I live in a harsh climate, but...

I live in a beautiful part of the world that is sometimes not that beautiful. Actually, it can be very "shitty" at times.
I didn't feel it before, but now, I guess I feel it as I am getting older?

It gets shitty when it becomes dark, when days become short and when it gets cold. And all of this happens when winter arrives. There is very little sunlight, and sun is hovering so low on horizon, that you always think it will be gone in next 10 minutes.
It gets very cold, temperatures drop to -25 C, -30 C, and everything looks and feels vacant, slow and frozen. As life stopped. It gets quiet, and it gets even more quiet.
It is dark for more then 16, 17 hours per day. It is bright between 9 AM and 4 PM. It is a bit warmer only between noon and 3 PM.
All of this lasts for a very long time - from mid October until mid April, in many instances even longer. It can snow at any time of year. Well, it is not that dark during summer months.......

Running in November 2014 

But then....when it warms up in December, or January, or February, when we get -5 C (and yes, that's really warm!), thanks to Chinooks, and sometimes we get +5 C, or even +10 C, then we have our "summer". It feels almost "hot" during these warm spells.
Snow starts to melt, and then freezes overnight. And then, of course, it doesn't stay warm too long, it gets cold again and everything gets frozen, and icy.

And then, it starts snowing again. More snow, more ice, more darkness.

So, it gets shitty.

However, I still find ways to have fun :)

One thing that I do even more, during these "shitty times", is running. I just go running. And I run a lot.
That's one way how I get my sun exposure during these long winter months. That's how I get my cardio exercise as well.
It is also a good test of character. When there is a snow blizzard outside, when there is a severe windchill, when it is super cold.....it is not easy to go outside and go running. Trust me I know that.
It's very hard to make that first step to go outside.
It is also hard during first 8-10 minutes, until body is warmed up and starts functioning better. It is even harder if there is a head wind.

Obviously, in a big picture, none if this is really "hard". It is just weather and elements, and running. It is not a problem. And I am quite lucky and privileged that I can do it, that I can go running.
Even on - 20 C.
I remember different times, 20 years ago, when I was not able to go running at all. Comparing to that situation, this kind of "problem", or difficulty, is not a problem at all. But that is part of some other story.

Here, I wanted to describe how it feels and looks like during long Alberta winters, and what is this one pleasant activity that helps me to go through it.
Best thing would be to try it by yourself. Go out, spend time outdoors, no matter what nature is doing on that day. Make your muscles happy, make them work. Breath with full lung capacity. Listen your heart beats. Listen your steps and crunchy snow. Listen and absorb nature's way of connecting.

My goal is to run as much as possible during long Alberta winters. To keep consistent and enjoy it.

There is nothing better then being completely alone on trails, after new snow, trying to bulldoze your way through deep snow. When hip flexors complain, and when lungs work overtime, and when heart is in a red zone.

But then I know I am alive. I am using my own power and I am a bit closer to our ancestors.

The Endless River of Silence

Today, my story consists of 2 parts: Bitchy part and the other part. In bitchy part I will be writing (bitching) about all those who are dead but think that they are alive. In the second part I will be writing about a place that is too silent for them.

Noise 
I have become very sensitive to mindless noise. I guess that's part of evolution, of a process of aging. However, I also must add that my resistance to noise is not just me getting older (and grumpier  :)), but also my choice. My own Freedom. My own Taste.
I rarely watch TV, and when I watch it, I cannot stand the noise that comes from commercials. I always use my remote to lower it down, as it is at least 30% louder. It somehow hurts my ears, my head, my hearing. Perhaps, it is not just that obvious noise, it is more the effects of mindless content that we are being bombarded perpetually.

Fat brains who drive pickup trucks
I hate pickup trucks with diesel engines. The noise they produce (controlled by mindless ignorant fat brains), hurts my head, my ears, my brain. When these rude fat brains press their accelerator pedals and when the black exhaust fumes get expelled into air, and when they rush as they'll die next minute, I push my fingers inside my ear lobes, trying to protect myself. I am not that fast to use my ear plugs, so I still suffer from 110 decibels of road rage. It might be quite sexy to drive these ugly machines.

They believe that they deserve it
Many fat brains who believe that they "deserve it", speak so loud on their smart phones, that it becomes awkward, as suddenly I learn everything about their mistresses, their trouble with a teen daughter, their lack of banking knowledge, their arthritis, their successful "flip-flopping" real estate business, their Oprah admiration, and other numbing, never ending stories.
Of course they've built the world and they deserve it all.
We also cannot hear each other when we have a meal in even some of nicer restaurants. Obnoxious customers on other table (s) are literary screaming, and laughing so hard that we have to ask each other more then once:"What did you say". This breed of mean fat brains, who also "deserved it", allow themselves to "express" themselves, by ruining other people comfort. They are free in a land of free. When I politely ask them to decrease volumes of their voices, almost normal reply is:"That's not your business", or something like: "We deserve to yell".

Well, it is totally my business, as they affect my well being, and everyone else around.
Should I ask, where are their manners? Who did raise them?

Let me assure you that I don't pay much attention to all of this. If I did, I would be in so much trouble. I leave them to enjoy their prosperity and I go back to basics. To Mother Nature.

Silence and selling
I value silence more than noise. Silence tells us more than words, and with all stimuli around us, we are actually not told too much. Bombardment of our senses is mindless, as it serves only one purpose: To sell us something. Not because we need it, only because "Economy must continue expanding".
There was a slogan, from this bank that I worked for:"Selling is Helping". Geniuses of this bank marketing department came up with it. Good job.

My own way
I help myself without them helping me. I do it on my own way. I find real silence. I find true silence. I go to places where they cannot affect me. I go to places where they cannot sell me things.
Don't misunderstood me, I still buy "stuff", but only what I need. And I buy it locally. I don't get trapped by consumerism.
I am not a good soldier of their economic system. I conserve, I don't spend, and I support small businesses, I question their status quo. I educate myself. Of course they'll (fat brains) obfuscate the truth, they'll simplify it, to demonize me (and everyone else who is resisting their system, who doesn't shop at Walmart).
And, that is OK. Places I go to are out of their reach.

But, let's get back to silence.
Real silence and true silence is connected with noise, with real and true noise. They compliment each other. I don't mind that kind of noise, that comes as a result of nature's way of "making noise". Nature just does it, and noise is just a force of nature. Nature is not obnoxious, rude, or mean. Nature just does what it does. Noise that is produced by Nature is pleasant.

But then, nature gives us real and true silence.

That's why we are very closely connected with nature, and especially where we live, we are in sync with the mountains, their lakes, rivers, forests, animals. On the mountains we find real and true silence. Wilderness frees us.

As days are short and the sun is quite low on horizon, there are only a few hours of sunshine per day so big parts of the mountains are dark and cold. That's why we chose to climb south exposed mountain sides and faces. Castle mountain is perfect for that.

Castle mountain looks like a castle. When approached from Banff, or Lake Louise, or from Radium, it always looks like a castle.

Castle Mountain during different seasons

To climb it, to get to the top, you can either go around and climb it using its gentle north face, or you can rock/ice climb it from the south side. The routes that go to the top are a sum of extremes, as "gentle" one is boring, and the rocky one is too dangerous. 
It is too dangerous as it looks deceiving, with so many good "routes" and hand/feet holds, that inexperienced climbers are usually very eager to take on their way up. And that's how they get into trouble as suddenly they are faced with vertical, non-climbable faces. And there is no way back.

Eisenhower Tower on Castle Mountain

However, it is still possible to get almost similar benefits, as being on the top of Eisenhower peak of Castle mountain. It is somewhat boring, but safe, unexposed, and once you are at the end of the trail, once you are on Castle Lookout, amazing scenery opens up in front of your eyes.

It is a somewhat steep climb that starts 5 km north of Castle Cabins on Bow Valley Promenade - not possible to miss it  :).
At first it is lame (for some) to walk through thick forest, but very soon, while gaining altitude, the views open up.

And that's where that amazing realization of silence kicks in. There are no more pickup trucks, no more TV commercials, no more rude restaurant guests, no more loud smart phone owners.....

You can hear your steps, sound of crunching snow, and you don't have to ask a question:"What did you say". You can even hear when rocks break high up, and start falling down.
You can hear your own breathing when you are taking a video. Even you can hear a camera "motor" moving its lenses when you are zooming in or out.
It is that silent.

Storm Mountain viewed from Castle Mountain

Another great aspect is total absence of fat brains. There are no fat brains up there, to spoil this beauty. And those few people who get there, they usually understand and know everything about silence. When our eyes meet we know. Well, they also drive pickups, watch TV, have smart phones....laugh and yell, but they are aware, and they are gentle, and they are kind people. They respect others.
They are not fat brains.

I learned about respect and humility from the mountains. Mountains were kind enough to pass that knowledge to me. And I was eager enough to learn it.
On the mountains I can live in alignment with my spirit and not with this toxic culture I am forced to tolerate.

Bow Valley and its peaks - Mt.Temple on the right

Average people don't come here. It is too strenuous for them. And that is a good thing. I don't mind lack of crowds and not seeing them.
Average people probably expect a four lane highway to help them to get to the mountain, to the top of it. They also expect some help with it, because they "deserve it". They expect a resort. They expect "all included".
Again, don't misunderstand me, some "average people" are great and grand, and are doing all in their powers to help creating a world in which fat brains will use their brains. These people are respectful and kind.

On Castle Lookout

That's why I tell fat brains to come and join us - it is not too hard to climb to Castle Outlook and enjoy silence. To refresh and recharge senses that have become numb and dumb.

To refresh spirit and consume healthy food of life.
To leave technology behind.
To unhook from the grid.
To rock the boat.
To live on their own way.
To live without human laws.
To live without religion.
To live without social norms.
To comply to only one law - law of nature.
To better communicate by being silent.

Silent view from silent lookout

One of great Bow Valley residents, Eddie Hunter, said that "Maybe, the most beautiful sound in the Canadian Rockies is just...silence". And boy, he was so much right.

Volunteering, Organization and Some Tips

I am a volunteer that invests one of my rare commodities, time, into things that might have an impact to an overall health of society. You just don't know where or when someone will use this knowledge to rock the boat. Why "to rock the boat"? If we don't rock the boat, we become complacent and that means that we are not alive anymore.

I organized a speech contest couple of weeks ago and below are my tips for all who might be doing it in the future.
I am writing this so that someone else who needs to organize a contest, could do it in an easier way, as so little was offered by the division in terms of tips and tricks for the contest organization.
They did organize trainings, and I give five thumbs up for that effort, but the content offered was...perhaps it is harsh to say useless, but that's how I felt, and as a matter of fact haven't attended any other trainings. I got turned off.

Contestant's orientation

Things that I learned:

1. Don't expect help from clubs in your area immediately

Problem here is in timing. The "semester" should start in September, and not in July. People are away in July and August and they don't care about Toastmasters during summer months (except hard-cores that have their lives revolving around toastmasters).

2. Don't expect help from people you never met and never talked to (for example when you contact people from judge's list)

Again, nobody is interested to do this if they are informed during summer. People don't respond well to strangers - this means that you'll need time to build relationships so that you can ask them for help.

3. Don't expect that anyone is responsible

This is volunteering and it needs time to establish cadence of accountability. People are different, and many of them don't have skills needed to do things they signed for. It is necessary to spend time to teach them about it, and especially to check if they have tools needed to do it.

4. Don't expect that anyone will do more

(Again, this is volunteering and it will take time to influence people to do more). Many thumbs up for those who actually DO more.

5. Expect that you'll have to do a majority of work

(And this is OK, as you are a main organizer). Once you know people in your area and depending on your leadership style, you might get people aroused to do more.

6. Don't expect that you'll get a good response (from presidents) during summer months (if you send any kind of request)

(However, establish a group rules on your first council meeting)

7. Focus to contact club's presidents in person

(Very important as that helps to build a relationship). Everyone needs to feel connection, real, not virtual connection. Of course, excuse is "no time", but time can always be given to things that matter.

8. Spend time with presidents, one on one

(To build a relationship)

9. Ask division governor (or anyone who "knows" the environment and people who can help) for help with judges recruitment

Chief judge orientation

10. Book a venue for the contest as early as possible (3 months earlier)

11. Try to get an experienced toastmaster to be your master of ceremony

12. Ask people that you know to help you

13. Helpers:

• Assign each club with a certain task - this is best done at Area Council meeting, where you can ask them what they think about it
• Contest Organizer (this will be you)
• Contest Chair (this also might be you)
• Greeter
• Registration desk
• Sgt.at Arms (it should be 2)
• Facility Chair
• 2 timers
• 2 ballot counters
• Try to get at least 8 helpers
• Plan for backups

14. Food

• Assign 2 clubs to do this
• One will bring food (snack food, doughnuts and vegetables) and plates, cutlery and glasses
• One will bring water and non-alcoholics drinks

15. Judges

• There should be 1 chief judge and 6 other judges. If you get less it is still possible to do it.
• Have the chief judge introduce the contest at the beginning. They are usually a veteran members with high level of authority, that can grab the audience attention.
• Ask clubs to get a judge each

Chief Judge Orientation

16. Invest time to talk with other interested members. Presidents won't show up sometimes, but their VP of Education, or VP of Membership, even Sgt. at Arms could show and as a matter of fact, become instrumental in the event organization.

17. During contest

• Come early
• Introduce yourself to people you don't know
• Use first impression to start building relationships
• Let everyone does their thing
• Be a connector and instil some humour
• Speak little, get to the point quickly, let your MC to do his/her job

18. Awards

• Give publicly awards for 1st and 2nd place. Third place and participants certificate could be distributed after the event.
• Fill out certificates before the contest, so that you only need to write the winners, 2nd and 3rd place names

19. Agenda

Get the agenda template from someone who already did it before. Ask your division governor for help.

20. Documents that you need

• Agenda: You'll need ~ 20 copies of agenda
• Sign-up sheet
• Ask 2 people to print it for you, so that you have a backup in case one of them can't make it

21. Create a collaborative dashboard where everything is recorded and everyone involved can update their status

Bottom line here is to invest time to BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. Problem here, though, is that the term is only 1 year long, and it is not possible to build a quality relationship in such short period of time. The term should last at least 2 years.

Back to the contest, certainly, there could be some other things that I didn't mention above, but this is a summary of everything I remembered that could help you to do it. 

Best thing is that you will have tons of fun, and that there are other ways of doing it.

Just do it. Explore it. Rock the boat. Live.

What could be more symbolic of peace than the Olympics?

I lived in the city that hosted the XIV Olympic games and now, I live in the city that hosted XVth Olympic games.
I was a kid during XIVth games, got my first job then, at the Olympics, watched Mahre brothers and Bill Johnson win alpine skiing events, missed Ingemar Stenmark and Marc Girrardelli who were banned from competing in Sarajevo. I was a kid, I was pure and innocent.
30 years after, the new Olympics are starting tomorrow, and I am not a kid anymore. I am not pure and innocent anymore. Sometimes I think I am contaminated, labeled, stereotyped, and that I must fight to be myself. I am “free”.

Start of Sarajevo Olympic Downhill

The XXII Winter Olympics are starting tomorrow, and I am not sure if I will watch it on media available here. I am not sure if I will be able to see the essence of the Olympics, competition, unification of people, celebration of diversity, fair play and pure sport. The most, I crave is to see that evasive peace that is propagated by the Olympics.
Last 7 days I watched our media channels and I've been trying hard to find any story that would propagate friendship, peace, intelligence, sport, something gentle and beautiful. If anyone knows any of these positive stories, I would love to hear them. I am definitely looking for them myself.
I don’t want to sound negative, as I am generally positive person, but this lack of sensitive Olympic stories makes me feel robbed of Olympic spirit. Somehow it feels that there has been a propaganda war against the host. And that puzzles me - the cold war was over long time ago, and it is confusing for me, who are we fighting against now?

Panathenaic Stadium, Athens

I've had a great professional respect for Canadian journalists, and I am afraid to lose it. I cannot understand how and why these people cannot find anything positive about the host? 
Some of them have quite a professional pedigree, lived in and experienced different cultures, they even originate from different backgrounds, but yet, they spread alarming amounts of (I even don’t know how to call it) garbage and dirt about the host (of course that there is dirt and garbage, and some of it is worth to fight to be removed, or fixed, but could we please just stop talking about it for 2 weeks? Could we just let them take care of their own yard?).
Could we just give these new generations something different, positive; something that potentially could create more trust and paint friendlier pictures? Something that will bring peace?
What could be more symbolic of peace than the Olympics?
How did these journalists allow their brains to become fat, their consciousness to shrunk, their awareness to become so small, and their views so limited? Perhaps, it is not possible to remove cultural and social brainwashing, but could it be possible to just be nice and accepting, during these special 17 days, and do this every 4 years? For sake of future generations? And in the meantime to work together on all these problems.
Could they be kind?
Why stray dogs, corruption, excessive costs, rights of gay population, unfinished infrastructure (just to mention a few that I also support to be fixed with all of my being), or doping “glory” of former Soviet athletes are so important at this moment, so they take precedence from athletes of our time, and sports, from things that Olympics are about?
Why to talk about Gulags, steroids for former soviet athletes, KGB, and other nonsense that has nothing to do with these Olympics?
What is the goal of such media reporting? Why do they need to influence people in this country with such negative image of the host country? Who ordered this kind of reporting to commence? 

Whistler

Why is this kind of "product" we've been served more important than simple, sport oriented news?

Do we really need to know who from the politics stage came and didn't come to Sochi?

More than 3000 athletes from more than 80 countries are so attractive and so interesting, that there could be so many written stories about them that the public wouldn’t be able to keep up with it.

They and their families and many passionate people invested years and years of unprecedented work and effort to compete in Sochi. Can you imagine how much work has been invested? And still, many were talking about a "boycott". That tells a lot about their generosity.

Imagine if Carl Lewis were allowed to compete in Moscow in 1980, he could've won gold medal in long jump in five consecutive Olympics.

Obviously, to be fair, as civilization, we have to deal with these issues, as I already wrote, but could we please just give some break too all athletes? And to hosts that are a bit different from us?

Isn’t a possibility that Bode Miller could equal Andre Kjetil Aamodt record haul of 8 Olympic medals in alpine skiing a good enough story? Good product to sell? Or any story about brave women who will be competing for the first time in ski jumping?

I could name so many inspiring athletes and their stories here that I could probably run out of “ink”, and I am not even a journalist, or a “foreign” correspondent. I just love sports and I am not blind.

Olympic plague in Tianjin

It is interesting how similar rhetoric were used during summer Olympic games in Beijing. The host was mutilated and it felt as the host was responsible for everything bad that happened, was happening and will happen in the world. Interestingly enough, when the next Olympics happened in London, everything was great and shiny, and beautiful and perfect. 

Ski jumps in Sarajevo

Obviously same thing happen when we had our Olympic games in Vancouver. Everything was great and shiny, and beautiful and perfect. I was proud to be part of this country, to live in it, to pay taxes, to spend best years of my life here. We were allowed to keep our garbage for ourselves. Why can’t we just give them a break? Why can’t we just “lower shields” and be nice to them? Why can’t we accept them for who they are? Why do they need to dance the way how we play? I wish I knew why. I am not capable to understand it. Or I understand it perfectly.