Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Offshore Texas

From 1981-1984 I worked offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Not on an oil rig or platform, but on a seismic boat. The front end, or beginning of the oil exploration experience. The data we collected gave the geophysicists an idea of where to actually drill. The picture on the right is a shot of the boat I worked on as our helicopter approached for a crew change. Typically, these boats had a total crew of 35-40 men.

Very interesting work. I loved it.

I worked a 4-week on, 2-week off schedule. We didn't drink offshore, but rarely was there a shortage of things to smoke. Of course, many of us smoked cigarettes too. Look at those eyes.Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

The boat I worked on usually made 2 or 3 port calls during the 4-week period. There was always supplies and equipment to load and offload, but it was understood by "the bosses" that we also needed some drinkin' time while ashore. We would find a nearby bar and consume all we could in as short a time as possible. Often we had only a couple of hours before we had to return to the boat. Needless to say (but I will anyway) most of us got blitzed.

(left) daily work on the back deck

This type of drinking became a way of life for me. When I wasn't offshore, I was drunk or at least waiting to get drunk. Those were fun days, I must admit. But I don't miss them at all.
I'm just glad I lived through it.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I am alive and sober today

that when they told me I didn't have to feel this way any more, they were right

that I am able to handle my Mom's daily affairs as well as my own - it makes for a full-time job (in my head LOL)

for a long conversation with my sister about lots of stuff

for some lovely, much needed rain overnight

Ladies & Gentlemen, I am proud to introduce to you ...
Matt V 2.0 from Lambda ------- drop by and say hello

We have a choice: to plow new ground or let the weeds grow.
-Jonathan Westover

15 comments:

Mary Christine said...

I am glad you lived through all of that. It is amazing the lives we live.

JJ said...

Don't think I could of handled a schedule like that numbskull.
I see you,
JJ

Sunshine said...

Awesome old pics! Thank you for sharing them!

Jonathan29 said...

Thanks Dave! I didn't know that anyone was actually reading this thing...LOL, guess I better watch what I say about people. ;)

I read your blog every morning before work. I have so much I can learn from other bloggers here, and I can't wait to dive in and do more reading!

See you soon,
Matt

My adventures said...

i worked offshore in the early 80's... (stop laughing)... i lasted for 2 weeks... one evening on the deck of the rig, guys were fishing and tons of seagulls were overhead and i said "i feel just like tippi hedren"... nobody got the joke and i figured out offshore wasn't for me...ha... thanks for the memory jolt...dbv

Tennessee Santa said...

The things we do to get where we are today. It is miraculous that we survived it all.

Unknown said...

YOu do look quite baked. Memories. Ahhh

Gooey Munster said...

Those are some really great pictures. Each has a personality of its own and says so much.

Thanks for introducing the new blogger!

Recovery Road London said...

Like the slideshow.

Were you basted like a turkey? Lol. ;-)

Shannon said...

was that you with those eyes???
DAAVE I love that you shared this with us... thanks


I am grateful you are sober too...

dAAve said...

****************
SEVERAL of you thought that picture of the red eyes is me. Sorry, not this time. It was one of my smoking friends. We were in a cabin getting high.
I do, however, have a couple of similar pix of me with the red eyes.

Scott W said...

That pic of the guy with the red eyes, no one mentioned the nice legs raised behind him. I would be more interested in that! Plus the blond in the top picture with the great abs! No wonder you loved that job.

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