mitch in china

Oh yeah!!!!

2008-09-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

At least I can chill all week in front of the tube....NEW cis, ncis and my fav a new HOUSE, the world can continue!!!!

Later

I'm Baaack!!!!

2008-09-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

As you can well image, I've been nuts busy since I gotten back from China. Got back on the 25th and had to move out of my apartment the next day. So between e-mails, phone calls, people asking me questions and Family, I decided to take off for a few days. Yorkton, Sask will never be the same.
Here are some pics of some of the matches,tourist pics and just pics.
Next week I'm still TA'ing at Tec Voc for a week and then I start my new job for the MVA, as the High Performance director for volleyball. At least life isn't boring. Oh ya, I'm going to keep ref'ing for a while, want to buy a house next summer, I do like cutting the grass and I want a Jack Russel terrier. Like that won't make crazier and busier than I am right now.

Toodles to everyone ....Mitchy san

2008-09-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

This will Be!!!!!

2008-08-31T23:36:00.000-07:00

This one for sure will be the last blog for a couple of days. I'll get U Barry to put me to work on the farm, maybe baling hay or something.
Til we speaks again, have a great last day of your weekend and be safe.

Many thanks to all of those who have kept tuning in.....Later
Mitch

Can't Sleep....On China time still!!

2008-08-31T23:02:00.000-07:00

I"m on Vacation!!!!

2008-08-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

This will be my last update for a couple of days. I'm going West to Yorkton ,Sask for a few days of mental relaxation.
Hope these Photo's will keep everyone happy, only 2500 more to go.

Talk at you'se later
Mitchy san

I've got the Photo's, I've got the Photo's!!!!

2008-08-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

Good nite!!!

2008-08-30T21:18:00.000-07:00

Goodnite to all....I'm beat....

Later

Lots More Pics...sorry

2008-08-30T21:11:00.000-07:00

Thanx for tuning in!!!

2008-08-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Thanx to everyone who has logged in to look at the Pics and my so so commentary...duh!
I'm going to take a couple of days off and head out West for a couple or three days of R&R, but I'll be back with more pics and stories soon.

Tooles to everyone!!! By the way,I found my Aw ,it was Delicious

Mitchy

More pics and more pics and More Pics!!! I know.

2008-08-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

Yikes..! Part 2

2008-08-28T05:28:00.000-07:00

Well, the time of being chauffeur driven everywhere, people helping us with whatever we wanted,gone is all the special Olympics dinners we went too. Back to the real world now.
Since I've gotten home, it's being busier than when I was at the Olympics. Between unpacking, washing clothes, delivering gifts, packing up my apartment for the Big move, getting a new IPhone(yes I know) and trying to figure out how to use it,driving to Yorkton and finally stating a new job on Sept 15th.

I'M BEEN ONE BIG NUT CASE, AND I WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY. Don't know what lies in my future, but so far it's been a great start. I'll keep posting photo's for a couple of weeks, since I have another 2800 pics to go.

Later Mitchy san

2008-08-28T05:22:00.000-07:00

Real life starts again!!!!! Yikes

2008-08-28T05:14:00.001-07:00

Coming Home!!!

2008-08-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not writing for the last three days , it's been nuts and crazy. Between special dinners and ceremonies and such, the time flew right by..
A few last pics before I go. There will be more upcoming blogs for sure , I took 3 thousand pics......!!!

Later and love to all!!!
Mitchy

2008-08-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

I've had 42 hits on the blog for the lips and the eyes...who knew???? All I need is the feet!!!

Later M

Ooop''s!

2008-08-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

picture #1 ..the beginning of the Wall??!!*
picture #2 .. the end of the Wall?!!*?

Ouch!! and sorry !!!

2008-08-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

Ouch and sorry for being tardy on the blog, but so much has been going on the last few days. Between having a couple of days of, official dinners and a little bit of Partying , it's been crazy.
As the days grow few, the ref's are getting tired and missing loved ones and them leaving the family that we've developed in the last three weeks...some of ref's have been tearing up all already. And if anyone knows me , I've get teary eyed like watching a good romantic comedy.
But I'll let my pictures of the Great Wall do all the talking for me. Just so know , Ali Wiebe you would love the Wall, 4000 Stairs and 45 mins straight up(ultimate StairMaster). And yes I walked all the way up and down. couple of the ref's took the sky train down. As I told them if I came to China to walk the Great wall up, I'll be dammed if I'm not going to walk down.
My first pic is of me at the beginning and the last is me at the end. Hope you have a giggle.

Cheers and Hugs ...Mitchy D
PS. last nite's dinner was a Peking Duck Baquent....Quack..quack....

Tooles M

Finally a day off!!!

2008-08-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

Got a day off today and think I might be done for the rest of the tourney, because of the success of Cuba , USA, and Brazil. So i can finally go to see the Great wall. No , not Pink Floyd....you crazy people.
I did go shopping all day at the silk market, whoa what a experience. Everybody's got to try the barter market once in their life. Everyone has a sense of humor and they are insulted if you don't barter. For myself the girls would pretend to roll up their sleeves after I"d low Ball them to start. Thanx to Hugh Wong (VB Canada prez) for giving me tips on the the game went. My head is still spinning 8 hrs later.

The prez of the Chinese VB assoc. took all the ref's out for a 18 course Chinese dinner and had so much fun with us , he's doing it again for us tomorrow....yikes.

I would just like to thank everyone who has e-mailed me in the last three weeks. I know I thanked everyone last blog, but again many thanx. Please don't take offence for me not responding to everyone. I'm not trying to be hurtful, its just might be 6 months til i can get back to anyone and some not at all. I don't want anyone sneaking around early in the morn or late nite writing me e-mails and pissing off loved ones..HAHAHA!! Here's what we do, For those who are in the Peg give me a call and we'll go out for a couple of beers. I'll tell stories that you won't believe, NO really, YOU WON'T BELIEVE!!!!

Like i said Thanx to everyone and not checking my spelling errors.

Ps...you can keep e-mailing for the next four days

Smiles & Peace to everyone...Mitchy san

Just General Info...so you know

2008-08-19T01:08:00.000-07:00

Security for the games as been great. For every game we are bussed to the venue, where the bus is stopped and we all go thru a airport security check. Even the bus is checked everytime it goes thru, underneath with mirrors, engine hatch opened, etc. The officials are also screened everytime,bags checked, and then wanded by a security person ( is waned a word?). It's actually quite funny to see all the ref's go thru. Were so used to rules as we go thru we already have arms raised and turn around before they ask. It's even got to the point for me when they ask to check my bag i say no and they say yes and we all laugh. I get a huge kick out of the whole process.
The whole thing is done very professional,thank us for our cooperation, and you guess it, lots of smiles.
All the Olympic facilities are guarded by 105 thousand police and army personnel, which are all at every entrance and exit. Again very professional and polite. I have never felt safer,at any time in my travels.
and i forgot to mention, all the fans to all venues also go thru what we go thru. It's been a blast so far and I've worked everyday of the competition so far. Will have to wait for after the meeting today to see if the streak continues.

Miss everyone and Thanx for all the e-mails, they've been great and because of them I haven't even been homesick

Thanx again ..Mitch....oh ya! tonite I'm reserve ref for the China vs Russia women's match. That's 7am your time
Have also lost 3 kilo's here. Doing Chinese everyday, no western food at all. Lots of noodles and rice and fish and am at the gym every morning at the Hotel.
Great have to buy new clothes again....Not...

Tooles til later

I found gold in Beijing!!!

2008-08-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

You guessed it, I found it while shopping at the silk market. Yes it's a Starbucks, now to find a Timmy's and AW.
Went barter shopping this morning at the open market....Yikes got attacked by vendors selling their wares. Quite the experience for a smuck from the Peg, but I think I did OK, well maybe!!!!

Anyways , here's a couple of more pics. I'm going to catch a few ZZZ's before my match tonite. China vs Italy. Should be off tomorrow, but who knows. I might be on CBC online at 7am your time.

Later ...Mitchy san

Light's , camera ,action and more VB friends

2008-08-17T09:04:00.000-07:00

Pic#1-Massimo Menghini(Ita)(director& actor) and Stud pic for the week & me
Pic#2-Patrick Deregnacourt(Fra)& Frans Loderus(Ned)& me
Pic#3-Umit Sokullu(Tur) & Laert DeSouza(Bra) & me

My match tomorrow is at 8pm here/ I think 7am your time. China vs Ita mens, if only there were friends in the stands.

Everybody have a super day, I know I am. Thanx for the e-mail Putz!!!

Things I miss Today!!!!

2008-08-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

Just finished my match and I'm doing a match at 230pm tomorrow. Ita vs Bra for first place on their side. I'm second official by the way. So time for bed.
Things I miss today are????? Vietnamese food from Corydon Ave, some white wine and....can you guess!!!

My Friends!!

2008-08-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

Picture 1. Sakaide(Jpn) & me
picture 2. Victor Rodriguez ( Pur)/Humberto Salas(Mex) & me
picture 3. Bela Hobar (Hun) & me
picture 4. Janpen Jirakakul (Tha)/Karin Zahorcova (Cze)& me

I know the & me is redundant, but just in case anybody doesn't recognize me..hahaha

Later Mitch

Day 8 at the Oly's

2008-08-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well,

Now that have everyone's attention. I promise tomorrow there'll be a volleyball stud pic for you gals...But first I've got to find the girl behind those lips. I know fat chance, but you've got to DREAM BIG and what better way than at the Olympics.
Today i just walked around Beijing and took some pics. Lots of blue sky and puffy clouds, the best day for weather so far.
Like I said on my last entry, my match is at 10pm Sat nite/9am Sat your time.

Thinking of everyone

Mitch

Match Time!!

2008-08-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

So everyone knows, I'm 1st offical at 10pm/your time 9am Sat morn,Japan vs Ven. Enjoy. Critique your brains out.
Later ..M

Day 6 done...!!!

2008-08-14T01:18:00.000-07:00

well, today I was the down official for Ita vs Ven, tough match, but got thru it and nobody got hurt...HAHAHAHA.
Everything has been super here all 6 days,but today I will give Kudos to the volleyball volunteers. Without there patience,their direction, good nature and most of all their warm smiles this competition wouldn't run as smooth.
So thanx again to everyone who has made us feel special.

Later Mitch

DAY 5 at the Oly's

2008-08-13T07:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I've worked all 5 days so far, and have an early match tomorrow at 10am, Italy vs Venezuela men's. This is big match because it decides placing in one of the pools. I tried to upload a video from the women's play tonite , but you know , no computer smarts, lost my expert.
I'll just show some pics from today.

Later everyone and be safe....As they say in chinese "Mitchy"

Things!!!

2008-08-12T01:20:00.000-07:00

Things I really miss today....!!!! is a Giant nip from Sals & can you guess!!??

Later

Just kidding!!!

2008-08-12T00:08:00.000-07:00

No, those aren't my red shoes, just wanted to see if anyone was paying attention.

Just pic!!!

2008-08-12T00:03:00.000-07:00

What's Happening in Beijing??!!

2008-08-11T23:45:00.003-07:00

Just so everyone knows, there are 22 indoor referee's representing the Asia, European, African, Brazilian and norceca regions. The referee's are assigned by Continent, for ex. if a match has a Asia team and a European team...no ref can do the match, only a African,Brazilian or Norceca ref can do the match. So far I've worked everyday. it's been getting a little busy for me having no days off, but HEY I'm at the Olympics, say no more.
I just got home from the gym and am heading to bed for a cat nap. So everyone knows I'm ref'ing at 10pm China time, that's 900am your time. I'm really trying to catch up with the blog, but yikes. Crossing my fingers I'll have tomorrow off and show some pics of Beijing.

Later..Mitch
PS. shouts to the Bartenders at Earls St. Vital. I'm ready for a couple glasses of wine.
CHEERS

Big Game!!

2008-08-10T00:20:00.000-07:00

I'm reffing the feature match tonite as the down official, China vs Bulgaria in front of 17 thousand Chinese fans, should be awesome. I'm really looking forward to it and to have a good time also.
For those interested it might be on CBC online, but whatever. It's very unusual that anyone does two matches in two days, but I think its a test for some of the new ref's to see how they handle the pressure( there is two of us doing two matches).....Yikes....better have a glass of wine before the match...so Kidding.
Tomorrow, I'll have off for sure and I'll tell some stories about the opening ceremonies and my time from leaving the Peg...Lots of them already.

PS...things i miss already

Finally??!!1

2008-08-09T23:59:00.000-07:00

Sorry and thanx for waiting, that is anyone is reading this.

Today is the first time I've had to myself since I got here on the Aug 5th. Between meetings,clinics,fancy dinners with the FIVB bigwigs, getting our uniforms for the opening ceremonies, the opening ceremonies themselves, meeting the referee's,and just plain getting settled in my room, it's been a whirlwind, head spinning couple of days.

First and foremost I'd like to thank my Mom & Dad for all the help and support they've given me over the years. It has been a wild and crazy time to get here, but it would never possible without them and my sisters. Thanx for the sacrifices that i cannot ever repay. I hope I can make you proud and will do my best.

My Dad always told me if life gets too crazy for you come home. Home is a good home place to bring everything into perspective. Whether they'd agreed with me or not, and there was quite a few of those, they're love and support was unconditional. And then Mom would say "that's why were here".

Thanx again Mom and Dad, and this the end of today's sermon.

2008-08-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

Opening ceremonies were WOW,WOW,WOW. I'll talk tomorrow because we just got home at 140am.Today, busy with meetins and stuff and were at the ceremony at 530 and they didn't start til 800.
Got to get some sack time,cause I ref the second game of the tourney at 12 noon. But i'm exhausted, didn't get a chance to have lunch or dinner. Wish there was an AW here to make me feel warm and fuzzy.
I'll sit at the computer after my game tomorrow and i have the next off too. I'll post some of my pics.

Later Mitch

I'm trying, trust me?

2008-08-07T05:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone, it's just thats its soooo busy since i got here. I promise tomorrow I'll start. I have half a day to start.

Later Mitch

The Quest begins!!!

2008-07-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

Well It's been a busy couple of months for me. Between getting my final invite to the Olympics, my little sis getting ready to have a baby, me getting ready to go to Finland for World league and whatever little curves life has sent me, stating a new job and moving at the end of the month, I think I'm almost ready to go.
I've recieved my olympic manual last week and have studying all week. As soon as i arrive we have three days of clinics, one techical and two practicals before the tourney starts on the 9th.
The tourney starts with the women then the men. So it looks like I'll have every second day off to be a tourist and a shopper.
Had to buy some new luggage because Finair destroyed my suitcase on the way there. They even taped it back together with tape from my own bag, some sense of humor, eh.
Starting tomorrow they're a series of volleyball matches in the Peg, with a club team from Japan playing the women and the Aussie men's team to play team Canada. Hope to use these matches to sharpen up before I go. Well, that will take me to Sat. and give me sunday all to myself.
I leave at 900am on Monday and it's Hells bells from the 5th to the 25th. Thanx to everyone you has helped me in the last couple of months, getting me ready for my Mandarin adventure.
I'll sign out for now, because I don't think you want to here about my packing. Lookout for blogs,photos and funny stories for the next three weeks. Please don't hesitate to e-mail me at any time.
Peace to everyone and the Putz

Today is the day I start.

2008-07-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

Just like to say thanx to DiFab for helping me set up my blog. I hope I can decribe and show everybody the good times I'll be having in China.
In the next couple of hours I'll try and collect my thoughts and start with the verbal fun and I hope show some photos of my trip. If you have any ideas for me feel free to suggest, but please remember I'm not that computer smart...Wish me luck. Need my computer savy friend to lend a hand...Oh well...Later