Aftermath
Now that I’ve been back in Portland for a while I can reflect on everything more objectively. Overall, the whole process was enjoyable enough. We had some stress, but also a lot of laughs. Grover and I did some calculations and we figured that if we had been given the proper tools at the right time we could have easily completed the ramp some time in the middle of our second week. With all the snow at the end we would could have possibly gotten a day and a half to skate that wasn’t too bitterly cold. We’ve both talked to Gordo since we returned. He spent about a day finishing the screws on the final layer and another with the coping. He still has to surface the platforms, which is no big deal. I’m not sure if he added the extra braces or not. Gordo has tentative plans to come to Portland this weekend to look for a job. He’s also supposed to get in touch with me about the possibility of actually working as event staff since that’s the only way I can afford to go back to SLC to take picture of the finished ramp and the demo action. The scaffolding for the three story snowboard jump isn’t up yet and there’s only about two weeks to go.
Most of the people we met we’re not SLC natives, and all made mention of traveling to different states for much-needed doses of culture, be it art, music, nightlife, etc. Most of them came to SLC for a job or school. Many of them were figuring out ways to leave. Most of the non-natives agreed that SLC had no idea what was going to happen to them when the Olympics hit. SLC is not a party town. The laws and influence of the ruling Morman class are effective in curtailing those activities to a certain extent. On the rare occasions that we actually felt like going out, we were dissuaded by the hassles and extra costs involved with memberships and private clubs that are required to get around public drinking laws. Mormans effectively run the city and the county. Although polygamy is officially discouraged, the suspicion is that it is still tolerated. While we were there, there was a big news story was about a convicted polygamist who was arrested for a DUI and subsequently being investigated because one of his “wives” was pregnant at thirteen. And, just like the Catholic church, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints has it’s share of child molestation scandals. To an outsider, LDS seems more concerned with populating the world with Mormans than it is with decent treatment of other human beings. SLC doesn’t even have a recycling program for crying out loud. I’m no hippie, but come on. At least pretend to recycle like Chicago does. I guess the lord doesn’t care if you crap on his planet as long as you’re populating the world. Someone in SLC has a sense of humor though. I did see a billboard for a local ski resort advertising their new quad chair lifts with the headline “wife, wife, wife, husband.”
So that’s the end of our story, unless I can get Gordo to find me some work at the event. Or, maybe I can get one of the skate mags to send me out there for photos. Both seem like long shots. If it was up to Grover and I, we would have done things differently, but the job still got done. I can’t recommend SLC for the culture, nightlife or skating. Although, there are supposedly some nice outdoor parks there. I’ve heard talk of possible MTV coverage of “extreme sports” in the Ice Village, so look for me. Lord Mormo willing, I’ll be on the deck shooting pictures. Ideally, I’d like to get footage of some pro’s dissing the construction. Of course, I’ll document everything. One more thing, I almost changed the title of this article to “Don’t Blame Us if it Sucks!” since we did the best we could with what we had. Adios.
P.S. Remeber our weigh-in? Ramp building and stress are good for your diet. Gordo, Grover and I lost 7, 5, and 10 pounds respectively. We’re still old, but not quite as fat.
Holy Cow! I went to the demo after all. Check it out.
