What is it about Earthmoving

[Squizzy246B]

This is not really a technical question so it put here in TGIF:

Apart from dying in the heat laying blocks I have been spending some time at the end of each day grading up a work site for the next days work. Now excavators (an 8 tonne Kobelco in this case) don't make the best graders but a decent job can be done with some care and a few more passes. I seem to get a great deal of satisfaction out of this task.

The site is mainly gravel..a little clay and some red loam with the occaisional piece of ironstone poking up to make you head butt the windscreen. We have it nice and damp and the soil (when well mixed) peals off the blade all shiny like...just like running a mould board plow when I was a kid.

So what is it thats keeps you coming back for more big machines and shaping of the earths crust??. What bit do you find the most enjoyable. Have the grader operators been keeping a secret from us all this time...or am I just losing it:rolleyes:

[murray83]

Grader operators have always been a bit goofy,we had one at a company I used to work at that enjoyed wearing dresses in his off time :confused: nothing like seeing a 300'ish pound hairy balding man in a red dress.

I guess its the same as any trademen,the feeling of pride in your work and saying I did that,plus the fact we're grown adults playing in God's sandbox with bigger tonka trucks.

[Grader4me]

Grader operators have always been a bit goofy,we had one at a company I used to work at that enjoyed wearing dresses in his off time :confused: nothing like seeing a 300'ish pound hairy balding man in a red dress.
I guess its the same as any trademen,the feeling of pride in your work and saying I did that,plus the fact we're grown adults playing in God's sandbox with bigger tonka trucks.


:eek: :eek: I'll have you know that I refuse to wear a dress:eek: but the rest is almost matching up...have we met??:lmao

I could go on and on about the joys of playing in the dirt with a grader. It's the sense of satisfaction you feel when your job is well done. Of course this feeling would apply to any piece of equipment that you are operating.

[murray83]

3 posts and already you've destroyed this thread lol typical grader operators :rolleyes:

[Countryboy]

3 posts and already you've destroyed this thread lol typical grader operators :rolleyes:

You also have to take into account who started it. I think it was already doomed. :yup :bouncegri

[murray83]

I won't touch that with a 10 foot stick or should I say 10 meters in Squizzy's metric case.

[Squizzy246B]

I won't touch that with a 10 foot stick or should I say 10 meters in Squizzy's metric case.


10 metres is about 33 feet but thank you...I'll have you all converted soon....just have to get you all to drive on the correct side of the road now:rolleyes:


You also have to take into account who started it. I think it was already doomed.

Awww..C'mon...I'm not that bad...really??...am I:bash :rolleyes: ...don't answer that.:o

[digger242j]

we had one at a company I used to work at that enjoyed wearing dresses in his off time nothing like seeing a 300'ish pound hairy balding man in a red dress.

That's the sort of thing most guys would like to keep to themselves. Were you two, uh...close? :confused:

[Countryboy]

Awww..C'mon...I'm not that bad...really??...am I:bash :rolleyes: ...don't answer that.:o

It was already doomed when it was just a thought.

Limestone Wall Builder
Budget Deficit Controller
Professional Thread Hi-Jacker

This thread was born to be Hi-jacked. :yup



That's the sort of thing most guys would like to keep to themselves. Were you two, uh...close? :confused:

Well said. :bouncegri

[murray83]

LOL it was a charity event for cancer,all in good fun but pictures were taken and passed around the job site trailer he was not impressed.

[Squizzy246B]

It was already doomed when it was just a thought.

Limestone Wall Builder
Budget Deficit Controller
Professional Thread Hi-Jacker

This thread was born to be Hi-jacked.


Look you guys, I actually asked a serious question...I'm not the one who brought up cross dressing grader drivers!...Goodness heavens to Betsy:rolleyes: :lmao :lmao

I'll take credit where its due but Murray takes the cake::notworthy

"So how was HEF today Darling?"
"Oh nothing much, a few grade stakes got nailed, bought a few Harleys, stole some lunches and chatted to a few cross dressing grader operators...and some clown rolled his dump truck :D :bouncegri :bouncegri

I was actually hoping to discuss that somewhat mesmerizing affect of watching dirt peel off the blade....but I should have know better:rolleyes: :yup

But now I come to think of some of the Backhoe operators I have met...well...maybe its better I don't know what they do in their spare time :D

[digger242j]

"So how was HEF today Darling?"
"Oh nothing much, a few grade stakes got nailed, bought a few Harleys, stole some lunches and chatted to a few cross dressing grader operators...and some clown rolled his dump truck

Yeah, and this is one of our "slow" days... :rolleyes:

[Countryboy]

I was actually hoping to discuss that somewhat mesmerizing affect of watching dirt peel off the blade....but I should have know better:rolleyes: :yup

I think thats the most "honest" attempt we are going to see to steer this back in the right direction sooo.....:bouncegri

I think its the gratification that you have made something that other people like. I think its also the fact that you have accomplished a job by using your abilities that you have perfected and honed since you first started operating. :yup

I use the word "you" in my response but this is the way I feel personally. :thumbsup

[Orchard Ex]

I think thats the most "honest" attempt we are going to see to steer this back in the right direction sooo.....:bouncegri

Don't be fooled by the master thread hijackers! Just when you think the're steering it back on course we'll get to...


He's a lumberjack and he's OK
He sleeps all night and he works all day.......
:bouncegri


I cut down trees, I skip and jump,
I like to press wild flowers....
:bouncegri

[Countryboy]

I like to press wild flowers....

Seems somebody has no room to talk about people wearing dresses. :bouncegri

[digger242j]

If I recall correctly, I deferred to Jeff to sing the next line... :yup

Which reminds me...''Do you know why motorcycle riders wear leather jackets?

*
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*
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*
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Because chiffon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiffon_%28fabric%29) wrinkles...

[Countryboy]

It resembles a fine net or mesh which allows chiffon to have this see-through property.

:spaz Say it ain't so.....

[Squizzy246B]

I was actually really hoping to get something deep and meaningful out of this thread....just to satisfy the closet psycologist in me...not the closet cross dresser...thats another issue.:eek:

Anyway, I believe...no no...I theorise that we humans ( & Grader drivers)have an inbuilt desire to make things all geometrical like, squared off, level, straight, right angles etc etc. Unfortunatley the natural world is rarely like this, so we are always trying to sculpt our surrounding into something that fits our inbuilt desire. We look at a hillside and think "now if I cut & filled a bit I could make a level spot for a house, or a shed" and so on.

So is that what is the attraction of earthmoving, making something out of not much....or does it just pay the bills?...am I losing it?:confused:

[Grader4me]

I was actually really hoping to get something deep and meaningful out of this thread....just to satisfy the closet psycologist in me...not the closet cross dresser...thats another issue.:eek:

Anyway, I believe...no no...I theorise that we humans ( & Grader drivers)have an inbuilt desire to make things all geometrical like, squared off, level, straight, right angles etc etc. Unfortunatley the natural world is rarely like this, so we are always trying to sculpt our surrounding into something that fits our inbuilt desire. We look at a hillside and think "now if I cut & filled a bit I could make a level spot for a house, or a shed" and so on.

So is that what is the attraction of earthmoving, making something out of not much....or does it just pay the bills?...am I losing it?:confused:

Hey! I caught that:eek: Squizzy..you are a deep man...but I can understand what you talking about.

Let's put it this way...A carpenter can look at a house, and picture in his mind what he could do to make this house look better and more attractive...A plumber can look at a job, and picture in his mind what he wants it to look like, and make it look good and professional. See what I'm getting at here?
I believe that natural abilities are born into a person, this is why we all choose different paths.

When you or any of us operators look at a mound of dirt/hillside etc. it just comes naturally that you would be looking at it in a way that a carpenter would look at a house.

It is something that you just cannot control...You are born with it:)

[Squizzy246B]

Hey! I caught that:eek: Squizzy..you are a deep man...but I can understand what you talking about.

Let's put it this way...A carpenter can look at a house, and picture in his mind what he could do to make this house look better and more attractive...A plumber can look at a job, and picture in his mind what he wants it to look like, and make it look good and professional. See what I'm getting at here?
I believe that natural abilities are born into a person, this is why we all choose different paths.

When you or any of us operators look at a mound of dirt/hillside etc. it just comes naturally that you would be looking at it in a way that a carpenter would look at a house.

It is something that you just cannot control...You are born with it:)

See, I knew we could do it...thats deep..and it also explains those morons who try and operate but can't tell level from lampost. Me I just use a laser :o

[tylermckee]

I was actually really hoping to get something deep and meaningful out of this thread....just to satisfy the closet psycologist in me...not the closet cross dresser...thats another issue.:eek:

Anyway, I believe...no no...I theorise that we humans ( & Grader drivers)have an inbuilt desire to make things all geometrical like, squared off, level, straight, right angles etc etc. Unfortunatley the natural world is rarely like this, so we are always trying to sculpt our surrounding into something that fits our inbuilt desire. We look at a hillside and think "now if I cut & filled a bit I could make a level spot for a house, or a shed" and so on.

So is that what is the attraction of earthmoving, making something out of not much....or does it just pay the bills?...am I losing it?:confused:

I think you are on to something. Its probably also why I like doing things like vacuuming and making nice crisp vacuum lines in the carpet, or nice straight lines when i mow the lawn. Also why i love running a dozer and i have a deep desire to get into a grader.

[nobull1]

See, I knew we could do it...thats deep..and it also explains those morons who try and operate but can't tell level from lampost. Me I just use a laser :o

It's true, I see people who have been operating a machine for 20 years and it appears they have the same 1 years experience 20 times over:beatsme . If there are no grade sticks they might as well go home, even in a small residential yard. I also know people who are so absent minded that they shouldn't be alowed near a machine, but that's another story. Some people are naturals at what they do, and some have to work hard and are never really good. Myself I hate getting on and off the machine so I learned quick. I look at a yard and point and say high/low all around the yard. Some employees just go and fix it, some I have to to take a spray bomb and mark it:Banghead

[Grader4me]

I think you are on to something. Its probably also why I like doing things like vacuuming and making nice crisp vacuum lines in the carpet, or nice straight lines when i mow the lawn. Also why i love running a dozer and i have a deep desire to get into a grader.

LOL...Your right Tyler, I'm the same way when mowing the grass..straight lines...when scooping snow out of the driveway...not a flake out of place,irritates me when everything is not even.
I'm not into the vacuum lines yet though:eek: :) Hope you get your opportunity to run a grader although you have to give up being a human:Pointhead

Anyway, I believe...no no...I theorise that we humans ( & Grader drivers)

[Countryboy]

Anyway, I believe...no no...I theorise that we humans ( & Grader drivers)have an inbuilt desire to make things all geometrical like, squared off, level, straight, right angles etc etc. Unfortunatley the natural world is rarely like this, so we are always trying to sculpt our surrounding into something that fits our inbuilt desire. We look at a hillside and think "now if I cut & filled a bit I could make a level spot for a house, or a shed" and so on.

So by your theory Squizzy, where is the line between being an operator and having OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) ?

Once, while I was at the doctor for the flu, I asked her why there were alot of things that bugged me that didn't bug other people. She asked me to list some things that bug me. It turns out that I just have an extremely long list of pet peeves :D in laymens terms but a very mild case of OCD in doctors terms. Does this make me a better operator, I don't know, but I do know I spend the time on my work so that it looks good. If it didn't look good then it would bug me. :laugh

So, back to my question. Do all of us operators have a little OCD in us which is why it bugs us if something doesn't look right or isn't perfect? :confused:

The lines in my carpet are also straight. :cool2

[Dozerboy]

The problem with OCD is it don't pay there is a reason most grading is +/- 0.1'. I have times where I know I'm wasting $$$. And it drives me nuts trying to decide if I want to walk off the job happy with the looks or happy that I made my company a good chunk of $$$.

[CascadeScaper]

I guess I"ll make an attempt to straighten this thread out, but I think it's doomed.

I enjoy the challenge, I like working hard, long hours. I like the satisfaction of taking something, manipulating it, and having it come out completely different in the end. I went back home this weekend for the first time in about 4 months. I went at looked at a large commercial project I had finished (well, the excavation part of it anyway) last summer before I left for college. I got a chance to see the finished product for the first time this weekend. A somewhat complicated job for Verizon Wireless, we had a to prep a monopour footing for a pre-fabbed buidling that was hauled in and unloaded by crane. The building housed all the electronic equipment for a cell phone tower. At the time of removing spoil so that 48" of 5/8" could be trucked in, dropped into the hole, and compacted, I never imagined that the finished product would be like this. I remember 2 or 3 days breaking rock with a 312 and a hammer wondering why we were even bothering to break a rock face that seemed to be at least 10 feet outside the final dimensions of the building. Well, it turns out that they ended up building a retaining wall around the building, and everything fits snugly into the pocket of rock I spent days chiselling at. All that work finally meant something in the end. I guess that's what keeps me wanting to get on a machine, to be able to look back on a project and say "yeah, I did that". Plus, running iron, most days, is fun, and that's about the only reason I need.

[Squizzy246B]

So by your theory Squizzy, where is the line between being an operator and having OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) ?

The lines in my carpet are also straight. :cool2

I visualise a fat balding, hairy legged, Grader driver in a frock with an apron vacuuming with an electrolux!.:eek:

CB...one of my favourite movies is "As good as it gets" with Jack N. "Carol the waitress meet Simon the fag" cracks me up.

So who screws with a final level so much that you make it worse than when you decided it needed to be better???:cool2

[Grader4me]

I visualise a fat balding, hairy legged, Grader driver in a frock with an apron vacuuming with an electrolux!.:eek:

:jawdrop :jawdrop :falldownlaugh :falldownlaugh

[Countryboy]

I visualise a fat balding, hairy legged, Grader driver in a frock with an apron vacuuming with an electrolux!.:eek:

:umno It takes a special kind of person to be able to visualize something like that. :laugh


CB...one of my favourite movies is "As good as it gets" with Jack N. "Carol the waitress meet Simon the fag" cracks me up.

That was a pretty funny movie although its been awhile since I saw it.



So who screws with a final level so much that you make it worse than when you decided it needed to be better???:cool2

I must admit that there is a point where if it ain't broke then don't fix it. :D

[biggixxerjim]

Grader operators have always been a bit goofy,we had one at a company I used to work at that enjoyed wearing dresses in his off time :confused: nothing like seeing a 300'ish pound hairy balding man in a red dress.

I guess its the same as any trademen,the feeling of pride in your work and saying I did that,plus the fact we're grown adults playing in God's sandbox with bigger tonka trucks.

I agree. When I was a little child and tickled to death to watch machines, I really never knew the men running them felt the same way.:usa

[BrianHay]

I'm bumpin this one back up cuz I think Squizzy asked a good question that I have often wondered about myself....dunno about some of the shannanagins that went on here after he asked the question LOL. sure was a good laugh though.

But seriously what does draw us to this type off work and keep us in it? Myself there has been the odd time that I've thought maybe I should try something different were I could have more of a home/family life, but it never works out. I'm always drawn back. One time I tried concrete with a local guy and stayed home for a little while. And I was doing ok until we were doing some sidewalks near were some iron was working. It started calling again. I tried to resist because I knew those guys would be done their project in a week or so and move on to the next town. I didn't go and get a job with them but it ate at me worse everyday after seeing them, and my phone was starting to ring almost daily with calls to go move dirt...it didn't take long and I couldn't fight it anymore. I was gone back on the road again.

I love moving dirt. Everything about it, it seems to be my natural calling. Its were I feel the most comfortable and were I fit in the best. The days I love most are the ones when you get into your grove so well that everything just seems to fall into place. Its just you and your machine working as one. At the end the end of the day you look at what you acomplished and almost surprise yourself because the whole day past with little more consious thought required then it takes to drive your pick up down the road. It just came natural. Then that nite you reflect back on it and wonder,... how are those second grades gunna look? That almost seemed to easy... I musta missed something. Maybe its not as good as I thought it was? The next day the surveyors give you your second grades and :thumbsup ....they are bang on! That's a good feeling. And driving down the road years later and seeing it again brings that feeling right back like it just happened yesterday.

[Squizzy246B]

I like straight trenches...when your trenching for services nothing ticks me off more than not getting the trench straight.....I haven't gone so far as to run a stringline:o . I like the trench and spoil trail to be all neat and perfectly ordered.....is there something wrong with that??:confused:

[TRACKHOE71]

squizzy, , i agree with you 100%, i like to make my jobs look neat at all times, wether i just put the teeth in the ground for the first time on the particular job, i wanna it to look like ive never been there, plus you can tell alot about an operator and there company by a job site cleanliness... its all about having pride in what you do and they love of changing the earth with every little stroke, that makes me wanna get up every morning, brian i know waht your saying its just that feeling that we get about dirt, that some people just dont understand.

jordan

[MKTEF]

Squizzy is this what u are talking about?:)
1. one is a overview.
2. one shows u how its done.

This is the German way of leading away rainwater.(their part of the camp)
Get a local foreman and a couple of local workers.
All u see is done with a shovel and a wheel barrow.

We desided to have a fall of ap 5% and build our camp 20 cm/ 2/3 foot higher than the surrounding German camp.(natural fall in the area)
You should have seen the faces when we told them that! Priceless.:D
The next day the locals where digging in their part of camp.***
The GE engineers had forgotten to think about drainage.

[Squizzy246B]

Squizzy is this what u are talking about?:)
1. one is a overview.
2. one shows u how its done.

.

Now that is a work of Great Beauty

[Grader4me]

All u see is done with a shovel and a wheel barrow

Perfect looking job! All by hand?:eek: I always thought that a shovel was just something to lean on :beatsme

[alco]

Perfect looking job! All by hand?:eek: I always thought that a shovel was just something to lean on :beatsme

Sorry, I just can't leave this one alone. You work for the government, don't you?

Brian

[Grader4me]

Sorry, I just can't leave this one alone. You work for the government, don't you?

Brian


Lol..Yes! I left myself wide open here for a come back..I was wondering if anyone would bite :D

[Squizzy246B]

You work for the government, don't you?

Brian

Well he turns up in the morning.....:rolleyes: :D

[Lashlander]

Perfect looking job! All by hand?:eek: I always thought that a shovel was just something to lean on :beatsme


I'm with you, I never seem to be able to find the master switch on them.

[Squizzy246B]

So is there any of our newer members with OCD? (Obsessive Compulsive Dirtmoving)

[95zIV]

I haven't spent much time on sites, but I have the time in machines and other work. When I worked for the railroad contractor, there was nothing like getting on that site, with our equipment, my truck and when we got done to watch that train roll by. Or to see a road job or site that I delivered or did just the smallest amount of work on with traffic flowing or people walking on it, It's the satisfaction of knowing at the end of the day, that you have accomplished something.

Ray

[Deas Plant]

Hi, Folks.
For me, a LARGE part of it is being able to say that the Earth is never going to be the same again 'cos I've been here or there - or way over there, that I have left my mark on it. If you get my drift.

The other, probably equally large part of it is being in tune/sync. with my machine, whatever it might be on the day - - - or on the hour.

I don't think I have OCD(isorder). I do good jobs 'cos that's what the client is paying for - the best that I can deliver in the quickest possible time. This can be a challenge in itself, specially with SOME clients.

[stretch]

I dunno about this kinda OCD since I can't run anything yet...:rolleyes: but I do like arranging stuff in straight lines and everything all organized. :bouncegri

[Cat287B]

I glad this post got brought up again. Always wondered about Grader4me and his red dress. Would also make a good stickey on how to hi-jack.
Pete

[LowBoy]

I glad this post got brought up again. Always wondered about Grader4me and his red dress. Would also make a good stickey on how to hi-jack.
Pete


Real MEN don't wear dresses...They wear moo-moo's.
Isn't that right Grader4? :beatsme

[Grader4me]

I glad this post got brought up again. Always wondered about Grader4me and his red dress. Would also make a good stickey on how to hi-jack.
Pete

I missed this one! Wonder no more my friend, your answer lays below


Real MEN don't wear dresses...They wear moo-moo's.
Isn't that right Grader4

Just what in the heck is a moo -moo anyways? Is that something like a foo-foo? Who started this? Oh I know! Murray83 where are ya? See what you did to me? :eek::D
Getting so a good respectable fat balding grader man can't even dress up anymore :Pointhead

[RollOver Pete]

Real MEN don't wear dresses...They wear moo-moo's.
Isn't that right Grader4? :beatsme

Real men :confused:


:cool:

[Grader4me]

:falldownlaugh:falldownlaugh:exactly:jawdrop:crazy :guns

[CM1995]

Real men :confused:


:cool:

OMG! Another grader operator apprentice!:eek::dizzy

[LowBoy]

Real men :confused:


:cool:


I wonder if those are OSHA approved Cat boots this dudette is wearing?:beatsme




Grader4...a "moo-moo" is a loosely-fitting garment, such as a "smock" as they are also referred to, in which one could still reach all controls of his/her grader and still be comfortable. (Why is it that this particular topic never gets old, and still makes me laugh???:wierd:idontgetit:lmao)

[Deas Plant]

Hi, Folks.
Thankfully, I don't drink or do drugs so I'm not at great risk of waking up next to something like ROP's 'REAL' man. How-wevver, if I did, I would have to SERIOUSLY reconsider my recreational pursuits.

[Grader4me]

I wonder if those are OSHA approved Cat boots this dudette is wearing?:beatsme




Grader4...a "moo-moo" is a loosely-fitting garment, such as a "smock" as they are also referred to, in which one could still reach all controls of his/her grader and still be comfortable. (Why is it that this particular topic never gets old, and still makes me laugh???:wierd:idontgetit:lmao)

Okay..thanks..I guess..I think I prefer the term "smock" over "moo-moo" Dam thread still makes me laugh even though it's directed at me. I don't think it's ever going to die. There once was an old wise man that said "he that wears smock in grader shall grade roads in great comfort"

[LowBoy]

That's where the rubber meets the road my friend...It's all about the COMFORT...:drinkup:bouncegri

For all the older "roadies" out there that remember the beloved GMC Astro cabovers, the ones with all windshield and hardly any sheet metal out there,(Kinda like an AMC Gremlin back in their hayday,) The Astro was known for it's "lack of privacy" should I say. The standing joke about them is that the oncoming traffic could see your privates...so wearing a smock while driving an Astro was a no-no. As opposed to operating a grader with one on, the visuals aren't an issue.:lmao

[LowBoy]

[QUOTE=LowBoy;99381](Kinda like an AMC Gremlin back in their hayday,)


I seemed to have made a mistake last night in reference to the "all glass cars". I said Gremlin, but I believe it was the beloved, car collectors envy called a PACER that was so pleasing to the eye back then. Kind of a "fishbowl on wheels" that's thankfully a thing from the past.***

[Grader4me]

I remember when the Pacer first came out :eek: :badidea :throwup

[Deas Plant]

Hi, Grader4me.
Quote: "I remember when the Pacer first came out" Unquote. Does THAT date you?

Quote: "There once was an old wise man that said "he that wears smock in grader shall grade roads in great comfort" Unquote.

Would that 'wise old man' by some chance have been 'well-rounded' or 'tightly wrapped' and balding and did/does he operate graders for a crust?

[Grader4me]

Hi, Grader4me.
Quote: "I remember when the Pacer first came out" Unquote. Does THAT date you?

Quote: "There once was an old wise man that said "he that wears smock in grader shall grade roads in great comfort" Unquote.

Would that 'wise old man' by some chance have been 'well-rounded' or 'tightly wrapped' and balding and did/does he operate graders for a crust?

A wiser old man once said " he that gives sources of old wise mens quotes isn't so wise" :Pointhead :D

[Squizzy246B]

Earthmoving.....Please....:Banghead:Banghead:Bangh ead.....Earthmoving.....I'm going to have go back into therapy:bash:Pointhead

:lmao:lmao

[Grader4me]

I glad this post got brought up again. Always wondered about Grader4me and his red dress. Would also make a good stickey on how to hi-jack.
Pete

This is how it went all to pieces again. Squizzy my hat is off to you for keeping out of this one. It must have been hell for you. ***

Okay..back to Earth Moving..yippee!

[Deas Plant]

Hi, Squizzy246B.
Earthmoving.

Ever thought that maybe you ought not to have come OUT of therpay? LOL.

Earthmoving.

What were you IN therapy for in the first place?

Earthmoving.

Have you ever considered a job in earthmoving? It can be quite relaxing in the right conditions. I know. I have spent a very large part of the last 40+ years deep in meditation whilst making the Earth move a little at a time.

And I'll finish off with some more EARTHMOVING - just to stay on thread topic. LOL.

[Cat287B]

This is how it went all to pieces again. Squizzy my hat is off to you for keeping out of this one. It must have been hell for you. ***

Okay..back to Earth Moving..yippee!

Hey don't blame me. I've just read all about you and a dress and now I see where it all got started.
Now to get back on topic, when I vacuum I always leave straight lines.
Don't feel bad about wearing dresses, moo-moos or what ever there Grader4me. Once a year I get all dressed up like a woman.
My wife and I go to the big annual Halloween party as a lesbian couple. I don't look near as good as ROP tho, I don't have the figure to pull that off.

[Deas Plant]

Hi, Cat 287B.
You be careful at those Halloween and other fancy dress/costume parties. This COULD be you:

Costume Party.
A couple was invited to a swanky costume party. The Mrs. got
a terrible headache and told her husband to go to the party
alone.

He being a devoted husband protested, but she argued and said
she was going to take some aspirin and go to bed and there was
no need for his good time being spoiled by not going.
So he took his costume and away he went. The wife, after
sleeping soundly for about an hour, awakened without pain and,
as it was still early, decided to go the party.

Since her husband did not know what her costume was, she
thought she would have some fun by watching her husband to see
how he acted when she was not with him.

She joined the party and soon spotted her husband cavorting
around on the dance floor, dancing with every nice woman he
could, and copping a little feel here and a little kiss there.

His wife sidled up to him and, being a rather seductive
babe herself, he left his current partner high and dry and
devoted his time to the new babe that had just arrived. She let
him go as far as he wished, naturally, since he was her husband.

Finally, he whispered a little proposition in her ear and
she agreed.

So off they went to one of the cars and had a quickie.

Just before unmasking at midnight, she slipped away, went home,
put the costume away and got into bed, wondering what kind of
explanation he would make for his behaviour.

She was sitting up reading when he came in, and she asked what
kind of a time he had. He said: "Oh, the same old thing. You
know I never have a good time when you're not there."

“Did you dance much?" she asked.

"I'll tell you, I never even danced one dance. When I got
there, I met Pete, Bill Brown and some other guys, so we went
into the den and played poker all evening.

But you're not going to believe what happened to the guy I
loaned my costume to......."

Now, excatly what is it about earthmoving? I don't work in straight lines when I vacuum. I don't think there are going to be a LOT of people lining up to call me a neatness freak at home. I don't have any other obsessions that I'm aware of. I simply believe that if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well. And I just happen to like dirt work.