WAINWRIGHT,

THE BEST ENTRY TO DATE:

Ok so I am delaying the entry to cover the weekend for two reasons, one is that the internet was down Sunday night, and this came along which is so my more interesting.
So it’s Monday night, and A called me to ask if I wanted to go for a drive. Since I wasn’t going to do anything a drive would be nice. So A and I headed out to Tofield. To allow you to understand what we went out to drive, I will give a brief description. SO on hwy 14, the railway tracks are on the south side in Wainwright, but somehow the tracks go on the north side, but we never noticed how. So we decided to find out. Yes we drove for over an hour to find out where the tracks switch sides. (Actually we went to look at a truck for sale, but it ended up being all about the train.) THIS IS NOT THE FUNNY PART. So we found how the tracks switch, it goes under the highway. There now you know, and you say you don’t learn much out here. So we decided to go through the main drag of Wainwright upon arriving back. So we did, and also took a drive through the “new Wainwright” which is just new houses. We saw 8 light illuminating the darkness in a pattern, so we decided to check it out. I think, and still think its where “THEY” keep the now frozen aliens, of which thaw in the spring time. As we were driving down the road, the Mounties that were driving in the opposite direction turned on their roof light and tried to make a uturn. In the side mirror I see the cruiser make a turn right into the ditch; yes the boys ditched their car trying to pull us over. A and I decided to help them out, being the nice city boys that we are. So we back up to the boys, laughing like little school girls, we stopped, got out and one of them said “hi guys, well your free to go”. They were trying to get a tow truck. Oddly enough, it is hard to do out here, because there were not tow trucks that could pull them out. (Wait its gets funnier). So I asked if they had a rope, (which they do, I guess this happens often.) So A asked a good question, he asked what the speed limit is, so one of them says “50 or 60, I think, defiantly not 80, maybe”. Um not sure how one issues a ticket to a speed limit no one is sure of. This is why I defiantly think THEY have frozen aliens where the lights are. Well A and I tried to pull them out of the ditch, but the Mounties driver didn’t turn his wheels the right way and got stuck even more. I un hooked the cruiser and A’s van, and rolled up the tow rope, as the two officers decided who to call to get out of the ditch. One of the officers has a brother with a big truck. He makes a quick call and wakes his brother up, and gets him to pull the cruiser out of the ditch. I offer them a ride back to the detachment. One says to the other that one should go back since THERE IS NONE ELSE TO RESPOND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS. God I miss the ramdonis of the city, until now. So we drive one of the Mounties back, he thanks us, and we went home, laughing our heads off. And hopefully you are laughing as well.

WAINWRIGHT

Well hello everyone, I hope everything is well in the real world. Well it was a special day today. I do not believe any of you would guess as to why its so special. go on guess. OK I will tell you. Wall mart's opening day, yes to even my amazement I was excited for a Wall mart. Sad isn't it. So right after work, we all went there. the whole area was there, and it was packed all day according to the store manager. (we were talking cause I was looking for a humidifier.) I can see alot of stores closing due to the new wonder that has appeared in this god forsaken town. I have lost my voice due the the lack of moister in the air, so I wont type much. LMAO I crack myself up. The real funny thing about the Wall mart, is that the McDonald's line up was out the door. More people were there for the McPukes then the actual store. They do have an A&W here, but I wouldn't send my worst enemy to eat there. I was in line with my boss. As we were standing there, the Gas attendant walked into the kitchen to help out. (there A&W in in a Petro Canada gas bar.) And several other people walked into the back, who weren't in any uniform. So we left, quite quickly. So as for places to eat there is the Boston Pizza and....... that's it. There are 2 Chinese restaurants here, and the food tastes like it is watered down, and small portions. The Burger Baron has no meat in the burger. So as for places to eat you have to go out of town. So after Wall mart, I was chilaxing in my room, setting up the humidifier, and thinking of what to make for dinner. A called me and asked if I wanted to go out to eat, I said sure. we showered, (SEPARATELY) and headed out. we drove down the main drag, saw nothing but smoke infested places. So off we went to Lloyd. If you all remember, Lloyd is an hour and a half drive from here. I didn't take any pics, cause its true darkness, even the high beems aren't that bright. lol Oh ya forgot to mention, one of the Boston pizza girls said that there is a stripper, (yes I said a) that comes on Thursdays, I died laughing, she was oddly puzzled by my response. Well enjoy the real world, I will post another blog soon.

WAINWRIGHT

Hello all, I am just going to post the rest of the pics on here, no real need to explain them, cause there is nothing on them. lol

WAINWRIGHT

Hello everyone, hope all is well in civilasaion. I do wish i was there at the baby shower. I would like to guess that Fi will have a girl named sara, and will be 2 days late. Sorry, just a feeling I have ;)
So as for here, well friday was payday, and the gang went drinking at Boston pizza. Yes Boston Pizza is the only place good enough to eat and hang out at, sad but true. I played baby sitter and got home around 3am. the others kept drinking in one of the rooms. I would have joined them but i had to be up early in the morning to buy some coveralls. Seems the shop i work out of cant get normal size coverals. There are a fwe others that also need to buy. So I was told about a store the next town west of Wainwright that has great prices. The store is called Fabian trading post, and yes it is in the town of Fabian. So one coworker came with, his name is R. We head out to the store, which is a 30min drive and is very god forsaken. The town has about 20 houses and two stores. no sotp signs and no traffic lights, now thats small. The store is great though, Very cheep and has tons of nick nacks and yes work clothing. They have Nomex fire retardent coveralls for $130, and cheep coveralls 4 for $100. I looked at a great pair, lots of pockets, zipper front, velcro covered pockets, and zipper legs to fit over boots. $35 each, so I picked out 3. The real funny thing is that the satff was in amazment over my phone, they acted like they never saw one before. Now i know it is a small town, but they are not remove from civilisation. After the shopping spree, R and I desided to go to LLoydville, and this time i brought my camera. So here are some of the pics for your enjoyment. :)

Here is some natural gas pumps. Also in a farmers field.

Here is a great shot of the sky. BTW the openes is not a lake, it is a field. A cold, frozen open field. Sorry it is on an angle.

Here is one of the many oil pumps in Alberta. This one is in a farmers field, every pump is roughly $5.00 made, $3 goes to the farmer for use, the rest is to the oil company.

Here is a job sign from timmy's.

Here is a shot of the sceanery. The distance is about a two hour drive

Here is a shot of the main drag of Wainwright. ( and I told you only one shot would do it. ;))

WAINWRIGHT

So I had an interesting day finally. I have been working on a vehicle that had a host of problems. It came in with a leaky hub and required its bi-annual inspection. I am teamed with a military guy (to show me the ropes, since I am not familiar with the vehicles, and I have a fellow Callian employee. My fellow civiy used to be my sergeant way back when. Funny how in the military you meet people and eventually you see them again, the team lead was also my warrant way back when as well). So back to the vehicle story, we have been working on this vehicle for almost a week, (week over 1000 hours between the three of us), Like I said, it came in with a leaky hub, the others went working on the inspection, and I started on fixing the leak. So as I normally go, I do the easy fix first, then work my way till the problem is repaired. (And no chance of a comeback) I tightened the bolts to the hub, because they were loose. Then checked the fluid level to top up. There was no fluid at all. (BIG PROBLEM) so I had to pull the wheel off. Which had to be done anyways for the inspection? When I pulled the wheels, the brake shoes were soaking in oil. Now for those vehicle savvy types reading this, Brakes work on friction. Oil is designed to reduce friction, I’m sure you all can now do the math. So I told J (I will use the first letter of the names to make it easy) J is the army guy I am teamed with. (Poor him) either way. He came to look at it and said. It is leaking from the spindle. So I went under the vehicle and removed the axle. I took a look at the axle and found that it was worn in some areas. Not good since the axle is a solid piece of metal designed to take the torque of rotation. I also cleaned the seal area that stops the oil from leaking past into the brakes. (Hence the oils soaked brakes) after a through cleaning the seal surface was dented. So the took care of that problem, That is to big of a job to do at our shop. We send it across the road to another shop to replace the support arm. It’s about a day job just to do that. So I started the inspection on the side I was working on. Pulled the rest of the wheels, and had to replace some of the air line hoses since they were painted and cracked. The rest of the inspection went very smoothly with the three of us working well and fast. Yesterday we went to finish the inspection and start the repairs. Normally I repair as I go, but the “higher ups” wanted inspections then repairs done separately, not sure why but im only here to turn wrenches. (Almost like meatball surgery) Either way we started the repairs since the wheels were off. I replaced the hoses, brake chambers, and adjusted with in an hour. I’m starting to get the hang of it. Until the last wheel, last hose. (Go figure) I cross threaded the hose and connector. No big deal, I got a new hose and was looking at the connector that the hose goes too. I messed that up royally, and to make it even worse there is no replacement in the system. (Yar why me) As for the good thing today, on of the a/c (air conditioning) compressors was leaking, So J said if I wanted to tackle it, and of course to show im not as useless and the now hose and connector, I said yes. J evacuated the Freon. (Which isn’t Freon any more) handed me the compressor and said enjoy. I should have known soothing was up, when him and my other partner M, walked away to start another job. I even asked what do I do, and his reply was “I have faith in your mechanical abilities” and didn’t even stop. Eh what could I do, but start removing the old one. Easier said then done. The compressor is crammed in to a very small space, just large enough to get my fingers in, and maybe a wrench. I’m laying on my side in the driver’s area, which in a tank is also very small and cramped. I took a look at the manual, to find out how to remove the compressor, it was a boring read, and didn’t quite match the installation since a few mods were done. Oh well, I went in with a fist full of tools and a hell allot of hope lol. I removed the compressor after just after lunch, with a lot of difficulty. (I did start about an hour and a half before lunch.) Either way, I found out an easier way to do, after taking a lot of the housing and pumps off. So within the hour I had the compressor in, and ready to be charged and tested. This is where the story gets interesting, I found out as I reappeared from the depth of the LAV. The shop Forman came to me and asked how it was going. I said great it is in, and ready to get tested. He was surprised, I asked why so surprised. He explained to me that no one knew how to do it, since there was one guy who did a few years ago, and he removed the engine to replace a small compressor. I said how come you guys never did it yourself. At witch he replied, no one had the time to pull the engine out. I laughed and showed him how to do it quickly. Now I have at least 10 LAVs waiting for me to repair them. Oh well. It’s good to finally prove myself.

WAINWRIGHT

So I am taking it easy tonight. As much as I love Boston Pizza, I do get bord of it. And saving money helps. ;) So I am getting alot of hands on the equipment, wich is great. So I have included links for the equipment that I am working on.

As for Alberta, they do things differently here. Im guessing they dont have insurence issues here. cause no one shovles or deice their property. I nearly slipped several times today. And still lots of snow around with icy patches everywhere. Makes driving a pleasure. lol Well not much else i can say for now. lokking to see what comments everyone makes.


http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/2_display.asp?product=73
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/2_display.asp?product=140
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/2_display.asp?product=56
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/2_display.asp?product=64
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/2_display.asp?product=76

WAINWRIGHT

Hello again. So it is has been my first weekend here in the vast open aberta waste land. So me and the two guys I hang with went exploring. On Friday night after work we went to Loydminster, or as the locals call it loyd. It is a border town, with half in Alberta and the other half in Saskatchewan. It is the nearest large town to me, with a population near 23,000. It has all the box stores and banks. We went shopping and banking, then tried to get some supper. the time was around 830pm. We went to kelsys with was closed and so were alot of the resturants in the area. After asking the managers as to the reason for the early closing, they all said not enough cooks. So for any cooks out there, great time to get employed. so we ended up in a bar type place. full of locals who were all eating( with is a good sign) We though we may not be served, since we did not arrive in a pick up truck. lol The food was actually good, so thats a bonus. btw the drive is about 1.5 hours. nothing is close here.

On saturday we went tot he west edmonton mall, well edmonton mainly. We went to cosco first then the mall. Nothing speacial about the cosco. As for the mall, it is huge. thats all i can say for now. I will be going saturday agian to do some real exploring all of edmonton. and as for today we went back to loyd to get some stuff. Thats about all i can say so far.

WAINWRIGHT

So it has been two full days since arriving at Alberta. Not much I can say about Wainwright. It is south east of Edmonton on highway 14, and has a great website. That's about it. lol I will provide some pictures a bit later to show how much there is here. (one picture should do it.)
As for what I do here. I am working in a small garage, fixing what is known as LAVs (Light Armoured Vehicle). There are 150 of them that we are responsible for. There are 6 military techs and 10 of us to try and fix them all. Big problem is that not many of us "civvies" are experienced with them. So it is a large learning curve.
So as for what the base does, it is used for training. They train infantry and armoured personnel from basic to trade courses. There is a dedicated OPFOR (Opposing Force) unit, with their own Afghan village, terrorist type training camp. They even hire Afghan/Canadians to teach background and act as villagers.

So as for the weather, it will be -30C with out the windchill tomorrow. The big storm we had lasted just over 24hrs, with high winds and lots of snow. The big noticeable difference from Ontario is that its a dry cold. Kinda sucks.

By the way this is the first blog I have ever done, so bare with me.