As you can see from this post, I’ve succesfully returned from my offshore Gulf of Mexico trip and to a FAST internet connection my computers. The austere simplicity of daily life offshore combined with the technical complexity of the work made for a great break from everyday America. No politics, traffic, parking, crime, social and domestic obligations, contact lenses and dressing up (!!!) to contend with — not when you are on call, jump out of the bunk, into rig clothes and personal protection equipment and join the dudes on the drill floor or shack at any odd hour of the day.
Pictures removed by request of Transocean
Measurement tools come out of hole (L); Mars platform in the distance
Pictures from my time on the drilling vessel and the helicopter in the Offshore Picture Gallery (sadly, Transocean has asked me to take down pictures from my time on the drilling vessel). My intention with the myriad bayou and estuarine images of the Louisiana coastline is to show that this area is so vulnerable and our only protection from the BIG one(s). D considered the photos scary given the lack of topography — “a few feet of extra water and they’ll be gone.”
Sea meets land (L); Algal mats of the southern Louisiana bayou
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Supreme Court Rejects Guantanamo War Crimes Trials – While we ship constitutional republicanism … I mean … democracy abroad, let’s not forget about habeas corpus. If we flout our own rules, we have no right to preach those rules to foreign lands. Do as I say and not as I do?
In a 5-3 decision, the court said the trials [of Guantanamo detainees before military commissions] were not authorized by any act of Congress and that their structure and procedures violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the four Geneva Conventions signed in 1949.
Joining Stevens in the majority were justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Anthony M. Kennedy and David H. Souter. Dissenting were justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. … Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. recused himself from the case.
As Chai says, “Woohoo! Smackdown SCOTUS style!” Now, the question is: Will Bush really take the ruling seriously?
Chicks in hard hats make me feel all tingly.
Great series of pics – needs narrative like “Drilling for Dummies” (not to find them [us?]). I agree with D.
Ummm, Ray, thanks and all, but eye-may om-may eads-ray is-thay og-blay.
Blair, I’ll put in a narrative with the pics. It was just a preliminary attempt to get the footage out for eager co-workers, friends and family.
Eye-may et-bay at-thay our-yay om-may ooks-lay ate-gray n-ithay ard-hay ats-hay oo-tay!
Ice-nay otos-phay!
That’s hilarious. Thomas is a no-talent ass clown. Scalia is arrogantly conservative for the sake of being conservative, and Alito also has a cob wedged up there a little too far. Roberts is a smart man. Period. I’ve read his briefs. I approve – even though sometimes working for the Bush I administration tends to put one in an ethically precarious position, he always argues smartly.
Meanwhile, YAY SCOTUS!!! Way to tell him that no, even if he threatens that terrorism will flourish if we continue to have criminal procedure and a constitution, we still have a vested interest in having rights (even if they are only given lip service). And there is a limit on how much ass clownery Bush may personally exhibit to everyone’s peril. Ya. Loving it.
The corporate recruiters flew down and took us out the other night. They were talking up the company and about why we’ve divested our offshore interests, pointing out that this is the place to work for people that want to stay on dry land. As the other interns nodded and commented in agreement, I piped up:
“One of my best friends works for another company and she just headed offshore for a few days.”
“Oh,” the recruiter responded, “sucks to be her!”
“No.” I said. “I’m JEALOUS.”
DOODYHEAD.
They are lovely pics. Thanks for being photographically inclined.
Ahem.
Educated women who conduct themselves in a professional manner in a challenging work environment command my utmost respect.
Hi Mrs. Maitri’s Mom!
Julie, onshore drilling has a lot of learning to offer, but offshore operations teach you so much in hours. Your recruiter is a doodyhead, making silly remarks to support not drilling offshore. They’d better change their tune before we buy them out or something to that effect.
Thanks, Ay-ray!