Showing posts with label journey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journey. Show all posts

Sunday, May 17, 2009

A new Beginning, Part II

I was home, and had many visitors. To some, I seemed normal, although a little hyper and talkative. Being quite solemn most of the time, a few even liked this newly extroverted, friendlier me, and withheld their reservations.

Of course, my wife and partner of the last nine years knew that something was amiss, and worried that I was still not getting the rest my body and mind so desperately needed. On several occasions, the suggestion that I need to go see a doctor was strongly implied by her to no avail. I dismissed this idea as unnecessary as I only needed rest. Rest did not come.

After a couple of days, of countless long distance phone calls to people I called only on special occasions, like birthdays, holidays, and so forth, my mind felt extremely clear, my hearing was acute, and exaggerated, it was impossible to sleep with the slightly noise, real or imagined. My mind began to see things that were not there, the hallucinations became more vivid, no, there was no backup of sewage in the tub, the TV was not glowing at night. Crop dusters were not wagging their wings over my home with broken sprayers spewing poisons. The jogger behind the Cadillac was someone only I could see.

When I disrobed, and ran into the muddy fields, that's when the ambulance came. The local constable and my Father-in-law was desperately trying to cover up my shame, and to keep the mosquitoes abated. In a distant part of my brain there was some sort of unknown recognition that I was not supposed to be naked, even though it was the end of the world. I did accept a pair of undershorts. *insert laugh here*

On the way to the hospital, I implored the EMT as to the reasons for this special treatment, he only agreed with me, that we were going somewhere I could get some answers. Of course, the government needs me, only we have to make this one little stop first.  

A new Beginning, Part I

This is not a story of tragedy, nor a cry for sympathy, but it is a story of how I got from there to here. This is my story of survival, and triumph.

I have not written this down before now, and do not know why I have chosen this moment to do so. I have read through some of your posts here, and I only wish to share a thought or two.

The year was 1985, and I was in the prime of life. Having been married for nine years, my wife and I were miraculously expecting our first born. Happily anticipating his arrival, and busy preparing for all the things that were to be, we were the epitome of young, success filled couples.

I was ToolPusher on a land rig at the ripe age of 28 just prior to the oil boom bust of 1985-1986 I had been either a Driller or a Toolpusher since I was 23. This particular rig required round the clock supervision of a collection of some of the most hodgepodge of crews on a different type of rig and drilling conditions than most were accustomed to.  Adding to the mix, we had a newly promoted Drilling Superintendent who made no secret of his distaste for my style. Having recently being from another rig, I was placed in charge of this one by the owners against his wishes. Needless to say, everything needed attention, and I was anxious to get everything in order and repaired before rigging down and moving to a more difficult location. There seemed no end to the constant knocking at the door, with requests for assistance. From broken pumps, to non-existent lighting and a faulty generator, to the need to restring the drilling line at night with a crew that had never participated in this common daylight chore. There were tight hole problems, chalk, and a poisonous gas strata to drill though, with non-fully functional blowout preventers.

After eleven days and nights with zero sleep, and too few meals, I called one of the owners expressing my difficulties and stating my expectation that I would be relieved of duty the following morning. As predicted, this is exactly what took place. I was called in to the office the following day, and fired by the Superintendent. Incredulously, I went home and continued to call the vendors which I had outstanding orders and obligations with, making sure that all was being carried out and completed exactly as I had scheduled.

Due to sleep deprivation, and in denial, I had already crossed the line between reality and fiction.                           (to be continued)

© 2009 byronc