Just an update from my first day in case any future people in my shoes read this and want to see what my experience was like.
First thing, I’ve never worked harder or been more beat after a day of work in my life. I’m in fair shape and usually feel comfortable with every job I’ve held before. I’ve worked more intensely for short periods, but nothing compares to the all day constant hustle. There is genuinely never a second of down time. Saws need oil and gas, drop zones need cleared, the chipper needs fed, the climbing lines need an eye kept on them, the lift is moving, traffic needs to be monitored, everyone is communicating constantly so everything is running like a well oiled machine, things need raked, walkways and the road needs blown off.
Secondly, I’ve also never enjoyed a day at work as much as I did today. The people are great and they never hesitate to explain why we do something one way or the other. Even the owner busts his butt. And I was completely impressed when one of the other guys and I were starting to slow down digging the hole for a tree we were planting, the boss told us to take 5 and sit in the shade so we could take a drink. I’m used to bosses trying to be macho and bringing you down by saying something like “I guess no one wants to work as hard as I do” when you have to take a drink break despite the fact that they usually sit in an air conditioned office all day and come out for 20 minutes to see what’s going on. It meant a lot to me seeing a boss man that was concerned with our well being as well as putting his all into the job right there with us.
The joke about falling asleep in your dinner makes a lot more sense now. But I’m 100% hooked. As long as my body can acclimate in the next couple weeks/month, I can’t imagine being happier with what I’m doing. I’m not delusioned into believing every day will be rainbows and butterflies, but the level of work ethic and respect surrounding me is absolutely incredible and it really motivates me to give them my absolute best in return. I hope that this helps someone else who may be in a similar situation and hesitant to give it a try.
plus work has let me borrow a book with certain knots highlighted so I can use the particular knots that they all use and it will keep everyone on the same page.
