Energy Update: That's Made From Oil? NO WAY! (2009 Post)

I wrote this in 2009, but most of it still holds true today.  So, segue back, and give this some thought when you're trashing the oil and gas industry.

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You know, the energy industry is either boom or bust, feast or famine. I’ve been doing what I do for 25 years, and I don’t think we’ve had a time when we could just “cruise.” To top it off, mainstream media hates the oil and gas industry. All they can talk about is the price of a gallon of gas...something that is regulated by many different things. Sometimes, it’s wearing to be in a field that is always in the negative limelight. 

I go places (outside the oilfield), and people ask what I do. When I tell them, they frown. And then, tell me, “You are EVIL.” I’m always nice, but inside, I want to scream, “Do you know you really can’t live well without us?” So, I decided I’d show you a little bit about my industry. It is, after all, an industry that I dearly love. And who knows, maybe you'll see it a little differently after today.

Way past the basics of energy for your house, and gas for your vehicle (car enamel, dashboards, antifreeze, safety glass for that front window, additives, oil, tires and fan belts, etc.), there are some of the menial things essential to living well that you utilize every day... and they all are derived in some form or fashion from the oil and gas industry.

Got an Ipod ? The casing is plastic. Plastic is made from...wait for it...petroleum.
What about that laptop or desktop? Sweet. Oilfield, baby.
Cameras for those great picture moments? For sure, oil.
Play a guitar? What makes up your strings? Oil. Oh, yeah, baby, sing it. Right through those speakers. That, by the way, are also made from a petroleum product.

Wear makeup? Most makeup has a petroleum base.
Perfume? Eyeglasses? Even your soft contact lenses? Oil, baby.
Seal it with a kiss...because your favorite lipstick probably is made from petroleum.
Need cold cream to take that lipstick off? Thank the oilfield.
How about nail polish? Oil. Don’t like the color, need nail polish remover? Oil.

Does your kiddo draw with crayons? Yup. Oilfield.
Play with Legos? Oilfield. Model cars, trains, planes? Oil and gas, baby.
Baby dolls, trucks, trikes and bikes? Oil.
Huggies? Luvs? Passies? Made from oil...to help you take care of that precious baby. And when you put him or her in that life-saving carseat? Rest assured, it’s made from Oil.

Are all your clothes white? Or that unbleached fabric? Because if they have any color to them at all, the dye has some petroleum product in it. Speaking of clothes, the detergent you wash them with - is a petroleum product.
Go fishing? Fishing rods, line, nets, boots, lures, life jackets, oars. Cooler. Water skis. Wakeboards. Tow rope. Fishing BOAT, for God’s sake. All petroleum based.
Shower curtain? Shampoo? Hand Lotion? Oil and gas. Again.

How about that cellphone? Coffeemaker? Those cool little appliances that help you make it through the day, from drying your hair to making a grilled cheese? And do you play those old LPs or CD’s throughout the day? All petroleum based.
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Scotch Tape? Electrical tape? Duct tape? Glue? Paint brushes? Paint rollers?
Bicycle/motorcycle helmets? Trash bags? All that, and more are made from oil.

Do you use a toilet seat? Yeah. Seriously. You’re sitting on oil, baby.
How about those credit/debit cards? P.l.a.s.t.i.c. - made from o.i.l.

Are you a golfer? You couldn’t be without those little white balls! Petroleum. Shooter? Parts of your gun are made from oil. Tennis player? Rugby? Any sport known to man? I bet the oil and gas industry has some part in it.

Wax your floor? Yup. Is it linoleum? Yup again. Use a mop? Burn a candle? Oil.
How about when you write a check? Use a ballpoint pen? Oil.

What if you fall and get a booboo? Need a bandage? Oh, yeah, honey, it’ll get better with oil. Are you diabetic and need insulin injections? The syringes...are made from oil.
Take antihistamines? Aspirin? Cortisone? Wear dentures? Use a toothbrush, comb, brush, hair curlers? Glycerin, insect repellant? Gotcha. All made from Oil.

Anyone been in the hospital lately? The shunt they put in your arm to start an IV---oilfield. The Christmas tree contraption they add to that so you can get 4 different meds by 4 different delivery systems – made from oil, and the technology came from the oilpatch.

And what about the very process of running a camera into an artery? That process originated in the oilfield, as well, if I’m not mistaken. These and numerous other medical advances were fueled by the injection of oilfield workers into another field, bringing their knowledge and can-do with them.

I could go on and on, forever. But I’ll leave you with this: When your future’s so bright you gotta wear shades...remember this: you wouldn’t be sporting that badass bling without the oil and gas industry. So next time you see your favorite oilfield worker, don’t trash them. Give them a hug.

And maybe even a pair of those bling bling shades. 
© 2009 Janie Snelson

Pumpkin Spice Snow Cones?

My friend and I love to go to Bahama Bucks every once in a while.

It's not good for you.  Or me.  But I digress.

I do love a Birthday Cake with Cream.  Flattop.  Regular.  And may I have a straw, please? Skip the little umbrella.

I pulled up, and saw these new "fall" flavors.

Next thing you know, we're gonna have Pumpkin Spice French Fries.

Not this girl.  No way, no how.

Dex Saw The Light

Dex: Light? What light? I don’t know what you’re talking about. 

Me: Yeah, because light is all in the eye of the beholder. And your eyes are CLOSED.

Float That Cash

Today I went to the ATM and got cash to go buy some chairs from a sweet lady. I always take extra money, just in case the person wants to sell more furnishings.  

My friend Kim and I Ioaded the final chair in my truck, and went back in to pick up the cushions. 

As I was walking to my truck, I stepped off the sidewalk, and dropped my phone, and...wait.for.it...$500 cash, in $20 bills, into the water running down the street. 

The cash fanned out, and started rushing downstream. And I mean RUSHING! I wish someone had videoed   

It's never boring around here. 

Dex The Plant DogTer

I heard a noise.

A chewing of plastic-type noise.

One of those noises that brings me running.

I turn the corner, and I’m stopped in my tracks.

This is in my living room floor.

This.

This plant.

That probably weighs 10 lbs.

Dex has taken it off the planter stand, and brought it into the living room, a cool driveway’s length away, in. his.mouth.

Thank the Lord it is a purple dew plant, and is super hardy, and it needed thinning anyway.  I just stuck all the broken pieces in one of my garden planters and they’re thriving!

It’s never boring around here.

Home Visit

Saturday morning started out with a scheduled home visit on behalf of Texas GSP Rescue.

We have a family that has applied to adopt a puppy from the rescue, so that requires a home inspection and visit.

I love performing this service for Texas GSP, mostly because I love the breed, and of course, I love people!  And this visit certainly didn’t disappoint.

I drove up to a beautiful property, text the potential adoptee and drive through a remotely opened gate.  The wife met me at the garage, and led me into the house, where I met her husband, and precious little girl, as well as their rescue lab mix. We all sit at the kitchen table. I look outside, and see two other smaller dogs, and a chicken.  There’s a cat out there somewhere, but I never see it.

I love how all these animals co-exist!  It makes my heart smile.

As I’m interviewing the family, I find out they have a donkey, and share a community horse.  The horse is one they were caring for on behalf of a friend. The neighbors fell in love with the horse, so now it’s become a community horse.  We talk about their property, their fencing, and their plans for their property as they move forward.

About this time, one of the teenage sons walks in, and meets me.  He goes to out to feed the larger animals.  While we’re discussing the ins and outs of rescue and GSP characteristics, another teenage son comes in to greet me.  I knew before I got here they had a blended family of his, hers and ours.  It’s a very vibrant home, but there is no doubt about the peace that reigns within these walls.  This family has been knit together with love, and you can feel it the moment you pass over the threshold

It was an absolute joy to visit this family, and one of the high points of my weekend.  They will be great GSP adopters.  I look forward to seeing their match develop.

Mom! Get UP! It's Morning!!

These animals of mine.

They have no concept that it.is.Saturday.

My day of partial rest.

The one day I don’t have to get up out of bed at 5:30 a.m.

So, they’re up and at ‘em, time to go outside, let’s go, Mom.  Can we have a treat, Mom?

Come look at the birds, Mom! Oh, look, a squirrel, Mom!

Okay, we’ll come back to bed, Mom, for exactly 46 minutes.

(46 minutes and 2 seconds later)

Mom!  Wake up!  We must go outside now!  Because…we hear birds!  That means it’s morning and time to get up! Let’s go outside!  The squirrels!  Dogs are walking their humans!  C’mon, mom!

What do you mean we’ve already been outside?  We just got up, we’ve been asleep with you? Don’t you remember? It’s a brand new day!! Can we have a treat, Mom? Come look at the birds, Mom! Oh, look, a squirrel, Mom!

Okay, we’ll come to bed, Mom.

Can we bring our treats?

It's never boring around here.