Dream Silently

Newmont policy is that when a project is being constructed or if you’re out and about on site and have to be out of a vehicle for any length of time is to carry a lightning detector. To be honest, I don’t think it really works or at least the one I have been provided with is pretty shrunk in the AI department. It’ll blink that there’s lightning in the sky within the zero to six mile mark. Only… there is no clouds.

Supposedly, it acts up worse when its around diesel engines. What is construction equipment usually powered by? You got it, diesel.

Santa Clause (my nickname for the main foreman guy on the project… he reminds me of Santa, I have no idea why) is always asking me and then teasing me about having the silly thing turned on. I usually shrug and say, “At least they can’t accuse me of not trying to be safe.”

Such has been the last few weeks for me. Playing construction manager and finding myself stressed almost at every turn. I need another person. My tech and I are in the field constantly, him running density tests for compaction, and me trying to solve what problems crop up, so our samples end up piling up in the lab. My tech and I don’t always see eye to eye too. A few weeks back he deliberately ignored me on something. We had a talk and it hasn’t happened again. I feel strange to be in that type of position though. He’s double my age and has alot more construction knowledge than I do. They often talked about this kind of pairing in school. Now I understand what was trying to be explained.

I should be sleeping right now because the contractor is working tomorrow, but I’m wired. I actually don’t think we’ll be working. It’s suppose to rain tomorrow.

Here’s hoping.

I have been cruising around much of southeast nevada that I think I’ve had my fill for quite some time to come. So, my sister flew into Vegas on thursday, I drove down and picked her up. We’ve been travelling ever since, well until Sunday. We’re now back in Vegas, having fun on the strip.

Let’s see, we went to Tonopah and took photos at the clown motel for a xmas gift to dad. We drove the Extraterrestrial Highway and, sadly, no UFOs were encountered. We spent a night up at Beaver Dam State Park, where my sister became paranoid of the dark (she’s been living in the city for a while). Then we headed down to Lake Mead and checked out the Valley of Fire State Park on our way. Which was pretty cool.

And now I’m here at Circus Circus typing this.

I’ve forgot my camera for this trip. Do you know how depressing that is? Sis is going to be sharing with me so I’ll share when she sends the pics to me.

Other than that, I’ve had a quite busy holiday weekend. I have to be back to work on Wednesday, not to sure if I’m looking forward to it, though, I haven’t gotten any panicked phone calls, so I probably shouldn’t fret so much…