Big Jumps and Big Mountains

Day Two...

A few notes on the fantastic people watching. I've decided to give a few awards based on vicious personal beliefs, biases, etc:

1) Worst dressed fans: The Russians. Jesus, they follow me every-where.

2) Most Enthusiastic: The Fins. They're like that goofy cousin you see once a year at Thanksgiving, funny, but you aren't having a drink with them after Grandma goes to bed.

3) Not afraid of a drink: The Poles, plus good looking women (caveat-below the age of 35, then Babushka city).

4) Rarest: Jamaicans. Only seen one and she was w/ her American Suga-Daddy.

5) Nicest: Canadians. Absolutely delightful and proud of these games. I just have a feeling they REALLy want to see the US fall on its' face. Hmmmm.

6) Scariest: Germans. Everyone seems to wander away when they start yelling. The Poles get really nervous.

OK. Enough bad stereotypes. Nordic Combined today. Half hour outside of Whistler, then a mile hike up to the sites (weeds out the weak fans). I am now an expert in all things associated w/ jumping and cross-country skiing. I will give a demonstration back in Ballard. Great day. Americans got Silver that came down to the last 50 yards of the cross-country section.

Tomorrow skiing or, if motivated, down the hill to Vancouver for Arials...

The Great White North

Excellent news, we snuck across the border w/ little fanfare. The border guard even congratulated us on Team USA Hockey's win. Hmmmmm, they're up to something.

Man, we flew up the highway, dodging RMCP the whole way. I've never had an easier drive. Sunny, clear, and 50 degrees in Whistler. Odd. All part of this Canadian "hospitality."

So, Whistler is PACKED w/ people. Loud, boisterous, and everyone is in Red & White. But you knew that. Luckily this nice Swiss gentlemen got us to our room. He kept offering to touch my Edleweiss, which I thought was a lovely gesture of Olympic spirit.

So we're cruising around and sampling the local beverages and begining our battle plan. Tomorrow will be our first event: ski jumping. Looks like it is down the road by about a half hour via shuttle. Katy has offered to get a massage.

Of to a dry sauna now and then to the local ticket scalper.

Olympic Fever does not go into remission

Again.

Back to the Heart of Darkness. This time I'm bringing Katy... Sam Sr is still emotionally shattered from our last Olympic trip.

Frankly, I'm a little nervous watching these Canadians. Top of the third period in USA vs Canada hockey. We're up 3-2, oooops, make that 4-2. If Team USA wins this game it could be an ugly border crossing. At least I'm in a Swedish car. I have a feeling they'll be ripping Americans out their cars and giving out cold syrup high-colonics if Team Canada loses.

Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee...

Wish us luck, it should be an interesting week.

Back in Pasadena. You tend to forget how fantastic the drivers are down here in sunny SoCal. No driving in the fast lane at 55mph. Hell no... not if you want to make it to the next day of working for THE SWISS. This seems to sum up my minion's attitude in the land of lutefisk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBgIvH0tu6Y

Mama Coleman's birthday today. Got yelled at for getting her some flowers. Blamed it on her grand children. Ha! No more fruity outfits for them from Talbots.

Well, she likes to go to out flamenco dancing and cruising for Armenian men once a year, so I'm off to act as her wing man. C'est la guerre.

Bahooka tomorrow. Thank God. Best place on the planet Earth. Should involve Moran, Lewis, & Peterson. Brain Trust:
http://www.geocities.com/bahookarestaurant/welcome.htm

The Baron Returns...

I find it increasingly difficult to manage The Ballard. Much like Afghanistan, it continues to be a cake walk managing the lowlands, however, the second I take my family into the wilderness of Phinney Ridge things change... The tribal areas are ruled, sporadically, by the Adams clan and security controlled through the Emmens. I brought along my new ministers of commerce and foreign affairs (pictured above). Frankly, I don't remember which is which.

Last night saw near death by pork products, projectile vomiting and every child crying at some point. Fantastic evening, but relatively normal for this time of year.

In Pasadena checking on the crops. Back soon.

More Entertainment

More Pics