My View From Las Vegas
Tuesday, January 21, 2003
There has not been a great deal of time to fill in the blanks, much less make some definite record of what I am feeling at the moment, the job at Turnberry Towers is going very well, and my friend Jodi bought a brand new car yesterday,she is a wonderful girl and she deserves this
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
The time is shortened by the workday at the Turnberry Towers. Started there one week ago today. It is all going well, but once again here we are in the middle of another Ironworker being seriously injured while at work. I will supply the details when I receive them, but the bottom line is that there was a young man run over by a forklift at the Mandalay Bay. An Apprentice in our Union Local 433. This is not supposed to happen. I will post more as soon as time permits
Friday, January 10, 2003
The worst case scenario unfolded today, as in relationship to the new job I just started at Turnberry Towers, here in Las Vegas. I was so far behind on my Union Dues that I was sanctioned, and effectively thrown out of the Union, and fined $550.00 to be reinstated. This is just one more controversy that I did not need in my efforts to remain under the radar and out of trouble within the realm of the Ironworkers Local 433, and all the stress that has been created by my outspoken behavior in regards to our abysmal safety record. We have tragic accidents all too frequently, and they are the result, in my opinion, of the pressure that is brought to bear on the men by those that are charged with the responsibility to lead us as company Superintendents, General Foreman and Foreman. Fatalities are to numerous to mention, and the other near fatalities and carreer ending accidents are commonplace. There are rare exceptions within the leadership ranks, and the foreman on the job where I am currently working is the rare exception to this rule.
Yesterday, at the Mandalay Bay Construction sight, there was an accident where one of our Apprentices was apparently run over by a fork lift. It is very hard to imagine how this could happen, but the facts are not available to me at the moment.The initial report seems to indicate that this young man's injuries are severe. I will know more about the details tomorrow. I will promise to discuss this at a later date. I am working tomorrow, luckily, and the problem with the Union Dues is put to bed for the moment. I hope. This is the last thing I need, because I am severely challenged economically at this very critical moment.
Thursday, January 09, 2003
Tuesday, January 07, 2003
Started back to work today, with the company that is doing the stairs an other miscellaneous iron on the Turnberry Towers here at the vacation and fun capital of the Universe. I am leaving my work station right now, and heading home to get some rest, we start a 6am, and so you might imagine that I am very tired this evening. This is amazing, because I live right down the street from the project, and I am going to tell you that my whole life at present pretty much takes place on a Street called Paradise Road. I live on Paradise Road, and I work on Paradise Road, and I spend some quality time at other locations, such as the Hard Rock Hotel, which is you guessed it, on Paradise Road. Paradise. Two Tickets to...
Sunday, January 05, 2003
We are at the starting gate. Water an feed all the livestock, particularly the Horses. Ready to break Camp. 2003 here we come. Smallpox vacination seems pretty dicey at the onset. I have recollection of receiving the small pox innoculation as part of a Health Travel Document in the mid to late Seventies so as to travel safely in the Persian Gulf, and Middle East. Travel safely in the Gulf, or Middle East, Oxymoron, right. If there ever was one. Suicide Bombers again today in Tel Aviv. The year is already only five days old, and the cruel and inhumane killing of innocents is well on it's way. We are all victims every single time one of these madmen or women plod into a crowd to suicide bomb and kill people who have no way to protect themselves. Right now, as I peck away at this keyboard there are families living a nightmare of horror and sadness. Loosing your loved ones in something like this is the most unbelievable, undeserved cruelty. We each and everyone of us at this moment on a routine Sunday in America are victims as we watch the NFL playoffs, and consider what to cook for dinner tonight. We must pause momentarily and say a word of prayer of aknowledgement that the world is cruel and unfair in so many instances. We miss the reality of what is going on everyday, in Israel, in South Korea, and inumerable other parts of the world, but we must begin, I believe as a nation, as a people, to look outward and realize the world today is shrinking and the human family and the entire human race is under attack from the forces of evil. Let us just be aware of our own great good fortune, to have the blessings of geography and history bestowed upon us. I am confident that out there within our borders we will come forward and begin to take up arms in all manner, politically, economically, spritually, and in a collective revolution against evil we will begin to beat back the forces of evil before we have lost our own ability to respond. Of this I pray. vegasmike433/Michael P. Whelan
Saturday, January 04, 2003
I am leaving my work station in a few minutes, I think to try and figure out what I should do about the tooth and the pain it is causing me at this very moment. You will say a prayer for me, that I am able to survive, where is the tooth fairy when you need her? I know that she's loaded with gold and silver coins, and that she could straighten this out in a New York minute. By the way, what is the precise length of a New York minute? Why, that is not funny, I am serious, why are you laughing, why am I crying. You will see me here on much more solid footing real soon. Love to all, Michael aka vegasmike433
Saturday, after the two big holiday weekends, and I am sufferring a tremendous toothache. This is the worst weekend I have experienced in a long time. Where in the world will I find a dentist today? The thing is killing me, and the pain might get worse. I have almost no tolerance for pain as it is, and the thing is throbbing and swelling up my jaw. This, of course, makes it very difficult to concentrate and to give my readers any insightful or important information regarding the current, up to the minute Las Vegas outlook. I am very pleased and happy to tell you, nonetheless, that we were able to accomadate hundreds of thousands of New Year's revellers over the New Years Holiday, and there was very little in the way dangerous behavior. There were four traffic fatalities, in separate accidents. I am sure that these were alcohol related, and tragic to say the least. Considering the numbers of people who were here to celebrate I am proud to report that once again Las Vegas has shown itself to have an unrivaled capacity to extend a warm welcome, and to provide all the visitors with an exciting and safe holiday. Much more to come here, about myself, my amazing life and times. You will become addicted and riveted to this sight. By mid year you will brag to everyone who will listen that you have been keeping up with My View From Las Vegas from the proverbial git go. Stay safe, well and happy. vegasmike433.
