Aug 6 – A Sea of Oil

Today was my first day at the oil company.

Walking through the gates this morning, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. By the end of the day, I realized this place is like a small city built around oil.

Tankers unload oil from ships at the port while trucks arrive throughout the day. Inside the facility they blend and produce everything from motor oil and hydraulic fluid to industrial lubricants. Someone told me they make over a thousand different products here. I had no idea there was so much behind something as simple as a bottle of engine oil sitting on a store shelf.

I'll be part of the maintenance crew. That means every day could be different. One day I might be painting massive storage tanks, another day repairing valves or faucets, and the next fixing something completely unexpected. I actually like that. I've never enjoyed doing the exact same thing every day.

Most of today was orientation and getting familiar with the property. We spent hours walking from one area to another under the Florida sun. By the time I got home, I was completely exhausted. It's amazing how tiring walking can be when you're outside all day in the heat.

One thing that really caught my attention was what everyone calls the "tank farm."

Rows and rows of storage tanks stretched across the property. Some held only a few thousand gallons, while others could store well over a million gallons. Standing next to one of the larger tanks makes you feel surprisingly small. It's hard to appreciate the scale until you're actually there.

(Photo: The tank farm and some of the storage tanks from my first day.)

A Memory

Seeing those giant storage tanks reminded me of my years driving over the road.

Back then, I spent countless hours at fuel terminals and industrial plants, waiting to load or unload freight. At the time they were just another stop on the route. You wanted to get your paperwork signed, get back in the truck, and head for the next destination.

Today I found myself looking at similar places from the other side of the fence. Instead of arriving for an hour, I'll be helping keep the place running.

Life has a funny way of bringing you back to familiar places—but with a completely different purpose.

The map keeps moving.

Yesterday I was trying to keep an old Prius alive.

Today I'm standing among tanks that hold more oil than I can even imagine.

One step at a time, the journey continues.