Day Off - Weasel's, Free Beer, and Nancy Greene

Finally, two days off from working at the Olympics, with an opportunity to relax and ski in Whistler. But let's be honest. This is B.C., and you can't get away from the Olympics.

It was nice to actually be a part of them from a fan perspective. I arrived in Whistler in record time. My cousin Geoff was out skiing and wouldn't be back until one, so I had time to catch up with his wife Jackie and play with their kids Zachary, Sammy, and Isabelle.

When Geoff got home, we all decided to go walking around Whistler Village. The place was packed with people, more than the busiest day outside of the Games. But the energy was incredible, lots of very friendly people, and a nice opportunity to soak in the festivities.

After taking lots of pictures, finding free stuff (pins and a foam finger to cheer on Jamaica), we parted ways so that I could meet up with my friend and fellow ski patroller Ashley. Ashley's role is Course Setter, and he's one of those people that put up the 'B' nets, or the blue safety nets on the race course. Collectively, all of the alpine crew are known as Weasel Workers, secret hand shakes and all. They also have their own 'house', which, as you can guess, is aptly named "Weasel House". Translation - free beer! Yes, Marc's incredible run of dumb luck continues.

At the Weasel House, we enjoyed some nice local draft, met some other patrollers from around Canada, including one from Mont Saint Marie who I remember from meeting years ago. But the two highlights for me were meeting Carl Ricker, the father of snowboard cross Gold medal winner Maelle Ricker, and the lovely (and short) Nancy Greene.

I left in time to catch dinner back at the house, and then Geoff and I went back into the village because we had tickets to Victory Square and the medal ceremonies. Again, another fantastic experience to see athletes get what they readily deserved for all of their hard work and dedication.

Again, met some really cool Canadians, surly Swiss, jolly Americans, and gnarly Norwegians. We bar hopped a few places, met a guy from Texas who came up to ski, and when he booked, didn't realize the Olympics were going on! Of course, I asked him if he lived in a cave, but I guess we now know how popular the Games coverage is down South.

Finally, it was home to bed because Day Two of my days off was....Whistler/Blackcomb ski day!

Off to work now, will update Day Two tonight (tomorrow for those of you in the East).

Marc, out!