Saturday, June 30, 2007

Shovels for Hands and Trees for Feet

Hello all, and apologies for the fact that this is a long time coming. I am neither dead nor too injured, just tired and had a day off on a SUnday, which basically means they roll up the streets and internet doesn't work. Yeah. You think I'm joking.

It has not stopped raining here, I feel like a piece of soggy bread thats falling apart at the crust. Some heartless SOB from another camp stole my rain jacket from the laundry mat and as such I have been braving it in wool sweaters and many layers of thermals. They will mildew in treeplanter hell, where they must plant uphill all the time, never downhill, and must bag up 500 large spruce at a time. And there will be no DEET there, no DEET my friends. I curse them, everyday, every morning, every drop. And if you are out there dear treeplanter, watch your back. For if I catch you in my MEC jacket, I will double plant behind you and steal your flagging tape, and eat your block treats BEFORE I hit you with my shovel. No mercy. NO mercy.

On the lighter side, such rainyness has allowed for such heartening in-camp activities such as- mud wrestling (or digging out the truck in the mud) fire dancing (or running around the fire trying to steam your thermals dry) boot races (who has the most water in their boots) and the 5/15 sprint (commonly known as the five day fifteen hour a day shift). It's like the Treeplanter Olympics, awards vary from cheap whiskey to being on the shitter digging crew. Yay!

I am well - busy, tired, bug bitten - but well. In an effort to procure at least 1 day off between our spring and summer contract we've brought in some planters from a big company that had time off - they're a a little like tree planting mercenaries. Messy, smelly, tough and hardworking. OH.. wait.. we're all like that.. Ok, I think they just drink more? OH..wait.. Regardless, it does not appear that we'll get time off (surprise) but will be moving up to Mackenzie on the 6th, camp set up the 7th, plant the 8th, until the 20th. Sweet lordy. 25 days left, then cherry picking for a month, then home. When you break it up like that it isn't so bad. Like, not so bad like "You have non-terminal cancer".

I miss you all, and will try to get to a computer with photos next day off. I hope all is well - if you see anyone in a red MEC rain jacket.. *draws thumb across throat*

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