Getting some glamour shots with the oil equipment

Hey everyone,

First of all, thanks so much for subscribing to the Patreon. I really appreciate your help producing these videos, and I want to ensure I'm making it worth your while, so here's a little update: Yesterday I drove out to an oil field to get a picture with some of these oil pump jacks. You may have heard them referred to as oil derricks, but an oil derrick is that tower-looking thing that oil shoots out of in movies and is usually met with a rousing chorus of "WE STRUCK OIL, BOYS! TEXAS TEA! BLACK GOLD, WHOO DOGGIE!" 

This is a pump jack (a method of pulling oil from the ground when the natural pressure is not enough to get the oil out). It is also known as a nodding donkey or a thirsty bird and you bet your ass the entire trip up I was saying 'thirsty bird' 6 times per minute.

I ALSO discovered that a combination of the white sand and the blinding sun made it borderline impossible for me to keep my eyes open for more than 5 seconds and I ruined dozens of shots because I blinked. It was really bad. To make matters worse, I also got a nuclear-powered sunburn on the backs of my legs, so every time I had to do a crouching pose, it was a real bummer. Those elements aside, it was a nice trip and I can't wait to show you what's cooking. 

A friend of mine once said something that stuck with me for years. We were on a walk around my old neighborhood in Denver, Colorado, and he said "Nothing is anything until it's something." I have been thinking about that ever since. Roll it over in your head a few times if it's not doing anything for ya. Still nothing? Well, I like it a lot. Something about momentum being against you until it isn't. Anyway, recently I asked him about that phrase and he didn't remember ever saying that. He helpfully added, "maybe I was high?" 

Anyway, the point is, a lot of the climate crisis probably feels either numb or overwhelming or depressing or any number of generally-to-acutely negative gerunds. If you're feeling any of this, you're in good company. I encourage anyone reading this to try to have conversations with other people where you talk honestly about how you're feeling. It might help you, and you just might say something that secretly sticks with someone for years.

Anyway, thanks a billion. Okay, I've gotta go. I'm working on a script about the Exxon lobbyist who got undercover stung by Greenpeace. Google it for the original video, or wait a few days for my take on it. Or both. Or neither I guess, I can't tell you what to do.

Love,
Rollie