Thanks, Apple

I tried to set the time zone clock on my iPad to include Sochi. When I entered Sochi in the search bar, it came up blank. Good job Apple. But at least I'll always know what time it is in Cupertino.

Day one

It's off to the races. We got a bunch of stuff recorded today including Procter & Gamble presents "thanks mom".

I am reeling from jet lag. It feels like my head is in a vise.  The pizza I had for breakfast in the commissary at 3 AM Eastern time was very good.

it's been drizzly and getting cooler since I arrived.   Last night the cold winds poured down the mountains. Perhaps I was misguided packing two tubes of sunscreen.

Meanwhile, at the hotel, The service is like a Marx Brothers movie. The earnest young staff at this hotel apparently never have worked at a hotel. The place has only been open for about a week. And it shows.

I'm sure most of these kids got their jobs in part because they claimed to be fluent in English. I can tell you this, they certainly are not fluent in American.  They seem stunned when you speak a complete sentence.  Yesterday, frosted with jet lag, I left my room with my key card but forgot to take note of the room's number. When I returned, I asked the girl at the front desk if she tcould tell me my room number. I showed her my Olympic ID. She spent two minutes pecking at her computer with a furrowed brow. and then said "I can't find you". Then she turned away as though they was nothing more she could do.

Just trying to order a burger and fries in the hotel restaurant last night was a Bolshoi ballet of hilarity.

Everything I asked the waiter was met with a blank expression as though he were waiting for a translation through an earpiece.  I don't think he was wearing one, because things never got any better. No doubt he regaled the kitchen staff with tales of the idiot American out front.  Perhaps I should've made the slightest effort to learn some Russian and assimilate. I wouldn't consider myself an ugly American. But perhaps I would go as far as unattractive American.

But being the first guests does have its advantages. As Peter Steep pointed out, "We're the first people to sleep in these beds.  No bedbugs."  Which brings into question the level of accommodation he normally inhabits.

Looking forward to hitting a local restaurant tomorrow.  The only advice I've gotten about local dining places involves a wait of at least an hour for your food. I was also told to be sure and find a good Georgian place. This commissary is the only one I've seen at the Olympics with panoramic views. We can look out at Georgia while we eat our burgers. Thank you Russian Federation.

At work, it's the calm before the storm. When you're still delusional and believe that this won't be too tough and then the 12 hour days kick in and it is.  But I'll take this while I can get it.

So far the only thing I've learned to say in Russian is "I don't understand Russian."

Gotta run, Johnny Weir and I are going dancing.

The hotel next-door

Hi honey I'm at my other home

The IBC is huge and more regal than any I have worked in.  Huge marble corridors.

And the commissary food seems good.

Just hope my luck holds up.

There was a note from NBC saying the hotel is so new, we were the first to stay in these rooms.  We were told to expect power outages, wifi interruptions, no hot water, etc.

Could be worse.  Could be on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Hi honey I'm home

Well, here we are. My room is so enormous I can't even get it in one frame. It's got to be 25 x 30' there's also a walk-in closet the size of a bedroom and a giant bath with tub and shower. So far this doesn't suck too bad. I'm going to head over to the IBC. Will report more later.

This doesn't look so bad....

Friendly Skies

Here I sit! hobnobbing with crooked business people at the President's club.  Should be boarding soon.  That's our aircraft outside.

I figured out how to spot the NBC peopl in here.  We're the ones wearing sneakers.

Will try and report from the Red Sea tomorrow.

Looking to competition

Just a thought: can't wait to see the Syrian biathlon team at work.

A familiar feeling

All my previous Olympic trips are coming back to me. That last night on Earth feeling. And that's appropriate, since the grainy pictures I've seen sent from over there make it look like a muddy moonscape with snowcapped mountains in the distance. Which is also appropriate since Muddy Moonscape was my first radio name.
I was just looking at my credentials. Just seeing my name in Cryllic might make this all worth it. Plus I get all access, and we're surrounded by all the ice arenas so I can steal off and watch some games and figure skating without needing a ticket.

I just pray the food will not involve Russian caterers.  ( Of course, that is just some ironic American humor, my future gracious hosts.)
I vote for KFC flown in from China. In Beijing there was one on every corner.

Luck of the English

Off to New York today with a suitcase the approximate size of a Volkswagen. Crammed with everything I could think of and every patent medicine on the shelf at Duane Reade.

Tried on every pair of jeans in my closet looking for the perfect one to live in for weeks at a time. When I reached in the pocket there was a 1 pound coin left over from London. This is either a good luck charm or an indication that I never washed these two years ago. Either way I'm bringing the coin with me.

Just my luck. I will be missing the introduction of the new Crest chocolate flavored toothpaste. Also New vanilla and lime flavored Crest toothpaste. I'm not kidding.  Always interesting to read the extended forecast and live music listings and realize none of it applies to me.

Giving much consideration to tonight's last dinner before departure.  Don't know what it will be, but I don't expect it to be health food.

The slog ahead

I'm nearly packed. All 25 pairs of socks have been loaded into my gigantic suitcase. I've also been promised the complete on camera wardrobe the real talent gets to wear.

I have also received many messages questioning my sanity and state of mind as we prepare to depart for Sochi. I expect to be spending all my time in the hotel room, the commissary, and the announce booth so I'm not fretting.  Except for my normal worries about the mindnumbing 12 hour days.

The biggest danger will be when I begin to post to this blog and my hosts get a look at the name of it. If upon arrival there are no posts being added, contact the authorities. But not the Russian ones.

If you only learn one thing…

Thanks to Cook's illustrated, who used 1000 eggs amid testing this, the perfect way to make a soft boiled egg:

Bring one half inch of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat

Add eggs up to four or five in number. When boiling resumes cover pan and cook for exactly 6 1/2 minutes.

Transfer pan to sink and run water through pan for 20 to 30 seconds.

Best soft boiled eggs you'll ever have. Absolutely foolproof.

You're welcome in advance.

It won't be long

I am getting a bit concerned.

My wise guy stuff might not fly with our genial hosts. Wait till they get a load of this blog.  Which they will, because everything we see or send online will be checked out.

The drumbeat of fear was heard yesterday when a U.S. Senator said on the radio that he would not travel to Sochi, and would not suggest his family go there either.

More good news:
http://theweek.com/article/index/255173/the-many-many-problems-of-the-sochi-olympics 

The good old days

Children's menu from our Beijing hotel.  Yum.

The overall mood last night At our morale fest was, we're screwed. But we'll get through this.

I was just reflecting back on the great old days in China. Which of course I complained about incessantly. Including me with Olympic gold-medal winner Rulon Gardner who is showing me how much he missed his wife.

             

Love these instructions for riding the toboggans down from the wall.

Don't think we'll see a tourist attraction this good in Sochi.

Andy Baker. Winded Brit.

The end is near

Well, only 15 days two hours and 15 minutes until we depart.  But who's counting?

Getting together with some of my fellow foot soldiers tonight at Smith and Wollensky for a big dose of courage, fellowship, and spirit bolstering.

Expect to hear some reports from those already at the front.

Almost time.

Final details trickling in.

Saw the doctor today.  Unfortunately, she could not find a pressing health issue that will keep me from going.

The accommodations should be nice.  Outbound flight leaves at 6:30 pm, arrives Sochi at 1:30pm.  Thanks for the lie flat bed, overlords.

From the brochure from my hotel:

"Excellent infrastructure provides everything for careless rest of individual travelers."

Because after all isn't careless rest the best kind? Just make sure you remain individual.