So there have been quite a few changes in my life here in July...
Change #1
The sweet place I lucked into when I moved here turned out not to be as sweet as I thought. I like the place and the other renters, but the landlord made it impossible to live there. I knew he was a bit strange when I moved in, but this guy turned out to be a serious job (I wont go into it). The worst part was he was home all the time and ALWAYS in the common area (sometimes sleeping in it on the couch...in his underwear) so he was impossible to get away from. I was on the fence about leaving (cheap rent, a furnished room, moving my stuff again), but gave my notice after he freaked out at me over a BBQ I had in the backyard. I realised how tired and unhappy I was and decided that anything was better than there.
After i moved out, my original plan was to leave my stuff in a friends basement and move into my car, but a friend offered up his garage for pretty cheap, so I took it. Turns out the garage is SWEET...really big and came with a proper double bed and shelves and couches. Only drawback is that the floor is concrete (im going to have to find some rugs at garage sales this sat) and its pretty cold at night. I had just finished moving the junk that was in there out, and everything I own in yesterday when the phone rang. My boss wanted to meet with me for a meeting.
And so with this meeting came change #2:
"Anna, didnt think i would have to do this, but we just dont have enough work to keep 9 guides on for the summer. You were the last one to start, so you are the first one to go. Sorry. I think (one of the other raft companies) may still be looking for someone though...I can put in a good word..."
Ouch.
And suddenly unemployed.
I called up a couple of the other rafting companies, but it seems everyone is getting hit hard (The company my boss suggested is actually also about to lay off people too). One company just called today and said they might need me as an on-call guide...I go in to shadow on Monday.
One of the reasons the numbers are so low for rafting is that the weather here has been SUPER brutal. Its been consistently 10 degrees and frost at night. I know the mountain weather is different but COME ON! seriously, where is summer? I havent broken out my tanks or shorts once since arriving. Boo!
After our bad-news meeting, I walked straight downtown and talked myself into a weekend job at the running/triathalon centre (change #3). Its similar to the running room: I get paid to take out runs, talk running and gear, help out with events (I work a tri next sat), put people in the proper shoes, etc. That will pay for my rent. Then I walked to the bar next door and got a job as a day bartender and server on the patio for one-two shifts a week (#4). That will pay for food and fun. (Plus I get in for free to see bands, staff price on drinks ($3 pints of guiness! sweet!) and a free drink and cheap meal after my shifts...bonus!)
So everything is up in the air now. Things have settled out okay for the time being, but I really didnt come out here to sell running shoes and beer. I am going to paddle as much as I can, do as much climbing and hiking and exploring with my new, airy schedule, but Ill likely be outta here in august unless I can get back on the river.
Sigh. It all really sucks because I really like it here and things have been working out super well! Moved into the awesome room/garage, have a super fun, chill paddling crew I go out with, group of girls to dance with, starting to get out climbing, rockin my frisbee golf game and have started dating a really great kiwi guy that works at one of the other companies (#5).
I head to the Calgary Stampede tomorrow...one of the other rafting companies has a bus going and saved me a seat ;) We have tix to see the chuckwagon races...apparenlty this is the event you see the most carnage! I am more looking forward to the carnage that will be the busride LOL
Yeehaw!
