October 2004 Archives

I just spent 64 days in Mexico air diving. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I've seen better organization at an Alzheimers picnic. Dealing with a government agency like Pemex is bizarre. Apparently, if you finish a contract early you have to give money back. On the other hand, if you go over they penalize you. And when you finish a job you have to go to the beach and hang out for a period of time (to simulate de-mobe I think). I spent about a month on the LB Shawnee. The only saving grace was they have a barge dog. A yellow lab named Pistone. After we gave him a bath and enticed him into our air conditioned lounge under the big rig he adopted us. It took him about a day in the AC to figure out we were the shit and after that he bull rushed you to get inside as soon as you unlocked the door. Every barge ought to have a dog! I spent the balance of my time on the Titan II. They only had pigeons but it's the premium barge to work on. Clean, roomy, great crew. Pat Jefferies schmoozed the DP crew and we had unlimited access to phones and the internet in the wheelhouse. Polished up my Scrabble skills to the financial disappointment of an unnamed party and played a million games of dominoes. It's good to be home.

The hail was much more impressive than the picture shows. It would've beaten you bloody if you were caught out in it. A truly awesome display of Mother Natures power.

I'm back! This picture was taken just prior to the $14,000 hailstorm on the Salmon River Canyon. We're just 5 miles or so downriver from where Robby showed up Evel. Happy to say State Farm took care of us and fixed the truck. They also totaled the trailer for a nice little $2,000 profit. Ah insurance, can't have to much of it!