I really, literally didn't decide until the last minute.

Boss had sent several notices of a "pipeline seminar" in town this morning. One of the wardens had attended last year's seminar, and deemed it "worthwhile".

Well, his idea of worthwhile and mine may differ. I think I already know what I need to know about pipelines.

They all have little markers telling you where they are, what's carried in the pipe, and who to call if there's a problem.

If there's stuff leaking up from the ground, or a pool of goo...

That's a bad thing. Look up the toll-free number on one of the little markers, and call it.

If you find a huge gaping hole in the ground, with flames leaping up a couple hundred feet...

Well, that's a bad thing, too. Make the call. And make sure you park upwind, and uphill. With the exception of methane and natural gas, most pipeline products are heavier than air, and can kill you if you're caught below or downwind.

And that is pretty much what they told us at the seminar.

But I think I figured out why the warden considered last year's seminar "worthwhile".

The free booty.

Every company there, and that's close to 15-20, had a table with freebies. And it took me a minute or two to realize why all the other attendees were grabbing the plastic hand bags first, and then circling the room.

Free stuff. Fun.

When I got home, the wife and I tallied my 'take':

1 yardstick, yellow
1 ice scraper
1 spongy football
1 measuring tape with built-in level
1 measuring tape with built-in screw drivers (2)
1 LED light with miniature screwdrivers
1 flyswatter
4 magnetic clips
2 water bottles
1 swiss knife
2 waterproof document cases
3 pr work gloves
1 pen
1 letter opener
1 calendar
2 mini multi-tools & cases
2 carabiners (Not suitable for climbing. They said so.)
1 detachable keyring
1 calculator

And the energy companies like to pretend they're just breaking even.

It was like Hallowe'en, without the "Trick or Treat".