So I had a bit of a revelation recently, and I haven't been able to figure out how I wanted to write it down, so I'm just gonna do it and if it comes out quirky, or unintelligable, sorry. I was chatting with one of the guys that I used to work with on my old rig, my old company. I asked how everybody was doing....I kinda miss being out there with them. He said everyone was pretty much fine. Said that there was a guy that worked an extra week because they had not found anyone to replace me yet. On the first day of the hitch, about 3 hours into the tower, he got hurt. Bad. At the time, there were a bunch of really big valves made up in the derrick. Well, this guy (who would have been me) had to work beneith them. A handle fell of of one of them. These handles are about 30lbs each. The handle fell about 40 feet, and struck him in the forehead/face. He then fell backward into a hydraulic control box, splitting the back of his head wide open. So. He had fractured facial structure, a fractured skull, and about 200 stitches holding it all together. The doctors beleve his brain was bleeding for a short time. It takes a chopper about an hour and 15 minutes to get to where the rig was at the time, and although there was a medic onboard, that's just an EMT. Not even a Paramedic. I happen to know the medic on the rig that day, and I know that the injured guy was in VERY good hands. I wouldn't worry about this guy taking care of me. But, you know, it was 3-4 hours to get to a medical facility. This is one of my few worries when I am on the rig. What happens when you don't have 3-4 hours? My eyes tear up thinking about it. I know that they keep body bags out there, but Goddamnit, I don't wanna zip my buddy up in one cause he could only lasted for an hour. Sorry ya'll, I know that this was a bit graphic. I just needed to get it out. Momento Mori. Latin. "Remember, you will die." Make sure that those around you know that you love them, and that you care. You never know when the Lord will decide that He needs you by His side. Ya'll take care, and God bless. The Rat