One month down since our return to South Texas and the temps are hanging around the mid nineties but the humidity is more than stifling. Were reminded that the "Real Feel" is more like close to triple digits. Anyway, I step out of our little Castle here and my glasses immediately steam over. Quite hilarious to the workers I'm trying to sign in. I keep trying to get Jerry Lewis out of my mind while playing it cool. What???. Anyway the grind continues. We had a few days off this month but picked up another gig for six weeks. Two weeks down and four to go before a break where we can go to town together, have dinner or expect some privacy or even a little freedom. Maybe even sleep together as Lisa has the bed at night and I claim it during the day. As I write this however, our life is nothing compared to the average oil worker. Folks that checked in sixteen hours ago are still working. In the intense heat and humidity these guys have been working sixteen hours in full PPE consisting of Steel toed Boots, Flame retardant coveralls and hard hats. Their work week varies. Some guys work six twelve hour days with three off and some much longer. Yeah they make a lot of money but seeing the exhaustion on their faces when they are leaving, man they earn it. I have to admit though we could be in a less picturesque location.
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Not sure it was ever mentioned before but the job consists working out of your own rv as an independent contractor as a low level security officer that you are required to be licensed for by the State of Texas. The contractor company provides a trailer that consists of holding tanks for sewer and non potable water and a Diesel generator that runs 24/7. The ramifications of this means unlimited power for ac microwave etc. Long showers if you so desire and a free parking spot that does not cost between twenty and sixty dollars a day. In addition, the pay is for 24 hours seven days a week. OK, the hourly is not that great but the monthly take home isn't bad. On a slow gate your time is your own other than somebody has to be awake both night and day A Frac operation is much busier and pays better. Food is the biggest expense and you might have to go anywhere's from ten to fifty miles to get it. We are both quite the accomplished chef's for the simple meals we prepare.
There has been a rumor promulgated by several internet blogs that a gate guard was either injured or killed recently run over by a truck. Certainly plausible to us who work day in and day out a few feet from these moving vehicles. Just a few short weeks ago we also learned of another guard who was beaten and robbed who worked for this company. That incident occurred near the border. what Lisa and I, as well as others believe in all liklihood this cash cow will not last forever. Our presence here might prevent some theft and accountability for some damage that might occur, we are but a holdover from old agreements between landowner's and the Energy companies. Therefore we will ride it to the bitter end. Word is technology (license plate recognition) and insertion of guard shacks will replace the RV.
The news right now is reporting that a guy, swimming at night (Dumbass) was bitten (not eaten) by an Alligator. This place is only 35 miles from here. Something else to worry about if we wind up by a body of water.
As an aside, the news is also reporting, with video, a Great White snagging a chum bucket from a fishing boat. This didn't happen here but recently Great Whites were reported to be off the Gulf coast of Texas. I was going to buy a kayak to fish with but the picture in my head of that huge shark rising to get the chum bucket keeps turning into a Kayak. Not that I'm (Squack), a (Cluck) Chicken (Brrrruuuuuck).
In just minutes a beautiful picturesque scene evolves from this...
To this.......
To this.
A nighttime view from the window of our neighbors. The donkey introduced to us as "Al Gore", no relation of course, by the landowner is not around right now. And since it rained frickin buckets yesterday part of the road is washed out. Though we seem to be pretty water tight, I have to tinker with stuff almost daily to keep everything running. Last week we had to disassemble the A/C to run a toothbrush over the coils and remove tons of dirt that had gotten by the filters. I just replaced two lights and removed the front window to replace the caulking. More electrical stuff needs attention. Escapee's has a reportedley good RV Doctor class that I need to attend.
And a nighttime view of the rig about a half mile away. Note the slow neighbor getting across the road.
The first time I saw the exhausted worker's leave I was reminded when I was but 21 years old and living in Boise. I'd made a new friend Jeff, my new room mate for the summer and we had decided to try and get a job with the Railroad. After a few calls, we were told to drive to a remote location approximately fifty miles away and talk with the foreman of an"extra gang" of "Gandy Dancer's". When we got there, we were told to wait at the side and watch. Apparently somebody quit and the foreman came over and asked which of us wanted the job. Jeff went first. Somebody else must have quit and I was hired. The next nine or ten weeks I remember as blur of pounding spikes and madly shoveling ballast, (gravel) in order to raise the rails. Up at four each morning to drive fifty miles in a broken down Corvette Convertible. Home by six, (home was a rented room in a college dorm) exhausted and repeat.
Found this on You Tube made about the same time we were so occupied. Personally, I think they are standing around too much. We'd a got in trouble. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r_cI3kYYhM
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