Looks like the decision has been made without me even saying a word. I went to Radio the day after my first post and started to ask more questions like "if I do get the raise, when does it take effect?" and "if I accept the raise does that mean I am agreeing to be day 2nd cook till the day I die?" I got a couple answers and left it at that to rethink. Next thing I know he comes to me and tells me to scan and send my recent pay stub to him so he can fight head office for the raise. I called the Mrs and she got it done right away and an hour later I was told to 'talk nicely to me (Radio)' now since I got the raise. So the plan is that I am on 2nd cook for this 4 week stint in camp then out for 2 weeks and when I come back I am on a two weeks 2nd cook and then two weeks breakfast cook. Guess it is not a bad compromise.
'Twit of the day' award goes out to one of the new guys in camp. The 1st cook was out grabbing a quick cup of coffee around 10:30am yesterday when one of the new guys stopped him in the dining room. With all the calm in the world and like he was on time for breakfast he asked if he could get a couple fried eggs from the grill. The 1st cook looked at him and politely told him that the grill was shut off and breakfast ended at 8:00am. The guy frowned and made a sort of 'harmph' sound and walked away. The 1st cook came up to me and relayed the experience with a different wording. The 1st cook comes up to me and in a dopey/Gomer Pyle kind of voice askes "soo, umm, what are the chances of me getting a couple fried eggs?" and I looked at him blankly cause I wasn't too sure at that moment if he was actually asking me to make them for the guy or not and he quickly responded with a serious "about as much chance as hell freezing over and the devil ice skating across the ponds". Guess some people just can't see the big signs that we have on the entry way into the dining room stating the hours of breakfast/lunch/dinner.
Now I am not sure how you would classify this, and it probably isn't that amusing but in my head I find it really really funny. You know, like the kind of ironic curious funny that makes you smile and go "riiiiight". You know, like if you hear from a friend who is in charge of civic planning of traffic routes and lanes is on his way to make a speech on how to improve traffic flow for speed and efficiency but is late to get there cause he is caught in a traffic jam. So the main paper pushers of the company have decided that since we are getting bigger than our usual 110 man exploration camp but are slowly climbing in numbers (feeding 168 now which are all the beds in the camp, plus feeding 30 more that are flown in daily from Cambridge Bay because we dont have the beds to put them up for the whole night) then what we should do is have training in certain areas to stop possible future law suits. There are going to be a mandatory class over the next couple days (we only have to go to one though but the kitchen staff are staggered so the kitchen isnt totally empty for most of the morning) on Anti-sexual harrassment and Gender Equal Opportunities in the camp. What I find really interesting is that the two people that are sent in to give this talk and class have got to be two of the most beautiful ladies that have ever been allowed in camp. I mean, we might all be biased out here because we basically look at 160 men and have only 8 women walking around. With 4 of those women being geotechs (they have a reputation for not showering, changing clothes or doing anything hygenic), 3 of them northern housekeeping and 1 an office worker, we sort of have a shortage of eye candy. When the two ladies walked in to have some lunch the entire kitchen broke out in their usual comments but with more flare and vigor. The 63 year old dishwasher was talking about going to medic and asking for some Viagra to be shipped in express. So I guess that just goes to show that we definitly need this kind of course in camp if them walking in causes this much trash talk but what I sort of smile about is that the people giving the talk are so cute that you actually think of harrassing them. Anyways, yeah, just a sort of twisted mind laugh that I have.
Oh, one thing that I thinking of mentioning is in the part of gender equalality part, gonna ask why exactly we have two bathrooms designated as pure female washrooms. The washrooms are basically self sustained washing quarters on their own. Basically, think of your bathroom with sink, toilet, shower and a door that closes and locks. So, not like if I was going #1 a girl was going to walk in on me to shower. However, two of them in each wing are 'female' washrooms and if a guy goes in and uses one of them and is seen he is fired. If we had gender quality, shouldn't the girls have to have the same possibility of not having a free bathroom to shower in like the rest of the guys?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
washing dishes to bring to the dishwasher
so yet a couple more things in camp that make me scratch my head and go 'huh?'...which also makes me happy that I checked my common sense into a locker at the bus station in Edmonton before getting on a plane to get up here because if I had my common sense with me I am sure that it would be going absolutely haywire at this moment in time.
First thing, the dishwasher has gone completely insane in his old age. 64 year old guy that seems to have all the great ideas on how to run a kitchen but all his plans seem to make his work easier. For instance, long time ago when I was the dishwasher full time all the cooks brought their dishes to me dirty. If it was baked on stuff like they did a tomato pasta or macaroni and cheese that sat on the steam line for 2 hours and was literally rock hard cement baked on then I appreciated that they threw it in the steamer to kind of do a hot soak but I didn't demand it since I could just as easily have put it in there myself.
Then it graduated up when Henry took over the dishpit (or as I like to think of him 'the bull in a china shop' since he doesn't really think about what is going on or see what other peoples plans are but instead will come in and just barrel through jobs and do it with force and then when problems arise cause he didn't stop and think about what he was doing he cursed everyone for their fault in the matter, even though they didn't do anything, and force his way to solve the problem which might cause more problems) and he started to tell people to rinse the pans in the back sink before bringing it to the dishpit. The dishpit has one big sink that they wash things in and a smaller sink behind them that I was quite happy to use for rinsing since you spray it with the big hose and then turn around and take the two steps to the small sink to dump the water. However, this proved to be too much of a hassle for him and since he got tired of walking to the back, rinsing the pans and then bringing them back to the dishpit he started to insist that everyone rinse the pans in the back sink before we brought them to the dishpit. So, effectively we were bringing the dishwasher our rinsed and almost clean dishes for him to wash. That one made me kind of go 'ooookay' but hey, it was Henry, he has come up with stranger ideas.
The latest now with the dishes is that not only do we have to rinse them in the back during the day but come supper time the dishwasher fills one of the three sinks in the back with soap and water and is now insisting that the cooks not only rinse but we scrub them with a metal scrub pad before bringing them to the dishpit for them (yes, 'them'...not just one dishwasher but we now have 2 full time dishwashers) to 'wash' and put through the dishwasher. So now the cooks are washing the dishes before bringing them to the dishwasher.
So yeah, like I said, if i had my common sense with me I am sure that I would be going absolutely nutty about this whole situation but since I don't have it with me I can only look at the situation with that strange feeling that we all get when we are somewhere and looking at a situation and there is a tiny nagging voice in the back of your head going "something is not right here" but you can't really put your finger on what is not right. Though, for some reason, my entire being is just screaming out for me to ask them to make me a dishwasher again since the dishwashers seem to be the only people in the kitchen that manage to get breaks.
Another piece of news is that my 2 weeks of 2nd cook and then 2 weeks of breakfast cook on nights (which was also to be me hanging with the good baker and learning a few tricks of the trade) might not happen. Seems the 2nd cook that they hired when I went out quit after only working a week and a half. So they had to go and hire another worker who has worked with the company before. Apparently he is a good cook, has his papers and seal, is inventive and industrious BUT (always is a but when you hear praise like that huh?) he supposedly has a huge chip on his shoulder and has a temper when given constructive criticism. When I have heard stories about him from other cooks the same thing always is said "he is like I was when I was young and fresh in the business. My way ruled, no other way would do and I wouldn't listen to anyone". I guess when it comes to being a cook, when you get out of cooking school it is like graduating from kindergarten to grade 1 where you know everything about the playground and the world and no one can tell you different cause you are gonna do it your way.
At the moment we have 5 people in the kitchen (two dishwashers and three cooks) which makes for a more relaxing day since we still work non-stop but it is not a rushed 'chicken with your head cut off' rushing but more a calm 'slow and steady' rush to get the work done. That is going to change in about a week and a half when the other cook leaves and we are reduced down to 2 cooks and 2 dishwashers. So that would mean if I went to nights when I was supposed to then the 1st cook now would be left alone to feed 170 people and train a new 2nd cook that might have issues with being told what or how to do things for two weeks.
On Saturday the 1st cook realized the possibility that he would be alone with a new guy and he tried flattery. First it was that I was a great asset, then it was that he enjoyed working with me. He even got the camp manager to come through complimenting me on how great the salads were looking and how the sandwiches were looking tasty and appealing as opposed to the things that the 2nd cook that quit was putting out. After groceries came and I finished my usual work in the cooler both of them then started in on how great it was to have the cooler looking neat and tidy since I know where things go and put them in their right areas where the other guy was just tossing them in helter skelter to the point where you had dairy on the meat shelf and vegetables mixed with the fruit. Almost a guessing game/hunt for what you were looking for every week. I was not buying it and just laughed at them.
Saturday afternoon they tried a different approach. When they brought out the dessert rack they commented on great Big D was at being a baker. She had come a long way in the 6 years she has been baking and they were proud of her efforts. I held my tongue since I have opinions of her baking. Mainly that her work is like the prom queen in the movies. Beautiful to look at and makes you want to take her to your table, however once you get her to the table you discover that her conversation is stale and flat and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Most of the people I see take from the dessert fridge, eat the whipped cream that she uses in abundance and then throw the hard and stale bits away. They then said that since she is such a great baker that perhaps if I was to choose to go to nights then Big D could be my trainer and she could teach me all her tricks and all. Figured this was a bait as well since the camp manager knows that I don't work with her so if I was on nights Big D would be whining and complaining to him all day long and would be throwing temper tantrums galore. I broke down on that one and just looked at Radio (camp manager) and just went "you really want Big D whining and throwing temper tantrums for two weeks with you?" He just looked blankly at me and then walked away.
On Sunday I guess they figured that flattery wasn't working so they went to the next language...money. I am now being offered a tentative raise to stay on day shift. Of course the raise is dependant on the main camp manager as well as the head head boss approving it. However, being the skeptic that I am, I figure the raise really doesn't exist but what Radio is doing is offering it, I accept it, he comes back a week later saying "oh, sorry, I tried to get you the raise but was shot down by the others" but since I already agreed to work day shift for 4 weeks the schedule has been made and cant be changed. Talked to the Mrs about it, since she is going to be the one I am mainly complaining about working with people on days, and we both agreed that I shouldn't say anything about me staying on days until I have the raise in writing and in the bank.
Supposed to give my answer today but not really sure which is the best course of action. For myself going to nights would be better because I get to learn a few tricks on baking as well as see what the duties on night shift are. Seems making 300 sandwiches (that are set, no real thinking involved), cutting fruit and prepping/cooking breakfast sounds easier than what I am doing during the day. However, the helpful side of me is telling me to stay days since if they are actually willing to offer me money to stay on days (to my knowledge no one has ever gotten raises in camp...you get hired for a set amount and you stay at that amount unless you have quit, gone to school for more training and returned) then they are definitely desperate and worried. Guess will make the decision at the last moment and hope it is the right one.
First thing, the dishwasher has gone completely insane in his old age. 64 year old guy that seems to have all the great ideas on how to run a kitchen but all his plans seem to make his work easier. For instance, long time ago when I was the dishwasher full time all the cooks brought their dishes to me dirty. If it was baked on stuff like they did a tomato pasta or macaroni and cheese that sat on the steam line for 2 hours and was literally rock hard cement baked on then I appreciated that they threw it in the steamer to kind of do a hot soak but I didn't demand it since I could just as easily have put it in there myself.
Then it graduated up when Henry took over the dishpit (or as I like to think of him 'the bull in a china shop' since he doesn't really think about what is going on or see what other peoples plans are but instead will come in and just barrel through jobs and do it with force and then when problems arise cause he didn't stop and think about what he was doing he cursed everyone for their fault in the matter, even though they didn't do anything, and force his way to solve the problem which might cause more problems) and he started to tell people to rinse the pans in the back sink before bringing it to the dishpit. The dishpit has one big sink that they wash things in and a smaller sink behind them that I was quite happy to use for rinsing since you spray it with the big hose and then turn around and take the two steps to the small sink to dump the water. However, this proved to be too much of a hassle for him and since he got tired of walking to the back, rinsing the pans and then bringing them back to the dishpit he started to insist that everyone rinse the pans in the back sink before we brought them to the dishpit. So, effectively we were bringing the dishwasher our rinsed and almost clean dishes for him to wash. That one made me kind of go 'ooookay' but hey, it was Henry, he has come up with stranger ideas.
The latest now with the dishes is that not only do we have to rinse them in the back during the day but come supper time the dishwasher fills one of the three sinks in the back with soap and water and is now insisting that the cooks not only rinse but we scrub them with a metal scrub pad before bringing them to the dishpit for them (yes, 'them'...not just one dishwasher but we now have 2 full time dishwashers) to 'wash' and put through the dishwasher. So now the cooks are washing the dishes before bringing them to the dishwasher.
So yeah, like I said, if i had my common sense with me I am sure that I would be going absolutely nutty about this whole situation but since I don't have it with me I can only look at the situation with that strange feeling that we all get when we are somewhere and looking at a situation and there is a tiny nagging voice in the back of your head going "something is not right here" but you can't really put your finger on what is not right. Though, for some reason, my entire being is just screaming out for me to ask them to make me a dishwasher again since the dishwashers seem to be the only people in the kitchen that manage to get breaks.
Another piece of news is that my 2 weeks of 2nd cook and then 2 weeks of breakfast cook on nights (which was also to be me hanging with the good baker and learning a few tricks of the trade) might not happen. Seems the 2nd cook that they hired when I went out quit after only working a week and a half. So they had to go and hire another worker who has worked with the company before. Apparently he is a good cook, has his papers and seal, is inventive and industrious BUT (always is a but when you hear praise like that huh?) he supposedly has a huge chip on his shoulder and has a temper when given constructive criticism. When I have heard stories about him from other cooks the same thing always is said "he is like I was when I was young and fresh in the business. My way ruled, no other way would do and I wouldn't listen to anyone". I guess when it comes to being a cook, when you get out of cooking school it is like graduating from kindergarten to grade 1 where you know everything about the playground and the world and no one can tell you different cause you are gonna do it your way.
At the moment we have 5 people in the kitchen (two dishwashers and three cooks) which makes for a more relaxing day since we still work non-stop but it is not a rushed 'chicken with your head cut off' rushing but more a calm 'slow and steady' rush to get the work done. That is going to change in about a week and a half when the other cook leaves and we are reduced down to 2 cooks and 2 dishwashers. So that would mean if I went to nights when I was supposed to then the 1st cook now would be left alone to feed 170 people and train a new 2nd cook that might have issues with being told what or how to do things for two weeks.
On Saturday the 1st cook realized the possibility that he would be alone with a new guy and he tried flattery. First it was that I was a great asset, then it was that he enjoyed working with me. He even got the camp manager to come through complimenting me on how great the salads were looking and how the sandwiches were looking tasty and appealing as opposed to the things that the 2nd cook that quit was putting out. After groceries came and I finished my usual work in the cooler both of them then started in on how great it was to have the cooler looking neat and tidy since I know where things go and put them in their right areas where the other guy was just tossing them in helter skelter to the point where you had dairy on the meat shelf and vegetables mixed with the fruit. Almost a guessing game/hunt for what you were looking for every week. I was not buying it and just laughed at them.
Saturday afternoon they tried a different approach. When they brought out the dessert rack they commented on great Big D was at being a baker. She had come a long way in the 6 years she has been baking and they were proud of her efforts. I held my tongue since I have opinions of her baking. Mainly that her work is like the prom queen in the movies. Beautiful to look at and makes you want to take her to your table, however once you get her to the table you discover that her conversation is stale and flat and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Most of the people I see take from the dessert fridge, eat the whipped cream that she uses in abundance and then throw the hard and stale bits away. They then said that since she is such a great baker that perhaps if I was to choose to go to nights then Big D could be my trainer and she could teach me all her tricks and all. Figured this was a bait as well since the camp manager knows that I don't work with her so if I was on nights Big D would be whining and complaining to him all day long and would be throwing temper tantrums galore. I broke down on that one and just looked at Radio (camp manager) and just went "you really want Big D whining and throwing temper tantrums for two weeks with you?" He just looked blankly at me and then walked away.
On Sunday I guess they figured that flattery wasn't working so they went to the next language...money. I am now being offered a tentative raise to stay on day shift. Of course the raise is dependant on the main camp manager as well as the head head boss approving it. However, being the skeptic that I am, I figure the raise really doesn't exist but what Radio is doing is offering it, I accept it, he comes back a week later saying "oh, sorry, I tried to get you the raise but was shot down by the others" but since I already agreed to work day shift for 4 weeks the schedule has been made and cant be changed. Talked to the Mrs about it, since she is going to be the one I am mainly complaining about working with people on days, and we both agreed that I shouldn't say anything about me staying on days until I have the raise in writing and in the bank.
Supposed to give my answer today but not really sure which is the best course of action. For myself going to nights would be better because I get to learn a few tricks on baking as well as see what the duties on night shift are. Seems making 300 sandwiches (that are set, no real thinking involved), cutting fruit and prepping/cooking breakfast sounds easier than what I am doing during the day. However, the helpful side of me is telling me to stay days since if they are actually willing to offer me money to stay on days (to my knowledge no one has ever gotten raises in camp...you get hired for a set amount and you stay at that amount unless you have quit, gone to school for more training and returned) then they are definitely desperate and worried. Guess will make the decision at the last moment and hope it is the right one.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
heading into camp
BALLANCE'S LAW OF RELIABILITY
How long a minute is depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on
I think I got a first hand experience of what sayings like this really mean. I flew into camp yesterday. After only 12 days off since I had to stay in that extra day and then having to overnight in Yellowknife before returning home. Of course because we are flying on the jet our flight time was incredibly early. So, up at 3:20am to get to the sky shuttle for 4:30am. Last time I aimed at being just on time for the sky shuttle nearly resulted in me missing it. Amazing how when you call a cab to go to the bus station to grab a cheaper trip out to the airport than the $53 one way that they are charging (as opposed to the $25 return trip on a shuttle) the cabs manage to drive extra slow and hit every single stop light on the way to the bus station. Last time I gave myself 15 minutes to get to the bus station which is only maybe 15 blocks away, we just made it before the shuttle left. This time I gave myself half an hour and when the cab learned I was going to the shuttle I felt the car slowly slow down to a nice Sunday drive speed. However, once I said that I had half an hour to get to the station the speed started to go a little faster. Guess he figured that a 5 - 10 minute slow down could be possible but he would have to really be sneaky and work at it to make me 30 minutes late on a 15 block stretch.
So, 4:30am at the shuttle to get to the airport for 5:30am for check in. Board at 6:30am to take off at 7am. Why the early boarding time? not cause we had so many people to check through and board but because due to the extreme rain/snow and wind the night before all the runways were apparently extremely icy causing us to taxi to the farthest runway to take off from. Ever been in a vehicle the size of a 737 jet taxiing about 7 kilometers to a runway to take off? Kind of reminded me of being in a taxi cab in Edmonton driving 15 blocks to a grey hound bus station.
We arrived in YK for roughly 9amish (can't give the exact time since I was dead asleep when we landed) and sat on the runway for a long period of time. We were told that the weather in camp was 'questionable' and we would have to wait but it was 'getting better by the second'. Finally around 10:30 they made us deplane. Of course they said it was because they were being nice to the passengers to go have a smoke or to put us in more comfortable chairs. We sat in the lounge either playing pool, sleeping in chairs, surfing the internet on a really unpredictable and sketchy internet connection or watching a very indecisive man go through the 'guide' part of the TV reading what was on but not really going to anything to watch it till around 12:30 when they brought in pizza. Of course, campers being what they were the guy buying the pizza had to announce to only take two slices first till everyone had some and then come back for seconds and repeat it again and again about 5 times over the course of a 20 minute feeding frenzy. You don't tell campers who are used to piling up a plate of pizza to only take two slices. When they hear "take only two" they seem to think that means two pizzas and not slices. They didn't get their big bellies from eating salads or small portions.
So finally we were told that they would break down the passenger list to two flights and we would fly in on the smaller planes instead of the one big jet. I wasn't originally on the first flight but as they were calling for the first flight to leave my name got called. I guess when they were making the flight lists originally they didn't take to account what the people actually do in camp as opposed to how big of a wig they were. Seems in theory it is a good idea to get the big office people in camp so that they can be all important and high on the pecking order but when you think about it, best get the cooks and kitchen staff into the kitchen before supper starts or else the big wigs will be sitting in the dining room eating sandwiches but secure in the knowledge that they are truly high and mighty on the pecking order.
Now if you think about it the company really didn't save anything by putting us on this early morning direct flight from Edmonton to camp. After all, before the jet took over what were we doing? We would fly to YK via the regular standard air flights, be put up in a hotel for the night, get on little puddle hopper planes and fly into camp in the early morning. What did we do yesterday? everyone flew to Edmonton via the regular flights and got put up in a hotel then got on a chartered jet to YK, got off there and transferred to two puddle hopper planes to fly into camp. Figure the money that they saved on hotel bills (since Edmonton hotels are slightly cheaper than YK hotels) they probably lost more than that on the charter flight and then hiring the two puddle hoppers to get us to camp.
So that was my trip. Though when it came to the feeling of flying, it is funny how when I am in camp I resign myself to the fact that there isn't going to be a flight and I am stuck there for another day and I feel sort of neutral. After all, I haven't gained or lost anything since I am still where I was the day before. But when the flight happens it makes it all so much sweeter. When out of camp, I resign myself to the fact that the flight is cancelled and yet I don't feel neutral but happy not to be going back to work. Then when the flight is happening, you feel so much worse cause it was like paradise was in reach but now it is gone.
Of course, life in camp really hasn't changed much. Still do the most hectic menu night of the week on flight day (steak night) and we are still rinsing all the pans that we use (from the ones that we cook with to the ones that we serve with right up till closing time) in the back sink so that the dishwasher doesn't have to rinse them. Even though there are two of them in the pit. They could use the little sink but that always has a bucket of water in it ready so that they can change the water in their sink at a moments notice. Drives the 1st cook insane since he sometimes brings his common sense to camp with him whereas I check mine at the airport before flying into camp and pick it up on the way out so the dishwashers behavior really doesn't surprise me or anything. Amazing what you can accomplish in this place when you leave all common sense in the south.
So in camp I am for another 4 weeks but with the promise of being on days as 2nd cook for 2 weeks and then going to breakfast cook on nights for 2 weeks. Will see what happens though....of course, gonna be another fun filled and exciting 4 weeks in camp.
How long a minute is depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on
I think I got a first hand experience of what sayings like this really mean. I flew into camp yesterday. After only 12 days off since I had to stay in that extra day and then having to overnight in Yellowknife before returning home. Of course because we are flying on the jet our flight time was incredibly early. So, up at 3:20am to get to the sky shuttle for 4:30am. Last time I aimed at being just on time for the sky shuttle nearly resulted in me missing it. Amazing how when you call a cab to go to the bus station to grab a cheaper trip out to the airport than the $53 one way that they are charging (as opposed to the $25 return trip on a shuttle) the cabs manage to drive extra slow and hit every single stop light on the way to the bus station. Last time I gave myself 15 minutes to get to the bus station which is only maybe 15 blocks away, we just made it before the shuttle left. This time I gave myself half an hour and when the cab learned I was going to the shuttle I felt the car slowly slow down to a nice Sunday drive speed. However, once I said that I had half an hour to get to the station the speed started to go a little faster. Guess he figured that a 5 - 10 minute slow down could be possible but he would have to really be sneaky and work at it to make me 30 minutes late on a 15 block stretch.
So, 4:30am at the shuttle to get to the airport for 5:30am for check in. Board at 6:30am to take off at 7am. Why the early boarding time? not cause we had so many people to check through and board but because due to the extreme rain/snow and wind the night before all the runways were apparently extremely icy causing us to taxi to the farthest runway to take off from. Ever been in a vehicle the size of a 737 jet taxiing about 7 kilometers to a runway to take off? Kind of reminded me of being in a taxi cab in Edmonton driving 15 blocks to a grey hound bus station.
We arrived in YK for roughly 9amish (can't give the exact time since I was dead asleep when we landed) and sat on the runway for a long period of time. We were told that the weather in camp was 'questionable' and we would have to wait but it was 'getting better by the second'. Finally around 10:30 they made us deplane. Of course they said it was because they were being nice to the passengers to go have a smoke or to put us in more comfortable chairs. We sat in the lounge either playing pool, sleeping in chairs, surfing the internet on a really unpredictable and sketchy internet connection or watching a very indecisive man go through the 'guide' part of the TV reading what was on but not really going to anything to watch it till around 12:30 when they brought in pizza. Of course, campers being what they were the guy buying the pizza had to announce to only take two slices first till everyone had some and then come back for seconds and repeat it again and again about 5 times over the course of a 20 minute feeding frenzy. You don't tell campers who are used to piling up a plate of pizza to only take two slices. When they hear "take only two" they seem to think that means two pizzas and not slices. They didn't get their big bellies from eating salads or small portions.
So finally we were told that they would break down the passenger list to two flights and we would fly in on the smaller planes instead of the one big jet. I wasn't originally on the first flight but as they were calling for the first flight to leave my name got called. I guess when they were making the flight lists originally they didn't take to account what the people actually do in camp as opposed to how big of a wig they were. Seems in theory it is a good idea to get the big office people in camp so that they can be all important and high on the pecking order but when you think about it, best get the cooks and kitchen staff into the kitchen before supper starts or else the big wigs will be sitting in the dining room eating sandwiches but secure in the knowledge that they are truly high and mighty on the pecking order.
Now if you think about it the company really didn't save anything by putting us on this early morning direct flight from Edmonton to camp. After all, before the jet took over what were we doing? We would fly to YK via the regular standard air flights, be put up in a hotel for the night, get on little puddle hopper planes and fly into camp in the early morning. What did we do yesterday? everyone flew to Edmonton via the regular flights and got put up in a hotel then got on a chartered jet to YK, got off there and transferred to two puddle hopper planes to fly into camp. Figure the money that they saved on hotel bills (since Edmonton hotels are slightly cheaper than YK hotels) they probably lost more than that on the charter flight and then hiring the two puddle hoppers to get us to camp.
So that was my trip. Though when it came to the feeling of flying, it is funny how when I am in camp I resign myself to the fact that there isn't going to be a flight and I am stuck there for another day and I feel sort of neutral. After all, I haven't gained or lost anything since I am still where I was the day before. But when the flight happens it makes it all so much sweeter. When out of camp, I resign myself to the fact that the flight is cancelled and yet I don't feel neutral but happy not to be going back to work. Then when the flight is happening, you feel so much worse cause it was like paradise was in reach but now it is gone.
Of course, life in camp really hasn't changed much. Still do the most hectic menu night of the week on flight day (steak night) and we are still rinsing all the pans that we use (from the ones that we cook with to the ones that we serve with right up till closing time) in the back sink so that the dishwasher doesn't have to rinse them. Even though there are two of them in the pit. They could use the little sink but that always has a bucket of water in it ready so that they can change the water in their sink at a moments notice. Drives the 1st cook insane since he sometimes brings his common sense to camp with him whereas I check mine at the airport before flying into camp and pick it up on the way out so the dishwashers behavior really doesn't surprise me or anything. Amazing what you can accomplish in this place when you leave all common sense in the south.
So in camp I am for another 4 weeks but with the promise of being on days as 2nd cook for 2 weeks and then going to breakfast cook on nights for 2 weeks. Will see what happens though....of course, gonna be another fun filled and exciting 4 weeks in camp.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
why I am slowly stopping giving a darn about people...
I have been in situations where someone asks for help and I do help out and later find out that I am being played. Like when I was working at the Far Side Lounge and my co-workers would ask me to work their shift claiming some sort of problem in their lives but then I find out that it was a lie. Once when a co-worker had a sprained ankle and said he couldn't work (showed up later that night at the lounge to dance in the pub to the live band we had playing) or one girl said she had a big exam the next morning she was pulling an all nighter to study for (again, in the bar from 8pm to 1am drinking quite heavily). Sometimes it is more of a support and shoulder to cry on like when in camp the baker that was on nights with me would come in and be in a huge state claiming her boyfriend was cheating on her and that she was too stressed to work and had me pick up some extra tasks to help get the work done only later to find out that she had been single for years and there was no boyfriend. However, this had to be the worst time to be lied to.
This just happened this evening. I was just finishing up supper with the Mrs when the phone rang and it came up as an unknown name. I was waiting for a call from a friend who has her number blocked for privacy so I answered the call. I got a strange lady's voice talking to me asking me if I had a nice evening and how my Easter weekend was. Suddenly she starts to break down to sobs claiming how her nephew just got shot on a reserve, she couldn't contact her family members and she was contemplating suicide. She sounded drunk the more she talked so I listened. The call lasted a little over 6 minutes with it mainly being her talking incoherently about depression and suicide. Finally when I hung up I was wondering what the proper thing to do was so I looked the number up on Telus as a reverse look up and nothing came up. I looked on google (780-977-2028) and it said that it was a cell phone number that can not be named. I called the Suicide Crisis line here (didn't get the name of the guy but he was extremely sympathetic and professional) and they gave me a number to the Mental Health Crisis Team (got a girl who was extremely short and curt with me...guess she must have been extremely busy tonight which is sort of scary considering her line of work) who told me to call 911. So I called 911 and was connected with the police who took the number and put me on hold. They came back a few minutes later and it turns out that it was a party with a few people drinking and a couple got a hold of someones cell phone and decided to make a few crank phone calls to which I got to be a lucky recipient of. I was expecting to hear from the officer that they were going to press charges and needed my name and number to make a statement but instead all I got was "we (the police) have suggested to the owner of the cell phone that they might want to keep a closer hold on their cell phone during drinking parties".
At the time of the call I wasn't really shaken and actually found it interesting that after speaking with the first suicide crisis line that the guy (who sounded extremely sympathetic and listened really well) mentioned that receiving a call like this is extremely stressful and if I needed someone to talk to I was more than welcome to call back and discuss it with them. I think right now I am more annoyed than stressed about the call.
So yeah, guess it is moments like this that make me really wonder about helping others out there if when I get asked for help I have to ask myself "do they really require help or are they just being lazy or pranking me?"
This just happened this evening. I was just finishing up supper with the Mrs when the phone rang and it came up as an unknown name. I was waiting for a call from a friend who has her number blocked for privacy so I answered the call. I got a strange lady's voice talking to me asking me if I had a nice evening and how my Easter weekend was. Suddenly she starts to break down to sobs claiming how her nephew just got shot on a reserve, she couldn't contact her family members and she was contemplating suicide. She sounded drunk the more she talked so I listened. The call lasted a little over 6 minutes with it mainly being her talking incoherently about depression and suicide. Finally when I hung up I was wondering what the proper thing to do was so I looked the number up on Telus as a reverse look up and nothing came up. I looked on google (780-977-2028) and it said that it was a cell phone number that can not be named. I called the Suicide Crisis line here (didn't get the name of the guy but he was extremely sympathetic and professional) and they gave me a number to the Mental Health Crisis Team (got a girl who was extremely short and curt with me...guess she must have been extremely busy tonight which is sort of scary considering her line of work) who told me to call 911. So I called 911 and was connected with the police who took the number and put me on hold. They came back a few minutes later and it turns out that it was a party with a few people drinking and a couple got a hold of someones cell phone and decided to make a few crank phone calls to which I got to be a lucky recipient of. I was expecting to hear from the officer that they were going to press charges and needed my name and number to make a statement but instead all I got was "we (the police) have suggested to the owner of the cell phone that they might want to keep a closer hold on their cell phone during drinking parties".
At the time of the call I wasn't really shaken and actually found it interesting that after speaking with the first suicide crisis line that the guy (who sounded extremely sympathetic and listened really well) mentioned that receiving a call like this is extremely stressful and if I needed someone to talk to I was more than welcome to call back and discuss it with them. I think right now I am more annoyed than stressed about the call.
So yeah, guess it is moments like this that make me really wonder about helping others out there if when I get asked for help I have to ask myself "do they really require help or are they just being lazy or pranking me?"
Monday, April 5, 2010
lazy times out and mommy cat
so far my time out of camp has been quite interesting and relaxing. Had a good lazy day with the Mrs watching Rome (good HBO series though extremely graphic in blood and sex), watched a few movies (Clash Of The Titans, Alice In Wonderland, Hot Tub Time Machine) and played some video games at home. Haven't done a lot of cooking since I got back but have eaten a lot of delivery or restaurant food. There is a pizza place close by that, according to the Mrs, serves the best pizza possible. Personally, for me pizza is pizza no matter where you order it from. I prefer to go for quantity than quality when it comes to cost. Two medium sized pizzas (one Hawaiian, one all dressed) from her place (Rose Bowl) cost $50.20...two medium pizzas of equal types (Hawaiian/all dressed) from Pizza 73 would come to $28.88 with delivery. Granted, Pizza 73 does not make their pizza sauce by letting it simmer for 3 days to get the flavours infused throughout the whole sauce like Rose Bowl, but pizza is pizza in my mind. We also went to a Korean place (Bu-Go-Gi House...an old favorite of mine that i have not been to in ages) and ate waaaay too much food. We ordered 6 dishes for 3 of us and we had enough food left over brought home for lunch the next day and dinner as well. I think the only cooking I did this time I have been out was a rib night (usual baby back ribs, garlic mashed taters, broc and cheese sauce) and supper last night of stir fry and an apple pie. For some reason just haven't had the opportunity to do much cooking.
However, one thing that I have discovered being at home is that the two fur balls (Dawn and Dusk) have bonded to the Mrs extremely well. They automatically come to her to play, cuddle on her lap when she sits to watch TV, follow her pretty much everywhere that she goes. I was watching them for a couple days and then it dawned on me...the Mrs is basically a tall, furless mother cat to them. Figure since the day that they were born she has been at home with them. They see her wake up, eat breakfast, play around the house (technically cleaning or doing crafts but I figure they think that is just her way of playing like they do with the feather rod that we have for them or little toy mice), nap now and then and watch TV (they watch TV as well sometimes...it is really cute to watch them sit down at the base of the TV and look up and follow the action on the screen). They cuddle up to her, nap with her, suckle on her tshirts and PJs almost like they were nursing. It is soooo cute. Our two little furballs have adopted the Mrs as 'mommy cat'.
However, one thing that I have discovered being at home is that the two fur balls (Dawn and Dusk) have bonded to the Mrs extremely well. They automatically come to her to play, cuddle on her lap when she sits to watch TV, follow her pretty much everywhere that she goes. I was watching them for a couple days and then it dawned on me...the Mrs is basically a tall, furless mother cat to them. Figure since the day that they were born she has been at home with them. They see her wake up, eat breakfast, play around the house (technically cleaning or doing crafts but I figure they think that is just her way of playing like they do with the feather rod that we have for them or little toy mice), nap now and then and watch TV (they watch TV as well sometimes...it is really cute to watch them sit down at the base of the TV and look up and follow the action on the screen). They cuddle up to her, nap with her, suckle on her tshirts and PJs almost like they were nursing. It is soooo cute. Our two little furballs have adopted the Mrs as 'mommy cat'.
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