stubsadventures

For my east coast friends who don’t know: a shut down is when you do this really big amount of work at the plant you work at in a really short amount of time at a very (very very) high daily cost. My first shut down lasted something like 39 days. I was so cranky when it got to about day 20, I can’t do anything else but think back and laugh. I was actually sent away and told to take a night off, which is when Poncho and I drove to Lower Lake in the mountains, laid in a tent next to the lake, ate food, drank booze and napped, in that order for about 24 hours straight and heading back for another 2+ weeks. In reality, your first shut down is nothing like you ever could have expected and it seems like everything is crazy, nothing goes right and there is no end to the early mornings. The updside: you make HUGE cash and somehow, that makes the morning alarm clock seem a little less annoying.

At this point in my career, I have been through quite a few of these and you learn to accept the madness, ride the wave of never ending situations that potentially threaten the air tight schedule and carefully crafted budget and even, through it all, actually laughing probably more than I should. I have learned that freaking out requires way more energy and if I’m calm, so too will be the people around me (generally). I manage people, time, money and most of all, their safety. Along the way, for all my care and attention, I am awarded several more grey hairs.

So, just over three weeks away from shut down, I am selling my house. This is baffling for the people at work who know how much stress is just around the corner, and not at all surprising for the people who know me well. I strive on being busy and productive and often push myself and my life to the limits. I have finally sold my house and have finalized everything with my dream house. September 21st, it’s mine!

Stubs.