Blaster's Poem
 

As you all may know, Mr. Lixy is a blaster. Not only does he blast, but he drills the holes in which to drop the explosives in. It's a grueling job!

He's weathered many a year out in the elements...drilling through rock as hard as granite, as soft as sandstone, and everything in between. Each rock is different and each hole is precisely packed to make it heave just right...not too much, not too little. There can never be any "fly rock". The mathematical skill required to figure out a particular blast takes education and a true understanding of a particular geological layout. In years gone by the driller did it by hand. Now they have drills that look like tanks. A single drill steel can weigh 30-50lbs. Some holes require double, or even triple, steel before the specific depth is reached. The amount of explosives has a mathematical formula as well, and yet the blaster in charge must know the lay of the land and adjust his explosives through knowledge and instinct. All blasts are required by law to be measured for vibration. The closer to a residential area, the less the vibration tolerance. It could be the same kind rock as was in the middle of nowhere, but if it's close to a house the blaster must adjust the way the hole is drilled and the amount of dynamite used. Strict records are kept of each individual hole blasted and the amount of dynamite used. Some sites can be acres of holes...and yet each hole and each amount of dynamite is accounted for. The A.T.F. and fire marshall's and other local authorities are on most sites with each blast. As I said...it's a grueling job...both physically and mentally!

Yesterday, Mr. Lixy brought home a poem for me to read. I thought I'd share his experience with you and I've included the poem...which I thought was cute and appropo! It had no name on the piece of paper he gave me...so I call the poem "Finally"

Enjoy!



A blaster stood at the pearly gates
His face was scarred and cold
He stood before the man of fate
For admission to the fold
What have you done, St. Peter asked
To gain admission here
I've been a blaster, sir, he said
For many and many a year
The pearly gates swung open wide
St. Peter touched a bell
Come in and choose your harp, he said
You've had your share of Hell

((((((((Mr. Lixy))))))))

I think Mr. Lixy is a lodge brother of mine. I just didn’t know what he did at night. :rolleyes2

thank you, i did. (((lix and the mr.)))

I didn't know that Shar! And WOW...that you kept the explosives at your place of residence. Though, Mr. Lixy could use the stuff they use for explosives as a lawn fertilizer, most people recognize the word dynamite better than Anfo <sp?>...and so I just call it dynamite to spare having to explain the components used today. I'm assuming (which I do entirely too much) that Bilbo was an independent contractor? Was that the reason you had a magazine at your place? Mr. Lixy works for a blasting company and they have magazines at the company itself and they also rent land from some of the farmer's in the area to hold other magazines that will be closer to the out of the way job sites. He doesn't do quarry work...mostly new construction jobs. I imagine there is a lot of hard rock in Australia. Shame Mr. Lixy hates typing or he'd be blabbing with Bilbo all day about the geology of your area. LOL! Has Bilbo ever seen the movie "That Molly McGuire's" ? I think that's the name. Does Bilbo keep renewing his license each year? Mr. Lixy keeps taking classes periodically to update his knowledge of blasting and also to learn of new laws since Columbine and 9/11. Laws have changed so drastically since those incidences and it makes an honest powder monkey's job so much more difficult! TY for sharing Shar & Bilbo!

Awwwww...Mr. Lixy loves hugs for a job well done ((((osuche))))!

LMFAO@PF! OMG...he doesn't work in caverns or caves! Thank the powers that be that he don't...I worry enough as it is! His company is qualified for underwater blasting (only himself and his boss are certified divers), but they haven't ever had a call to do that...whew!

YVW (((((wyndhy)))))! Glad you enjoyed!

That's a sweet...I'd heard it used for police and fire fighters after 9/11

So many people do risky jobs everyday that make our lives better!

Yes Lil! There is a bit of a disclaimer at the bottom of the itsy bitsy page Mr. Lixy gave me. Says it was altered to go in the blaster's newsletter. Guess I shoulda mentioned that! Oops!

1/ Yep we did....it had to be kept in a specially marked box with brass hinges and a brass lock *LOL*
2/ He was independant yep
3/ Not that i know of
4/ No, but as its been so long i would assume he would have to do a refresher course to get back into the swing of it