The Conditioning Of A Not-So-Veteran Planter
Deafened by the detrimental effects of cabin pressure on my ears, I arrived in Prince George, at last, after a somewhat long five hour voyage. Myself, Alex, and Luc all climbed out of the plane lethargically, and we proceeded towards the luggage collection area, amidst many other eager and fatigued treeplanters. Then a familiar face greeted me with a smile - our boss Dustin. We heaved our heavy packs into the back of his pick-up and we headed to a sleazy motel in the Downtown area. I wasn't particularly enthused to be back in the sketch-ville that is P.G., however I was filled with excitement for our first embarkment into the dirty bush. After listening to a lecture about keeping our Motel room clean by the clerk, we finally got a room, loaded out all of our crap, and sat ourselves down inside. Alex, feeling eager to explore his newfound environment, encouraged us to take a stroll outside... at 11pm. We were greeted by a slew of degenerates - a couple cracked out hobos, an angry local, and a scary looking prostitute. Definitely not the greatest sights to see or encounter. So Alex and Luc got their first taste of the Peege, and I the already familiar traveler, warned them to keep at their wits at night.
The next morning we were shipped off to our new home, a "warehouse" as Dustin coined it, located just behind the Celtic Reforestation office. A better term for it would be an incomplete shack, for it literally was just a bunch of unheated rooms with mattresses covered in plastic wrap. I was a little disheartened, however once all of our crew arrived, my not-too-shabby shelter seemed a little better. Dan, Cody, and Kirsten are back - and it's great hanging out with them again. We also have around five rookie planters this year, and everybody is getting along swimmingly.
My first day out on the block was quite the success. I was excited as ever - my new corks felt hefty but comfortable on my weary feet, and it was great to have my own shovel again. Dustin cut me a piece of some primo land, and my first tree went in without a hitch (or a j-root). Everything magically all came back to me, and I managed to plant 1480 of the little suckers on my first day! It feels good to be making money again - out in the great wide open. The land has been so nice, mainly due to the fact that it's the beginning of the season and the majority of the stuff we're planting is flat cut-blocks with hardly any slash and nice dirt. I've even stopped flagging, which has saved me bundles of time (mind the lame planter pun, but I had to throw it in). It feels cool being a vet - we have bigger chunks of land, a lot more respect, and are expected to plant a lot. I've been maintaining a no less than $200 a day policy which so far has been working out.
The first shift had me whipped and beaten right back into the scraggly shape that planters assume. My legs, arms, wrists, wits, have all been pummeled into aches and pains, and alas I feel truly like a planter again. So far no extensive injuries for myself and the rest of the crew, so everyone's peachy about that.
On the night off of our first shift, we had a bonfire in a.. well..a wheelbarrow with some wood in it. This guy Mick, the local carpenter for our so-called living space, put it together. It was great - just a bunch of hippyfied planters sharing a few brews with some acoustic guitar by the fire. I was finally starting to get used to our shed, and then Dustin informed us that we had to move to a motel - and that is where I am currently at the moment. It's nice to have a heated room and your own personal toilet and shower.
I've been living off of Kraft Dinner, granola bars, alphaghettis, pepperettes, peanut butter, and many other thrifty items at the local grocery store. It's not that bad.. it's tough to keep a strict budget though when you're working your tail off every day to make lots of cash. Regardless, I think I'll survive for the time being with my ramen noodles. Oh and I forgot to mention, last night, after our second shift (which went quite well might I add), we all partied up on this big sandhill near the hotel, and I had a blast.. not too mention maybe one too many sips of strong beer. It was fun, we all tumbled drunkenly down the dune, and then scrambled our way back to the top.. it was kind of like a summer substitute for sledding.. except with alcohol involved. C'mon, gotta have a little bit of fun right?
Annnnnyway, I'd love to banter on about the minute details about my crazy days at work, but I should probably cease from this expulsion of words.. as I desire to grab some lunch.. and maybe play a little hacky sack in the sun. 'Till next week then!
- James Harris (aka "Music Man")
The next morning we were shipped off to our new home, a "warehouse" as Dustin coined it, located just behind the Celtic Reforestation office. A better term for it would be an incomplete shack, for it literally was just a bunch of unheated rooms with mattresses covered in plastic wrap. I was a little disheartened, however once all of our crew arrived, my not-too-shabby shelter seemed a little better. Dan, Cody, and Kirsten are back - and it's great hanging out with them again. We also have around five rookie planters this year, and everybody is getting along swimmingly.
My first day out on the block was quite the success. I was excited as ever - my new corks felt hefty but comfortable on my weary feet, and it was great to have my own shovel again. Dustin cut me a piece of some primo land, and my first tree went in without a hitch (or a j-root). Everything magically all came back to me, and I managed to plant 1480 of the little suckers on my first day! It feels good to be making money again - out in the great wide open. The land has been so nice, mainly due to the fact that it's the beginning of the season and the majority of the stuff we're planting is flat cut-blocks with hardly any slash and nice dirt. I've even stopped flagging, which has saved me bundles of time (mind the lame planter pun, but I had to throw it in). It feels cool being a vet - we have bigger chunks of land, a lot more respect, and are expected to plant a lot. I've been maintaining a no less than $200 a day policy which so far has been working out.
The first shift had me whipped and beaten right back into the scraggly shape that planters assume. My legs, arms, wrists, wits, have all been pummeled into aches and pains, and alas I feel truly like a planter again. So far no extensive injuries for myself and the rest of the crew, so everyone's peachy about that.
On the night off of our first shift, we had a bonfire in a.. well..a wheelbarrow with some wood in it. This guy Mick, the local carpenter for our so-called living space, put it together. It was great - just a bunch of hippyfied planters sharing a few brews with some acoustic guitar by the fire. I was finally starting to get used to our shed, and then Dustin informed us that we had to move to a motel - and that is where I am currently at the moment. It's nice to have a heated room and your own personal toilet and shower.
I've been living off of Kraft Dinner, granola bars, alphaghettis, pepperettes, peanut butter, and many other thrifty items at the local grocery store. It's not that bad.. it's tough to keep a strict budget though when you're working your tail off every day to make lots of cash. Regardless, I think I'll survive for the time being with my ramen noodles. Oh and I forgot to mention, last night, after our second shift (which went quite well might I add), we all partied up on this big sandhill near the hotel, and I had a blast.. not too mention maybe one too many sips of strong beer. It was fun, we all tumbled drunkenly down the dune, and then scrambled our way back to the top.. it was kind of like a summer substitute for sledding.. except with alcohol involved. C'mon, gotta have a little bit of fun right?
Annnnnyway, I'd love to banter on about the minute details about my crazy days at work, but I should probably cease from this expulsion of words.. as I desire to grab some lunch.. and maybe play a little hacky sack in the sun. 'Till next week then!
- James Harris (aka "Music Man")
posted by J-kash at 1:22 PM
1 Comments:
James! Great to hear from you bud...keep the updates coming. Think of me - stuck inside a library most of the living hours of the day - when you're sweating gloriously in the great wide open.
Much love,
your sis
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