Olympics!/New Blog

Small update: I'm off to the Olympics!  Check out the sequel blog, vickolympictour.blogspot.com

R.

Postlude

It is hard to describe the experience I've had this year, but let me run some numbers by you:

Around 20,000 - number of kilometres that I've logged this year on buses, train, boats, subways, shuttles, you name it in regards to public transit (not counting flights!)
12 - number of countries I've visited
39 - number of cities/villages I've visited
47 - number of dives I've logged in three continents
12 - number of months on the tour where I logged at least one dive
2 - number of times I sat front row at a major musical production
10 - number of times I fed the fish on the Great Barrier Reef
12 - number of game shows I saw taped
2 - number of game shows where I appeared speaking on camera
1 - number of game shows where I was sitting in the audience and pretty much had no idea what was going on (thanks, Gunther Jauch)
Around 630,000 - amount of money that I saw given away this year (not taking exchange rates into account)
2 - number of cult Canadian shows where I was an extra
1 - number of times I almost got kicked off a train
1 - number of times that I almost got sucked out a train door
1 - number of times I ran into a plexiglass wall
2 - number of times it took me on a high trapeze to nail a full flip
7 - number of extreme sports that I tried for the first time
420 - height, in feet, of the tallest roller coaster that I rode
2 - number of times I worked on a game show production
2 - times that I hosted a major cult game show (even if it wasn't on tv!)
3 - radio contests that I won
1 - airplane contests that I won
1 - pop superstars on the same airplane as me
3 - "world's biggest" that I visited (for the record: deepest pool, biggest Muskoka chair, biggest coral reef)
2 - times that I experienced animals in the wild
1 - number of times where my alarm didn't go off and I almost missed my flight
2 - number of articles I had published
1 - number of times I got stuck in a metro station in Paris
24 - number of hours I spent on a train, consecutively, with 3 kids under 5 sitting across the aisle
4 - number of times I've been a guest teacher (twice where I didn't know the kids that I was teaching)

... and most importantly...

0 - things I've regretted doing this year.

This is merely just a sample of everything... I could go on but it's already on the blog!

It is very difficult to sum up in words what I have thought of this year. When I started out this dream about four years ago, the intention, as I mentioned in the first post a year ago, was to go to the Olympics. Now while that didn't happen as planned, what did was nothing short of remarkable.

If you ever have the opportunity to do something like this, like I said, take it. Whether it's by yourself, with a stranger, with your best friend or your significant other, with your family or with a touring group that leaves you stating "if this is Tuesday, this must be Belgium", it is a life experience that you never will forget.

And for me, life has changed. I left my job back in late April and at this moment am exploring and experiencing life in a whole new way. I don't know where life will take me now, but I'm really excited to find out.

Before I go, tons of thanks. Bear with me. And bear in mind that I will possibly forget some people, so please forgive me.

To Gordon, Jason and Travis: thank you for letting me into your game show world.
To Juliette, Seb, and Charles: merci d'avoir recu durant deux vacances, avec deux enregistrements. C'est reussi!
To the GO gang: thank you for making a 7.17 am ride to Union exciting. Who is Patrick Swayze anyway?
To Em, Chris and the staff at Em's school: thank you for welcoming me as one of your own, lending me golf shirts, and teaching me the best halloween party game ever.
To the Lloyds: what a pleasure it was to see you and the new arrival. And the suit!
To the extended Llewellyn family: thank you for shuttling me around, skittles, SingStar and extensive help with my planning.
To Steph: Thanks for taking the time to dive with me, arrange shuttling, and trekking 500 kms for my taping. Sorry I didn't win the teapot.
To the staff at Deal UK and Countdown: thank you for giving me some of the best audience and contestant memories I ever could have thought of. And to that extent, thank you to Tracey for being part of the wildest audience ride I've ever been on.
To Nick: thanks for keeping me in check in Manchester.
To Kay and Jeff: thanks for enabling me to relate to 8-year-olds.
To Danielle: I don't know anyone who would get up the night after a hen party to drive me to the train - you're the first one, which makes you wonderfully wonderful.
To Jeanette: I know I'm nuts but it was great seeing you again and I am looking at opening a Frites Flagey in Toronto (not really, but still)
To les Strasbourgeois: merci pour la visite. Je vous promis ca ne prendrai pas un autre huit ans pour revenir.
To Endemol Germany: I know you let me jump a two year queue. Danke Shoen.
To der famillien Koll: Bob Dylan will never be the same.
To ASORTF Limoges: Merci pour la seance piscine, et la tarte flambee. Vous etes un group superbe d'avoir acceulir un Canadien comme moi.
To the Haugs: I threatened for four years to come visit and you still let me come! I'll learn how to sand dune jump before I come back.
To Liz, Hannah and Annabelle: I couldn't have anticipated a nicer reception in Queenstown, and then again a superb visit in Melbourne. Lock it in, Eddie!
To Christiane and Torsten: It was because of the two of you that I went back to Fergburger. I look forward to seeing you on my side of the pond.
To Trish, Adrian and Edie: Thank you for welcoming me into your home.
To Jen: Thanks for hooking me up with them.
To the staff of Rotorua Flashpackers: Thanks for not getting mad at me when I locked myself out late night.
To the staff of Dive HQ Central in Whitianga: You blew away my mind.
To Katja: You are something special - never forget that.
To Peter and Vanessa: Thanks for making the train ride tolerable.
To Cassie, Louis, Chris, Christiane, Kristen and Paul: Thanks for the Alva Beach experience. And not laughing too much when I hurled.
To Cabe: for reminding me that people actually read this blog. Mackall Road is becoming a second home to me.
To Krista and Kate, Peggy, Geoff and Tracy, and Derek: for making some of my wildest television dreams come true.
To the staff at Reach for the Top: You gave me a position that I could only dream of, and I can't thank you enough. I look forward to working with you again next year, and for many years to come.

To Chris Powney: after 12 years emailing on the internet, we met. And you did one of the kindest things anyone's ever done - clear your schedule for two days so you could play tour guide with me. Thank you so much.

To Kelly: Two drives to the airport at horrible, horrible hours. You are such a strong friend to me.

To Chis, Laura, Gweezy and Kari: You are my rocks.

To Pineuf: Je t'aime infinitivement.

To Helen: Thanks for listening.

To Bill: Thanks. You know what I mean.

To Hans and Helga: I am so blessed to have roommates like you.

and finally:

To my parents and sister: What a wonderful gift - this year - that you have given me. It will take me years to make it up to you, but I'll try.

For the final time,

Cheers,
Vick.

Day 366: The Finale

Yes, I know. I've miscounted. Please don't hold it against me. :)

Since this was the last day I wanted to do a few extra things. First off, I had a lie in. Which really can never be construed as a bad thing.

I met up with a couple of my best friends for lunch at Mandarin. I'd only been at Mandarin one time before (as a result of a radio contest win) and having known what was on offer I paced myself a bit differently. Still though you really can't ignore ice cream and cookies. Mmm mmm good.

Although my arm was still hurting a bit from Sunday's ulty victory, I still wanted to go for a dive, or something similar. So I got in the pool and vaccuumed it up. While that may not sound super exciting to you, it is very peaceful to me and I was happy to have done it.

Left up north around 4.15 pm, arriving at the community tv station around 6 pm for my training session. A lot got packed in, but it was very informative and I am excited about it.

Finally, there was a small get together in my backyard to celebrate the end of the world tour. It was just perfect - six good friends (including two roommates that I dragged out of bed!), sitting around, shooting the breeze, telling the stories.

Shortly before midnight I was encouraged/goaded/whatever to make a speech. And I'll share one specific thing with you.

If I could tell you anything about this year, it would be that when opportunities knocks, answer it.

And at midnight, we raised a glass to a phenomenal experience.

The next post will be a postlude/wrap-up and slightly bittersweet, as it will be the last one.

Cheers,
Vick.

Day 365

Well on this pentultimate day I spent the day with a good friend.

My friend Pina is moving (actually has moved) so I met her down in Toronto to chat and catch up. We worked on my new personal website (soon to launch) and I helped her do the last couple of things to close her apartment and give to the new tenant. Which followed with booking our hotel rooms for the OMLTA fall conference where I'm presenting and then they dropped me off at home as they were heading up that way anyway!

I spent the evening catching up on a bit of telly - Ultimate Big Brother is right now a guilty pleasure, while Un Souper Presque Parfait is a take off of C4's Come Dine with Me. It was also the season premiere of Atomes Crochus which means that the episodes that I saw taped *should* air next week.

Last day tomorrow!
Cheers,
Vick

Days 362 to 364

Day 362 and after a nice little rest it was off for a dive. Which was great, because I hadn't been in the water for about two weeks! You don't actually realize how much you miss it.

Which was followed up by lunch. Good times.

In the afternoon I did my boating test... and I passed! I am now a licensed boater. Sweet.

It was then time to head up north to Huntsville to see comedy Andrea Martin, comedy legend, in her one woman show. You probably know her best from SCTV and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

The show was AWESOME... such a wonderful retrospective of her career. And some great characters that had us (my parents and I) literally peeing our pants.

And then came her character from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Aunt Voula. She says she needs two young strapping men to do a greek style dance with her.

I look around. No one is volunteering.

As a theatre and improvisationally trained human being, part of what you learn is never to leave anyone hanging.

My hand slowly goes up.

"You! The frisky one! Come dance with me!" calls Andrea.

Who am I to refuse? I get up with the enthusiam of a just selected Price is Right contestant and start hopping down the aisle calling "WE DANCE! WE DANCE!" Which now that I think about it, reflects me back to Tom Hanks hosting SNL while perfoming in a sketh entitled Sabra Price is Right.

It takes me a few instants and after some back and forth banter I realize that I am sharing the stage with comedy legend Andrea Martin.

Wow.

Andrea goes out and fishes another older gentleman to compete along side me. Now those of you who have seen my appearance on Skooled back in 2006 know that I cannot dance very well. This was also seen on stage on this day, but I had good fun with it. I lost the audience vote (it skewed old! What can I say) but that was okay.

The rest of the show was just as exciting and after the show I reunited with my parents, who really weren't surprised at what happened.

It turned out that Andrea was receiving some guests and when she saw me she called "RYAN! YOU WERE WONDERFUL!" which was quite flattering. We had a nice chat and she was very flattered to hear that I had drove two hours to get to the show. But of course!

And, as if that wasn't enough of a thrill... on the way out I spot someone. You'd think I'd never guess his secret identity, who's on the inside hiding out.

Indeed it was Derek McGrath who has done a wonderful amount of comedy but I know him best from the late 80's show My Secret Identity.

After all that we went to the Nutty Chocolatier for some post show ice cream and then drove to my parents' trailer for the night, which was another 90 minutes northwest... I was pretty delerious by the end of it!

Day 363 and I awoke to have a nice breakfast at my parents' trailer before starting the long trek back. They have a really nice site which unfortunately is closing down this year however they are moving it to a site near Mattawa which pleases me.

The drive back down south was pretty tiring but I got home by about 4 pm to catch a mid-afternoon nap.

Around 6.30 pm Gweezy (she knows who she is) arrived to watch the season finale of Fort Boyard with me. Sadly the rumour is that it isn't coming back which saddens me deeply but you have to give props for a 21 year run for a game show. Fingers crossed that it's not the case however!

Day 364 was the season ending ultimate frisbee tournament. This year each of the 24 teams were put into a 4-team pool which made it fair across the board. It was really a fun day.

Our first game was against Slipped Discs. We fell behind early and were down about 8-2 at the half. We weren't playing our best. In the second half we came at it in a fresh way. I unfortunately tried to catch a disc in the end zone and fell really badly on my arm so I subbed out for the rest of the game. At one point it was 11-11 but we just missed getting the win and lost 12-11. We were frustrated but happy with our performance.

Second game and we were facing Ultimately Challenged. We built an early lead and won quite comfortably but you could see we were tiring pretty quickly, especially with the 30 degree heat.

Our final game was against In the Box. We had found this had been a hard team when playing them earlier in the season. And it came down to this: win and we would lock into at least a two way (if not a three way tie) for first place; lose and In the Box would win the lot.

So we went out and played very very hard. At half time we were surprisingly up 8-2 and there were some players on the other side that were very frustrated. We continued to play solidly in the second half and apart from a skirmish near the end of the game it finished up well, and we ended up winning 14-8 or something like that.

It then came down to points... and guess who pulled it out?

Yeppers! Hucky Ducks won the pool! How exciting is that??? We really came together as a team and it showed!

To boot Theresa and I also got named spirit players by the other team which was very kind.

Because my arm was hurting I decided to decline the invite for post-game munchies... as Hans and Helga had shown up unexpectedly we went for a nice dip in the pool and then out for ice cream. Helga, as you can see, is a bit bashful for the camera.

Two days to go!

Cheers,

Vick.

Days 358 to 361

Late in the evening of the Cedar Point visit I decided to make my way home, so on Day 358 that was my main mission. I made really good time and only needed to stop a couple of times, including a rare King City washroom break – I HATE stopping on the Canadian side, as I can usually do that in one fell swoop. In any case, not a problem, got home around 2.30 pm.

I then turned around and headed out to the pool. Sufficient to say I was a bit overtired but I made it work anyway! We had some students needing some depth training so it was great to have the well made available to us.

Oh, and I finally got around to doing this… are you listening, WSSA? :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YD5SIU0tO4

I got back to home base just knackered and didn’t last very long indeed!

Day 359 was a nice relaxing day. Recovering from going full steam for six days straight I was happy to take a breather. I headed up north for a small meeting/get-together but then was back in my bed to close out the night.

Day 360 and the reason that I needed to come home was that I was off to Richmond Hill and I had an information session to attend as I had been recruited to volunteer at the local community television station. I was really excited as this is something I had wanted to do for a while now. I had a short interview with the coordinator and it looks like right now I’m going to be assisting at hockey games in Newmarket, which is perfect because it’s Thursday nights (which usually aren’t busy for me) and they’re about a 5 minute drive from my house. Ex. Ell. Ent.

Later that day I headed up for the weekly Wed evening dive, but we ended up scrubbing! Such is life I suppose. We actually went to the newly renovated theatre downtown, which was super because in one theatre they ripped out all the seats and put in 48 leather recliners! SCORE. We saw Inception which I don’t think is the best movie ever but does leave you thinking.

Day 361 and the morning contained a project that I’m not allowed to talk about but hopefully will be able to share a bit more when it comes time. In the afternoon it was back up north (which frankly was getting a bit tiring!) but it was okay as I was going to get to teach dive class which is always a pleasure.

Mind you by the end of this my mind was mush… so it was nice to just take a night and curl up with a good book. And raspberry pie.

Cheers,
Vick.

Days 349 to 357

It's almost here! The end! But first! More world touring!

Excuse me for a minute while I do my Day 349 happy dance.

(pause, as we all watch Vick dance)

Ok, good now. Day 349 was very much another chill out day… apparently there is something to all this busy-ness that I’ve been having!

Day 350 brought my first Frisbee game in a few weeks. We lost, but it was pretty close. A good game all around, although I just wasn’t feeling it sadly.

Day 351 (man, we’re getting close to the end!) and it was an early start to the day, visiting the foot doctor. Look ma, no… er… um… problems? In and out in 5 minutes, no worries there. Off to Barrie thereafter to get some dive stuff done (this is what keeps me out of trouble!). Also got to teach a class, which was a pleasure. I even stayed over the night as I was so knackered by the end of class (not to mention after some great chicken wings!)

Day 352 was very much running around on empty (or so it seemed). Had a lot of things to get here and there, Superstore, Costco, etc etc etc but I got it all, so no problems. Had a hysterically funny visit to Baskin-Robbins with the roommates - can they ever behave??? :) An early night as…

… the start of Day 353 came really really early. As in 4.15 am early. I had to get the first GO bus out of Newmarket at 4.55 to get to my train on time. Makes the early day at Degrassi seem simple! Got to the train in plenty of time, and pulled out of Toronto at 6.50, right on schedule.

The train was good in that they currently have free internet (BONUS) and we had the modern 2 seat/aisle/1 seat row but not so good in that I haven’t been on a train that shook that much, in, well, forever. Both me and my seatmate couldn’t use our computers for the majority of the time as it was hard to not be nauseous!

In any case it was nice to arrive in Montreal and meet up with my good friend Juliette and her ADORABLE seven month year old Charles. Such a cutie.

We started by hopping the métro over to Place-des-Armes to go out for a gorgeous lunch at a Korean restaurant. It’s one of those places that you know will be good but doggonnit, it’s hard to find! I don’t think I’ve ever had Korean but it was so very very tasty. I had a chicken and mushroom dish plus some soup to start, as well as a bunch of side dishes, including kimchi. I wouldn’t say that kimchi is my favourite dish of all time, but it actually wasn’t that bad.

We then proceeded on towards Archambault, which is like HMV but much better I find. Just like last time I was in Montreal, the new Millénium film (that’s Girl with a dragon tattoo who played with fire and then kicked the hornet’s nest to my English readers – and yes, I fully expect that to become a parody film) had just been released (in this case, the day before I got to the store) so I picked that up with the new Marie Mai CD as well as a Quebec film that I’ve heard a lot about, J’ai tué ma mère. And after a stop at Maison de la Presse we hit up the métro for a ride up to Laval where Juliette, Seb and the bundle of joy live.

I’d tell you the rest of the afternoon but I pretty much passed out on the couch to catch up on some sleep! We then took it easy for the rest of the day, including the arrival of Katherine (Juliette’s niece) from Cornwall… we all were in bed by 10 pm!

Day 354 started a bit bizarrely. We had intended to go cableskiing but Katherine’s arms were really hurting… so we actually found a skate park/roller rink. When we arrived we found it closed! We then decided to do a 180 turnabout and go out the beach/cableskiing park. $10 each got us into the beach, which was really calm. Guess what was closed for repairs? Yep.

Actually the few hours at the beach was quite nice. Very relaxing. I personally enjoyed the water trampoline and my lack of skill there on it. That and the inflatable bouncy castle obstacle course (no, we didn’t plow over any children).

We left Charles with Juliette’s upstairs neighbour around 3pm so we could head downtown to see Atomes Crochus! This is the Quebecoise version of Match Game and I think the Goodson empire would be proud.

We were shuffled into the audience area (maybe 50 people tops) and settled in to be entertained by Jocelyn, the warm up guy who also pre-recorded the intro for the broadcast. They started pretty much on time at 4 pm as we had been told.

I was most happy in that there was pretty much ideal panel on stage. I’ll get more into that afterwards. The thing is with this version is that there is a stable of about eight, maybe ten panelists that fill five of six seats every program. They gel well!

The set is really nice as well.

The shows themselves should air in September, and while there were no huge wins, they were massively entertaining. Highlights included one panelist’s robotic impressions, as well as second panelist’s brilliant tossing of his answer card (and it ended up stuck in a set piece!). They also did a couple of naughty things (answer wise) that probably might get edited out of the final broadcast.

Following the shows and the filler entertainment in the break (Juliette won tickets to see one of the panelist’s comedy shows) you were allowed on set to take pictures! Score.

First stop was a picture with Philippe Laprise. He was the one that tossed the card and was sitting in seat one!

Also grabbed a picture with Stéphane Fallu. He was speaking English throughout one show for some odd reason!

Next was Alex Perron. Alex has a very offbeat humour which I quite enjoy. He always has very bizarre answers but they’re really funny.

I also made sure to get a picture sitting at the desks – I’m holding Phillipe’s tossed card (which I got to keep along with a couple of other cards).

On the way out I was also able to meet the host Alexandre Barrette. He does a GREAT job. Great rapport with the panel, keeps the game moving along at a great pace.

I told him that I had come from the Toronto area to see the show, he was absolutely flabbergasted that there were fans out that way. He seriously was speechless!

Well to say the least it was a great taping! We dropped Katherine back at the bus station so that she could get her ticket and her bus home, then we headed back to Laval for some late night dinner. Kraft Dinner never tasted so good.

Day 355 came early and I was en route to home. Got the train at 10 am and it was a great ride – got a two seater to myself the whole way home! We also were in the last car, enabling me to get a great shot when we were stopped temporarily in Port Hope.

I had good reason to get back to Toronto on time. Through a series of bizarre events, I had a screen test for a commercial. Now I thought it was for French speakers, but imagine my surprise when I got there to find out that I was supposed to have memorized two specific English lines on the script I was given! I had a good laugh after the fact.

Got a ride back on the GO train, which pleased me very much (although not with the GO gang, as I had caught a later train after my screen test).

Day 356. Do you think I would rest up? Nope!

I was off to Cleveland to visit with good friends! And one other specific thing. To come.

The drive down wasn’t too bad… held up at the border for around 45 minutes but that was about it.

Stopped in my usual haunt in Lackawanna NY at the Timmie’s… now with FREE WIFI!

Also had a nice chat with the manager, turns out, she tells me, it’s the 3rd highest sales Timmie’s in the states!

The second stop along the way was... welll... you have to see it for yourself!

Yes indeed, I found Bort road!!!

After a stop once inside the Ohio border for gas, I arrived in Cleveland at Cabe’s house to crash for a bit. We caught up since my last visit in May. We did our usual stop to Dick’s Sporting Goods and then over to the hoity-toity mall – having never been to Saks Fifth Avenue, I don’t need to go back – before heading home for a bit.

We then decided to go over to Applebee’s to watch the Browns game. Sadly at the end of the first quarter they were badly behind so we decided to go to Half-Price Books.

And it was WONDERFUL. See the price, drop it 50%! We spent about 90 minutes in there, I was just fascinated. Overstimulation lead me to about eight books.

And Day 357 brought something that I had been waiting for, something for quite awhile, a visit to Cedar Point!

Now since I was a little wee tot I didn’t like rollercoasters. However in the last number of years things have changed and now it’s ‘gimme gimme gimme’ thrills. So Cedar Point was the place to go.

We arrived around 11 am and started off at Raptor. It was your normal run of the mill scatter your brain coaster which was a nice start – the line was 90 minutes long but you’re consistently moving so it’s not that bad.

Second up was Millenium Force – over a 300 foot drop, the highest coaster I’ve ever been on.
At this point we were approaching 1.30 pm and decided to head back to the car to get the sandwiches we had made (read: bought) earlier. Megan made the excellent thought of mapping out the rest of the day.

Which turned out to be a GREAT plan.

First stop was Maxair, which is a more fiendish version of Psyclone (at Wonderland). Not only did we get to go up, but at one point we went up and over I’m quite sure and frankly it was much more dizzying than the one I’m used to.

Next up was some kind of indoor rollercoaster that was like a Space Mountain wannabe… whose best feature was the fact that it was air conditioned.

Then came Wicked Twister:

No kidding. I was screaming so intently that I had to sit down afterwards. You get shot out of the gate around 90 mph, then up the corkscrew you see above in the pic. Then you “fall” back down, and you do it again. Backwards.

I don’t think the guy that was sitting next to me was really prepared for it. My screaming, that is.

Following a stop at the Power Tower – where we were shot up something like 200 feet in the air – we headed over to the granddaddy of them all – Top Thrill Dragster.

Now, while this isn’t the tallest roller coaster on the planet – although it used to be – it is still nothing to scoff at.

Let me tell you some stats. 120/mph. 420 foot drop. Shot up directly 90 degrees, fall back down to earth at 90 degrees. And now I’ll show you a picture.

Yep, it really was that intimidating. At this point Megan celebrated with a snow cone, while Cabe and I got in one more coaster – the Magnum 2XL – sorry, not a late 80’s toy, rather that should be Magnum 200XL – before catching the train back to the starting gate (or near enough to it). Sufficient to say that we were done at that point and we took it easy for the rest of the night.

Cheers,
Vick.