theCATALYST

Hey guys and gals. For nearly 6 months, I had the ONLY RX8 in my area, recently I noticed a black one, and another winning blue like mine. Although I hate sharing the spotlight, I knew the day would come when my home town would be graced by more then 1 RX8. So this is a CALL OUT to any 8 owners near the Bay City Texas area, lets get together!!!

theCATALYST

I see the two individuals who own 8s in Bay City eigther dont visit this website, or chose not to answer, so is there anyone near BAY CITY???

Gigolo Jason

Come on out to the Hosuton Club meet. We are having it this Tuesday.

theCATALYST

Thank you for the invite Gigolo Jason, but I work offshore and I am leaving for another month and a half hitch this tuesday evening, gotta be in Fourchon Louisiana by 1 am wednesday.
I DO appreciate it, and hopefully I can attend future meets?

theCATALYST

(Bumpity Bump Bump)
It has been a few months, I thought I should try again to see if any new 8 owners in my area have decided to visit this website yet.
HELLO! ANYONE THERE! :D

juikster

yep... I'm still here in L.J.area...Just got back from a tour in Iraq supporting the troops and just started some mods on my 8. Bulletproof out of Cal.called today and said my Ings front end is in from Japan,,,wow its about time almost three months, I thought they forgot I even had an order in,lolBut may see you and other around ,might even catch one of the so called Houston meets,so take it easy offshore, as I used to do that sort of thing years back....later Cat.... :D

theCATALYST

If you are still around, I am going to make it a point to swing by and see your 8 and/or help you with your install. I want to meet up with the Houston meet as well, but seems like I am at work everytime they have their meeting. Sonner or later, I will be there.

juikster

Just curious, how is your offshore schedule work, My license let me work inland waters and pushed barges ,3/5 at a time on the intercoastal waterway,not a lot of offshore work though,you do rig work,I think,thats cool......I may get back shoving loads around the I.C.waterway again,anyways stay in touch....later Cat......

theCATALYST

I have no set schedule. I am a third party employee on the rigs in the gulf. So I work when I am need, which happens to be alot. I am an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Pilot and Mechanic for Oceaneering, and it is a requirement as per MMS that an ROV be on board semi-sub (rigs) while in the process of drilling. So, that mean I get alot of work. I average about 6 - 14 weeks offshore with anywhere from 1 - 4 weeks off in between. While offshore I get paid 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, of those 12, I normally work only about 2 hours. Good job, just wish I didnt have to stay away from my wife, kids, and 8 for so long. It is always a toss up which I play with first when I get home, the wife, the kids, or the 8, but usually its the 8 since I have a 8 hour commute from Morgan City Louisiana to Bay City.

juikster

Wish I had that kind of tech background. Man that would take me a long ways,overseas I mean...How do you get in to that type of work ,and what do I need to know to,training so I might persue it..Can't be no worse than when being in Iraq, where I just left from.

theCATALYST

Well here is my long story cut short.

In December of 2000 I was working as a fabricator in Bay City. I ended up gettin pnuemonia(spelling?) and stayed a week (including new years eve) in the hospital. Afterwards I decided I needed to make a change, cause I had no medical insurance, a crappy job outside in the weather, and made next to no money. So I looked into a few things, nothing interested me. My Boss' wife pointed me to the IROV (Insitute of Remotely Operated Vehicles) in which I signed up for. The course was only 8 weeks long, taught me NOTHING, but did provide a list of ROV companies willing to hire. After graduation, I applied to all the ROV companies in the SE U.S. none of which wanted to hire me because I had NO experience offshore or as an Electronic Tech or Mechanic, all I had was the ROV school. Thales ROV in New Iberia Louisiana gave me the chance I needed, hired me as a mechanic because of my background fabricating and what not (no relation really) and here I am today. In the ROV field there are three positions, you are eigther a mechanic, electronic tech, or supervisor(which is cross trained in both by this time.) It would derfinately help to have an electronic degree, but I am proof that you dont need it.
I make good money for what I do. I sit in front of a monitor and fly the ROV from on board the rig, much like playing video games. What kid doesnt want to grow up playing with robots afterall.

On a side note the IROV is located in Clear Lake area, main office on Nasa Road One, or there mailing address is anyway. Like I said, they wont teach you squat, terrible school, and expensive, BUT, taking the course will show you have an interest and want the job, and will give you a general overview of what hte job entails.

juikster

May indeed look into that field of work,thanks for the insight of what sounds like a great job. I,m looking for a career change anyway.

theCATALYST

BUMP!
Few more 8's spotted in my area, and I am still looking for 8club members. HELLO??

juikster

bumpety bump