Sirius/XM Merger Update...

I covered Sen. Dorgan (D-ND) in an earlier post "Larry, Curley and Moe" (Wed. 3/12/08) that commented on the DOT Cross-Border/Mexico hearings. The Sirius/XM merger has been approved by the Dept. of Justice, but has yet to get final approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This merger is long overdue in many folks minds, but this is what Sen. Dorgan said on April 18th: "The Department of Justice has arrived at an illogical conclusion. This merger is contrary to the public interest. Satellite service offers a great deal more than terrestrial broadcast radio. Consolidation in that sector by companies (like Clear Channel) has managed to homogenize and decay free over-the-air radio. The same could happen to satellite service when they are no longer forced to compete with each other." The link to the whole story is: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080422-senator-clear-channel-dispute-doj-logic-on-xm-sirius-merger.html Also, see my FCC Sirius/XM Merger posting. (Mon. 12/07/07). Bottom line is, I'm in favor of the merger, but I respect Sen. Dorgan and his comments deserve some consideration.

Do you listen to...

this show on NPR - National Public Radio? I've heard a couple of callers to the show ask about the "economy" of driving close behind a tractor trailer. This past weekend there was a call from a trucker asking if someone doing this was negatively effecting his fuel mileage. The two hosts Ray and Tom Magliozzi, AKA Click and Clack - the Tappet Brothers, said that a 4-wheeler consistently riding within 2 feet of a truck, actually improves the fuel economy of not only the car, but the truck as well. Of course, they have insisted that "drafting" is unsafe and not to do it. But one has to wonder what goes on inside of the mind of the American driver. As I have said in previous posts, as I slow down to improve my mpg stats, the incidences of both cars and truck tailgating my trailer has significantly increased. It is long overdue for all 50 states to incorporate into their driver training and testing a whole lot more information about sharing the road with big rigs. Many 4-wheelers, especially senior citizens, have trouble getting on and off the interstate. Newer drivers think that trucks are fixed objects that you can buzz around. Even CDL Class A drivers could use more education about tailgating, speeding and interfacing with smaller vehicles. And, the entertaining guys over at Car Talk must make every effort to discourage their listeners from "drafting" trucks. The link to Car Talk is: http://www.cartalk.com/

How is your OCD?

In these times of "high anxiety" - drivers should be aware of the symptoms of OCD - obsessive compulsive disorder. According to HELPGUIDE.ORG "This is a disorder characterized by recurrent, unwanted, disturbing thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive, ritualized behaviors that a person feels driven to perform (compulsions). Like a needle getting stuck on an old record, OCD causes the brain to get stuck on a particular thought or action that it just can’t let go." My OCD generally happens when I'm about to close the bunk curtains. My "anxiety" is that the brakes are not on and the truck will roll. I reach forward and have to grip the yellow parking brake several times. The more "stress" I'm under the longer I "need" to do this. Is this happening to you in a similar or other fashion? I've made it my mission to try to determine how many OTR drivers suffer from OCD and depression, and make sure they get the help they need. I believe the number of sufferers are high, but I cannot with my limited resources, give you more details. Certainly, next home time, please make an appointment with your health care professional for assistance. In the meantime you can get more information about OCD here: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/obsessive_compulsive_disorder_ocd.htm
The credit for this photo is: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0S020rHMxZIYlQBo8KjzbkF/SIG=1239sue84/EXP=1209500999/**http%3A//www.flickr.com/photos/katcat/1718239613/

Washington DC area dump...

truck drivers drove around "protesting" high fuel prices today. They also expressed support for Hugo Chavez, now serving as President of Venezuela, to move into the White House, so he can control the price of diesel for them. They also want a halt to adding fuel to the strategic oil reserves. These drivers unfortunately don't understand the fundamentals of a "free market" economy, and seem to prefer more of a socialist form of government. I chose to work today, and use more effective forms of communication to express my thoughts about high fuel prices. Photo credit & link is: http://www.terra.com/noticias/articulo/html/act279979.htm

Drivers, do you have...

a 15-year old daughter? Would you let her pose for a photographer "clad" in just a blanket? Obviously, Disney is not too happy that their Hanna Montana star will appear this way in the upcoming edition of Vanity Fair (VF) magazine.

She said "I think it's really artsy. It wasn't in a skanky way. Annie (the photographer) took, like, a beautiful shot, and I thought that was really cool. That's what she wanted me to do, and you can't say no to Annie. She's so cute. She gets this puppy-dog look and you're like, OK." I want to know why her father, Billy Ray was, allowed her to do this.

Photo by Scott Gries, Getty Images. The link to the story is: http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-04-27-miley-vanity-fair_N.htm?csp=34

Did you not file?, do you owe...

the I.R.S. money?, behind on your child support payments? You may NOT get your Bush tax rebate check of $300 - $1200. Our President says, you can use the money to "offset the high prices on fuel and food." When was the last time Bush was shopping at Publix or H.E.B.? Filling the Presidential limo? - I don't think so. The checks will soon be on their way. I'm still owe the I.R.S. from my previous "stint" working for some scum bag Owner-Operator. I will have it paid off in about a year. The photo credit is: http://www.newsnet5.com/News/897775/detail.html.

Hey OOIDA...

You need to post this Chicago truck crash story on your web site. The link is: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ The TRIBUNE photo was taken by Phil Velasquez: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-pod-pix,0,4750920.photogallery The brief "piece" on "decoy" police cars should really have a link to the company making them. In this case: http://www.chicagotribune.com/http://www.nationalpolicepresence.com/index.html

It's all T/A's fault...

that I ate like a pig last night. I'm really trying to watch what I eat. I even got out of the truck and took a walk the other day. In the morning I had my usual two cups of coffee and a bagel with cream cheese. I didn't think about food all day long. By 5pm, I'm hungry, very hungry. As I've said for the past twenty years, if I can just eat a sandwich and a soda for dinner, I'll be fine. So I go inside this T/A at Denmark, TN. I vow to not eat the buffet. I take a table on the other side of the restaurant (far) away from the buffet. I have a good view of the television. I watch the news. And I wait, and wait, and wait. The smell of the fried chicken and fluffy white mashed potatoes is killing me. Think sandwich - think sandwich. At least someone could bring me a damn soda or some ice water to take the "edge" off my growling stomach. Don't tell me that I should have had a "little" meal earlier that would have lessened my hunger. Be patient I say to myself - it's all about will power. A month from now I have to go through the nonsense of getting my blood pressure taken for my new DOT physical card. I'd like to drop about 10 pounds. There's not even any silverware or napkin on the table. I look around me. There are not a lot of customers, but the few that are seated are EATING - FOOD! Alright, I can't take it anymore. I just can't wait another minute. I get up and get my own damn silverware. I'm reee-ly hungry. I walked to the other side of the restaurant and grab a clean plate and start stacking. No one better even think about trying to stop me now. A large fried chicken breast, some round pork fried things, a large scoop of mashed potatoes, sauerkraut with kielbasa, two somewhat soft rolls - screw a salad - I have no time for that - and to top everything off - 4 1/2 ears of corn swimming in goopy salty butter. I almost forget to use the plastic tongs. I take this "load" back to the table and go to town. About 10 minutes into this "feast" the waitress finally comes over and asks me what I want to drink. "DIET" coke, please, talking with my mouth full of a hunk of white meat dipped in ketchup. Chew, chew, chew - I'm feeling great. Sandwich? Haa! Not for me. Before I take the last bite on the plate, I'm thinking about what I want next. I use about ten of those flimsy napkins. There is so much corn stuck in my teeth, I need toothpicks badly, but I'd rather have more corn. I go back up for the second plate of just about the same. A second large glass of "DIET" coke. I pass on dessert. After all, all I wanted was a sandwich. It's all T/A's fault. All the waitress had to do is come over a little earlier and I could have prevented this fiasco. I hate T/A. Shame on them. Never again - no not me. It's 5:12pm the next day, and here we go again, I'm hungry, and I'm at the T/A somewhere else. All I want is a sandwich.
** The photo credit is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanigma/356437039/

Trucking...2008

What are you doing this weekend? To follow up on a previous post, I'm transporting roofing material from Senatobia MS to (2 stops) Raleigh and Charlotte, NC. It is a Hazmat load. The paid miles are 891. I loaded this past Friday afternoon. The first delivery appointment is 9am Tuesday 4/29. It is going to a job site, and there will be a crane waiting. They will not accept delivery earlier. So I have 3 1/2 days to deliver! The "mandatory fuel solution" (it used to be recommended) is as follows: I need to get 50 gallons at the Longwood truck stop Mason, TN, then further down the road, get 101 gallons at the Pilot, Dickson, TN and finally fill the tank at the T/A Whitsett, NC. Recently my truck's governor was turned down from 68 mph to 65. I'm "voluntarily" running at 63 mph. I am "over-idling", but then I can't stand being in a hot truck, and sitting in a smoky Flying J t.v. room is just not my style. I love my job LOL. Welcome to trucking...2008. The V. Grumpy photo is of another rainy TN day on I-40 eastbound.

More stupidity...

at the Pilot in Dickson TN. It seems that the restrooms inside are closed for some reason. So they put up this "portable" thing so customers can get some relief. Problem is, someone has the keys. Where is that person? Who knows? The conversation among the "clerks" behind the counter was about "all" the rules they have to follow. It seems beer was sold a couple times before the noon "time" that alcohol can be sold. There were hardly any customers inside or on the diesel fuel islands, and that was the ONLY thing good about stopping here. Photo by V. Grumpy.

Photo example of why Tennessee's...

"logic" regarding dual speed limits and truck lane restrictions are nonsense. This car/trailer combo is moving about 40 mph. Truck traffic is restricted to the right two lanes. This happens everywhere around the country where these stupid DOT laws are in effect. Photo by V. Grumpy using a specially designed camera mount.

There is nothing so annoying...

as a truck driver, former trucker, trucker wanna-be editor and writer trying to sound like a corporate executive. I have 30 years experience in this industry and can spot a pinhead a mile away. If you're going to "report" on economic issues whether it be fuel prices, freight activity, the stock market or whatever, remember to write like you're speaking to "working" folks. I know what your agenda is. I know who you're trying to impress. But, the harder you try to sound like "one of them" the less intelligent you sound to "us." Try not to forget, that the suits that occupy management positions with carriers, associations, shippers and receivers are the enemy. Worse and lower on the "food chain" is some (or any) "consultant" (s) who is a "used to be." What impresses me is a man or woman that has a CDL in their wallet, not an M.B.A. on some office wall. You have a choice, we all put on pants the same way, but you need to make the decision if they're pinstripes or jeans.

Another fine example...

of yet another Comdata card reader that doesn't work. This one at a truck stop off I40 in Mason, TN, probably hasn't functioned in a long time.

Self-portrait of V. Grumpy...

This is me. Since I have time on my "hands" this weekend, I'm going to do some "structural" work on the blog. I have said over and over, it's all about the content, but it's Spring and a good chance to "ratchet" things up a bit, so say the "experts." Hopefully you'll see the difference next week, that's if I don't loose my mind trying to figure out how to insert the proper code. By the way, that's really not me, close, but not me. The photo is by: http://www.brownnoiseunit.com/angry_man_455 Ya'll have a terrific weekend! Be sure to check out the other trucking blogs - especially the "life on the farm" one or whatever it's called - they're going to have a "breaking" editorial comment and newbie driver discussion forum roundtable on the right way to open and close your trailer doors. I'm sure you'll find it absolutely fascinating!

900 miles the next four days...

From the new Toyota facility I'm headed to pick up a 2 stop load to North Carolina. The deliveries are scheduled for Tuesday, April 29th. It's about 900 miles, with 4 days transit time. The receiver does not want the material earlier. What is happening here is that because business is (so) slow, warehouses and manufacturers are sending out their month-end orders almost a week earlier. This particular shipment would "normally" not be sent out until the 30th. And, at the other end, the receiver does not want to accept the material and have it appear on this month's inventory. They can receive it on the 29th and "book it" for the next month. But, as usual, it leaves the "trucker" in the middle. The only way I can maximize the trip is to get to the 1st stop - or as close as possible - within the next 24 hours and claim 2 days layover at $25 per. Many carriers will not let you do this. Bottom line, I'll be able to drive real slow the next four days, at least increasing my mpg. The photo credit link is: http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/gifts/friends/reptiles/turtle-plastic-f427.htm

Inside the new Toyota...

facility in Blue Springs, MS. It occurred to me waiting to get unloaded that I have never delivered to an "American" auto manufacturer. All my auto related deliveries have been to Japanese companies with plants in the US. And, that's fine. Ford, GM and Chrysler have never done anything for me. As many of you know, photography is not allowed at many facilities, so this was taken "undercover" from the bunk. This section of US78 is being "upgraded" to cope with future traffic in and out of the new plant. Photos by V. Grumpy.

Drivers, have you filed? paid your taxes?

Well, our friend here didn't. The words from Sound of Music are quite appropriate here: "There's a sad sort of clanking from the clock in the hall - and the bells in the steeple too. And up in the nursery an absurd little bird is popping up to say cukoo! Cukoo! Cukoo! Regretfully they tell us, but firmly they compel us, to say goodbye to you. So long - farewell - aufwiedersehn - au 'voire - to you!" Maybe they can give Wesley the cell next to Michael Vick. Don't mess with US District Court Judge Bill T. Hodges. For more go to this link: http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20080424/120908544000.html and The Sound of Music lyrics can be found at: http://www.allmusicals.com/lyrics/soundofmusicthe/solongfarewell.htm

How stupid can you possibly be...

if you have to go to some over-commercialized "pseudo-blog" to find out about hours of service? That's for the new hires - all the Werner, England and other pinhead newbies out there. Here at the "c-flush" what experienced OTR drivers want to talk about is this: do we really think Megan Fox is the hottest woman in the world? This according to FHM magazine. The link to the story is: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080424/ap_en_ce/people_megan_fox_7 The photo is by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/plynoi/. Megan's photos are just about everywhere on the web. And, please, go to the other "blog" site (they're actually several) where you can learn out how drop your trailer - big feature, and what are the best ways to effectively use your turn signals - even bigger feature! You can even leave stupid comments and interface with other rookies.

Welcome to the Christian State of FL...

"The Florida Legislature is considering a specialty plate with a design that includes a Christian cross, a stained-glass window and the words "I Believe." Rep. Edward Bullard, the plate's sponsor, said people who "believe in their college or university" or "believe in their football team" already have license plates they can buy. The new design is a chance for others to put a tag on their cars with "something they believe in," he said." The story by Jessica Gresko of the Associated Press - the link to the story is: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080424/ap_on_re_us/religious_license_plate
More at the Faith in Teaching site: http://www.faithinteaching.org

Only Alabama (and Mississippi)...

"US78, internally designated by the Alabama DOT as State Route 4 (SR4), is a major east-west highway across the central part of the Alabama. Due to the construction of I22 along the US78 corridor west of Birmingham, part of US78 is temporarily SR5 only, since that part of the new I22/US78/SR4 is not completed. US78 roughly parallels I20 from Birmingham east to the Georgia state line. The only section of SR4 that is signed is along the completed sections of future I22 (Corridor X - Appalachian Development). As of December 2007, Corridor X is open from the Mississippi State line through the West Jefferson community, rejoining the old alignment near Graysville." ** What? No wonder the '08 version of MS Streets & Trips has a brain fart when you're driving from Birmingham to Memphis on US78. You will get a constant "off-route" message because the software/GPS cannot find the road. Just shut it off and call for directions. US78 will "reappear" as you move away from Alabama into MS closer Memphis or in the other direction east closer to Birmingham. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_78_in_Alabama

So, what's the story...

Werner, Tennessee Steel Haulers, Trans X, Dowdy, Hogan, UPS (flatbed) and Autozone? Why are your drivers going so fast? Are you so financially stable that you can afford to have your rigs operate getting 5.0 - 5.5 miles a gallon? I used to drive doubles for RPS - now FEDEX . The contractor who owned the truck could not offer me health insurance. I think I cleared about $400 a week. Why don't you slow the trucks down and compensate your drivers better? Today, between Atlanta and Tupelo, my mpg was 7.3! The photo credit link is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctankcycles/165297558/

This is I285...

- the Atlanta bypass, with nooo traffic. Please try and contain yourself - I know it is exciting to look at. Feel free to put this photo up in your cab . Look at it when you're going through ATL at rush hour. But, even like this, 4-wheelers tend to gravitate toward the two right truck lanes. They also go too slow, holding up the "even" flow of truck traffic. The GA DOT needs to open up all three right lanes to trucks and post signs for 4-wheelers to move left out of the right lanes. Know that there is a kind of what I call a "secondary psychology" to 4-wheelers seeing signs that move truck traffic left or right or exclude them from the "hammer" lane. They mistakenly believe that if trucks are diverted elsewhere there is something wrong with the road and they will want to go where the trucks go. It is 21st century human nature. It is the same reasoning that effects 4-wheelers when they slow down or stop traffic to look at an accident or someone getting a ticket. The photo is by V. Grumpy.

Ole times...

at the Exxon truck stop off US78 in Belden, MS. There is a small restaurant here that makes you wish the ole days of trucking were back. This is not a "travel stop." There is plenty of room to park. There are no painted lines. There is no local "Barnie" making sure everyone behaves. There is one cook and one waitress. A large glass of "real" Coke and a double bacon cheeseburger (all the way) with fries is $6.95. There is a juke box with Alan Jackson playing. There are no tired, hungry, cranky tourists here. All the RV's bypass this place headed to Taledega. This is the way it should be. There is no stress here. It is a great place to come in off the road and "recover." The photo credit is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tedsherarts/

Are u slowing down?

Not as far as I can see. I'm driving 63 mph. I'm getting 7.3 mpg! Just about every other truck is flying past me. Many tailgate for a few miles, but decide they just can't run with me and quickly pass. UPS, FedEx and contractors hauling the mail are still moving at 70 mph. The "rich" guys who drive for Reliable, seem to have no cares going past me upwards of 75 mph. Same for most other "open profile" car carriers. Some trucks, very few, are going 55 mph. That's too slow. Maybe soon it won't be. If you whine about the price of fuel and still drive at 70 mph, you are a moron. Photo by Sheryl Ogonoski and the link is: http://www.draglist.com/Pictures/POD-Aug-2002/POD-080802.htm The (Top Alcohol) driver is Rory Christianson.

Day #1 - Back On The Road...

520 miles today. The place I park my trailer had me blocked in this morning. They wanted to make sure I paid. I have compensated them accurately and in cash for the past two years. Many other apparently have not. They are being careful. Times are tough. I guess I can't blame them, but it delayed me getting to my shipper in Jacksonville by about 1 hour. That put me smack in the middle of morning rush hour made worse by construction and a broken down straight job truck in the middle of the interstate. I got to JAX, picked up the load, got around Macon and decided to call it a day before ATL. I'm at exit 201 off I75 at the T/A. Being at a T/A means having to put up with yet another miserable dangerous unrepaired parking lot. If I were the manager of this facility, even with a limited budget, I would get a couple of folks with shovels and rakes to at least fill in these holes. I am on the internet using the dying Idle Aire service. Both photos were taken by V. Grumpy.

Waiting, waiting...

and more waiting. Spoke to my "person" about 8am and made myself "available." Spent most of the day in the truck doing work on the internet and organizing the bunk. Went inside the house to use the bathroom and put the dogs out. I didn't get a load today, but tomorrow morning I'll head up to Jacksonville to get roofing material headed for northeastern Mississippi just west of the Alabama line. I have an 8am appointment Friday morning to deliver. It's about 550 miles. Today is the Pennsylvania primary and I don't really have any favorites at this point. There should really be one primary each month to spread things out, but like elections of the past I'm not too pleased with the way this one is going. It's an awesome day here in the Sunshine state and I'm good to go. Let's hope I wise up and don't stay out too long this time. The Mrs. is scheduled to go with me this June. I'm not ready for that just yet. The photo was taken by Medraught and the link to his work is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/medraught/

Morning from Florida...

"What's going on?" asked the sheriff dispatcher.
"There's an alligator in my kitchen!"
"How long do you think the alligator is ma'am?"
"It's huge! ... I only saw the first half of it, and that had to be at least 3 feet. ... because it was behind the freezer, and it just disappeared."
"Are you sure it couldn't be like, a, uh, iguana or a really large..."
"Oh, no, no, no, no!"
"All right," the dispatcher told her, "we'll get deputies out that way." The story can be found at: http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2008/04/gator-spotted-i.html the photo is by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office : http://www.pcsoweb.com/

This "machine" is...

the bane of my existence. I hate this device. If you're an OTR trucker, you know that it is a Comdata card reader. Many don't work. Many can't read your card. Most should have been replaced long ago. Many hang on to their base like a tooth about to fall out. The screens are difficult to read, especially on a sunny day. Most of the buttons are worn out and unusable. Many ask you for information, like your plate number and state and/or ICC/DOT number. For the plate number, I always use 12345 and OK as the state. It never makes any difference. This device is a dinosaur. Pilot seems to have the worst units, although the same models always work better at Petro or T/A. I wonder how truckers pay for fuel in China or Mexico? It just can't be any worse then what we are subjected to on a day to day basis here in the U.S. The photo is by V. Grumpy. I forget where this particular unit, which was out of order, was located.

Monday morning...Hometime

This was the scene OTR before I got home. Traffic, traffic and more traffic. I'm not looking forward to returning to it. As I've mentioned many times, just sitting in my living room with the only sound being the whirling of the ceiling fan, I can close my eyes, do some deep breathing and try to relax. I did take about an hour, a little while ago, to bring stuff out to the truck, organize it, make the bed and put away all the clean clothes. I checked to see if Artie Lange returned to the Howard Stern show, and he did, but who knows how long it's going to be before he explodes again, tries to hit someone again and quits...again. I wish, for me, time would slow down. I just felt like I got up and now its lunchtime. Please look at the photo on the left. Traffic was backed up for about 5 miles, but did clear up after about 45 minutes. Many 4-wheelers could not wait and chose to drive up the "shoulder" in the opposite direction from traffic. Both photos by V. Grumpy.

Sunday night...Day 4...Hometime

I'm supposed to back on the road tomorrow, Monday, morning. The Mrs., however, has requested that I stay an additional day. The reason being that she is having a very stressful time at work and wants my support in person rather than on the phone from some rest area in Georgia. That's fine with me because I have bought a lot of stuff and it's sitting in plastic bags at the front door. The only time I've been in the truck was to vacuum the bunk area. At this point, I'll spend time tomorrow loading and arranging things. I don't know about you, but I'm always stressed the day before I leave. I don't really know why. I hate the feeling, but I can't make it go away. Just a brief aside, I had received a Remington electric razor for Christmas. Something happened to the screen and it cuts my face. I don't have the receipt, but it was purchased at Target. So back to Target. Without a receipt forget it and we're told there's nothing they can do. So we go to Wal-Mart. They exchanged it with a new one. That's why, no matter what, I always return to Wal-Mart. Screw Target. I cannot live without an electric razor on the road, but I can live without Target. At least that turned out ok. Other things, well, let's say that after two or three days being home and being with the Mrs., perhaps knowing that I only have a day or so left to resolve the problems of the household, there is a lot of anxiety in the air. I know I can only take in so much while still trying to recover from being on the road. Hometime for 3-5 days after being gone for 4-6 weeks is tough. I, well actually the both of us, are looking for some "magic" that I don't know can be rekindled. Not so much between us, but with our lives in general and where we live. Anyone that travels a great deal and is away from home like a OTR truck driver or someone in the military can possibly understand what I'm talking about. Finally, the photo is my pool, or what remains of my pool. Job changes, tax problems, gaps between decent paychecks and more, have made the pool secondary in the "must take care of department". You cannot live in Florida without a pool. Having a pool is a royal pain in the ass. But somehow over the next six months, I'm going to try and restore the "thing" myself since hiring some to do it is out of the question. Wish me luck. The photo is by V. Grumpy.

How is your 401K doing?

For the period 01/10/08 through 03/21/08 mine lost $698.07. 99% of the available fund options lost money. The T. Rowe Price Growth Stock fund lost 12.39%. The highest return was 2.56% for something called the AIM Limited Maturity Treasury fund. Quoting from the "Your Financial Journey" section of the statement: "It takes patience and discipline to achieve your goals. Stay on the road and stick with your road map." My only "goal" is not to lose money. But I have little or no "control" over how the markets behave. What I do have is my vote, and I can only hope that whomever I chose in the next election can somehow help me (us) not lose money. I'm not getting any younger. The link/credit for the photo is: http://www.netinvestmentadvisor.com/401k.asp

First female winner...

I've profiled her before. Danica Patrick. One of the more "pleasurable" options to men worshiping other men ie: Dale Earnhardt. I prefer women. I also prefer anything other than the over commercialized, one car one engine one tire "state" controlled NASCAR version of what was true auto racing. Danica is now the first female winner in Indy car history! Follow this link for the story: http://sports.yahoo.com/irl/news?slug=ap-irl-indyjapan300&prov=ap&type=lgns The photo credit is: http://www.missdanicapatrick.com/pictures4.htmhttp://www.missdanicapatrick.com/pictures4.htm

Hometime...Day 3

I'm a law-abiding citizen that pays lots of taxes. But sometimes I would like to be Tony Soprano. If I "encounter" someone who really pisses me off, I must admit that I, like Tony, would like to "make a phone call", and that "someone" would get home and have his legs broken, or finger cut off and shoved up his nose...or something. I wouldn't want them seriously hurt, but just "a little reminder" never to screw with me again. But I must remember that we live in a culture of spineless weenies, where if you fart in someones direction they whine and call the poor cops. The details of the situation are really not worth your time, at least not now. What is more to the point is, that life off the road is not all that different from being on the road. That getting gas for a car is not that much different from the sometimes extreme frustration of fueling at a truck stop. And to find a "car" parking spot is as annoying as finding a safe place to park your rig for the night. Anyhoo, my wife and I concluded day three of hometime, by calling a surrender with the world and having a great dinner at our local Chili's. I softened the crap of the day with 3 1/2 Planters Punch's laden with Capt'n Morgan's rum - one drink for each day I've been home. My wife, our designated driver for the evening, drove home. The photo is from http://www.tvgrapevine.com/

Blue balls, white balls, yellow balls...

better known as "trucknutz." I woke up this morning and turned on the local news. Poor FL legislature - it seems that these buffoons were kept six hours - six hours! - in session to actually do something. I sit in a freak'n truck seat for 14 hours a day, and these spoiled pinheads are complaining? Well, read this: Tallahassee, Fla., April 18 (UPI) - "A Florida lawmaker is proposing a $60 fine for motorists who display "Trucknutz" - plastic and chrome replicas of testicles - on their vehicles. State Sen. C. Baker of Eustis says the ornaments are offensive to many drivers who wind up driving behind them. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ said Friday that Baker tucked the fine proposal into a larger transportation bill. Some Florida lawmakers say "Trucknutz" may be in poor taste, but the Legislature should stick to more important things. The Sun-Sentinel noted that one of Baker's Florida Senate colleagues, fellow Republican J. King of Jacksonville, had a pair mounted on his sport utility vehicle -- painted in the colors of FSU - Florida State University. King removed his "Trucknutz" a while back at the insistence of his wife, Linda, the report said." The link for the UPI story is: http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2008/04/18/trucknutz_battle_spills_into_florida/4223/
Now I think we should all go out and buy ourselves our own pair of balls and here's the place to go: http://www.trucknutz.com/default.asp or http://www.yournutz.com/store/ or http://www.mechanics-warehouse.com/trucknutz.htm. Some larger truck stops sell them. The photo credit is: http://www.truck-nuts.com/albums/album_image/2648539/772926.htm

Hometime...Day 3...

the weather is still mild...68 degrees and the humidity is low. Too bad it can't stay this way through the summer. Spent a lot of time researching some blogging technical issues. Domains, templates, mega tags, analytics code, sidebars, expandable summaries, labels, bla, bla, bla - it's apparently not all about the content. I stopped "chroming-up" my truck because it's all about the miles, not how the truck looks while the miles are being driven. And to some extent that's how I feel about what I call "appearance blogging." If the writing sucks - as with about 99% of all blogs - trucking or not - who cares what it looks like. HTML code reminds me of DOS - the sooner it is replaced by English, the better off we'll all be. Code is for geeks who sit in college dorm rooms. I don't have the time or patience for it. And if you have no clue about what I'm talking about, start blogging and you will soon find out. When someone tells you to you "need" a three column template, well, good luck. Moving on, I woke up at 2:30am wondering why the fan in our bedroom was off. My son was talking on the phone. The power had gone out, after a transformer blew across the street. If you are a parent, you know that good conversations with your kids come at inopportune moments, and you better prepared to take advantage of them. This was one of those times, and we talked for the better part of an hour. It was a great time to catch up on his job, girlfriends, other friends and things in general. The power came back on and I was falling asleep. So after the obligatory "pit stop" I went back to the bed after one of our dogs moved from (my) spot in the bed. It's Saturday now. I went to Wal-Mart last night - today is haircut time and Monday morning I will back in the truck. It's good to be home with the Mrs. here with me, although as I said yesterday, if a spare $25K-$50K would fall from somewhere, it would sure help matters. The V. Grumpy photo is one of our dogs - whose favorite spot is on the unused treadmill catching some rays.

Hometime...Day 2...

I actually got home Wednesday afternoon. So I had Wednesday night and all of yesterday so far. Today is Friday. As is always the case, I'm not feeling more rested, but increasingly more tired. I slept all night, woke up at 6am, then promptly went back to sleep until 9am. I'm not trying to bore you, but someone has to report on what "real" home time is like for an OTR driver. Last night I got eat an order of mild wings from Pizza Hut. They were sooo salty I drank more water before bed than I have in the last month. This morning I tried to just relax a bit and watch some television. The problem is that there is nothing on television. There are now about 6 HBO channels and none of them has anything I would watch. The primary HBO channel - 201 on this cable system - had something about the Nativity - Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Perhaps this might have something to do with the Pope landing in NYC at the same time as the program airing - u think? But what about the millions of others coming off the graveyard shift, folks out of work, people staying at home working and this OTR driver on home time? We, with all due respect to the Pope, don't give a shit about the Nativity and want a good movie to relax. The rest of the 5 or so HBO channels had on out of date crap. The Boston Strangler was on TMC or AMC, one of those MC's. Someone there must hate the Pope. Why would you decide to show a movie like the Boston Strangler today? The Today show is boring, Regis is not on Regis and Kelly and I couldn't find any of my old standbys, like reruns of Law and Order. So, I have today and the weekend left before I roll again. I need a haircut badly, need to go to Wal-Mart and vacuum out the truck. If a spare $30K falls from the sky, I would run out and fix the roof, bring life back to my pool and get a boat to fish on. But then despite what Oprah said to us "girls", never say "I'm just", like "I'm just a housewife - well sorry, but I'm just an OTR trucker.

Can somebody tell...

these folks that it is 2008! The Pope is living in another century. This is a man who supposedly hasn't had sex with a woman, doesn't approve of condoms and lives in the Vatican with lots of other men. Our President doesn't have a clue. I just can't imagine what in the world these two have to say to each other. This suicide bomber needs to get a life. You would think Muslim religious leaders would do more to say suicide bombing will get you a "A" ticket straight to hell. And those Mormons in Texas, well, I just don't get it. The credits are: the Texas Mormon photo is from: http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/popup?id=4644442&contentIndex=1&page=16&start=false the Iraqi photo is from: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1077288,00.html and the Pope photo is by: Kevin Dietsch of UPI/United Press International.

It just doesn't stop...NAFTA

Complied from multi sources and a story by Marc Levy of the Associated Press as reported in Manufacturing.Net - Hershey Co., the leading U.S. candy maker, said that it will shut down a plant in Reading and cut 260 jobs as part of a wider move to cut labor and materials costs. Hershey also announced that it plans to eliminate 1,500 jobs and one-third of its existing production lines over the next three years. It plans to build a new plant in Monterrey, Mexico, and shift more manufacturing to contractors in the U.S., and has struck agreements with Indian and South Korean companies to make and distribute its products in Asia. The proportion of Hershey's manufacturing in the U.S. and Canada will shrink, from 94 percent now to 80 percent by 2010. Hershey has said it will cut up to 900 of the 3,000 workers from three plants in its hometown and close a plant in Smiths Falls, Ontario, affecting more than 500 workers. Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa was in Reading on Wednesday, April 9th , meeting with workers at the Hershey Foods facility scheduled to close in the next few months to move to Mexico. The links for the story are as follows: http://money.aol.com/news/articles/qp/pr/_a/hoffa-to-meet-with-workers-at-hershey/rfid90264202 and: http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=139991&terms=

First Impression #3...Hometime...

"You know, my dad took me out behind the cottage that my grandfather built on a little lake called Lake Winola outside of Scranton and taught me how to shoot when I was a little girl. You know, some people now continue to teach their children and their grandchildren. It's part of culture. It's part of a way of life. People enjoy hunting and shooting because it's an important part of who they are. Not because they are bitter." That's more of Hillary's bullshit, who if she somehow gets elected President, will surely make it her priority to disarm America. As I write this, in my attic, above my head, is a mouse that somehow got in from the outside. I can hear him. His little feet tip tip tipp'n round. It's OK, he's not going to disturb my home time. Perhaps he's undercover from the DOT, making sure I don't violate some FCMSA time off rule. But I'll take care of him the 'old fashioned way...and damn Hilary or Obama or anyone else that even thinks about taking MY guns away! The photo on the left is me when I get real serious about "terminating" any little critter. OK, photo credits are as follows: the gun photo link is: http://www.kmike.com/KWjpg/38revolv.jpg the mouse photo is: http://www.gotpetsonline.com/pictures/gallery/ and the photo of Jonathan Hyde from the movie "Jirmanji" is: http://queen-of-outer-space.com/.

First Impression #2...Hometime...

Watching tv at home or listening to the radio in the car, it sounds like every other commercial is for new cars. It is beyond annoying! Do you know anyone that can afford a new car? I don't. The president of my trucking company can probably afford one, but I can't. When I was up north in Long Island, there are lots of folks with new cars, but their businesses are leasing for them or since the homes there sold for $50K twenty years ago are now worth $525K, they are taking equity credit lines to pay for that new Lexus. And bully for them. The last thing I need is a car payment. So Southern Ford, or whatever the Ford dealers in FL and GA call themselves, can just save themselves a lot of money, because I just mute or fast forward thru their ads. The one ad I didn't mute said - and I don't recall the exact words - I'm paraphrasing - this Ford now MATCHES the quality of Toyota!. My wife and I just looked at each other. Are they kidding? Why didn't Ford match or exceed Toyota's quality years ago? What a joke! And several talk only about the fact that "this car" has Bluetooth. Do these morons think the only reason that I'm going to look at one of there overpriced vehicles is because of Bluetooth? No freak'n way!And SORRY, but "as much as" 35 miles a gallon just doesn't cut it for me. They should be ashamed of themselves. 75 mpg and then we'll talk. Our photo is by another talented Flickr photographer named Beeater from down under - Australia. The link to his site...Beeater's Photostream...is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50364443@N00/

First Impression #1...Hometime...

So coming in off the road, what are some of the things I quickly notice. First, the commercials on Oprah are ridiculous. My wife and I were watching Maria Shriver with Oprah. After every thought or sentence, Oprah goes to a commercial. Unless you TeVo her show so you can "fast-forward", you will spend more time watching ads than Oprah content. Now if you have a problem getting an erection, peeing in your pants, or if your panties ride up on you, then the ads on Oprah will provide you with all the answers. I'm not a big Oprah fan and thank goodness I have none of the aforementioned problems, but she does have, on occasion, some interesting guests worth watching. The photo credit link is: http://www.starblogs.net/ and for more info on the Oprah empire the link is: http://www2.oprah.com/index.jhtml

This will be...

my "command" center for the next 4 days. Here I will sit pondering my life - past, present and future. The treadmill behind the chair will not be used. The lawn outside will not be mowed. In this chair, which was purchased in almost new condition at the Salvation Army store, I will enjoy the quiet of my home until it is time once again to face the rat race of being an OTR trucker. Not far is the refrigerator, where I can get a drink or something to eat and not wait on a line to pay for it. I can make coffee or toast and not have to use an adapter or inverter. A little further is a large clean shower without a water restrictor. It has a window that, when open, allows you to look out to see sunsets at the end of the day. You don't have to have any shower points, put your name on any list, deal with an uncaring teenager, pay $10 or enter any codes. Yes, I am home. There is no diesel engine running, no PA systems, no Qualcom, no 24 hour lights blaring, no shipper or receivers and no DOT. I do not have to use my credit card to sign up for lousy wi-fi reception. I do not have to use a GPS to find places. Here, even the local FM jazz station is better than anything on satellite. A great Chinese meal is a phone call away. And best of all, I can turn to my wife at the end of the day and talk to her about all kinds of stuff without putting a cell phone to my ear. Our two dogs keep my toes warm. I see my son every day. I am loved and cared for here. It's good to be home.