Power to Live By

Some of you know that, when I 18 I worked as a blaster on a Strip Mine in Grand Cache. You need to know that when you are the Blaster - not only do you get to play with explosives and blow-up stuff. But you are given quite a bit of respect from those around you. So, at the age of 18, I was in a situation where even the General Manager of the mine would listen when I spoke. Then, they hired a new General Manager, who wanted everyone to know that he was the supreme boss - and could do whatever he wanted. I still remember one afternoon as I pushed the plungers down, and felt the ground move as 60,000 lbs. of explosives went off. Once that happened my job, once the smoke cleared, was to walk unto the blast sight  to make sure all was clear/safe.