By Jessica Evans

I’m walking out of the Roundhouse Community Centre, the click click of my heels echoing down the hall.  I have a framed photo tucked under my arm and can’t help but reflect on the past year.

You see, exactly a year ago I was bouncing out of the First Vancouver Timeraiser with my signed pledge to confirm my winning bid of

After finding that I was the winning bid, I ran back to snap this pic.

time on a piece of original artwork.  It’s a silent art auction and a volunteer fair… wait what?

“It’s a Time-raiser, not a Fund-raiser” I hear myself explaining to people over and over again when I’m telling them about this art-charity mashup thing I’m involved with.  “We aren’t looking for your money, we want your time”.  Many in my peer group have their careers sorted out and a very good idea of their weekly schedule, including free time.  We'd like to get involved in our community but are wary of the time commitment and aren't sure where to start.

At the first Timeraiser, I easily met with representatives of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland.  I love the internet but there was something about chatting with an agency representative face-to-face and the traditional act of stashing a business card.  Being a Big Sister was on  my life list of things to do, and the Timeraiser facilitated this easily.  I have to admit to being surprised at the professional nature of many of the volunteer openings I learned about during the "meet n greet" first half of the Timeraiser.  There are agencies and non-profits out there in need of the skills you most likely take for granted.

Receiving my artwork at the 2nd Timeraiser

One year later, walking out of the second Timeraiser, I’ve fulfilled my pledge, collected my artwork and uncovered a passion for volunteering and community.  I’m officially a Big Sister, and I love my “little” to pieces.

See you at the third Timeraiser?  It’s next week - September 23, 2010 - hosted at the Roundhouse Community Centre.  I refer to it as a “coming out party for volunteers” though that’s certainly not a sanctioned company line.   You're curious about getting a bit more involved in your community?  We support you, and we'll get you some great artwork as a token of appreciation.

Jessica Evans loves life in Vancouver - especially the parts that involve volunteering, riding bikes, or any combination thereof.  Follow her on Twitter as @jessicers.

By Jessica Evans

One of my spoken goals this year was to ride Whistler Blackcomb for different sports the same day.  When friends mentioned that both seasons were open, I quickly formed a Long Weekend Saturday plan adding in climbing in order to achieve my West Coast Trifecta:  Mountain Biking, Snowboarding and Rock Climbing.  My bluff was called and I had to follow through.

Gear for three sports in one little car

Packing up the car, I reflected on each sport.  Rock climbing is the reason I relocated to BC, and it’s just always nice to climb.  Snowboarding and I met once in my teens and ended in a trip in an ambulance with a bonus concussion.  We've since made peace and I've taken it up again in the last couple years.  Mountain biking is new, and the Whistler Bike Park provides easy access to downhill mountain biking without the hassle of uphill mountain biking, which I don't enjoy nearly as much.

I met friends for a few runs in the Whistler Bike Park and had some good clean adrenaline packed fun.  I enjoy riding my city bike year long in Vancouver, and it’s an exhilarating feeling to hit a jump on my (other) bike and catch some air.  I hope to never catch air on my bike in Vancouver traffic, which is where I do most of my riding.

It’s my first mountain bike ride of the season and my arms transform quickly into jelly.  I head to the car to change, with my friends joking that they’re going to time me to see how long it takes to switch gear for sports.  Like a triathalon - in a rush.  After a complete costume change (with no rushing involved) it’s up Blackcomb to play in the snow.

Snowboarding in May

The visibility is nil in many sections, but where I can see, I get to carve turns in soft and heavy snow.  The bike park jumps are still fresh in my mind; it seems so out of context to now be snowboarding at over 7,000 feet.  I’m excited that the day before I was on the beach with my (other other) bike and an hour ago I was hitting jumps in the bike park.

The word from down below was that the rains had started and climbing is out.  I was equal parts disappointed and relieved.  Sure, I don’t get my trifecta but it’s great that I tagged both mountains for their respective activities in the same day.  I finish up on Blackcomb, shutting down my snowboard season.  It’s a world of opportunity, though, so I meet my friends for more runs in the bike park.

My arms are so tired from holding on to my bike and I can tell that I’m having the worst symptom of fatigue ever:  I’m holding on harder.  I can feel the energy drain out of my body and I know I’m done.  Farewell to my friends and it’s down the highway to meet (other) friends in Squamish.  A text comes in on the drive down reporting that the rain has stopped and the climbing is on.  If it were legal, it would be a sharp left turn into the access point for Cheakamus canyon to find them.  My friends are playing on a route that’s an old project of mine.  It’s kind of my limit for when I was climbing regularly so it’s just funny to get on it after two of my newer sports.  My friend calls during my hike in to point out that they’re on something that isn’t a warm up and are about to leave.  “oh, it’s ridiculous, I know” I tell them, laughing, “there’s no doubt that this is a dumb idea”.  But things go well and the climb feels familiar.  I take two runs on it and declare myself ready for dinner.

Walking back out of the canyon, I am washed in exhilaration.  I came up with a crazy idea and followed through with it.  I’m so lucky to live in an area that affords me such high-quality access to so many sports.

Jessica Evans loves life in Vancouver - especially the parts that involve volunteering, riding bikes, or any combination thereof.  Follow her on Twitter as @jessicers.

By Jessica Evans

I hear explosions behind me and instinctively start running.

It’s really nothing to be concerned about – just the False Creek fireworks resonating out to Kits.  It’s an instinctive feel though, like being out after the streetlights come on when you were a kid:  “run – you’re in trouble if you don’t get home.”

As part of the Olympic celebrations, we’ve been treated to fireworks every night.  For me, this has been the Olympics tucking me in.  I’d be in bed reading and hear the fireworks and sigh with relief:  I’m in bed on time.  Time to tuck in; tomorrow I’ll be well rested.  Other times, I’ve been out and heard the fireworks… like a reasonable curfew calling to me.  Once, when I was spinning down the Burrard Street Bridge on the bike ride home, I found myself really pushing it when the fireworks started up.  On nights where I didn't even hear the fireworks, that signaled that I got to bed early and good for me.

Not many people identify fireworks with sleeping, but I’m curious if the Vancouver Olympics have conditioned me with Pavlovian-esque response – I hear fireworks and race to bed from now on?

Jessica Evans loves life in Vancouver - especially the parts that involve volunteering, riding bikes, or any combination thereof.  Follow her on Twitter as @jessicers.

By Jessica Evans

I, like many of you, was a bit timid at the traffic woes forecast to be featured at the Olympic games.

I get around the city by bicycle as much as possible, but am glad to have a car - so convenient.  I ended up driving more the first weekend of the Olympics than I did the two weeks leading up to the games.  No delays, no traffic worth mentioning.

I'm always happy for sunshine - the vitamin D combined with the opportunity to cycle without spray from puddles makes for One Happy Jessica.  The only detour on my cycle commute is the blocked access to Burrard northbound from the Burrard Bridge.  Due to this detour, I discovered the joy that is riding on Hornby.  There's a dedicated bike lane and it's only one block out of my way.  I don't have to share my lane with buses, and the lights cascade happily towards Georgia.

I've set some serious speed records on my cycle commute during the Olympics, not that I'd like to admit that I pay attention to these sorts of things.  No one was harmed, traffic laws were observed, and I didn't need that second coffee.

It isn't just cycling though.  I balanced my carbon footprint by commuting to the office by Car today. (Shhh) Again, a record getting home - no traffic worth mentioning and lovely cascading lights up Thurlow this time.  When on transit, I've gotten a seat on the bus, which is a rarity in my non Olympic life.

Am I just lucky?  More importantly, did I just jinx my traffic karma?

Jessica Evans loves life in Vancouver - especially the parts that involve volunteering, riding bikes, or any combination thereof.  Follow her on Twitter as @jessicers.

By Jessica Evans

I’m scrambling to finish up work for the day.   I've scored a ticket to the Molson Canadian Hockey House from Molson; they sponsor Timeraiser and donated a few passes for the volunteers.  A text comes in from Jen, the Timeraiser Manager who just arrived at the Hockey House with some of the other volunteers:

“It’s a sea of red here”

Oh no.  I look down.  Purple with grey.  How could I have messed this up?  How can I cheer on Team Canada wearing purple?

My transportation has Canadian colours...

The irony is, Red has played a large part in my life, and many of my friends would identify me with the colour.  I have red glasses, red jackets, red shoes and three red bikes.  One would think that I could put together something a little more Canadian.

I post a self conscious tweet with a picture of my Red and White bike/helmet combo now desperately trying to compensate.

Going to the Molson Canadian Hockey House is a big treat – something I wouldn’t indulge in on my own and I’m grateful for the comp ticket.  It’s actually my first time out in the Olympic mania since the start of the Games; I can see the cauldron from the office, but other than that I'm only out to grab a quick java.  Most of my clients are American, so it's busy-ness as usual.  I seem to have missed the dress code memo.

I navigate my way east, making my way to the Hockey House.  The energy is magnificent;  everyone's smiling and R.E.M's "Shiny Happy People" queues up in my mental playlist.  I bask in the roar of fans while riding by Canada Hockey Place and the VPD officer I approach for directions is very friendly.  He prefaces his instructions with “Well, since you’re on a bike…” , and then directs me through a few pedestrian shortcuts so I can get around the road closures.

Can someone split a piece of that jersey off for me, please?

My comp pass gains me access to the Hockey House and I feel like a little grey grinch treading water in an ocean of red and white.  Someone bumps into me.  It's probably because I'm wearing grey, I think.  This wouldn't happen if I was wearing red.  Or maybe I really should just watch where I'm going.  I seek out one of the employees to get a maple leaf painted on my forehead or something to show I'm Canadian.  I could have brought a prop polar bear, or worn a toque.... what was I thinking?

All in all, the game and the experience was fantastic.  It's "Alberta Night" at the hot dinner buffet so I balance my Molson Canadian with bacon wrapped chicken, a large chunk of beef, and bean salad.  The place is packed, and we're sitting down at the very front watching the game projected above us.  When Team Canada gets a goal,  a gaggle of photographers jump in front to capture shots of the frenzied crowd.   It’s Canada v. Switzerland, which goes through overtime to a shoot out.  I’m biting my nails… sure I’ve been busy at work but an Olympic level hockey shootout?  Now that’s pressure.

Red & White Confetti, FTW

I was expecting the atmosphere of a tied game to be tense, but everyone’s amped up with support.  Chants of CAN-A-DA surge through the crowd.  I’m a bit nervous though.  I turn to Jen – “we have to win this” – she nods.

Crosby gets our winning goal and the crowd … well…. “goes wild” would be a gross understatement.  There’s a popping noise on either side of the stage and we’re showered in confetti.   I thoughtfully cover my drink to protect against digesting one of the papery projectiles and the place turns into a dance party.

I'm part of something Big.  No matter what colour I'm wearing, you can tell who I'm cheering for.

Jessica Evans loves life in Vancouver - especially the parts that involve volunteering, riding bikes, or any combination thereof.  Follow her on Twitter as @jessicers.