Tuesday
In the car by 8am, picked up Hans, Lauren’s farrier, by 8:30 and got to the airport by 10am. Nice and early…my flight isn’t until 6:56pm…thought I’d be able to store my bags, but no, they don’t do that. I’ll have to cart my luggage around the airport all day. Tempting to get a room at the airport hotel, not worth 140 bucks tho. So I’m sitting in the food court area with Krispy Kreme donuts, catching up on my blogs! Nobody is on face book to chat to, or skype…not surprising as it is 3:30am in Australia! There is heaps of shops to look at which I will do once I check my bags, I can do that 4 hours prior to my flight. Until then it’s easier to stay put, apart from the internet I have movies and audio books for entertainment. Will lose a day on the way home…the 27th of October will not exist for me.
I’m looking forward to getting home, it’s been a great adventure, time to go back to the real world.
So long and thanks for all the fish.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
25/10/10
Monday
Wow, the puppy and the cat must have missed us a lot…couldn’t go to the bathroom without both of them following me in! They’d run in under the chair before I could shut the door, so I went back out and they came back out, so I’d go back in and they’d come in again, eventually had to get lauren to hang on to them…funny little aminals. It was my last day and I had to get packed and organised, we were leaving at 8am tomorrow morning. Lauren’s farrier, who fly’s over from Canada to do her horses feet, had to be at the airport by 10:30am and it takes a good couple of hours to get there. We went out to dinner for our last night, to theJapanese steakhouse, where I had the filet mignon…mmmmm…and a Bosai Blossom cocktail.
Wow, the puppy and the cat must have missed us a lot…couldn’t go to the bathroom without both of them following me in! They’d run in under the chair before I could shut the door, so I went back out and they came back out, so I’d go back in and they’d come in again, eventually had to get lauren to hang on to them…funny little aminals. It was my last day and I had to get packed and organised, we were leaving at 8am tomorrow morning. Lauren’s farrier, who fly’s over from Canada to do her horses feet, had to be at the airport by 10:30am and it takes a good couple of hours to get there. We went out to dinner for our last night, to theJapanese steakhouse, where I had the filet mignon…mmmmm…and a Bosai Blossom cocktail.
24/10/10
Sunday
Another full day of fun and games. Pat even brought the cutting horse simulator so people could experience how it should feel. It’s a mechanical horse on a track and a cow on a parallel track…will try and insert some video of Lauren riding it. Bought lots of stuff cos there were also Parelli preferred vendors there selling everything from Photonic therapy red lights to stem cell products. Don’t know how I’m going to fit it all into my bags! The event finished up by 4pm and it took a couple of hours for us to load up the horses and head back to the ranch…hopefully this video will work…
Another full day of fun and games. Pat even brought the cutting horse simulator so people could experience how it should feel. It’s a mechanical horse on a track and a cow on a parallel track…will try and insert some video of Lauren riding it. Bought lots of stuff cos there were also Parelli preferred vendors there selling everything from Photonic therapy red lights to stem cell products. Don’t know how I’m going to fit it all into my bags! The event finished up by 4pm and it took a couple of hours for us to load up the horses and head back to the ranch…hopefully this video will work…
23/10/10
Saturday
The day starts a little more relaxed, we didn’t have to be there til 8:30am. The purpose of the Jacksonville Rendezvous is for all the Savvy Club members to gather and do demo’s, spotlights, discuss problems or concerns in small forum groups, compete in levels games and generally socialise, find instructors, watch Pat, Linda and the Mastery Program students in action training their horses.
The day starts a little more relaxed, we didn’t have to be there til 8:30am. The purpose of the Jacksonville Rendezvous is for all the Savvy Club members to gather and do demo’s, spotlights, discuss problems or concerns in small forum groups, compete in levels games and generally socialise, find instructors, watch Pat, Linda and the Mastery Program students in action training their horses.
22/10/10
Friday
Chaos as usual for the first day cos no one really knows what’s going on, it’s usually a ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ kind of thing. We turned up at the hotel last night to discover that the rooms booked for us where upstairs, and there was no lift. Only rooms available on the ground level were smoking rooms- no thanks. So me and Lauren drove around several hotels with me running in each time to ask about accessible rooms…it was about midnight when we finally found one, got to bed about half past and had to be up at 5:30am. Had a team meeting at the venue at 6:30am, the moon was still up and it felt like the middle of the night. I joined the media crew and was tasked with filming the Dream Horses. I should explain that the Dream Horse program is a way for the horses at the ranch to move on, rather than hang around for ever doing the levels and getting sour. The horses can be purchased for $1000 plus a donation to the Parelli Foundation (tax deductable)…Pat’s top Cutting horses require a donation of up to $150,000, lower end horses can be bought for $9000 ($1000 plus $8000 donation).
Chaos as usual for the first day cos no one really knows what’s going on, it’s usually a ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ kind of thing. We turned up at the hotel last night to discover that the rooms booked for us where upstairs, and there was no lift. Only rooms available on the ground level were smoking rooms- no thanks. So me and Lauren drove around several hotels with me running in each time to ask about accessible rooms…it was about midnight when we finally found one, got to bed about half past and had to be up at 5:30am. Had a team meeting at the venue at 6:30am, the moon was still up and it felt like the middle of the night. I joined the media crew and was tasked with filming the Dream Horses. I should explain that the Dream Horse program is a way for the horses at the ranch to move on, rather than hang around for ever doing the levels and getting sour. The horses can be purchased for $1000 plus a donation to the Parelli Foundation (tax deductable)…Pat’s top Cutting horses require a donation of up to $150,000, lower end horses can be bought for $9000 ($1000 plus $8000 donation).
21/10/10
Thursday
Ok, well Tuesday’s plan got thrown out the window and I spent most of yesterday, Wednesday, trying to find out what the new plan was…as it happens, the new plan was for us all to come up to Jacksonville today instead and stay the 3 days. So I’m sitting in Lauren’s van, in Jacksonville, observing lots of exciting stuff going on all around me. We brought 37 horses with us including Casper, Remmer and Magic. Once the phone is charged up I will be on Twitter duty for the day, unless needed for something else. It’s been great to catch up with some of the office team that went to WEG, and meet Savvy Club members from all over! Still have to find out about hotels, can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings…
Ok, well Tuesday’s plan got thrown out the window and I spent most of yesterday, Wednesday, trying to find out what the new plan was…as it happens, the new plan was for us all to come up to Jacksonville today instead and stay the 3 days. So I’m sitting in Lauren’s van, in Jacksonville, observing lots of exciting stuff going on all around me. We brought 37 horses with us including Casper, Remmer and Magic. Once the phone is charged up I will be on Twitter duty for the day, unless needed for something else. It’s been great to catch up with some of the office team that went to WEG, and meet Savvy Club members from all over! Still have to find out about hotels, can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings…
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
14 - 19/10/10
Thursday - Tuesday
Feeling a bit displaced…don’t really have a job to do. Helping out Lauren with some admin., puppy sitting, doing laundry…trialling the new savvy club website Parelli Connect. Went to the supermarket and got some provisions, don’t get down to the lodge much.
This is Lauren's puppy...an Australian Shepherd called Skye...
Woke up in the wee hours of the morning cos I was getting jumped all over…sat up to see the cat had brought a frog to show me and every time the frog jumped, the cat pounced on it, thankfully the frog then hopped off the bed and the cat hopped off after it. Found the frog during the morning hopping across the bathroom floor, so I relocated it so a moist patch of grass under the shed outside.
Got to watch Lauren's dressage lesson with Walter Zettle...
Went to the Japanese Steakhouse again for Brittney’s birthday…teppinyaki style…couldn’t catch zuccini in my mouth…birthday cake was awesome!
Found out the plan for the up coming event…Jacksonville Rendezvous…I will be going up to Jacksonville on Friday, coming back Saturday night, or maybe staying on for Sunday if they need me.
Feeling a bit displaced…don’t really have a job to do. Helping out Lauren with some admin., puppy sitting, doing laundry…trialling the new savvy club website Parelli Connect. Went to the supermarket and got some provisions, don’t get down to the lodge much.
This is Lauren's puppy...an Australian Shepherd called Skye...
Woke up in the wee hours of the morning cos I was getting jumped all over…sat up to see the cat had brought a frog to show me and every time the frog jumped, the cat pounced on it, thankfully the frog then hopped off the bed and the cat hopped off after it. Found the frog during the morning hopping across the bathroom floor, so I relocated it so a moist patch of grass under the shed outside.
Got to watch Lauren's dressage lesson with Walter Zettle...
Went to the Japanese Steakhouse again for Brittney’s birthday…teppinyaki style…couldn’t catch zuccini in my mouth…birthday cake was awesome!
Found out the plan for the up coming event…Jacksonville Rendezvous…I will be going up to Jacksonville on Friday, coming back Saturday night, or maybe staying on for Sunday if they need me.
13/10/10
Wednesday
My first day at the Florida campus after a good sleep in. Had a wonder around the barn where I’m staying, which happens to be Pat’s barn. Excited to see friends that were at the Colorado campus, had lunch at the lodge and had a campus meeting with Pat and Linda, getting to know a bit about everybody. Had a relaxed afternoon, Lauren gave me a tour of the Florida campus, which is very spread out, I think I’ll need a map if I’m to venture out myself. Went for dinner at a sushi place, enjoyed trying lots of different things, including a Japanese beer, Sapporo.
My first day at the Florida campus after a good sleep in. Had a wonder around the barn where I’m staying, which happens to be Pat’s barn. Excited to see friends that were at the Colorado campus, had lunch at the lodge and had a campus meeting with Pat and Linda, getting to know a bit about everybody. Had a relaxed afternoon, Lauren gave me a tour of the Florida campus, which is very spread out, I think I’ll need a map if I’m to venture out myself. Went for dinner at a sushi place, enjoyed trying lots of different things, including a Japanese beer, Sapporo.
12/10/10
Tuesday
Up at 5:30am, my ride is coming between 6 and 6:30am. Alanna arrived in Linda’s car and off we go…thru Kentucky, thru Tennessee, thru Georgia and finally we get to Florida ! A very long day, heaps of awesome scenery, very ready to hit the sack. I’m in the barn apartment with horses for neighbours, cool!
Up at 5:30am, my ride is coming between 6 and 6:30am. Alanna arrived in Linda’s car and off we go…thru Kentucky, thru Tennessee, thru Georgia and finally we get to Florida ! A very long day, heaps of awesome scenery, very ready to hit the sack. I’m in the barn apartment with horses for neighbours, cool!
11/10/10
Monday
Sleep, coffee, krispy kreme donuts, pack, great last night dinner with Janie and Bobby, sleep.
Sleep, coffee, krispy kreme donuts, pack, great last night dinner with Janie and Bobby, sleep.
10/10/10
Sunday
Last day…bittersweet…happy to be leaving but sad to say goodbye. Pat’s demo with the savvy team was great, demonstrated the savvy games, tournament style. It was a slower afternoon but still with a steady interest and lots of last minute sales. Then it was time to pack up, lots of people and lots of crates…didn’t take very long really. Home by a decent time and looking forward to a sleep in and good rest day tomorrow.
Last day…bittersweet…happy to be leaving but sad to say goodbye. Pat’s demo with the savvy team was great, demonstrated the savvy games, tournament style. It was a slower afternoon but still with a steady interest and lots of last minute sales. Then it was time to pack up, lots of people and lots of crates…didn’t take very long really. Home by a decent time and looking forward to a sleep in and good rest day tomorrow.
9/10/10
Saturday
Started with getting up at 6:30pm and working the morning shift, then found out the final of the stadium jumping was on tonight at 8pm, so worked the afternoon shift as well. Hung out with Shannon and got some hot chips for dinner then went and found a good spot in the stadium. We weren’t sure if they were going to let us in with our passes but they did! It was a case of the final 4 riders having to jump their own horse, then each of the other finalist’s horses over the same course, with only 3 minutes to get used to them. It was very exciting to watch! The event was won by Belgium, Saudi Arabia second and Canada third. The Canadian’s horse won the “best horse” prize for going clear every time. Didn’t get home til nearly midnight but it was very worth it.
Started with getting up at 6:30pm and working the morning shift, then found out the final of the stadium jumping was on tonight at 8pm, so worked the afternoon shift as well. Hung out with Shannon and got some hot chips for dinner then went and found a good spot in the stadium. We weren’t sure if they were going to let us in with our passes but they did! It was a case of the final 4 riders having to jump their own horse, then each of the other finalist’s horses over the same course, with only 3 minutes to get used to them. It was very exciting to watch! The event was won by Belgium, Saudi Arabia second and Canada third. The Canadian’s horse won the “best horse” prize for going clear every time. Didn’t get home til nearly midnight but it was very worth it.
8/10/10
Friday
A beautiful day in Kentucky, warm and sunny. The freestyle para-dressage starts today, Lauren doesn’t ride until tomorrow. Pat’s demo was huge today with the biggest crowd I’ve seen so far and the crowd was not disappointed. The savvy team started off doing some really cool stuff, then Pat came in on Magic for a bit, showing how to bounce the big green ball and get your horse to bounce you (piaffe) at the same time. Then Linda came in with West Point. By that point I was needing to sneak out and go to the bathroom, guess who I ran into? Guy Mclean, that’s who. Had a quick chat, found out that his tour is going really well, and that one of the other demonstrators is sharing demo time with Guy, will have to see if I can catch his show tomorrow. Also discovered an exciting product which could give me total independence when it comes to riding…magnetic stirrups. About the only thing I can’t do myself is put my feet in the stirrups and put the elastics around my feet to keep them in, these magnetic stirrups might fix that, would love to try them out.
A beautiful day in Kentucky, warm and sunny. The freestyle para-dressage starts today, Lauren doesn’t ride until tomorrow. Pat’s demo was huge today with the biggest crowd I’ve seen so far and the crowd was not disappointed. The savvy team started off doing some really cool stuff, then Pat came in on Magic for a bit, showing how to bounce the big green ball and get your horse to bounce you (piaffe) at the same time. Then Linda came in with West Point. By that point I was needing to sneak out and go to the bathroom, guess who I ran into? Guy Mclean, that’s who. Had a quick chat, found out that his tour is going really well, and that one of the other demonstrators is sharing demo time with Guy, will have to see if I can catch his show tomorrow. Also discovered an exciting product which could give me total independence when it comes to riding…magnetic stirrups. About the only thing I can’t do myself is put my feet in the stirrups and put the elastics around my feet to keep them in, these magnetic stirrups might fix that, would love to try them out.
7/10/10
Thursday
Para dressage has started. Lauren rode today in the Individual Championship. She has finished in 10 place. The team event was on a couple of days ago and Lauren’s team, Canada, finished 9th.
Discovered a wireless internet connection at my new accommodation, yay! Finally got to call my long lost husband and my parents. Now I’d better get my blogs up to date.
Para dressage has started. Lauren rode today in the Individual Championship. She has finished in 10 place. The team event was on a couple of days ago and Lauren’s team, Canada, finished 9th.
Discovered a wireless internet connection at my new accommodation, yay! Finally got to call my long lost husband and my parents. Now I’d better get my blogs up to date.
28/9/10 - 6/10/10
WEG, WEG and more WEG!
Mostly working in the booth or over at the trade fair, didn’t get to see much else, have not seen any of the events other than a bit on TV on Sunday. Hopefully this week I will get to see the para dressage which is kinda the whole reason I’m here.
Moved house. I could no longer stay were I was because I had no transport or means of getting up or down the stairs. The new team that was supposed to be coming into the house, decided to stay at Winstar which is closer to the games location. Janey Elliott, a lovely lady volunteering at the Parelli booth offered me accommodation and transport, so I’m back in action.
Mostly working in the booth or over at the trade fair, didn’t get to see much else, have not seen any of the events other than a bit on TV on Sunday. Hopefully this week I will get to see the para dressage which is kinda the whole reason I’m here.
Moved house. I could no longer stay were I was because I had no transport or means of getting up or down the stairs. The new team that was supposed to be coming into the house, decided to stay at Winstar which is closer to the games location. Janey Elliott, a lovely lady volunteering at the Parelli booth offered me accommodation and transport, so I’m back in action.
27/9/10
Monday
Well this afternoon we had a bit of a weather change, instead of being hot and sweaty and desperate for water…it was cold and misty with gentle rain and cold wind. Boy, was I frozen to the marrow. Mark was very chivalrous and gave me his coat, I was touched that he was prepared to expose himself in the pink shirt which was our colour for the day!
It was certainly not as busy in the Equine Village (where all the exhibitors are) as it had been on the warmer days. I guess people who had bought tickets to the events figured their shopping could wait for a nicer day. I just did another half shift and left about 5ish with Renee and Carol, we stopped on the way home and got more soup.
Well this afternoon we had a bit of a weather change, instead of being hot and sweaty and desperate for water…it was cold and misty with gentle rain and cold wind. Boy, was I frozen to the marrow. Mark was very chivalrous and gave me his coat, I was touched that he was prepared to expose himself in the pink shirt which was our colour for the day!
It was certainly not as busy in the Equine Village (where all the exhibitors are) as it had been on the warmer days. I guess people who had bought tickets to the events figured their shopping could wait for a nicer day. I just did another half shift and left about 5ish with Renee and Carol, we stopped on the way home and got more soup.
26/9/10
26/9/10
Sunday
Feeling much better, still a little weak and shaky but at least the fever seems to be gone. Went in to the horse park for the second shift which meant I could sleep in. Lauren had finally arrived with Renee about 1am and the media team got in even later I think, the floor boards in this place are very squeaky. We had a relaxed morning then headed in by 1pm, just in time to catch Pat’s demo, with the demo team. The booth was quite busy after and Pat came down still on his horse to do photos, autographs and do the lucky draw prize thing. He’s doing a lecture and a demo every day. The team sent me home with the early shift just to be sure I wasn’t overdoing it. As we were leaving- the exit was a tent- a golf cart was coming in, so I opened the ten door wide to let them drive thru, as they passed the elderly gentleman said thank you. I had just opened the door for William Shattner! Apparently this particular exit was also the VIP entry. It was good to get back early, I had certainly started to fade. We stopped at a soup and bread place for dinner and I gotta say I had the best tomato soup I’d ever tasted and it was exactly what I needed, felt completely revived.
Sunday
Feeling much better, still a little weak and shaky but at least the fever seems to be gone. Went in to the horse park for the second shift which meant I could sleep in. Lauren had finally arrived with Renee about 1am and the media team got in even later I think, the floor boards in this place are very squeaky. We had a relaxed morning then headed in by 1pm, just in time to catch Pat’s demo, with the demo team. The booth was quite busy after and Pat came down still on his horse to do photos, autographs and do the lucky draw prize thing. He’s doing a lecture and a demo every day. The team sent me home with the early shift just to be sure I wasn’t overdoing it. As we were leaving- the exit was a tent- a golf cart was coming in, so I opened the ten door wide to let them drive thru, as they passed the elderly gentleman said thank you. I had just opened the door for William Shattner! Apparently this particular exit was also the VIP entry. It was good to get back early, I had certainly started to fade. We stopped at a soup and bread place for dinner and I gotta say I had the best tomato soup I’d ever tasted and it was exactly what I needed, felt completely revived.
25/9/10
Saturday
Agonising decision, to go or not to go…today could potentially be a very long day, especially if we were able to watch the opening ceremony. Decided I was probably not going to be much value and if I take the day to rest and recover. At least I was able to watch the Opening Ceremony and recorded it for the rest of the team who didn’t get to see it. Lauren had the honour of carrying the flag for Canada as the athletes entered the arena.
Agonising decision, to go or not to go…today could potentially be a very long day, especially if we were able to watch the opening ceremony. Decided I was probably not going to be much value and if I take the day to rest and recover. At least I was able to watch the Opening Ceremony and recorded it for the rest of the team who didn’t get to see it. Lauren had the honour of carrying the flag for Canada as the athletes entered the arena.
24/9/10
Friday
Spent last night shivering violently and sweating profusely, my temperature was 100 f at the doctor’s yesterday and I daresay quite a bit higher overnight, Alain had some panadol which at least reduced the fever so I could sleep. Stopped by the pharmacy and got the antibiotics…will be on the mend soon.
Last day for final set up and clean up before the big lock down and security sweep, supposed to be out by 2pm. Nobody chased us out, in fact we did a behind the scenes tour (or maybe we just got lost) and got to see the main stadium where the opening ceremony will be held tomorrow. Didn’t tweet as much as a should have, I must confess I was feeling quite unwell. Hopefully those antibiotics will kick in before the throwing up starts and I can’t keep them down. I am making sure I drink enough water tho, lessons of the past…
Spent last night shivering violently and sweating profusely, my temperature was 100 f at the doctor’s yesterday and I daresay quite a bit higher overnight, Alain had some panadol which at least reduced the fever so I could sleep. Stopped by the pharmacy and got the antibiotics…will be on the mend soon.
Last day for final set up and clean up before the big lock down and security sweep, supposed to be out by 2pm. Nobody chased us out, in fact we did a behind the scenes tour (or maybe we just got lost) and got to see the main stadium where the opening ceremony will be held tomorrow. Didn’t tweet as much as a should have, I must confess I was feeling quite unwell. Hopefully those antibiotics will kick in before the throwing up starts and I can’t keep them down. I am making sure I drink enough water tho, lessons of the past…
23/9/10
Thursday
Second day of setting up the booth, the office crew had already got the tent up yesterday as well as the internal structures for displaying the equipment. I was given the twitter phone and spent the day taking pictures then tweeting them. Tried to use the twitter phone to send a message to Andy for his birthday. Don’t know if it went. Tried to use it to send him an email, hope it went. So disappointed not to have internet here at the house, apart from not being able to ring Andy on his birthday, I think a lot of exciting things are going to happen over these next two weeks. Had to concede that I was sitting on a guilty secret and asked that instead of me coming to dinner, could they drop me at the medical centre so I could get some antibiotics for the now infected pressure sore under my left seat bone. Couldn’t get the drugs till the next morning…
Second day of setting up the booth, the office crew had already got the tent up yesterday as well as the internal structures for displaying the equipment. I was given the twitter phone and spent the day taking pictures then tweeting them. Tried to use the twitter phone to send a message to Andy for his birthday. Don’t know if it went. Tried to use it to send him an email, hope it went. So disappointed not to have internet here at the house, apart from not being able to ring Andy on his birthday, I think a lot of exciting things are going to happen over these next two weeks. Had to concede that I was sitting on a guilty secret and asked that instead of me coming to dinner, could they drop me at the medical centre so I could get some antibiotics for the now infected pressure sore under my left seat bone. Couldn’t get the drugs till the next morning…
22/9/10
Wednesday
Travel day- arrived at Winstar* about 3pm, via Indiana. Went in the big truck to Kentucky Horse Park, unloaded horses and stuff. Found the office team and went back to the house with them.
*I should note that Winstar is an incredibly beautiful Thoroughbred stud which is friends of Parelli through horse training, I not sure of the details but our instructors John and Kathy Baar helped train some of their racehorses and won last year's Derby...something like that...and this is where most of the team is staying, as well as Pat and Linda.
Travel day- arrived at Winstar* about 3pm, via Indiana. Went in the big truck to Kentucky Horse Park, unloaded horses and stuff. Found the office team and went back to the house with them.
*I should note that Winstar is an incredibly beautiful Thoroughbred stud which is friends of Parelli through horse training, I not sure of the details but our instructors John and Kathy Baar helped train some of their racehorses and won last year's Derby...something like that...and this is where most of the team is staying, as well as Pat and Linda.
Monday, September 20, 2010
20/9/10
Monday
Well, according to the original plan, I would have been on my way back to Melbourne tonight. Instead, I’m in a lovely Best Western Hotel in Dodge City, Kansas! Spent the day driving across Colorado in Linda Parelli’s comfy Range Rover, enjoying the scenery and chatting with Hilary, one of Pat’s apprentices. Sleeping in til 8am tomorrow, which sounds good until you factor in the one hour time change, so I’m really getting up at 7 anyway! Looking forward to what tomorrow brings.
Well, according to the original plan, I would have been on my way back to Melbourne tonight. Instead, I’m in a lovely Best Western Hotel in Dodge City, Kansas! Spent the day driving across Colorado in Linda Parelli’s comfy Range Rover, enjoying the scenery and chatting with Hilary, one of Pat’s apprentices. Sleeping in til 8am tomorrow, which sounds good until you factor in the one hour time change, so I’m really getting up at 7 anyway! Looking forward to what tomorrow brings.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
18/9/10
Mainly spent the day on my computer, trying to get it to allow me to download an audiobook so I've got something to listen to on the long drive to Kentucky. It doesn't seem to recognise its own software and it's very frustrating!
Not much going on today, the savvy games this morning and then just hanging out at the lodge, watching a movie in the cabin and arguing with my computer.
Not much going on today, the savvy games this morning and then just hanging out at the lodge, watching a movie in the cabin and arguing with my computer.
Friday, September 17, 2010
17/9/10
Friday
Had a bit of a sleep in today, technically I’m finished my work placements now because the Performance Summit weekend, counted at a part of the performance week. Plus Lauren is off to get her hair done and go to a wedding rehearsal, then the bachelorette party and tomorrow she’ a bride’s maid in the wedding. Got a lot to do myself today anyway. Clean out the cabin, get rid of the rubbish, fish out all the dirty clothes and get laundry done. Managed to find a time when the washing machine was empty, ace! Who knew the prospect of clean clothes could be so exciting??! Got them washed and into the drier, then went into town with Sandy-Jean, a mate from the fast track- I think she’s awesome, nearly 70 years old and surviving the fast track is no small accomplishment! Got my clothes out of the drier and folded them up, then headed back to the cabin. Didn’t stay for dinner cos I had an Angus third pounder deluxe and wildberry smoothie from Macca’s. Life is good.
Reflection for the week… “Do simple things with excellence”- Pat Parelli.
Had a bit of a sleep in today, technically I’m finished my work placements now because the Performance Summit weekend, counted at a part of the performance week. Plus Lauren is off to get her hair done and go to a wedding rehearsal, then the bachelorette party and tomorrow she’ a bride’s maid in the wedding. Got a lot to do myself today anyway. Clean out the cabin, get rid of the rubbish, fish out all the dirty clothes and get laundry done. Managed to find a time when the washing machine was empty, ace! Who knew the prospect of clean clothes could be so exciting??! Got them washed and into the drier, then went into town with Sandy-Jean, a mate from the fast track- I think she’s awesome, nearly 70 years old and surviving the fast track is no small accomplishment! Got my clothes out of the drier and folded them up, then headed back to the cabin. Didn’t stay for dinner cos I had an Angus third pounder deluxe and wildberry smoothie from Macca’s. Life is good.
Reflection for the week… “Do simple things with excellence”- Pat Parelli.
16/9/10
Thursday
Went into town with Lauren, she was taking her saddle’s handle bar in to get covered with leather- it’s currently wrapped in black duct tape! Stopped at Goodman’s and made another attempt at finding jeans that fitted…still thinking about that beautiful jacket…decided it was silly to buy something that I might one day get to compete in…got a pair of Q-baby Wranglers which are supposed to be the ultimate ridding jean. They certainly are body hugging, I think I prefer a more relaxed fit, but they are stretch denim so maybe they will give a bit, still a bit too high at the front and low at the back, but nice and long in the leg. Got a few things from City Market and headed home.
The meeting this afternoon was exciting with all the travel plans being layed out for us, along with housing info and money for incidentals. I’m so looking forward to it!
Went into town with Lauren, she was taking her saddle’s handle bar in to get covered with leather- it’s currently wrapped in black duct tape! Stopped at Goodman’s and made another attempt at finding jeans that fitted…still thinking about that beautiful jacket…decided it was silly to buy something that I might one day get to compete in…got a pair of Q-baby Wranglers which are supposed to be the ultimate ridding jean. They certainly are body hugging, I think I prefer a more relaxed fit, but they are stretch denim so maybe they will give a bit, still a bit too high at the front and low at the back, but nice and long in the leg. Got a few things from City Market and headed home.
The meeting this afternoon was exciting with all the travel plans being layed out for us, along with housing info and money for incidentals. I’m so looking forward to it!
15/9/10
Wednesday
8am start up at Linda’s arena. First Lauren had a lesson on Peanut, then with Manny. Manny is grinding his teeth a lot, they are worried he may not be a good candidate so the Canadian team are going to bring a spare horse called Fancy for Lauren as a back up. She has ridden her before and although not fancy in movement, she is accurate and willing. Spent the rest of the day finishing the re-organisation of the ’competition folder’ which I started ages ago, but had to wait for the new stationary to arrive, then got busy with the Summit, so it had been put on the back burner. Now it’s all done.
Wednesday night BBQ as usual, only this time I actually had a torch so I was able to stay and watch the Horseman’s Apprentice at last! Great show, I’m looking forward to watching it all from the beginning when I get a more reliable internet connection.
http://www.horsemansapprentice.com/
8am start up at Linda’s arena. First Lauren had a lesson on Peanut, then with Manny. Manny is grinding his teeth a lot, they are worried he may not be a good candidate so the Canadian team are going to bring a spare horse called Fancy for Lauren as a back up. She has ridden her before and although not fancy in movement, she is accurate and willing. Spent the rest of the day finishing the re-organisation of the ’competition folder’ which I started ages ago, but had to wait for the new stationary to arrive, then got busy with the Summit, so it had been put on the back burner. Now it’s all done.
Wednesday night BBQ as usual, only this time I actually had a torch so I was able to stay and watch the Horseman’s Apprentice at last! Great show, I’m looking forward to watching it all from the beginning when I get a more reliable internet connection.
http://www.horsemansapprentice.com/
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
14/9/10
Tuesday
A day full of lessons and note taking. First was Lauren riding Maile, unfortunately it turned out that Maile is lame again on her right hind, the same old problem with her hock. So they did a few exercises at the walk and called it a day. We then went up to Linda's arena for Manny and Peanut's lessons. Manny was getting a bit stale and grinding his teeth a lot so a change of scenery with a bit of a trail ride on the way, might get him in a better mood. Peanut is just awesome anywhere.
A day full of lessons and note taking. First was Lauren riding Maile, unfortunately it turned out that Maile is lame again on her right hind, the same old problem with her hock. So they did a few exercises at the walk and called it a day. We then went up to Linda's arena for Manny and Peanut's lessons. Manny was getting a bit stale and grinding his teeth a lot so a change of scenery with a bit of a trail ride on the way, might get him in a better mood. Peanut is just awesome anywhere.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
13/9/10
Monday
Wow, first day into my ‘performance horse training’ part of my work experience and I spent the morning watching Lauren have lessons on 3 of her horses, Maile, Manny and Peanut, with none other than Mary Longden. I’m not sure exactly what her title is but she’s a top level coach. She did seem to remember me from the time when she and Sally Francis came out to see me ride back when they were putting the team together for the Atlanta games. I never went ahead with it because I wasn’t allowed to ride in my seatbelt, and I didn’t think that just walking around on a borrowed horse was what it was all about. Having ridden in Lauren’s set up and felt reasonably secure without the seatbelt, and now they use their own horse, I’m really interested! Mary with be giving Lauren lessons tomorrow and Wednesday…should be good, will try and get some of it on video.
Wow, first day into my ‘performance horse training’ part of my work experience and I spent the morning watching Lauren have lessons on 3 of her horses, Maile, Manny and Peanut, with none other than Mary Longden. I’m not sure exactly what her title is but she’s a top level coach. She did seem to remember me from the time when she and Sally Francis came out to see me ride back when they were putting the team together for the Atlanta games. I never went ahead with it because I wasn’t allowed to ride in my seatbelt, and I didn’t think that just walking around on a borrowed horse was what it was all about. Having ridden in Lauren’s set up and felt reasonably secure without the seatbelt, and now they use their own horse, I’m really interested! Mary with be giving Lauren lessons tomorrow and Wednesday…should be good, will try and get some of it on video.
12/9/10
Day 3- Performance.
So for those who don’t know what the Savvy Club symbol looks like, here is a picture…
and I decided to try and replicate it using the photos and DVD’s from the auditions (after they had been assessed!) An audition is when you video you and your horse going thru tasks to achieve certain levels, like a grading system. I didn’t quite get it how I wanted it as there was very limited art supplies, but using the Parelli core principle of ‘Doing more with Less’, I think it worked out ok.
There was lots of performance demonstrations, Pat, and his protégé Ryan, working the stallions on cows, demonstrating Cutting, was just incredible! Was too absorbed to think of taking photo’s, sorry. There was a quad drill demo which Lauren organised, miniature ponies doing fun stuff and Linda gave us her secrets on how to plan and perform a demonstration, matching music and energy levels etc.
It also happened to be Lauren's birthday, which also happens to be the anniversary of her winning her gold medals...we went out for a drink (Lauren's wearing the birthday hat and holding a very large cocktail, with a flaming shot in the middle, called a punch bowl!)
All in all, a fantastic day topping off a fantastic weekend!
So for those who don’t know what the Savvy Club symbol looks like, here is a picture…
and I decided to try and replicate it using the photos and DVD’s from the auditions (after they had been assessed!) An audition is when you video you and your horse going thru tasks to achieve certain levels, like a grading system. I didn’t quite get it how I wanted it as there was very limited art supplies, but using the Parelli core principle of ‘Doing more with Less’, I think it worked out ok.
There was lots of performance demonstrations, Pat, and his protégé Ryan, working the stallions on cows, demonstrating Cutting, was just incredible! Was too absorbed to think of taking photo’s, sorry. There was a quad drill demo which Lauren organised, miniature ponies doing fun stuff and Linda gave us her secrets on how to plan and perform a demonstration, matching music and energy levels etc.
It also happened to be Lauren's birthday, which also happens to be the anniversary of her winning her gold medals...we went out for a drink (Lauren's wearing the birthday hat and holding a very large cocktail, with a flaming shot in the middle, called a punch bowl!)
All in all, a fantastic day topping off a fantastic weekend!
11/9/10
Saturday
Day 2 of the summit is all about competition. Pictures are up, power point is running, ferrying people up and back all day. Watched the competition demos and talks on how to get ready for competition. How to put the relationship first and not ruin the horse for the sake of an event if things are not going to plan. This evening a dance is on in the cover all from 7pm, with Tim Sullivan playing. Stayed for about an hour, then had to get back to my photo montage which needs to go out tomorrow morning. Stayed til it was finished, then printed the pictures to go up as well, so I wouldn’t be in a rush in the morning. Got done by about 11pm.
Day 2 of the summit is all about competition. Pictures are up, power point is running, ferrying people up and back all day. Watched the competition demos and talks on how to get ready for competition. How to put the relationship first and not ruin the horse for the sake of an event if things are not going to plan. This evening a dance is on in the cover all from 7pm, with Tim Sullivan playing. Stayed for about an hour, then had to get back to my photo montage which needs to go out tomorrow morning. Stayed til it was finished, then printed the pictures to go up as well, so I wouldn’t be in a rush in the morning. Got done by about 11pm.
These are some of the ribbons Lauren won at the competition at Estes Park, and below is the que of people waiting to get their photo taken with Lauren holding her gold and silver medals...what a celebrity!
10/9/10
Friday
Right, day 1 of the summit is here, supposed to begin at noon but apparently people start turning up any time after sunrise! Gates will actually be locked until 9 am to give us enough time to get set up. At least my power point pres. is ready to run. Took a while to get the TV monitors organised and find cables for connecting the computer up. Got the 20 best pictures printed and put up around the area. Time to jump in the golf cart and start the taxi run. There is a fleet of us in golf carts to take people from the car park to the food stalls or up to the big top.
This was my job for the rest of the day, but I did get to watch most of the show once all the people had been transported and settled in the big top for the main program. After everyone had gone for the day, about 6:30- 7pm, I got some dinner then went back to the office to continue working on the savvy club centre piece for Sunday.
Here's a picture of one of our instructors, Terry (left), who also happens to be in the mounted police...
Right, day 1 of the summit is here, supposed to begin at noon but apparently people start turning up any time after sunrise! Gates will actually be locked until 9 am to give us enough time to get set up. At least my power point pres. is ready to run. Took a while to get the TV monitors organised and find cables for connecting the computer up. Got the 20 best pictures printed and put up around the area. Time to jump in the golf cart and start the taxi run. There is a fleet of us in golf carts to take people from the car park to the food stalls or up to the big top.
This was my job for the rest of the day, but I did get to watch most of the show once all the people had been transported and settled in the big top for the main program. After everyone had gone for the day, about 6:30- 7pm, I got some dinner then went back to the office to continue working on the savvy club centre piece for Sunday.
Here's a picture of one of our instructors, Terry (left), who also happens to be in the mounted police...
Monday, September 13, 2010
9/9/10
Thursday
Yay, the cardboard for my savvy club project finally got delivered! A new project to get to work on. Pretty much finished the powerpoints for all 3 days of the summit…day 1- purpose, day 2 - competition and day 3 - performance… Printed out some of the best pictures for day 1 to put up around the area where the tv monitors showing the power point pres and another showing video, will be. Working on the savvy club audition submissions, doing a photo montage…bugger forgot to get lunch…still working…looked at the clock, missed dinner…pretzels for dinner again…really going to need breakfast, good thing it’s a cooked breakfast day tomorrow!
Yay, the cardboard for my savvy club project finally got delivered! A new project to get to work on. Pretty much finished the powerpoints for all 3 days of the summit…day 1- purpose, day 2 - competition and day 3 - performance… Printed out some of the best pictures for day 1 to put up around the area where the tv monitors showing the power point pres and another showing video, will be. Working on the savvy club audition submissions, doing a photo montage…bugger forgot to get lunch…still working…looked at the clock, missed dinner…pretzels for dinner again…really going to need breakfast, good thing it’s a cooked breakfast day tomorrow!
8/9/10
Wednesday
Spent the day tracking down more specific images for day 1 of the summit, which was to be Purpose- the purposes for which we use horses. Got a lot of pictures off google images as not to many Parelli people had relevant photos- some I must say had awesome purpose pictures, thanks Jenny, beautiful packing, hunting and dragging photos! Despite having got the basic production done yesterday, the adding and changing and fine tuning plus downloading music for a presentation that needs to take about 10 minutes and run on a loop all Friday afternoon, is quite time consuming. Also got some good cow working images from various clinics, and contributions from other students….looking good so far…stayed up til after midnight listening to music, did find relevant songs for the presentation so it was time well spent. The weather was just aweful, rain like you wouldn’t believe…managed to get back to my cabin before it hit, skipped the Wednesday night BBQ…pretzels for dinner again!
Spent the day tracking down more specific images for day 1 of the summit, which was to be Purpose- the purposes for which we use horses. Got a lot of pictures off google images as not to many Parelli people had relevant photos- some I must say had awesome purpose pictures, thanks Jenny, beautiful packing, hunting and dragging photos! Despite having got the basic production done yesterday, the adding and changing and fine tuning plus downloading music for a presentation that needs to take about 10 minutes and run on a loop all Friday afternoon, is quite time consuming. Also got some good cow working images from various clinics, and contributions from other students….looking good so far…stayed up til after midnight listening to music, did find relevant songs for the presentation so it was time well spent. The weather was just aweful, rain like you wouldn’t believe…managed to get back to my cabin before it hit, skipped the Wednesday night BBQ…pretzels for dinner again!
7/9/10
Tuesday
Pressure is on, 3 days till everything has to be ready for the performance summit. Spent all day working on it, got it done in a basic form but at least if it had to be working by tomorrow- it would. Now I have a couple of days for fine tuning, rearranging etc. Finally got the bits and pieces of stationary I needed to finish Lauren’s competition folder, might be time to work on that tomorrow. Spent so long staring at a computer monitor today that my eyes got stingy and sore, so instead of dinner, I came back to the cabin for a nap. Woke up about half an hour ago- it’s now quarter past 11pm! Some nap, now I’ve eaten a handful of pretzels and a nectarine for dinner, and brushed my teeth, it’s time to go to sleep. No internet at the cabin tonight so will have to try and upload these blogs in the morning. The grounds are starting to look exciting with tents and marquees set up everywhere...
Pressure is on, 3 days till everything has to be ready for the performance summit. Spent all day working on it, got it done in a basic form but at least if it had to be working by tomorrow- it would. Now I have a couple of days for fine tuning, rearranging etc. Finally got the bits and pieces of stationary I needed to finish Lauren’s competition folder, might be time to work on that tomorrow. Spent so long staring at a computer monitor today that my eyes got stingy and sore, so instead of dinner, I came back to the cabin for a nap. Woke up about half an hour ago- it’s now quarter past 11pm! Some nap, now I’ve eaten a handful of pretzels and a nectarine for dinner, and brushed my teeth, it’s time to go to sleep. No internet at the cabin tonight so will have to try and upload these blogs in the morning. The grounds are starting to look exciting with tents and marquees set up everywhere...
6/9/10
Monday
Beautiful morning, a bit chill tho. Went down to the lodge and got some coffee, which I then spilt all over myself going back up the hill to the office- will figure it out eventually. Continued working on horse files til lunchtime. Lunch was spaghetti bolognaise. Spent the afternoon working on a project for the summit weekend, hope it works out, will tell more about that later.
Beautiful morning, a bit chill tho. Went down to the lodge and got some coffee, which I then spilt all over myself going back up the hill to the office- will figure it out eventually. Continued working on horse files til lunchtime. Lunch was spaghetti bolognaise. Spent the afternoon working on a project for the summit weekend, hope it works out, will tell more about that later.
5/9/10
Sunday
Went back to Goodmen’s because the jeans didn’t fit, forgot about the different size factor, turns out the jeans I got were 4 sizes too big for me! The jacket is still there, still fits perfectly…returned the jeans, looked at some gorgeous wrangler jeans…bought a warm top so I will survive the rest of September in mountains. Went to a different shop, Alco, which was a bit like Big W or Kmart, found clothes heaps cheaper, bought another warm top and jacket…$20 for both, bargain! Now I’m in good shape for when it starts getting cold. Was with Trudy and Kirsi this time in Bill’s monster truck, I’m amazed I was able to get in it, swinging off the handles like tarzan! Some help from Trudy with my legs and we were all good.
Went back to Goodmen’s because the jeans didn’t fit, forgot about the different size factor, turns out the jeans I got were 4 sizes too big for me! The jacket is still there, still fits perfectly…returned the jeans, looked at some gorgeous wrangler jeans…bought a warm top so I will survive the rest of September in mountains. Went to a different shop, Alco, which was a bit like Big W or Kmart, found clothes heaps cheaper, bought another warm top and jacket…$20 for both, bargain! Now I’m in good shape for when it starts getting cold. Was with Trudy and Kirsi this time in Bill’s monster truck, I’m amazed I was able to get in it, swinging off the handles like tarzan! Some help from Trudy with my legs and we were all good.
4/9/10
Saturday
Woke up at 6:45am bright as a button, couldn’t get back to sleep despite hoping to sleep in until 8. Went down and watched the Savvy Games for the morning…got one arm very sunburnt. After lunch went into town with Chris and Erin, found a gorgeous jacket ideal for western pleasure shows…everyone in Goodmen’s thinks I should buy it (all Parelli people!)…didn’t buy jacket, bought some jeans on sale instead.
Woke up at 6:45am bright as a button, couldn’t get back to sleep despite hoping to sleep in until 8. Went down and watched the Savvy Games for the morning…got one arm very sunburnt. After lunch went into town with Chris and Erin, found a gorgeous jacket ideal for western pleasure shows…everyone in Goodmen’s thinks I should buy it (all Parelli people!)…didn’t buy jacket, bought some jeans on sale instead.
3/9/10
Friday
Really not a lot to tell today. Continued organising Lauren’s papers for most of the day, still a lot to do there. Then went and watched Lauren ride Quick, he’s a lovely horse and she got some good stuff out of him.
Went to the Brew Pub to hear Tim Sullivan play, had a good night, lots of fun…had to drink red bull to stay awake til after midnight, then couldn’t sleep when I finally got to bed!
Really not a lot to tell today. Continued organising Lauren’s papers for most of the day, still a lot to do there. Then went and watched Lauren ride Quick, he’s a lovely horse and she got some good stuff out of him.
Went to the Brew Pub to hear Tim Sullivan play, had a good night, lots of fun…had to drink red bull to stay awake til after midnight, then couldn’t sleep when I finally got to bed!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
2/9/10
Well, what I beautiful morning it was! In fact the whole day was awesome! Or is that just because I’m on a high after my ride on Peanut this afternoon? She’s so ACE!! Tried out that new crossover saddle aptly named ‘The Crusier’. Lauren took a photo for me….
1/9/10
Wednesday
Had a pretty quite day today, organised Lauren’s dressage tests into horse and date order, stuck them in a folder for safe keeping. She has other paperwork to organise, will take the rest of the day at least. Lunch was turkey bolognaise and garlic bread, unusual but very tasty…sometimes I think food features a little to prominently in my blogs…hmmm because it’s ‘all about the food’. Food is motivating, does that mean I’m a left brain introvert?
Had a pretty quite day today, organised Lauren’s dressage tests into horse and date order, stuck them in a folder for safe keeping. She has other paperwork to organise, will take the rest of the day at least. Lunch was turkey bolognaise and garlic bread, unusual but very tasty…sometimes I think food features a little to prominently in my blogs…hmmm because it’s ‘all about the food’. Food is motivating, does that mean I’m a left brain introvert?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
31/8/10
Tuesday
Last day of Summer or Winter…depending on which hemisphere you’re in…it was a warm sunny day here with a cool breeze and it didn’t rain.
Worked on a project for Ann, trying to track the incoming and outgoing working students. Put together an Excel spreadsheet, with names, contact details, which campus, what area they want to work in etc.
Lunchtime was a meeting that Pat had with the mastery/apprentices and instructors, so I sat at the back and tuned in. Brainstorming Pat’s vision for the Performance Summit that’s coming up in a couple of weeks. Lots of interesting ideas thrown around, should be great.
Ended the day with a yummy dinner, finally Ann had a free evening and we went out. Steak, salad and red wine…doesn’t get any better than that…except when you top it off with cookie dough ice-cream cake for dessert! On the down side, I finally asked Ann about the 1 star or 2 star thing and unfortunately it was a mistake…you can’t skip straight to a 2 star…bugger. Anyway, the 1 star is still fantastic, just means I’ll have to come back next year and do the 2 star!
Well, now I’m full of good food and feeling sleepy…sorry I haven’t taken any photos recently, I feel weird trying to take one of Pat…oh, I know…here’s one of Ann’s really cool truck!
Last day of Summer or Winter…depending on which hemisphere you’re in…it was a warm sunny day here with a cool breeze and it didn’t rain.
Worked on a project for Ann, trying to track the incoming and outgoing working students. Put together an Excel spreadsheet, with names, contact details, which campus, what area they want to work in etc.
Lunchtime was a meeting that Pat had with the mastery/apprentices and instructors, so I sat at the back and tuned in. Brainstorming Pat’s vision for the Performance Summit that’s coming up in a couple of weeks. Lots of interesting ideas thrown around, should be great.
Ended the day with a yummy dinner, finally Ann had a free evening and we went out. Steak, salad and red wine…doesn’t get any better than that…except when you top it off with cookie dough ice-cream cake for dessert! On the down side, I finally asked Ann about the 1 star or 2 star thing and unfortunately it was a mistake…you can’t skip straight to a 2 star…bugger. Anyway, the 1 star is still fantastic, just means I’ll have to come back next year and do the 2 star!
Well, now I’m full of good food and feeling sleepy…sorry I haven’t taken any photos recently, I feel weird trying to take one of Pat…oh, I know…here’s one of Ann’s really cool truck!
30/8/10
Monday
Busy, busy, busy! Helped with the ‘check in’ of the next 4 week fast track course, meet and greet 50 new people and organise 50 new horses! Horrible rainy, cold, windy, thundery morning…when I finally got inside to go to the bathroom, my hands were so cold I couldn’t make them work, not the best day to forget to bring my gloves and hat. Oh well. Lunch was magnificent, hot creamy mushroom soup and a BBQ pork roll.
Spent the afternoon in the ranch office, sorting out stuff for new students, chasing paper work, faxing thru orders etc. Also discovered one of my new room mates is a visiting instructor. It will take some adjusting, I’ve been enjoying my freedom, it’s only half past nine and I’m thinking about hitting the sack…
Busy, busy, busy! Helped with the ‘check in’ of the next 4 week fast track course, meet and greet 50 new people and organise 50 new horses! Horrible rainy, cold, windy, thundery morning…when I finally got inside to go to the bathroom, my hands were so cold I couldn’t make them work, not the best day to forget to bring my gloves and hat. Oh well. Lunch was magnificent, hot creamy mushroom soup and a BBQ pork roll.
Spent the afternoon in the ranch office, sorting out stuff for new students, chasing paper work, faxing thru orders etc. Also discovered one of my new room mates is a visiting instructor. It will take some adjusting, I’ve been enjoying my freedom, it’s only half past nine and I’m thinking about hitting the sack…
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
29/8/10
Sunday
Had a good sleep in, stayed in bed til 9:30 trying to get the swelling in my legs and feet to go down, not working- need another trip to the chiropractor. I guess the long days aren’t helping and no nana naps either, life is tough!
Didn’t bother going to the savvy games this time, watched a movie and relaxed in the cabin instead, did some tidying up and organising. Went down to lodge for lunch. Caught up with Kerrin, Gina and Sharon from corporate. They are heading into town to do laundry, I beg, grovel and plead…can I please come too…so we grab all our dirty cloths and head off! Not only do I now have clean clothes but while the washing was washing, they went to the office to use the computers, so I went with them and had a lovely shower…so nice without someone banging on the door every 2 minutes! Then to make it a perfect night, we stopped at DJ’s and had burgers and fries for dinner. Nice!
Got back to the cabin to find all my stuff, which had mysteriously spread itself everywhere, had been moved, and the other beds had been made up…I guess that means I’m expecting company.
Had a good sleep in, stayed in bed til 9:30 trying to get the swelling in my legs and feet to go down, not working- need another trip to the chiropractor. I guess the long days aren’t helping and no nana naps either, life is tough!
Didn’t bother going to the savvy games this time, watched a movie and relaxed in the cabin instead, did some tidying up and organising. Went down to lodge for lunch. Caught up with Kerrin, Gina and Sharon from corporate. They are heading into town to do laundry, I beg, grovel and plead…can I please come too…so we grab all our dirty cloths and head off! Not only do I now have clean clothes but while the washing was washing, they went to the office to use the computers, so I went with them and had a lovely shower…so nice without someone banging on the door every 2 minutes! Then to make it a perfect night, we stopped at DJ’s and had burgers and fries for dinner. Nice!
Got back to the cabin to find all my stuff, which had mysteriously spread itself everywhere, had been moved, and the other beds had been made up…I guess that means I’m expecting company.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
28/8/10
Saturday- Mum’s birthday! Oops actually that means it was yesterday…Love you Mum, hope you had a lovely day! xx And you too Jennie, for last Saturday xx, so sorry, time is just a blur…
Well, it was so nice to just wake up and take my time getting ready for the day. Don't have to be anywhere until 10am for a saddle fitting clinic...
The saddle and posture clinic with Linda was extraordinary! Linda and Letitia ran us through the spiel of not liking the commercial saddles so they decided to start designing and developing their own. Then they brought in four horses and we checked out their conformation and whether they had square shoulders or pointy narrow shoulders, and if they had a hollowed out back or were uphill or down hill. Then they saddled them with their owners saddles, and we took note of how they looked working first on the circle without a ridder, then how they looked being ridden. I wish I’d taken photos but I got so engrossed in what happened when they changed to the Parelli saddles they I completely forgot! I’m not really one to jump on the ’brand’ wagon, but the changes in those horses were amazing! Of course now I want one, but the one I like is still in the prototype stage…me and Lauren will both be giving it a test ride sometime later in the week. Exciting! I did have the presence of mind to take a photo of it, and I think it’s in the new dvd.
Very quiet around the ranch this evening, most people have gone out to listen and dance at the local pub because Tim Sullivan is playing there. I came back to my cabin because a) I was hoping the wireless would be working and I’d be able to make some skype calls and get my blogs uploaded and b) because it’s so cold and rainy outside that it feels like its going to snow and my cabin has a heater!
Well, it was so nice to just wake up and take my time getting ready for the day. Don't have to be anywhere until 10am for a saddle fitting clinic...
The saddle and posture clinic with Linda was extraordinary! Linda and Letitia ran us through the spiel of not liking the commercial saddles so they decided to start designing and developing their own. Then they brought in four horses and we checked out their conformation and whether they had square shoulders or pointy narrow shoulders, and if they had a hollowed out back or were uphill or down hill. Then they saddled them with their owners saddles, and we took note of how they looked working first on the circle without a ridder, then how they looked being ridden. I wish I’d taken photos but I got so engrossed in what happened when they changed to the Parelli saddles they I completely forgot! I’m not really one to jump on the ’brand’ wagon, but the changes in those horses were amazing! Of course now I want one, but the one I like is still in the prototype stage…me and Lauren will both be giving it a test ride sometime later in the week. Exciting! I did have the presence of mind to take a photo of it, and I think it’s in the new dvd.
Very quiet around the ranch this evening, most people have gone out to listen and dance at the local pub because Tim Sullivan is playing there. I came back to my cabin because a) I was hoping the wireless would be working and I’d be able to make some skype calls and get my blogs uploaded and b) because it’s so cold and rainy outside that it feels like its going to snow and my cabin has a heater!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
27/8/10
Friday
Meet at the corporate office at 8:30am. Had a session on where to from here…all about managing student tracking etc. Re-took the policy test…think it went well…Lunch…afternoon sessions on Ambassador program, social media and IT stuff. Finally, our results are ready and we all passed! I wasn’t game to look at my certificate in case it said ‘this isn’t real, just didn’t want you to be left out’…I really didn’t think I’d be able to do it and I considered not getting out of bed and not turning up several times…really glad I made myself do it, hopefully this will be the fire cracker that I need lit under my arse to get me to progress and stop being complacent! Now I have been given the opportunity to run my own Parelli endorsed business, licenced to teach as a Parelli Professional.
We are all invited to a celebratory party at Pat and Linda’s house!
By the way, 1 star means you can teach 1 savvy- On Line. 2 stars means you can teach 2 savvy’s- On line and either Freestyle or Liberty.
Of course there is still plenty to be done, I'm just a Trainee instructor til I've taught 50 hours for free to at least 20 students...anyone want to be a guinea pig?
Meet at the corporate office at 8:30am. Had a session on where to from here…all about managing student tracking etc. Re-took the policy test…think it went well…Lunch…afternoon sessions on Ambassador program, social media and IT stuff. Finally, our results are ready and we all passed! I wasn’t game to look at my certificate in case it said ‘this isn’t real, just didn’t want you to be left out’…I really didn’t think I’d be able to do it and I considered not getting out of bed and not turning up several times…really glad I made myself do it, hopefully this will be the fire cracker that I need lit under my arse to get me to progress and stop being complacent! Now I have been given the opportunity to run my own Parelli endorsed business, licenced to teach as a Parelli Professional.
We are all invited to a celebratory party at Pat and Linda’s house!
By the way, 1 star means you can teach 1 savvy- On Line. 2 stars means you can teach 2 savvy’s- On line and either Freestyle or Liberty.
Of course there is still plenty to be done, I'm just a Trainee instructor til I've taught 50 hours for free to at least 20 students...anyone want to be a guinea pig?
26/8/10
Thursday
Dosed up on Garlic+Horseraddish+Vit C, Ibuprofen and red light…got thru the night, up early thinking if I get there early I can go first before eveyone else gets there to watch…turns out we all had the same idea! Adrenaline kicks in and I go second…Got given the Second game to talk about, the Porkypine game…babble, babble…done! Wasn’t so bad, why did I stress, nowhere near as bad as having to talk about cats needing to copulate before they could ovulate!!! (like I did at uni last term)
Pat turned up to talk to us for the rest of the morning and we were there to watch him teaching the 3 star instructors in the Big Top…so cool! He was very motivating and stressed that the best way to impress him was to do simple things with excellence.
Off to the corporate office for lunch…mmm, pizza…Now it’s time for a lecture on policy, to learn all the answers for that test we took on Tuesday, and will be re-taking tomorrow…they really do want to set us up for success! Again my note taking skills were a huge help.
Theory test time…What are the 10 qualities of a horseman? What are the 8 Principles? What are the 7 keys to success? etc…spew up all my cramming…felt pretty good…system download…sooo tired…dinner at the lodge has to be scoffed tonight because Linda is giving a lesson on contact and we are invited to observe…finished about 10pm…pretty awesome stuff! She saw me, came over and gave me a big hug…said she didn’t know I was here! Other students are looking, I feel special :o)
Off to the cabin…should study policy…too tired…must sleep…
Dosed up on Garlic+Horseraddish+Vit C, Ibuprofen and red light…got thru the night, up early thinking if I get there early I can go first before eveyone else gets there to watch…turns out we all had the same idea! Adrenaline kicks in and I go second…Got given the Second game to talk about, the Porkypine game…babble, babble…done! Wasn’t so bad, why did I stress, nowhere near as bad as having to talk about cats needing to copulate before they could ovulate!!! (like I did at uni last term)
Pat turned up to talk to us for the rest of the morning and we were there to watch him teaching the 3 star instructors in the Big Top…so cool! He was very motivating and stressed that the best way to impress him was to do simple things with excellence.
Off to the corporate office for lunch…mmm, pizza…Now it’s time for a lecture on policy, to learn all the answers for that test we took on Tuesday, and will be re-taking tomorrow…they really do want to set us up for success! Again my note taking skills were a huge help.
Theory test time…What are the 10 qualities of a horseman? What are the 8 Principles? What are the 7 keys to success? etc…spew up all my cramming…felt pretty good…system download…sooo tired…dinner at the lodge has to be scoffed tonight because Linda is giving a lesson on contact and we are invited to observe…finished about 10pm…pretty awesome stuff! She saw me, came over and gave me a big hug…said she didn’t know I was here! Other students are looking, I feel special :o)
Off to the cabin…should study policy…too tired…must sleep…
25/8/10
Simulations at the extern barn…how to teach using simulations so that the student gets an idea of what the horse feels. Students keeps running off saying they were going to do their presentation…I said, what presentation? Apparently we were told yesterday that we had to do a 3 minute presentation on one of the seven games that they would choose for us…so we didn’t know what we were presenting on til we had to do it!! Oh no, public speaking, horror! Don’t want to do it, can’t do it, will have to quit…no, don’t be silly, of course I can do it…wanna puke…ignore it, hope it will go away…cool, we’re out of time…too bad, phew!
Oh NO, those that haven’t done their presentation yet have to turn up at 7am tomorrow to do it! Stress! The rest of the afternoon was at the corporate office again, in the lecture theatre. Guess what? Found out that we are re-taking the Theory test tommorow afternoon…What theory test? I say…the one we did on Monday, they say…I wasn’t here on Monday…. Thankfully they went they reviewed the test in class and my note taking skills, sharpened by a year and a half of being back at Uni, served me well.
Tonight is campfire night again…not in the mood to be social, have to get back to the cabin and study…presentation at 7am…won’t be able to sleep, I just know it…plus I have a really sore throat
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| Team building exercises |
Oh NO, those that haven’t done their presentation yet have to turn up at 7am tomorrow to do it! Stress! The rest of the afternoon was at the corporate office again, in the lecture theatre. Guess what? Found out that we are re-taking the Theory test tommorow afternoon…What theory test? I say…the one we did on Monday, they say…I wasn’t here on Monday…. Thankfully they went they reviewed the test in class and my note taking skills, sharpened by a year and a half of being back at Uni, served me well.
Tonight is campfire night again…not in the mood to be social, have to get back to the cabin and study…presentation at 7am…won’t be able to sleep, I just know it…plus I have a really sore throat
24/8/10
Tuesday
Yay! They are going to allow me to do the Instructor course!!! I missed the first day, yesterday, and first thing we had to do today was a Policy test, yikes! Time to be creative…anyway, they said we’d get to do it again at the end of the week, this test was more to see what we didn’t know so they’d know what to teach us, clever really. Spent the day at the corporate office, information sessions on what, why and how…
Yay! They are going to allow me to do the Instructor course!!! I missed the first day, yesterday, and first thing we had to do today was a Policy test, yikes! Time to be creative…anyway, they said we’d get to do it again at the end of the week, this test was more to see what we didn’t know so they’d know what to teach us, clever really. Spent the day at the corporate office, information sessions on what, why and how…
23/8/2010
Monday
Up at 4am, loaded up at the stables by 5:45am and diverted into Denver in time for peak hour traffic by stupid mobile maps which keep losing signal! Took 2 hours to get thru Denver, peak hour plus road works everywhere…grrrr. Anyway, 10 hours and a diversion thru Tiny Town later, we finally got back to the ranch!
I was so glad to get back to my cabin, it was fun sharing a room with Lauren, but its always a relief to get back to your own space. Went down to the lodge to see what was for dinner, caught up with Karen and Sharon, had a shower and suffice to say, will be hitting the sack very shortly. The wireless signal has been to weak to connect so again these blogs will have to wait another day to be uploaded. Not sure what I’ll be doing tomorrow, Ann had left by the time I got down to the lodge so I’ll just have to get up early enough tomorrow to be able to get a ride to the office if need be.
Up at 4am, loaded up at the stables by 5:45am and diverted into Denver in time for peak hour traffic by stupid mobile maps which keep losing signal! Took 2 hours to get thru Denver, peak hour plus road works everywhere…grrrr. Anyway, 10 hours and a diversion thru Tiny Town later, we finally got back to the ranch!
I was so glad to get back to my cabin, it was fun sharing a room with Lauren, but its always a relief to get back to your own space. Went down to the lodge to see what was for dinner, caught up with Karen and Sharon, had a shower and suffice to say, will be hitting the sack very shortly. The wireless signal has been to weak to connect so again these blogs will have to wait another day to be uploaded. Not sure what I’ll be doing tomorrow, Ann had left by the time I got down to the lodge so I’ll just have to get up early enough tomorrow to be able to get a ride to the office if need be.
22/8/10
Sunday- Competition Day 3
Early start today, first class at 7:30am for Manny and his Freestyle program. He was brilliant and even forgot to grind his teeth! They picked up another blue ribbon, making it 3 for 3. At 9:30am was Peanut doing Maile’s freestyle program from the Bejing Games, the Gold medal performance.
Peanut was the most relaxed she had been for the entire show and did very well, collecting another red ribbon. She had to compete again at 11:30am in another able-bod event. Then it was time to go into town for a celebratory lunch and a cocktail, followed by a nap back at the hotel! We went back in the evening to get everything packed up into the trailer so that in the morning all we had to do was load the horses and go.
This is Susie on the left and Marion on the right...Lauren's grooms.
Took a few photos of the carriage horses that were competing in an event at the fairground as well…aren’t they gorgeous!?
Early start today, first class at 7:30am for Manny and his Freestyle program. He was brilliant and even forgot to grind his teeth! They picked up another blue ribbon, making it 3 for 3. At 9:30am was Peanut doing Maile’s freestyle program from the Bejing Games, the Gold medal performance.
Peanut was the most relaxed she had been for the entire show and did very well, collecting another red ribbon. She had to compete again at 11:30am in another able-bod event. Then it was time to go into town for a celebratory lunch and a cocktail, followed by a nap back at the hotel! We went back in the evening to get everything packed up into the trailer so that in the morning all we had to do was load the horses and go.
Took a few photos of the carriage horses that were competing in an event at the fairground as well…aren’t they gorgeous!?
21/8/10
Saturday- Competition Day 2
First class was Manny at 1:40pm, then Peanut at 4:03pm in an able bodied class.
Thai food for dinner, has veggies and rice and chai ice tea. I remembered all the chargers but alas, forgot the adapter… My phone was flat so only took pics with the video Jac lent me…still working on getting them onto the computer.
First class was Manny at 1:40pm, then Peanut at 4:03pm in an able bodied class.
Thai food for dinner, has veggies and rice and chai ice tea. I remembered all the chargers but alas, forgot the adapter… My phone was flat so only took pics with the video Jac lent me…still working on getting them onto the computer.
20/8/10
Friday- Competition Day 1
Started the day with room service for breakfast, then headed down to the fairground around lunchtime as Lauren didn‘t have a class until 2:30pm. First class was on ’Manny’ or L’Amistade 22, a lovely dark brown gelding. He’s a LBI and has baggage from previous trainers, as a result he grinds his teeth to voice his disapproval. He behaved very well despite hating every minute of it and picked up a blue ribbon.
At 4:30pm it was Peanut’s turn, she is over eger and the most difficult thing for her is the walk as she would rather offer everything else first! She did well too and they picked up a red ribbon. Went into town and had dinner (Mediterranean pizza for me) at a restaurant called Poppy’s which was recommended by some locals we asked in town.
Started the day with room service for breakfast, then headed down to the fairground around lunchtime as Lauren didn‘t have a class until 2:30pm. First class was on ’Manny’ or L’Amistade 22, a lovely dark brown gelding. He’s a LBI and has baggage from previous trainers, as a result he grinds his teeth to voice his disapproval. He behaved very well despite hating every minute of it and picked up a blue ribbon.
At 4:30pm it was Peanut’s turn, she is over eger and the most difficult thing for her is the walk as she would rather offer everything else first! She did well too and they picked up a red ribbon. Went into town and had dinner (Mediterranean pizza for me) at a restaurant called Poppy’s which was recommended by some locals we asked in town.
19/8/10
Thursday
Ok, so I woke up every hour to look at the clock, no… it’s not time to get up yet…finally at 4am I gave up and got up! I was ready by 4:30am so went down to the big top where the truck was waiting. The horses came out looking wide eyed and surprised to be out of bed so early. With all the last minute bits and pieces that always have to be done, we didn’t get away til about 6am. First stop, Macca’s drive thru in the truck with the gooseneck! It didn’t quite work so Susie had to jump out get our food from the window.
A good 7 or 8 hours and few pit stops later, we got to Estes Park Fairground, where the dressage comp was being held. The horses travelled well but looked happy to get off the truck. They ate some lunch in their stalls then after a break Lauren rode them all one after another.
It was a long day, just made it to the hotel in time to get some dinner before the kitchen closed at 9pm. I suppose we could have got room service but we were to hungry and tired to think of it then. Off to sleep.
Ok, so I woke up every hour to look at the clock, no… it’s not time to get up yet…finally at 4am I gave up and got up! I was ready by 4:30am so went down to the big top where the truck was waiting. The horses came out looking wide eyed and surprised to be out of bed so early. With all the last minute bits and pieces that always have to be done, we didn’t get away til about 6am. First stop, Macca’s drive thru in the truck with the gooseneck! It didn’t quite work so Susie had to jump out get our food from the window.
A good 7 or 8 hours and few pit stops later, we got to Estes Park Fairground, where the dressage comp was being held. The horses travelled well but looked happy to get off the truck. They ate some lunch in their stalls then after a break Lauren rode them all one after another.
It was a long day, just made it to the hotel in time to get some dinner before the kitchen closed at 9pm. I suppose we could have got room service but we were to hungry and tired to think of it then. Off to sleep.
18/8/10
Wednesday
Shipping and warehouse work is fun, I got to pick out all the stuff that was ordered, package it up, put it into the FedEx program and print off it’s label. I felt like Santa Claus wrapping and shipping presents! Then the FedEx truck came and collected it all. Sorting the shipping papers is a bit mundane but I tell ya, all in all, I’d swap my job at the council for it in a second…
Today, being Wednesday, is campfire night, so there is heaps of people here for the free BBQ and to watch the Horseman’s Apprentice. I am back at my cabin cos I need to pack my stuff for the 5am departure, I intend to be in bed by 9:30pm, so I’ve only got an hour. I haven’t been able to get internet access up here for the last few days so I’m sorry I’ll be behind in the blogs. Don’t know that I’ll have any internet access while I’m away. Ok, gotta go, lots to do!
Shipping and warehouse work is fun, I got to pick out all the stuff that was ordered, package it up, put it into the FedEx program and print off it’s label. I felt like Santa Claus wrapping and shipping presents! Then the FedEx truck came and collected it all. Sorting the shipping papers is a bit mundane but I tell ya, all in all, I’d swap my job at the council for it in a second…
Today, being Wednesday, is campfire night, so there is heaps of people here for the free BBQ and to watch the Horseman’s Apprentice. I am back at my cabin cos I need to pack my stuff for the 5am departure, I intend to be in bed by 9:30pm, so I’ve only got an hour. I haven’t been able to get internet access up here for the last few days so I’m sorry I’ll be behind in the blogs. Don’t know that I’ll have any internet access while I’m away. Ok, gotta go, lots to do!
17/8/10
Tuesday
Had a great day today! Spent the morning processing audition results, then went down to the warehouse (where all the beautiful, expensive products live). There is the manufacturing area where a lot of the products are made on site, the ones not made onsite are shipped in from other parts of America and assembled on site. The only things produced in China or Taiwan are the DVD’s. This was impressive to me, I don’t mind paying good money for a good quality item, and these products are top notch. Wish I had buckets of money…
Will spend tomorrow in the shipping department, where the ‘picking and packing’ happens. Cool!
Had a great day today! Spent the morning processing audition results, then went down to the warehouse (where all the beautiful, expensive products live). There is the manufacturing area where a lot of the products are made on site, the ones not made onsite are shipped in from other parts of America and assembled on site. The only things produced in China or Taiwan are the DVD’s. This was impressive to me, I don’t mind paying good money for a good quality item, and these products are top notch. Wish I had buckets of money…
Will spend tomorrow in the shipping department, where the ‘picking and packing’ happens. Cool!
Monday, August 16, 2010
No wireless on weekends...
5/8/10
Sunday
Took it easy today, not much going on. Watched a couple of movies on my little computer. No wireless on the weekend by the look of it. Went down to the big top and watched Lauren put Peanut thru her paces. We’re leaving at 5am on Thursday morning to go to the show and will be back either Sunday night or Monday sometime. Had some dinner and now for a early night cos I’m going to corporate hq, leaving at 7:30am.
16/8/10
Monday
Felt like crap today, really bad headache. Had another photocopying project which took up the morning. Went back to the ranch for lunch and started feeling better. Spent the afternoon learning how, then processing audition results. It was similar to some of the stuff we do in the office at MPSC so felt quite comfortable with it all. I would enjoy working there, very casual feel to the office, no angry rate payers…nice!
Just ate some fruit for dinner…and munched on pretzel sticks
Stormed again on my way up the hill...
Sunday
Took it easy today, not much going on. Watched a couple of movies on my little computer. No wireless on the weekend by the look of it. Went down to the big top and watched Lauren put Peanut thru her paces. We’re leaving at 5am on Thursday morning to go to the show and will be back either Sunday night or Monday sometime. Had some dinner and now for a early night cos I’m going to corporate hq, leaving at 7:30am.
This is Maile (pronounced May lee), the gold medal winning horse! Her hock is recovering well.
16/8/10
Monday
Felt like crap today, really bad headache. Had another photocopying project which took up the morning. Went back to the ranch for lunch and started feeling better. Spent the afternoon learning how, then processing audition results. It was similar to some of the stuff we do in the office at MPSC so felt quite comfortable with it all. I would enjoy working there, very casual feel to the office, no angry rate payers…nice!
Just ate some fruit for dinner…and munched on pretzel sticks
Stormed again on my way up the hill...
The cows tried to shelter under my veranda...
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Saturday, 14th Aug
Just as tired today, got up early and raced down to the lodge thinking there would be a cooked breakfast because one of the students had said they do that every second day. Turns out they only do it during the week, not weekends. So will sleep in tomorrow for sure.
Watched the savvy games, got some pics of my friends….
Cassie...
and Sharon....
Also took one of Ann’s horse Bandit....he looked away as I took it.
After lunch I went into town with Karen and Sharon. Found a tack shop full of beautiful but too expensive things. Drove a bit further and found a tack shop more like MacKays with heaps of cheap stuff that was totally ace! Bought some deer skin gloves to replace my ones with holes in, and a new training tool, a short handled stock whip type thing (a leather braided stock whip for $12!). There is soooo much cool stuff in that shop, I wanna go back again!
Stopped at the city market for some more munchies to keep in the cabin and then went to DJ’s (the ‘Malt Shop’) for a milkshake. So full after the milkshake, which is ice-cream in the blender and smothered in whipped cream….that when we got back to the lodge for dinner, we weren’t hungry. Got dinner anyway, as you do when food is free, and ate about half of it- pasta with chicken and tomato sauce and salad.
Time for a movie and bed, me thinks…
Watched the savvy games, got some pics of my friends….
Cassie...
and Sharon....
Also took one of Ann’s horse Bandit....he looked away as I took it.
After lunch I went into town with Karen and Sharon. Found a tack shop full of beautiful but too expensive things. Drove a bit further and found a tack shop more like MacKays with heaps of cheap stuff that was totally ace! Bought some deer skin gloves to replace my ones with holes in, and a new training tool, a short handled stock whip type thing (a leather braided stock whip for $12!). There is soooo much cool stuff in that shop, I wanna go back again!
Stopped at the city market for some more munchies to keep in the cabin and then went to DJ’s (the ‘Malt Shop’) for a milkshake. So full after the milkshake, which is ice-cream in the blender and smothered in whipped cream….that when we got back to the lodge for dinner, we weren’t hungry. Got dinner anyway, as you do when food is free, and ate about half of it- pasta with chicken and tomato sauce and salad.
Time for a movie and bed, me thinks…
Friday, August 13, 2010
End of 1st week of placement!
13/8/10
Friday
What a day! I’m exhausted.
Spent the day over at the head office, met lots of new people, caught up with some familiar faces as well (Sue Shoemark and Chris Corbidge). Got tasked with making up the information folders for the upcoming Ambassadors Program, colour copying, photocopying, sorting, collating several documents into folders for Sunday. Went to the meeting at the end of the day where they discuss the week. I will spend next week there which will be fun I think, the media department, the equipment warehouse, the events department as well as call centre and general admin, all goes on there.
Got bailed up by media wanting to do an interview, at least it sounds like a written piece for their magazine, not a filmed piece for the promo dvd. Got a ride back to the ranch with my 2 new buddies, since they took me to the pub for happy hour, Karen (from South Africa) and Sharon (from UK but moved to Las Vegas). They are social media interns and live at the ranch, so will be my ride for next week…at least we’ve already bonded! I only had 1 tequila margarita, it was very strong and as a write this I just want to go to sleep. So it will be short and sweet…no photo’s today, didn’t take the camera.
Tomorrow (every Saturday morning actually) they will have the Savvy games on, so will have a look and get some pics of my friends with their horses, now that I have some :o)
Friday
What a day! I’m exhausted.
Spent the day over at the head office, met lots of new people, caught up with some familiar faces as well (Sue Shoemark and Chris Corbidge). Got tasked with making up the information folders for the upcoming Ambassadors Program, colour copying, photocopying, sorting, collating several documents into folders for Sunday. Went to the meeting at the end of the day where they discuss the week. I will spend next week there which will be fun I think, the media department, the equipment warehouse, the events department as well as call centre and general admin, all goes on there.
Got bailed up by media wanting to do an interview, at least it sounds like a written piece for their magazine, not a filmed piece for the promo dvd. Got a ride back to the ranch with my 2 new buddies, since they took me to the pub for happy hour, Karen (from South Africa) and Sharon (from UK but moved to Las Vegas). They are social media interns and live at the ranch, so will be my ride for next week…at least we’ve already bonded! I only had 1 tequila margarita, it was very strong and as a write this I just want to go to sleep. So it will be short and sweet…no photo’s today, didn’t take the camera.
Tomorrow (every Saturday morning actually) they will have the Savvy games on, so will have a look and get some pics of my friends with their horses, now that I have some :o)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Day 8
12/8/10
Thursday
A woodland mouse in my Parelli house,
woke me at 3am and I swore.
So I got out of bed and picked up my shoe,
then drove him straight out the door!
Seriously! I was not happy, I’d gone to bed early cos I was so tired and had to get up early. Cute little mousey looking squirrelly thing. Will block up the gap under the door with a towel tonight and hopefully it won’t come in for a snuggle tonight.
Spent the day with the upper end admin team today, which was enlightening. Will be going in to the corporate office tomorrow morning…thought I’d better have a shower…I’d been putting it off as I'd discovered with a squeal of pain (and shock) that their idea of water saving is to install a shower head that acts like a katcha (or whatever its called), a high pressure spray that nearly blasted my skin off. And yes, it was cold! To make it warm you have to turn it on harder! I was struggling to stay on the shower seat. So as you can imagine I was not to keen to have another.
This evening after deciding I had no option but to face another blasting, I discovered (now that my brain was not in shock and I was prepared for what was to come) that the shower nozzle has a pin that goes thru it and when you push it thru one way it stems the flow, and pushed thru the other way gives you maximum blast power, so I was able to control the water at last. Was wondering how I was going to last 6 weeks without showering, thank goodness I won’t have to.
I didn't take any new photos today...sorry...but will throw in a couple, one of the amazing mountainous horizon-line behind my cabin...
and another as I head up the hill to the parking area where my cabin is...its the little red roof in the middlish, off to the right a bit....
Thursday
A woodland mouse in my Parelli house,
woke me at 3am and I swore.
So I got out of bed and picked up my shoe,
then drove him straight out the door!
Seriously! I was not happy, I’d gone to bed early cos I was so tired and had to get up early. Cute little mousey looking squirrelly thing. Will block up the gap under the door with a towel tonight and hopefully it won’t come in for a snuggle tonight.
Spent the day with the upper end admin team today, which was enlightening. Will be going in to the corporate office tomorrow morning…thought I’d better have a shower…I’d been putting it off as I'd discovered with a squeal of pain (and shock) that their idea of water saving is to install a shower head that acts like a katcha (or whatever its called), a high pressure spray that nearly blasted my skin off. And yes, it was cold! To make it warm you have to turn it on harder! I was struggling to stay on the shower seat. So as you can imagine I was not to keen to have another.
This evening after deciding I had no option but to face another blasting, I discovered (now that my brain was not in shock and I was prepared for what was to come) that the shower nozzle has a pin that goes thru it and when you push it thru one way it stems the flow, and pushed thru the other way gives you maximum blast power, so I was able to control the water at last. Was wondering how I was going to last 6 weeks without showering, thank goodness I won’t have to.
I didn't take any new photos today...sorry...but will throw in a couple, one of the amazing mountainous horizon-line behind my cabin...
and another as I head up the hill to the parking area where my cabin is...its the little red roof in the middlish, off to the right a bit....
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Day 7
11/8/10
Wednesday
Interesting day in the office today, I’ve been around long enough for people to start talking to me beyond the normal polite chit chat…some interesting stories coming out, not going to elaborate til I get other points of view. So many holes in the system and I can’t understand how the business has actually functioned with so much lack of organisation?
Pat, Linda and my friend Ann arrived back yesterday afternoon from their tour stop in Fresno, CA. A team of instructors and students travel with them along with a heap of horses…here a part of Pat’s truck fleet…sorry it was getting dark when I went past tonight, will get a better shot tomorrow as these are impressive beasts!
Also took a photo of my office filing handy work, wish I’d taken a before photo! Spent a lot of today going through the library and finding out what’s missing and renumbering DVD’s, CD’s etc in reverse chronological order, so the latest edition of whatever is the easiest to find…looking forward to getting to the corporate office for some real action, haha!
They have a cook here who is doing a wonderful job of producing 3 heafty meals a day…for someone like me who is used to eating maybe the equivalent of one meal spread across the day, I’m thinking it’s time to get some exercise, so yesterday I left the golf cart at my cabin and went down the hill. Took me what felt like ages but decided to do it again tonight! Will start timing how long it takes...pushing up that hill every evening is going to turn me into Superwoman! Maybe 3 or 4 times a week will do. Oh yeah, here’s a picture of my golf cart…
Wednesday
Interesting day in the office today, I’ve been around long enough for people to start talking to me beyond the normal polite chit chat…some interesting stories coming out, not going to elaborate til I get other points of view. So many holes in the system and I can’t understand how the business has actually functioned with so much lack of organisation?
Pat, Linda and my friend Ann arrived back yesterday afternoon from their tour stop in Fresno, CA. A team of instructors and students travel with them along with a heap of horses…here a part of Pat’s truck fleet…sorry it was getting dark when I went past tonight, will get a better shot tomorrow as these are impressive beasts!
Also took a photo of my office filing handy work, wish I’d taken a before photo! Spent a lot of today going through the library and finding out what’s missing and renumbering DVD’s, CD’s etc in reverse chronological order, so the latest edition of whatever is the easiest to find…looking forward to getting to the corporate office for some real action, haha!
They have a cook here who is doing a wonderful job of producing 3 heafty meals a day…for someone like me who is used to eating maybe the equivalent of one meal spread across the day, I’m thinking it’s time to get some exercise, so yesterday I left the golf cart at my cabin and went down the hill. Took me what felt like ages but decided to do it again tonight! Will start timing how long it takes...pushing up that hill every evening is going to turn me into Superwoman! Maybe 3 or 4 times a week will do. Oh yeah, here’s a picture of my golf cart…
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