Thursday, November 09, 2006
Thursday 9th November.
I get a few emails from people who seem to appreciate the blog so thanks for reading. In previous events, my role was several levels up from what I'm doing here and my contract usually longer. But because I usually work at either the Main Press Centre, The International Broadcast Centre or Both being the Main Media centre I'm very aware of how all the operation works and each link in the chain. Because this is what it is. A big chain with lot's of people doing their bit, their link in the chain and ultimately we are all working together. It takes flexibility, problem solving, people skills, and a 'can do' attitude.
We have a team of over qualified staff here, people I've worked one or several events with. We have in the past held other roles but we know each other well and we know we can count on each other. That's half the battle won. Lorraine said to someone who asked how she lured me here that she had begged and pleaded and that when I accepted, she cried. That is a large exageration I'm sure but it just goes to show what we might do to work again with people we know can do the job.
The reality is that I haven't worked an event since Rugby World Cup in 2003 and really the staff there were my Australian colllegues and no foreigners. So I haven't seen many of these people for years and years. Since Salt Lake, Manchester, Sydney even. There is no one here I've worked Nagano with. And yet, it feels like yesterday. And jumping back into a role, any role seems like old hat, easy to wear that hat again. Not a stretch at all.
I wondered before I came whether I would get a : "This is my last one" or "I relally miss this and want to do more" feeling from being here. To date I can say that there is an aspect of this work that I really love that I've never found anywhere else. It's like real life at 50 times the speed. What happens in normal life in a week or a month, happens here in a day. The fact you must constantly think on your feet, adapt, change, react/proact, interact with others, solve problems as they come to you and keep going forward with no attachment to the past. Yesterday means nothing in this world. It's all happening now and it's happening so we can stage the Games tomorrow. I love that.
Said hello to everyone on the Corniche this morning, Pakistanis, Indians, Arabs, westerners and whomever else was there. I got a lot of Hellos back. I was saying Good morning or when sure they were arab I would say Marhaba. Some smiled, some stood a bit shocked but I smiled and greeted everyone no matter what.
Monday is Lock down when security sweeps the venue and declares it safe. We are not allowed on site during the sweep and very lockable cabinet or area must be open. After that we must use the mag and bags, security belts and doorways like at the Airport as everything will be screened to get into the venue. From that moment uniforms and Games accreditation must be worn to access the venue.
Bye for now
I get a few emails from people who seem to appreciate the blog so thanks for reading. In previous events, my role was several levels up from what I'm doing here and my contract usually longer. But because I usually work at either the Main Press Centre, The International Broadcast Centre or Both being the Main Media centre I'm very aware of how all the operation works and each link in the chain. Because this is what it is. A big chain with lot's of people doing their bit, their link in the chain and ultimately we are all working together. It takes flexibility, problem solving, people skills, and a 'can do' attitude.
We have a team of over qualified staff here, people I've worked one or several events with. We have in the past held other roles but we know each other well and we know we can count on each other. That's half the battle won. Lorraine said to someone who asked how she lured me here that she had begged and pleaded and that when I accepted, she cried. That is a large exageration I'm sure but it just goes to show what we might do to work again with people we know can do the job.
The reality is that I haven't worked an event since Rugby World Cup in 2003 and really the staff there were my Australian colllegues and no foreigners. So I haven't seen many of these people for years and years. Since Salt Lake, Manchester, Sydney even. There is no one here I've worked Nagano with. And yet, it feels like yesterday. And jumping back into a role, any role seems like old hat, easy to wear that hat again. Not a stretch at all.
I wondered before I came whether I would get a : "This is my last one" or "I relally miss this and want to do more" feeling from being here. To date I can say that there is an aspect of this work that I really love that I've never found anywhere else. It's like real life at 50 times the speed. What happens in normal life in a week or a month, happens here in a day. The fact you must constantly think on your feet, adapt, change, react/proact, interact with others, solve problems as they come to you and keep going forward with no attachment to the past. Yesterday means nothing in this world. It's all happening now and it's happening so we can stage the Games tomorrow. I love that.
Said hello to everyone on the Corniche this morning, Pakistanis, Indians, Arabs, westerners and whomever else was there. I got a lot of Hellos back. I was saying Good morning or when sure they were arab I would say Marhaba. Some smiled, some stood a bit shocked but I smiled and greeted everyone no matter what.
Monday is Lock down when security sweeps the venue and declares it safe. We are not allowed on site during the sweep and very lockable cabinet or area must be open. After that we must use the mag and bags, security belts and doorways like at the Airport as everything will be screened to get into the venue. From that moment uniforms and Games accreditation must be worn to access the venue.
Bye for now
# posted by AdeC @ 12:54 AM 
