Spring 2007

Following my usual pattern, by mid February I was suffering from cabin fever and ready to go to work. Nuclear power plants are regulated to do maintenance every 18-24 months. Since many plants have two or more reactors that means every Spring or Fall there is a shutdown that provides work for trades people especially pipefitters, and in my case, valve repair technicians. In 2007, I was sent to Indian Point Nuclear which is located right on the Hudson River about 50 miles north of NYC. I was staying in Highland Falls which is at the south gate of West Point. I found a room with refrigerator and microwave above a deli right on the main street across from the West Point museum. I was working nights, so every morning when I returned home I would see all the cadets out for their morning run. In the afternoon, I would get up around 3 and wander over to the museum and explore. There were 4 floors of military history with dioramas depicting famous battles from Roman to modern times. I don’t think I was ever able to see all of it! The funniest thing that happened on the job was the very first day of meeting my GF, Mark H. He looked at me and said, “I haven’t worked with many females, so if I say something wrong, just know I ‘m not good at being politically correct.” I said, “Well, as long as you don’t mind me telling you to fuck yourself, we’ll be fine.” He laughed and said, “I like you we’re going to be fine.” And we were! As the job was winding down, they asked for volunteers for a Thursday layoff; the rest would be laid off Saturday. I volunteered, explaining that my daughter’s opening night was Friday, so I was going to have to take time off. Mark asked me to stay on anyway. So I drove home Friday morning( 4 hours), slept for 4 hours, saw Pirates of Penzance with the cutest daughter of a modern Major-General ever, slept another 4 hours, then drove back to work Saturday night. As I was showing the pictures of the play to Mark, he laughed and said, “Gee, I totally forgot you were off and paid you anyway.” That is how pipefitters show appreciation, they pay you! He told me he really appreciated my honesty. Some people wouldn’t have volunteered for the layoff, just so they could get in one more Saturday at OT pay.On Saturday night I volunteered to replace an older guy on an exceptionally hot (radiologically speaking) job that they had been unable to do Friday night. He had a hard time using the headset due to his hearing aids. Luckily the job was able to be done by the first team, so I was off the hook. From there, I went to Pilgrim Nuclear in Plymouth, MA. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As always, I miss my kids. I try very hard to call them daily and send letters and care packages. This year I was able to arrange for them to spend their Spring Break with me in Plymouth. I was living with a wonderful woman, Ingrid, in a century old Victorian Mansion right on the ocean. My room had a private bath, a huge walk in closet, skylight and a king size bed. Definitely one of the best housing arrangements I had ever made. Matt S. (a local brother whose first nuke had been Indian Point) also became a housemate, but he worked nights, so I barely saw him. Ingrid and I became friends while I helped her with two parties she threw to thank all her friends for their support during her recent widowhood. I love to cook and meet new people, so it was a perfect combination! The week my girls were there, I took off early one day. We drove down to Provincetown/Cape Cod, had a fabulous seafood dinner, and walked on the beach. It was a little cold, but you’re supposed to be on a beach for Spring Break! We also explored the Plimouth Plantation which was fascinating. The area is full of all kinds of historic and cultural things to do. I still visit whenever I can.