Fort McMurray and the oil sands.

Grapes · #1 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

Article from the Guardian

A long read, but a fascinating one as well...

We have an amazing phenomenon taking place in North Alberta right now. That much is indisputable. What's up for debate are the benefits and consequences..

thechix0r · #2 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

It paints both sides beautifully... a sad and kind of elusive article without being elusive at all...

esoter1c · #3 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

VBS.TV - Shows: Toxic

VBS.TV

wishbone · #4 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechix0r

It paints both sides beautifully... a sad and kind of elusive article without being elusive at all...

elaborate? There's plenty of sides I got from that article, not just "both"...and I don't really get elusiveness but moreso the sheer truth. But maybe I read it differently? Just wanting to get the dialogue going.

Anyways, my last roommate finished his degree in mining engineering and he's up there now. If you factor in his first year salary, signing bonus, and relocation sum he's pocketing over a hundred grand his first year up there.

Also, thanks to the oil industry, my tuition is paid for next semester. Thank you World Petroleum Council Scholarship!

se7en · #5 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

one down side to the jobs up there is ur making all this money but bored to death so half the people r on crack or meth.

wishbone · #6 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by se7en

one down side to the jobs up there is ur making all this money but bored to death so half the people r on crack or meth.

this is rather accurate from what I hear as well, re: heavy hard drug use.

#7 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by se7en

one down side to the jobs up there is ur making all this money but bored to death so half the people r on crack or meth.

it is actually cocaine and meth, and they throw twonies at the strippers hoo hoos. IF THAT ISNT CONSIDERED FUN, I DONT KNOW WHAT IS??!?!?!?!

wishbone · #8 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avana

it is actually cocaine and meth, and they throw twonies at the strippers hoo hoos. IF THAT ISNT CONSIDERED FUN, I DONT KNOW WHAT IS??!?!?!?!

the strippers have their magnets on a string to pick up all the coins at the end.

the meth is apparently not all that heavy, but the coke rivals the snow up there. if you meet a roomful of fort mcmurray'ers, look for the long pinky fingernails.

DefJef · #9 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

Thx for the article..

Fort McMurray in general is wicked retaaded.

My buddy just started a job up there working commercial construction, and is making $36/hr (he doesnt have a ticket, imagine that) His employer flys him to wherever home is after his 10 days on, which cancels out the rediculous rent/everything up there.....

A-BOMB · #10 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

When you are not working....

Bored as hell.

Allot of drunken, drug induced violence.

The only women are nasty diseased hookers.

While you are working....

Making a pretty good income.

mojo · #11 (**permalink**) Oct 29, 07

good read

Grapes · #12 (**permalink**) Oct 30, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-BOMB

While you are working....

Making a pretty good income.

But apparently hating the work itself?/

NinjaBoy · #13 (**permalink**) Oct 30, 07

I had a couple friends work up there who just got back.

They said the work sucks, but you make a ton of cash. However, the rent there is crazy. A basement suite there would be around the same as a condo in Yaletown. And everything else there is expensive.

One came back in debt, the other came back loaded.