Doesn’t have to be in Tyler, I wouldn’t mind driving to Dallas if I have to. I’m going to starting a side gig building tables and other things and box stores are not it for oak, cedar or other lumber. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Derpy picture and a normal picture of her.
This Aspen. I foster failed back in April. She has been amazing. She was abandoned and probably abused, and seeing her personality come out and learn how to run and play has been amazing. She is a couch potato and a great hiking companion. She is the most gentle dog I’ve ever seen. She is very gentle with her kitten or puppies at the dog park but will rough house with dogs who like that. She greats everyone and every dog at the dog park now. I feel blessed to have her as my companion.
Link to my post from a few days ago.
Yesterday I talked with managment and they said they would talk about it. Then it turned into another 13+hr day. I talked with one of the crew chiefs on the drive home, and got some advice. After I talked to the field manager and asked if it was okay if I didn’t come today since I’m burnt out. He said it was fine and rest up. We talked about how busy it’s been to the point I’m eating 1.5 meals a day. I tried to do the meal prep but it’s been a waste since there isn’t time to eat durning work. After work im dead on my feet and by time i take care of my dog all i have tome for is fast food and then go to bed and go back to work.
Good news they took the information and the company is changing the way they are handling jobs. They are implementing drop dead times for when we are far from the office, and check ins near the end of the day to see what is left to do on the job and make the decision to bring the crew back to ensure people can be home at decent hour.
I hope this sticks because I like the people I work with. Even yesterday as shitty as it was the guy I was with made the work fun. The only real gripe I have was the hours. Pay could be better but I’m not stressed on that. There is room for advancement, and learn. Mistakes are used as learning opportunities.
Context. Got out of the military not long ago after 13 years. I was surveyor but i was not able to have any work life balance. I got hired a month back at a company and I like the people and the work. The heat and bugs suck but nothing I haven’t dealt with.
Hike through a swamp all day with t post and lath, easy day in 85-90f heat not new to me.
My issue with the company is the hours. There is no real set schedule. I got told in the interview 8-5 and if work needs to made up, maybe a Saturday. Didn’t seem bad. It’s been 7-6 every day, yesterday was 7-845pm. We don’t know what jobs we’ll get until the morning of, and the day doesn’t end until the all the jobs are done, even if the job isn’t due until a later date.
I talked to a mentor of mine and he said run. That this is not normal for a survey company. I’m probably going to take his advice. I like the field a lot, boundaries are interesting it’s like playing detective, I still prefer topo and construction. I’ve done mainly construction surveying and engineer designs so this aspect is new to me.
I requested to start out as a rod man so I can get a feel for boundaries and how the civilian side differs from the military. So the pay isn’t great, I have other income that makes it livable. At this point I’m thinking working at Lowe’s and taking a few dollar pay cut would be better if I can have a life.
Is this normal in your experience? A standard work day being 10-12 hours? I can do the work and I don’t bitch, but I got out of a career a few years from retirement so I could have a life. If this is normal, then maybe I need to reconsider my degree plan and find a new career path.
TLDR:
Are 10-12 hr days every day normal in the survey industry?
Edit: talked to the Director and when the owner and RPLS gets in on Monday they will see if they can figure something out. If not no harm no foul not a good fit.
One of the jobs today was verifying property corners for a construction site. What was supposed to be verify 40 some odd irons turned into set 40 some odd irons hahaha
I found him while at work. He was meowing and came out from under an abandoned building. He was dehydrated and hungry. There were no other cats around and must have been on his own for a few days. He didn’t stop purring and fell asleep in my lap on the way home. I did have to quarantine him when he pooped blood, and it was long night. Between my pup waking up all night to let me know he was meowing and him just wanting to play and be held. His vet visit went well, in good health and he just had some worms. Ghost is loving his home and big sister. She follows him around sniffing and nudging gently, and periodically cleaning him. (She is on monthly worm medication and I got the approval from the vet that they were safe to interact)
Looking to purchase my own machete and I am interested in what is best company and model to go with. The old timer at work says Ontario, but would like to get other opinions.
Any suggestions of artist near or around Tyler who focus on American traditional? I’ve been looking at the ones on google but haven’t seen anything yet but any recommendations, I know google isn’t always the best.
Found these on my hike today and I like to ID them. I have a small collection of ones I have been able to ID looking online, I dont plan on harvesting just like to know and plan on making a drawn field note book. Any help would be appreciated, the orange one was crazy, felt like velvet, so shiny with no smell (besides standard mushroom smell).