Rossland Politics

We have a civic election coming up in Rossland and I am concerned! Below is a comment I left on the Rossland Telegraph website. We have a lot of independently wealthy dreamers living in Rossland who want the place never to ever change. But the town can't just keep getting smaller for an increasingly prilvileged few.

Just recieved Kathy Moores pamphlet for a position on council. I congratulate her on a very professional presentation. However I would ask if the photo of Rossland she has chosen is indicative of her vision for Rossland? The first thing I notice is that we live in a beautiful town, the next is that the streets are empty. While vacant streets may be idilic for some, the economic reality is that unless we become a community composed of independantly wealthy citizens, the viability of living in Rossland will become difficult. The fact that Kathy Moore did not notice this, or did and chose the photo anyway, is cause for concern for me.

London Memories

Back in Rosslalnd now, good to be home. The action of London was great but three days was enough (I was there for six). I would like to be a tourist there at some point, instead of a sales guy. The highlight of the trip was catching up with some former NONSTOPERS. I found it much easier to talk to them than the 1000 or so potential NONSTOPERS or Red Mountain visitors who I was trying to sell something to. I think I am OK at selling but it is not natural to me. I am self trained at sales. Knowing the potential of Ski Shows, especially London, is a charge but generally the shows are a drain on me.

It was very good to catch up with the NONSTOP London Team, a very professional, positive and youthful operation. Good to be around. I had a great night with Tom Buxton, Chris Pritchford, Martin Laws-Chapman and Tara Wight. Fun times!

Selling Cleaning Products on a Sidewalk

London Ski Show; I had an excellent opportunity to make a presentation on behalf of NONSTOPSKI on "How to become a Ski Instructor" at the London Ski Show.

Power Point prepared, ran through it a couple of times, ready to go, or so I thought! What I was not prepared for was the venue! I had in my mind a picture of the venue being in a special presentation room or at least of it being in a somewhat designated area. To my astonishment, it was right in the middle of the show where hundreds of people were milling about. Sounds great except that the hundreds of people had no interest in a presentation and predictably continued on with their milling about as I began discussing my very interesting topic. The most unusual presentation situation for me ever. My norm is making a presentation at CSIA instructor certification courses where participants at least pretend to be interested in what I have to say. Quite uncomfortatble! To make matters worse, the TV screen, on which my power point was displayed was tiny in comparison to the venue, and the sound system (I was on a microphone) was absolutely enormous. I felt like one of those guys demonstrating cleaning products on a busy sidewalk, only it felt like I was not wearing any pants.

In London

Arrived in London yesterday! What a different world. I was off the plane, on to the Tube and at South Kensington Station within an hour, not in Rossland anymore. I squeezed into a coffee shop, ordered a latte and took in the scene. It is great to be out of my routine, my comfort zone!

Freeski Academy Training

We are training the Freeski Academy every Sunday in Trail at an undisclosed sand hill. This is an unreal workout and a great simulation of skiing. The run up is huge physical stress and the run down is a great thrill.

Upside down in the photo is Joel. Yes he did land it.

England Bound

I will be heading off to London England next week for the London Ski Show. I will be there for a week. Being from a small place like Rossland, I really appreciate being in an urban environment every once in a while, really looking forward to it, crowded tubes and all.
I am trying to organise a bit of a reunion for past Red Mountain NONSTOPSKI participants. I will be at the Beaconsfield Pub Hammersmith at 7:00 next Friday (Oct 24), if anyone gets this.
Cheers,
Mark

I have a Blog

OK a new project for me, this blog! My idea is to use this blog as a means to keep friends updated about the happenings around Canadian Ski Quest, Red Mountain, Rossland, and my life.

Blogging is a new concept for me, so lets see how I go, any feedback is appreciated, even to let me know that someone has the slightest interest.