Alberta trucker Mike Murchison shares his experiences on the road through music, photography and humour.
You hear the expression “transferable skills” here and there. In the work world it basically means something to the effect of taking whatever you learned in your previous job(s) and seeing what fits with the new endeavor. An old dog
Read More
Ah yes! The underground “black market” of hot goods. Stolen stuff. It’s thriving and as hot as ever – at least, it was in Peel Region until July 19th.
Operation “Big Rig” put a stop to what we now know was a ring involving 15 individuals. Possibly more. But 15 were charged. Its probably not the end; just an interruption in a trade that will kick back up down the road when things cool down.
Myself, I’ve spent many days and nights visiting, working, and slumbering within the borders of Peel County. Never had any problems unless you count the slow lines at the Tim Hortons.
Read MoreEditor’s Note: Mike Murchison’s writings and photos have been the bedrock of Road Warrior News since we started publishing in 2021. A professional Truck driver living in Alberta who has spent decades driving around the western United States and Canada,
Read More
Hard work! Hard physical work. Long hours behind the wheel. Long hot and freezing hours on my knees, unloading product that has solidified, jammed or just wont flow.
I’ve worked hard. Still am working. My brother worked long hard hours in the cold, the heat and wind.
We were built that way. You start a job. You finish it. Regardless the difficulty. Sometimes you swear. Throw things. Wonder if you’re plain stupid or just crazy for doing it because you got suckered into it.
Regardless. You’re there now. Got to see the job through until its finished.
Read More
No one saw it coming. It came out of nowhere. Much like the attacks on 9/11. It was one of those surreal moments in your life. Everyone knows where they were on 9/11. But for the beef industry a more memorable day was May 20, 2003. That was the day the Canada/US border slammed shut with a shockwave that hit not only the aforementioned trading partners but 40 additional countries that trades with Canada.
Read More
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’ve travelled from one end of this country to the other and talked to many people from many walks of life, countries, ethic, and cultural backgrounds.
Rich, poor, middle class and those on the fringe of whatever edge they’re on. And one thing I I’ve learned is this: this is God’s Country.
Jammin’ gears, serving fries, diggin’ ditches. Whether folks are inputting numbers, selling products, or studying in the halls of our institutes of learning.
Read More
by Mike Murchison On the north side of Highway 3 just east of Coaldale Alberta sits a series of bins, a complex set of conveyers and spidery looking pipes that reach 100 ft up into the air. Day in and
Read More
Kathy was the type of girl a guy like me could fall in love within a heartbeat. She was a much older woman: she was in grade 11, and I sadly was in grade 10. The rule back then was
Read More
Can’t find anybody to work. Or no one wants to work anymore. It’s a common thread. Not just where I live, but seemingly every place I travel.
I cover Alberta and the Northwest US states, and this discussion has crossed my table a lot. Employers can’t find anyone to work.
I’m sure there are a variant of factors involved. The wage that’s being offered, the hours as well as the expectations. Tie that into the cost of living and you might just have a perfect storm brewing.
Read More