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Good Day to All:

I am back working up in the tar sands of Northern Alberta operating a telescoping forklift on a plant construction site. These sites are carved out of the Northern Boreal Forests where the only things up here are Indians and critters.

On this site we have approximately 1500 men and women on two shifts. There are camps like this all over the Northern region, North of Fort MacMurray Alberta.

On Friday afternoon I am working with two fellows spotting for my machine while I move steel from one place to another. Of course I am intently watching my load to make sure it does not slip, when I look around and notice everyone remotely close to me is running like hell in the direction away from me. (No, I am not that dangerous of an operator ). Before I have a chance to turn around to see what is going on, the whole back end of my machine pushes down lifting my forks off the ground. I turn around in my seat and I am nose to nose with a frigggin Polar bear. The only thing separating us is a piece of windshield glass.

After taking a second to compose myself, I realized the bear was more curious than anything else. We basically stared at each other for a couple of minutes before he dismounted the back of my machine and wandered back into the forest.

I have been close to bears before but never a polar bear and never so damn close. And me without my double rifle.

My crew and I were talking with the wildlife biologist the company brought in and he said it was extremely rare for a polar bear to be seen this far South of their home range. He believes it is a result of global warming and the Polar bears are branching out looking for new territory to range in.

I can tell you that if the bear I saw got into it with a grizzly, there would be no contest. The Polar bear would mop the forest floor with a grizzly carcass.

I would have reported this sighting sooner but Friday evening I got hit with food poisoning and have been down-and-out until now. That's the problem with these camps. Viruses and infections run through the place knocking out men like a bowling ball making a strike on the pins.

Well, that's all for now. They fly us out on the 13th of April for a well deserved one week rest before we do it all over again. And I am sure you can guess what I will be doing the minute I get through the front door. Yup, you got it; straight to the gun room to fondle my favourite new Merkel 141. . I think I will even take a day and go do some more load testing.

What were you guys thinking. My wife will be at work when I fly in.

So long for now.

As always, comments, questions and criticisms always welcome.

Kindest regards,

Carpediem

Madly Off In All Directions

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Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways-Chrdonnay in one hand-Chocolate in the other-body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WHOO-HOO, WHAT A RIDE!!"

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