Part XVII: A regular day... which is still pretty awesome

This morning came quickly. After sea kayaking yesterday I was exhausted. Seriously exhausted. Like watching Dawson's Creek in PJ's with wet hair tired. So as I came into the office this morning I was kind of in a daze. Threw my co-workers a quiet, 'Bonjour,' threw all of yesterday's clips onto the computer and re-charged the battery and opened my e-mail. Went from about 0-60 in 10 seconds because Craig Colby had sent me the feedback on my footage. I eagerly jumped down the list of available positions within Parks Canada (why do they send me those things?) to the title of, "Kelly: Feedback."

Craig is one of our mentors for Canada's Greatest Summer Job. He works for Oasis HD, a nature channel based in Toronto. Pretty much he's the guide in terms of content. So when I opened my e-mail today I was really happy to get some guidance. Craig told me that I need to connect with my first story. He referenced another student and what they did right and how I can improve mine. Trouble is, I'm not sure what connection I have to the fjord. I've never been here before, I don't have any history with fjords or whales or Saguenay. I'm trying to figure out how to make the story mine. The story only Kelly Greig could do.

The rest of the day was spent back in the stupor because I needed to log tape.

Another thing that I've been thinking about: baby animals. Everyone loves baby animals. They appear in commercials, the news as kickers and in nature shows. It makes everyone go 'awwwwww!'. Have you seen a baby beluga?

Am I the only one who thinks it looks weird? I mean it's like a gray pogo, and I love pogos but don't like the looks of this guy. Even harder, they live in water. It is soooo hard to get good beluga footage.

Part XVII: Sea kayaking

Another day of beautiful sunny skies in Tadoussac. I figured screw the office, I'm going out into the field. Good idea but I don't think I got much good footage from it. Unfortunate in terms of useable material but good in terms of learning how to sea kayak.
It was also another opportunity for me to wear another ravishing outfit.

Looking good eh? I'm going for the human-kayak meld there, once again in a ravishing yellow life vest, this time with matching yellow kayak.
The fjord is really beautiful and the weather was perfect for kayaking, but because the tide was coming in there were some huge waves. It was actually a lot of fun being buffeted around but I was worried for the welfare of my camera.
All in all our group kayaked 8 km (3 hours).
Here is me at the turn around. Notice the look of elation (a break!)

It makes me confident that I can actually do this kayak excursion planned. Our longest day will take about 4-6 hours of paddling depending on the weather. It will probably be longer with the stopping to get footage, but still a do-able day.
Post-kayak I am surprised. My arms are fine, what hurts most are my knees and inner thighs from working the rudder.
More kayaking Friday!


No cameras were hurt in the making of today's footage.

Part XVI: BEST DAY EVER!

... well so far.

The cheery tone of my cell phone alarm was quite infuriating this morning as I had to arise a half hour earlier than normal. A half hour of sleep is a gift, it's like when you wake up early and look at your clock and say "YES! More time." It's one of those things you really appriciate when you don't have it.

Anyways, I dragged myself out of bed and make it to work for 7:30. I had to be there early so that we could catch the ferry from St-Simeone (an hour from Tadoussac) across the St-Lawrence to Riviere-du-Loup.

Now you may be asking yourself, "Kelly, I've carefully studied the map of the Marine Park and Riviere-du-Loup does not lie within its boundries. Whatever were you doing there?" Well, this is what I was doing there:


Beauty, isn't she? This is the l'Alliance, the Parks Canada boat. It was being fixed in Riviere-du-Loup so I came along for the ride to bring her back. Luckily, it was a sunny day and we got her into the water quick (I helped!). I felt like a waterbound, not as awesome, Indiana Jones. As we were bringing her out onto the fleuve, I was standing on the top deck, camera at the ready and raring to go.

Here is what I looked like:


You may have noticed my extremely fashionable yellow jacket. It is actually more than just a regular jacket, it is a coat and life jacket all in one. Technology, I tell you.
Along with the orange helmet from yesterday's post I think that I have a strong future as a runway model.

Since I hadn't actually see the Haut Font Prince; Tadoussac's famous lighthouse (or phare re:French word of the day) we passed by it. Here it is.




And just for kicks, here are some pics:
Captain Kelly (I wasn't actually driving)


On shore leave?

Part XV: From Basques to Belugas

Do you remember Schoolhouse Rock? It evokes memories of a childhood Kelly sitting on our brown carpet in the living room in PJ's on a Saturday morning. I loved it. I didn't even realize I was learning while watching because it was all fast and musical and before you knew it it was over and all of a sudden BAM! I knew about conjuctions and grammar. It is possibly the sun that shone on the sprouts of my illustrious journalism career. More recently I legitimately watched Schoolhouse Rock while studying for POLI 322: Politics of the US. I love the part when they are sitting in committee and then they vote and the fat guy runs the bill over to Senate.

Anyways, after today I feel like I could pen a Schoolhouse Rock spot. I did an hour and a half interview about the history of the region. That's right from glaciers to whale watchers, from Europeans to tourists, from whalers to... well you get the idea.

I think maybe if I have enough time and can somehow steal the Schoolhouse Rock music I would be a very successful rip-off film artist. I can see my future now.

Here are some of the fun facts about Tadoussac that you maybe didn't know:
The first winter the French tried to stay here. Five out of the 15 lived.

Tadoussac was founded eight years before Quebec City. Take that!

Tadoussac originally had a dirtier name. The french sailors nicknamed the town after the town hills on either side of the Saguenay fjord that looked like breasts.

The more you know.

Part XIV: Via Ferrata

Hello dear readers? Did you miss me? Were you outraged on Friday when you checked in with your favourite blog only to find no new posts? I apologize but I am very busy and important you know and my time is very valuable and in high demand.
The excuse for the lack of posting was an apres-work 5 a 7 that required my attendance. Afterwards Tanya, Rosemary and I (the three summer students) stayed after and partook in some genteel discussion accompanied by lite beverages (some more than others).

Back to the real reason of my post. I took full advantage of Friday's beautiful weather to have an adventure. I went rock climbing. Yes people, welcome to my life.

The climbing took place at Cap Jaseux, about an hour away from Tadoussac. It is an adventure camp for kids and adults alike. During my visit about 150 elementary school aged children suddenly appeared from the bush from their camping area. It offers rustic camping, cabins and most interestingly tree houses. Like entire houses (space for 5) held about 20 feet in the air by posts.

I jumped at the chance to do the Via Ferrata, Italian for Iron Way, with the head of the camps Jerome Gouron. We had a nice little interview on the beach beside the Saguenay. The entire time a loon was calling in the background, I hope it doesn't screw up post-production. After the talking we set out on the adventure. Suited up in a very fashionable Dior harness with matching orange safety helmet (I predict a trend for autumn 2010) we set out on a hike to the cliffside. Along the way we discussed everything from the French Alps to Stephen Harper's new energy policies to my distinct preference for cake over pie.

Once at the cliffs it was all business however. To stay alive and not plunge into the freezing cold (four degree) Saguenay river you have to be hooked onto a cable at all times. Then while climbing over rocks and up mountain faces you have to stop and re-clip yourself when a new cable starts. Sound alright but try doing it with a movie camera. Yup, I was trying to do this thing one handed. A challenge indeed.

Fortunately Jerome understood my plight of trying to film with no tripod (couldn't set it up anywhere), climb and talk. We traded off filming each other and his stuff wasn't bad, a little shaky but overall I am surprised at how useable it is.

On the downside I totally forgot to put on sunscreen and now have a nice red face. It is reminiscent of my high school basketball days where my red face would provide a lovely compliment to my blue and white uniform.

Here are some photos of the awesome.

Climber extra-ordinare


Jerome scaling some rocks

Part XIII: Kayak Excursion

Sometimes you just love your job. Especially when you have Canada's Greatest Summer Job. Example: today I spent the entire day planning a three-day kayak excursion down the Saguenay river. Yes people, I am getting paid to do it.

After backpacking across Europe I've kind of gotten into the mentality of, "ugh, planning... things will just work out..." Often times, they do and everything is thumbs up. I think that this trip might require a bit more effort than the simple, "meh," that has become my catchphrase lately.

Some of the things on the "to-bring" list:
Sunscreen
Wet suit
Sleeping Bags
Sean's Power Box (doesn't that sound amazing. A box of power. Comparable to his Achille's heel)
A kayak
Waterproof Camera Bag
Tide charts

Yes people, I am a boy scout. I am so prepared that I could probably get stranded in the middle of the river and make an airplane and fly home. Wrap your mind around that.

So the weekend of St-Jean Baptiste I will be kayaking down the Saguenay. I feel like Magellan, or Lewis&Clark, except not as brave or discover-y. (See what I did there?)

Alas my dear readers, I bid you adieu. I must fly, free whale-watching cruise awaits!

Today's French word of the day: rafale. Meaning: gust.

Since I don't have a picture for the day, here is a random one. It still doesn't exist

Part XII: When Everything Comes Together... Only to Fall Apart

As a journalist, you spend half your time chasing down interviews. Phone calls, e-mails and even in-person visits sometimes don't even make a dent in the armour of the non-responder no-commentor. Sometimes you just want to bang your head against a wall or throw yourself down a flight of stairs. Then there are those days. Those days where everything falls into place perfectly. Your interview subjects agree to interviews are enthusiastic and having a flexible schedule. The perfect storm of awesome. Today, was one of those days.

So far this week I've secured nine interviews for the next two weeks. Nine. In three days. Not counting the time it took to do the first two yesterday. A feat unto itself. I've scheduled them all in nicely, including three interviews on Friday. Sprinkled around this copious flapping of gums are activities like rock climbing and sea kayaking. All in the name of the film of course. Ahh, thank you Parks Canada.

Where the magic happens. Tres messy.


By 1:30 my day was going swimmingly. I got my pitches finished and sent out for feedback, had a pre-interview with a resident of Tadoussac and author, and was flying through schedule organization.

Then it happened. (DRAMATIC PAUSE)

Right before the big first conference call I met with my supervisor, and boy, was he ever not enthusiatic about my ideas. This one kernel of doubt exploded in to a popcorn of worry. How's that for a metaphor.... now I want a snack.


**10 minutes later**

Mmmm.... nachos. Where was I? Oh right, the downfall of my day. So I went into the conference call a little worried about my pitches. Would they be rejected? Would my Parks Canada life as I know it be over? Ugh, I felt like I needed some sort of hearty shake and a slap across the face. "You got this far," I can hear my voice of reason saying, "you got this job for a reason. Now just DO IT."

So from now on, I'm going rogue. A commando unit. A lone wolf in the wolf pack. I'm just going to throw myself into my stories and PROVE that I belong here. That's right world, I'm going to kick down your door, put you in a headlock and take your children hostage. Watch out, here I come.

So as I always try with my roommates at the end of the day, I'm going to focus on the awesome. So, I'm kickin' back, havin' a glass of wine and looking up the world's address.

Bring it.

A musical rendition of my mood. Thank you Disney.