Text 11401, 106 rader
Skriven 2007-02-05 22:16:00 av JIM WELLER (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av MICHAEL LOO
Ärende: working but homeless 996
================================
 -=> Quoting Michael Loo to Jim Weller <=-

 JW> We have a situation here with our short summer construction season
 JW> where workers will work 12 hours a day, seven days a week for six
 JW> weeks in a remote camp with a bunkhouse, then take a mandatory two week
 JW> break, then repeat the cycle. The Dept. of Labour only allows four such
 JW> strenuous shifts a year but that's still 2016 hours, a regular year's
 JW> work and pay.

 ML> If one can tolerate these conditions, it sounds like not a bad deal;
 ML> and if one actually likes the work, all the better.

I really liked surveying and pipelines paid more than any other
industry.

 ML> But this is 24
 ML> weeks of accommodations, so there are 28 weeks left during which one
 ML> has to find a place to stay.

I would book a four or five month lease in a college town on a single
room or a small furnished apt. For those six years I used my parent's
address for residency purposes. I only attended school for the Jan-April
semester and at mid year there would always be vacancies close to campus
from dropouts. Two places stand out in my memory: a boarding house full
of foreign students from all over and two guys from Nigeria with a three
bedroom apt. I learned a lot about ethnic cooking those two semesters.
 
 ML> Do people take a second job? It may be against the rules to
 ML> work in construction for the rest of the year,

Sure. Their names, employer, social insurance number and hours worked
would be filed with the provincial Dept. of labour and Worker's
Compensation Board but that info wouldn't be known in their home
jurisdiction.

 ML> but what about
 ML> something less strenuous, like being a librarian?
 
Funny you should mention that. When I was in college I was a part time
assistant librarian. I also tutored and graded papers. Quite often
simultaneously, thereby doubling and tripling the low wages those kinds
of jobs paid.

 JW> Of course some people pick more distant and exotic locations for their
 JW> 14 day breaks. With the amount of money you can make and save in six
 JW> weeks living in a camp with free room and board there's virtually no
 JW> limits.

 ML> Would that I were young again! (Okay, Carol, yes, I know I have a
 ML> good deal.)

Every construction boom town has a restaurant that's short staffed. My
first wife sometimes used to follow me to job sites and always found
work. If she was with me I wouldn't stay in camp; we'd book a place in
the nearest town. And once she was the camp cook.

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06
 
      Title: "Asian" Beef Wraps
 Categories: Beef, Mex/Asian-style, Sandwiches
      Yield: 8 Servings
 
      2 ts vegetable oil
  1 1/2 lb sirloin steak
    1/2 ts salt
    1/4 ts pepper
     16 oz pkg coleslaw mix
      8    8 inch flour tortillas
    1/4 c  prepared peanut sauce
      4    green onions, cut into
      2    inch pieces
  
  In large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Sprinkle both sides
  of the steak with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and cook 4 to 5
  minutes on each side for medium rare, or until desired doneness.
  Transfer steak to cutting board, cover with foil and keep warm. In
  same skillet, cook coleslaw mix over medium-low heat 7 to 8 minutes,
  or until softened, stirring occasionally. Stir in peanut sauce.
  Meanwhile, wrap stack of tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave
  on High 1 minute (wrap tortillas in foil and heat in 350 F oven 5
  minutes.) To serve, thinly slice steak across grain and place slices
  in center of each tortilla, dividing evenly. Top with coleslaw mixture
  and green onions, dividing evenly. Roll up tortilla and cut each in
  half.

  Menu Roundouts: Cucumber salad (sliced cucumbers marinated in salad
  dressing), sliced pineapple.

  Recipe by:  Mr. Food's Easy Cooking    Fall 1998
  
  From: Alice
 
MMMMM


Cheers

Jim, in Yellowknife




... When you work hard you can afford to play hard.
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