I was reviewing these pics posted on MercuryNews.com. It’s amazing to see the devastation that these mudslides cause. This poor lady seems totally terrified too…

I’d be afraid at the age of 91

Glad this isn’t my house

Time for more change…

Work has been busy recently. I have been on the road for a few weeks and have a couple more weeks to go. I am currently staying offshore on a platform and things have been interesting so far. Two years ago, if you asked me if I’d ever visit an oil platform, I would have responded, “Yeah, right…”

The idea of building structures several miles offshore is kinda exciting. 

Platforms are fairly tall; my office sits a couple of hundred feet above sea level. If you tried jumping off the side, you probably wouldn’t survive the fall–if you did, you’d be pretty beat up. I have a great view of the Santa Barbara coastline. I didn’t realize that seals love oil platforms. Due to the fluctuations in the tides, seals will make their way onto the bottom-level pipes and landings. They just hang out there for hours. Tonight, I probably saw a couple dozen or so.

Recently, I have been on the road and started thinking about toilet paper. I noticed that Alaska Airlines uses two-ply toilet paper in their lavatories while other airlines use single-ply tp. Anyway, will somebody please explain to me why single-ply even exists? Seriously. It’s not like causes people to use less toilet paper. I’d argue that people end up using at least twice as much to protect themselves.

Now, some might argue that you need single-ply tp for airplanes, boats, porta potties, etc. so it decomposes quickly and easily. If this is the case, somebody needs to come up with an easily dissolvable toilet paper.

Recently, I gave in and purchased an iPhone. It has been a long time coming and I seriously tried to find an alternative (from AT&T). However, I couldn’t find a phone that browses the Internet better. I was also excited to try out some apps.

The last straw was this trip to the slope. I didn’t have high hopes of having that much to do when not working. My old BB curve was nearing the end of it’s life.

It’s been great to have games to play and other apps like WordPress! It allows me to blog while exercising at the gym (just finished rising a bike). Granted, I’m only doing this because I don’t I’ve much time to do things after work wihout sleeping less.

Working 12+ hour days the last week is something new for me. Having to get up between 4am and 5am each morning hasn’t been as bad I thought. It just means that I need to go to bed earlier (which hasn’t happened).

I have been intrigued by the rotations that people have been working up here. Two weeks on, two weeks off is pretty common. It’s really not that bad. You work 6 months of the year and get 6 off. Not bad. Overall, you might work more hours, but you get way more time off!

It’s been an interesting week. I’ve had the lucky opportunity to travel up to Alaska on business and visit the North Slope. It’s like no other trip that I’ve ever taken. I really didn’t know what to expect when I got here. I had to take some “arctic survival” training before even flying up to Deadhorse, AK because we’re coming up during the winter months.

Deadhorse is such an interesting place. It’s populated by hundreds of individuals working almost exclusively for the oil and gas industry. Lots of warehouses and equipment all here to support the drilling and other activities going on. I must say that the accommodations have been much better than expected. The Aurora is a fairly new hotel with lots of great ammenities: flat screen TVs, satellite TV, Internet access, tons of food, a gym, laundry facilities, etc. Maybe I’m just lucky, but it’s been a pretty nice gig given the remote environment that we’re working.

In honor of all who lost their lives 8 years ago.

(Source: Associated Press)

So, I’ve been thinking about our current economic situation and what the current administration has done. While I don’t agree with many of Obama’s stances and policies, I have found myself willing to take advantage of the “free money” he’s offering.

1) $8,000 to new home buyers
2) Upcoming “Cash for clunkers” $4,500

Even before the economy tanked, Diane and I were already planning to purchase a home in 2009. However, we sure didn’t mind getting $8,000 cash back from the government. Not to mention the killer interest rate (low 4%)–although, I don’t give Obama credit for that.

Now, there’s the “Cash for Clunkers” bill that was just passed by the Senate. Diane and I were already planning to purchase a Smart car (ordered it last August). If it passes the House, then we’ll score another $4,500 from the fed (not actual cash back, but $ knocked off the total price).

All in all, we’re set to receive $12K+ from the government. While I haven’t championed or supported these bills, I’ve definitely taken advantage of them. Conflict of interest?

So, I’m looking to change a flight from one month to another due to circumstances that changed two days after making the reservations. Cost to change each ticket: $150!!! The price of each ticket for the old and new flight: $215!! What on earth are they thinking?

Let Continental and all other airlines that gouge you with such fees go bankrupt.