Travels of the Mad Oilman
Last week your humble correspondent had the distinct mission of visiting one of our many facilities worldwide. And although there are myriad wonderful international destinations where oil may be involved (as well as what we euphemistically call the 'garden spots' in the industry) this trip was relatively local. Odessa, Texas.
Odessa is flat. And for the most part a desert. This is the Texas most of the world imagines. Cowboys, horses, cattle, and harsh country. Due to the flatness of the surroundings, the sky is spectacular in this part of the world. Massive and endless.
This can be a harsh place, noted for the unrelenting sun and heat of summer. February lends its own special signature to this stark land. Rain, cold and northerly winds stopped by nothing make this oilman long for the oppressive summer heat. Three days of a February on the high plains is enough. The town of Odessa is impressive in the representation of so much technology in an area that seems to be slowly disintegrating.
Business successfully concluded, Mad Oilman boards the plane home. And in a curse of seating misses a beautiful thing. Halfway through our climb to altitude, the pilot makes an announceement. "For all those passengers seated on the right side of the plane, take a look out of your windows. There's a B-2 stealth bomber being refueled by a KC-135 in the distance".
Of course I was on the left side. And being a full regional jet (Embraer I believe) there was nothing I could do to see this magificent display.
Selfishly choosing the single row aisle of the jet upon check in, I missed the opportunity for a wondrous sight. Looking at the flesh mound seated across from me, I also missed a miserable 90 minute flight seated next to that behemoth. Easily 400+, that passenger nearly blocked the aisle and fairly cowered the wee passenger next to him into the wall of the jet.
Excitement over, flesh mound turns to nap. And the roar was something to behold. It can accurately described as the equivalent of a large chainsaw with stuck valves. Except for the belching smoke (but not by much). Still, it would have been worth it.
Mad Oilman
