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.

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.

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.

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!

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)

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?

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