Sorry...This Boat is Going Off Line....

It's has been quite the journey.

This experiment started back on February 7th, 2010 after a suggestion by the former manager at Aquabus. 'You should do a blog......call it 'in the center of it all...'

At the time, I didn't know what a vivid, memorable experience working during the Winter Olympics would be.

As I recorded my own daily experiences, it help make sense of what we at Aquabus were experiencing as a separate unique entity within this massive event that swallowed our city for two weeks.

As the daily exercise of observing, taking notes, forming ideas to encapsulate each unfolding day, became routine - it was a large part of the sense of sadness that I felt the day after it was all finally over.

What am I going to do now?

The original purpose of this blog, to record the experience of the Winter Olympics from our perspective on the creek, was over.

Or was it? In effect, this daily routine has developed my writing muscle, and forever changed how I observed life unfolding before me.

Now a regular day was a series of unending questions, puzzles and challenges.

All just there to piece together into a running commentary on the daily soap opera of serving people crossing the creek, and working beside people right across the spectrum of life.

And I loved it.

So I carried on, recording the unfolding life and drama that I witnessed since February 2010.

I had already met Micheal Buble and Matt Lauer, been to see an international ice hockey game during the Olympics, and met literally thousands of visitors from around the world each sharing a small snippet of themselves.

Now I told of how I met female recording artist: Colbie Caillat - she seemed a bit nervous of me. (I wonder why?)

Then I how I shared a laugh and joke with one of the legends that helped the Canucks get to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994: Kirk McClean.

And who can forget the summer of Shamrock Love, meeting and working with some of the loveliest Irish girls last year?

Like heading downtown to celebrate the one year anniversary of those  infamous games, its all been fun, fun, fun.

As I wrote each entry it was adding to the long, long letter of love and reverence I felt for this little company.

I can honestly say Aquabus helped changed my life.

When I came aboard, I was at a time of my life when I needed to challenge myself and increase my own confidence.

Without doubt, if I hadn't fallen into being a deckhand, I wouldn't have taken up the challenge to put together a 30 minute historic tour of False Creek.

I wouldn't have been in the position to give up to 8 tours a day abroad the Rainbow Hunter.

It was these busy days that built up the confidence and ease to deal with people on a constant basis.

This opportunity to re-invent myself between 2004 - 06, allowed me the confidence to walk into my practicum site and show a different way to approach at risk youth.

With humor tempered with respect and clear behavioral expectations.

I literally walked the halls of this alternative school, as if I was setting out from Granville Island with a boatload of 22 passengers. Hey! Lets have some fun today!

Unfortunately, I sense this chronicle of life at Aqubus has reached full circle.

Due to my other commitments as a father, and the uncertainty of my future as a Youth Worker in my current placement, I will no longer be able to continue this blog.

I will like to thank Geoff and Margo Pratt for all the opportunities they have given me, which I have recorded here.

I still love you both very much.

One of the loveliest compliments I have ever received from Geoff is recorded that last night of the games:

'I hug Jody and give Uncle Ray a peek on the cheek and slip out with Geoff and Margo....who drop me off on Sassy Street - Sassy after we moved into the 'hood! On the way I have to say I am touched when I thank Geoff for having me aboard and he said '...you know, I would come down to the dock, and see you in action working the crowds and just feel proud that was one of my employees...' 

I hope I can still be of service to you in the future. Best wishes to Jake - I hope you get better Jesmond!

And of course, to Jody it goes without saying........

If you stumble upon this site - I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures during 2010 to 2011. If you want more, be sure to catch up with me at my other blog:

peaacccceeeeee out sisters

The Limey

Meeting the lovely Charmaine Crooks!

Its been 12 days since my last blog......if you want to see what I've been angry about during that time - head over to my other blog as I had a lot to say.....

But back to now. Tomorrow is my favorite day next to Christmas Day. Canada Day is the big day to show your off your Canadian pride big time.

And if you do, and are covered from head to toe in red and white, you can get the 2 for 1 special on all fares at Aquabus.

Will and Kate, the future King and Queen in the old country, are visiting Canada right now. Why they're not going further west than Calgary I don`t know.

But Kate looks stunning as this picture shows, when they were in Ottawa.

 I also had the pleasure to meet a member of our own Royal family last week!

My friend Kat Thorsen had a fund raising night at District 319 - a beautifully restored Chinese theater at Main and Cordova downtown. The Vancouver Friends for Life society cares for people with life threatening problems.

Kat drew poster size sketches of prominent gay personalities and then invited the invited audience to finish them off. They were then auctioned off to funds for the Vancouver Friends for Life society. They cares for people with life threatening problems.

It was a great night, full of fun and laughs with many of the personalities there in person on the night.

(For more see here: http://skinnyscronnybrit.com/2011/06/28/kats-heroes-with-heart-nite-district-319/)

One of the gathered personalities was the lovely Charmaine Crooks! A one time member of the International Olympic Committee, she was part of the team which secured the Vancouver bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

I was very touched when she thanked me for working at Aquabus during the games and helping visitors to our great city. A true lady!

Happy Canada Day people! See you at the Aquabus dock tomorrow! Its going to be a mad day and even madder when I see Britney Spears tomorrow night! Can`t wait!

In the meantime,

peaacccceeeee out sisters