Home Away From Home

On July 14, 2008 I accepted a position with Noble Drilling as a Subsea Engineer Trainee; excellent pay, great benefits, wonder future, oh boy. There was one tiny little snag.....the Noble Company training Facility, Bayou Black. Yes it is a black bayou, yes the mosquitos can and do frequently suck dry small mammals, yes there are snakes ALL over the place, and finally; the Training Instructor, Charlie.
He could have been the the Drill Instructor in Full Metal Jacket, but he thinks Marines are too Sissified. I am serious, he is 5' nothing, weights 145lbs soaking wet, and could very easily a scare the shiite muslim out of a rattle snake. And has! Apparently a certain, ( dead) snake though his boot was a nice sleeping place. Silly snakes, boots are for feet. So Charlie, realizing where the snake was, shook his boot until reptile poop flew out and the snake stopped moving. This happened on Monday, the first day. He just smiled and walked away.
At this point I wondered just HOW far South I was?!? I mean come on, it is 98degrees in the shade and as the sun sets the bayou turns a fire red color; and Charlie sits in his rocking chair, smoking and laughing as we pick up anything that is not WHITE Rock! I SAID WHITE ROCK, Boy! In the Yard by the bayou, Gosh I like this job.
And yet, this job does pay well, I know it won't be like this on the rig, and I only have 8 more days to go. If I can get through 18 weeks of Basic/Tank school with the Army, I can handle this.........What, No Charlie, I be good, I won't touch the computer no more' ! I be good, suh, I be Good! Hahahahaha!
Peace out, word to yo Mother!