Tuesday, 08 January 2008
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The Big Update
I got this thing so I could re-connect and put thoughts to “paper”, but I’ve been having one of those moments where writing would be a positive thing. Oh well, now I’m in the mood so let’s get going.
I last left off I was going away for a couple days, I ended up actually going to Ottawa by myself, stayed in a hotel, saw the sites and all the museums I could take in, did some shopping and even saw Harry Connick Jr. in concert! Ate high quality food some nights and good quality beverages. Only downside, on the way in I got into a accident where my drivers side door got smucked on one end and the front fender bashed in. It happened right at the start of the trip and I tried not to allow it to upset me, which it didn’t. I got back, was refreshed and ready for summer.
Summer went by like a flash though, made some more friends, re-acquainted with others, it was good. By the end of it I was tired and looking back on it I realized I worked too much for little credit. My boss didn’t really check in on me too much and personal support was few and far between, I was a labourer for someone else it felt like at times. But I did love it! I celebrated my 24th at the end of it, my little sister spent a few days leading up to it going around camp having all the staff sign little cards that she scattered about the radio station, all of them with personal messages of thanks and well wishes. That my friend made me feel much better. There were some downfalls, I didn’t work out as much as previous summers, because of the lack of personal talk time I had many a yelling match with the guy upstairs, but interestingly enough it always worked out that someone came along to talk with me and settle me down. Overall I would give summer 2007 neither a thumbs up or down.
Summer came to an end the way it always does, with tears. But before the tears came hugs of welcome, during the last week of camp all my friends who were working fall crew came back from their respective areas of other work. It was great to see Matt, Melissa and Aaron back at the Woods again and to know we would be working together once again.
Fall brought the challenge of a another brand new season of Outdoor Rec for me. Luckily my sister would be along for the ride along with a few other really good friends from summer. A new boss and some other new postings brought separate challenges, but we dealt with them in stride.
Some highlights included getting to live in a community environment, (I know that probably sounds like an odd one but pretty much a year living by myself and getting shuffled out of arrangements with people who were about to get married, so finally living with the people I was working with and actually get to know them a little better) working in ropes and getting some recognition, socializing more, working the top of the tower and overcoming my fears of lobster claws, (see my old blog about that one) indoor climbing more, going to church, playing CSI Muskoka because of a missing wooden bear, seeing kids progress in climbing from every walk of life, being a king for the day, all of the radio banter (remember I’m also Jeff now!), getting and being the only OREC member and non-management employee with WSIB Level 1 certification (it was pretty sweet, I got to spend 3 days off property in a hotel with all expenses paid!) and laying things out in a very good way to many friends who I believe are now much closer because of it.
The downfalls, panic attacks – I suffered 2 really bad ones, one after a really bad first time on the tower where everything that could go wrong did, and another when I over-reacted on words that I said when in reality they had no effect whatsoever. Issues with girls – There are 2 people whom I would really like to get to know more and would like to think I could make a relationship with, one I have now realized it will not happen, but still all through fall I had feelings for them but couldn’t muster to ask them. Becoming a professional driver – I had thought with our own car I would be done with driving the camp van for others, but it didn’t happen. For some reason this past fall I also got the bad guy persona which it seemed caused distancing from a lot of the staff.
Fall ended off the way it usually does, with the retreat. Usually a good time it wasn’t for me. Well I shouldn’t say that, there were a few moments. On the opening night awards banquet I was honoured with the Service Standard Award for Safety, I learned how to 10 pin bowl and I had a great time with some of the Toronto staff playing old school board games. What made it so bad then? Well some upsetting things happened right before the retreat for me which didn’t leave when we started it all. I moped around a lot and was seen as not a happy person. Things transcribed which will come about in a later blog about it, needless to say I’m glad it came to light at the retreat and I’m now working on dealing with it.
Oh and as a bonus at the very end Matt, JR, Hammer, Kariss and my sister all went to Red Lobster. Why is that such a big deal? Well it was my very FIRST TIME!!! It was so great that that meal was the final memory for me of Muskoka Woods for 2007.
So other than the typical Christmas break stuff which hasn’t changed over the years so I won’t get into it, we are now up to speed on this blog as per my life as of late. So now you can expect much smaller postings than this one (But I do apologize and thank you for catching up) and it have a little more sustenance and currency.
Until then, later.
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