In a time of record high unemployment, there is one segment of our country’s work force that does not worry about job security. Nor are they concerned about out-sourcing or the loss of benefits and diminished salaries. These dedicated workers who have never filled out an employment application, composed a resume, or taken a career development course, are on the job every morning, bright and early. Rain or shine, they lean into the harness and willingly display a work ethic that would impress even Horatio Alger.
When Mike told us Dirty Jobs was filming on Mackinac Island, I took out a map. When he exclaimed over the breathtaking beauty of the island, I added it to our list of places to visit someday. But when he mentioned that there were over 600 horses on the six-square-mile island in Michigan, I started packing.
I’m one of those adults who has never outgrown her childhood passion for horses. People are drawn to Dirty Jobs for a variety of reasons, but for me, the most gratifying episodes are those involving horses. Mike gives me a ‘heads-up’ before they air.
“Be sure to watch tonight’s show, Mom,” he‘ll say. “It’s a horsy story for my horsy mother.” Read More...
On a recent episode of Dirty Jobs, Mike paid a visit to Michigan’s Soo Locks for a day of maintenance and muck up work. He discovered two things: the Soo Locks are a marvel of engineering and it’s really cold up there in the winter. As the Soo Lock crew explained, the only time they can get at the locks is during the winter when the water from Lake Superior freezes over. With their years of experience, they’ve become acclimated to the harsh working conditions. Sadly, Mike and his DJ crew weren’t as acclimated but the work still needed to get done. That’s pretty much how it goes down for plenty of dedicated workers all across the country. At any given time these folks can find themselves toiling away in extreme weather. It’s not for the faint of heart.
Extreme weather work means exposing yourself to the elements. This doesn’t necessarily mean working outdoors in the cold or heat but there are many gigs which can present hazardous working conditions. Consider the extreme temperatures endured by steel workers, glass blowers and smelters versus the frozen food factory employees and the ice makers. Of course it is being exposed to the elements you have no control over that pose the most danger. The Canadian government’s version of OSHA has a handy guideline to working in extreme hot or cold conditions and determining whether or not you are suffering from hypothermia or heat stroke. Ironically, three of the main symptoms for both conditions are the same: fatigue, nausea and dizziness. If you are feeling fatigue, nauseous or dizzy you might not be able to read the website so study up now! Read More...
Watching the sunrise from the balcony of our vacation rental was a morning ritual. Long before the noisy pleasure boats and jet skiers hit the scene, it was just the ocean, the sun, an occasional pelican, and one lone fisherman. 
Now there’s a man who takes his hobby seriously, I thought, day after day as he tended four long rods at the edge of the water. Probably a retiree who loves peace and quiet.
One morning I walked to the beach to search for shells, as well as to satisfy my curiosity. The fisherman was never still, I noticed. He moved from rod to rod, reeling in lines, replenishing bait, and casting far out beyond the breakers. His leathery skin was brown from the sun. “Do fish bite better in the morning?” I asked. “Or do you just love the solitude?”
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