chalupa files: Haida Gwaii day 47?

I know I haven't been posting as fequently as before...tired after work and my laundry blah blah.
But today is a post day. Getting tired up here...meaning the long hours are wearing me out, every day seems a little more difficult than before.
So I was really looking forward to having a beer tuesday night, but the bar was closed due to our bartender being ill. She has a kidney infection or something. So I was disappointed to say the least, drank coffee and watched tv in the evening after sleeping most of the afternoon after my shift.
Around 9:30 word is my chef will be the bartender for a few hours that night, yay, so come 10ish I am able to have a pint of okanagan springs pale ale by the camp fire. Rain started to kick in so I went inside, watched the gong show of people making asses of themselves and finished the night off with a second pint. I enjoy having beers with the boat mechanic and staff cook...they like to vent and I like to listen...I can relate. Both older than me by alot but good times nonetheless.
There was a rumour ablaze that there was going to be a staff fishing charter today at 10am. Last time I listened to a rumour I went to the dock only to be turned around.
Fortunately the rumour was true and 12 of us were on out on the Q, our transport boat. We fished from 11am and back at the lodge just after 5pm. IT was lots of fun, they had beers and smoked salmon for us, no beer for me as a moving boat makes me feel ill. We were all fishng with small spin cast rods for coho, jigging buzz bombs (a type of lure), catching these fish on these small rods were alot of fun, such a fight and lots of action. Took some video of a dock hand who hooked into a big fish...i stopped it once we realized the fish had taken his line into a kelp bed and snagged him up.
MY first fish of the day was a halibut and they tried to gaff it (stick with a sharp hook) and pull in the fish...but somehow stabbed its head and knocked it off into the water. Boo...so not only did we lose the halibut, but its probably dead at the bottom of the ocean with a hole in its head.
Rest of the day was coho after coho and one pink salmon. It was a slaughter fest.
Apparently the chinook salmon fishing dies down soon...boo was hoping to catch a Tyee up here (salmon over 30 pounds).

Definitely missing home right now...seems most people are. Everyone is talking about what they're going to do when they get home. Strangely enough going for sushi is on alot of peoples to do list lol.
well time to have some food and head to bed...must sleep

Yawn!

I am tired...must fight the sleep monster.
I slept straight through last night but I still feel exhausted. I feel like I have a cold or something, I'm all plugged up and stuffy. grr sucks...and of course I didn't brings meds for that.
So apparenlty yesterday was day 42 and our halfway point. So what did they do to mark this? They flew up like 10 dozen tim hortons doughnuts...its a weird way to celebrate imo but whatever...I ate half a doughnut and then remembered I dont like them very much. Some people gorged themselves...nasty.
We have a replacement AM staff cook now, someone who worked here last year apparently. So no more cooking breakfast for staff for me...yay!
Feeling toasted lately. I am looking forward to sleep tonight. Definitely feeling burnt out.
Had an adventure on the high seas yesterday...went to the dock with my co-worker to check our crab traps for the lodge kitchen. The dock manager tells us we need to help drive some boats back to the dock. brings 3 of us along, ther other 2 people have jumped in boats and are headed to the dock..the 3rd boat is now apparently staying out on the water...so the dock manager says we are headed out to give the boat we're in to some VIPS...btw the ocean is crazy rough with massive waves coming from all directions. We're in a big boat that has a bedand kitchenette inside and it's being tossed around out there. We are out there in rough water trying to hope from boat to boat in rough water and 100 foot deep water. Talk about sketchy. It was an adventure though riding back in a smaller boat..we also had to pick up someone on another boat who was feeling sick.
I'm giving up on this post..feel like Im dying right now

Haida Gwaii day 40? or something

I am tired!
I was up for 26 hours yesterday. I finished off my breakfast shift with the intention of taking a nap all afternoon so I could have a beer later on. I am stopped passing through the cook shack and asked by a dockhand if I wanted to go fishing...I say hmm I'm tired but ok...so 30 minutes later I'm down on the dock loading the staff boat. I should take a picture of the staff boat...it's a small tin can of a boat..I've seen much biggers boats on lakes. We head out and about half way out to the fishing grounds we realize we have forgotten our cannon ball weights for our downriggers...half way out equals a 20-25 minute boat ride lol. So yeh we decided to keep going and just use weighted rods...meaning big weight on our line without the help of another line to clip into.
Fishing was kind of slow, we missed a few bites...had a hard time setting the hook. We caught around 10 coho, realeased all, caught one small chinook, a rock fish and a dogfish (a small shark). At 9pm tonight they are having a bullhead derby off the boat dock...so my plan is to sleep and wake up for the derby and stay up until work starts. We have bull head back home in the fraser river and surrounding shore line. Known commonly as skulpin...is considered a garbage fish as it has no table value.
I want to go, memories of childhood lol.
Work it self still blows goat but I am surviving..only 6 more weeks apparently.
I cant wait to lie down and sleep in my bed.
There is a weather warning today for gale force winds at 35 miles per hour....rough seas are coming. The rain woke me this morning...was pouring out..has since stopped and we are having periods of misty rain.
well thats all for now
til next time

Ok so I have not been posting...been working long long days and I am burnt out. Will make a post later on today and what not
fun times

day 35??

Haida Gwaii day 35?
Well I am exhausted today..it was change over and the same routine, make an ass load of eggs bennies and poached eggs on potato hash. It was a rough day. I had everything
but I was just feeling dead on my feet. I slept maybe 4 hours last night. Why? Well during my shift my co-worker asked if I wanted to go fishing that day. I of course
said yes, people pay $5000 for 3 night trips to fish here, even though I was feeling tired and had lots to do. To make sure I could go I had to kick it into overdrive and bang out my prep. I then find out we would be fishing on a Grady White boat with a guide...ok so a grady white is top of the line boat, you could say its a luxury boat up here. A Grady is 24 feet long with nice comfy seats, big engine and a cover to keep you dry..also satellite radio...staff do not get to use these boats for fishing ever. So why did we? Well the owner paul was going to take the clients who were on the Grady out on his boat for the afternoon..so we were given a ride out to our tug boat the driftwood to swap boats. The driftwood has 7 guest rooms on board and is anchored in a cove on the fishing grounds. Paul took us out on his private boat which is all pimped out, has a cappucino machine, wine cooler and other crazy things in the cabin...it's like a rocket too, has two 300hp engines on the back. To compare the staff boat has a 70hp engine, the next size up is 90hp. the grady's have a single 275hp engine.
So it was an opportunity to go fish in a boat with a guide and in a boat that we'd never be allowed to step into again. The boat is wide and stable so rough water doesnt feel as rough. The dock master had one restriction for the guides to take us out, we had to go halibut fishing for the lodge. I have learned that halibut fishing is boring...you sit and jig (lifting the rod up and down) until a fish bites and pulls. We did catch 3 halibut though, small guys but still good. they don't really fight either, they just come up as dead weight.
After that we drove out way easy to a kelp bed..our guide, Raiden, fishing out a large piece of bull kelp and cut off the top and bottom. He said this was for the kelp bong. Guides usually have beer that guests leave behind and have stashes in their rooms because of it. So who was first? well me lol. He insisted stating it was my birthday only a few days ago...it was not gross..nothing nasty inside the kelp as its basically a sealed tube until it was sliced open. they took photos but none on my camera..I will find a way to get those photos to show. only had 3 beers so 3 of us did the kelp bong.
Took us out to a spot where he said was great for tips...he pulled a small rockfish out of the fish box and held it on the side of the boat and waved it in the air. next thing you see are two bald eagles flying towards the boat. Apparently these 2 same eagles sit in this tree everyday and are fed by fishermen. As the eagel comes by he tosses the fish into the air and the eagel grabs it with its talons. Pretty crazy to see.
We were not having any luck around this area and headed further east. New spot and only one other boat...we drop our lines and bang right away Im reeling in a coho...almost as soon as that one is in the other rod goes off and we have another coho on. As I have my bait twirling on the surface of the water as Im trying to hook it into the downrigger, a downrigger is a machine with its own cable and a lead cannonball weight that pulls your fishing line down deep and keeps it straight, I can see coho swimming after my bait snapping at it..unable to hook them though.
I finally get my bait down and not long after the rod gets pulled hard into the water. We tell my co-worker it's her turn, she has a big fish on...turns out to be a 22 pound chinook salmon. About 10 minutes after she lands hers I get my turn and pull in a 15 pound chinook. Was alot of fun..we decide to stay out until our other coworker catches a fish...another 30 minutes and he catches another decent sized chinook.
I did not puke...my co-worker did though at the very beginning lol. I took gravol and was drowsy lol but not sick. Wish I could ride in a boat like that always.
I remember my grandpa owned a similar style of boat when I was very young...but it eventually broke down and always getting it fixed was too expensive..we rented from
then on.
So Im going to try and post some pictures...yawning as I write this...going to skip dinner tonight and hit the bed early
g'night everyone

So yesterday was my birthday..worked my ass off and I was let go early to go on a staff fishing charter. So I was feeling stoked,
fishing on my birthday would be perfect. So I rush to my room and change and head to the dock only to find the fishing charter was just
a bad rumour that spread to several managers. Boourns no fishing for me, however it was probably for the best. Many boats with their guests
were coming in early that afternoon due to very rough seas...I'm talking 14 foot waves. I wouldn't have been able to handle that
myself. I would have definitely chummed the ocean.
The pastry chef made me a black forest cake for my birthday which was awesome. Nice to have a b-day cake so far from home, had a slice and left the rest in the
fridge for the scavengers to pick away at. The plan was to go on a hike at 3 with a co-worker, made it to my room at 1 after a shower and decided to watch some venture
bros...well I passed out lol..far as I know my co-worker passed out in their room too. No harm done.
Had dinner, relaxed by the tv room chatting with the baker and our on site handy man "sparky". I decided to head to our staff bar around 8:30...avoided the usual boozers
so I wouldnt have to do any shots lol. The sun was out so there was a fire on the beach, bought myself a beer and headed to the
log circle...spent the entire evening by the camp fire, it was great. I had a total of 3 beers and one horrible shooter
someone bought me. Called it a night around 1:30 and wandered off to check my emails...lots of facebook bday wishes this year
compared to last. Not a very exciting birthday but Im ok with that...feeling old.
anyways short post today, going to try and post some pictures

typing this up in my room and finding myself being grossed out by my roommates rank smelling clothing...ugh

Haida gwaii day 31?

July 11th, yesterday was one month of being here exactly. Seems longer but a month has passed.
It's been a few days since my last update so what's new? Well we had another person quit. A new cook flew up last monday
to take over as AM staff cook. Some weird ass whack job who was plastered with tattoos and was all sketchy and jumpy.
He would consistently bitch about working for 10 hours and no OT was bullshit...apparently he did not read the employee
contract..hence we are salary and on a daily wage.
So saturday morning he was bitching outside the cook shack and was going off saying he was gonna leave monday and forget
working here. And then something strange happened....he goes off freaking out yelling so people can hear him claiming he's having
a stroke and lays down on the table. Now he claims he must leave now to go to the hospital and go home to vancouver...
so he then gets up and packs his bags and walks to the dock and gets on our transport boat..no plane..if they actually felt
he was dying a float plane would have come along. So another one bites the dust and good riddance.
However, I am now cooking breakfast for the guides and staff as well as cooking for the lodge...yay more work for me.
It's my birthday tomorrow..whats the plan? Well work for one and then sleep lol. I want to avoid the staff bar as well btw,
the last thing I want is to be given a bunch of shots or whatever...I do not want to be hung over or drink til sick anywhere
other than at home. I do not posess a bed thats capable of recouperation here.
Depending on how stressful tomorrow goes I may or may not have A beer.
Today was package day as well and no packages for me.. oh wells. is all good.
My neighbour has his friend pick up $50 worth of junk food from town lol....all I bought in town was hot chocolate, licorice
and strepsils for my sore throat.
Not much to see in Masset...didn't take many photos either..is all good. Was nice to have phone signal and text and do other
phone things...I am a slave to technology..speaking of which my ipod has died. It gave me the white screen of death.
I went to plug it into the wall and I could here the hard drive crunching and then a white screen with a ipod icon with an
unhappy face pops up with a link to apple support shows up and then powers down. I think it has died...I have no idea how.
So it appears I need to buy a new ipod when I get home eventually. I'll have to power up my old pc as well and load all my music
onto it as well. grr sucks.
I do have my iphone with me...with limited music on it but it will have to do.
Sunday we ad a complete power outtage, our generator took a shit and died at 4:45am..no power anywhere on site..guests were
eating in the dark. No power also meant no water as we have electrical pumps to pump our water which we produce ourselves as
well. The outtage lasted until a little past 5:30am..they had to refire the generator which was insanely loud...like a big
diesel truck turning over in cold weather...pretty sure it woke the guests lol.
Well I continue to plug along and work my ass off..worked for 11 hours today...I usually pull 11 hours a day.
I do miss home alot..it seems alot of people are starting to count the days til they head home. Definitely not easy being
away and so cut off...well we have poor internet and 1 phone but it still sucks.
Looking forward to my own bed and pillow.
that's all for today..the frogs are gone and in their place are Ravens and more Ravens...crows on steroids and loud as hell.

I'm not sure what day it is

Well it's 1:13am before heading to work. Yesterday was hell...and I mean hell..my worst day since I've been here. Anything that could go wrong went wrong. Last day of "slaughter group" and they all ate like pigs, going up for seconds or more...eating everything...I found myself poaching eggs to order as I was running out. I had to make more hollandaise and in the panic I broke it and made a mess of trying to bring it back together. I looked like a dip shit. Makes me feel real good.
After my shift I just died in my room, I watched 4 episodes of the venture brothers and 2 naked chef episodes...yes I have all 3 seasons...I am a loser. I also did laundry again! gah I hate how dirty you uniforms can get here..oh and I have somehow lost my ankle brace. Been waiting on emails from my work in vancouver and they're taking their sweet time to do so.
I have a trail of strange bug bites on my thigh...they hurt.
Yeah just a little tired right now lol.
I appears the frog orgy has officially stopped...I havent heard them for a few nights now...perhaps frog sex season is over? I don't know. Alot more deer hanging out near my door...feasting on the dirty grass by the sewage pump.
Feelin sleepy..had a hard time getting to bed..pretty sure I didnt fall asleep until after 7:30pm.
Trying to get my sister to email me pictures of the garden at home...would like to see how its doing...Im missing out on the fresh veggies.
They sent the morning staff cook up to us in the lodge to wash dishes...and brought up some new guy named Beau...who is sketchy as hell and way too uppity...like he's on coke or something. I feel bad for the former cook...kicked out because bitchy servers complained they didnt like his food....well new guy's food hasnt been very good and it's been late every day. Alot of people think he won't make it...he's mre concerned with showing of his tattoos that cover everythign up to the sides of his neck than doing work.
ok Ive gone off track..its 1:30 and I need to run...work work work...woo woo
bye

yawn

It's much to early to cook. Feeling tired today...hard time sleeping last night.
The staff chef says its about now alot of people get the mid season blues..I think I know what she means.
Alot of people are more grumpy and frustrated looking. I know I am finding it hard to put on the smile when in the dining room in front of guests lately. I think most are feeling tired...tired and sore. Well Im tired and sore anyways lol.

I went to Disney Land on wednesday...that's what the old timers here call Masset. Made the trip into town for a few hours. Picked up some stuff for myself and for the staff cook. Strepsils, medicated cough drops. I also bought some hot chocolate...Im a child I know. Not the most exciting place to be thats for sure...lots of alcoholics on the street though. Was told by our driver its a big problem in town, lots of drugs and alcohol issues. A problem in most small towns it seems.

So thats all for now..need to work...
til next time

So I never continued my other post..that day was a shit show..slaughter fest...worked for 12 hours and was burnt out afterwards.
Today I was expecting o get slaughtered as well but it didnt happen. I guess they pigged out the night before on the buffet..who knows. I have tomorrow off so I dont care about tomorrow lol.
I have decided to make a day trip into masset....leave at 8am back around 2ish..the boat ride is over an hour long each way...I will take pictures of the coast line. Maybe we'll see some whales this time around.
Apparently a couple others are going..their reason being cigarettes or soemthing like that. ME? well there are no boats available for staff all week...so I would rather go to town than sit around at the lodge. Explore a little..hit up the FIELDS...ooo exciting lol. MY cell phone will work in Masset so there may be some texting or phone calls lol. Going to bring my charger with me incase I over do it lol.
I do need to buy some strepcils, medicated lozanges for the staff cook and myself...been having a sore throat lately. Must fight off any form of illness.
The weather is actually quite nice today, was sunny this morning and now a mix of sun and cloud. Well more cloud than sun.
I think Im going to take a nap ..need to stay up so I have a "normal" sleep tonight lol. Im going to be all messed up when I get home.
Well thats all for now kids. hopefully tomorrow I can post up some pictures of masset and my journey there.

Day 24

It's been almost a month...feels longer.
Today is going to be hell apparently...thats what everyone is saying. Big group coming up over 100 people and they've bought out the entire lodge.
Im headed into the trenches as we spreak...I will post an update this afternoon.
to be continued

Haida Gwaii day 22

Well I just woke up from an accidental nap. I went to put my laundry in the dryer and decided to wait for it...well 3 hours later here I am, just finished putting it away in my room. I had a dream I was back home actually, I was driving around Stanley Park...thats all I can remember. *yawn* gah really shouldn't have fallen asleep, the afternoon nap messes with my attempts to sleep at night...night time being 6pm lol.
My boss had asked me a few days ago if I knew anyone who would be available to work here and I had one response from a guy I used to work with at Joeys. He's been in the corporate restaurant world and his last stint was with the boathouse...he could definitely handle the pace here. But I was brutally honest with him regarding the living situation here and other things..No internet capable of gaming was a big turn off for him lol. Afterall is top 10 in Canada or is it North America for Star Craft 2 lol. Fishing held no appeal to him..as its not his thing either..ah well no worries.
WE are still on the look out for a cook to work the garde manger station (salad and cold appy station) ...fun fun.
I think I've lost some weight since I've been here...not alot but some...I can feel it. I have not done the hiking like I've planned...I'm always feeling toasted after work...but I've made my decision next week I am going to go for hikes after work...if the weather is really bad I'll just go to the gym...its basic but its not like I need all the fancy equipment. the have a treadmill...but Im pretty sure its one of those walk on only ones...it's super short..it's half the length of the one I have at home. One of the breakfast servers has already fallen off of it trying to run on it lol...I found it amusing. They have an elliptical(spelling?), universal gym weight thing, some free weights and a stationary bicycle.
LAst few nights have been very chilly...brr type of chilly. Im currently rocking the black sweat pants and staff shirt with black hoody...Ive noticed majority dress for comfort during their off time lol. So glad I bought a good pair of Merrels before I came up...my feet are thankful.
I have cuts on two of my fingers that just wont heal..they hurt and are tender..I think they're either from salmon teeth when I picked them up or from the hooks..they are tender. I can't believe I didnt bring any polysporine or something like that with me...I have lots of band-aids though.
It's raining again today, I took a 10 second video on my camera yesterday to show the weather but I dont think it does the real thing justice. I cant imagine braving the open ocean on days like that...I need to take a picture of the boats we use..honestly not much bigger than those aluminium boats for a lake...slightly wider but not much longer...takes a beating.
Well thats all for now...tired, time for some juice and tv til bed time.

Haida Gwaii day 21`

Change over day and I'm tired, not really going to post.
I was sent a package containing work shoes and a birthday card from my Grandma...makes me wish I was home.
Going to sleep