Hello From Oil Country

For the last month I have been employed as a driver in the oil sands of Alberta, Canada. It has been a fascinating little adventure so far. I am required to wake up at 4 AM every day and the temperature has dropped below -25 degrees celcius several times. Some people who know me well think that’s hysterical. Laugh it up, guys. Funny stuff.

I had a very unusual experience the other night. I like my long walks. It was a decent enough night out so after dinner I decided to go for a walk down the road. About a half a click down the road a security vehicle showed up. Two very large, friendly security personnel asked me what I was up to. I said I was just out for a little walk. They explained that people were not allowed leaving the camp. They weren’t asking me. I politely explained that I was not aware of that and I would head back, muttering, ‘gotta be FUCKING kidding me, one for the books…’ I am essentially an incarcerated employee in some ways here. That’s a new one.

There has been some progress though, financial and physical. I have access to some really good exercise facilities here. I am now able to jog 5 km with little effort. I’ve also hit the weights for the first time in way too long. After a workout I can just see the outline of my abs again. I’m getting my six pack back.