Tunnel Vision

Tragedy! When did my blog turn into a monthly affair? Seems about the same time I started at QR Mine. I believe my job's awesomeness has been distracting me. I've had a sort of promotion- no raise but more responsibility; a good thing, I think? I will be cross-shifting as the site underground geologist. It may sound kind of creepy, but it is actually pretty bad-ass. Any geology map, by necessity, is in 2D thanks to the limitations of paper. When you walk through a drift (a.k.a. mine tunnel), you are surrounded by the rock and every structure and contact that crosses through is visible in 3D. It's a great way to get a handle on what the hell is going on beneath what you see on surface or in cross-sections. It doesn't hurt that underground geologists are in fairly high demand internationally. How do you say "Welcome to Brazil" in Portuguese?

On the topic of travel, my original plan for the year was to work through to the fall and then take off somewhere that requires a passport, preferably before Halloween. I had narrowed it down to Cambodia, Russia or Western Europe. As things look now, I will probably be here until Christmas, so some adjustments are in order. Both a blessing and a curse, since I will have to hang around Canada a little longer, but will have more funds in the end. I am already getting itchy feet, though; it's already been over a year since I got back from Australia. Winter will be a nice time to travel since it is way less touristy. My new new plan is to get an apartment in Ireland for a few months and maybe work a bit there until another geo contract turns up. Staying put for a while is a great way to meet people and get a proper feel for the culture (and maybe check out a pub or two along the way!). For now I will have to satisfy myself with chick flicks set in Ireland and Pogues albums to get me through.

-A.