worked nightshift due to there may be snow tonight. We were told to come in at 8pm last night and work to 4am, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense as this gives us less sleep for snow shift for the next day while operating a fully loaded tandem. Yeah, less sleep is always a good idea while driving, right???
I believe there is some kind of weird power struggle going on here at P25, which is totally elusive to me. I do get the message though - "someone else is the boss, and it's not me." (insert raspberry here--not the fruit kind either).
My thought here is quit with the power struggle, which wastes time, money and weakens your manpower and instead lets safely work.
Tonight I was sent over to Patrol 03 to help with pot holing and then sent back to my patrol 25 as they had too much help and were unable to justify it on a work order. Was able to ask a few questions with P03 and not get the intimidating irritation or shoulder shrug that is so off-putting. It was refreshing to have a decent work conversation without any weird underlying tensions. Plus I also got the scivvy on why P24 got the new TMIII they got instead of my TMII who is still a big baby about not being promoted to that position. Anyway the new P24-TMIII was able to drive our whole Lincoln area point out all the items that needed work and correctly put them by priority in a 12 page document and no one else was able to do that. Very impressive indeed.
Patrolled the road for debris, got fuel and then back to my patrol, where we worked to get our list of work duties finished for the rest of the shift. Morning crew left us a 3 foot pile of slicer on the shed floor to clean up, which caused some slight irritations with the night crew. No matter, we all work well together and we laughed and joked while working the rest of the evening and making our way through the assignment list.
That's all my boring news today.
Love, L
PS I did forget to drain out the attenuator air brakes. They should be drained since it's cold and it's a possibility to have water condense and freeze in them which is not good, which I'm certain to pay for at a later date even though I know plenty of "others" have forgotten to do this too.
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Dear Friend...
Two nights of snow shift, Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th. The first night is on a holiday so double-time and a half! Money Money Money!! Yeah, baby that's what I'm talking about! It's actually really not that much and even though money is helpful it's not the greatest thing in the world. Sometimes I think that going back to our nomadic times would be great and then I remember that there are still nomadic communities today and that I am not that impressed by their begging, stealing and unkempt ways when they return to my community.
Monday night we didn't get a lot of snow at first and since the night crew all got a "talk" about how we had put too much product on my road yet we were getting "ice calls" from the police to put down more product we were hesitant to use any this night. After awhile we got hammered and "lost the road" which only means it was snow packed when all the other patrols used product and had clear roads. A lot of product at first can help keep the road cleared of snow. Day crew didn't get the road back until the next day at 8am because the day crew gets the added help of the wonderful sun to melt the snow.
Tuesday night we didn't get any snow. It was a decent evening. It was an evening of safety washing trucks and cleaning bay floors so the day crew wouldn't be walking in a bunch of muck and we also patrolled the road. We assisted another patrol with looking for a shed on the road since we were out patrolling our road and were nearby. It was pretty funny when we called the other patrol on the radio that we would assist with looking for a shed on their road. They responded "what??? a shed??? did you say there's a shed on our road?" We all laughed at their response. Yep that's a big 10-4, shed. We were unable to locate it (UTL).
C1, the night crew lead, is sad this night due to the inconsistencies of treatment and he got in trouble for a lot of stuff that he has no control over. For example, he gets blamed for everything that's broken on the truck he drives and yet he is not the only driver for that truck. There's some interesting power struggles going on here with the TMII. Especially since they hired his best friend Q and Q does not get written up for things he breaks like a fender and the rams head on a plow, which are very big deals. Plus Q was supposed to drive the crappy truck I got placed in 1058 and I find out the next day he got to drive 1116 which was not supposed to be driven because the wing is not working but a much nicer truck. Plus why dirty another truck unnecessarily? They are not easy to clean and take a huge amount of water to get them slightly clean.
For supper this night C2's wife made us chili and brought it by the shed. They have very cute little boy Ryker who is not yet 2 years old, and after I washed my hands I got to hold and play with Ryker since he is not walking yet. He's a happy boy and I got him to smile lots. It was nice to be reminded of the joys of new beginnings and new life. This was one of the nicest things to happen this night and the night crew all get along even with me. The day crew are an uptight bunch perhaps it's because they have to deal with the TMII all day and he seems to promote inconsistency plus everyone calls him a big baby, even he does.
Update for the previous weeks' Thursday snow shift: remember I wrote that Q on Friday morning said Founders was slicker than snot. Well I got into big trouble for putting too much product on the road. sigh. How ironic is that??? Which means he was misinformed if he thinks or said that. What a brat and that's the type of rotten underhanded manipulation that goes on here to try to undermine my confidence.
I'm still sick to my stomach about "the talk." I try to move on and forward and think of ways to get over it. But the TMII also stated in my "talk" that "things were not working out." uh-oh and exactly what does he mean by that??? Yeah, yeah, I know exactly what he means by that and you do too.
Thursday the 15th when we were going to go out to sweep, there was a slight incident with me not strapping down the engine hood straps and the TMII was standing by the hood smoking with another coworker J2. I noticed he was there and since I don't trust him I stood on the other side. He noticed that I had not hooked them and he grouchily said, "look at this, see???," while snapping the loose hood latch. Uh-oh, I am sick to my stomach because I know that whatever's wrong is going to be held against me. I had forgotten to hook both sides and I'm glad he caught this as getting out on the road could have been ugly with that hood being caught in the wind and ripped off. But he didn't really tell me about it and I wonder inside if he would have. I came around and tried to snap it closed and he meanly said "oh do you want me to get this for you???" insinuating that I can't even do that part of my job correctly.
Side note: many guys have forgotten to actually hook those latches and in fact K and I were out on the road once this past summer when I informed him that the hood didn't seem latched at all. He was like no it's fine and I said ok but it would only take a minute to check it because it seems really loose. We pulled over and we checked them, both were unlatched and he told me good catch. Yet, I don't do my job correctly when it's me. Perhaps I'm being overly sensitive but I don't believe so and yet why wouldn't I be? Isn't that the atmosphere that's being promoted for me here???
side note #2: my boss, TMIII - M1, watches closely what everyone does, as he should. He informed me that he noticed that everyone was standing around and he couldn't find me in the group that was standing around doing nothing. He then kept looking and found me hard at work and told me he thought to himself, "of course, I should have known better that that's what she'd be doing." It's nice that he notes that I do this and let's me know that he is happy with my work performance by letting me know that he notices how hard I work.
That's all my news and thoughts for now.
My apologies if it's an inconsistent ramble, it helps to write about it.
Send me all the news.
Love, L
Monday night we didn't get a lot of snow at first and since the night crew all got a "talk" about how we had put too much product on my road yet we were getting "ice calls" from the police to put down more product we were hesitant to use any this night. After awhile we got hammered and "lost the road" which only means it was snow packed when all the other patrols used product and had clear roads. A lot of product at first can help keep the road cleared of snow. Day crew didn't get the road back until the next day at 8am because the day crew gets the added help of the wonderful sun to melt the snow.
Tuesday night we didn't get any snow. It was a decent evening. It was an evening of safety washing trucks and cleaning bay floors so the day crew wouldn't be walking in a bunch of muck and we also patrolled the road. We assisted another patrol with looking for a shed on the road since we were out patrolling our road and were nearby. It was pretty funny when we called the other patrol on the radio that we would assist with looking for a shed on their road. They responded "what??? a shed??? did you say there's a shed on our road?" We all laughed at their response. Yep that's a big 10-4, shed. We were unable to locate it (UTL).
C1, the night crew lead, is sad this night due to the inconsistencies of treatment and he got in trouble for a lot of stuff that he has no control over. For example, he gets blamed for everything that's broken on the truck he drives and yet he is not the only driver for that truck. There's some interesting power struggles going on here with the TMII. Especially since they hired his best friend Q and Q does not get written up for things he breaks like a fender and the rams head on a plow, which are very big deals. Plus Q was supposed to drive the crappy truck I got placed in 1058 and I find out the next day he got to drive 1116 which was not supposed to be driven because the wing is not working but a much nicer truck. Plus why dirty another truck unnecessarily? They are not easy to clean and take a huge amount of water to get them slightly clean.
For supper this night C2's wife made us chili and brought it by the shed. They have very cute little boy Ryker who is not yet 2 years old, and after I washed my hands I got to hold and play with Ryker since he is not walking yet. He's a happy boy and I got him to smile lots. It was nice to be reminded of the joys of new beginnings and new life. This was one of the nicest things to happen this night and the night crew all get along even with me. The day crew are an uptight bunch perhaps it's because they have to deal with the TMII all day and he seems to promote inconsistency plus everyone calls him a big baby, even he does.
Update for the previous weeks' Thursday snow shift: remember I wrote that Q on Friday morning said Founders was slicker than snot. Well I got into big trouble for putting too much product on the road. sigh. How ironic is that??? Which means he was misinformed if he thinks or said that. What a brat and that's the type of rotten underhanded manipulation that goes on here to try to undermine my confidence.
I'm still sick to my stomach about "the talk." I try to move on and forward and think of ways to get over it. But the TMII also stated in my "talk" that "things were not working out." uh-oh and exactly what does he mean by that??? Yeah, yeah, I know exactly what he means by that and you do too.
Thursday the 15th when we were going to go out to sweep, there was a slight incident with me not strapping down the engine hood straps and the TMII was standing by the hood smoking with another coworker J2. I noticed he was there and since I don't trust him I stood on the other side. He noticed that I had not hooked them and he grouchily said, "look at this, see???," while snapping the loose hood latch. Uh-oh, I am sick to my stomach because I know that whatever's wrong is going to be held against me. I had forgotten to hook both sides and I'm glad he caught this as getting out on the road could have been ugly with that hood being caught in the wind and ripped off. But he didn't really tell me about it and I wonder inside if he would have. I came around and tried to snap it closed and he meanly said "oh do you want me to get this for you???" insinuating that I can't even do that part of my job correctly.
Side note: many guys have forgotten to actually hook those latches and in fact K and I were out on the road once this past summer when I informed him that the hood didn't seem latched at all. He was like no it's fine and I said ok but it would only take a minute to check it because it seems really loose. We pulled over and we checked them, both were unlatched and he told me good catch. Yet, I don't do my job correctly when it's me. Perhaps I'm being overly sensitive but I don't believe so and yet why wouldn't I be? Isn't that the atmosphere that's being promoted for me here???
side note #2: my boss, TMIII - M1, watches closely what everyone does, as he should. He informed me that he noticed that everyone was standing around and he couldn't find me in the group that was standing around doing nothing. He then kept looking and found me hard at work and told me he thought to himself, "of course, I should have known better that that's what she'd be doing." It's nice that he notes that I do this and let's me know that he is happy with my work performance by letting me know that he notices how hard I work.
That's all my news and thoughts for now.
My apologies if it's an inconsistent ramble, it helps to write about it.
Send me all the news.
Love, L
Friday, February 16, 2018
Dear Friend...
Snowshift was the order for today, 3pm to 3am, which thankfully and wisely got changed to 6am so that the night crew would not have to return again that day to finish out their 40 hour work week. One of the very few nice things about this week.
I drove Sonny Boy(SB - 1417) this night and SB tops out at 45 miles per hour in 10th gear. Yep, SB has a manual transmission. At times I had trouble double clutching because all that was on my mind was "the talk" that I cannot seem to recover from.
Side note: the company made me, at my cost ($475), remove the manual transmission restriction from my cdl, yet there are several temporaries and full-time male employees that have this restriction. I find this point ironic. I am certain a man would find it argumentative.
Arrived at the shop at 3pm to find that I would be following the sweeper until the snow came in that wasn't expected until 6pm. I was a little surprised at this action due to the massive snow-like clouds that seemed really near. But what the hell do I know right?? I wisely kept quiet and did as I am told. Pre-tripped the attenuator and then had time to pre-trip SB the midrange truck I would use for sanding this night. As K and I headed out to sweep, snow came in. K informed me he made a call to the ones in charge of our assignment and we were instructed to return and load up our trucks with slicer and get out on the road.
side note 2: I noticed that K would pre-trip his tandem before doing other assignments so that he would be quickly ready to go on snow shift. It's little things like this that would be helpful. In Ned, we didn't have any downtime before a storm it was pre-trip and go, hence my lack of forethought regarding this issue and the guys complaint about me being slow to pre-trip and their excuse to not load me like the others load each other.
To be fair to myself, there have been times when I am ready and in line with the guys to get slicer (sand, salt mix) in my truck and the guys hop out of the loader and make me load my own truck so my ignorance and innocence over loading others in line has to do with those in the shop unwilling to mention this said action. So simple really. I'm still a little out of sorts, so to speak, about it as it's still not something that has ever yet been directly stated to me and I will need to confirm my suspicions at a later date when everyone is not so grouchy over me asking so many questions. Such a simple item and yet I'm hesitant to inquire about it. The atmosphere of indifference and irritability is difficult to overcome and intimidating.
Snow shift was busy for me as I had snow all night. The Three Amigos (C1, C2 and K) as I like to call them had some down time and were able to take a dinner break on the side of the road on an onramp as they do on nights like this night and additional other short breaks for coffee, etc.
After snow shift, I happened to be in the shed when Q and C1 were speaking about the night and Q mentioned how Founders (which was my road) was slippery as snot. I noticed out of my peripheral vision that C2 shrugged his shoulder and looked my way and of course Q gave a look of understanding. Another mark against me for going too slow, not putting down enough slicer, etc, etc the list goes on and on and on. I was told to put down a certain amount of slicer and was unsure whether or not to increase the suggested amount. Because as I have been previously informed that I know nothing and when I am told to do something I should do it without question.
To be fair to myself again, I was unsure whether I needed to increase this amount so I was hesitant to make the increase. I'm told I won't be in trouble yet every time I turn I've made an incorrect decision. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't here. I did finally increase the amount by a whole lot and I hope I won't be in trouble most likely I'll be in trouble for not increasing it sooner and for the 15 minute break I did finally take.
To be fair to the guys, they did come and help me a couple of times with pulling out snow from turn lanes and shoulders and the main road. To be fair to me, perhaps they should have helped me more since they had the time???
What am I doing here??? I ask myself that everyday and I know you do too.
simple: I need a job that will pay my bills and I feel that I do not have a lot of options at the moment and to be fair it is interesting. Sometimes I see this as the kid who continuously hits his head against the wall and likes it. so sad.
Is it worth it? Only time will tell. It is quite the adventure and learning experience, in fact.
Love, L
..."and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep." (Robert Frost - Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening)
I drove Sonny Boy(SB - 1417) this night and SB tops out at 45 miles per hour in 10th gear. Yep, SB has a manual transmission. At times I had trouble double clutching because all that was on my mind was "the talk" that I cannot seem to recover from.
Side note: the company made me, at my cost ($475), remove the manual transmission restriction from my cdl, yet there are several temporaries and full-time male employees that have this restriction. I find this point ironic. I am certain a man would find it argumentative.
Arrived at the shop at 3pm to find that I would be following the sweeper until the snow came in that wasn't expected until 6pm. I was a little surprised at this action due to the massive snow-like clouds that seemed really near. But what the hell do I know right?? I wisely kept quiet and did as I am told. Pre-tripped the attenuator and then had time to pre-trip SB the midrange truck I would use for sanding this night. As K and I headed out to sweep, snow came in. K informed me he made a call to the ones in charge of our assignment and we were instructed to return and load up our trucks with slicer and get out on the road.
side note 2: I noticed that K would pre-trip his tandem before doing other assignments so that he would be quickly ready to go on snow shift. It's little things like this that would be helpful. In Ned, we didn't have any downtime before a storm it was pre-trip and go, hence my lack of forethought regarding this issue and the guys complaint about me being slow to pre-trip and their excuse to not load me like the others load each other.
To be fair to myself, there have been times when I am ready and in line with the guys to get slicer (sand, salt mix) in my truck and the guys hop out of the loader and make me load my own truck so my ignorance and innocence over loading others in line has to do with those in the shop unwilling to mention this said action. So simple really. I'm still a little out of sorts, so to speak, about it as it's still not something that has ever yet been directly stated to me and I will need to confirm my suspicions at a later date when everyone is not so grouchy over me asking so many questions. Such a simple item and yet I'm hesitant to inquire about it. The atmosphere of indifference and irritability is difficult to overcome and intimidating.
Snow shift was busy for me as I had snow all night. The Three Amigos (C1, C2 and K) as I like to call them had some down time and were able to take a dinner break on the side of the road on an onramp as they do on nights like this night and additional other short breaks for coffee, etc.
After snow shift, I happened to be in the shed when Q and C1 were speaking about the night and Q mentioned how Founders (which was my road) was slippery as snot. I noticed out of my peripheral vision that C2 shrugged his shoulder and looked my way and of course Q gave a look of understanding. Another mark against me for going too slow, not putting down enough slicer, etc, etc the list goes on and on and on. I was told to put down a certain amount of slicer and was unsure whether or not to increase the suggested amount. Because as I have been previously informed that I know nothing and when I am told to do something I should do it without question.
To be fair to myself again, I was unsure whether I needed to increase this amount so I was hesitant to make the increase. I'm told I won't be in trouble yet every time I turn I've made an incorrect decision. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't here. I did finally increase the amount by a whole lot and I hope I won't be in trouble most likely I'll be in trouble for not increasing it sooner and for the 15 minute break I did finally take.
To be fair to the guys, they did come and help me a couple of times with pulling out snow from turn lanes and shoulders and the main road. To be fair to me, perhaps they should have helped me more since they had the time???
What am I doing here??? I ask myself that everyday and I know you do too.
simple: I need a job that will pay my bills and I feel that I do not have a lot of options at the moment and to be fair it is interesting. Sometimes I see this as the kid who continuously hits his head against the wall and likes it. so sad.
Is it worth it? Only time will tell. It is quite the adventure and learning experience, in fact.
Love, L
..."and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep." (Robert Frost - Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening)
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Dear Friend...
The order for today was sweeping. Thank goodness I'm not stuck at the shed today with everyone. I followed the sweeper in the attenuator down I-25 to give safety coverage. Things are a bit strange here at work and all are uptight. Luckily I spoke to the night crew leader yesterday about my talk letting him know that if anything strange came up that I did not throw the night crew under the bus. He and the other night crew members got to work a little bit together yesterday and I believe they discussed some things and my comment to him. Luckily I got the opportunity to do so as there were strange individual quick meetings this morning. Don't know what about but the night crew still seem slightly approachable. Unlike some of the others. It's a fairly pleasant day since I am mostly on my own following a coworker. It would have been unbearable if I would have had to stay at the shed today.
Another strange thing happened in the patrol (shed - used interchangeably) next door this past week. The south gate at the Larkspur sand station was pulverized and the higher ups have created a case against a new employee in that patrol. The case is to fire the person. Earlier this week I noticed how sad this worker seemed and he had come over to speak with me and another coworker as my coworker M2 stated "hey, I hear you're trying to be like me and run things over. don't do that." he laughed and I laughed but he seemed more disheartened and concerned and insisted that he did not damage the gate. That he would call R his TMII immediately if he had done such a thing. I believe him and at the time, I thought he was speaking about our front gate to our super shed area (two patrols together with separate sheds) and was confused about all the ruckus since the gate seemed fine.
Turns out it's the gate at Larkspur and unknown to me I had pertinent information regarding the gate. As I recently returned home in the wee hours one morning after working a night shift I noticed a semi-tractor with flat trailer that had some bundles on it in the Larkspur sand shed area and thought how strange that it was there as it is not open to the public. I thought nothing more of it and then when I returned to work during the next day during daylight hours I noticed the gate was pulverized and I thought to myself "how cool" as it looked like someone had bashed through it with something really big and I envisioned all the movies where I had seen some big vehicle bash through a gate or fence. I happily went on to work and about my work week.
Today I texted a coworker that there seemed to be a hoopla going on at the shed next door and I had noticed that he was part of the "troops mustering." He informed me naw it was just new employee snow training and that the higher ups were here building a case against the sad worried coworker regarding that gate at Larkspur and were on the verge of firing him. ugh and uh-oh.
I was torn. Do I butt in and say something??? Especially since the sad coworker was not that great of an employee and that shed was disappointed in his performance. And most especially since I was just in the "hot seat" do I place myself back in the "hot seat" and interfere? Of course, I knew that I would interfere the minute I found out about the misinformation and the case that was incorrectly being built against the sad coworker. Because aren't he and I in the same situation?? I was still concerned since I didn't want any rebound to myself (survival instinct kicking in here - maybe I am a wolf??). I went immediately to my TMII and asked to speak with him privately. I am certain he was thinking oh, boy, here we go again. I told him what I knew and also saw him mulling it over about the right and wrong of saying or not saying anything. He left. I think he went to look at the gate to see if what I said could be true. He came back and went next door.
I hope the right things happen for the right reasons today.
Be brave.
Love, L
Another strange thing happened in the patrol (shed - used interchangeably) next door this past week. The south gate at the Larkspur sand station was pulverized and the higher ups have created a case against a new employee in that patrol. The case is to fire the person. Earlier this week I noticed how sad this worker seemed and he had come over to speak with me and another coworker as my coworker M2 stated "hey, I hear you're trying to be like me and run things over. don't do that." he laughed and I laughed but he seemed more disheartened and concerned and insisted that he did not damage the gate. That he would call R his TMII immediately if he had done such a thing. I believe him and at the time, I thought he was speaking about our front gate to our super shed area (two patrols together with separate sheds) and was confused about all the ruckus since the gate seemed fine.
Turns out it's the gate at Larkspur and unknown to me I had pertinent information regarding the gate. As I recently returned home in the wee hours one morning after working a night shift I noticed a semi-tractor with flat trailer that had some bundles on it in the Larkspur sand shed area and thought how strange that it was there as it is not open to the public. I thought nothing more of it and then when I returned to work during the next day during daylight hours I noticed the gate was pulverized and I thought to myself "how cool" as it looked like someone had bashed through it with something really big and I envisioned all the movies where I had seen some big vehicle bash through a gate or fence. I happily went on to work and about my work week.
Today I texted a coworker that there seemed to be a hoopla going on at the shed next door and I had noticed that he was part of the "troops mustering." He informed me naw it was just new employee snow training and that the higher ups were here building a case against the sad worried coworker regarding that gate at Larkspur and were on the verge of firing him. ugh and uh-oh.
I was torn. Do I butt in and say something??? Especially since the sad coworker was not that great of an employee and that shed was disappointed in his performance. And most especially since I was just in the "hot seat" do I place myself back in the "hot seat" and interfere? Of course, I knew that I would interfere the minute I found out about the misinformation and the case that was incorrectly being built against the sad coworker. Because aren't he and I in the same situation?? I was still concerned since I didn't want any rebound to myself (survival instinct kicking in here - maybe I am a wolf??). I went immediately to my TMII and asked to speak with him privately. I am certain he was thinking oh, boy, here we go again. I told him what I knew and also saw him mulling it over about the right and wrong of saying or not saying anything. He left. I think he went to look at the gate to see if what I said could be true. He came back and went next door.
I hope the right things happen for the right reasons today.
Be brave.
Love, L
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Dear Friend...
I'm bothered by "the talk." Still sick to my stomach over it and cannot sleep.
First thing that bother's me is that I'm considered argumentative. How can I be argumentative here when even after 8 months I've barely said 100 words here???
Second thing, is that I come across as a "know-it-all" and because of this the guys are reluctant to help anyone who comes across as a know-it-all. Not that they help me anyway so no loss here and I guess this is a win-win for everyone as they get to label me as a "know-it-all and still not help me or speak to me. I am well read and because of this I get labeled for being a "know-it-all?" Again refer to "First thing" I've barely said 100 words here in the past 8 months.
Third thing, I'm a huge exaggerator. Again refer to "First and Second things," I've barely spoken 100 words here at work. Where and when in the whole world (see the exaggeration?? no?? How about whole wide world??) would I be able to exaggerate when I barely speak?
I just wonder how HR would label the "rebar incident" since I labeled it as highly dangerous and MB labeled it as careless. ugh Carelessly dangerous, yeah.
I've gone over in my mind why I got "the talk" and I think it's to "cover" everyone's butts. Although, what they are covering I have no clue (see I'm not a know-it-all). I guess it's ok to throw things like that around here since it's only just careless.
Send me all the news as it's got to be better than mine.
Love, L
PS --- side note: I did walk the shop to measure how far it is from halfway to the outside as part of MB's accusation is that he could not have thrown the 5 foot pry bar as far as I have stated, hence I'm a huge exaggerator. It was 32 feet. My accusation was 55 and it went beyond the outside by another 20 feet but that may be a slight exaggeration as it may only have been 15 feet further outside.
PPS --- I was once told by a previous very wise boss of mine that I will always be seen as argumentative because I always bring up good points and this in a woman is seen as argumentative but he said in a man it's seen as being a good leader. He stated it wasn't fair but would always be that way.
PPSS -- BTW it's probably 100 words a day. So maybe I am an exaggerator??? ha but not by much. Although that 100 words per day is probably a huge exaggeration as it's probably a lot less.
First thing that bother's me is that I'm considered argumentative. How can I be argumentative here when even after 8 months I've barely said 100 words here???
Second thing, is that I come across as a "know-it-all" and because of this the guys are reluctant to help anyone who comes across as a know-it-all. Not that they help me anyway so no loss here and I guess this is a win-win for everyone as they get to label me as a "know-it-all and still not help me or speak to me. I am well read and because of this I get labeled for being a "know-it-all?" Again refer to "First thing" I've barely said 100 words here in the past 8 months.
Third thing, I'm a huge exaggerator. Again refer to "First and Second things," I've barely spoken 100 words here at work. Where and when in the whole world (see the exaggeration?? no?? How about whole wide world??) would I be able to exaggerate when I barely speak?
I just wonder how HR would label the "rebar incident" since I labeled it as highly dangerous and MB labeled it as careless. ugh Carelessly dangerous, yeah.
I've gone over in my mind why I got "the talk" and I think it's to "cover" everyone's butts. Although, what they are covering I have no clue (see I'm not a know-it-all). I guess it's ok to throw things like that around here since it's only just careless.
Send me all the news as it's got to be better than mine.
Love, L
PS --- side note: I did walk the shop to measure how far it is from halfway to the outside as part of MB's accusation is that he could not have thrown the 5 foot pry bar as far as I have stated, hence I'm a huge exaggerator. It was 32 feet. My accusation was 55 and it went beyond the outside by another 20 feet but that may be a slight exaggeration as it may only have been 15 feet further outside.
PPS --- I was once told by a previous very wise boss of mine that I will always be seen as argumentative because I always bring up good points and this in a woman is seen as argumentative but he said in a man it's seen as being a good leader. He stated it wasn't fair but would always be that way.
PPSS -- BTW it's probably 100 words a day. So maybe I am an exaggerator??? ha but not by much. Although that 100 words per day is probably a huge exaggeration as it's probably a lot less.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Dear Friend...
Please disregard my prior letter. Turns out I'm the one everyone was complaining about. How ironic is that? I'm the moron and idiot.
I did not mention the issue on Friday with the 5 foot rebar with pointed end that MB threw from inside the shop to outside the shop because he was mad and frustrated and everyone thinks it's no big deal. I saw it as highly dangerous. Later Q threw a light that was in his way and why not, the TMII throws things why not him too? Especially since they are best friends. I did try to speak to MB about this type of behavior but to tell the truth I was terrified to do so.
Today is Monday and I am the one that gets "the talk." I'm sick to my stomach over it. I'm told to be more like a wolf in this atmosphere and then in the same sentence I'm told I'm too argumentative. Say what??? I'm told to just ask questions and then I'm told that I ask too many questions. I'm told to be more helpful yet not shown how to be more helpful.
I really dislike it when humans bring in animal behavior to describe human behavior it's usually always used incorrectly and just causes more confusion and misunderstanding. All right, be more like a wolf, how about I rip your throat out like one???? ugh Although, nice to imagine, it's not realistic nor something that I desire.
So here I am, MB and I duking it out. I stated how dangerous he is and how everyone just ignores it. WOW, talk about ripping a throat out, MB ripped me a new one! Stating that I just accused everyone of covering up for him. He mentioned that if that's the case we should go to JL, J, W and all the higher ups that he knew and who he has worked for and with and how I have just accused all of them of a big cover up. Yikes! He accused me of being a major exaggerator and totally blew that one up and put a lot of words in my mouth that I did not say.
Trust me, I got the message loud and clear and it was that if anyone was going somewhere it was me.
The TMIII sat there through all of this trying to be somewhat of a mediator. This is new territory for him too. I think the guys just fisticuffs before me. I had the previous understanding that he would be fair, I was wrong. This is not the case and never will be. Men are going to stand by men and women are unpredictable. He will be fair when he can be but that's it. He will not be ostracized from the "brotherhood of men" because of me. The message is I'm on my own and I'd better be careful and I had better be careful on how I say things and when I say things and if I should say anything. Yet, be a wolf. They must mean a submissive wolf. I do not believe that they comprehend that even a submissive wolf is vicious wolf.
I get the feeling that MB is and has inferred to the TMIII that if I don't go that he and all the guys will walk out. I hope that my TMIII is strong enough and smart enough to call his bluff and say good riddance, if this happens. I don't believe he will be, although there is always hope.
I was also informed that MB and I will never get along or work well together. I disagree and I have hope that he will eventually see that I can and do work well with everyone. There has to be cooperation on both sides.
Even with all the fur flying, the meeting was helpful. There are two complaints about me. Yep, only two. I know right??? I thought there'd be a least a gazillion. I honestly expected more but hey two's good and I can work on those two items.
Complaint 1. I take way too long to do a pretrip for snowshift (uh-oh I see a safety issue popping up here). I guess I'm supposed to pencil whip even though both TMII and III stated that's not what they are saying although in my mind that is exactly the unspoken inference. Ugh, I am totally not comfortable with that;
Complaint 2. I am too argumentative (say what??? I thought you wanted a wolf??? -- I am so confused); so when told to do something just do and don't question it. These guys know way more than me (true) and there is a reason for each and every request so just do it. 10-4.
There was a third complaint from MB and that is that I am a super exaggerator. hmmm will have to work on that too.
Cleaning trucks and sanders was the order for the day today and I did get to empty and safety wash 1417 and scrub a sander after my 2 hour "talk."
I was told to be brave and to be a wolf. I stated I was brave everyday I woke up and came to work. I got an eye roll for that comment. As for the wolf thing, I don't believe they understand the true meaning. Besides I'm an eagle.
Love L
I did not mention the issue on Friday with the 5 foot rebar with pointed end that MB threw from inside the shop to outside the shop because he was mad and frustrated and everyone thinks it's no big deal. I saw it as highly dangerous. Later Q threw a light that was in his way and why not, the TMII throws things why not him too? Especially since they are best friends. I did try to speak to MB about this type of behavior but to tell the truth I was terrified to do so.
Today is Monday and I am the one that gets "the talk." I'm sick to my stomach over it. I'm told to be more like a wolf in this atmosphere and then in the same sentence I'm told I'm too argumentative. Say what??? I'm told to just ask questions and then I'm told that I ask too many questions. I'm told to be more helpful yet not shown how to be more helpful.
I really dislike it when humans bring in animal behavior to describe human behavior it's usually always used incorrectly and just causes more confusion and misunderstanding. All right, be more like a wolf, how about I rip your throat out like one???? ugh Although, nice to imagine, it's not realistic nor something that I desire.
So here I am, MB and I duking it out. I stated how dangerous he is and how everyone just ignores it. WOW, talk about ripping a throat out, MB ripped me a new one! Stating that I just accused everyone of covering up for him. He mentioned that if that's the case we should go to JL, J, W and all the higher ups that he knew and who he has worked for and with and how I have just accused all of them of a big cover up. Yikes! He accused me of being a major exaggerator and totally blew that one up and put a lot of words in my mouth that I did not say.
Trust me, I got the message loud and clear and it was that if anyone was going somewhere it was me.
The TMIII sat there through all of this trying to be somewhat of a mediator. This is new territory for him too. I think the guys just fisticuffs before me. I had the previous understanding that he would be fair, I was wrong. This is not the case and never will be. Men are going to stand by men and women are unpredictable. He will be fair when he can be but that's it. He will not be ostracized from the "brotherhood of men" because of me. The message is I'm on my own and I'd better be careful and I had better be careful on how I say things and when I say things and if I should say anything. Yet, be a wolf. They must mean a submissive wolf. I do not believe that they comprehend that even a submissive wolf is vicious wolf.
I get the feeling that MB is and has inferred to the TMIII that if I don't go that he and all the guys will walk out. I hope that my TMIII is strong enough and smart enough to call his bluff and say good riddance, if this happens. I don't believe he will be, although there is always hope.
I was also informed that MB and I will never get along or work well together. I disagree and I have hope that he will eventually see that I can and do work well with everyone. There has to be cooperation on both sides.
Even with all the fur flying, the meeting was helpful. There are two complaints about me. Yep, only two. I know right??? I thought there'd be a least a gazillion. I honestly expected more but hey two's good and I can work on those two items.
Complaint 1. I take way too long to do a pretrip for snowshift (uh-oh I see a safety issue popping up here). I guess I'm supposed to pencil whip even though both TMII and III stated that's not what they are saying although in my mind that is exactly the unspoken inference. Ugh, I am totally not comfortable with that;
Complaint 2. I am too argumentative (say what??? I thought you wanted a wolf??? -- I am so confused); so when told to do something just do and don't question it. These guys know way more than me (true) and there is a reason for each and every request so just do it. 10-4.
There was a third complaint from MB and that is that I am a super exaggerator. hmmm will have to work on that too.
Cleaning trucks and sanders was the order for the day today and I did get to empty and safety wash 1417 and scrub a sander after my 2 hour "talk."
I was told to be brave and to be a wolf. I stated I was brave everyday I woke up and came to work. I got an eye roll for that comment. As for the wolf thing, I don't believe they understand the true meaning. Besides I'm an eagle.
Love L
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Interesting links...
The General Pencil Company, of which I plan to seek out and support by buying their pencils.
Thank you New York Times.
Thank you New York Times.
Dear Friend...
lots happening at work, most of it boring and daily nonsensical items.
Had an interview with the company in a different region to get closer to home to not have such a long commute. The "good-ol'-boy network" is alive and well in this region and it will be a miracle if I ever get to transfer and despite all "my" issues where I'm at I do like my patrol. Anyway, it's ironic that the one person who gave me an excellent reference wasn't even someone I used as a reference. Just goes to show that you never know who will influence an important part of your life and to work well with everyone as you never know how they might affect your life at a later stage.
We did fix guardrail this week, which I would like doing if I wasn't in the way so much. Still trying to find the right "fit," plus guardrail is very heavy.
I've mostly been on snowshift with no snow all week until Saturday, Feb 10, wherein we did finally have 6 inches of snow.
This shift was trying due to the fact that when I get there the keys to the mid-range I've been assigned are missing. It takes me an hour to try to find them with text help from MB (TMII) who kept them in his coat pocket that is supposedly in his locker, which isn't. There are other coats there but not the one with the keys. I finally locate the keys in his jacket in the one-ton pickup. sigh.
Side note: the keys are supposed to be placed in a lock box when we are done with the truck. And to be fair, it is easy to forget to do this, which makes it frustrating for the next person but no big deal for the person it does not affect.
I am then told after just leaving to return because my tandem (tandems are bigger than midranges and hold more slicer -- hence the switch out), is now available as the driver who stayed longer to help is now leaving. Unfortunately this driver is not told that I am to take over for him, which would have been easy to let him know - MB could have and should have, sigh. MB is being a majorly passive aggressive punk because he believes I'm the one that complained about him earlier this week. Ironically, it wasn't me. It was a bunch of other people whom I believe I have given them the courage to finally speak up as I do. So ironically, indirectly, I guess it was me. This makes me pleasantly laugh inside.
I return and wait another half hour for this driver to show up. sigh. I wasn't much help for my night crew due to all the disturbances in my routine. Once again I am left with an empty truck nothing full except fuel, which unfortunately is par for the course for me. MB is all apologetic about it and I inform him succinctly that it doesn't matter that it's routine here (it happens almost every snowshift for me) and that I will take care of it. What's supposed to happen is that fuel, windshield wiper fluid, windows and mirrors cleaned, and slicer in the sander. I did make certain that I did this for the morning driver although I will state my windows and mirrors were not as clean as I would have liked and I let the driver know. (point for Team L - I'll pay for it later I am certain, I usually do).
The guys have been on edge all week and I've just been trying to stay out of the way. I find it ironic that Q, a coworker, dislikes me so much that he refuses to speak to me even when he needs help. It's a silly story that happened Friday, which I won't bother writing in detail about. Suffice it to say that he would rather hold a 50lb piece of equipment with one hand while holding a closed wrench with the other to tighten a nut rather than have me hold the wrench. Oh well, not my issue that he would rather physically hurt himself than speak to me to tell me to hold the wrench. I just try to stay out of his way. I got to grease a truck and graphite a plow this day too.
not good, not bad this week and I did enjoy plowing the snow I got to plow and I did enjoy the drive home at 3am afterward, so pleasant and quiet at this time.
That's life in a nutshell this week.
Send me all the news.
Love, L
Had an interview with the company in a different region to get closer to home to not have such a long commute. The "good-ol'-boy network" is alive and well in this region and it will be a miracle if I ever get to transfer and despite all "my" issues where I'm at I do like my patrol. Anyway, it's ironic that the one person who gave me an excellent reference wasn't even someone I used as a reference. Just goes to show that you never know who will influence an important part of your life and to work well with everyone as you never know how they might affect your life at a later stage.
We did fix guardrail this week, which I would like doing if I wasn't in the way so much. Still trying to find the right "fit," plus guardrail is very heavy.
I've mostly been on snowshift with no snow all week until Saturday, Feb 10, wherein we did finally have 6 inches of snow.
This shift was trying due to the fact that when I get there the keys to the mid-range I've been assigned are missing. It takes me an hour to try to find them with text help from MB (TMII) who kept them in his coat pocket that is supposedly in his locker, which isn't. There are other coats there but not the one with the keys. I finally locate the keys in his jacket in the one-ton pickup. sigh.
Side note: the keys are supposed to be placed in a lock box when we are done with the truck. And to be fair, it is easy to forget to do this, which makes it frustrating for the next person but no big deal for the person it does not affect.
I am then told after just leaving to return because my tandem (tandems are bigger than midranges and hold more slicer -- hence the switch out), is now available as the driver who stayed longer to help is now leaving. Unfortunately this driver is not told that I am to take over for him, which would have been easy to let him know - MB could have and should have, sigh. MB is being a majorly passive aggressive punk because he believes I'm the one that complained about him earlier this week. Ironically, it wasn't me. It was a bunch of other people whom I believe I have given them the courage to finally speak up as I do. So ironically, indirectly, I guess it was me. This makes me pleasantly laugh inside.
I return and wait another half hour for this driver to show up. sigh. I wasn't much help for my night crew due to all the disturbances in my routine. Once again I am left with an empty truck nothing full except fuel, which unfortunately is par for the course for me. MB is all apologetic about it and I inform him succinctly that it doesn't matter that it's routine here (it happens almost every snowshift for me) and that I will take care of it. What's supposed to happen is that fuel, windshield wiper fluid, windows and mirrors cleaned, and slicer in the sander. I did make certain that I did this for the morning driver although I will state my windows and mirrors were not as clean as I would have liked and I let the driver know. (point for Team L - I'll pay for it later I am certain, I usually do).
The guys have been on edge all week and I've just been trying to stay out of the way. I find it ironic that Q, a coworker, dislikes me so much that he refuses to speak to me even when he needs help. It's a silly story that happened Friday, which I won't bother writing in detail about. Suffice it to say that he would rather hold a 50lb piece of equipment with one hand while holding a closed wrench with the other to tighten a nut rather than have me hold the wrench. Oh well, not my issue that he would rather physically hurt himself than speak to me to tell me to hold the wrench. I just try to stay out of his way. I got to grease a truck and graphite a plow this day too.
not good, not bad this week and I did enjoy plowing the snow I got to plow and I did enjoy the drive home at 3am afterward, so pleasant and quiet at this time.
That's life in a nutshell this week.
Send me all the news.
Love, L
Random Thoughts...
Random thought 1
I was reading about meditation and had an interesting thought, "when you have stress what would it look like; describe it?" One person described it as a fire that doesn't burn them.
I thought about this and how I would describe mine. I feel it as though I am suffocating like a huge boulder is on top and squishing the life out of me, and I cannot breath and my heart races. Interestingly enough, just thinking about describing it; I feel myself going into a panic attack, which felt like I was suffocating. I got stress just thinking about describing stress. Isn't that ironic?
Random thought 2
I also read this and really like it: "when you talk to yourself you know you are speaking to someone important. You also know you are speaking to someone who will listen."
I was reading about meditation and had an interesting thought, "when you have stress what would it look like; describe it?" One person described it as a fire that doesn't burn them.
I thought about this and how I would describe mine. I feel it as though I am suffocating like a huge boulder is on top and squishing the life out of me, and I cannot breath and my heart races. Interestingly enough, just thinking about describing it; I feel myself going into a panic attack, which felt like I was suffocating. I got stress just thinking about describing stress. Isn't that ironic?
Random thought 2
I also read this and really like it: "when you talk to yourself you know you are speaking to someone important. You also know you are speaking to someone who will listen."
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Random thoughts.
I just finished watching the movie Elysium, which is well done and worth a viewing.
It reminded me of the Un-affordable Health Care Act, you know the one, where everyone of the wealthier citizens have exempted themselves from. Executive, Legislative and Judicial, you know the branches of government that each of us "illegal" citizens would love to be a part so we don't have to be a part of the unaffordable healthcare act. Or one of the many companies that "someone," I'm not saying who, were given exempted status from it as well.
Anyway this movie provides for every want of only certain "citizens" and it provides immediate healthcare, which I found ironic and a reminder that we have the same situation here, now.
The unaffordable healthcare act has caused premiums to triple and what I call "back-alley" healthcare to increase. "Someone" is getting very rich and it's not me. I don't want to be rich I just want to be even. I don't need the brightest or newest I do appreciate good affordable healthcare, which we do not have. This isn't that difficult guys and girls. We already had national healthcare it's called medicare and medicaid that simply needed to be available to more citizens. sigh. But "someone" had this bright idea that there was money to be made and sadly the "illegal" citizens of this nation get to pay and pay and pay for such idiocy, and again Government gets to be exempt, which should be treason in itself.
I've written it before, and I'll write it again, I am so tired of the branches of government exempting themselves from shit that they enact that it's tiresome. If it's so great why are they exempt?
I'll ask again in all caps this time, IF IT'S SO GREAT WHY ARE THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT EXEMPT?
just sayin.
It reminded me of the Un-affordable Health Care Act, you know the one, where everyone of the wealthier citizens have exempted themselves from. Executive, Legislative and Judicial, you know the branches of government that each of us "illegal" citizens would love to be a part so we don't have to be a part of the unaffordable healthcare act. Or one of the many companies that "someone," I'm not saying who, were given exempted status from it as well.
Anyway this movie provides for every want of only certain "citizens" and it provides immediate healthcare, which I found ironic and a reminder that we have the same situation here, now.
The unaffordable healthcare act has caused premiums to triple and what I call "back-alley" healthcare to increase. "Someone" is getting very rich and it's not me. I don't want to be rich I just want to be even. I don't need the brightest or newest I do appreciate good affordable healthcare, which we do not have. This isn't that difficult guys and girls. We already had national healthcare it's called medicare and medicaid that simply needed to be available to more citizens. sigh. But "someone" had this bright idea that there was money to be made and sadly the "illegal" citizens of this nation get to pay and pay and pay for such idiocy, and again Government gets to be exempt, which should be treason in itself.
I've written it before, and I'll write it again, I am so tired of the branches of government exempting themselves from shit that they enact that it's tiresome. If it's so great why are they exempt?
I'll ask again in all caps this time, IF IT'S SO GREAT WHY ARE THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT EXEMPT?
just sayin.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Dear Friend...
the week started as usual, me being sick to my stomach while commuting to work and wondering what in the world am I doing.
Monday, 2018 Jan 29 - got to do one of my most favorite things at work which is grease the trucks. Most of the guys hate this task. I love it and I think it irritates them that I like it so much. It gives me a chance to "get away" from them while still being in the same shop and I think they subconsciously know it, which irritates them even more and they have no idea why, which irritates them. It's amusing to me, but trust me they subconsciously get me back, which puts them at ease and they have no idea why --- or perhaps they do know and just won't admit it.
Tuesday, Jan 30 - Safety meeting that took most of the day and graphite trucks so the plows don't stick and did busy work that gets neglected.
Wed, Jan 31 - snow shift (12 hour shift) was called so I get to work nights with no snow again. We put plows together which is dangerous in the daylight hours but even more so in the dark. Interestingly enough the weather was ripe for it to snow a foot and didn't. We did busy work - graphite another truck and K and C2 got stuck on the side of the road in a plow (0876) they were test driving. They changed the fuel filter on it on the side of the road and it works fine. They were thankful that the filter was easy to reach and change out. We patrolled the road and worked on the "to do" list provided and finished it.
Thursday, Feb 1 - still stuck on night shift (12 hours) now to be able to get my 40 hours in. Sadly I missed my fiber guild meeting this night and it was such a coolio program that I was looking forward - paper making. Oh well, such is life I am happy to have a job and pay my bills. This night was a reminder that this job can be enjoyable. C2 and K were funny all night. We washed signs and delineation for the first part I drove the attenuator to provide safety coverage for C2 and K in the one-ton while they did this; took a short quick food break and then went and helped another patrol with a gore point guardrail change out at I-25 and 225. It was a cold night but could have been colder so I was thankful that it was fairly warm, no wind and no snow. It took the rest of the night to do this change out. Sadly this patrol is a little less organized than mine. My patrol likes to time themselves on guardrail, which is a good thing as it lessens the danger factor of being on a very busy interstate for long periods of time and we get the guardrail done quickly. It's interesting to be a part.
Anyway, what should have taken a half hour took the rest of the night. After the change out we needed to go back to that patrol to pick up my attenuator as we didn't need my vehicle and took the one-ton instead and that patrol's attenuator. We were told to use 3 attenuators but honestly that would have been overkill.
As we were driving along back to our patrol, C2 and K were talking and kidding around. We kept passing exits to go back to the other patrol and I kept quiet because speaking up has mostly gotten me an unfriendly atmosphere here. Plus, I don't know Denver that well and thought maybe C2 had a super secret way back to that patrol. As we pass the last exit out of the city, I ask, "hang on, where do you think you are going?" Both of them had such a comfortable camaraderie with me that it was second nature for me to be in the one-ton with them (which is finally nice to be a part). It was funny, C2 and K both look at each other and "ask what do you mean?" I inform them that my vehicle is back at the other patrol. The get very quiet and and then start razzing me about how now they have to go 10 miles to the next exit and that I waited 8 exits to speak up and how next time to speak up after about 3. It was really really funny and we all laughed a lot about it. I informed them that I didn't want to get into their business and nag. C2 laughed at that and said hey after about 3 exits feel free to nag. They joshed me the rest of the night about it and it was fun to finally be a part of the team. At times I was laughing so hard I cried. That's what work is suppose to be about, good hard work and enjoyable. Don't know why it can't always be like this but at least I had one 12 hour day.
Side note: lots of people grouchy at work this week. I think it's the full moon that has everyone on edge.
That's my week this past week.
Send me all the news.
Love, L
Monday, 2018 Jan 29 - got to do one of my most favorite things at work which is grease the trucks. Most of the guys hate this task. I love it and I think it irritates them that I like it so much. It gives me a chance to "get away" from them while still being in the same shop and I think they subconsciously know it, which irritates them even more and they have no idea why, which irritates them. It's amusing to me, but trust me they subconsciously get me back, which puts them at ease and they have no idea why --- or perhaps they do know and just won't admit it.
Tuesday, Jan 30 - Safety meeting that took most of the day and graphite trucks so the plows don't stick and did busy work that gets neglected.
Wed, Jan 31 - snow shift (12 hour shift) was called so I get to work nights with no snow again. We put plows together which is dangerous in the daylight hours but even more so in the dark. Interestingly enough the weather was ripe for it to snow a foot and didn't. We did busy work - graphite another truck and K and C2 got stuck on the side of the road in a plow (0876) they were test driving. They changed the fuel filter on it on the side of the road and it works fine. They were thankful that the filter was easy to reach and change out. We patrolled the road and worked on the "to do" list provided and finished it.
Thursday, Feb 1 - still stuck on night shift (12 hours) now to be able to get my 40 hours in. Sadly I missed my fiber guild meeting this night and it was such a coolio program that I was looking forward - paper making. Oh well, such is life I am happy to have a job and pay my bills. This night was a reminder that this job can be enjoyable. C2 and K were funny all night. We washed signs and delineation for the first part I drove the attenuator to provide safety coverage for C2 and K in the one-ton while they did this; took a short quick food break and then went and helped another patrol with a gore point guardrail change out at I-25 and 225. It was a cold night but could have been colder so I was thankful that it was fairly warm, no wind and no snow. It took the rest of the night to do this change out. Sadly this patrol is a little less organized than mine. My patrol likes to time themselves on guardrail, which is a good thing as it lessens the danger factor of being on a very busy interstate for long periods of time and we get the guardrail done quickly. It's interesting to be a part.
Anyway, what should have taken a half hour took the rest of the night. After the change out we needed to go back to that patrol to pick up my attenuator as we didn't need my vehicle and took the one-ton instead and that patrol's attenuator. We were told to use 3 attenuators but honestly that would have been overkill.
As we were driving along back to our patrol, C2 and K were talking and kidding around. We kept passing exits to go back to the other patrol and I kept quiet because speaking up has mostly gotten me an unfriendly atmosphere here. Plus, I don't know Denver that well and thought maybe C2 had a super secret way back to that patrol. As we pass the last exit out of the city, I ask, "hang on, where do you think you are going?" Both of them had such a comfortable camaraderie with me that it was second nature for me to be in the one-ton with them (which is finally nice to be a part). It was funny, C2 and K both look at each other and "ask what do you mean?" I inform them that my vehicle is back at the other patrol. The get very quiet and and then start razzing me about how now they have to go 10 miles to the next exit and that I waited 8 exits to speak up and how next time to speak up after about 3. It was really really funny and we all laughed a lot about it. I informed them that I didn't want to get into their business and nag. C2 laughed at that and said hey after about 3 exits feel free to nag. They joshed me the rest of the night about it and it was fun to finally be a part of the team. At times I was laughing so hard I cried. That's what work is suppose to be about, good hard work and enjoyable. Don't know why it can't always be like this but at least I had one 12 hour day.
Side note: lots of people grouchy at work this week. I think it's the full moon that has everyone on edge.
That's my week this past week.
Send me all the news.
Love, L
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