I was a pain in the ass apprentice. Not so long ago I was an electrical apprentice. It took me 6 years to complete the 6000 hours of workplace experience and 40 weeks of schooling. I had good days and bad days, and made some friends along the way. I also met some people I … Continue reading I Was A Pain In The Ass Apprentice.
anxiety
NEARING THE END OF MY APPRENTICESHIP, WHAT I HAVE LEARNED.
I have been taking my sweet time in finishing my apprenticeship. I still don’t feel ready to be called a journey person, but I feel close. I have learnt how to make a good mechanical tie between two conductors, and grown to understand the meaning behind the neat and tidy electrical work, assuming it … Continue reading NEARING THE END OF MY APPRENTICESHIP, WHAT I HAVE LEARNED.
Mental Health and Addiction Within The Trades
I recently asked some other electricians, that I consider my peers, what advice they would give to other electrical apprentices. I got some great advice, such as from Oleg: ‘Take as little time off as possible. Only turn down over time if you have a really good reason. Don't talk about the weird shit you're … Continue reading Mental Health and Addiction Within The Trades
BULLIED, SELF ESTEEM, ENDURANCE AND WIT.
Right before I head to my second year of schooling, where I will finally learn all about single phase AC (Alternating Current) electricity (because in your first year you only touch on DC, Direct Current), I am stuck on a substation site as an electrical apprentice and first aid attendant with one other worker, Tim … Continue reading BULLIED, SELF ESTEEM, ENDURANCE AND WIT.
Why Roller Derby is Rad, and Why It Means So Dang Much: Feminism and Roller Derby On A Collision Course
Here is a song to listen to while you read this : Roller derby, a women's sport. When women play it’s called roller derby, and when men play its called mens roller derby. I have yet to find any other sport primarily featuring women. Does this make roller derby a feminist sport? To me it … Continue reading Why Roller Derby is Rad, and Why It Means So Dang Much: Feminism and Roller Derby On A Collision Course
Getting Comfortable With Myself Makes Other People Comfortable With Me Too
In the back seat of a 4X4 black pick-up truck, country music blasting on the radio, I chuckle at the jokes I’ve heard a million times before coming from the two short stalky country boys in the front seat. We are carpooling home from work. Our driver, Ross, whom is also our foreman, says: 'This … Continue reading Getting Comfortable With Myself Makes Other People Comfortable With Me Too
Tunnel Vision
When I plan my day, I have the distant future imbeded in my peripheral vision. When I walk the dog, I look ahead of me down the side walk, and I march her along next to me, like a slave driver. She is good to me, my dog. She reminds me there are other directions. … Continue reading Tunnel Vision
Sexy things, and repulsive things
I love my job. Driving to work I have a great time looking forward to working as an electrician. There are a lot of sexy terms in the electrical trade. Such as, if I ever worked with someone attractive I could try to use electrical puns to get into their pants. Pun my way into … Continue reading Sexy things, and repulsive things
First Aid, AED’s and Electrocution
Out on the work site, up a ladder, I'm wiring an LCC panel. The print is easy to follow, and all the cables are well labeled so my mind is able to drift around in thought. I'm thinking about AED's (automated external defibulators). In my electrical apprenticeship program, it was stressed repeatedly, (and this question … Continue reading First Aid, AED’s and Electrocution
IN THE BEGINNING
In the beginning, an introduction to the secret life of an apprentice electrician. Click the title for full article!
Secret Life Of An Apprentice Ellectrician 