3 Flags and You're Out!!!

May 30, 2005
Wow where do I start?
Last night we drove towards the airport. The airport is 7 miles away and we made it 6 miles. No one told us the road was out, the last quarter mile we drove would have destroyed the average truck and the only reason we drove the extra quarter mile was to find a place to turn around. Ok, again we had no place to turn around and the road was just a little wider than the truck. Everyone was taught the "Y" turnaround in drivers’ education; we did a 56 point turn around. One person on each corner of the truck stopping the truck as the wheel was causing the road bed to fall away. Success, with the truck pointed in the right direction and a quick inspection of the undercarriage. We headed to the hills.

This time we went uphill so the return trip was down hill, who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks. This walk was thru tundra not rocks, sounds better right? The snow is thawing and the water averaged 3" deep and mushy. Every fifty feet there was snow and under the snow is another 3-6 inches of water. We also learned why the snow was still there, IT’S FILLING INA DITCH / REVENE. It took us until the third ditch, falling into the snow and water up to our waists to scout around these. I had water proof steel toed moon boots on while the others had there work boots on. (Wet boots tomorrow for work)

The miniature plants and flowers are beautiful; we found lots of berries and what we called pussywillow type buds. Our hope was to spot caribou or foxes since it’s the caribou’s migratory time and foxes and wolves follow them. Funny part of the story was when we got back to the camp 50 – 100 caribou were walking in the field across from the camp. The scenery was spectacular at the airport and although it was a 2 ½ hour walk it was fairly relaxing. (The cramps in my legs will go away)

Today work was uneventful with the exception of no camp electrician; Since Larry and I are there best bet for an electrician we were drafted into duty. The piece of equipment that takes the steel coiled reinforcing rod and straightens it then cuts it to length died. (this steel is used in the concrete) This piece of equipment was manufactured in 2004 but the motor and electronics are 1945. No electrical prints, strange voltage (395 volts) and a generator for electricity that is too small made for a frustrating 8 hours of work on it. NO it’s not working yet. Tomorrow we get a Russian electrician and a translator - this should be fun.

Since we’re talking Russian workers, I’m learning quite a bit about Russian philosophy and work ethic.
It’s better to not do anything than to do something wrong and get caught.
When you rise to a position of authority, hold it over others.
When confronted don’t argue, state that you must speak with your supervisor for permission to answer. (Don’t return for several hours)
When he does return (with supervisor) have supervisor quote the regulations and don’t give in.
When you break a rule you get a yellow flag, 3 flags and your out. (I have 1 for not wearing a safety harness in the man lift) 2 more and I can come home.
If you don’t have the proper tool, build one.
They do not like talking through a woman Russian Translator, something about a woman should not be in this position and they have no knowledge of technical things.

Just looked at my watch and its 11:30 pm here 5:30 your time, a day earlier. Hope you all paid your respects on Memorial Day, after being here and seeing how behind and afraid they are of making a mistake, it makes me appreciate the good old USA. Thanks Veterans past and present.

Good Night…I think. It’s too bright out.
Nanook