Kugluktuk (July 16/01) - Most of us know the aches and pains that result when we drag our lazy selves off the couch and pursue more active lifestyles.

But Jack Himiak also knows the reverse is true. When the former carpenter quit swinging his hammer and started shuffling paper for the Kugluktuk Housing Association, it took more than just a mental adjustment.

"I did physical work and now it's paper work," joked Himiak. "At first, it was tough on my body sitting all the time."

But, two years into the job of assistant maintenance manager Himiak has come to appreciate the crucial role he plays in housing his fellow citizens.

Directing the work he once used to perform, Himiak now organizes the upkeep and repairs that need to be completed on the community's 218 public homes. He issues work orders for the five full-time journeyed workers and makes sure everything from broken pipes to electrical problems to broken windows and doors are taken care of.

"Sometimes it's pretty busy," said Himiak. "I'd never really worked in an office before. I'd always been out in the field and the office seems a lot tougher. It's different work."

That said, Himiak is in the final stages of preparation for the starring role of manager -- a position he'll officially take on at the beginning of 2002.

When asked if the impending promotion carried any stress, Himiak is honest but confident.

"It's going to be hectic," said Himiak, explaining that the work he'll be expected to do alone is currently done by two people.

"Working in the field, it was 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Now I'm here before 8:30 a.m. and I'm thinking about work way after 5 p.m.," he said.

But, if the pressure ever gets to be too bad, Himiak knows he has plenty of opportunity to relax with a hammer in his hand once the work week comes to an end. "I'm glad I went into carpentry," said Himiak.

The eight-year employee of the Housing Association said when he left his work with oil rigs, he turned to carpentry. He now uses those skills to help out his friends and neighbours when they need assistance.

"If other homeowners have problems and they can't afford to get anyone, they come to me." said Himiak, adding that he was also in the process of making plans for major renovations to his own home.