I meet up with Maria in Whistler.

Information starts to arrive

Late on Friday night I got an email with a venue manual attached... 44 pages of reading material before I arrive! It is full of site specific information about the venue, procedures, uniform protocol, event schedules, emergency procedures (you know how I love these!), and more. My name is even published in the staff section. Guess I'm really going!

Whistler Olympic Park

Want to learn more about my venue? It is the site of the ski jump, biathalon, cross country skiing and nordic combined. It is a new venue and supposed to be great. Website is www.whistlerolympicpark.com.

3 days to go!

More details are coming but still I don't have a very clear idea of what is in store. This is truly an adventure! Been emailing with Shaela from Boise State and comparing notes on what we know. She had one piece of news that I hope is true -- she thinks we get to see the Opening ceremonies rehearsal before we head up to Whistler. That would be so awesome! We were supposed to have some materials to help us prepare before we left but haven't seen anything yet and so I guess we will have to be fast learners.

Starting to meet my co-workers!

I first heard from my friends at UH Athletics about Shaela Priaulx, who works in the ticket office at Boise State. Shaela and I will share a condo, along with a woman from Italy. I have since also made contact with Patrick Brannick, who I will be working with at Whistler Olympic Park, and Debra Duncan, from USC. Sounds like an experienced crew. Patrick worked at the Athens Olympics and the woman from Italy worked at Torino. I should learn a lot from these experienced box office people!