Holy smokes time flies when you're having a blast! Have I mentioned that I really love being busy like this? I truly mean that, the adrenaline just runs.
I really wanted to get into the Halloween spirit, but just had a few moments of jocularity. Lena and I went into "town" last night and I picked up a clown wig and nose. I didn't keep them on, working in the back room seemed kind of pointless, but I did put them on and pop out the door whenever I heard people being happy and say "Who's clowning around out here?" It was good for a few laughs. Lena bought a witch hat with bright pink hair attached to it, and we got it on a Former Ess Employee Who Now Works For Shell Yet Shall Remain Nameless. Picture is included :)
We had a great time in town last night. Went for dinner at McRays, which was delicious. Toodled around Wal Mart for a bit and got some supplies for the next week or so (I have the fridge again for a few days yet - got yogurt!) Picked up some Halloween treats for the front desk and yacked and yacked! We didn't get lost, which is a great bonus. I keep worrying that I'll miss one of the turns into camp (the roads are named, but no signs that I could see!). The signage is pretty good, but at night....I worry I'll end up in the Northwest Territories haha.
Aimee sent me some picture messages today, one of Caden in his big boy underpants, and one of Caden in his costume. I was showing everyone, and had to add them to the slide show screen saver on my cell phone. I do miss my grandbabies!!
I checked the weather network tonight, and actually it's 3 degrees (celcius) warmer here at camp than it is back in Stratford. It's 4 degrees celcius here, and 1 degree in Stratford. Sunrise in Ft. Mac is 8:32, sunset is 5:44. In Stratford, sunrise is 7:57 and sunset is 6:16. So we are getting just about 1 hour less of daylight right now.
Chef set up a beautiful dessert table for Halloween. Candy apples, special decorated cupcakes, some yummy looking chocolate cake....trifle, jello in a clear glass (different colours). The camp Halloween dressup party was on Friday night. I was way too tired to go so did not see the costumes. I heard a good time was had by all haha. Some of the kitchen employees were all dressed up in the dining room, and we got talking to one of the ladies and she said that they got to leave an hour early if they dressed up. So there were skeletons, witches, mummies, etc picking up trays and cleaning tables. Albian Village does know how to put on a good party. Fort Mac was really busy last night, I guess there were a lot of parties and the stores were busy. They must know how to party in St. Mac too haha.
I am going to bed early tonight and will try and get back into the posting routine!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Ah Wednesday.....
If you read this blog, you know what Wednesdays mean. Yikes!! Yep, back at camp and into the thick of things. I arrived in Ft. McMurray yesterday at 7:15 am. Aimee flew out of Ft. Mac on Monday at noon and left her car there for me to bring back to camp. She sent me a text msg of the parking spot # and where exactly it was. I had no trouble finding the car, but once in noticed that it was in spot 261, not 231 like she told me. I quickly sent her a text msg and she replied that she was lucky she didn't get a ticket. Then I actually checked under the snow on the windshield and there it was. $85 ticket for no proof of payment. After a trip inside to talk to security, they assured me that they would void the ticket once she provided proof that she paid for the other spot. Then the drive to camp. I was a little nervous, since it's kind of confusing as there aren't really any signs with road names once off the main highway. However, I did find my way back without getting lost once :) As I stepped out of the car, I realized that the rain/snow mix I had driven in was actually freezing rain, and there was a layer on the car as well as icy conditions on the road. Hmm, I guess it's a good thing I didn't know that while I was driving? Must be good tires on that car! I got my room key, lugged all my bags up to my room and collected my work clothes from my friend Lena's room and looked at the clock; 9:30. Just enough time to dig through bags, find my work clothes, have a shower and be to work by 10 am. I like living on the edge, haha. We're short-staffed again right now so will be a whirlwind few weeks!
The days are quickly shortening here, I compared. In Stratford right now, sunrise is at 7:52 am and here at camp, 8:23 am. Sunset back home is 6:22 pm and here it is 5:53 pm. The difference will grow now until the December equinox. I was really amazed looking at the weather back home, it's been so unseasonably warm! I guess it is here too, as on the radio yesterday they were commenting how it's the end of October and still no substantial snowfall.
Well I am off to finish my laundry and get ready for work. Big flight day today, lots of people checking in!
The days are quickly shortening here, I compared. In Stratford right now, sunrise is at 7:52 am and here at camp, 8:23 am. Sunset back home is 6:22 pm and here it is 5:53 pm. The difference will grow now until the December equinox. I was really amazed looking at the weather back home, it's been so unseasonably warm! I guess it is here too, as on the radio yesterday they were commenting how it's the end of October and still no substantial snowfall.
Well I am off to finish my laundry and get ready for work. Big flight day today, lots of people checking in!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Missed the mountains....
Yep, we drove into Calgary today and wow, after being away from big cities this was just too much hustle-bustle. And we did miss the mountains! So we drove the 1 hour out to Canmore, back near the entrance to Banff National Park and got a beautiful room here for the night. Check out the pics, it's a fantastic find, again. The town is a lot like Banff and Jasper, little shops, restaurants, micro-breweries and wineries. Not too much open, since it is a Sunday night, but we did take a tour around before deciding on Wood Lounge for dinner. Great little place with a fireplace and cozy black leather armchairs around the tables. Not to mention the mountain scenery out the windows. This is another place that's nestled in the mountains so you get a beautiful view no matter which direction you look. I feel so fickle, since I loved the ocean so much and now I think it must be jealous of my mountain raving :)
Tomorrow is my last day of vacation. And we are headed back into Calgary. We have a room by the airport, since my flight back to Ft. Mac is leaving at 6 am on Tuesday morning, and have to be at the airport at 5. Well I think I'm going to turn the fireplace on for a few minutes before bed, love it!
Tomorrow is my last day of vacation. And we are headed back into Calgary. We have a room by the airport, since my flight back to Ft. Mac is leaving at 6 am on Tuesday morning, and have to be at the airport at 5. Well I think I'm going to turn the fireplace on for a few minutes before bed, love it!
Back into civilization....
Saturday night in Red Deer, like we never left home lol. If you look on a map, Red Deer is midway between Calgary and Edmonton, on the main highway #2. We're leaving for Calgary this morning, and hope to spend the rest of today touring around the southern part of the city, and tomorrow night staying near the airport in the north end so Monday will tour around that part of the city. I'm really noticing the shorter days now, I guess I'd better get used to it, only going to get shorter for another couple of months! Oh well all in all I think we've had a fine fall, except for that minor blip of snow on Sept 16 haha.
We decided to take in a movie last night, but got lost trying to find the movie theater and missed the early showing, and just weren't up to staying for the late one. Red Deer has one long, long main street (which we've toured several times getting lost!) and I'm sure there's more to see, but the main street is very interesting and has everything you could want. The road divides around the center of the city, and both ways have an access road to reach the businesses along the way. The city looks very modern, even the "historic" downtown has a modern feel to it. I'm not sure the age of the city, but definitely has sprung up fairly recently.
Oh by the way, Thor spent a good hour (maybe more) searching that animal that I have the picture of (having the late breakfast) and it is definitely an elk. We saw herds of bison on the drive as well, but were too far away to get good pictures.
Well looks like we're in for some cloudy/rainy days here, and just above freezing. I think I'm glad most of our driving is done! Glad it's done in the mountains anyway. We sure had great weather for that part of the trip, even though I was cold and wished I had my boots :)
We decided to take in a movie last night, but got lost trying to find the movie theater and missed the early showing, and just weren't up to staying for the late one. Red Deer has one long, long main street (which we've toured several times getting lost!) and I'm sure there's more to see, but the main street is very interesting and has everything you could want. The road divides around the center of the city, and both ways have an access road to reach the businesses along the way. The city looks very modern, even the "historic" downtown has a modern feel to it. I'm not sure the age of the city, but definitely has sprung up fairly recently.
Oh by the way, Thor spent a good hour (maybe more) searching that animal that I have the picture of (having the late breakfast) and it is definitely an elk. We saw herds of bison on the drive as well, but were too far away to get good pictures.
Well looks like we're in for some cloudy/rainy days here, and just above freezing. I think I'm glad most of our driving is done! Glad it's done in the mountains anyway. We sure had great weather for that part of the trip, even though I was cold and wished I had my boots :)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Banff here I come!!
OK so I do have to work today, but I'm already practicing my "departure dance". People are so happy on their day to go home (after 21 days in a row, sometimes more) that they are singing and a few started a happy dance on the last day. Well, of course if it's not YOU leaving, the happy dance is very annoying! But when it's your turn, haha! Look out. I decided my departure dance would be done to "New York, New York" today. You know, "start spreading the news......I'm leaving today...." etc. Big big smiley face inserted here.
I do work today, then fly out of Ft. Mac at 7:20 tonight to arrive in Calgary at 9:30. Unfortunately there is a stop in Edmonton, otherwise it would only take a bit more than an hour to get there. OH well, I don't have to get off the plane, it's just a short stop to exchange passengers.
So far the plan is to spend the night in Calgary, pick up the rental car and head out to Banff. It's only an hour or so drive from Calgary. I was surprised, I had no idea it was that close. We'll go to Lake Louise and then figure out our route from there. I've heard so much about how beautiful it is that I'm very excited to hit those mountain roads!
Last night I moved much of my stuff to Lena's room for storage so today will just have to bring a few last minute items (shampoo etc) over and check out. My feet are pretty excited I'll tell you!! I will catch up with pictures this week.
I do work today, then fly out of Ft. Mac at 7:20 tonight to arrive in Calgary at 9:30. Unfortunately there is a stop in Edmonton, otherwise it would only take a bit more than an hour to get there. OH well, I don't have to get off the plane, it's just a short stop to exchange passengers.
So far the plan is to spend the night in Calgary, pick up the rental car and head out to Banff. It's only an hour or so drive from Calgary. I was surprised, I had no idea it was that close. We'll go to Lake Louise and then figure out our route from there. I've heard so much about how beautiful it is that I'm very excited to hit those mountain roads!
Last night I moved much of my stuff to Lena's room for storage so today will just have to bring a few last minute items (shampoo etc) over and check out. My feet are pretty excited I'll tell you!! I will catch up with pictures this week.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Saturday already??!!??
Wow. What a week. We had an even crazier than normal crazy few days here. 'Nuff said about that. Oh I have two HUGE blisters on left foot toes. I want to pop them so bad, but I don't have any antibacterial ointment or cream or anything here so I think I'll just leave them. It was so nice to have a somewhat quiet Saturday, ahhhh.
You can sure tell that snow is just around the corner. (again) I actually need a little bit of heat on in my room. I'm usually so hot from running all the time I didn't have it on and always opened my window, but the other morning was only about 15 in my room and I was shivering! Not in bed, since Tom found me a brand new comforter to put on my bed. It's nice and puffy and keeps me warm as toast.
Well camp is as full as I've ever seen it since I've been here. Even the trailers outside, all 10 of them filled to capacity. I feel sorry for the guys coming off their day shift, as the lineup for food is right out of the dining room. Tensions were very high this week as there was a problem in the trailers and there was no water for about a full day to any of the trailers. Let's just say there were a lot of very frustrated, angry, tired and complaining men. Then in the middle of all that, one guy came to the counter, very angry, complaining about what a lousy, awful lunch facility we have here. Now you have to understand, the lunch area is open and available for people to make their own lunches in the morning and again in the evening. There are numerous sandwiches already made up, from pb&j to summer sausage, roast beef, turkey, chicken, veggie, cheese, egg salad, chicken salad, ham salad etc and leftovers from dinner are packed up, and burgers, pogo sticks, pizza pops, then there's apples, bananas, pears, sometimes plums. Then over in the next section you can make your own sandwich, with white, wheat and 12 grain bread, pitas, bagels and all the lunch meat, cheese slices (real cheese not Kraft singles) tomatoes, onions and other various garnishes you could ask for. Plus cut up cheese cubes, hard boiled eggs, pasta and potato salad to pack up, all kinds of drink boxes and fountain drinks. Oh and did I mention the treats? Always pastries, danish, muffins, rice krispie squares, different types of breads like banana bread, lemon loaf and cookies, chocolate, chocolate chip, oatmeal. And of course carrots, celery, cauliflower, broccoli and packages of dressings, dips, mayonnaise, cheese whiz, cream cheese etc etc etc. You get the picture. Anyway this guy is complaining (with his huge packed full lunch bag) about how lousy the lunch room is, and at other camps you get hot dogs (which we sometimes have too!) and he didn't even want to go to work!!!!! I just stared at him unbelievingly and calmly handed him the camp suggestion form so I wouldn't burst out laughing in his poor, spoiled little face! That was definitely my most ridiculous moment of the week.
Anyway just two more sleeps and I'm off for 7 days. And staff are starting to arrive back from their vacation/days off so we're not so short anymore so I expect things to be a little easier the last two days I'm here. It's been a challenging three weeks this time!!
You can sure tell that snow is just around the corner. (again) I actually need a little bit of heat on in my room. I'm usually so hot from running all the time I didn't have it on and always opened my window, but the other morning was only about 15 in my room and I was shivering! Not in bed, since Tom found me a brand new comforter to put on my bed. It's nice and puffy and keeps me warm as toast.
Well camp is as full as I've ever seen it since I've been here. Even the trailers outside, all 10 of them filled to capacity. I feel sorry for the guys coming off their day shift, as the lineup for food is right out of the dining room. Tensions were very high this week as there was a problem in the trailers and there was no water for about a full day to any of the trailers. Let's just say there were a lot of very frustrated, angry, tired and complaining men. Then in the middle of all that, one guy came to the counter, very angry, complaining about what a lousy, awful lunch facility we have here. Now you have to understand, the lunch area is open and available for people to make their own lunches in the morning and again in the evening. There are numerous sandwiches already made up, from pb&j to summer sausage, roast beef, turkey, chicken, veggie, cheese, egg salad, chicken salad, ham salad etc and leftovers from dinner are packed up, and burgers, pogo sticks, pizza pops, then there's apples, bananas, pears, sometimes plums. Then over in the next section you can make your own sandwich, with white, wheat and 12 grain bread, pitas, bagels and all the lunch meat, cheese slices (real cheese not Kraft singles) tomatoes, onions and other various garnishes you could ask for. Plus cut up cheese cubes, hard boiled eggs, pasta and potato salad to pack up, all kinds of drink boxes and fountain drinks. Oh and did I mention the treats? Always pastries, danish, muffins, rice krispie squares, different types of breads like banana bread, lemon loaf and cookies, chocolate, chocolate chip, oatmeal. And of course carrots, celery, cauliflower, broccoli and packages of dressings, dips, mayonnaise, cheese whiz, cream cheese etc etc etc. You get the picture. Anyway this guy is complaining (with his huge packed full lunch bag) about how lousy the lunch room is, and at other camps you get hot dogs (which we sometimes have too!) and he didn't even want to go to work!!!!! I just stared at him unbelievingly and calmly handed him the camp suggestion form so I wouldn't burst out laughing in his poor, spoiled little face! That was definitely my most ridiculous moment of the week.
Anyway just two more sleeps and I'm off for 7 days. And staff are starting to arrive back from their vacation/days off so we're not so short anymore so I expect things to be a little easier the last two days I'm here. It's been a challenging three weeks this time!!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday - used to be hump day....
Back in the real world, where hump day exists. Here, every day is pretty much the same. Well, except for Tues-Wed-Thurs are noticeably busier and crazier than the other days of the week. I really have to get a pedometer to see how many miles I put on in a day. That's in addition to the one mile I walk for my personalized fitness program :)
I added a picture of the World Famous cupcake, imagine taking the time to decorate cupcakes like that when you're making them for 2600 people!! There were several different designs too. I forgot to mention yesterday Sarah the baker brought in some treats for the office staff, chocolate raspberry trifle. Garnished with fresh raspberries. She was delivering them around, came in to see me and said "I KNOW you will want one!". Sigh, my sweet tooth reputation precedes me.
My pet peeve of the day is.......people that call the front desk from their room and ask for their call to be transferred to another room. And they do it A LOT. Makes me absolutely crazy, when we are busy, the phone is ringing off the wall, and it's someone saying "can you connect me to Bobby Orr's room?" I just want to scream at them READ YOUR WELCOME PACKAGE AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS TO DO IT YOURSELF!!!!! Of course, it would take longer to do that than to actually transfer the call, so I end up doing it. It is a little confusing but the directions are clear....I figured out how to do it!! Plus...each room's phone has a direct line number. You can call it FREE, just dial the number. Sometimes I don't mind when the person doesn't know the room number and I have to look it up, but when the same person calls for the same room more than once I start to lose my patience. In fact, I notice my patience gets shorter the more days I'm here, LOL. This time I am here 22 days instead of 21 as my rotation changed by 1 day to allow me to take advantage of Monday flights, which are generally cheaper than Sunday flights.
Oh and by the way, the new pictures I've added of the skies and cupcake were taken on my cell phone. It has a memory card. Have you ever seen a memory card for a cell phone? It looks a lot like an SD memory card for a digital camera, except it's 1/4 of the size. Yes, it's that tiny. I dropped mine today and I felt like I was looking for a contact lens on the carpet it's that small. It comes with an adapter, which is like an SD memory card with a slot to slide the wee little one in. Sorry, sometimes small things amaze this small mind :)
Anyway, I made a point NOT to nap this afternoon, as yesterday I could not get to sleep after I finished at 8:15 and was up way too late. I will be in bed by 8:15 tonight for sure!!
I added a picture of the World Famous cupcake, imagine taking the time to decorate cupcakes like that when you're making them for 2600 people!! There were several different designs too. I forgot to mention yesterday Sarah the baker brought in some treats for the office staff, chocolate raspberry trifle. Garnished with fresh raspberries. She was delivering them around, came in to see me and said "I KNOW you will want one!". Sigh, my sweet tooth reputation precedes me.
My pet peeve of the day is.......people that call the front desk from their room and ask for their call to be transferred to another room. And they do it A LOT. Makes me absolutely crazy, when we are busy, the phone is ringing off the wall, and it's someone saying "can you connect me to Bobby Orr's room?" I just want to scream at them READ YOUR WELCOME PACKAGE AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS TO DO IT YOURSELF!!!!! Of course, it would take longer to do that than to actually transfer the call, so I end up doing it. It is a little confusing but the directions are clear....I figured out how to do it!! Plus...each room's phone has a direct line number. You can call it FREE, just dial the number. Sometimes I don't mind when the person doesn't know the room number and I have to look it up, but when the same person calls for the same room more than once I start to lose my patience. In fact, I notice my patience gets shorter the more days I'm here, LOL. This time I am here 22 days instead of 21 as my rotation changed by 1 day to allow me to take advantage of Monday flights, which are generally cheaper than Sunday flights.
Oh and by the way, the new pictures I've added of the skies and cupcake were taken on my cell phone. It has a memory card. Have you ever seen a memory card for a cell phone? It looks a lot like an SD memory card for a digital camera, except it's 1/4 of the size. Yes, it's that tiny. I dropped mine today and I felt like I was looking for a contact lens on the carpet it's that small. It comes with an adapter, which is like an SD memory card with a slot to slide the wee little one in. Sorry, sometimes small things amaze this small mind :)
Anyway, I made a point NOT to nap this afternoon, as yesterday I could not get to sleep after I finished at 8:15 and was up way too late. I will be in bed by 8:15 tonight for sure!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)