Slurred Speech

I wanted to continue with the next column in the series Living in Mexico. However, I am still in such a snit over the fiasco with our previous landlord, I thought I should write part three in the series on renting a house in Mexico.

If you decide you indeed want to spend the rest of your days in Mexico, you will want to rent a place before deciding if you want to buy or not.

In our books, we recommend rent first, buy later. This is the smart way to go for so many reasons. The main reason is if you don’t have even a smattering of Spanish, how will you know who you can trust? You will be forced to depend on someone you don’t know well (or at all) to tell you the truth. If you think renting in Mexico is a Gringo-rip-off-racket, wait until I tell you about buying.

Anyway, before renting any place in Mexicoanywhere–here is what you need to ask, do, and insist upon to keep yourself from being ripped off by Mexican landlords. The following is what I wished someone had told us BEFORE we moved to Mexico:

1. Go to Spanish language schools and ask the person who coordinates the housing for their students about the housing situation. They will be in the know on who is trustworthy and who is not. They will not deal with the known shysters because this would be bad for their Language School business. If an American student gets screwed by one of the home stays or apartment rental arrangements, then that American will sing like a canary when he or she gets home. He or she may even create a website mean-mouthing the school. So, the schools are a good source for housing information.

2. When viewing an apartment for rent, you need to have a checklist either memorized or written out. Always have in the forefront of your mind that a Mexican landlord sees an American renter as a fabulous, endless source of funds for remodeling his apartment or house. At the end of your lease, you will be told that you broke everything from the plumbing to the electricity. You will be told that you will receive NOT ONE THIN DIME (peso) back of your rental deposit. I am not making this upTRUST ME. So, to try to head this off at the pass, you need to use to following as a checklist. It is not a bad idea to have the potential landlord actually sign something agreeing to the faults that exist before you take possession of the property.

• Check the hot water heater. Make the property owner light it to show that it works. Ask the age of it and write it down. Have the landlord initial it.

• Go immediately to the shower and turn on the hot water. Clock how long it takesif everfor the hot water to come through. Check ALL faucets. This is a favorite ploy. The landlord will know the thing doesn’t work. He or she will have tried to harass the last occupant into paying for brand-new plumbing. He or she will have kept the deposit claiming the previous occupant “broke the plumbing”. He or she plans to do the same to you. If the hot water heater nor the hot water faucets do not work, and you like the place, tell him or her you will rent the place WHEN and IF the hot water situation is fixed.

• Check all the chairs. Check the dining room, bedroom, patioanywhere there is a chair. Look for aging. Look for wear and tear. This is another one of the ploys to refurnish the apartment or house. He or she will put in furniture that Christ probably sat on at the last supper. It will be so old that just looking at it the wrong way will cause it to crumble into a pile of rubbish. The landlord will claim that you used it as a trampoline and broke it and will charge you for it. If you find a micro fissure in anything in the house, point this out and demand it be taken out of the house and NOT included in the inventory or in the rental contract.

• Check all glasses, dishes, silverware, appliances, and pots and pans for fissures, fractures, scratches or anything that looks like it might cause something to shatter. Make sure all appliances work properly. Point out any defects. In our previous house, the glasses provided by the landlady were so fragile, they broke the first time we used them. We had to buy her all new glasses.

• Check, try, turn on and off all the lights, verify, lay on the beds, do whatever it takes to route out defects that are already in the property BEFORE signing a lease. If you like the apartment and want it, then tell the landlord that you will rent it, CASH ON THE LINE, if he or she fixes the peccadilloes you just found with your cool checklist. Here is what will happen next.

You will be told the Spanish equivalent of, “Don’t let the screen door hit you where the dog should have bit you.”

You will be told this after witnessing the most riotous laughter you have ever heard in your life. You might even be chased out of the house with the owner setting the hounds after you.

Here is the thing. The potential Mexican Landlord will not submit to a Gringoespecially an American onetelling them that such-and-such will have to be fixed before you move into their property. The reason is simple. They will be able to find any number of sucker Americans, Canadians, Europeans, or Orientals who will gladly fork over whatever excessively inflated price the Mexicans are asking for the place and then fork over their deposit, at the end of their lease, when the landlord claims they broke the electricity!

That is how it is and you cannot change it! When it comes to most everything in Mexico, not one shred of ethics or logic appliesever!

Since there will always be some Gringo ready to cave in to Mexican Landlord’s aberrant behavior, that behavior will always be reinforced and will never change.

An ethic of honesty and fair play does not seem to apply when it comes to a Mexican’s dealing with Gringos.

It just doesn’t!

Freelance writer, Syndicated Columnist, and book author, Doug Bower, has written a compelling new book titled, AMERICA’S ANTI-MEXICAN XENOPHOBIA. Have you wondered if the Minuteman Project is really on the “up and up”? Have you wondered if they represent all that is good and right with Americaparagons of patriotic virtue? Doug Bower may have the answers you’ve been looking for.

FREE CHAPTER: http://www.lulu.com/content/140958

Email has become a standard and acceptable method of business communications.

Recruiters like myself use email to forward job searchers’ resumes to employers and we sometimes get job offers for candidates through email as well.

Email etiquette is often an ignored and forgotten part of sending emails and it’s too bad because your emails give the recipient of the message clues about your writing skills and your professionalism.

It is especially true if you are emailing a potential employer and send them an email that breaks a number of common sense email rules that could turn them off considering you for a job.

Here are some tips to keep your emails professional and ensure they get read:

1. Always include a relevant subject line that quickly states what your email is about.

2. Keep work emails professional.

3. Always open your email with an appropriate salutation such as “Dear Joe” or “Hi Mary” or something similar.

4. Remember to close the email with some sort of signature such as your first name if you know the person you’re sending the email to. Consider using a signature with your full name and contact details for correspondence going outside your company.

5. Remember to consider the tone of your email. Written comments can be misinterpreted and can be open to interpretation in ways other than what you meant.

6. Try to keep emails as brief as possible. Try to get your point across quickly.

7. Don’t type emails IN ALL CAPS!

8. Ensure attachments you send to other people do not contain viruses. Use an email virus scanner to prevent you sending or receiving email viruses.

9. Be careful with what emails you forward to other people. If you receive a sensitive or confidential email from someone else, don’t assume you can forward it to other people.

10. Don’t send emails when you are angry especially if you might regret it after clicking the Send button. Remember that emails give your recipient a hard copy of what you’ve written.

11. Remember to check your spelling and grammar. Just like you don’t want to have typos in your resume, your emails should show evidence that you actually proofread your work before sending.

12. Don’t mark your emails as “urgent” unless they are.

13. Learn how and when to use the CC and BCC features especially when sending an email to a large group of people.

14. Respond to emails in a timely fashion and don’t make people wait for your reply.

When trying to determine proper email etiquette, use common sense and pay attention to the details before clicking Send.

Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter who wants to help you find your dream career.

Visit Carl’s website to separate yourself from other job searchers: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com

Sign up for The Effective Career Planner, Carl’s free 5-day course: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com/effective-career-planner.html

Please feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website but please don’t change any of the content and ensure that you include the above bio that shows my website URLs.

A common mistake that beginner water gardeners often make is that they fail to take the height and width of their waterfall into consideration, when they purchase a waterfall pump. Because of this, it is quite common for water gardeners to underestimate the size of the pump required for their pond.

Calculating the proper pump for waterfalls can be tricky, because waterfall pumps are rated by both GPH and maximum waterfall height. To estimate your waterfall’s height, you must measure the vertical height from the top of your pump to the top of your waterfall or stream. In addition, you must add another foot of height or lift for every 10 feet of hosing you will be using (this will allow for loss of volume from resistance within the hose). To calculate the required pump GPH, a general rule of thumb is that each inch of width of the channel will require an extra 100 GPH. For example, if your stream or waterfall spillway will be 10 inches wide, you will need a pump that produces an excess flow of 1000 GPH at your waterfall’s height.

Do not make the mistake of underestimating the pump size that you require, otherwise, your waterfall will be reduced to a trickle of water. If you have a large waterfall, you will need a specialized pump that will provide you sufficient GPH. GardenSM.com is proud to introduce a new product line of high-end Master DW submersible waterfall pumps that can run at ratings of up to 2780 GPH. The pumps in the Master DW series have been designed for medium to large ponds, for particularly dirty water, and to create waterfalls.

One of the most significant benefits of the Master DW series is that they have been designed to be clog-free. In addition to their built-in double filtration intake that can filter waste particles up to 8mm in size, all Master DW pumps feature an anti-clog system which consists of a double-rotation impeller. This “self-cleaning” feature is particularly useful when there is an abundance of leaves and sediment in your pond water. If one of the rotors is ever blocked by an object, the impeller will reverse direction, until the object is removed and normal operating status can be restored. And if these two fail-safe anti-clog mechanisms are not enough, the pump can also be combined with external filters for increased filtration.

The Master DW currently comes in 1430 GPH (Master DW 5500) and 2780 GPH (Master DW 10500) versions. Both run on SICCE’s patented NRG energy system, which utilizes magnet-synchronous motors for exceptional power and reliability. However, the 10500 model is a top-of-the-line pump which offers an unprecedented 10,500 lt/h power/head performance at 10 mt.

The simplicity and reliability of the Master DW’s synchronous motors, and its fail-safe anti-clog system, combined with the most sophisticated electronics make the Master DW a truly unique product.

The Master DW can be purchased from GardenSM.com’s online store at http://www.gardensupermart.com/buypond/c230094p16551679.2.html.

Please visit http://www.GardenSM.com for more information about water gardening.

About the Author

None

If you start traveling with your little one slowly and plan
wisely, both you and baby will enjoy first-class comfort. If you
begin with baby steps, you’ll find that you and your little one
will soon be able to walk, ride, or fly in the fast lane.

Day Trips

Introduce baby to travel starting with a few day-trips to a
local relative or friend. Basic equipment will be a packed
diaper bag, a stroller or pram (if you’ll spend some time
outdoors), and a car seat. Most modern car seats easily detach
and convert into a baby carrier.

Be sure to pack your diaper bag with a diaper for each two hours
you intend to be away from home. Pack 2 nipples for each bottle
you pack, two to three receiving blankets, and an extra change
of clothing for baby and an extra shirt for you. Cut down on
diaper bag weight and keep things easy to find by using Ziploc
bags to pack extras like nipples, wipes, and pacifiers. Pack one
large, empty Ziploc for soiled items.

Overnights

For baby’s first overnight trip, you’ll need to extend your
day-trip plan with a couple of extra receiving blankets and
extra sets of clothing for baby. Even if your overnight trip is
to Grandma’s house, remember that nighttime sounds and
perceptions may be different from those during daytime hours. A
good pram with wheel locks can double as a bassinet, helping
baby feel right at home and enabling everyone to sleep more
comfortably through the night.

If overnight travel is a frequent part of your regular routine,
consider investing in a Graco Pack ‘n Play Classic Care Center.
This excellent piece of baby travel equipment is a bassinet,
changing table, and playpen in one portable unit that folds into
a handy tote bag. There are 22 models of the Classic Care
Center. With prices starting at under $50.00, you’re sure to
find one that’s right for your little one and your budget.

Extended Hotel Stays

Many hotels stock products and equipment especially for
travelers with babies, but they may not stock the brands you and
baby prefer. When you make your reservation, ask for specific
information on product brands and the equipment you’ll need to
make baby’s stay comfortable. If you opt to use a hotel crib or
bassinet, be sure to pack a couple of baby’s own blankets, a
familiar mobile, and/or other “security items”.

Although your inclination may be to pack up your complete
nursery, in some cases, an extended stay may allow you to pack
even less than you would for an overnight trip. For instance, it
would be impractical to pack a week’s worth of bottles and
nipples. Pack only enough for a day and leave time in your
itinerary for clean-ups. When packing baby clothes, include two
or three one-piece outfits that can be quickly hand washed when
soiled.

You’ll also want to be sure to bring along a stroller. Most
contemporary strollers are lightweight and easily collapse for
transport or storage. Some models are equipped with
multi-position reclining seats so baby can sight-see or nap as
he or she chooses. In addition, many have features like tray
attachments, sun canopies, attached toy bars, and “parent” trays
for your little extras.

If part of your vacation will put you in a crowd, consider a
baby backpack or sling. The Baby Bjorn Carrier holds baby safely
to your chest, increasing baby’s sense of security as he
maintains eye contact with your familiar face.

>From day trips to cruise ships, how you travel with babies
depends chiefly on your destination and length of stay. However
developing a basic plan and adding to it as the situation
warrants will quickly make seasoned travel companions out of you
and your little one.

As a chef I have a unique perspective on anger.

In my time I have worked with the greatest in the finest kitchens of Europe. And I know what the pressure of the cooking kitchen is.

I have seen the casualties and the conflicts - the ruined lives and the personal heartache of those who could only cope by indulging in drink, drugs, sex or gambling.

You’re probably familiar with the stereotype of the mad chef. You’ve seen it on TV in programmes like the aptly named Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsey.

I too once was an original chef from hell. I know what the pressure of the cooking kitchen is - and I have survived the trauma.

For many people, anger simply seems to take over their lives. The chances are that you - or someone you know - have difficulty dealing with anger. It seems to come out of nowhere. The least little thing can set you off and ruin your life. Unrestrained anger can lead to loss of control, concentration and sleep. It can also cause problems with decision making, not to mention severely damaging relationships.

Chefs know more about life than most people -because they are intimately involved in the most basic of human needs - the hunger for food.

It is from this most basic demand that all life springs - from drops of water on the tongue in a Third World country to goblets of champagne on the banquet table of the sophisticated power brokers, the human need is the same - the need to eat, live and survive.

As a chef I was thus uniquely placed to observe people at their most basic - whatever the veneer of wealth, influence or power - an unnoticed observer of human behaviour, however dressed up in the latest food fashions.

In fact the kitchen is a form of hell - with the atmosphere of a pressure cooker. The sheer nerve jingling journey of a days work can cause sweat, blood and tears to flow - and too many chefs take solace in the emptiness at the end of the night - when the diners have departed - the tables are littered with the remains of a great meal and the kitchen cools to a place akin to imprisonment.

Then it has to start all over again tomorrow! The highs and lows are constant - and the chef at the centre of the creative roller coaster is often overlooked his role reduced to a cook - a waiting watcher of ovens - a microwave of mere mediocrity. So in the sunset hours - in the last free moments as those whom he serves celebrates he is alone in a used kitchen -his creativity sapped by the sophistication of those dining on his reputation.

Ask any chef - he will tell you the awful reality - of colleagues turning to drink and drugs - and all sorts of false props to survive the constant and unending pressure of the cooking kitchen!

Today I have emerged from the white hot heat of the kitchen - and from the nightmare of drink, drugs and gambling to chart a way forward for myself and others as a chef life coach to help them recognise the warning signs of stress anger.

Believe Me! I have been exactly where you are and come out the other side, thanks to Life Coaching… So can you!

About The Author

John Flynn has created a unique model for mastering emotional fears, and is a recognized expert on the subject of anger management. John is the founder of the groundbreaking Me, Myself and I, Catering for life from the inside out. This is designed to help you achieve improved wellbeing and increased capabilities in all areas of your personal and business life. For more information visit: http://www.chef2chefs.com or email: chefjohn@o2.ie

Nothing is quite as frustrating as trying to sleep and hearing the guttural sounds of your loved one next to you snoring. It was supposed to be for better or for worse, but no one told you anything about endless nights of being woken up by the frustrating sounds, the bags under your eyes that would follow, and the necessity for you to consume five cups of coffee a day just to stay awake. As bad as snoring may be for the person who has to listen to it, it can also negatively affect the person doing it. People who snore tend to get a less restful night’s sleep and will feel more fatigued throughout the day.

So is there a way to get your partner to stop snoring, or will you have to resort to separate bedrooms in order to get the much-needed sleep that you have been deprived of? Don’t give up hope just yet. Snoring is indeed a problem, but it’s a problem that can be dealt with if you know where to look for the solution. From herbal remedies to simple comforts, there are numerous remedies that can help your partner stop snoring and can help you get the sleep you need.

The not-so-wonderful sounds of snoring are produced by the soft palate’s vibrations. The soft palate is a flap of muscular tissue that closes off the nasopharynx during swallowing or speaking. The soft palate usually vibrates irregularly when there are conditions that are interfering with one’s ability to breathe through the nose. Allergies, colds, and blocked airways are common causes of the condition. Sometimes snoring can be caused by a serious condition, but usually snoring can be treated with simple preventative measures.

Since snoring is most common when lying on the back, sometimes getting your partner to stop snoring is as easy as asking them to roll over and sleep on their side. At other times, the remedy may be much more elusive. Sometimes adding a humidifier to the room will aid in moisturizing the airways and will help reduce snoring symptoms since a dry throat can contribute to soft palate vibrations.

There are also sprays and nose strips that one can use to prevent snoring, though these methods are not as effective as some other widely-available methods have proven to be. One of the best remedies for persistent snoring is the use of a “memory foam” pillow that will properly support the shoulder, neck and head areas. Since improper support of these areas can restrict airflow, a quality pillow can work wonders literally overnight.

If the above remedies don’t eliminate the snoring problem, there could potentially be a more serious condition causing your partner to snore and an appointment with a physician should be made to determine the underlying cause of the condition.

About The Author

Dr. Joseph J. Berke, M.D., Ph.D.

Discover how sleeping on The Better Sleep Pillow can change your life.

Visit: http://www.bettersleeppillow.com

Dr. Joseph J. Berke is an author and inventor dedicated to helping people get a better night rest. articles@bettersleeppillow.com

The experts often tell us that in order to ensure that our little ones are instilled with the correct knowledge so that they can learn to understand food and police there own diets, we have to be rigid and sustained in the healthy products we feed them. But what are the main rules when it comes to creating your child’s diet? The following points were taken from the American Academy of Paediatrics and the UK NHS guidelines on childhood nutrition, and have been specifically chosen for their relevance to parents of fussy toddlers.

Calories

Many adult diets encourage us to count calories, but with children that is not the best idea. There is a fine line between feeding a child properly, and becoming pernickety about the exact numbers that are passing through them. There are guidelines for calorie intake:

+ The AAP says that 1,000 calories per day is a sufficient amount for a child aged 2-4.

+ The NHS concurs, and both feel that this should be achieved through three set, well spaced-out meals everyday, and two snacks.

However, these guidelines are for healthy children only. If your child is suffering a common illness like a cold, which requires extra nutrients, or if they have a weight or vitamin deficiency, then their intake needs to be tailored specifically - health visitors will tell you how to make exact changes, well. Also, 1,000 calories is not always a realistic target.

Occasional treats are needed to create the perfect diet, and as every child is different, intake will depend on how active they are, and on their metabolism. All of these things need to be taken into account.

N.B. Some babies are naturally big before they start to crawl or walk. Give larger babies time to loose their extra weight as they become active - especially if bigger babies are in your genes! Don’t worry too much, and let nature take its course. Remember that the above guidelines are for toddlers only.

Portions

Rather than counting your way to dietary success, you could try just monitoring the types of food passing through your child. The AAP recommends:

N.B. A serving equates to a tablespoon per year of age.

+ Two or three servings of either: egg, fish, meat or poultry everyday

+ Two servings of diary product everyday (or two glasses of milk)

+ Three servings of healthy fruit and veg everyday

+ Six servings of cereal grain, potato, rice bread or pasta everyday

Look out for, and try to avoid refined sugar. This is not always easy, but it can cause tooth decay and attribute to weight gain. You’ll find this in chocolate, sweets and other products that are best left for special treats and occasions.

Taking all of the above into consideration and balancing both monitoring techniques is probably the best way to go. You must remember though: children are growing and changing everyday, and even though these guidelines are very important, they are only a good place to start, nothing more.

Respect the organic nature of the feeding process, and remember:

+ Encouraging your child to try new foods will instill not only food confidence in them, but an overall confidence which will never fade.

+ If you have a picky toddler, it’s very likely they were a hungry baby. If this was the case, all that your child is doing whenever they develop a fad, or change their food intake, is experimenting with the world of food. The majority of picky toddlers have no real in-depth psychological problem - they merely want to discover more about something in their lives that they feel very comfortable with.

+ Baby see baby do. Eat healthily as a family and you will raise healthy eaters.

+ Sitting as a family to eat will not only encouraged your little one to focus on what they are eating (instead of the TV) it will give you all an excuse to be part of babies development and encourage them to develop table manners, and talk.

+ Butter, salt and sugar are all addictive. If you set an addiction to rich, unhealthy foods rolling in childhood, it will snowball, and will be part of your child forever.

+ Food is fun. Be experimental and playful, and your child will develop a much sought after taste for cooking for their whole lives, and will have many a fond memory of what they were fed as a child.

If you’re looking for ways to promote an active lifestyle for your baby or toddler, then how about visiting www.busylittleones.co.uk.

For books on healthy eating for your baby and toddler then visit www.smileybaby.co.uk.

Lucy Curran

Types of Mortgages

If you are a mortgage aspirant, then you need to do a bit of
information digging so as to help you decide which mortgage deal
is going to suit you. With the competition between mortgage
lenders really heating up, there are a myriad of mortgage
options available that you can choose from. This makes it even
more important for you to be in the know of the kind of
mortgages available in the market.

Mortgages are essentially loans drawn against some collateral.
In other words you can use the money from a mortgage to buy a
property and the lender can stake legal claim on that property
until you pay back the loan. Also, if you fail to pay back your
mortgage, the lender can repossess your property.

Mortgages usually differ on two points namely pay back capital
and the interest you pay. On the basis of the way you pay back
your loan, mortgages can be of three types: More info at:
http://seek.uk.com/mortgages/mortgages.html

Repayment Mortgage: In a repayment mortgage you pay off some
amount each month, which goes towards the payment of interest
and the principal amount. At the end of the term the mortgage is
cleared.

Individual Saving Account: This mode uses an ISA to pay back the
loan; but if your investment performs badly, you may find it
difficult to pay back the loan.

Pension Mortgages: At the end of the mortgage term, you can use
the tax-free cash from your pension to pay off the loan. On the
basis of interest rates, mortgages may be any of the following:

Variable rate mortgages: In case of a variable rate mortgage,
the interest rate on your mortgage varies in accordance to the
varying base rate of the bank of England.

Fixed rate mortgages: The interest rate on a mortgage remains
fixed throughout the term of the mortgage.

Capped rate mortgages: The interest rate on such a mortgage is
fixed but lowers if the base rate falls.

Discounted rate mortgages: In case of a discount rate mortgage,
the lender offers the borrower some discount off the variable
rate. Now that you are aware of the different options available
in the market with regards to mortgages, you can easily select
the mortgage type that befits your situation.

Come & discuss all mortgage related topics at:
http://forum.seek.uk.com

Do you remember what things were like in the old days, when brushing your teeth was an exhausting ritual of getting a toothbrush and rubbing it back and forth in your mouth for a few minutes? Thankfully, the wonders of modern technology have solved this problem for us, with the invention of the electric toothbrush.

An electric toothbrush looks like a slightly bigger version of a normal toothbrush, but when you put in a battery and press a button, it vibrates for you. Despite the mockery they sometimes attract, however, electric toothbrushes do have a serious purpose: while they don’t really make it much easier to brush your teeth, they certainly do get your teeth a lot cleaner. The electric vibration is much faster than anything you could do by hand, vibrating tens of thousands of times per minute, meaning that dirt and bacteria are much more effectively dislodged from your teeth.

If you’re going to get an electric toothbrush, probably the best kind to get is one with a rechargeable battery. This way, instead of having to take out the batteries and put in new ones, you can just plug the toothbrush into a charger, the way you would with a laptop computer or a mobile phone - much more convenient.

However, one danger of electric toothbrushes is that people often don’t change them as often as they should. Just like with normal toothbrushes, the heads wear out. While electric toothbrushes obviously don’t require you to buy a whole new toothbrush every few months, you do need to keep buying new heads, otherwise the toothbrush’s effectiveness at cleaning may be dramatically reduced.

If you are already very good at cleaning your teeth, then spending the money on an electric toothbrush may not necessarily be worthwhile for you. If you have trouble getting everything off your teeth when you brush, however, or can never quite bring yourself to brush for as long as you should, then an electric toothbrush can make things much easier for you.

John Gibb is the owner of electric toothbrush guidance, For more information on electric toothbrushes please check out www.Electric-ToothBrush-guidance-and-info.info

What’s better than backcountry powder shared with a couple of good friends? What beats chasing your buddies through the trees, sharing great lines on open slopes and watching your mates “pop” off bumps into the “pow”? Now, if that though brings a smile, broaden the picture to include 12 good friends. Think about a day of great powder shared with the 12 people you most like to ski or ride with. Then expand that thought to three or four days in succession. Oh, yes, and throw in some uphill tranportation that gives you 12 to 15 great runs a day.

If it seems like a wild dream, it’s not. Snowcat skiers are doing it every year.

Assemble your own group to share a snowcat and two guides and to control the pace of each day’s skiing. The cat rides back up the mountain become almost as much fun as the runs down, filled with the old lies and jokes and stories that you all enjoy sharing. Evenings in the bar at the lodge playing pool or darts for “shots” or soaking in the hot tub just continue the fun of the day. Our “Favorite Chatter Creek Photos” (http://favorite-chatter-creek-photos.blogspot.com). were taken by some old friends who go cat skiing together every year.

Many cat skiing operators in BC encourage groups. At least two operators offer no particular incentive to group leaders, but point out the advantage to having companions that know one another and are all compatible skiers and riders. However, at least three BC operators provide group organizers a free seat and one operator offers two free seats (take 12 people, pay for 10). Other operators offer a discount ranging from $1200 per day, to $1500 for a 4-day tour. Typically, it’s all or nothing and the group size must be 12 to qualify for a discount. As nice as it is to get a great discount, Group Organizers shopping for a cat skiing tour should think about group discounts last, after making a short list of operators having terrain and skiing conditions that best suits their group’s needs.

Organizing a group is no cakewalk. The group organizer is the sole point of contact with the company. He or she collects and accounts for all funds, makes lump payments on behalf of the group, distributes company literature, collects client information and submits it to the company. Above all, the organizer ensures that group members understand the tour dates, transportation arrangements, meeting times and special conditions like baggage restrictions or clothing needed for the trip in to a remote lodge.

The real effort goes into filling the group with compatible skiers. A sign-up list circulated at the end of each tour always generates lots of interest in the following year. Everyone’s ready to be back next year; same time, same place, same group. Fantastic! However, things change a bit in the following weeks, when the deposit becomes due. People return home and remember (or are reminded of) family vacation promises, visiting relatives, budgetary constraints and other priorities. Then it’s “scramble time” for the Group Leader. The deposit is due shortly and the group is not full. Some Group Leaders end up subsidizing the group deposit.

Finally, the organizer handles last minute changes. People get sick or have emergencies or “things” happen at work and substitutes have to be arranged. Snowstorms can force last-minute changes to travel plans, requiring telephone calls to the entire group, as described in the article, “Getting to Chatter Creek: Go Early and Get there” (http://backcountrywintervacations.com/getting-to-chatter-creek.html)

You may have known your buddies for years, but you don’t really understand them until you try to organize their ski trip. As one cat ski operator noted, “It’s like herding cats”. One or two email messages is not enough to convey critical dates and other information. There is always that benighted soul who forgets or is confused or looses forms or is always late with payments. Experience teaches the value of a standby list of people happy to step in and replace “foot-draggers”. That usually focuses the attention!

Regular reminders and specific confirmation is needed to ensure that people really do understand what they need to know, and that critical dates and times really have been recorded in next year’s calendar, and not this year’s. If the meeting point is in a different time zone, alarm bells have to be rung regularly, or people will forget the time shift, or get it backward. People need reminding that there is a day of travel before and after the dates of the tour. If tour members are married, it’s a good idea to ensure their wives know “the drill”.

Different organizers handle their discount in different ways. Merle McKnight, manager of Chatter Creek, in Golden recommends, “Put it in your pocket, you’ve earned it!” Many organizers do just that. Others share the discount with the group members, giving everyone a small discount. One organizer rents a bus to take his group from Calgary to Golden, where his cat skiing tour starts. That tour really starts and ends in Calgary and everything in between is a blur.

In the end, whatever frustration a group organizer may bear falls right away on that first run of the annual tour, as one’s mates charge down the hill, with whoops and hollers and powder snow flying. The grins on their faces make it all worth while!

Having written so much about organizing groups, I should add that, over the years, I’ve had a number trips with two or three friends, sharing a snowcat with strangers. Without exception, these trips have been wonderful experiences. I’ve made new friends and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. Even though I am an experienced skier, I have rarely felt held back by weaker skiers. Well, perhaps just once. Snowcat skiing is so “laid back” and relaxed and guides are so skilled, that a range in ability within a group can “work” very well. Most snowcat skiing operators encourage just strong intermediate and expert skiers, so “slower” skiers are rarely far behind. More often than not, they end up waiting while the hotshots “scope out” special challenges; cliffs, bumps and the like.

If you don’t really know what cat skiing is, check out Cat Skiing Articles at http://cat-skiing-articles.blogspot.com/.

Lockie Brown lives in Vancouver and skis regularly at Whistler and Blackcomb. For five years, he has organized snowcat sking tours to Chatter Creek , near Golden (http://www.backcountrywintervacations.com). Before that, he had a number of trips to Island Lake Lodge near Fernie. For lots of photos about cat skiing, Lockie suggests the Chatter News at http://powder-skiing.blogspot.com.

lockiebrown@hotmail.com