Sci Fi Story

Hmm, I see that some people have continued on my post long ago, and feel obliged to fill people in on my recent escapades.

I quit the alaskan job after being singled out and reprimanded with a 6 month reduction in pay. Basically, I told them where they could shove their job. Three days later I packed up half my belongings and drove down to Louisiana from Wisconsin. The job interview went like this...

Interview #1 with Mike, the Bigwig, North American District Manager.
"Well, I suppose you want to get to work as soon as possible?"
"Yeah, I could start right away."
"So what have you been up to?"
"Alaska, Sperry, total crap."
"Hmm, AJ took a couple of days off, and I don't want to step on his toes."
"I understand."
"Come in and see AJ on Monday."

The weekend passes with a couple of beers and some good local bands. My brother arrives back in town, and we have dinner. I play with my niece and his dogs.

Interview #2 AJ Gulf Coast District Manager.
"Well, you ready to come back to work."
"Yeah."
"Can you pass the physical?"
"Yeah, I just took one 9 months ago for Sperry."
"Really! Well, come back and see me after the physical."
"m'K, Thanks AJ."
"Man, its good to have you back."

Its nice to be a highly desired and respected commodity!

Needless to say I pass the physical, urine sample, and am given an offer. I put my gear in storage and drive back to Wisconsin. My mother has gotten carpet installed in the basement, and all of the furniture I had removed to storage now needs to be returned. This is the first of many projects she is doing, and being the ever indulging momma's boy that I am I suffer through the week of moving furniture over and over again. I am accosted by woman 4 days before I leave, and burn the candle at both ends to satisfy my mother's needs and the needs of a woman that is way too young for me(but legal). I spend the weekend loading my car up with gear and not sleeping.

the trip
I drive down to Louisiana with the remainder of my possessions. I stopped in Memphis, where I had a police officer threaten to arrest me for giving charity, wth. The only other exciting thing to mention is that my kayak and snowboards were tied down on top of my auto, and the snowboards wore through my straps in the center of Jackson, MS at about 60 mph. Luckily, I was in the right hand lane, and the boards were nearly unscathed and untrammeled.

I arrived on last Wednesday and went into the office for the usual paperwork Thursday morning. Friday, I attended a Helicopter Underwater Egress Course. This involves watching four hours of video, and then pool work in the afternoon. We practiced jumping off of a platform in the event of emergencies, how to make a life preserver out of your clothes, the correct ways to group together once in the water, and then we had four rides in the helicopter simulator. Two times it drops to the water and you have to evacuate with it right side up, and two times you drop to the water, it flips upside down and then you evacuate. Actually, quite fun. Later that night I went out with Bro Joe, and was proposed to by a beautiful woman. Wow, my mojo is definitely working right now.

I spent the weekend watching my brother's dogs. He went to Destin, FL with his wife, daughter and most of her family. Saturday, I went to the 25th Zydeco Festival in Plaisance, LA.

I lined up an apartment on Tuesday, and Thursday was spent moving in. Just waiting around the house to go offshore again.

Oh well, same ol' same ol. I'll try to catch up on everyones blog's this week. I hope all is well.

cheers,
B