trooper557

Well I've finally done it, submitted my memo to my Commanding Officer indicating that I'm retiring from the Reserves and the military completely, a lifetime of service to country has come to a close. Earlier this morning I cleared Clothing Stores turning in the last of my field equipment, rucksack, snow shoes, helmet, arctic clothing, sleeping bag and other "Stuff" that they want back as it can be reissued for use by other soldiers. Whew, one big chore done! A fair bit of work to sort through, ensure all is clean and pack it, then load it into the truck to drive in for my appointment. I asked for an early (0730) appointment as it's usually easier to ensure that things get done as scheduled. Normally, as with all appointments, the later in the day, the greater likelihood that timings slide.

I turned in some extra stuff collected over the years, the Storeman, new to the military with just over one year service remarked at a couple of the items being turned in as "I've never seen one of those before." Hmmm, talk about feeling a bit dated. Oh well, not to worry, I had locate all the items needed so I'm cleared. Afterward, I drove to the Arumoury where the Reserve unit that I transferred to on leaving the Regular Force, (active duty), parades so I could hand in all my other paperwork. A bunch of forms to sign, Security Clearance, Memorandum of Understanding that I remain subject the the Official Secrets Act, and the like. Not a grand way to mark over 39 years in uniform but at least LOML aetheldaeg and I can look forward to all the newly found space in our closets and storage room, that's worth something too.

On a lighter note, I've found it important to have a transition plan to ensure the we're on the journey to success rather than depression... all else who are changing something significant in their lives should consider the impacts of that change and plan accordingly despite no plan surviving the first step.

Last night after the puppies were put to bed in their kennels, LOML (aetheldaeg) and I went outdoors to enjoy our first fire in our pit. We've had a spell of gloomy weather, rain or way too hot to enjoy the outdoor life but things were in perfect harmony last night. It allowed us an enjoyable time watching the flames while talking of other times when we'd been camping. As LOML has said, this home gives us the best of both worlds, a camping opportunity in our own yard with ready access to indoor plumbing and all the comforts of home too! She's a wise lady indeed. Earlier, on Monday in fact, we celebrated our 32nd Wedding Anniversary. Although it's a long time, it sure doesn't seem like it for most of the time has just flown by. LOML asked me if I had it all to do over again, whether I would have asked her to marry me when I did? No hesitation on my part in saying "Absolutely!" Living with your partner, especially when like me, you know it's supposed to be, makes life special. Anyway, lunch is almost ready so I should finish for now... I'll endeavour to update on events more routinely now that I'm getting settled into the place.

You Are a Snow Cone

You are lighthearted, playful, and optimistic about the world. You're always having fun, and you're not the type to turn down anything sweet. People might be surprised to know that you're very sensitive. Even though you put on a brave face, your feelings are easily wounded.

Well it certainly has been a lot of moving to and fro since beginning work here in the Oil Sands. First it was a two night stay in a hotel followed by two months in a furnished apartment, didn't mind either of these as they were provided to me at not cost. When the time came, I signed a one year lease renting a room with common area use in a private home. No sooner had I moved in when a "For Sale" sign appeared on the lawn. When I confronted the landlord about this, he told me that he was testing the market without any expectation that he would actually sell the property... hold on folks, it sold! I got my 30 days notice to vacate and thus began yet another search for a place to live when I'm not with LOML aka aetheldaeg who is busy keeping the home fires burning and making our new house into a home. I can bask in the glory of her accomplishments as she's done an immense amount of aesthetic work to really make the house look marvelous! Anyway, I digress so back to topic...
Work doesn't pose as many moves for I'm finally into my office, a genuine desk and permanent phone and computer so my backpack now weighs considerably less, by about 25 lbs than it has for the first five months here. Life is good, I'm getting ready for tomorrow, just finished making the bed, next need to prepare lunch for tomorrow and then it's off to sleep, have to get up 03:30 get ready and find the new bus stop, really looking forward to that adventure, the bright note in this tune is that even at that hour, it's already partial daylight.

... Yes, it's been quite awhile since aetheldaeg and I last posted but we're still waiting to find out when we'll be able to get reconnected to the web. Life in the new home is progressively getting better, we're slowly getting ourselves organized, even had a chance to watch a DVD, National Treasure, Book of Secrets the other night so it can't be all bad...

Hope to catch up with all of you real soon. Please let LOML's friends on the shared groups know; thanks.

Update to my previous post about short notice to attend criminal court as a material witness to events that transpired last September. On getting home Tuesday afternoon, there was yet one more message from the RCMP. The Crown Prosecutor had decided to proceed with the case not calling any witnesses, thus LOML and I were released from our obligation to appear as subpoenaed.
The RCMP Constable was apologetic and advised that she would inform us of the outcome whenever the case was fully concluded. For my part, I called my boss to advise him of the changes and after a snack hastily prepared to return to Fort McMurray and work.

At work on Wednesday morning, my boss indicated that he wanted me to shift my schedule for the remaining three weeks while a colleague is away. This to better enable activities to be progressed as most administrative staff work a compressed four day week. Changes yet again. It means that LOML will be attending the close of our new home with the Real Estate agent alone. Also it means that I'm only working two days this week, three next week and four the week after that before getting back onto my regular routine closer to the end of the month. Not a bad exchange all in all but change that has to be reacted to nonetheless.

During a night last September aetheldaeg and I were in our Sitting Room watching a movie when we heard some strange noises of people running between two homes, ours and the neighbours who were away on vacation. We know this because we were looking after their home. Suffice to say we looked out the front window and I noticed an object emitting a blue light flying through the air on our neighbours lawn. We both went outdoors and LOML called out to me that some of our solar lamps were missing. I ran toward the front of the house and saw three people running away from the vicinity of our house, I gave chase and caught up to them. Three juvenile (teen aged) boys who were out enjoying the evening air and causing a bit of fun for themselves and some grief for homeowners who in the morning would discover that their property had been vandalized. LOML called the RCMP who provides policing services to our town and when the Constable responded to the call, I gave a statement of what transpired, briefly described the three from the clothing that I could discern, after all it was after sunset, and passed along the numerous pieces of solar lamp bits that LOML and I had collected around our property and while I was returning to our home. The following day, LOML found two of our solar lamps which had been taken from our backyard and abandoned in the laneway.

A few days later, we got a call from the RCMP Constable advising that three juvenile boys had been apprehended, one had confessed and that charges would in all likelihood be laid. The Constable indicated that the case could go to trial, but that most likely nothing would come of it.

Well, late today, we received a call advising that we were being served subpoenas to attend court as Witnesses for the Prosecution this coming Wednesday, less than two days notice! I don't mind doing my civic duty, in fact LOML and I submitted signed written statements of the events as we recalled them shortly afterward. What troubles me is the lack of consideration for us, I was, read past tense supposed to return to work late tomorrow. Instead, I had to call my boss to advise him the situation and ask him to align our calendars as there were several key events we were supposed to do together. It's not easy to get a synchronized calendar with many diverse team players all pursuing complimentary objectives and each with many deadlines to meet. I am disappointed at losing a critical day in my schedule, I'm sure the defendant will be equally disappointed should he be convicted of the charges as they are all Criminal Code violations. Regret I don't know whether he's being charged as a juvenile or adult as the penalties are significantly different.... oh well, better to lose a day in court than have people who don't know how to behave in society run rampant causing ruin and leaving despair in their wake.

Hmmm, I wonder what we should wear, LOML and I have never had a date attending criminal court. Tune in later... news update in the next few days.

You Are An ISTJ

The Duty Fulfiller You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knitting. Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. You are conservative and down-to-earth. You hardly ever do anything crazy. In love, you are loyal and honest. If you commit yourself to someone, then you're fully committed. For you, love is something that happens naturally. And you don't need romantic gestures to feel loved. At work, you remember details well and are happy to take on any responsibility. You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer. How you see yourself: Decisive, stable, and dependable When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, conservative, and egotistical

You Speak Canadian Slang

Canadian Slang: 100% Aussie Slang: 75% Southern Slang: 50% British Slang: 25% New England Slang: 25% Prison Slang: 25%

I found this reading aetheldaeg journal and thought I'd see what metal I am...

You Are Silver

You are a flexible person. Being open to opportunities in life has served you well. You are very polished and sophisticated. You're probably in a higher class than you were born into. You are naturally popular and quite influential. You are a bit of a trend starter among people you know. And while you are well liked, you don't let it go to your head. You remain contemplative and wise.

Well, the new job is everything I expected and so much more. Quite professional in the way training is delivered to all newly hired employees, as part of my job, I am required at times to visit the mine operations area, therefore, today I did the three computer based training modules, (half day) and practical mine driving to guage my capability to operate a vehicle and effectively interact with the myriad heavy haulers and mine support equipments, track and wheel dozers, graders, front loaders and back hoes, and even giant shovels scooping massive amounts of oil-sands to fill the biggest of the fleet, the Caterpillar 797B. To give you some idea of the grandeur of this heavy truck, here are the nominal payload statistics:

Nominal Payload Capacity - 380 tons / 345 tonnes
Nominal Payload Capacity - 339.55 tons / 345 tonnes
Top Speed – Loaded - 42 mph / 67.6 kph
Maximum Capacity - Custom
Steer Angle - 39 Degrees / 39 Degrees
Turning Radius – Front - 130.9 ft / 39.9 m
Turning Circle Clearance Diameter - 132.8 ft / 40.5 m

Today, in order to have an accurate appreciation of the considerable number of "Blind spots" and limited field of observation, I sat in the diver's seat. Awesome view, and immediately confronted with not being able to see (too) many things from this vantage. No wonder, they (797s) have the right of way second only to Emergency vehicles.

It's a good thing that today ended up so good as our bus was more than 20 minutes late collecting us, not great having to wait in minus 36 degrees Celsius, but after enough things get numb, it's not so bad...

The foregoing excepted, life is moving along, some days at a hectic pace, I enjoy this environment and I know that I can make a positive contribution here.

Well the festive season is drawing to a close. Nothing brings that to the fore as taking down the tree and associated decorations. Our family tradition, aetheldaeg and me is to put our tree and house decorations up on December first and take them down the first weekend or free day after the New Year begins, that was today. Needless to say we had plenty of help, teddy_n_sophie, Sophie, Polly, Sparkle and even at infrequent intervals, Tiger came to sit on things that we were trying to get packaged up safely and stored in our large "Reusable" containers. After several hours, we even had to break for lunch, most of the things are put away. There were, as is usual, a few casualties of the holidays that had to be disposed of, some others needing a bit of mending while a rare few have to defrost from having been frozen outdoors for the past month. All should be done in another week or so which will allow me to put away in our storage room the last vestiges of this most recent holiday.

Sadly, our Christmas tree box is so dilapidated that the only thing holding it together is a very large amount of packing tape. I suppose that a new box will have to be sourced for next year as I fear that the current one will not survive another year.

Brrr, things on the weather front are most definitely back to Winter conditions, plenty of frost on the windows today and for tomorrow the forecast calls for a mind numbing, bone chilling minus 41. Regardless which temperature gage Celsius or Fahrenheit you use, that's cold! Perhaps we won't be going out for dinner after all.

Provided the weather doesn't reveal more snow before then, I will be heading back to Fort McMurray on Sunday, back to work Monday at my new job. It's been great so far and things are looking to get even more fun while we occupy our new facility and get organized to support our dependencies, a large vehicle maintenance facility and mining operation. Yep, things are getting back to normal... hope that everything is going well for all of you too.

Well I've been a new employee for less than two weeks and already things are getting better and better. OK, all is not as rosy as I make it out, for example, yesterday due to a city bus breakdown, traffic was backed up on the only road leading into the city and we were on the bus three hours before arriving at my stop. At least you're compensated for "the inconvenience" of having someone else drive you home riding the bus. From my perspective, I can't see a downside to being carted to and from work while getting a transportation allowance.

Yesterday I discovered that I will have another week of training to complete, a Mine (site specific) orientation and Mine Driving courses for both Mine sites, these in addition to qualifying to operate company vehicles. Regrettably, this training cannot take place prior to the new year which pushes back my actual commencement of working in my permanent job location. Oh well, live and learn.

My "Team Lead" and I talked today about the holiday period and I got permission to take two vacation days (in advance) which will allow me to be on vacation and enjoy the holidays from 25 December to 4 January inclusive, can you say, "Woot?!"

Yesterday I received my company provided cell phone. It comes with all the bells and whistles, with the sole exception that the camera feature has been disabled, (Company Photo Policy requires a permit), all free and with the approval for personal use as "We don't expect you to carry two cell phones."

On a serious note, the volume of money that is discussed here in routine business related activities is staggering, locally controlled funds for acquisition in the hundreds of Millions with capital projects funds for expansion in the Billions of dollars... lucky for me, I don't have to do the intimate accounting for anything other than the corporate credit card (on order) which I have no idea what it's going to be used for yet. Yep, I love my job.

Well here it is Monday the 8th of December and tomorrow I will actually be working and being paid at my new job. Actually, it'll be a day of administrative review, pay, pensions, allowances, ensuring that all the information required for company personnel files has been provided, etc.

Earlier this evening, we, (new hires) attended a buffet dinner with our team leads in attendance as a social activity to get acquainted and to hand out the orientation package for the coming week.

In order to attend, I had to drive up to Fort McMurray, 380Km from our home on what can graciously be termed good roads in bad weather. It has snowed the past few days and there was freezing rain onto which more snow fell making the road surface akin to glass, made for some interesting driving. Taking my time, I arrived early enough to shave, change into something a little more appropriate for a dinner than what I wore to drive in and I even had time to call LOML to let her know that I had arrived safely.

Tomorrow, as I'm a lucky fellow, the orientation is at the hotel where I'm staying for the first two nights until my permanent temporary accommodation becomes available. On Wednesday evening, I will move into an apartment which is being made available to me while I search for either a home to buy, or a place to rent. since prices are quite high here, I don't really expect to find much in way of a single family dwelling, however, we'll see. The services of a relocation agent have been provided to me. I'm optimistic about a lot of things, house hunting, not so much.

Based on some of the information that the team lead disclosed this evening, our small group, at present nine people will grow to 42 by the end of 2009. To get there, we need to find and hire the right people with appropriate skills, write the procedures that will be used for them to perform their functions and overall ensure that adequate accounting measures are used. Interesting and a huge group of tasks, I am excited to be in early on this expansion.

Well here it is Monday the 8th of December and tomorrow I will actually be working and being paid at my new job. Actually, it'll be a day of administrative review, pay, pensions, allowances, ensuring that all the information required for company personnel files has been provided, etc.

Earlier this evening, we, (new hires) attended a buffet dinner with our team leads in attendance as a social activity to get acquainted and to hand out the orientation package for the coming week.

In order to attend, I had to drive up to Fort McMurray, 380Km from our home on what can graciously be termed good roads in bad weather. It has snowed the past few days and there was freezing rain onto which more snow fell making the road surface akin to glass, made for some interesting driving. Taking my time, I arrived early enough to shave, change into someting a little more appropriate for a dinner than what I drove to drive in and I even had time to call LOML to let her know that I had arrived safely.

Tomorrow, as I'm a lucky fellow, the orientation is at the hotel where I'm staying for the first two nights until my permanent temporary accommodation becomes available. On Wednesday evening, I will move into an apartment which is being made available to me while I search for either a home to buy, or a place to rent. since prices are quite high here, I don't really expect to find much in way of a single family dwelling, however, we'll see. The services of a relocation agent have been provided to me. I'm optimistic about a lot of things, house hunting, not so much.

Based on some of the information that the team lead disclosed this evening, our small group, at present nine people will grow to 42 by the end of 2009. To get there, we need to find and hire the right people with appropriate skills, write the procedures that will be used for them to perform their functions and overall ensure that adaquete accounting measures are used. Interesting and a huge group of tasks, I am excited to be in early on this expansion.

Yippee! Earlier today I was able to check my civilian e-mail. Among the unread there was one from the HR rep at what will be the new company I begin working for effective 9 December. Happiness level is overflowing as I write this... nothing like official acknowledgment that a plan is progressing ... as planned.

Although this means I will be away from home for extended periods working a rotating shift schedule, in the long run, the amount of actual work time will remain the same as now and when adding the distance traveled in one long commute compared to the four presently when working, they too are approximately the same.

Don't want to mention the Corporation... the icon though, is representative as I will be working for a subsidiary.

I'm typing this on the laptop that aetheldaeg bought me a few years ago for school so I can get accustomed to its peculiarities.

Yes, I know that it's been a terribly long time since I posted anything tangible here... please forgive me. That however, does not mean that nothing has been going on. My transition to a new employment opportunity is proceeding well. After hopping through several hoops, I received an offer of employment, (organization will eventually be revealed to all), with a generous base salary and additional amounts to defray costs associated to accommodation, travel and the like. Great benefits too, medical, dental, Registered Retirement Savings Plan contributions even a non-contributing pension. All in all a very attractive package and to stimulate retention on completion of three years service, a fairly significant monetary bonus!

Yesterday I attended their medical. Vision, hearing, lung function, drug and alcohol tests were administered as well as a physical exam by a Registered Nurse. I think it went well, after all I have all my fingers and toes, can see and hear and even like the taste of most things, Brussels Sprouts excluded.

Afterward, I mailed back the rather large package of administrative papers so that all will be ready for review commencing the start date of 09 December! I'm really looking forward to this and am pondering what type of "Work Boots" to buy...

Perhaps because I'm going to continue to spend half the time away from home, (our house did not sell while it was listed) is the reason the acreage purchase fell through. Perhaps we'll try again in the new year. Colour me optimistic.

I’ve watched this US Presidential race as never before, the prospect for unprecedented change has been a great stimulant that both held my interest and renewed my faith in mankind to pick one of its own to lead a nation not based merely on party politics but rather emotion and the country’s needs. In my view, the result of the US Presidential election, is/was a watershed moment in that Americans elected for the first time an African-American as President. President-Elect Barack Obama will have a huge slate of issues to contend with, some of them monumental in their impact on the future of US capabilities seen within a global context. Resolving a deficit economy somewhere on the order of 11 Trillion dollars, numbers that boggle the imagination and have more zeros than can be easily fit onto a ledger sheet, will in all likelihood be the most challenging.

World leaders have congratulated him on his election and are hopeful for a renewed emphasis on developing harmonious relations again from those strained over time. No, I'm not bashing the current administration, far from it. I am however, stating what I observe and feel are issues that will challenge the new President and his Cabinet to see their way through to success.

I applaud Senator John McCain in his conciliatory speech which, provided the nation was listening and take his message to heart, will heel the divide and allow a great nation to resurface to pre-eminence. Also, I was emotionally moved by Obama’s victory speech, I had the sense that he was in some ways echoing JFK when all were being asked to roll up their sleeves and dig in to do what needs to be done to rebuild America, "Block by block, brick by brick."

I wish all Americans success in the forthcoming weeks and months as they grapple with issues that, daunting as they are, will be met headon and overcome.

Last night reminded me of the time we lived in Virginia and attended July fourth celebrations at Busch Gardens. I was overpowered by the degree of patriotism and was admittedly envious. I was proud to be included in the celebration then and am proud of all Americans today. Again, good luck and sincere wishes for a prosperous future.

It's been an interesting couple of days. On Sunday, I was collected at my home and driven to Fort McMurray, about 400 Km, (250 Miles) North of here in order to be available to attend an interview working in the Oil Sands. The drive up was uneventful on newly paved roads on which traffic moved at a good, slightly over the posted speed limit, pace. Installed overnight in a hotel, great room, I had a cup of tea read for a bit and went to sleep as wake up was 04:10 for pick-up at 06:15 dressed, breakfasted and ready to go to the site. After an hour in transit to the site, the interview process began, conference call with HR people in Calgary. It went well with the exception that the HR person assigned my file was not available due to a family emergency. Regardless, the interview progressed with a third party invited to be the impartial witness to the event.
Afterward, lunch, a delicious bowl of Lentil soup and sandwich, turkey on whole wheat, I was handed off to the fellow who would be my boss in the event I receive an offer of employment. The tour of the site, challenges in my area of expertise and the work being performed are all enormous which makes me hope that I get an offer. There's nothing that compares to the feeling of accomplishment that comes from making progress, even if only in small increments.
Late in the afternoon, I was delivered to the site airport (7500 ft runway) able to land a Boeing 737, where I was flown into the Edmonton City Centre (Municipal) Airport. After a short taxi ride to a mall located nearby, I was met by LOML aetheldaeg and then we bought her a pair of boots that she had told me about. For supper, we went to one of our favourite eateries, Boston Pizza and then we came home.

This morning I wrote a follow up note to the Interviewer and now all that remains is to "Stand-by" and wait... wish me luck, I'm really excited about this.

Well we Canadians have managed to do it again, vote in a minority government which will be challenged with the additional burden of having to get opposition parties on-board in order to get any legislation passed through the House Of Commons, yeah us!

Perhaps we have too many political parties vying for power which result in minority scenarios far too often. It's an anomaly that the previous Progressive Conservative (minority) government lasted as long as it did. I subscribe to the theory that the Liberal Party of Canada, having recently undergone a leadership change found itself in turmoil and therefore had to go along with many of the PC initiatives or discover themselves in a position of having to go to the people in an election.

Regrettably, a Federal election, costs the taxpayer somewhere in the order of $130 Million, a huge sum considering what you end up with, 308 elected officials who ostensibly represent their constituency but in reality adhere to the party line for fear of being removed from preference posts or being ostracized by their peers. It's happened in the past, so I don't hesitate in thinking that it will happen again.

Final comment is the fervent hope that our elected officials do as good a job as they're capable of, uniting to pass needed legislation and working in unity to keep our country strong during this time of global financial storms