My Adventures in Banff

After a long week in Banff, it’s good to be home in Toronto.  Although I do miss the mountains… and I miss all the new friends I made at the Banff Centre!  It truly was an incredible week.

For those you I didn’t get to say goodbye to personally… GOODBYE!  I was expecting to see a few of you at breakfast, but my shuttle left 2 hours earlier than expected and as a result I missed a few of you. 

Valerie and I had quite an adventure after the shuttle driver dropped us at the side of the TCH.  We thought it would be faster than going all the way back in to the airport since we were both headed towards downtown.  But he dropped us in the middle of nowhere… on the side ofthe highway with nothing but our luggage.  I am sure we looked like freaks to passing motorists.  Luckily… Terry’s sister picked us up and drove us to a coffee shop where we called a cab.    Thanks for sharing a cab with me Valerie!

I miss you all… and I’m in a bit of improv withdrawl (yes me, the introvert… that was fun).

Please keep in touch.

L 

Today was a GREAT day!  We went cross country skiing on the Cascade Mountain fire road.  What breath-taking beauty!  The skies were blue and the mountains spectacular!  I will be adding pictures as soon as possible.

Today was a great day for teambuilding, but we are all exhausted and our muscles are aching.  We skiied for 16 kilometres +…   and it’s tough.  I have a newly found respect for those who cross country ski.  I must say that downhill is MUCH easier as you have gravity on your side.

We have a fun night of shopping and dining scheduled for tonight.  We return to our busy schedule tomorrow to pitch our final ideas and get feedback from our fellows.  As intense a week as this has been, I will truly miss everyone I have met this week.   

Day three at the Banff New Media Career Accelerator program in beautiful Alberta.  The days are starting to fly by and we are all learning so much about new media and how it relates to our industry.  It’s both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.  So much to learn and know, and once you think you have a grasp of it, something new comes along.  Trying to keep up with the technology and the rights associated with it will be challenging.  But we are up to that challenge!

I have meet some wonderful collegues in the industry, some of whom will become mentors, other lifelong friends.  This is a week I will likely never forget!  

“Woman I am, Spirit I am… “ 

We did a ceramics class on Saturday night called “Play with Clay”.  It was a hoot!  We had to create various works of art both alone and in groups.  Our creativity came alive as the beer and wine flowed.  It was a great icebreaker and a chance to laugh and bond with our new media buddies.

Well I’ve survived the weekend (almost!).  It’s been an intense two days with very little down time.  But it’s been fascinating!  20 women from various places across Canada have gathered to study New Media at The Banff Institute in the Rocky Mountains.  The scenery is spectacular and the people are friendly!  I am meeting lots of wonderful women who are all very smart and successful. 

The view out my window.