first day off…

My post in the Press Tribune - Nice view huh?

Whew! it’s been a whirlwind the last 4 days of competition at the ROO!

Ice making issues, delays in competition, crazy busy sleep deprived reporters, ‘gate crashers’, etc… It all makes for an exciting, fun and tiring experience.

The Press Tribune area that I work in is large. It seats 122 written press at ‘tabled’ seating with laptop space, internet ports, phone jacks, etc… Then there is the 75+ overflow press seats immediately adjacent to the seated positions. It means that I have the single largest Tribune area, and the area with the most issues. But it’s all good… After 4 days in that area, I know my press guys pretty well. Some by first name, most others by face, so I know WHO should and who SHOULDN’T be seated in my area.

Generally speaking, the guys are pretty good about being where they need to be. It’s usually the ‘rights’ broadcasters that I need to direct to the right location. Everyone wants a tabled seat, and why not? You have internet hard-wired into the area, wi-fi if needed, phone jacks and power cords. The ‘rights’ people [these are the various country broadcasters] don’t have access to this stuff on my lower ice-level of the tribune. They are generally pretty understanding when I gently steer them away from the tabled seating, and I do let them sit in the area while it’s quiet during training sessions… But they all know that once training is over, I’ll be steering them away from the tables to the seats across the aisle. LOL! It’s funny, now all I have to do is look a certain people and they grab their stuff and move, with a smile and nod of understanding.

One of the broadcasters/commentators is from the Dutch tv and his name is Bart. Yesterday,  Bart arrived, plunked down in his usual training spot, and proceeded to lay all the Monday problems with the Olympia Icebears [the resurfacing equipment was causing ruts] on me, saying it was because I had an early shift, left before competition and that I wasn’t there to maintain order. LOL! He jokingly blamed ME for the problems. So I assured him that I would be at ROO from 8am-7pm and that I was going to be in ALL day to ‘maintain order’ and that the ice machines wouldn’t be a problem. He gave me a big grin and said that he was glad because the night before had been a very long one indeed. Thank goodness there were no problems with the equipment! =)

It amazes me how much easier it is to direct people with a smile, humor and a well timed laugh. I’ve watched a few of my other Tribune cohorts and they are far more serious in their ‘delivery’ of the rules and direction. They tend to have a tougher time moving people, or at least their people don’t see quite as happy as mine LOL… Like a said, a smile, a laugh and a little bit of flirting with the press in area goes a long long way. And when you have well over 100 of them to deal with, that is a HUGE help.

Have seen a lot of Shani Davis in the last few days. He actually was seated and chatting with Bart in my Tribune for about 30 minutes yesterday, right beside me. Interesting stuff… none of which I can repeat here ;^) Anyways, he’s very nice, and will return your smiled readily, if he notices it. He is very quiet though and will only speak to certain reporters… Game face is on for Shani Davis, that is for sure!

So today, I have the day off. I’m blogging, slept in until 9am <sigh – that was heaven!>, will be bussing in to meet T at 5pm at Cityhall. Then we’re off to Canada Hockey Place [aka GM Place - home of the Canucks] for a 9pm Men’s Hockey Game of Czech vs. Slovakia! Now that is a grunge match and with some impressive NHLers in the line-up, it should be a good game.Tomorrow night we see the Men’s Russia vs. Czech game. Now THAT is going to be a GOOD game! Can hardly wait. I love Ovie… Pure hockey skill and passion in that guy.

We’re going to pitstop at the Bay downtown, where all the international team gear is being sold to fans from around the world. I really hope to pick up either an orange Netherlands jacket [I love it because of the colour and the native art inspired wing down each sleeve of the warm-up jacket] or a Russia red and white ballcap [I LOVE the flourish design in their team gear this year. AWESOME!]. I’d love a Russia warm-up jacket, but they are running at a pretty steep price-point so I don’t think that’s in the cards. PLUS T might be looking at an Ovechkin jersey too… so the ballcap would work well with the jersey.

OH! Before I forget… Colbert will be shooting in ROO today, tomorrow and Friday. Hopefully he’ll be in while I’m there on Friday. I’m choked about today though, especially since he’s shooting in MY Tribune area and I’m not there =( Oh well, maybe I’ll get a chance to see him on Friday.

Anyways, that is the scoop so far. Will report in again soon… in the meantime, GO CANADA GO!