Friday, August 25, 2006

Mr. Conductor... Finally!!!

Well, I made it here to Florida in one piece and after a fun week just hanging out at the hotel I started work and moved into my new condo this past Monday. After almost three years of trying and working Maintenance of Way for the majority of that time I've finally achieved my goal. I'm only about six months away from becoming a locomotive engineer! It's been a really fun week, I've learned a lot and had fun doing it. It really helps when you have someone to work with you get along with and also has the same warped sense of humor as me. Actually, most railroaders have the same sense of humor as me.
Curious.
Anyway, above is myself and "JP", another guy who was hired the same day as me. He was an engineer for CSX for quite a while and really knows his stuff... We worked together all week using that locomotive, shunting cars and putting together trains to ship out. It was mostly yardwork but did lay some ballast on the main line Wednesday and Thursday.

Here I am doing some conductoring... Throwing a switch to move some cars into the loading track. JP snapped this picture out of the cab of the locomotive. Yes, there are alligators in that canal to my left...
Now to my new digs. Here's the front of the place with my screened-in front patio. The company is not only reimbursing me for my moving expenses, they've also put me up in a condo for the entire sugarcane harvest season, rent free!

They had said they were going to put me up in an apartment, but I had no clue that the place they were going to let me use would be so nice. It's completely furnished too, meaning I didn't have to buy anything when I moved in. Dishes, flatware, pots and pans... Hell, I didn't even have to get toilet paper! The only thing I have to foot the bill for is my food, telephone and DSL.

Sweet deal, huh?

I'll give you the nickel tour now...

The living room... Not much on the walls but the couch is right comfy!

The view from the living room into the kitchen. The front door is to the right and there's a sliding-glass door that leads to the patio further right out of the picture.

Now the kitchen... Oh, the kitchen! Nice little island, the fridge has a Britta water filter and icemaker... Notice the dish washer?

Now for the master bath... Huge garden tub with jaccuzi and yes, that's a TV over the tub. I can watch Rescue Me on FX while I soak in the hot bubbles...

Another view of the master bath...

And finally where RT lays his head after a hard day of conductoring...

The place also has another bathroom off the dining/kitchen area with a washer~dryer combo and a shower so I can strip off the dirty work duds and jump right into a hot shower...

No more Laundromat!

It's a rough job, the railroad is, but someone has to do it!

Copyright 2006 Thomas J Wolfenden

18 comments:

tsduff said...

WOW! I've dreamed of having a bathroom like that... it's the tub I'm referring to, with all that Italian tile... WOW~ I'd say Tom, you have arrived!

As for becoming a conductor - I'm happy your dream job has finally come into sight. Do watch out for the alligators though. They can ruin your day.

Kev said...

Nice digs.

Gator country, eh? Watch your step there, Tom. Nothing spoils the joy of moving up in the world like moving down in the food chain.

It's good to see you're back. Write on!

cmk said...

SO happy for you! The place looks great and you SOUND great. Finally, things are looking up, hey? Told you it would happen. And I will chime in with everyone else: watch out for the crocogators! :0

bevy said...

Nice bachelor pad. I really like the fridge.

FHB said...

Wow, very nice. Sweet deal. You've got that place all to yourself? Cool.

Lisa said...

Sweet place. Very cool. So happy for you.

Dirk said...

Well done, bloke. Good to see you kicking a few goals. Although I didn't know that there were that many shades of brown.

Dirk said...

I forgot:
The last time that I was living with a person of opposite sex she had a thing about watching weepy movies. Instead of allowing these to be inflicted upon my fragile psyche, I would pack a few beers into a cooler and have a bubble bath in the ensuite whilst watching motorcycle racing on the bedroom TV.

Thomas J Wolfenden said...

AJ: What makes it even better is the fact I have someone now who actually believes in me, not just giving me lip service... ;)

Tsduff: I haven't tested the tub yet... But I have a feeling it's coming soon.

Woodrow: Ain't it though?

Kev: I plan on staying at the top of the food chain. I kind of like it up here...

Cmk: It took a lot of hard work and perserverence... But with you all and one special lady, it's makes it all the sweeter...

Col: Great to hear from you! How's the target practice been? How many little persons do you have scampering around your place in QLD now? 12, 13? I emailed you my new phone #... Give me a ring, we've got a LOT of catching up to do! Say howdy to the wife for me!

Miss Fire: One of my neighbors does have a weiner-dog... Wonder if they make good gator bait too?

Bev: It is great, isn't it? I'm totally in love with my whole kitchen!

Fathairybastard: Yep, got it all to myself... That is until Thanksgiving...

Lisa: Thanks! I've never been happier...

Dirk: Back finally from your Walkabout I see. I agree, brown wouldn't have been my first choice, but when the place is free I really have nothing to complain about. And why is it the women have to watch those weepy movies anyway? I'd much rather see sit being blown up...

Courtney O. said...

Wow - sweet condo! Congrats!!!

tsduff said...

Hope you are out of the way of Ernesto...

Kat_womanx2 said...

Hmmmmm..I seem to remember telling someone that this was going to be his year for good things..I love being right!!!!!

Rebecca said...

Congratulations on the new job.

Enjoy your new place. I think the screened in porch would be my favorite place.

FHB said...

Hey welcome to florida. Now, get to work boarding that place up. It's hurricane season.

The Ramblin Hillbilly said...

Congratulations RT I'm happy for you man, we all miss you around here though

Carolyn said...

Wow, I had no idea you'd moved.. again. Good luck w/your newest job and life in Fla. Watch out for those hurricanes!

phlegmfatale said...

Well done, RT! Engineering really suits you!

And as I already mentioned those are indeed snazzy digs. Congratulations on landing in such a cozy spot. I'm happy for you!

honkeie said...

Love the kitchen and bathrooms. Great place ya got dar!