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Long Time No See

Hi All,

It has been a while since I've posted or surfed poorbuthappy. I just finished my winter stint in northern Alberta making money to pay off my wedding and live in Colombia with my wife. I couldn't find engineering work, so I spent the winter outside on the oil-patch either drilling holes in the ground or loading holes with dynomite (the search for oil goes on and on and on...). Pay was great, but being outside in -40C for 12 hours at a time sucked the big one. I even managed to fall through the ice into a river and survive (only 5 feet deep). I thought is was a section damned by beavers (therefore no water flow and thick ice) but the beavers let me down... it was just a natural flowing river underneath a couple inches of ice. Nothing is better than drying off 20 layers of winter gear by a fire in the middle of nowhere, -20C, sitting, in my underwear, on top of a muddy hard hat, with 4 co-workers laughing at me. It makes for a damn good story though... in 20 years though, the river will have been 20 feet deep, and my survival story much more dramatic. I am, as you can imagine, ready for palm trees, Ron Medellin, and spending endless hours with the best thing ever to come from Colombia... my wife.

We haven't seen each other in almost 5 months, but I did manage to rack up $1000 in phone card and satellite phone bills to talk to her a few minutes each day. But, I now have money to fly to Colombia, pay Canadian immigration fees, and settle in while I look for work in Medellin. Then I will be broke again, but hey, this "poor"buthappy isn't it? Hopefully my wife will recognize me.

After looking through several pages of posts, it does not look like things have changed much on this site, which is mostly good I guess. Despite looking, I could not find "where is Daver" post. Oh well, I know 1 person who missed me!

I have a few post to make on a few topics (Canadian Pot "Industry" has its own post??...JESUS!) but I'll keep them seperate. It would appear the site is better organized now (good job Peter) so I'll try to fit in.

Almost home.....

Daver

By daver on Mar 11, 2005, 12:54 in Friendly Talkzone.

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 11, 2005, 13:11:

hello daver good to hear from you. So, that's what you've been up to lately. I can symphatize with you about the harsh weather conditions since spring is late in coming here and it is snowing right now and we've had some pretty extreme temps up here too lately.
No, not much new here except a couple of new forums that have been created and guides for people looking for a specific topic. Our moderators (tinto and lionheart) have been doing a great job keeping it all straight and fair here.
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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daver says on Mar 11, 2005, 13:21:

"Our moderators (tinto and lionheart)"

Why does that make me think of The Wizard of Ozz? Toto and the lion needed a heart? No the tin man needed a heart... hmmmmm oh well

Its good they are doing a good job. I know I've been off topic several times in the past...

It's nice to be back. It was hard thinking of Colombia in the arctic with no one to talk to about her. You get the same stupid cocaine jokes from the western kids as you do here in southern Ontario. Oh well.

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 11, 2005, 13:35:

Wc Welcome back, never forget a good looking face hheeh :-)

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poco says on Mar 11, 2005, 14:35:

Hi Not only remember you but I read all your posts last year if I was in the U.S. The nice photos helped my memory.

Hate the cold,, worked on the Alaskan pipeline and the ARCO Kuparuk field near Prudhoe. MISERABLE outside but I rarely left the warmth of the living area or pumping facilities and best of all the money was good. Made up for the cold.

If you find differing facts plese post:

As a rule, the best Colombian Engineers try to work outside Colombia,, much better pay. They take their money back and invest in small businesses, homes etc. Colombian health insurance is inexpensive and the health care can be equal to the US. You’ve got the education, passport, and financial connections with Canada. Maybe now the Colombian banking system. Work on the experience. A win/win situation if you stay in Colombia. An injection of outside capital and employment of the local work force,, not to mention spending money for "stuff".

Many functions are possible using the internet, calculations, studies, reviews, specifications, data sheets and material takeoffs being the major items. This will only grow.

Good Luck

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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utopiacowboy says on Mar 11, 2005, 21:19:

Damm, there's nothing worse than having your beaver let you down. Good to hear you triumphed despite your beaver problems.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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daver says on Mar 11, 2005, 21:55:

U-Cowboy and beaver jokes.... Ahhh it all starts again! I am starting to remember old post where you and I shared beaver jokes!

I've been in Canada long enough now (and away from my wife long enough) that a beaver is simply an rodent with a PHD in hydrostatic engineering.

"despite your beaver problems"

Those problems are going to end mighty quickly!! Just one week and I'm in Medellin!!!

Dave

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utopiacowboy says on Mar 12, 2005, 12:13:

One more week! Que bueno, Senor! You're right, there's nothing like a reliable beaver.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Lionheart says on Mar 12, 2005, 15:01:

the cowardly lion ... ... rests in his moderator corner ... welcome back Daver and good luck, I envy you, just one week....

Somehow I have a Lone Ranger and Tonto picture in my mind ... Hi Ho Silver Away!

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ColombianoX says on Mar 12, 2005, 15:08:

Welcome back, Daver !!

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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