Kez and I have just returned from Pring (the QRNational Coal depot I am assigned as a driver to).
Things have changed a little since I was there last. There is a new Yard and Crew Superintendent. Greg Dixon replaced the Yard and Crew Supervisor (Greg Cubit) who had been there since I started. He seemed genuinely friendly and happy to see us, even if the occasion was to be a little morose. Apparently he had heard my name around the depot a number of times but really had no idea of what was happening until the letter of retirement came across his desk. He called me on Monday to ask if I was able to attend Pring today.
Along with Greg was Simon Smart, the newly appointed General Manager for Coal North. He approached us immediately and engaged Kerry in conversation. He seems like a genuinely good person and both he and Greg seem like a step in the right direction for the Depot and employee relations. Time will tell though I suppose.
It was an interesting day to say the least... I was presented with my letter of Medical Retirement, signed by the Chief Executive Officer of QRNational Coal, so I suppose that's almost it. My official finishing date is December 3... I was also given a small book they had made of my (albeit brief) career with QR, including all of my training and qualifications... It was a nice touch...
Speaking with my soon-to-be former co workers at times made me think I was glad to be leaving, however there are complaints to be had in any workforce I imagine (there was in CSR too and they were similar) so it was a day of mixed emotions for me.
Driving out of the Depot for what was to be the last time and watching a fully laden Coal Train traverse the overpass north of Merinda was truly a moving experience and made me realise the attachment and affinity I feel to my chosen profession. I will miss it dearly...
So, we're off to Townsville tomorrow to help friends move... Well, sort of... I will be setting up the AV gear at the new house and doing general supervision; apparently I'm not to help them actually MOVE anything... From there I will be staying at Megan's house until Thursday while Kez and the girls return home. I have a swathe of appointments at the Hospital to get through including MRI's and the like; I'll let you know how it all goes when I get back (if not before)...
Well, have fun everyone...
Cheers,
Jason...
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Things... Can only get better...
It's been an interesting week or so...
The previous week was pretty much a non event in terms of any major movement. Kez and I seemed to be bumming around the house from day to day waiting for the mail to arrive or the phone to ring. Of course nothing happened... Days rolled by, we woke in the morning and had breakfast, made lunched for Madison and Charlotte and took them to school; we picked them up in the afternoon and had tea... Yeah, same old, same old...
On Saturday, we loaded up the car and headed down home. My Uncle Trevor came up from Brisbane and we were not missing a chance to catch up with him and his daughter Miranda. For those who are not aware, there is not an awfully large age difference between Trevor and I and Miranda is between Madi and Charli in age...
Anyway, we had a great time catching up and visiting family in Proserpine. Something I can say I haven't had for a while. I tend to try to avoid the town like the plague if I can... It saddens me that nothing there seems to have changed since I left...
Anyway all that aside, we had a good weekend... But as Howard Jones would say, things can only get better...
Monday our rooster took a legs up... Goodness, but it's quite here. Oh, and the pet shop relieved us of our kittens... Life is as it should be... Quite... Still though, nothing much on the news front...
Tuesday, Non event...
Yesterday, Oh... My... Goodness...
Walked out to meet the postie to finally find my Parking permit had arrived. It will be nice to not have to park down one end of a car park and limp to the door... Suddenly Kez wants to go shopping in Townsville... The kids are pretty excited too, no more looking for a parking spot, there is always plenty of Disabled parks available... On the downside, they can only use the permit if I'm with them...
Shortly after, we received an email from Rosemary, my QR case worker. It stated that Marcus McAuliffe (the QRNational Coal EGM) had finally signed off on my medical retirement and that we should be getting something in the mail to this effect within the next week... As much as I'm not looking forward to not working any more, I'm still looking forward to this letter in a funny kind of way... I think all that is left now is for me to sign and return the paperwork and we're all done... Why do I have mixed feelings about this???
Which brings us to today... Another nothing day really... Sitting in front of the computer, driving a train simulator, mucking about on Facebook... Yup, more of the same... Probably tomorrow too I suppose...
Anyhoo, until next time...
Cheers,
Jason...
The previous week was pretty much a non event in terms of any major movement. Kez and I seemed to be bumming around the house from day to day waiting for the mail to arrive or the phone to ring. Of course nothing happened... Days rolled by, we woke in the morning and had breakfast, made lunched for Madison and Charlotte and took them to school; we picked them up in the afternoon and had tea... Yeah, same old, same old...
On Saturday, we loaded up the car and headed down home. My Uncle Trevor came up from Brisbane and we were not missing a chance to catch up with him and his daughter Miranda. For those who are not aware, there is not an awfully large age difference between Trevor and I and Miranda is between Madi and Charli in age...
Anyway, we had a great time catching up and visiting family in Proserpine. Something I can say I haven't had for a while. I tend to try to avoid the town like the plague if I can... It saddens me that nothing there seems to have changed since I left...
Anyway all that aside, we had a good weekend... But as Howard Jones would say, things can only get better...
Monday our rooster took a legs up... Goodness, but it's quite here. Oh, and the pet shop relieved us of our kittens... Life is as it should be... Quite... Still though, nothing much on the news front...
Tuesday, Non event...
Yesterday, Oh... My... Goodness...
Walked out to meet the postie to finally find my Parking permit had arrived. It will be nice to not have to park down one end of a car park and limp to the door... Suddenly Kez wants to go shopping in Townsville... The kids are pretty excited too, no more looking for a parking spot, there is always plenty of Disabled parks available... On the downside, they can only use the permit if I'm with them...
Shortly after, we received an email from Rosemary, my QR case worker. It stated that Marcus McAuliffe (the QRNational Coal EGM) had finally signed off on my medical retirement and that we should be getting something in the mail to this effect within the next week... As much as I'm not looking forward to not working any more, I'm still looking forward to this letter in a funny kind of way... I think all that is left now is for me to sign and return the paperwork and we're all done... Why do I have mixed feelings about this???
Which brings us to today... Another nothing day really... Sitting in front of the computer, driving a train simulator, mucking about on Facebook... Yup, more of the same... Probably tomorrow too I suppose...
Anyhoo, until next time...
Cheers,
Jason...
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Oh My!!!
Another week goes by and more things break down... (Will this never end)
Madison received her two year reminder from our Optometrist, so I decided that since I couldn't remember the last time I had my eyes tested (it was 2002 so I was informed) that I should get a check-up as well...
Big Mistake...
Due to the progression of the disease and the myopathy, the muscles in my eyes apparently no longer wish to play with one another. My actual prescription hasn't changed much, however to compensate I must now wear glasses full time. Yay (not)... The wonderful additions to my life arrive on Friday.
On the upside, I'm dealing a lot better with the pain now. My dosage of Tramadol has been doubled to 100mg of instant release 3 times a day and I've noticed a few interesting things. Take tonight for example, where I spent 15 minutes watching the paint run down the walls of our rumpus room... According to Kerry, listening to me talk to my mother on the phone is now a must; she seems to think we make about as much sense as each other... Lovely person my wife at times... However on the upside, I don't feel the pain anymore and I'm generally in possession of a much cheerier disposition.
Hope you are all doing well and hope to catch up with you on chat sooner or later.
Cheers,
Jason.
Madison received her two year reminder from our Optometrist, so I decided that since I couldn't remember the last time I had my eyes tested (it was 2002 so I was informed) that I should get a check-up as well...
Big Mistake...
Due to the progression of the disease and the myopathy, the muscles in my eyes apparently no longer wish to play with one another. My actual prescription hasn't changed much, however to compensate I must now wear glasses full time. Yay (not)... The wonderful additions to my life arrive on Friday.
On the upside, I'm dealing a lot better with the pain now. My dosage of Tramadol has been doubled to 100mg of instant release 3 times a day and I've noticed a few interesting things. Take tonight for example, where I spent 15 minutes watching the paint run down the walls of our rumpus room... According to Kerry, listening to me talk to my mother on the phone is now a must; she seems to think we make about as much sense as each other... Lovely person my wife at times... However on the upside, I don't feel the pain anymore and I'm generally in possession of a much cheerier disposition.
Hope you are all doing well and hope to catch up with you on chat sooner or later.
Cheers,
Jason.
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