The Graveyard

2009-10-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Crematorium Heating Water For People's Central Heating?

2009-07-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

I know what it probably was although it usually takes a long time for anything like what they are talking about to happen. I think the lady should just forget the whole thing. I certainly don't miss that job after seeing this.

2 minutes 14 seconds

2008-08-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

I awoke Wednesday and sat up at the end of my bed for a minute. Looking at the clock I thought "I can't do this anymore..."
A lot more has happened and it's all not that good.

So tomorrow I start up with an old profession of mine, Painting.
I'm a little nervous but

the kicker is, I'll make more money. So hopefully it works out.

As far as being a graveyard worker? Maybe with another
company.
But I doubt it.
I've seen too much and it's hard to explain...
Maybe someday.

2008-07-10T16:31:00.000-07:00

The new system is not working everyone says.

(Exit from Mt. Hope last year when they were fixing the sidewalk)

There was a woman upset today when their family showed up 15 minutes early. The set up was put near the garden of trinity, but without a tent. Because the tents that people paid for, were being used at two other areas. The next funeral complained about seeing a casket in the open set up with no tent where her father was going to be. They had been to Mt. Hope before and used a tent. The casket would have been gone if they hadn't shown up early. We had 5 burials today and all took a lot longer because of the new system. Another family was waiting for us and stuck around worried about flowers. I had to give a guy a ride to the burial in the back of the park because he used the bathroom and they left him there, he must of said he would walk?
Brad operated the backhoe today, even though I'm pretty sure it was my turn to dig.
He ended up having to stay later than everyone else.
Had a little problem putting the casket into the back of the hearse. It sat on a rolling casket device which is made to stay on the cart with rubber stoppers. We usually only need two to do this but we improvised and picked it up from the middle. It was not light, I'll tell you that.
The lady complaining asked who our boss was to the counselor. But she didn't notice us having troubles with the casket luckily. It was the cart that was the problem. I got out of there before I could hear everything. I was in so much of a hurry that I forgot the flowers until Ron said something about them. So we got out and continued to hear the woman irate about what was happening without a tent.
Days like these are not much fun.
I even told that very counselor because she asked what was wrong earlier on that day. I could tell at about 10:00 am, exactly what kind of day I was about to have. I said to her "The way this day is going", "anything that could go wrong, will..."
It's a feeling I get and I didn't even mention everything that happened here. But I think the few thing's I stated might be clear enough. It's numerous thing's, combined all together.
Everyone talking and acting like they want to quit.

2008-06-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry about no pictures. I keep forgetting my camera!
My co-workers all speak of quiting or getting fired. A lot of things are changing, maybe it's for the better?
I call it the "Witness Burial" although that's not what they call it.
It's simply moving the tent over the hole and setting up a memorial area. So people can have their service right were their loved ones are going to be buried. This of course does not come without a cost. I believe it's $100 U.S. dollars extra.
This is only one of the changes, with possibly more to come?

Being a backhoe operator has become somewhat of a burden now.
It's a good thing that Brad (co-worker) and I had switched on and off using the backhoe. Because I really felt the need to take a break from it.
Just a couple days...
I appreciate the break but I could tell earlier,
that it wouldn't be fair to leave all the responsibility on him. He was a little frustrated and I don't blame him. He brought up the fact, after I was supposed to meet him at the grave to dig, but the dump truck didn't want to start. Big Surprise!
It took me about ten minutes just messing with the battery wires on the truck. I even had help, but he gave up about five minutes into it. I don't blame him either. Anyways, he said it gave him time to think about how little we were getting paid to work at a graveyard. And everything we have to deal with.
All I could do is agree.
Yet like every job almost, they expect their employees to bend over backwards and do flips for them?

2008-06-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

No new pics, for I have failed to show up a number of days. Although they are not in a row, they are adding up.
The pay isn't there, so I am unhappy with the way things have gone.
Looks bad on my resume!
If I go through another interview, they will see how little I was paid and think I maybe satisfied with only a small raise.
Not to happy with this way of thinking, they are messing with my life?
Not a good idea. I might just have to leave.
They are going to lose a good worker if they continue.
Say good riddance?

2008-06-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

We are now using a lowering device for all of our burials. Today the casket almost fell into the hole because the 116 pound 63 year old woman almost dropped it because it was to heavy for her. She is not fit for the job. I barely held it up. until someone from the other end had to come around and pick up her slack. Luckily no one was witnessing.
It's hard to explain but they want us to lower in the bottom of the vault first. Then use the lowering device which includes pliers to even work it(real professional) and then lower the lid and continue to get three to four loads of dirt from the field to cover it up.
We had 4 burials. Maybe I'll take pictures tomorrow to show you what I mean.
Today may have been the worse day yet for me while working at Mt. Hope.

2008-06-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

I worked 13 days in a row and got written up for being late yesterday. I just feel like the appreciation was not only gone but was never there to begin with. That is one thing that isn't different with this job. It has nothing to do with the write up either. We got bought out and there is plenty talk of there being change, but I'll believe it when I see it. They gave us a hat to wear saying "promises kept"? I have to say there has already been promises that were broken.
But what do I know I'm just a lowly grave digger making a little more than a McDonald worker.
I would think burying people is a big deal and not everyone is fit for the job. But I still get treated like I'm nothing.
I like the people I work with or at least most of them but the pay is not making ends meet for me.

2008-05-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

I worked at Mount Hope Memorial Gardens during the full weekend of Memorial Day.
Tomorrow will be the day that Veterans are supposed to be remembered?
It's turned into a monster like every other holiday there is out there!
I could not see much of a reason to be there on Sunday though. I highly doubt any of my bosses worked over the weekend.
But what they expect, is more than a burden.
They actually gave the sales people WD-40 to clean the bronze markers!
Apparently,they know very little about WD-40 and the effects it has on bronze?

It's weird how the hard workers always get over looked?

2008-05-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

A lot of digging and tons of frustration.

But things are actually good outside of work.

I just need to hang in there...

2008-05-08T21:50:00.000-07:00

I actually wish I worked the "graveyard shift"

It's weird to me that there is no shift, like the graveyard shift anymore?
Even if I wanted to work at night, I can't?
Instead I have to wake up at the same time as usual this Saturday!
Be there at 7:30 again and then again till memorial day.

I can't wait...

2008-05-08T17:40:00.000-07:00

I wish to change things?

2008-05-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

There's a chance my Uncle may be buried at Mount Hope. If he did get buried there I guess I get a discount on the vault and I think the internment. I could be a witness instead of always doing the work. But I think if he did get buried there I would have to do the digging and the covering.
I would feel kind of obligated to do so.
But it may be too expensive to bring him that far.
We now have two seasonal employees working with us to help until the fall. I'm not going to say anymore about them. I'll be nice.

2008-04-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

I can't wait until Thursday. Thursday I get the day off. The only reason I get it off is because there is one infant burial and they don't need me for that. Plus it's my birthday. I think I'll just sleep all day. I'm so exhausted lately that I can barely think.
It's been about a year and until my vacation I hadn't had a Saturday off. 6 days a week Non Stop.
I've buried so many people personally and dug so many holes I have lost track of how many. That kind of worries me a little. I feel I'm becoming more and more desensitized by it every day.

2008-04-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

I know I speak harshly about my place of employment. But I do realize that I'm better off. Not having a job at all, would not be good either? I feel as if I'm stuck, in a "dead end job" is all? I don't want that to happen again or ever. To anyone!

At the same time, I realize people are working hard for minimal pay. NOT RIGHT!People get Labor Day off, but the real Laborer's do not?
Why would they taunt us like that?
Laborer's get no recognition at all.
Barely Any, that is, for a low worker like me...
Laborer's are the backbone of most places of business.
Without them, they would be basically be out of luck.

"Figure it out," they always say that, don't they?...
Here is everything but what you need to finish the job, but make sure and get it done by this date?
The materials we need though, are not there to complete the job?
The date has been moved forward to mother's day? It used to be Memorial day but they decided to change things.
Bla,Bla,Bla.

Complaining, really has never got me anywhere?

Yet I continue to do so??????

2008-04-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

We were told at Mount Hope that we have the dirtiest vehicle's out of every park affiliated with us?
That's because we use the vehicle's regularly. We do way more burials than the other parks. If I'm not mistaken, we do the most burials, when compared to the rest...
All I'm saying is that there is a reason why our machinery is dirty?
It has to do with drainage failure. And I might as well mention, flat lands throughout the park does not help...
I would have to begin with, I take it as a compliment! :) Because it shows how much work we have actually accomplished. In every mud splatter there was hard work involved.
There's not much time between changing batteries, switching jumper cables from one vehicle to the next, to start half the equipment, rather than much else, worry about how it looks. Praying that anything works is the key? The Scissor Lift works sometimes? Sometimes? Especially, after it's been rigged so many times? (To where, you would have to know how it's rigged to get it to work properly?)
The Dump Truck is tricky? That's a secret I don't let out to often? Mostly because it's a pain in the arse to figure out!!!

I wont even get into the customer's that are expecting miracles?

Blah,Blah,Blah! I love my job...?I shouldn't complain so much?!?

2008-04-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

A lot of people know of the hard times economically we are experiencing in Michigan.

It's really bothering me.

Which is why I cannot understand how people in the same company as me and are doing the exact same job, but they are making more money than me. I'm talking like 6 to 10 more dollars than me possibly even more? If this does not change soon I'm not sure of what I will do? Now that I have more seniority means of course more work. I didn't ask for this but I received just that and at the same pay, but I have no choice? Our particular contract has been void since July 2006 I believe.
The state doesn't seem to want anything to do with us, except to keep us burying people for minimal pay. Until someone buys us, I have no idea when that will be? Since I've been working there all I hear are promises of better things. But I have seen nothing...
The last Union meeting I was at, a guy asked me which park I worked at? I of course told him Mount Hope and he responded "Oh, Mount Hopeless huh?". I now know what he means by that.

2008-03-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

There is supposed to be a new guy tomorrow named Ron. Although he is not new, he used to work there for an extended period of time! I can't remember exactly how many years but it is more than a few.
He is still considered the "Low Man" as they say.
I don't consider anyone really lower than me. Only the ones that are higher concern me.
I'm somehow 2nd overall, as far as the grounds crew goes. I could, but I don't tell co-workers what to do. I remember what it's like to have someone tell me what to do at other jobs. I didn't like it and I assume most people don't respond to it very good. It works for me to just ask in a polite way, if they could possibly do something for me.
This job is different as far as the way we deal with each other. It's laid back. Do your job and you won't have a problem. I'm comfortable with everything but the pay. People doing the same job in my company are making considerable amounts of money compared to us at Mt. Hope.

2008-03-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

This is my 100th post to this site.

It's been a long road to be where I'm at.

I'm now the Steward for our particular graveyard, called "Mount Hope Memorial Gardens."

I've been the Steward for over a month or two, which consists of negotiations on how much they pay. It also touches on grievances that a certain employee may come up with, that employee can go to me for any complaint within 2 days of the incident. Instead of always going to the boss, which sometimes may feel more awkward. They can come to their Steward. Even being new to it I have to negotiate with people higher up. Medical,Dental as well. Right now we are really short on workers. It's tough working at a job that barely provides the proper tools and equipment to do the job. But as soon as the backhoe broke down we got a replacement within a couple hours. Good job on getting what we needed there. That day was last Friday March 14. We worked a half hour later than usual. The last hour and a half, was one of the longest parts of the day in a long time. The feeling for me was that day, is my last and it was never going to end...
Certain days are like that though, right?
Anyways, I feel pretty stressed out so far the way this job is going.
I start my vacation yesterday but still I'm unsure if they need me at my job?
I've been holding out this vacation for about 6 months now and I feel I need this!

I'm second guessing myself on if it's even legal for me to take a vacation, short maned and all? I should know this being the Steward?
I feel bad for them working without my help. I thought about calling and knowing for sure if they need my help.
I've really put up with a lot as far as this job goes. But they have me right where they want me? I can't quit knowing it's so hard to find a job in Michigan which is, or was, number 1 in the United States hardest to find a job!On top of that, two city's that I heard were also the worst in the United States were two that are in Michigan.
Which I would think most people would see these things and not want to move here?
I don't blame them. Businesses included.
So I see it as David Shipper is taking a chance as well by buying us after the reputation we've had as a company?
It goes too deep? I could go on for a long time but I have decided I'm done for now.
If you've read this far, seroiusly thanks for reading!!!

2008-01-20T22:33:00.000-08:00

Layoffs are not funny.
The 23 year old that works at Mt. Hope is looking forward to marriage but suddenly,without notice he gets laid off.

Not fair and for no apparent reason? He is one of the best workers!
Apparently all the parks are doing the same thing, or so I hear anyways.

2008-01-07T15:16:00.000-08:00

We try to warn customers that their headstone will sink, but they would rather have it out there. Makes our job a little harder trying to dig them out.

Of course they never listen...

The snow evaporated so rapidly, that it left over 50 sinking graves behind. Every spring is time to fill graves that sink, which is almost inevitable at our cemetery being that it is wet most of the time. But obviously this weather was premature and unexpected.

So there is not much we can do.A lot of the graveyard looks like this below.

And the weather predicts more rain to come?

What a mess that's going to be!
Below is "Trinity"
A newer garden.

2007-12-06T22:03:00.000-08:00

Things are back to normal with the backhoe operator in action again.
Although I did get good reviews, when I was actually digging and then burying.
But I kind of had the opportunity to where every
family I buried happened to witness? Which is not a opportunity I wanted to face?
Just a little stressing for me...
Without notice, the family wants to see where their loved is going to be set into the ground.
I've got the record I think of a beginner, while a family witnessed. I can only think of maybe one, possibly two times? Where a family or funeral director did not witness. But it's not usually just a funeral director who witnesses?
It's almost always, the whole family!
Well, I guess as I was covering up a particular grave in a garden called Prayer. About 50 people were watching and one guy told one of the other co-workers that he maybe as good as me some day? Not knowing of course that I rarely operate the backhoe.
I clearly heard one of the witnesses say "good job" a few times while he motioned towards me with a thumbs up.
There was a bench that was in the way and when I got out to move it one of the family members insisted on helping to move the bench with another co-worker.
(My chest was sore so I was glad not to pick up anything heavy if I didn't have to)
I'm usually the dump truck operator. But any task in front of me with some practice I tend to thrive.

Not to be too full of myself though, I thought I did a good job!

My boss acknowledge digging two graves before first break is pretty good!
A lot of workers before me would milk it till lunch He said.
I think I may have job security as long as I can show up on time, more often?

2007-12-04T16:03:00.000-08:00

Plenty has happened since the last time I posted. But only some of it is interesting. Believe it or not working at the graveyard is not the most exciting job in the world?

Lately we've been short handed because the backhoe operator has been in rehab and should be back tomorrow. (I've actually had to use this thing once?)

2007-11-20T21:49:00.000-08:00

A One Way sign, is one thing we dug up?

I wonder witch street, this sign might have came from?

2007-10-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

Rumours and confrontation, is what comes to mind when I think of work lately.

Hopefully tomorrow I can show you what was dug up.

I just need to take pictures of it.
(In front of the office this picture was taken)
The power kept going out Friday. Even with the power out we are expected to work. But with candles we made due, during breaks the candles came in handy to use things like the bathroom. Bad Storms were brewing witch made the power go out.

Saturday, everything that could of gone wrong did!
Not fun.
Hard to explain.

I'm just glad it's over.

2007-10-02T15:39:00.000-07:00

I was having a bad day. It seemed things couldn't be worse. But then the co-worker that moved up to manager at another park stopped by. That alone made my day. He explained how his workers were terrible and they don't get along with each other.
Anyways it was good to see him.
Later on a Russian woman who spoke broken English, was asking about people that were buried today. Apparently she prays for them. But then she caught me off guard by insisting I take a bottle of wine from her, for simply showing her the recent burial.

It turned out to be a better day than I had thought it would be.

I guess it's the little things in life that makes things seem more tolerable.

I'm just glad the day turned around.

2007-09-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

Surprise burial today!

I was not too enthused to hear this?We already had 2 scheduled at 2:00pm.

It showed up at 2 o'clock exactly and the other burials were a little late?

But that one had to wait, unscheduled and all?

Another tid bit of what we go through, working at the graveyard.

2007-09-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

2007-09-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

Got rid of one problem only to raise more of them.Same day of
9-5-2007

2007-08-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

I felt a little undervalued when I fixed the main managers computer in the sales office. Knowing that I can fix the other computer in the office and figure out things, that they cannot.

I'm thinking maybe I'm on the wrong side of the work force?Rumors of a new owner has been flying around like gossip in a elementary school yard.

Annoying to say the least!
Today the guy that has been there for almost as long as me, had his last day of working at Mt. Hope. He has found a better paying job, I don't blame him. The seasonal guy I didn't mind working with is now full time since Tuesday.
The other seasonal got let go earlier on in the week, with only a hour and a half notice. Not too nice of them. I would guess that's the states fault?At least I have Monday off with pay but I do have to work tomorrow at 10 am. Kind of ruins any kind of going out I could do tonight. I know 10:00 am doesn't seem early to most, but for me it's like torture.

2007-08-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

I have been working with one of the seasonal guys lately who came back this year. He is easy to work with and does a good job. He actually trained me when I first started there?
The thing is, he goes to schooling at a college. So until this year he hadn't considered full time. He might take night classes. I hope personally he gets the job.(He deserves it more than say some of the others...)The last two days there has been no burials. That's when we can really concentrate on fixing the little things in the park.

2007-08-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

A Sunrise In Peace
Overlooking the garden of "Peace"

Digging in "Trinity"

A friend put it just right, when he heard what I was doing for a living.
"It's just a box, being put into another box"
Very well said. I thought?
I can't think about who it is that we are burying, or where they may have came from?
My job is beyond that. We have to fulfill they're final wishes.
That's really, the only thing that is important to me.
Do what is necessary...

I'm so afraid of making mistakes in front of people witnessing.
I can't help but breath a sigh of relief after every time it is all over.
Intense sometimes.

2007-07-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

One year I've been working at this graveyard.

I finally have a weeks vacation, but I'm unsure of when to take advantage of it?
I could have the whole week or space them out accordingly.

I jokingly said, "I was taking my vacation next week?"

Yesterday was like this...
Fixed a muffler after an attempt by someone else.(twice)

Shifter broke on the dump truck, fixed it(temporally) with pliers, some help from Konrad along with the mirror?
Should get a new shifter and mirror...?

It was really hot last year. It seems to be the same this year, or possibly similar.

Lots of sunblock thats what I do know?

I still can't believe it's been a year?

2007-07-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

Not only do we deal with humans but we also have to deal with dead trees on the property. Although, getting rid of trees is a lot more fun.

The backhoe driver called in and again the other guy that I work with jumped at the opportunity to operate it. Saying that he would do a much quicker job of it. I bit my tongue! I was irritated but I knew that if I wait him out like I did when he drove the dump truck, that the boss would cease to let him operate the backhoe as well.
Sure enough he made us look like fools in front of people witnessing. I was just glad my boss was watching because it was a little embarrassing.

It was little things like he tried to use the front bucket to lower the vault into a double depth hole. We would have to use the arm of the backhoe or we would need a longer chain?
In the process he built up a dirt ledge doing it that way to where he had to dig it out again.
Then he didn't position himself correctly to where the arm could not take the weight. So he was picking it up, then down, up then down, over and over.
Finally when he was covering it up there wasn't enough dirt by a couple loads!
I tried to tell him. But he didn't want to listen?

But it was the backhoe drivers fault not ours. Still embarrassing because the people don't necessarily know that.
Anyways the boss told me just after that I was to operate the backhoe when the main backhoe operator was not around.
I was glad to hear it.

2007-07-11T15:46:00.000-07:00

Another disinterment going out of state tomorrow. I guess it's the thing to do these days?
I know one thing for sure, if I'm buried into the ground. Leave me right where I'm at and don't ever move me.
It's not worth the cost or the hassle.

Since it's a double depth and there is only one person buried in the vault. We have to remove the cover to the vault and get the casket out. I guess it's too much trouble to take the vault out of the ground. So another vault has been delivered to our park to put the casket in.
To top it off we will be watched by a funeral director.
But the funeral director is there only to watch. Not to take part in the disinterment.
He is there representing the family, which is good for us.
I couldn't imagine if the family was watching us.

2007-07-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

Today a family was irate because we buried a person while they were signing papers and no one told us they were supposed to witness.
That would be the fault of a certain person in the office.
It was frustrating.
The family showed up at 1:45 pm.
We were not scheduled to do any burials today?
(Occasionally we get a surprise burial)
That would be the funeral home and or the sales persons fault. We were just doing our job. I explained to the people that we did not know. He claimed he told someone?
Then when the salesman showed up, it was his turn to explain to these people what happened. I had to finish dumping dirt after the yelling was done. I was waiting for the guy to hit someone, but he didn't.After I was finished dumping the dirt, I was pulling out as they were driving by and they stopped and told me that they do not blame me or the grounds crew.
They blame the office.

Apparently I got my point across to them. For that I was relieved.

Being behind them on the way back they headed towards the office to complain some more.
But I heard nothing more of it.
I'm just glad the day is over.

2007-07-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

Now that the one guy left for the position at a different park, the office people were talking about coming to me now for everything they used to go to him for. I jokingly said "Don't come to me!" they laughed and one said "No seriously we will come to you when we need something done."
I said "No problem. I can handle it."
Which they have come to me in the past but now I'll get even more because the other guy left.
But it's easy stuff.I've been digging more often lately. Ever since the main backhoe operator cut his finger on accident while hedging shrubs. Which ruined the end of the year party if no one gets injured. He got 6 stitches and his name on the wall for Injuries.
That day I did all the backhoe operations. I think it was kind of a test the boss did to see how I would do under pressure.Now more than ever Kenny (the main backhoe operator) told me the other day that he was going to tell the boss that when he is not there, that only I'am allowed to operate the backhoe. On tuesday I dug a hole in less than 25 minutes. That's half the amount of time for other people who have worked there for years.
I was glad to hear him say that because I thought I was doing good, but when he said that I knew I was doing good.Some good news on one of the seasonal guys is that he may become full time. He is a good worker.
I hope he gets the position.
Things have been going good for me at the job.

(Thanks for all the comments whenn and pack rat paradise. Appreciate it.)

2007-06-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

Last week there was no other disinterments and I was happy to hear that.

6 burials tomorrow
including 1 infant.

Not looking forward to that.
That's more burials than usual.

A guy I'am working with, is going to another cemetery to try and manage it.

Congrats!

I know you'll make it man!
I think you deserve it though.

But who are we going to get to replace you?

It shouldn't be to hard! :)
(kidding)

Good Luck to ya!!!!!

2007-06-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

I felt like I was in charge of everything Saturday. Which wasn't anything bad, just felt like I was in control of things and they were going my way. The flower lady and a seasonal were the help we needed this particular Saturday. Two guys had the day off.
Everything went smoothly. Even with a family witnessing. The untimely death of a 29 year old male. We expected them to be late, a big turnout and to witness. Sure enough, most of them did witness.
I'am now used to it but the seasonal guy made sure that I drive, when I asked if he wanted to drive the hearse. He said he would be a little nervous with all the people around. I always offer whoever I'm with, whatever they might prefer to do is fine with me.
While we were burying the 29 year old it got me to thinking that he is not even a year older than me. Weird to think about things like that?

The disinterment went well though. Nothing went wrong. I'll have to see though on Tuesday. The other one might be more difficult?

2007-06-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

My boss picked up # block's without me even mentioning it? I guess he's going to get more too.
I'll be busy for a while with that.

We have to do a disinterment (1.To dig up, as from a grave 2. To bring to light)tomorrow and then again on tuesday of next week.
One is being moved to a different area in our cemetery. The other is going up State Michigan somewhere.
I believe tomorrows has been deceased sine 1986!
Things we have to consider are, if they were buried in only a casket, or even possibly in a bottomless vault?
We do not use bottomless vaults anymore.
But that could complicate things...
No one knows because none of us were working there at the time?The only way to find out is to carefully dig down to it.

Then act almost like archaeologist to keep everything intact?
(kind of a stretch for lack of a better way to explain?)
It's a slow process sometimes though...
Not knowing the details of how he or she was buried, is a little nerve racking.
I'm one of those people, who would rather know before I begin, exactly what I'm getting into?

2007-06-11T14:19:00.000-07:00

Today was a better day. I tried simply to forget about the whole situation. But if something like that happens again, I'll just try to explain that there is no need for yelling. I might say something tomorrow?
I'm a very calm person. Yelling makes me tense and not want to do anything, but get away. Just a bad day that I need to put behind me.

Thanks Whenn for your comment :)
Your the best!

I prefer days like this (below) where I go around and raise tombstones, or pick up branches that fell off trees. Or whatever needs to be done? That is the part of the job I like.

2007-06-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

Saturday was not good. I felt like quiting right then and there. The backhoe was leaking fluids and overheating every 5 minutes. My boss was irritated to say the least. Yelling at me to back up the dump truck when I couldn't yet.
The backhoe was not done setting up. If I were to back up at that point, I would have been in the way of the backhoe?
Just because things are going wrong is no reason to yell. I do not respond well to being yelled at.
So I kept my cool but felt like getting out of the truck and just leaving.
Then to ask the neighboring cemetery for help as we always do. They shouldn't help us at all. But the guy is nice that works over there and is happy to help. Except when he wasn't there this time to bail us out.
I was kind of happy because we cannot rely on him every time we have a problem. It's not fair to him. It's especially not fair to us.
The guy who works next to us runs a Jewish cemetery. He never needs our help. We offer it every time but he never needs it.
Anyways as soon as we finished, I got out of there as quickly as I could before I exploded and said something I might regret?

2007-05-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

Tuesday's I eat here. 0.99 cent coney dogs.

There are always interesting clouds over The Graveyard. There is such a wide open area to see the sky at it's fullest.

This one below I think is the best. It's looks like your above the clouds? Great illusion.

2007-05-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

I noticed this chain in the grave while Kenny was digging?(weird)

My job is to make sure the hole is big enough for the deceased. The hand signals I have to give, I try to keep simplistic for him to understand what I mean.
He's very good at knowing what I'm trying to signal, without saying anything.

Communication is key...

Tomorrow is Memorial day. Finally! I'm told it's a day where mostly the grounds crew there, will help people find locations of the people buried there.
It's kind of a big deal at our particular Graveyard. A lot of people come.

I thought of it before, but my mission is to get # blocks everywhere there isn't one already?
It's not hard to find certain graves,(Especially when they don't have a tombstone) but without the #'s it does make it more difficult.
From whoever worked there before, must have dug the #'s up, or they sank into the ground.
But if I'am successful it will be easier on every one next year.

2007-05-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

We were doing a burial as we always do.
The other workers were not around near the end of it.
Just the backhoe driver covering the hole.
I stick around to make sure things go smoothly and then place the flowers they bought, on the deceased.
I'll ask the family if they are witnessing whether or not, they want to take the flowers home, or if they want me to take care of it and place them on the grave?
The guy asked his wife what she wanted to do with the flowers and she said to put them on the grave. That's the way her Mother that died, would have wanted it.

I said okay and started to place them on the grave.
That's when the guy said to me "You guys do a great job"... "Thank you very much"He said pleased.
The only thing I could say is "Not a problem."

It really wasn't a problem, but it felt good to hear that from him.

2007-05-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

More pictures from the Graveyard

2007-05-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

I apologize for not posting lately.

It's just that work has been so frustrating!

So if I were to post something it would have been pretty negative...

2007-05-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

We have another disinterment to do. I guess the wife wants her husband to be moved somewhere else. I'm not sure where though? I think out of state.
But that means digging him up and we will be a little busy tomorrow. Got two burials to do also.
At least we have one seasonal guy back. Very helpful. Now if they could finish with the other seasonal's background check he would be working too. The weird thing is that both of them have worked there before? For about three seasons and they never had to go through any of that. Why now would they decide to have drug tests and background checks? Makes no sense to me.

2007-04-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

I like it when everyone is in a good mood while working.

It makes it a little easier to work with others?.

I try not to bring the problems I have, into work?

But it's not easy...?
Everyone has hard times?

2007-04-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

I got a call from a co-worker at about 2:30 Saturday afternoon. I had the day off so I didn't know yet that from this Saturday on until Memorial day, we are to work every Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
There goes my Friday nights!
My checks will be a bit better, but my sleep will not? Not looking to good.
Oh well. What am I going to do?

Take a look at this!

Someone, the Chinese I would think are burning $100 dollar bills?
I wish I had money to burn! Although of course, I wouldn't be burning them? I would be spending them!

Not to smart...It's definitely a real $100 dollar bill. What are they thinking?

Like I've said before, people have their own ways and rituals of leaving thing's behind for the dead. Burning money is the last thing I would do. I would hope the person that is dead would rather have me go out and spend it in remembrance of them. Rather than burn it.

My brother had a good point. Maybe they owed them that hundred?

2007-04-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

Things I see in The Graveyard

Can't wait till it's warm again.
Didn't know the Sims was an actual last name?

Little do I know, I guess?

2007-04-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

I was looking at this picture and noticed something?(Bottom left)
Looks like someone is there?
Or is there?
This picture was taken early in the morning. I didn't see anyone there when I took this?
It must be something else.
Makes me wonder?

2007-04-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

I may have a few things to make work a little easier. For instance lowering the top of the vault. We have over sized burials and it's harder than it should be to lower the top down. I've thought of a way to guide it in possibly.
Two day weekend. Yes! I can finally get some uninterrupted sleep.

2007-04-11T16:02:00.000-07:00

We might begin to work full days on Saturdays? 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Until Memorial day is over.
I don't like the idea of this... But I'll do what I have to do of course.

Back to normal with the one who was laid off. That's a good thing.

Everyone says negative thing's about one another. I hate it!

Makes me wonder though... What do they say about me? Maybe nothing.
I'm not going to loose sleep over it, that's for sure.

2007-04-09T16:10:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention that the person who was laid off has been back since last week. I didn't have much of a reason to talk about it until now though.
I heard him ask to look at the Union Contract just before lunch. I didn't think much of it?But then I was told that apparently he thinks "I" should have been the one who got laid off?
Not like it would change anything. It's already done and over? He's working again?

I started working a week before him. But we got hired in around the same time. He seems to think he was hired in first. But our contract goes by when you started working. Not when you were hired in. So it doesn't matter when he was hired in.

Either way I'm not the one in charge of lay-offs?
So it's not my fault.
I don't know what he's trying to prove. I guess he just wishes that it was me who got laid off, and not himself.
More drama! Just what I needed?
I'm just going to stay away from him.

2007-04-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

I dug my first grave earlier in the week. There was a different feeling involved when we lowered the person down. Knowing that I dug the grave made it different. Hard to explain.
After I dug the grave I saw something that I had dug up?

It looks like a stirrup maybe.Or it's an old tool the graveyard used back in the day. It is all metal. But where I dug is the new area in the graveyard?

2007-04-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

My boss. Still the best boss I've had so far.
(Hopefully it stays that way?)
He told me "you will be running the Dump truck from now on"
Then he continued...

From what he said, I took it as a good thing.

On another note?
Put out D.O.D (Date Of Death) on bronze tombstones, aside from the normal things we do.
That's always easy, except when the size of the(D.O.D.) piece of metal is wrong?

Nice weather though. I'm done with winter, I can't take the cold too well!
It's torture.

2007-04-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

People want their loved ones to be buried by a tree a lot. What I don't think they realize is that when we have to do this, we have to dig through roots of the tree. Which for us is a hassle. Eventually though, enough people get buried by the tree, the tree won't have any roots left. Which in turn the tree will also die as a result.

2007-03-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

I've been operating the backhoe more often too. It's not hard. I'm getting the hang of it, I think it's pretty easy. Just have to be somewhat cautious and ease the controls. I realized by watching others, do not make sudden moves or jerk the controls to much.
Makes sense right?
I can do it though.
I'm happy with that.

2007-03-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

It turns out there was over a 1,000 blankets and wreaths! We took care of them within a three day period altogether. Minus other things that needed to be done. The Important stuff? We got it done, that's what matters. (1,077 to be exact)
There is a rumor that the guy who was laid off, could come back next week.
Not for sure yet, but that may change the way things go around there?
The backhoe driver Kenny, doesn't want me to stop driving the dump truck.
That could cause, possibly a ruckus.

There is enough complaining, out of someone who already works there!
Thing's will work themselves out. I hope?

2007-03-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

Okay with the fact that death occurs
Until he sees his wife, his mind turns.
He realizes he won't see her again.
When they finally lower her in.

Only then does it sink in.

Trying to hold back the tears.
But instead they come, from all the bountiful years.
He thinks then, he shouldn't of held back.
Shouldn't of held back all those fears.
Instead he should have listened to her.

Now, after all these years.

Paulys Poems

2007-03-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

Kenny

The Grave Digger
What a waste of money,trees and time!
There's hundreds of blankets and wreaths to pick up. Now that we are about half way done they want us to count them? Maybe they should have told us this before we started?
It's not their fault I don't think. It's actually one persons fault but I can not name any names.
A "Blanket" is a pine decoration that is put down in the winter, but it's not a blanket at all?
It's killing trees and my back to get rid of them!
Now we have to count them for disposal?
I said right away take a picture of it. That should at least give them an idea of what they are dealing with.

2007-03-21T18:53:00.000-07:00

My boss had the day off today. But we had no time to relax!
Pick up boards, lay down boards. Change the bucket to the backhoe, put the other one back on.
Clean Mausoleum, set up tent, take down tent. You get the picture non-stop. And the way the funerals came in were all out of order. There were three of them. Two of them at 1:00 p.m. and the other at 1:30 p.m. The 1:30 showed up 45 minutes early. As far as the other two? One was about an hour late and the last showed up, just in time to get done and go home.

2007-03-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

I was at the store that I usually go to for the things I need. The cashier who is the stock guy normally, asked "Where do you work at?". Which struck me kind of oddly because he usually doesn't say anything. I answered "At a graveyard, odd huh?" He said "No."
So I replied "Somebody's got to do it right?" He said "Yep."
I expected some kind of reaction but I should have known with this guy. I don't think very many things surprise him. But I think that's cool. Better than a weird reaction.

2007-03-16T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hook #2

I did make a new hook awhile ago. We also have better placement for it, so hopefully the hook won't break this time?
It works really well... I barely have to bend, which is good for anyones back.
I did choose a handle that was a little longer this time, for the double depth burials.

2007-03-14T15:25:00.000-07:00

A co-worker noticed the dump truck back passenger tire was low. Well, it turned out to be a flat and we needed a whole new tire. But while I was putting it back on for some reason a crowd of workers, my boss and a previous manager(visiting)decided to watch me put the tire back on. They just happened to be standing there looking at it when I came out after lunch.
For a second I got nervous with everyone watching. I wasn't going to tell them to leave and not to watch me. But then I thought as I was doing it, what is there to be nervous about? I've changed a tire or two in my lifetime.
Then there it was? I had total confidence and if anyone uttered a word jokingly about how I was doing it wrong I was going to joke and ask them "Do you want to do it?"
But they just wanted to watch for some reason.
When I was done, everyone seemed satisfied with it, and continued to do whatever it was that they were doing.
For some reason I felt like I was being tested, though I know that was not the case.
Like I said I guess they just wanted to watch.
I did fix the flex pipe to the exhaust, now that I'm driving the dump truck more often.
No one watched me do that though.
That's a good thing because I do not entirely like being watched.

2007-03-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

The backhoe broke down again. So we got a little help from the neighboring Jewish Cemetery. Nice people. Helped us without a complaint.

Good thing for them, otherwise we would be in a real bind.We found out the company gave us the wrong part for the backhoe.

It worked for a week and a half and then, it didn't work at all.

We think we have the right part now, but we'll see?

2007-03-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the last day for the person that got laid off. One last Saturday to make his check a little heftier. He might be back. Who knows? To bad we are coming up on the busiest season, where we kind of need an extra guy.

A few weeks ago I went out to check on the torches, to make sure it was still burning. They have a tendency to go out when it's windy.
Good thing I was out there because as I was going to take a picture, one of the tanks fell on the torch. I jumped over and lifted it off. It might have blown if I hadn't been there. For a split second I considered running. But I didn't. It about gave me a heart attack!

2007-03-07T19:37:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, the worker that started a week after me will be laid off soon.
1 week difference and that would have been me.
I don't know if he will come back?
If it happens.

2007-03-01T20:24:00.000-08:00

The snow, that followed rain turned into slush today.

Needless to say, my feet got wet.
(this pic does me no justice, though I like it?)

I thought we were supposed to get all of this weather and rain last night?

I was wrong...
Newscasters were not correct either?
It was a mess!

2007-02-26T17:29:00.000-08:00

Today was a little frustrating. I could tell a couple of co-workers were getting agitated. But once that was over everything was alright.
One thing we had to do is clear the sidewalk out front.
It's got to be over 150 yards in length. Which I've done by myself before but not like this. It was covered with a layer of ice about a half inch thick. With two other guys helping it took up most of the morning.
And then some lady came in complaining. That 6 months ago we supposedly ruined a casket while inserting it into a crypt(which is the mausoleum). I knew right away which one she was talking about without even hearing her. But nothing bad happened to the casket. It may have sounded like it to them because everyone viewing it made some sort of sound like we damaged it. Most of that noise came from the tray it sits on. We have to slide it in using a scissor lift if it's up too high.
We'll see what happens? Probably nothing.

(Click to enlarge pictures to view in more detail)

2007-02-25T18:50:00.000-08:00

I should be happy that I got the weekend off.
But what I really need is a vacation.

I let it leak out that I made this page.
So I had a co-worker take a picture of me.
He's one of the only people that know besides all of you.

At least I'll live, unlike the people I deal with at work.
It's weird to even think about what I do.
My job is to bury people.
Weird?
That never quite sinks in.
Luckily...
I try not to think about it too much.

2007-02-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

I'm glad that I'm a quick learner. Otherwise I would be lost when trying to flag a grave.

There are I would guess about 15 different Gardens. Don't ask me why they are called "Gardens", because I would say it's one of the farthest things away from being a garden.(they have a lot of nicknames for thing's that make no sense to me)

Each garden varies as far as the graves direction,the length of the hole to be dug,width or even the way the numbers we go by are set up. It gets confusing for sure. I haven't got one wrong yet and hopefully it stays that way.Weird the things people leave behind for their loved ones.

2007-02-20T17:05:00.000-08:00

I found out that the cemetery has it's own website...
But, when I checked it out there is nothing there. Except something that says "under construction".

mt.hope@micemeterey.com

I thought maybe they are just under construction?
Turns out that it's been that way for awhile.
I'm going to mention possibly, that I could help them out.
I don't mind my job, but to be in charge of their website?
I'd rather do that for sure.

2007-02-17T00:53:00.000-08:00

This is a picture compilation below.
Music by
Alice In Chains "Don't Follow"

4 minutes 22 sec

It was kind of hard to pick the best pics, but I hope you enjoyed them.
Some of these are in Photoholics Anonymous.

2007-02-13T17:38:00.000-08:00

Turns out tomorrow a sales person screwed up, I don't want to get anyone into trouble because I like the sales people. But we have to do a disinterment(the act of re-interring a burial.)
We have to move a vault over one space. Directly next to where it already is.

Good thing we have no burials tomorrow. It will take up most of our 8 hour shift. Not fun but I guess that's why they call it work?

This picture I was looking at it(on the right)
Somehow there was angled horizontal ice. No joke I was looking down on them. The only thing I can think is the wind blew hard enough to make it this way? Or the wind did blow, but it blew the branch off kilter to make it appear that way?
I really don't know but it's a good picture and even more impressive in person.

2007-02-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

Today was like any other day.

That is, when I show up 1 minute early or right on time almost everyday.

I've figured out the traffic lights, no matter which way I go. There has been a train I was battling but I've figured it out now, there's a way around that. The train actually goes over the next road down? Which I knew this, but it didn't happen often enough to worry about it until now.

"This thing"(above) is to heat the earth's crust when it's too cold outside. The top layer of the crust is frozen anywhere from about 6" to 12" down, to where it's too hard for the backhoe and the teeth could break off. Which disables us from digging.

2007-02-09T16:18:00.000-08:00

I found it kind of humorous that I traded having a Saturday off last week to a co-worker so he could have this Saturday off. And it turns out that there are no burials tomorrow. So I do end up getting it off anyways. I believe that's the third time we've had a Saturday off in the 6 months that I've been there.

We had a surprise visit from one of our main bosses today. He found us sitting around but it was break time so it was alright.

New Temporary Mausoleum

2007-02-06T15:26:00.000-08:00

We had a surprise burial today(on top of 2 others) and had less than hour to prepare. Which we as the ground crew could have made a big deal out of it, but it's just not worth it. The more we cause a rukus the more corporate comes around to see how were doing. Because actually, we should have a 24 hour or more notice before burials.
We pulled it off without much problem and had time to spare. So not a big deal at all.
Another thing happened to me in particular. The office makes out a flag sheet(where the location of the burial will be) for us to measure and check if anyone is there. Then we of course flag it.
Well this guy gave me a flag sheet. Luckily it has a deadline for when it needs to be done. This one didn't need to be done until tomorrow. He wanted it to be done that day but did not specify to me on when. I assumed I'd get it done in the morning. He was supposed to show a family member the location that day. Since I didn't flag it he couldn't find it. He told my boss which in turn I pointed out the due date in which it supposedly needed to be done the next day. So I got in no trouble over it. All he had to do, is tell me that he needed it to be done sooner, and of course I would have done it without question. I guess he knows now?
One of my co-workers got into a car accident yesterday and will be out for few days. It turns out he's okay but a little banged up and he's car is not operational. So we'll have to do without him for a few days.
Long day. I'm glad it's over.

2007-02-05T15:25:00.000-08:00

Another week, the dump truck is out of commission. We tried to get it running but couldn't. We're not mechanics, but little things we can fix. So tommarow someone will come in to take a look at it.
Today was so cold that the one burial we did was pretty difficult. Every time the wind blew, the exposed skin would sting almost instantly. It was so cold that the people who were supposed to witness watched from their cars. (Frostbite kind of weather) Unlike last week my co-workers were actually trying to get along.
Which of course, I prefer.

2007-02-02T15:22:00.000-08:00

There are 5 people who work in the office. 1 called in. When they arrive they noticed a picture missing in one of the offices. It was a scenery picture and of course the one who called in got the blame instantly. Especially since the day before when they were leaving, he had to run back in for something he forgot. So he was marked as a thief.
Well as the day went on they realized the picture is not stolen at all. Someone who took the time to investigate further, realized it simply fell behind the desk that it was above.
I was planning on telling him today what happened, but that's two days in a row he called in.
The rumors they start there are out of control. They think he called in because he got his tax return.
Whatever though, that may be true but I doubt it.

2007-01-31T15:14:00.000-08:00

There has been an on going battle between two of the co-workers. They despise each other for there own reasons. But it's just been drama,drama,drama! Driving me nuts let me tell ya. It really bothers them that I won't pick a side too. I really don't want to be dragged into it. Instead I have to listen to their complaints about each other, then there's me trying not to say anything about it. The things I put up with? I need a raise!

2007-01-29T18:30:00.000-08:00

Dinner Time?

It was time to eat so I was told to get my brother. I was 14 when this happened. We had a upstairs and a downstairs. When I turned the corner facing the stairs to go up about twenty feet away. I saw what appeared to be my brother, wearing the same old flannel he always wore at the time running up the stairs. So I went up stairs and he was no where to be found. When I made my way back downstairs he was sitting at the dinner table. I asked him if he had gone upstairs and he looked confused saying he never ventured upstairs. At first I thought he may be playing a trick on me?

But he keep on insisting he never went upstairs...

2007-01-28T16:12:00.000-08:00

What do you see?

If you check out the picture on the sidebar of this blog, that is where I found this weird oval shaped reflection of light. See if you can find something out of the ordinary in these pictures below?

Each one seems to contain a hidden image.

I woke up just after 8:00 a.m. in a panic today thinking I was late for work. During the week I have to be there at 7:30 a.m. Then I realized to my pleasant surprise, it was Saturday. I didn't have to work until 10:00 a.m.(which does vary from week to week.) I was wondering why my alarm didn't go off? So I went back to sleep to get a little extra time, spent in my dreams...

All these pictures were taken at The Graveyard...

For even more great hidden images... have a look at this.

2007-01-25T17:22:00.000-08:00

One of the graveyard's(they won't tell us who) screwed up, and people waited too long for the workers to pick up the body to bury them. So sure enough they complained. So today we got to use walkie talkies to communicate and know when to leave, or if there witnessing, or whatever we need to say.
At first I thought they might be a burden and it may possibly turn out that way. But instead we had a lot of fun going back and fourth towards each other. We all got nicknames and mine of course ended up being what they already started calling me. "pickitypaul"
I don't mind the nickname. I kind of like it. Plus I don't think I could stop them if I wanted to. They would probably say it all the time if I mentioned that I didn't like it.
It was cold and a pretty rough day. But for all the fun we had it was a good day.

2007-01-24T17:55:00.000-08:00

The handle broke and now I have to fix it. A little upsetting but It wasn't my fault. I know it was an accident though. The handle could have been longer anyways for the double depth graves(that's when a person is buried below or above another loved one).

2007-01-24T16:29:00.000-08:00

I may see things out of the corner of my eye at the graveyard sometimes. But that, I can easily dismiss, and there's nothing that I can actually confirm of there being a real ghost yet.
Of course, I have no conclusive evidence. But this below is a true story to my recollection. Keep in mind that no one else was home and it took place where the nearest neighbor was about 4 acres away...

Back when I was 16, I was laying on my left side in my bed with my eyes closed, and my back was toward the door. About ten minutes of this(because I do have a slight case of insomnia, sometimes it can take up to 3-4 hours to fall asleep) I suddenly heard someone or something open my door. I automatically froze. I did not even want to look. Whatever it was I felt a presence there in my room with me. Now, I cannot say for sure if it was a ghost or even an alien.
But I was frozen in terror listening as it drew closer to my bed and myself. Then the weirdest thing happened, I felt something grasp onto my legs, near my ankles. Not hard, but almost gently? Then suddenly it let go like it decided not to do anything to me and I heard it leave the room as the door closed softly behind it. It left a lot quicker than it came in that's for sure. I was so freaked out, I thought it was probably an alien at first. But when I told a couple close friends they said instantly that maybe it was a ghost?

I never felt too comfortable talking about it until now. You may think this is too crazy to believe and for those of you who think that, I really don't blame ya.
If I heard this story I would probably think of some kind of logic behind it. Like why does it have to be an alien or a ghost? Why couldn't it be a human? It makes no sense. Why would it grasp my ankles and only my ankles? Only then to leave.

Weird even to me?

2007-01-23T21:30:00.000-08:00

I found out today that I've helped place 216 burials.
I thought that was a lot.
Little did I know...
Until someone let me know, that from other cemeteries they do more than that.

Apparently our particular cemetery has slowed down because of prices.This one is taken at the graveyard but underneath the bridge near by.
(I didn't see it when I first took a look at it?)

2007-01-20T14:56:00.000-08:00

I had to work today on a Saturday. Not too unusual but it was a little crazy. This particular Saturday we had a burial that was previously bought. The only problem was, that on both sides family members were buried. This usually wouldn't be a problem, except someone in the past buried the two and one of the vaults were crooked. It was placed years ago and wasn't lined up straight like it was supposed to. When they're not straight it makes it more difficult. There wasn't much room to place the latest person that has passed. Which had to be in between the two.
First we had to change the bucket on the backhoe because it couldn't fit between the two vaults. So we put on a smaller bucket on to dig with. That was quite the ordeal let me tell ya because the bucket that was on there that we always use, didn't want to come off. Anyways, the side of the vaults which you have to realize that in the past they used bottomless vaults.(I heard it was a Jewish thing) So it ended up breaking on one side and falling into the spot were we were supposed to put the new vault. So the backhoe driver had to use the bucket part of it to hold up the side of the vault. Then we put in stakes to hold the side of the one vault and then lower the new one in. To begin with there was only centimeters of room to work with. So of course the stake held it up but the stake then was in the way of lowering it in. Luckily it was heavy enough to push down the stake and rest in between to their loved ones.
Of course everything worked out it always does.

One last thing... Thank you Whenn for convincing me to continue on The Graveyard blog. You inspired me to go on,
and you sound very nice.

These two pics above are from the graveyard as well as the one below.

2007-01-20T14:36:00.000-08:00

There are two faces that I can see here. I have a blog on pictures that I think are pretty good. The funny thing is that most of them are taken at the graveyard. There are a few pic's that have some sort of face in them. I thought it was kind of interesting. It's not like I looked for these picture either. I happened to see the faces in them after the fact. So therefore some of them are cropped or I zoomed in on them. I thought it was kind of neat though. So if you like this pic just click on Photoholics Anonymous
The post is called "Faces in the Icy Graveyard" for more.

2007-01-11T16:58:00.000-08:00

Thing's seem to be running smoothly at the Graveyard. I always think about ending this blog for fear that it's a little too personal and that people that don't know me wouldn't understand. I wish I could tell ya everything that goes on there. But some things "you" as a reader would probably not want to hear. And it's not what you would probably think. It's not necessarily gross either. But I should be a little careful on what I say.
Which I have been sort of careful. All I want to say right now is that it's a job, and I need the money.

2006-12-20T16:26:00.000-08:00

If you haven't seen it in the newspaper or on the News. The state has officially taken over the cemeteries. Maybe now things will get straightened out properly.

Clayton Smart

2006-12-05T14:36:00.000-08:00

The hook did work. It worked real good the past couple of days. The one guy I work with was skeptical, but even he ended up using it today.

2006-12-02T21:19:00.000-08:00

I have been neglecting this site. I can't even track it anymore.(If you know what I mean)

The Hook
I made this hook to basically undo if you can imagine, we have to use metal cables to lift the vault and then to lower it into the hole. Once that is done instead of getting down on your knees and grabbing the cable, which the cable eventually begins to fray and can cut you or stick into you if your not careful. On monday I will use this to pull the cables out with ease. I think it will work and make my job easier.
Plus my knees are kinda bad.

2006-11-01T15:38:00.000-08:00

I now have my 90 days in yesterday, but I was very close to calling in today.
I was up all night no sleep at all over a tooth ache. But once I took a shower I felt a little better. So I went into work.
I'm glad I didn't call in because we got our picture taken for the cemetary's newsletter. Also I was asked about by someone higher up. My bosses, bosses, boss.
He told him that I'm not late and that he dosen't ever have to tell me to get to work.
Because of course, I like to keep myself busy. Especially if I'm getting paid for it, I might as well do something.
Turned out to be a better day than I had hoped.
It was tuff though.

2006-10-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Turns out, our owners are so corrupt that the state may be taking over the graveyard business. Well, ours at least and everyone else they own. They were asking questions about how many workers there were just the other day. I'm not sure what this means? I know it could be a good thing, or a bad thing. We'll see. Untill I know for sure, I'll just keep livin and working the best that I can.

2006-10-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

Certain jobs has to deal with people everyday, at somepoint or somewhere?

But with the loved ones we bury at this job. I have no idea what the person was like, what they did, nothing like that?
I don't see what they looked like, how much they weighed?

If I really wanted to, I could find out certain things.

For instance the gender, or how old, married or single, the whereabouts in the city they lived in.
I don't ever look anymore though.
I would rather not know in a way. I stopped looking after the first week.
It makes it easier on me, that's for sure.
By all means I do not entirely enjoy what I'm doing.
Being in the presence of people mourning, is really the hardest part for me.
There's a couple of reasons why I stick around though.
Like I've said before, the people I work with are quite extrodinary people in my mind. Good down to earth people. They are understanding, and cautious of other peoples feelings when it comes down to it. It's truly amazing to me the way some of them can calm a person, by using certain, but perfect words. Their used to dealing with people that come in there I know. So I guess they know what to expect by now.
The vibe I get from them is up beat, nice, sarcastic but hilarious co-workers.

2006-10-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

Back to work tomorrow. Not looking forward to it, but I never was one to look forward to work. Most people I would hope feel the same way?
There is a little pride I get out of working I'll admit. But not enough to continue working if I didn't have to.
I do know for a fact, that even if I won the lottery. I would still not work!
At least not early in the morning.
Even then, I would highly doubt it. But that's just me.
Of course I would still have hobbies. I would even pick up a few on the way. It would be great to not ever have any worries and to do what you want. I'm lucky in certain ways. But some don't know how good they have it.
That's unfortunate for them. Maybe someday they'll get it?
But really I don't see it happening to everyone.

2006-10-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

The cold is here!

The Backhoe

I finally got to operate the backhoe. It was a lot of fun tearing up the earth, then covering it back up. We've just been so busy that I hadn't had the chance untill now. I'm not looking forward to doing it while people are watching and doing the real job for what it's intended to do. For now it's only practice.
My co worker who was explaining to me exactly how to do certain maneuvers, said afterwards that I did better than another guy who is presently operating it. I only did it for about a half hour. That made me feel good and a little more confident.

2006-10-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

I noticed the other day there were fresh flowers and birthday balloons at a particular grave. Which happens all the time but when I took a closer look, the tombstone was sunken in on a angle so bad I couldn't even make out the name or date. So I got out a shovel and raised it to where it was level and able to be seen again. I know they will appreciate it when they come back to see their loved one.

Today we removed about 6-8 dead trees threatening to fall into the major road. There's a few more to be taken care of but, not the usual work that needs to be done at a cemetery.
The city requires it.
If you look closely across the street, there is another tree that needs to be cut down. Also threatening to fall into the street.
Their not hassling them though.
Not to get the homeowner in trouble.
But it makes me think?