Rosie the Riveter better watch out... I'M in the game now!!!

Another Year Another Raise :D

2012-01-26T11:01:00.001-05:00

So I'm currently taking my advanced classes and soon wrapping up what's left of this five year apprenticeship. I guess you could say I'm not so good at this blogging stuff eh? For someone who spent a lot of time online you'd think I could get back here at some point. Well here we are anyway and here I also sit on the bus heading into class on a sunny Thursday morning. I find advanced class is a lot of review which is perfect as far as I'm concerned. I've been creating study notes with all the work we've been going through. There is definitely stuff there I have not touched upon in three years. Is it refreshing to see it again? Like cool ocean spray on the face? Well ocean water is salty and in the end can dry out the skin so in a way sure it's like that, lol.
The family has grown by leaps and bounds. Am married and have gained four more children. An adoption for both of us and three step children. Isn't that term so... so.... well I don't know. I just don't like using it when I could just say daughter. The kiddies know who their parents are and I know who their parents are so if I'm talking to a complete stranger they don't need to know the personal inner workings of my life. "Oh step child so this isn't his first marriage eh? Or maybe he had children out of wedlock. Tsk tsk tsk. Poor girl what has she gotten herself into? Hmmm) But then if you saw the kiddies you'd know they were not of my genes. I'm Native through and through and they are soooo WHITE! :P So you get the picture.
ANYhooooo back to my apprenticeship. I'm bad for tangents. I'm done school at the end of Feb. Then I have a week of dedicated review for all those getting ready to write the Red Seal oooooOOOOOOoooooo. IKR? :) Then my hours will be up sometime late April early May. THEN comes the day... Read Seal ooooOOOOOOooooo test day for me! Now From what I've gathered through the grapevine, this Red Seal oooooOOOOOooooo test is always changing. That or there is a pile that they circulate with no predetermined pattern. Always changing its pattern.... I guess it wouldn't really be a pattern anymore if that were true eh? So I could get any version of the test and if I WERE to fail my firs attempt it would probably not be the same the second time around. Well ok. That does make sense. Can't have people memorizing these things and getting by the second time around solely by having a good photographic memory. :) Also plenty of people have failed the first and second attempt at the test. (Hence my crazy study notes/novel I'm creating. So there is that to worry about. Other than that I SHOULD be Red Seal ooooOOOOOoooo approved by summer. Fingers crossed. :D
School with a bunch of guys can be an interesting thing. I noticed that as a group they can be unapproachable. Also they can be un-appealing to approach. One on one though they can be the friendliest of creatures. :P One has to study them well and know the signs when approaching a group of this species. Also the size of the group has a lot to say about how they would act individually. The bigger the group the more they show signs of boasting and the need to be king of the hill. As the groups get smaller they tend to be calmer and more approachable. Always maintain caution though. You never know when one will act out and set even the tiniest of groups going. (Diane Fossey would have been proud of me! LOL) Ok so I'm a bit to blame for the lack of approach. I don't hunt, fish, watch sports, drink a lot of beer or find the need to talk about how much my partner wants a g-spot orgasm (I certainly hope MY partner doesn't have a g-spot... o.O) So with few things in common with the majority of them I do tend to stick to my own thoughts. One on one though it can be quite different. They are the most polite individuals. They probably talk to me the same way they talk to their wives/gf's. I should start a tell all blog about what who says about whom! Be the whistleblower on what REALLY is discussed in construction lunch rooms and whatnot. Would I give names, eventually get taken to court for slander and become a tabloid celebrity? HA! As if eh? I'll just describe them with so much detail that you'd know who "John Doe" or "Subject A" is anyway LOL.
So this is where I am and I now have to run because I have class starting in about five minutes. I'll let you know how "Subject C" was when I get out. ;)

Dusting the Cobwebs off my Blog!!

2011-01-09T11:31:00.004-05:00

It's been awhile my fine friends. I've come a long way over the past four years in the trade. Of course very little of that was actually outside the shop, but I think I know the shop better than most now. I'm still bad with names though. "Yeah the... VAV box's you say? Yeah they're over there in the back room behind those big things on a crate. No those things next to THOSE objects right there. Ok ok I meant behind that and to the right of those!! YEAH!!" Maybe I should be getting out to site more. I'd learn what the correct term for everything is. As it is I know what I put together (ie offsets, duct, square to round, elbows, etc...) and I could tell you where 90% of the things we use are stored in the shop, but when stuff we don't make is delivered and then sent out to site I'm not so quick on the draw. According to Ed when I was working at the Queensway Carelton Hospital for those months three years ago I pretty much saw everything there was to see in a site job. It's just layed out differently for different projects. I like that I've seen it, but if I don't handle it, I have no idea. I need to start working out my arms more though. I've gained a lot of muscle since starting this job, but if I were to be sent out on site I'm pretty sure it requires a bit more power. Lot's of overhead lifting and that is my fall back. My center of balance likes to run and hide on me. You should see me doing yoga... not pretty!
I'm a fourth year apprentice now and will be heading into my fifth year technically this Spring. Pay goes up again (YAY!!) and I'm that much closer to becoming a mechanic. Of course getting closer to the end of my apprenticeship hasn't brought me further away from the insulation table AT ALL, but we do what we have to to keep getting paid right?
On a personal note Pat and I are getting married this year. I'm quite pumped about it. He's being all stoic and not showing his emotions (typical man!) so I grumble, cry or yell and shake things up every now and then, but that's just me (typical woman?). Come on, I have to find out what's going on with Mars every now and then don't I? He'll let me in on all their secrets, just you wait and see!
My daughter is 15 now!! OMG!! Of course she turned 15 this past October so it's not all that amazing to me now, but I had to add the emotion for shock value. That Oscar will be mine... oh yes it will be mine! She still endures the forced smothering hugs from me with silent resolve, but she also gets so bitchy if I so much as enter a toe into her and Becky's domain. Wow my girl is growing up!! And she's so much like me!! :S Who'da thunk!!
So here I am gaining further ground in the sheet metal industry, on a plateau when it comes to relationships, and losing ground with my teen (one day she'll walk out that door and into the arms of someone else..... :( My girl is growing up..... *sniff sniff*). Ok she's 15 so not quite yet... I hope... *sniff sniff* I mean yeah she's becoming a young lady!! Who'll one day not want my smothering hugs!!! *sniff sniff sniff sniff* Ummm ok I'll shut up now.
CHEERS!! :D

What 2008 Has in Store!!

2008-02-23T18:56:00.005-05:00

YEAH I'm a year two!! And I didn't even keep you completely up to date! :( I totally blame my boyfriend. He has kept me tied to the bed for the past four months (aside from work) and he..... hmmmm well I won't go THERE! Jokes! Needless to say, I've had a busy few months and I am now ready to get back into keeping a record of my progress through this thing we call a career! :)
My time at the Queensway Carleton Hospital has come to an end. I was there right up until X-mas, then after the New Year I was sent back to the shop. I am now still in the shop, but don't mind because it's FRICKEN COLD out there! I got some welding done right up to X-mas, but am back on forming, insulating and assembling duct work in shop.
The pic is of a couple of offsets I fused together (tig welding).
In an attempt to speed up the process and figure out what works best for everyone, we have been adding on to our job in the shop, whilst lessening the job on site. It doesn't necessarily make on site work easier, it just let's them do what they have to do with a bit less to worry about. Over the past week and a half we made a crazy amount of duct for a site. We then made the sleeves that go into the floor for all this duct. Now I am putting fire dampers into the sleeves and then attaching them to the corresponding piece of duct. This way we now have a piece of a riser done and ready to slide into the ground. All that needs doing is to have the pieces that fill in the space between this duct and the sleeve above. A riser being duct that goes vertically up the length of a building to branch out to all the duct on each floor. This is the first time we've taken these extra steps, so we shall see how valuable they will turn out to be for those on site. Usually we make the duct and ship it out... that for the most part is what we do.
I was thinking back in the fall that it would be cool to make something with my new found welding skills. I thought about it for a month or so and had come up with the idea of making a bed frame. After some thought on the idea however I realized a few things. First of all my welding is not what it hopefully will be down the road. I have yet to make any "bubblegum" welds, but that is not to say I don't have a lot to learn in other areas. Also the metal I wanted for the job is out of my league in price. I hadn't realized how expensive metal can be!! So the bed is on hold until further notice...
This year I thought would be the year I bought a car. I'm starting to realize however that it may not turn out that way. I am making more than I made last year by 10% which is a NICE raise, but I am still about a year away from keeping up with the various payments required to own a car. Maybe a few months down the road I'll be able to alter that thought, but for now I'm going to have to dream about wheels... I am however helping my boyfriend look for a car. He got in a bit of a scuffuffle on the Queensway with a tractor trailer and his Suzuki lost the battle. Thankfully it was just between the two vehicles and he came away 100%. :D Searching for a car is quite the task I am finding. You have to be able to judge the car AND the salesman!
I got my letter to attend my basic training in March. No I'm not heading off to the armed forces. This is the first two month full time session of classes we have to take. There are three sessions, giving us a total of six months of full time in class education throughout the five years. In my hopes to buy a car I had thought maybe I'd wait until my second year to take basic. Also it would mean I'd be doing basic, intermediate and advanced in my 3rd, 4th and 5th years, keeping the info fresh each time so that when I go to write my test I'll have most of it right there (we hope... I'm not sprind chick anymore...). Then again there is always the worry that each year we delay, we may end up having to travel to Oakville, ON to attend. Hmmmmmmmm decisions decisions!!
I'll let you know what I've decided....

Hanging Around

2007-10-20T22:27:00.000-05:00

*sigh* I have a cold and cannot talk right now. If I were to try it wouldn't be pretty for anyone directly involved. So here I sit typing and if need be, whispering to whomever comes around.

Someone or someTHING has to be trying to give me some sort of signal. I move into a new apartment and it is almost completely renovated beforehand. It feels GREAT to be moving into such a new place. Of course the one thing I take note of as I enter into my new new abode is how wonderously PINK the tiles in the front entrance and bathroom are. Those tiles are not replacement for old finish. I have to admit they are in good shape, which would stand to reason why he did not deem it necessary to change them. However............................ PINK?!?!? What is it telling me!!!

Now that I've been on site for approximately a month, I can give a bit of comparison to the age old question "Which do you prefer, shop or site?". I'm only going to compare it because for me there is no better. Shop is warm in the winter and our shop is relatively cool(A/C), in the summer. That is ALWAYS a plus. Site is cold in the winter and can be a sweatbox in the summer. That is NEVER a plus. I find that site work goes more quickly than shop work. Shope work is repetitive, whereas site work always seems to have some sort of twist to it that either makes it impossible to hang a certain piece without chopping another trades balls off, or maybe just because it's raining and I have to weld anyway. There is never a shortage of stress in either location. Mike seems to enjoy his position and handles it quit well from my perspective anyway. Ed hates his position and never let's the opportunity to point that fact out pass him by :D . Although in all honesty he seems to be handling his situation quite well as well, so as much as you hate it Ed, your doing great!!! Ok that had nothing to do with comparisons for my oppinion, I just felt like going off on a tangent. So where were we.......... ah yes. Site will require much more clothing come the colder months, which keeps me from freezing to death, but also can keep me from getting into that perfect position to get that piece welded. Meh, will just have to try to get at it from a different angle. In shop I left my tools on the work bench I inhabited most often. On site everything has to be locked up or it WILL walk away. I put down a pair of safety glasses for three hours in the middle of a high traffic area and don't they walk away!!!! It's not like I asked for it by leaving them there or anything. LOL. There you have it. A few comparisons, but no real oppinion yet. I'm glad I am on site now, but I'd be ok in shop as well.

I got a chance to hang out near the ceiling for a whole day two weeks ago. I'm telling you the feeling of love when Ed sent me up onto that ladder to hammer drill some holes into the ceiling was overwhelming indeed!! Getting up there and then having to balance myself on the third rung from the top, reach up over me and use one of the heavier drills to vibrate my body into fear of falling, was awesome!! I'm such a lucky girl!!! Well if asked I will do it again. How else
am I going to battle this uncertainty I have in my ability to find my center and BALANCE! I've also done a bit of welding on a ladder and that I can handle. When I'm looking through a mask and the only thing I can see is the arc, I have less sense of my surroundings and don't feel the height. Monday I get to climb on top of a piece of duct hanging from the ceiling so that I can weld it together. Now THAT should be interesting!! Do wish me luck!

Welder to be........ Or not to be.............

2007-09-16T11:20:00.001-05:00

Welder to be... or not to be...
I'm closer now to the end of my first year as an apprentice than to the shakey beginning. I can't think of any machine in the shop that I haven't used except the plasma, which I'm not seeing in my near future, but I won't discount it yet. With everything I've done over the past year, one thing still stands in the forefront for a better future... money. I'm looking forward to that 10% raise come November!!
When I first started in the trade, my goal was to start welding. I had no idea how long it would take to get to that point. It was a matter of either learning it in school first, or personal opportunity. Well personal opportunity won out first. Andrew is my first "teacher" when it comes to welding and he has made it possible for me to build enough courage to take what I've learned to work. I have now been welding in shop for over a week. I am definitely pumped about the whole thing!! I still don't know a lot of technical terms as far as the whole process and materials go, but this I know I will learn as time goes on. At least I have my foot in the door and am on my way! I do however hope to stay in shop welding until I am confident in my work, and I will save on site welding (ie. hanging upside down by my toes while bending backward and welding) for better days. :D
Last night was the Union (Local 47's) 100th Anniversary!! In representation of the event all the members got a watch with the unions logo in the middle. Andrew is beyond stoked about the watches (mine included since they ordered female style watches for the women in the trade), and I was definitely proud to wear mine! They are quite something. I went to the event with Rebecca, Andrew and his date Tanya. We sat at a table with four others. Nathan and his girlfriend (don't recall her name, horrible horrible memory... BAD!!). Nathan works at Dilfo with me and also is showing an interest in welding, but don't get too sure of yourself Nathan! I'M shop welder!!!! hehehe. Brian and his girlfriend (don't recall her name either... my brain should be shot, it's lame....) Brian did work for Dilfo some time back during his apprenticeship, but has since moved on to other work. I think the big shocker for everyone invloved was that I wore a skirt! It wasn't my first choice, but there you have it. Not only a skirt, but HEELS!!! Yikes, what will the neighbours say now!! I have a pic of Andrew and myself taken at the dinner and I tower over short stuff quit a bit LOL! I had a great time. I have definitely come to realize that I know enough people in the trade now to stop, schmooze with and feel perfectly comfortable. Mind you many of them were more than half cut and feeling no pain by the time I stopped to say hi, but that's ok, I only took a few embarrassing future blackmail pics, not many.....
:D

NOW you can shit an eggroll!!

2007-09-04T21:30:00.001-05:00

I've discovered quite recently, though I've had inklings all along, that I would make a rather content nomadic Native living in a time with no airoplanes or boats on rough water... along with large boats on trailers. Although now that I've long since discovered video games, it's almost worth the risks we humans put on ourselves with the things we create. Poor Andrew has had to deal with a lot this past weekend. My daughter and I went with him up to his camper this past weekend. Friday went without any hitches, and then Saturday we made the attempt to get his pontoon boat out of a receding lake and onto his trailer. The whole process took us between 1.5-2 hours. That is one heavy boat and when it settles off the rollers, it SETTLES!! I think that boat was giving us attitude for not taking it out for a spin in a few weeks. After all the messing around we dealt with, the trailer came out of the water with a flat. So we had to teeter totter the boat to the nearest town for an air pump. We ended up in Smith Falls, which was farther than he had hoped to go. We then spent a wonderful afternoon on Otter lake motoring around and swimming. It was great! The water was warm and Tammie was having a blast!

The sun came up Sunday morning bright and warm. Birds were singing, and I could swear I heard an angel playing a harp. It couldn't have been more cozy. We got packed up and headed back to town a bit early. Figuring we'd have a bit of extra time to do whatever we had to before Tammie and I took off to our family reunion. Everything and everyone bundled into the truck, the boat attached to said truck and we were a shoo-in. I think Andrew must have hiccuped because at one point near the beginning of the journey the truck went a bit right sending the trailer tire onto the shoulder and starting what would be my prozak induced medical dependency for life! (honest!). It was a bit stubborn on returning to paved road which according to Andrew made him "pucker" some. So everytime the truck even seemed to glance (yes trucks in my world can glance...) to the right I'd go all tense. Andrew kept looking at me and telling me to calm down. I couldn't help it, it's in my nature to not want the white man and his ways pressed upon me (in this case that would be sitting in a truck pulling a VERY heavy boat). So we pull into the city and I start to breath. I actually forget all about the boat until the pot hole in the intersection of Fallowfield and Greenbank enters our lives never to be forgotten. In retrospect I don't actually think those were Angels playing harps... I think it was more along the lines of our deathmarch being played out... yes I'm a drama queen.... Well as soon as we hit that pot hole that was it for the trailers axel. Off went half the axel and the left wheel across the road and down went the boat. We heard a BANG, Andrew looked into the review mirror saying we hit the intersection light and then as he watched the boat fall to the left he says (so much calmer than I would have given him credit for considering we were watching his hard work go down) "NOW you can shit and eggroll!" Tammie told us later that she was zoned out and all she really remembers is looking up and seeing us both looking behind us with looks of horror on our faces. Poor girl.

Andrew assessed the situation and then with no other alternative he got back in the truck and dragged the trailer and boat 200 feet to the shoulder and out of the way of traffic. I'm impressed because my big worry with the boat was if it leaned too much it would fall over and take us in the truck with it. What actually happened, is the wheel fell off but the boat didn't come off the trailer at all AND didn't take us with it. Quite impressed, but I'm sorry it took that sort of damage to build my confidence in it's sturdiness. Well Andrew got right back on the horse, called a friend to come help and got the trailer off the ground, welded and back in working order within 3 hours (yeah Andrew!!). We ended up leaving early to get ready for the reunion, but I checked in on him a bit later and all was looking healthy once again. HHaaaaaahhhhhhhhh (sigh....)

Monapolis Times

2007-07-28T07:27:00.001-05:00

I think I've forgotten how to do anything else but insulate TDF duct work......... Pitsburgh? what's that................. Ok maybe it's not that bad, but I'm sure Trev and I are the going experts on rigid insulation. Goodness knows I could tell you how it grits between the teeth compared to flex.

I'm thinking our rags must come from someone's home, because they aren't store bought cloth or anything. They are actually ripped up pieces of someone's clothing. Well this week a piece of someone's old pink fleece jogging pants ended up as our cloth at the insulation table. Pink fleece jogging pants............. think about that for a second.......... pink.......... fleece.......... getting any mental images? Jogging pants.................. is it coming to you? Or are you having trouble, because those three things don't belong in the same sentence. Who wears PINK pants in the first place (no Andrew they are not pink they are SALMON or more like a rusty red....), let alone fleece jogging pants. I was looking around the shop trying to picture who's home this monstrosity came from. Picturing the guys I work with walking around with wives wearing something out of the 80s. Or even some of the women that work up front owning a pair. Gave me something to chuckle about while slicing through mile upon mile of insulation. Are you with me here? Or am I alone on this one...

So I asked Danny (big bosses son, future big boss) about my book. We have these books that throughout the apprenticeship have to be signed by someone when we've accomplished a task. At the end of the apprenticeship it has to be I believe 75% full. Our union is for both tinbangers and roofers, so I don't see myself filling out any sections that have anything to do with roofing, but as long as I can get the rest of it filled out, I'm good. I didn't know when I should start concering myself with that though, so I was a big girl and asked! You have to understand this is a big feat for me due to my life long partnership with shyness. It took me awhile to see our forman in a casual light. What's that all about anyway? In my mind I KNOW he's a nice guy, as is everyone out there (well most anyway......), so why would someone have trouble making the first move to get to know that person. Pooey on shyness, I spit at thee!!!! So I asked and it turns out that if I leave or finish my apprenticeship, whichever happens at Dilfo first, they will then go through the book and sign off on all the necessary areas. He DID however say that most people finish their apprenticeships once started at Dilfo, which made me feel REALLY good. I would love nothing better than to stick with Dilfo throughout my apprenticeship and beyond if possible!

I've started biking to work! It's actually quite satisfying. I enjoy it. At the end of the day I can definitely feel it in my thighs though. Rock hard legs coming up! Yay health!! Hopefully this added with good eating will put off anything my high cholesterol started on my heart up until now. Breath easy!

Me? A health nut?

2007-07-15T20:13:00.000-05:00

Ok so we're going to try something new here. I've decided to work on areas of my health that my rigorous job doesn't touch. I definitely get a good workout standing all day, as well as in my arms with all the lifting and hammering that I do. However this does not touch my middle or other areas that could use a bit of toning up. As of last week I started in on my jogging again. (Have you ever seen the movie "What Women Want" with Mel Gibson? In that movie he, or should I say Helen Hunt, came up with a shoe commercial. In that commercial they mention how therapeutic running is. How the road is there for you everytime, yada yada yada. Well that commercial couldn't have said it any better. I was feeling a bit down lately and so I went for a run. That run has now become determination.) Along with my jogging there is my kickboxing. Now my Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are kickboxing days, and my Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are jogging days. I've cut out a lot of crap in my diet (I even walked into McD's and ordered something for my daughter and didn't order anything for myself.... now THAT'S restraint!) I haven't had a pepsi in over a week now........... I KNOW!!! I'm also working on getting my bike in working order this week so that I can hopefully start taking it to work next week. This may seem a bit sudden and over the top, but this is my personal goal right now. I want this for myself. Not only will it help get me in better shape for some of the more vigorous work I'll experience, but it will also help me personally in so many ways. Health is never something that should be a passing phase. So GO LISA GO!!

I believe that I am going for my basic training this January at work. It will be a two month full time course load at I'm hoping Algonquin. We may be moving our classes to Oakville, but I'm hoping that when that is implemented, I'll have finished my intermediate if not my advanced courses. I won't put too many eggs in that basket though. One can only hope for the best. I'm a bit excited about going though (to the classes, not Oakville). It will be interesting what I can pick up. I'm learning so much, but there is SO much more to soak in!

Yes, it truly was embarrasing....

2007-07-08T10:19:00.000-05:00

So at lunch one day at work I had put my head down to rest my eyes (honest!) and I ended up falling asleep. When I awoke everyone was leaving the lunch room except these two electricians that have been revamping the shop for the new plasma coming in. So The last tinbanger walks out the door, I'm thinking oh shit, time to go. I stand up take a step just as I catch the bad end of virtigo and lose my balance. I swing around to try and catch myself and end up doing a 180 into the fridge, which is about two feet behind where i originated! I stop, lean on the fridge to catch my barings and the two electricians are just sitting there taking in the show. Never try to act like you weren't really sleeping and then get up too fast when your still not sure which way is up. That was seriously the most embarrasing thing to happen to me at work! Right, back to work, bring on the power tools!!
This year is the tinbanging unions 100th anniversary. So they are having a dinner and dance in November I believe. At first I wasn't going to go. I am getting to know others, but not sure well enough yet to sit among a room full of them. I'm still a bit shy I guess. Andrew is going however, so he talked me into going as well. Let's see how social I can be! Now to find a date!
I am also going to play some golf with Dilfo this August. I guess I am getting out there a bit more. I thought of getting onto the union baseball team, but I think I'll wait until next year when I'm a bit more established. (was that an excuse?......)
I went to Toronto a few weeks back to check out the Pride parade. Didn't make it to the parade however. I was expecting it to be around noon or something and it didn't start until 2pm, so we had to start our way back to Ottawa by then. It's ok though, there's always next year and we did have a blast with my sister. We checked out the zoo (that place goes on forever!) on Saturday. That evening we headed over to friends of Carolyn's and wow she is cute when she's buzzed! Being the mature adults that we are, Carolyn, Tammie and I raced Greg and Den home. We called a cab, and they were going to take the trolly... streetcar? Note: I did say "going to take". End Note. We showed up home and about five minutes later they pull up in a cab! Not that they had a chance anyway, lol. So Sunday morning we went for some Dim Sum and Tammie actually ate something! Yay for trying something new beebs!! After that we chatted and then headed back to Ottawa. So I had a great weekend, and it was good to see my sister. We'll be out there again at the end of August for a visit and a trip to the CNE (get the barf bag ready!)

Summer is Among Us

2007-05-27T10:51:00.000-05:00

Good news!! Andrew is finally on the home stretch of his pontoon boat!! That is so awesome. I'm proud of you man!! Getting all that done with everything else that has been going on! Par-ty time!! Hmmm well maybe we should wait until the homestretch has been completed before I get ahead of myself.......

It's official! I work in an oven. I can't be sure, but word in the heat box was that the air conditioner WAS on on Thursday... I repeat it supposedly WAS on!! I think we all felt like we had just gone for a swim in a pool of sweat by the time the day was done. I'm so glad I don't get B.O. easily, hahahaha "heyyy why are you standing way over there......"

Ok this whole facebook things is a bit creepy, yet addicting in the very same moment! I've been in communication with people that I haven't said "boo" to in centuries. Yikes... I can use that term... I'm old.... So here I am wandering through messages and networks and running into friends from elementary school. Although, I have also run into a few co-workers which has been sweet! So let's not say creepy... how about erie (is that more positive while giving the wow impression?) This is what I call getting reaquainted with the world and making new friends!

We made it to the Pow Wow yesterday. Was quite hot, but I had fun. Invited my friend Denis along and it was cool to see the pow wow through a fresh pair of eyes. I'm not 100% up on my culture, but I explained what I could. I think the occasion would have been better if we had brought some chairs (my bad!!), but I think we had a good time. Tammie brought her friend Sydney with as well and they had more fun running around playing hide and seek! Tammie got her fix of Indian Taco as well. Tried some fresh squeezed lemonade that tasted great! Not so bitter. I ran into a few people I know, but the highlight was running into Shoshona and Sky! I used to watch Sky back when I worked for the Friendship Centres day home agency. Tammie, Sky and Josh were all around 2 at the time. So to see him at around 11 now was amazing. They still live in Barrie, so when my friend Tammy moves there, I'll have twice the reason to visit! I'd love to find Sheila and Josh again. So overall it was great! Ended off the day with a bbq YUMMY! You can cook Den!

May flowers bring more bee's!! :S

2007-05-12T21:42:00.000-05:00

Wow, I guess it's time for an update eh? Left you all hanging about that supposed union strike we may or may not have almost had? Yeah, I know... your all on the edge of your seats about it. So was I!! Well May 1st has come and gone, and we are still all at work. The beginning of this month was the new date of our new contract. It wasn't even all that much of a close call, though if you heard all the guys talking you'd have thought we were striking for sure. I guess the brain cells that control speach and the one's that control writing are at opposite ends of the brain. I of course know nothing about what is considered a "good" move for the contractors and what is bad. All I know is more money is ALWAYS good, and less money is always a bad thing. Well it wasn't a huge raise, but it will do. We're still at 36hrs. a week, so in another three years they will be battleing the hopes of bringing us up to 40 again I'm sure. I say it would mean more money, but as I've said, the typing side of my brain could also be different from my speach side, so get me in front of a bunch of union brothers/sisters and you may not get the same answer... shhhh *wink**wink*

Well I was beginning to believe that I was experiencing some heavy anxiety for a bit there. So I went to seek out a professional oppinion and found out today that I have low iron and high cholestoral. 34 yrs. old and high cholestoral..... I think I'll write McD's a letter and let them know it's time to move their restaurant across the street to a new location. It's inconveniencing me now!! Ok ok... yes, it is time for me to start taking fat out of my diet, and adding something better for me to fill that void. In actuality we don't eat all that much McD's, but we do tend to venture over to the Swiss Chalet side a bit too much. Move aWAY from the quarter chicken Lisa, slowely.....

In the hopes of adding to my new healthy regime, ie. getting into better shape, building self confidence, a sense of my own security and a bit of discipline, I have joined the Therien Kickboxing team! Wow does it feel good to kick someone! So far I've taken two one on one class with a coach and one group class. It is quite the workout, but wow does it feel good! The only thing I can compare it to as far as making me feel revived, is after a nice sweatlodge, though that probably doesn't make it any clearer to the majority of you out there, lol. So now I am a three to four days a week kickboxing gal.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, so I wish all you mom's out there a happy, sunny (I hope), relaxing mother's day!!!

Day of Realizations!

2007-04-13T08:47:00.000-05:00

I have a big head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn't use the term huge, big is discomforting enough. Everytime I go to use the drop saw I have to extend the shield strap to fit around my melon. What's THAT all about! I don't think I look unproportioned..... Well I'll just chalk it up to my extreme intelligence, both in the right and left hemisphere of my brain. I'm both artistic and can do the math, hehe.

My foreman is human after all! He's a very serious looking fellow and so whenever I went to him for a new job I was always rather formal. Last week when he was showing me how to work the hole punch machine he said something casually personal for the first time and I was a bit surprised. Usually when he wants something done for a rush order and he starts working next to me I start getting nervous and usually end up trying to pace myself with him. Not a very relaxed atmosphere. This week he was cutting insulation while I glued it down and he was humming, and muttering to himself like everyone else. He held up a piece of insulation that looked like a big fish and stood it next to himself and yelled over to Claude to take a picture, while he stood there posing with his "fish". It was hilarious, and I realized he IS human! Isn't it wierd how that happens?

My daughter is becoming a different person. She is definitely not a little girl anymore! She talks about getting a job, asking when she is allowed to go to the mall on her own, she isn't as shy as she once was. She's even gone on a few sleepovers this year! (I think that is harder on me than her, but STILL!) :S She is growing up!! I'm so glad that we are close. So far she still tells me everything (or is that just me being naive....), and if something is troubling her she get's angry and doesn't just walk away and shut her door on me. I like talking things out even if we both get a bit upset. Much better to communicate than hold it in, this I know. Well she's heading into early teens, so hopefully we'll hit it head on and be able to fight our way through it successfully. Have a blast and remain close! The apple of my eye!!!

Major update!!

2007-04-04T16:13:00.000-05:00

It's wierd... I realized today that I'm so used to getting scrapes and bruises from working with metal, that I don't even really notice when I get them at home. There was a time that the drama that would directly follow a paper cut was worth an oscar I'm sure! Just now I was cutting up strawberries with a pearing knife and jabbed my finger. Didn't break the skin or anything, but the ease at which I took the prick was interesting.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder- Inhibited sexual desire (ISD), sometimes called frigidity, sexual aversion, sexual apathy or hypoactive sexual desire. There is a study happening right now that anyone who feels they fit into this catagory can be a part of. They are testing for a drug to battle this disorder. Is this then the female version of viagra? What is normal in the homosapien world? We are striving to become so perfect that if you sneeze a slightly off shade of green mucus, you'd be thought of as plague ridden. There is a term for just about every function considered abnormal to society. We can't get over excited about our world without being considered ADD or is it ADHD now? There is no dancing spontaniously in the rain. That will get you a quick trip to the RO and I'm sure a multitude of pills to curb that urge again. (which reminds me of a story from my past... I was waiting for a bus in Vancouvers skid row one fine evening, pacing across the sidewalk from the street to the building I was in front of and back again. It was a boredom thing, nothing more. As I peacefully paced, a man came up to me and smiled at me quite knowingly as if we shared a deep secret and said "Yes, us crazy people have to stick together". So pacing... denotes insanity... Well it was a beautiful clear evening anyway, even to one such as I with my cracked mind.) If your born with a slightly more or less sexual drive you've got a disorder. We are setting ourselves up to become so dainty and ready to stuff different tablets into our system at the smallest whim of something not right about our physical structure that we'll have to be sure to get those AI robots in working order tout suit, because we will be too mesmerize with our perfection and too breakable i'm sure, to actually live our lives. Yes my french spelling is just as bad as my english spelling.

So we are in negotiations at work now. Time to renew our contract for the next three years. I have discovered that I cannot schmooze among a room full of men. I walked into the hall we rented for our vote to strike meeting and lost my voice. I just stood there watching everyone (ALL male) shake hands and talk trade. I could not come up with a single intelligent thing to say to even those I knew. How sad is that? I think I have a disorder... hyposhyness. So it is official! I am now a signed member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union. Of course I had to be in order to vote, but we'll bypass the obvious and move along to the excitement! So here I am working in a predominately male field, but loveing it! I'm sure I'll get comfy around the man factor and have them all under my thumb eventually! I have faith in myself!! My cryptonite has made it's way through my impenitrable wall of insulation that lines my nose and throat. Not sure how it happened, or what bit of cilia is responsible for letting me down, but I had a horrible cold a few weeks back. First since I started work there actually. I figured it was due to everything I breath in there. My own personal health plan floating in the air, wow they think of everything!!!

My bank card was compromised! It was exposed and made vulnerable by another! For shame!!! The SCANDAL! Well actually the bank won't tell me who they believe marred my innocent cards reputation! So it was cut into tiny pieces and I got a new one. Note to self... [use td bank machine and cash more often, less debit!!!]

It's alllll good!

2007-02-23T20:36:00.000-05:00

I am so amazed at how much muscle I've gotten over the last four months. I mean my biceps are HARD. You should feel them. Maybe arm wrestle me! I'm pretty solid. Hey take a shot at me, go on I can take it. I'm the new She-Ra but without her sword of protection. Who needs a sword of protection when they're built like me!! Come on take a sho-

*ten minutes later*

Ok ok... I wasn't ready for that one. Give it to me again, I can take it. I'm a POWERHOUSE!! Try aga-

Life's Little Lessons

2007-02-11T15:50:00.000-05:00

One thing I have gotten out of my experiences as a tinbanger, is confidence. Having finished a day of hard work gives me pride in myself. Being somewhere unwork related and feeling like I can take on different challenges I wouldn't have thought possible before, is rewarding in a different way. I find myself less concerned with whether I can do something and find that more often I am trying to figure out the best way to do it. Of course there are exceptions to everything (last weekends skating attempt being one), but I'm of a mind to know it is something I can always try again when I feel ready. Dangle a beavertail in front of me on a stick and throw skates on me and I'll end up from one end of the canal to the other!! I think that doing something that not many females have done gives me a sense of major accomplishment. Yes I'm tired by the end of the day, but I did everything expected of me, and I did it without any hangups. I think everyone should try something they wouldn't normally do and see how good it makes you feel after your done. See how it changes your outlook on everything around you. There isn't anything you can't do!

On this day I am feeling very proud of my sister Pepsi (nickname). She has had a rough road to travel over the years and she is doing quite well in spite of it all right now. She and her Bue as she calls him have been together for quite some time now and they have two wonderful children together plus her daughter from her previous relationship. He is wonderful to all of them, and they seem very settled and happy. Just given what I know of her and her past, I just wanted to mention how happy I am that she is doing so well.

Anger Management

2007-01-30T21:17:00.000-05:00

I think there comes a time when everyone has these little revelations. They suddenly see something about themselves that either they want to eradicate because they've suddenly realized how abhorrent a trait it was, or they want to emphasize it more because it is something that could be that much more delightful. You see the situation for what it has always been, even if it didn't seem that way to you at the time. You come to the point where you either have to change it, or it will drive you nuts.
I’ve come to realize through many blatant attempts by others to make obvious, that I have an anger issue. The funny thing about that is when I was growing up I was probably one of the most patient people out there. There was not a lot that could really piss me off. Although I’m sure if you asked my mom she'd comment on how "quiet" I’d get even when things were tense. These days it doesn't seem to take much too really set me off. For instance, this evening I threw a load of laundry into the wash and proceeded to forget about it. When I remembered it was there and went to check on it, it had been removed from the wash and placed on the dryer. There was a new load both in the dryer and in the wash. I was seriously bent out of shape over that. a) reasonably so, I was angry with myself for forgetting my wash in the first place, and b) unreasonably, I was pissed that someone took my clothes out of the wash and when I missed the opportunity to slide my clothes in after their first load was done, but before the second made it into the dryer I was livid. Does it make sense? I don't think so. This evening my daughter told me that I’m scary when I get angry. I had no idea that others felt that way. Now mind you I’m not always angry and when it comes to certain things I am still very patient, but underneath all that there is this hot coal that won't go out. The thing that really got me thinking about it though is I see it in my daughter. The other day she got angry at me for something and I thought it was trivial to get so upset over something like that. Then a few days later I did the exact same thing to Bek. In all honesty it worries me to think I am passing something like that on to my daughter. She doesn't need to start off life with that attitude and I don't think it is really fare to her. This is the point where it has to either change, or drive me nuts. There of course are things I get upset about and I have a solid basis for those feelings, but it's these quick snippets that I need to curb and get under control.
ahhh to be human....

Pan's Labyrinth

2007-01-28T00:30:00.000-05:00

Watching Pan's Labyrinth has brought back all my feelings on how affective foreign films are. With my interests leaning far more to the fantasy side, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the movie having so much reality in it. Of course the story wouldn't have been a story at all without it, and I loved how well they blended fantasy with reality while at the same time managing to keep them in their seperate worlds. I personally find foreign films are a lot more emotional. There is a feeling of gritty reality that pulls you into the story more. There aren't a lot of cliche's and they seem so much more fresh. This movie being no exception. I was sympathizing with the girl from the start and rooting for her to get out of the reality she was living and find her dream. Definitely a movie for my collection!!

Official YET?!?

2007-01-26T18:47:00.000-05:00

TAMMIE AND SIERRA
<<<<<<

I've finally finished my probation and I still have my job (guess they really DO like me... ). As of Monday January 23rd I have been an employee of the sheet metal workers union for 3 months. More specifically Dilfo Mechanical, and I hope I stay with them throughout my apprenticeship. I am now awaiting the MCA to get a hold of me so that we can get this business of a contract over with. Then I'll officially be an apprentice! Now honestly did you think I'd make it this far? I should watch what I say though. Might jinx myself in some way....

bek is moving into the building tomorrow. Am looking forward to having a friend close by. Back in 1999 I lived in the same building as a friend as well and we survived it. We both then and now are/where single mom's so there are a lot of things we can do to help each other out when so close. On the same note, we DO have a floor and two dead bolt doors between us if we feel we need them, lol. Also next September Tammie will have a little companion to go to school with. I'm sure Sierra will love having Tammie by her side more.

My brother was in a car accident last weekend. I believe they hit black ice and ended up totalling the truck they were in. He was wearing his seatbelt and his friend was not. They both walked away from the accident physically sound, but badly shaken up. Having something like that happen gives you a different perspective on life. I'm thankful my brother is here to tell the tale.

Wonder Woman!!!!

2007-01-17T20:07:00.000-05:00

Ok so it turns out I'm not the powerhouse I thought I was. I am however quite confident that in no time I will reach maximum overdrive and get my superhero status and begin saving the world, one commercial building at a time. I went out to site last week and we had to unload a truck full of garbage shoots. They were in pieces between 4' and I'd say 10'. I helped get the first piece off the truck and went to grab it to carry it to the designated spot and realized I didn't have a good hold on it for the terrain we were about to traverse. So I put my end down to regrab and ended up unknowingly passing the piece on to Carl. Mario and Carl picked the piece up like tissue paper and off they went. Ok that is an exaggeration on my part, but compared to how useless I felt at that moment it very well should have been tissue paper in my mind. So on the way back to the shop I thought about how much further in body strength I really need to go. It was an awakening. THAT'S IT I QUIT!!!!

Ha, almost got you didn't I? Well you don't get rid of me that easily. All it means is... I've now had the heads up on part of what I have to look forward to and will have the opportunitly now to prepare for it. ie gain some serious muscle mass!! (and no, not like in the pic....... lol)

So I was going through the day with different things on my mind. I had at this point been left on my own for well over an hour to finish up the insulating I was doing. As I was going through calculations in my mind, I started thinking about different things and once again caught myself singing a phrase of a song out loud like a broken record. Believe me, I'm not the only broken record in that shop! I am however the only one who doesn't tend to sing at the top of my lungs.... So there I was singing the same verse over and then I started talking to myself about the calculations I was doing. Always easier to think out loud I say. 7 duct, 2 pieces per duct, 46" in height, and 10"x14" in length and width..... so I need 14 pieces cut on the 47" insulation... blah blah blah.... man is it hot in here... blah blah blah... wow does Mike ever mutter a lot to himself when he's working.... blah blah blah.... glad I'm not a mutterer.... (lol)

Claude is very good to me. When he is doing something new, he takes the time to show me what it is he's doing and what the end product will be used for. Of course sometimes when he's explaining these things he goes off into calculations I have yet to understand, but I am patient and just very glad that he is taking the time to inform me. It's always good to have someone take a true interest in your learning process.

As I finished up the insulation I realized I must have gone through a quarter of a roll of toilette paper. Insulation makes my nose go nuts. What I need is a hanky. Like the one my grandpa Maloney used to carry around in his back pocket. Some dark coloured bandanna that I can pull out throughout the day and just honk into!!! Well I thought it was cute in a grandpa sort of way to see that he had one, but now that I think about what I'd actually be carrying around in my pocket in quantities, not so sure it's me.... Actually dna tests would prove it in fact IS me, or bits of, hahahaha......................... yeah.........................

I heard a story today that I thought was a bit sad in many ways. Apparently a man had gone to New York City whether to visit or move, not sure, and he got lost. Having not been to the city before and hearing from people that he knew that New Yorkers were unfriendly and even brash if asked anything, he didn't ask for help. He ended up wandering the streets for five days in the cold. Finally on the fifth day someone saw him and asked if he was ok and ended up feeding him and giving him water. A New Yorker being helpful. I admit New York seems intimidating given how big it is, but I think in any city there are those that would help and those that would want to kick your ass for so much as breathing in their direction. His experience was unfortunate and thankfully he's ok.

SCREEEEEEE!!!

2007-01-13T15:25:00.000-05:00

Now I know where they get the sound effects for movie monsters or dinosaurs! Cutting metal!! The sounds of metal being cut is tense! Most of what we do can be done by non bladed machines. The metal is cut out by a plasma machine, then bent, folded and otherwise manipulated by various other machines that don't usually require cutting it down any further. Last week Kirby and I were hard at work when the worst nails across chalk board sound came from the back of the shop. The first thing I thought of was the T Rex running after Ellie, Malcolm and Robert on Jurassic Park. The part where he get's really close to the jeep and opens his mouth up really wide and roars at them. After a few minutes of images of a T-Rex tearing through the shop going through my head, it suddenly changed. In it's place was a gigantic drill going to town on some poor souls teeth. That made me cringe. For I had a dental appointment only a few days later (which by the way I got through with flying colours, and the terms root and canal never came up!!). So there I was trying to make duct with images of teeth, slobber, and a large drill going through my mind. I was glad when break came along and I could then stare down at my sugar coated muffin.... Survived my first night of class. Am taking basic math, which is rather mickey mouse. Apparently hilariously so, because there are to BOYS, in the class that decided giggling and whispering their way through the evening was the way to go. 11 people were signed up for the class, only 6 including myself showed up that evening. We're off to a great start! Oh and if they giggle next week, I'll be sure to bring some lego or army men and see if they want to play too!!! That or suggest they get a bigger bong, that way they'll be so far beyond giggling it won't disrupt class. Ohhhh Liz is getting tempermental! Well I'm not at the point of cursing and kicking unco-operative duct work around yet. I just get it done, place it on the pile where I won't see it for the rest of the day and occasionally glare in the general direction of that job. I do however do a little dance when one of my fingers get's too close to the hammer. The worst thing I find however is vibrations. I'm not sure if it's the metal causing vibrations, but when I hit the duct and the vibrations hit one of my nerves just right, it's worse than the funny bone!

Running off on a tangent now, taking Monday evening classes gives me the perfect opportunity to visit my dad. He teaches in the Tech wing and finishes up at 5, so we can have a nice sit down and catch up. I don't think I've seen him since early summer late spring. So hopefully we'll have a lot to talk about.

Ok you know Dusty. The cat of many talents. Well I've discovered that he apparently knows when we come home. My daughter told me yesterday that as soon as I start to open the door to the building we live in, he get's up from where ever he is and runs to meet me. I had actually been wondering how my daughter knew it was me, since she always seemed to be right there when I walked in. I guess Dusty is the reason behind that. She follows his que's. I had actually heard of that ability in dogs, but had never heard it about cats. I'm certainly glad that he has talents that serve him well, and that aren't disruptful to the homestead. There are some evil felines out in the world.

Tiss the Season

2006-12-25T11:53:00.000-05:00

When I first decided to get into the trades, I really wasn't sure where it would take me, or how much I would get out of it. Once I actually started work and realized the general simplicity of it, I wondered if it would keep my interest. Generally we fabricate and install ventilation in commercial buildings. Specifically however there is a LOT more involved in what we do. To create the simple rectangular piece of duct work that you see, there is a lot of planning, mapping, and precision involved to come to that end result. It is all that is involved in the making of such material that is keeping my interest. I believe I will be starting school in January and there is a strong possibility that it will be drafting. I'm stoked! Another thing that I have discovered however is that with all the knowledge that I will obtain over the years, I will be able to create things of mine own. My friend Andrew has put together an AWESOME pontoon boat with his skill, so in as much as our aim at work is ventilation, the knowledge can take us anywhere we wish. I do believe however that my mind does work a bit overtime with creativity. I find myself thinking up different things that I could do up on my own with the right materials. However, I do not have all the skills yet to put some of these dreams together, so I find that they can be a bit unrealistic. For instance... I have yet to own a cat carrier case that can in fact carry securely a scared adult cat. Most carrier cases out there are made of plastic with plastic joints and secured together with plastic pins. Any cat that is terrified of the great outdoors and then placed in a small space to be dragged out into this great space would be doing anything in their power to escape, and I'm telling you from experience, plastic is not the answer!! Thank goodness Tom knew his way home and traffic was not his enemy that day!! In one of my pre sleep day dreams (eve dreams?) I had invisioned a cat carrier case made out of sheet metal!! Now the fact that metal is so much more solid than plastic has it's advantages, but then again... metal is so much more HEAVIER!! So how much of the carrier could realistically be made of metal, though let me tell you, the image in my mind was fabulous!! So there is my crazy mix of what I see in my future and the lack of what I know!

I'd like to say Merry X-mas (or is it Y-mas? lol) to everyone out there! Hope your stockings aren't too stained from that lump of coal! jokes!! Take it easy (and I can say that now that I actually have a holiday free from on call work!) and drive safe!!!!!!

A Bit of X-mas Cheer!

2006-12-22T20:09:00.000-05:00

Safety first... that is a common phrase that makes it's way around work... and for a very good reason as well. I've used just about all the machines at work now. I know what they are capable of both progressively and regressively. Claude told me the tale of how he blinked and his pinky ended up between the rollers. He didn't forget to give me the details on how his finger exploded. Couldn't eat dinner that night! Safety is VERY important when it comes to your environment. Kirby and I may be old friends by now, but there will never come a time that I won't respect every aspect of what I do.

Every day at work I do things that of course use muscle. I was thinking the other day as I struggled with my snips, that though you may be using a certain part of your body, the dominoe of muscles through out your body that you use is a lot more complicated than it may originally seem. For instance... I was trying to cut through four layers of 26 gauge metal, and I realized my hands where not strong enough to work the snips through the metal. Mario comes along and chomp! chomp! there goes the extra metal like tissue paper. I was thinking of ways to work the muscles in my hands so that there will come a time that I too can do just that. In thinking of my hand muscles I also started thinking of all the other mucles that I am using that would need strengthening to get through that metal. Arm muscles, shoulder muscles... possibly facial muscles do to all the faces I was making whilst struggling with the job...

Our X-mas party was last night. I am getting to know the people in the shop well enough, but there are still so many more faces that I have yet to put a name to. I made the decision to go with a friend and his wife. Then I would have another female to talk to if I couldn't get any conversation going with the co-workers. She it turns out was thinking the same thing. So I had a few weeks to try and figure out what I was going to wear to this shin dig. As grundgy as I get during a typical work day, I thought it would be good to show the world that I am in fact female. So I had ideas brewing in my head as to what to wear, how to do make up (yikes, what is THAT!) and so on and so forth. I thought of wearing a skirt, but then on closer inspection of my legs one night in the shower, I realized that work is definitely harder not only on my hands, but my shins as well. Skirt was out! With the help of my mum, I finally got and ensemble together and then the creator opened it's doors and let in a bit of freezing rain!! Freezing rain cancelled my friends care giver, which cancelled him and his wife from going which cancelled me going. So I didn't make it to my first work party. Next year... (and yes, it was MY choice not to go alone)

Well now.... Dusty (our cat) definitely has some interesting habits. If you recall I mention some posts ago that he tends to go around leaving doors open. Well we also have box's placed around the apartment for his sleeping pleasure. As soon as a box comes into the home, he is all over it! Well actually IN it. So now he has an old box that he started sleeping in back when we first got him (which he barely fits anymore...) a new bigger box with a sleeping matt mum bought for him in it, and a box at the end of the hall that he likes to trip you to get into whenever you show an interest in heading in that direction. If your not careful, you'll get clipped by a paw as he spies you over the edge of one of his trenches. Dusty has introduced himself to new people by standing up on his hind legs to get a better sniff of you. Most interesting however is the fact that he can now turn on the bathroom tub tap to get a drink. As soon as the shower goes on he is right there. He far prefers running water to the stagnant liquid in his bowl, no matter how often it is renewed. He went so far one evening as to hop in the shower with my daughter and wait patiently for her to finish up so he could get his ever important drink. Well this evening he took the next step and got the tap going by himself. I do hope I don't come home one day to find him having ordered cable and flipping through the nature channels while enjoying a tray of choice imported cheeses!!

The Canteloupe Are Running Across The Sky....

2006-12-06T18:00:00.000-05:00

Time to make the donuts...

So I spent two days straight putting together TDFs (a type of duct). A TRUE TDF marathon... Time was not my friend during this period at all. I had no one close to chat with, so I did what I'm sure any other assembly worker does. I started talking to myself. Ran out of things to say so went into singing mode. One thing I have found in the month and a half I've been working there is there is nothing better than a good crew of people to work next to. When everyone feels at ease around each other and the jokes come easily, the day slides by at a faster pace. When you know that everyone else around you is going through the same things you are, it's a lot easier to just let yourself relax and not stress. It's one big party!! I was at the pinning machine giggling to myself over my sparatic pinning abilities today and I could hear Mario mumbling to himself while cutting out insulation. So A: I know I'm not alone, and B: We're all just a bunch of crazy metal workers!!

I made the donuts.

Looking Back...

2006-12-03T20:27:00.000-05:00

Oh yeahhhhhhhh this is me.... calm... cool.... and collected....

But I have to tell you... that wasn't always me! No siree! There was a time that I too was a bit apprehensive! A bit unsure of myself! I know... hard to believe right? The stand tall... stoic Liz could NEVER have been a a tiny shivering, curled up in fetal position, rocking back and forth ball of nerves!! Oh wait... did I say that? I meant someone a fraction less than 100% on top of things... yeah... that's it!! So anyway, everytime I was faced with a new machine to operate, I had a momentary "uh oh" go through my mind. How will I do? Will I chew up a few pieces of metal? Will I... anyway, after I had my first attempt I was "oh... is this all?" Now I look forward to trying something new out. I guess it was just my step through the door that kind of had me worried. Now it's more like "BRING IT ON HOSS!!" Hard to believe that even Kirby intimidated me some. Well you know... just a tiny bit... couldn't even measure how little, honestly!

My daughter and I spent last weekend in Toronto. We had a good time. The first day there we went up the CN Tower, took some pics and then attempted the subway system to my sisters stop. Piece of cake! We went to the Pow Wow the next day, took some more pics and bought some Native crafts. Sunday we went to visit my friend Tammy whom I hadn't seen in at least 7 years. Had a good time with her. Lot's of catching up and did a bit of shopping. Then we returned to Ottawa Monday. Nice long weekend for us, glad we went. When we were on our way home, my daughter pointed something out to me that I had never considered and though somewhat amusing. She said that whenever we go visit Andrew for a night, we pack like we're going away for a week, but when we went to Toronto, we each had one small bag to carry on bus entertainment and a small overnight suitcase and Andrew lives in the same city as we do.... Wierd....

This past Friday I went in to my daughter's class and spoke to them about the Sundance. Quite the experience. Her teacher told me I had about 40 minutes to talk and then after that we could take questions. Well I only filled about 20 minutes, but we filled the whole rest of the time with questions. Was amazed at the interest there was on the topic! Afterwards I thought of so many things I wanted to say, but never brought up. Yes I was a bit nervous. Adults do get jittery too hey!!

Progress

2006-11-22T17:50:00.000-05:00

It has been four and a half weeks since day one and I'm telling you my forearms are MASSIVE!!! Just kidding, because considerng before I started working in sheet metal I had an interesting sagging effect going on with these muscles of mine, I'd have to build them up a lot more to even come near massive, haha. I do however have noticable muscle mass going on! I also have friends asking me how the "man hands" are coming along. Interesting path my friends must see me going down with questions like that. Well I have one friend that sees all the good in it. Andrew is the one that came along at the right time and talked to me about it, and he has expressed how proud he is of me. Keeps calling me young padawan.... So I'm building stamina and strength. I think it's almost time to seek out those bullies from school days!! LOL (Now how sad is THAT...)

Heard from my father today through the powers of email. Haven't seen him since just after new year. I guess it's coming somewhat close to an annual visit. Love him, just wish we were a bit more social with each other. New years resolution....

Off to Toronto to visit my sister and check out the big Aboriginal gathering at the sky dome. Haven't gone to a pow wow in a long time, should be loads of fun. Will be accessing the TTC (Toronto public transportation). Will see if we get lost making our way around the city. Although in googling a map of the subway system in Toronto I came up with a map of Tokyo's system and in comparison... TTC subway is kindergarten to Tokyo's spagetti system. So we should do alright.

Grrrrr rrrrrr

2006-11-16T18:36:00.000-05:00

I've decided to name my air hammer!! And I'm going to luv it... and hug it... and call it Kirby!!

Yes... Kirby!! Why you ask? Well the reason is two fold. First off Kirby is a nintendo game character and if you know anything about me, you know I LOVE my games! Secondly, if you saw Kirby you'd know he's this round pink doe cheeked cute thing and... well.. you know these women that insist on owning these little adorable cute cuddly ooooh ur such a sweety, poochy coochy coo dogs that if you get within five feet of it, it will rip ur head off... Well that is my air hammer. It is a rather small thing in comparison to some power tools out there, but it packs a punch! Treat it well and it will treat you well. I've gotten on it's bad side and payed the price! He can be tempermental, as the gash on my ring finger will attest. If I hit him unexpectidly he growls to let me know I've gotten too close. So I am ever careful not to piss off the hammer!

Don't worry, I have lost all my marbles... just don't tell the foreman that!!

I've cracked! I caught myself humming CHRISTMAS tunes today at work!! What on earth would possess me to do THAT! I'm commercial now......

One Of Many

2006-11-15T17:38:00.000-05:00

Well it is done!! I have become one of the many...

...

What... that's it? Well of course that's it. My job is now just that... a job. I am in the assembly line starting sharp at 6:30, break from 9:15-9:30, lunch at 12-12:30 and off home at 3:45. Don't for a minute think I work until 3:46 EVER!!!! So yesterday and today were rather good days. Simply because I have fused into my work. When I got off work yesterday I realized that I wasn't in a constant panick wondering if I was doing it right, or if I was going to be taught something new. I've used most of the machinery in the shop and have a PRETTY good idea what sort of order goes to the assembly of duct work. So now it is just a matter of getting into the assembly line somewhere and going to town on metal! Of course now that I've found a "comfy" niche (and I use that word loosely), I'll probably get shipped off to some slab site to start the learning process all over again.... now.... in the middle of November.... in the midest of natures winter prep.... cold.................................... Welcome to tinbanging apprenticeship I guess eh?

Sadly my daughter has been very sick as of late. She refuses to get a flu shot. She's decided she'd far rather live through every disease and sickness out there, then get an excruciatingly painful prick from a needle. Just wait until she has to get another immunization shot and realizes it's not a choice... the fun that will be................. (I DO like using those periods....)

giggle snort Shhhhhh

2006-11-13T19:35:00.000-05:00

November 10th '06

Ok ok... so here's the scoop on the guys I work with!! So there's...
...
...
HA you didn't actually think I'd gossip did you? Hey you be quiet!!
So over all things are going well. The guys are all good people's. Very helpful and definitely friendly. Didn't really notice if I got any "OMG a GIRL on site!!" looks when I started, but I don't feel any of that right now anyway. We joke we swear and we SPIT together.... lol. Hmmm talk about a stereotype eh? All jokes aside, I'm glad I'm at this job site and hope to stick with them for a good portion of my apprenticeship anyway.
I spent 8 hours putting together TDFs. They are a type of duct. One of the guys was telling me we'll be dreaming about TDFs all weekend. After that I was picturing myself running through a field of daisies with my hair blowing in the wind and a big smile outshining the sun on my face, when all of a sudden I realize I'm holding something and my smile turns to confusion. I look down to see a hammer in my hand. I lift my hand with the hammer up and catch site of my field. It is no longer a field but never ending rows of TDF parts waiting to be assembled. As I come to a stop I trip over a row sending them tumbling like dominoes and then I'm standing watching TDFs fall all around me as far as the eye can see.... *shivers* hmmm all that in a split second or two... man I dream fast.
So tonight we head over to Andrew's for pizza and movies... and tomorrow... laundry!!
I've been asked to go into Tammie's class and talk about being Blackfoot. They want to know about the Sundance and our culture. I guess their big topic right now is Natives. Not sure what kind of source I'd be. I have about 14 years of cultural knowledge in me, but it's all observation. It's not something I grew up knowing. I'm thinking about it though. Might be interesting... but of course standing up in front of her class will bring forth a whole new nightmare....

Surviving

2006-11-13T19:34:00.000-05:00

November 4th '06

I am now two weeks into the trade. and am doing fine! This weekend my right hand is a bit swollen from all the hammering I've done, but considering some people injure tendons, or pinch nerves with sudden hard work on a limb, I'm glad this is all I'm going through. In the two weeks that I've been there, I can already feel muscle building in my arms. Considering I was probably at a minus muscle mass (lol) this is a good thing. Last weekend I worked my last shifts at the Travelodge, so this weekend is truly my first official weekend off!! It is now Saturday and I still wake up feeling something needs to be done. Not work anyway!! I'm sure this apartment could use some tidying though. I will tell you though, that I'll be glad when I get past the point where my body is still adjusting. I know that there will always be times where I work myself a bit more than usual and will get sore, but overall, when my body has adjusted to the general work habits forming here, I won't be AS exausted at the end of the day. I can tell you I am very proud of making it through each day now though!! On Thursday Paul the head cheese, gave me a Dilfo Mechanical jacket. I am truly part of the team now! hehe...
I have to do some heavy budgetting from this point on. I need to learn to save some money. To this point I have been pretty bad with my spending, and with this new job I do not want to waste the concept of making good money. As the years of my apprenticeship go by I will be making more money and I would hate to think that by my 5th year I'll be making really good money and still be squandering it on unneccesary material needs. I want a car!! Something to strive towards.
Now as a side note to good or bad spending, I bought an Ipod Mini off someone for $50. Which is a good pretty good deal. My old shuffle died a few weeks ago and I was almost in a panic as to what I would do without my travelling music!!! lol...

Here We Gooooooooooooooo

2006-11-13T19:33:00.000-05:00

October 22nd '06

Got the word Friday. I start work at a new place on Monday (tomorrow). I officially have the "new job jitters". Everyone tells me I'll do fine. I believe them, but feel the rush! Now I have to survive my 90 day probation period and we're all set.
Went out to Value Village to buy some "work" clothes. Gotta luv them thrift stores!! Got my boots at Walmart. Good price, was hopeing for black. Still a bit of that dark child in me, lol. So I'm all set. Will have to buy my own tools, but as the apprenticeship progresses I will be able to build them up. I don't have to get them all at once, which is good, cuz good tools are DAMN expensive!! Guess I'll be asking for tools as X-mas gifts this year, hehe.
I now have a seriouse goal! A car. If I have to start work at 7am, I don't want to be having to leave two hours before then to catch a zillion buses. So note to self... learn to BUDGET!!!!

Foot In The Door

2006-11-13T19:32:00.000-05:00

October 11th '06

Today I went and wrote my aptitude test for the sheet metal workers union. They told me it will take about a week to hear back from them. If I passed the test I will get an interview and then be put on a list to be shipped out for work! Yeeha!!
The questions on the test were very basic. Even the problem solving at the end were basic, but I still managed to get stuck on one. It went SOMETHING like this. I don't remember the exact numbers, so this may not work out, but this is the jist of it:
Three men are hired for a job. They are paid $9.65, $10, and $12.95. They work 7hrs. a day, 6 days a week. How long will the job take if they earned $6300?
I did some math and put what I thought was the answer, but who knows... I believe over all though I passed the test. Most of the work was mickey mouse. I'll keep my fingers crossed just in case though....
So here's to women out there and our involvement in getting the job done!!
Wish me luck!!!!

A Week In Review

2006-11-13T19:31:00.001-05:00

October 5th '06

Well my daughter celebrated her 11th b-day this past week. I think it is all just a big conspiracy, cuz there is no way she is already 11. Kind of like those soap operas where one day a couple has a child and they stay that way for maybe a year, then all of a sudden they are teens with issues of their own. Well she is not quite a teen, but I'm sure the issues are not far away... She had a party with friends on the weekend and then a dinner with family on her actual b-day. Both turned out quite well. I learned that I truly do suck at mini golf!! I also found out that my mum thinks this guy I hang out with resembles my brother!!! Interesting the things that come up at family get together's...
Tammie is transitioning from one set of interests to another. Barbie, Polly Pocket and the like are behind her now. She has kept her fondness for anime, which is cool, cuz I love that stuff as well. Now I am just sitting back and waiting to see what new set of interests she will come up with. Although she has informed me this evening that she does not consider herself a "girlie" girl. I told her if she wanted a cell phone she had to have a bag to carry it in so that she doesn't put it down and forget it and she almost had a fit. So she said if the bag is just big enough for the phone and can go under her jacket where no one can see it, she'll be fine. She will NOT be the kind of girl that carries around a "purse" full of make up and "girlie" things. We'll see how long it is before that starts up, though personally I hope it doesn't!
Ok we have a cat, his name is Dusty (Prince Dust Bunny). He has a very bad habit of leaving doors open where ever her goes. His food is under the sink and he goes in, eats then leaves with the cupboard door wide open. At least three times a week he goes to our canned goods cupboard to see what new things are in there and again leaves the door open once he's appeased his curiosity. He opens closet doors throughout the apartment to nose around or sleep and then just as if the world revolves around him, leaves them open for someone else to close behind him. LoL, ok I'm not crazy enough to believe he can actually close them simply because I'd luv to drop the before bed ritual of closing doors behind him. Although they can teach cat's to potty in a toilette and occasionally flush after, but I don't hold high hopes for him with the doors. As far as he's concerned the apartment is his, so why should he have to waste precious time with doors. Right now I have his large food bag in my daughters room because his litter is in the hall closet. Those two closets being the only two that shut with a latch. The others slide on tracks and he's all but figured them out. I hide his food because he rips the bag's open and eats from it and he is getting a bit chubby. I hide the litter because the last time he found it, he managed to rip into it and started using it as his litter box! The joys of pet's eh? hehe...............

Thoughts From The Past Revisited

2006-11-13T19:29:00.000-05:00

September 15th '06

I was cleaning rooms this morning and it occured to me, that you can tell a lot about a man through these rooms. O....K.... this person has been here almost three days and the shower has yet to be used? Hmmmm laptop... business man... but ohhhh condom's... business man with an agenda. Then there is the guy in the room that follows you around with his eyes everywhere you go even though when you first entered he was sitting diligently in front of his laptop looking all into his work... "BUSINESS man".
Then there are the bathrooms you walk into that look like a tornado hit. I can just picture as soon as they get into the shower it's like one of those classic fight clouds in cartoons, only instead of two people fighting, there is only one man in there. The occasional arm comes out to grab the shampoo... soap... The cloud follows them out of the shower and you see an arm extend out of it to grab his tooth brush, a towel flashes across the mirror and half an hour later the cloud disappears and a perfectly manicured man walks out of the room, leaving water smudges over every milimetre of space. Wrappers of who knows what toilettries on the ground, all the towels soaked and all over the place, dangling off the door, the curtain rod, over the back of the toillette. The rest of the room looks as spoltless as he does, though all his secrets are sitting dripping wet in that bathroom.
You know those who don't really care about the room when you see how horribly they missed the toillette. Ok I can see someone missing the cheerios the odd time, but when it looks as if it all went around the toillette rim and very little could have possibly gotten in, well it's carelessness. No bear bottles to offer excuses. I remember as a teenager going to hotels specifically for the purpose of getting hammered and having somewhere reasonable to fall over when that eventuality hit. Now I am seeing the other end of that spectrum. I've seen rooms with the oddest, but nastiest messes. "Now how on earth did THAT get over HERE!"
I've seen furniture moved into the oddest places. Why on earth they went to that much trouble when it would have been so much easier to go this way. One word of advice when entering a clean fresh looking hotel room. Do not make the mistake of fornicating on that bedspread. Chances are MANY people have already beat you to it, and those spreads don't get cleaned unless there are obvious reasons. Now before you go thinking OMG where does she work, I'm never going there. It is universal. I've worked at more than one hotel and believe me, it's ALL the same. You've worked at one, you've worked at them all. I'm even going to go to the extent of saying I doubt very much even the five star hotels out there are really all that different. The staff is just more humble and taught to "dot there i's and cross their t's" when it comes to how well they clean their rooms. Underneath those five stars, the girls are probably gossiping about the rest of the hotel staff or giggling at the new dishwasher.
I am surprised that some pillows make it past inspector 83 or whoever is responsible for seeing that a pillow is comfortable. I came across a pillow today that weighed a ton. I can just imagine the neck pain in the morning after sleeping on that thing. It's the kind of pillow that you don't pick up and fluff subconsciously in your sleep. It is the pillow you subconsciously roll and move around and find in tha exact same place it was when you got into bed the night before. Pillow fights with that sucker would end in tragedy. If the child didn't put out their back trying to pick it up, when they struck the other child with it, that other child would be out for more than just the count. I can just see the mother calling the other child's mother because her son sent the boy to the hospital by a pillow to the head. No people, cement blocks are NOT pillows.
Ok, I have managed to single out men, bear drinkers and bricks/pillows... oh and bedspreads.... in the hotel business(connection? possibly...). I'll leave the rest of my job antics for my "memoirs of a housekeeper". Sorry for the droning on... when you wander from room to room every day, seeing the same stain on the carpet that you've seen for the last year, you tend to let your mind wander... the only sane thing to do. Have a nice day

Funny How Life Is....

2006-11-13T19:27:00.000-05:00

September 9th '06

Ok just so everyone knows up front and there is no dispute down the road.... Michelle Rodriguez is da bomb!!! You cannot look at that pick and tell me she is not super hot!!k... got that out of my system... heheOk ok!!! I've been doing some serious thinking, and I've got a lot more of it to do. I have the weekend to go over the pros and cons of this mind cube, so I'll disect it many times over before Monday. I am seriously debating going into labour work. It is something I have thought of many times in the past, but never seemed to surface with any real substance. Now I find myself with the option to get into it, and to make a decent living in doing so. I like that it is weekdays, and not weekends or hopefully holidays. The pay is really sweet and would allow me to survive as a single mother without any assistance from anyone (including family!). I think it would be good to do something that get's me working hard as well. I need to be on my feet, though I know the first while will be killer on me until I strengthen up some. As well as the fact that it will get me into shape and there is honestly nothing wrong with toned chick looking all sweaty after a hard days work!!

New Beginnings?

2006-11-13T19:05:00.000-05:00

I've decided to transfer my main account to Blogger... so where's my new Ipod shuffle!!!

I started posting with Yahoo when I decided to get into construction, so I will post the blog's I had there just so you get an idea where I'm coming from. They will be dated from the day I wrote them over there, so that you also get a time frame of how things happened to me. If I walk you through it any more you just may get through kindergarten yet!!! Oh and don't forget my apple!!!!