Quick Hit No.1: Daily Room Surprises
I have yet to see another human in my hotel. I am sure there must be somebody somewhere. Occasionally there is a security guard in a very dark room near the entrance of the building, maybe every third night or so. About as many nights as the elevator works. But I do know that people enter the building because my room gets cleaned every now and them. But the best part is that there is always something new in my room, shown in the picture above. I’m sure this was all supposed to be there when we arrived. But, hey, they’re catching up.
The first surprise was when I opened the door the other night and walked right smack into my new coat rack. The next night, a coffee pot and cup, then slippers and last night a do not disturb sign. In the gallery you can see my little kitchen, side-by-side twin beds and my view.
Spent yesterday at the men’s downhill and today shooting another panorama at the venues by the Black Sea. then went to short track speed skating to shoot JR Celski who came in fourth. We’re doing a feature on people who come in fourth. I think it will be published soon and then continue throughout the Games. Interesting reactions from the athletes who just miss a medal. Some are pretty happy they finished that high, like Sven Thorgren in slopestyle. Celski was favored to win gold, he was less happy.
Tomorrow is turning out to be an interesting day. We are going to be at the halfpipe but it is going to be so crowded with photographers that we have to get there at 10 a.m. to stake out our positions. And we can’t leave them. THE FINAL IS AT 9:30 PM. So, if all goes according to plan, i will be sitting on top of the halfpipe wall for 12 hours. Sure hope it won’t be too cold. Oh, and AnnaB, you’ll like this one: The only way up to get up there is to climb the outside wall with crampons. I see another Copper Mountain fiasco in my future. Packing a lunch, not too much bottled water and hand and foot warmers.
And all that time without WiFi so I can’t even do a live post.
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- My daily gifts
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- Kitchen
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- Bedroom
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- My view
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- At work at slopestyle
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- Jon Huang with me shooting panorama at the Coastal Cluster
Water Fowl
Eat at Joe’s 
That looks like a nicer room than a lot of people have tweeted about. Crampons?? You know you’re now fifty-five years old, right?
Ducks should show up soon I would hope. Maybe you’ll have time to do a story on how bad the half pipe is. Sounds like the competitors think it’s “trash”. Just don’t fall over the edge.
Dare we ask how well the minibar is stocked if there is one? Maybe there will be some surprises in there too.
Your hotel sounds like something from an Alfred Hitchcock movie … Seeing no other humans ?????? That’s a long time to be camped out on the half pipe. I hope you stay warm. That’s quite a “desk” you had at the slope style.
Your work keeps making it into the NYT Facebook posts! Sounds like you have a very exciting day ahead of you. Think you could get someone to videotape you while you climb the wall?
The beds made me laugh! Is that their idea of a king size bed or is that similar to the two toilets-one stall thing? Looking forward to hearing how your 12 hour tour hanging off the wall goes! Good luck with that!
On an unrelated note…poor Bob Costas is looking awful! Can someone get that man some heavy duty eye drops?
If you get up with crampons, how do you get down?
Why so many night events?
Hi Joe, thanks for keeping us updated. The women’s downhill races were pretty exciting! And Mom and I thrilled to the grace of Yevgeny Pleshenko. Hope you are having fun. I would love to be at the top of the ski jump, just to scare the s–t out of myself. Don’t forget your grappling hooks tomorrow……..
You nailed it minephew. Got home to find water fowl on my bed. A Duck? A Swan? The Loch Ness Monster? Picture has been added above!!! Can’t wait to see what I get tonight!
HA!!!! That’s fantastic!!!
Are you standing close to a pole at the half pipe? I think you are, if yes I just saw you on tv!
Yes I was. Could have been
Finally, the FABULOUS Ted Ligety interactive is up and on the Times home page. Years in the making! (ok, months in the making.)
http://www.nytimes.com/newsgraphics/2014/sochi-olympics/giant-slalom.html?hp
You guys and gals on the NYT team are doing an awesome job with your coverage. I hope there is some eating, sleeping and drinking water in your schedules.
Go Teddie!!!