Thursday, August 02, 2018

Not for me

I'm a little claustraphobic. My older brother locked me in the trunk of an old Chevy parked in our backyard when I was in kindergarten. The little prank cost my brother a butt-whuppin' from my mom, but it also left a memory etched on my brain like as homemade tattoo.

Fast forward - Today I covered a media day event for the local college. It was to talk about a class for new miners. The 15 that graduated start to work tomorrow for a coal company. The average starting wage is $85 K. Experienced mine electrictions routinely make $150 K and more. 

The presenters took the media through a mine simulation environment. Mentally, I knew it was a metal building configured to look like the inside of an underground mine. But my childhood experience made this the longest 45 minutes of my life. 

I remembered what my lovely wife teaches. Just breathe. I did. Soon I stopped feeling my heartbeat in my throat and temples. I never got comfortable, but I managed to make it through without bolting.

When I got outside, I looked into the sky and thought, "I know miners earn a lot of money, but the work is not for me."




8 comments:

  1. Or me.
    I don't like enclosed spaces and am not even comfortable in basements. Heights are fine, and air is a necessity.

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  2. I have a son who cannot handle tight places. I wonder many times the 'seed' behind that. YOu made an interesting entry here. Thanks. I also did not know the pay was that good, but for me also I like to see the sun. I never wanted to serve on a sub in the navy.

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  3. Although mining is much safer than it used to be, those men earn every cent they are paid. Not everyone can do a job like that and it wouldn't be for me either. Glad you remembered to just breathe!

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  4. Interesting tid-bit about your past. I can see why you don't like enclosed spaces. I wouldn't want to work in a mine either but I had two brother who worked in the mine until it closed. They made pretty good money. They both are retired now.
    Hugs, Julia

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  5. What an incredible time! Part of me says, I'd love to experience that simulation. Then the little Voice of Reason reminds me, I don't even like being beneath the water. I'm amazed automation hasn't taken over mining; equally amazed how much $ they make. Easy to understand why so many choose to ignore the dangers.

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  6. Anonymous12:32 PM

    Not for me, either!!

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  7. My aunt married a miner. He died of black lung and emphysema. He insisted that none of his sons ever work in the mines. None of them did.

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  8. I like small spaces but not tight spaces. I do not panic or feel like im gonna die but get very uncomfortable especially if I think a bug might be around.
    Lisa

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