Trouble in Paradise...

This photo is of Nazi WWII nutcase (Dr.) Josef Mengele. He was reported to have died somewhere in South America in 1979. Not true. I found him alive and well giving DOT physicals on the West coast of Florida. To prepare for this unexpected "encounter" I had taken an extra blood pressure pill, ran exactly l mile on the treadmill and took 3 Zanex to calm down. I mentioned in an earlier posting I suffer from "white coat fever." Well, after filling out paperwork and waiting for about 30 minutes, I go inside and change into a hospital gown with little coverage in the back. I wait about another 20 minutes. And lo and behold, Dr. Mengele walks in and for whatever reason takes one look at me and clearly decides he doesn't like me. He has no bedside manner whatever. Assisted by a nurse, he puts the "large" blood pressure (BP) cuff on my left arm. And it gets tighter, and tighter and tighter - this is starting to hurt. And he scowls and winces. Finally hissssss and he lets the pressure out. I wait. The nurse looks at him and he looks at me. "So yu drive a truck?" "Yes" "Un yu eat salty fatty fast fuds?" "Not really", I meekly respond. He raises his voice. Everything he has on is brown or tan - brown pants, tan shirt, brown tie, brown socks, tan shoes. "Yu are morbidly obese - I know people who have had a stroke with blood pressure less than yours." "Yu should not be driving a golf cart and I will not allow yu to drive a truck. You need to be in a hospital." He continues: "I know yu truckers, the doctor gives yu pills und yu take and yu put them in a drawer." His voice goes up again: "Isn't that right!" I don't know what to say at this point. "Who is your doctor? Man or woman? When did you see her last? The medication SHE gave yu and YU don't take is NOT good enough! Yu MUST take at least THREE different pills. What is your cholesterol? Just then I realize the examining room door is open and everyone out in the hall is listening to this interrogation as I sit there with the gown on high enough so everyone can look right up my crotch. I am in DOT physical hell. And it's just where I've been many times before and the reason for my "white coat fever". I needed to get out of there. Mrs. Grumpy is waiting for me expecting a signed DOT med card in my hand. What's making me even more upset is knowing how she is going to react to not getting one. I am surrounded my people who want what I just cannot give them. When this fiasco is over I walk out with my wife assuming Dr. Mengele's role as chief interrogator. Holy shit. Trouble in paradise! The photo credit is: http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/science_fair_projects_encyclopedia/Joseph_Mengele

On vacation...

this is the sunset view from one of the best beaches on the West coast of Florida. In fact, I'll match it to just about any beach in the world. See ya'll next week. Photo by V. Grumpy.

Memorial Day...

"Our soldiers are dying, their survivors are crying - crying for lives that were lost - they sit and they wonder, while the battles thunder, is it all worth the cost? So far from their home, they are not all alone, for the prayers of our nation's with them. As we pray for our fighting women and men, we all pray to our god, no matter, his name - and they all seem to end just the same, 'keep our troops safe, and the innocent too, our savior we're depending on you.' We thought that we had em, now they want to replace Saddam, so his evil can live don't you see. They all want his power, and hour by hour, the killing seems endless too me - with guys like Al-Sadr, that are way down on the ladder, they raise their weapons up over head -they just keep inciting, but don't share the fighting, afraid they might end up wounded or dead, while, President Bush is waving and grinning, as he travels all over the map. The right wingers, all talking and spinning, to make sure he don't get a bad rap - and as I watch the news from the embedded crews, not any spin do I hear, like you and me, they say what they see, they do it without show of fear." by Harry Bryant at: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/our-soldiers-2/ and the photo credit is: http://www.thememoryhole.org/war/coffin_photos/dover/page302.htm
*** Memorial Day is "celebrated" Monday 5/26 - please, whatever you're doing, whether grilling, boating, swimming, watching a movie or relaxing, take a moment to remember those who lost their lives defending our freedom. And pray for the wounded men and women who have come back. Thank you and be safe.

A perfect case for Universal Health Care...

from the company update 5/19/08:

Q: What happens to my health insurance?
A: Your health benefits will be terminated on Monday, May 19th.
Q: How will I receive my Certificate of Credible Coverage for preexisting conditions?
A: This will be sent to you by United Healthcare or Cobra Elect.
Q: Will I receive COBRA information?
A: No, since the group plan will no longer exist, COBRA will not be offered.
Q: What happens to my current COBRA coverage?
A: Your existing COBRA coverage will be terminated upon termination of the health plans on 5/19/08.
Q: Will my insurance claims be paid?
A: Any medical, dental or vision services performed after May 19th, or any prescriptions filled after that date, among other things, that would have previously been covered by the Jevic plans, will not be eligible for reimbursement or coverage.

If I hear one more...

"the party of Lincoln" Republican "skirt" tell me how Abe would oppose "gay" marriage, I'm gonna puke. First of all, these disgustingly over paid wet-behind-the-ears child party mouthpieces have no clue about how Lincoln would feel about anything not proven by history. It's funny that the politicians who vehemently oppose gay rights sometimes turn out to be closeted gays themselves. I've been married 30 years. I do not give a rats ass if gays want to marry. It is NOT my business. It is not John McCain's business. It is not the business of our government. And, I don't think Abe would care either. Not supporting gay rights is a form of slavery. And we know how Lincoln felt about that. The photo credit is: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTb_5tEzZI370AO6qjzbkF/SIG=124ndokne/EXP=1211589869/**http%3A//www.flickr.com/photos/mario517/153293679/

This is a terrible idea...

Once again OOIDA did not provide a link to a group they're reporting on - in this case, a "lobbying" group - so here it is: http://www.aset-safety.org/index-ie.html. That's ASET or Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation. From their website and (5/12/08) PR release: "Setting the stage for what could be the most significant change in trucking industry operations since deregulation, the ATA and a coalition of trucking companies and shippers want to raise the maximum allowed weight of trucks on the country's highways by 21 percent to 97,000 pounds." This is a terrible idea! These people are pinheads. We all need to make sure this NEVER happens. And, trailer lengths should not exceed 53 feet, flatbeds 48 feet. The OOIDA website is: http://www.ooida.com/

I don't care...

"The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would likely produce 2.6 billion barrels of oil between 2018 and 2030, when its production would start to decline, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said today.
The Alaskan refuge, which is currently off limits to drilling, would produce 780,000 barrels a day in 2027, declining to 710,000 barrels a day in 2030, according to the agency's mean projection. Opening the area would cut the price of oil by 75 cents a barrel, according to the mean estimate. The report, which assumes a law passing this year opening the refuge, was requested by Senator Ted Stevens, an Alaska Republican. Democrats in control of Congress oppose the idea. The Energy Information Agency is the statistical arm of the Energy Department. Absolute nonsense. I don't believe anything "our" government says. I'm absolutely against any US offshore drilling, especially in the Gulf of Mexico or Alaska. I hear a lot of truckers whining about fuel prices. I don't see a lot of them slowing down. We need cars that get 75+ miles per gallon, or better yet, battery operated cars that don't use any gas. We need solar energy on top of our homes. Oil, oil, oil - enough already! The solutions are right in front of our eyes. The source for this piece was: http://www.bloomberg.com/energy/ and http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080522/BUSINESS/80522032http://www.bloomberg.com/news/index.html?Intro=intro_news The photo credit is: http://arctic.fws.gov/

Do you know what H2B is?

No, it is not a new energy drink. H2B is (visa) program for temporary non-agricultural workers who enter the country for seasonal work. After a maximum stay of 10 months they must return to their home country. H2B is a temporary guest worker program, not an immigration program. The industries involved are landscaping, forestry, construction, hospitality, and food processing. Without these workers American employees of these predominantly small businesses will suffer layoffs or termination if the businesses cannot survive. These employers would prefer to hire only American workers but they are unavailable for these temporary seasonal jobs." Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has announced that the U.S. Dept. of Labor has proposed rules to modernize the application process and enhance worker protections under the H-2B temporary labor certification program in response to President Bush's Aug. 10, 2007 promise to review and update foreign worker program regulations. "These proposed improvements will give the department additional tools to protect workers and remove duplicative bureaucracy." What it means is this: without Congressional approval, the "time" a worker can remain in the US goes from 10 months to 3 years! The requirement that employers must document their efforts to try and hire US workers (job ads, etc.) has also been waived. More information at: http://www.dol.gov/

2 blown tires...

on two separate occasions on the same day! The first one on I 35 in Van Ormy, TX. The second on I 10 Sequin, TX. The load is 45, 172 lbs. I always inspect my tires. These appeared fine - pressure normal. The trailer sat in Mexico and had just come across the border. The company I work has outstanding road service through T/A. Van Ormy was completed in about 90 minutes, Sequin took longer - 2 hours. I used the wait time to do paperwork. It was an early day for me. I don't have to be in Frostproof FL until Fri. at 9am. The photo is the Michelin guy at: http://www.michelin.com/portail/home/home.jsp?lang=EN I do not endorse or recommend Michelin's products on any trailer.

Do you have a pair of these...

in the truck? No? Why the hell not? I keep a pair right next to my seat. When stopped, it helps me read signs at shippers and receivers, see way up ahead when stuck in traffic, and a lot's of other stuff. I can't do without them. When pulled over, it helps me see street names, mile markers and company names.

Sexy stories on Playboy

Sirius channel 198. Sexy stories. 5-6pm Eastern. Turn off that stupid CB, sit back, relax and listen. It's free, but you have to specify that you want it when you activate service. You can turn it on at any time. LOL. Are you a proud lesbian driver? No problem, 1/2 the stories are girl on girl.

Trucking for G.E. Louisville KY?

Not for long. Last year, General Electric sold its plastics business to a Saudia Arabian company for $11.6 billion. Now the appliance division is on the auction block. 13,000 jobs could be in jeopardy. "This isn't a piece of business at this point that has got much more incremental opportunity for GE,'' said Nicholas Heymann, an analyst at Sterne, Agee & Leach Inc. in New York. That's pinhead for it's just not making enough money for GE. Haier of China might be interested. Not to get off track, but Haier is one of the world's largest suppliers of appliances. It is also a big supporter of the NBA - National Basketball Association and one of its largest retail partners is K Mart. Can you say Holy global economy Batman? Oh sorry, I mean: 你能圣地全球经济蝙蝠？ I don't know about you, but before I did the research for this, I NEVER heard of Haier.

McCain is wrong...

Do you think we're a bunch of morons? You criticize Sen. Obama for wanting a "dialogue" with Iran, Cuba and North Korea? You think he is naive and inexperienced. I don't think so. I think Saddam Hussein could have been bought. Thousands of lives could have been saved. You chose to attack rather than talk. You make an exception for COMMUNIST China. Why? Would you say differently if your Republican corporate buddies could open their restaurants and factories in Havana and Tehran? The Bush foreign policy has been a failure. What you're proposing doesn't sound much better. I think Obama is on the right track. As the famous saying goes: "Walk softly and carry and big stick." The credit for the Flickr photo is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hatch1921/358285097/

"Depression A Dark Secret of Men"

This is a reprint of an article by Donna Koehn "Depression A Dark Secret of Men" in the 6/20/08 TAMPA TRIBUNE

"He might be found curled up in bed as the clock ticks into Saturday afternoon. Maybe he's the guy grinning through gritted teeth as he pushes his next customer into a used car, still going after a 12- or 14-hour day. He might be behind the wheel, screaming at that damned woman who pauses too long at the four-way stop. Where he likely won't be found is a therapist's office.

Depression can sit differently on men.They can be irritable, angry, withdrawn or uncommunicative. They don't have the problem - it's their wives, their bosses, that bad driver in their way. Some turn to drink or drugs to self-medicate. Heart attacks claim others.

Hispanic men, in particular, seem to deny what they consider a weakness, experts say. Angel Dedios' life seemed as frantic as the pace of the 24-hour burger place he managed. Even his sleep was fitful and tormented, haunted by long-dead relatives and the stress he tried to ignore by day.

"My wife asked about counseling, but I said we were two adults who should be able to fix our problems," the Tampa man says. "Then we separated. I didn't believe in depression. I just thought I was sad. Men are supposed to remain strong."

For Javier, a Tampa maintenance worker, depression meant lying in bed, feeling unable to move, plagued by headaches and irritability. "It's a very strange feeling - you don't want to talk to nobody," says Javier, who asked that his last name not be used. "People think you are irresponsible, or have a lazy attitude."

Rafael Fuentes, a Tampa mental health counselor, says many men know something is wrong but would never think depression. "Culturally speaking, it is a problem for Hispanic men especially, because we have to be the provider, we have to be macho." Some of his clients become workaholics.

"They are more comfortable staying at work than going home and facing their problems," Fuentes says. "I especially see that in men who sell cars or own their own businesses. Sometimes they start to slip at work and don't understand why."

An estimated 6 million to 7 million men in the United States are depressed, but most of them don't seek treatment. Hispanic men are further hindered by a lack of therapists who speak Spanish; describing feelings is difficult enough without trying to do so in a second language, they say.

According to "Men Get Depression," a documentary airing this month on PBS, men don't realize the effect their misery has on others. Family members blame themselves, or don't know how to broach the topic without fear of an angry response. The disease affects men of all backgrounds.

'Clobbered By The Disease' Tom Johnson, former publisher of the Los Angeles Times and former chief executive officer of CNN, describes in the documentary how he hid his mental state from colleagues. "Depression clobbered me," he says. "I found it very difficult to get out of bed in the morning. I was so down, but I kept it secret. I put up that front, but beneath it all I was in great agony."

Antidepressant medication helped Johnson and Javier, who was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia as a young adult on vacation in Puerto Rico. "I came to this country in 1991 to go to chef school," he says. "I finished high school at Gaither, then enrolled in culinary arts school. I didn't finish because I had a breakdown." The medication for schizophrenia turned him into "a zombie," he says.

'Serious But Treatable'

Javier's mother recognized his symptoms as depression because she and several family members also have the illness. Depression tends to run in families. She found help for him with Francisco Fernandez, a University of South Florida professor and chairman of the department of psychiatry. Fernandez and Javier appear together in the PBS documentary in a segment about Hispanic men.

"Depression is serious but treatable," Fernandez says. "Men feel helpless, hopeless and hapless - as if they've run out of luck. They may have no energy and either lose interest or can't get the same degree of enjoyment out of things. The symptoms themselves can cause a man to resist treatment. "In no other disease is your instinct for survival extinct," he says. "Cancer need not rob you of your spirit. Depression will rob you of it."

Estimates are that more than 80 percent of suicides arise from depression, and men of all ages kill themselves at rates that outpace women 4-to-1. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-age men. Men age 70 and older, especially those who are widowed or unmarried, also are at special risk.

Javier says he would have died if not for his psychiatrist. "Dr. Fernandez saved my life," says Javier, who now takes classes in hopes of becoming a home inspector. Dedios continues to work his shifts at Burger King, but remains upbeat with help from sessions with Fuentes. Hypnosis encourages deep relaxation, a tonic for stress. Art therapy helps him articulate his feelings. He is back with his family and hopes for a career as a graphic designer. "My wife and I have learned how to sit down and talk in the moment," Dedios says. "I love her so much, and I've learned it's OK to cry and to tell her that."

Can't wait to get home...

From Minneapolis to Laredo and from Laredo to Frostproof FL - there is traffic, traffic and more traffic. This is the scene from the bunk at I-10 eastbound at a standstill (apparently) because of an accident on the TX/LA line. I've been on the road for 6 weeks. I even dream about traffic. I'm going to try and deal with it, but there's nothing but traffic when I get home. Photo by V. Grumpy.

Look real close at this photo...

The "vehicle" in front of me is not moving. It has come to a complete stop on I35 in the middle lane. It did this after "wanting" to exit by starting to change lanes, but then apparently changed their mind. They put their right turn signal on, then turned it off. They put their "flashers" on, then turned them off. The three cars behind them already had safely moved around them before I took this photo. After is was very clear I moved to the right and passed them. It looked as though the vehicle they were operating just died. Before all this, "they" drove in the same middle lane at about 45 mph for miles seemingly unaware of unconcerned (or both) of what and who else was around them. The speed limit here is 65 mph. Photo by V. Grumpy.

A blast from the past...

I'm somewhere south of Des Moines at a rest area where there is free internet service provided by the Iowa DOT. Excellent signal inside the truck with 54 mbps. Better than any Flying J and it's free! Why isn't there free internet service at every rest area - and truck stop?

This morning I was in downtown Minneapolis about 2 blocks from where the I35 bridge fell. The shipper makes carbon steel tubing. It is a privately held company and unless you go inside you can't really tell they're 500 people working inside. They do about $65M (million) a year. The corporate office is across the street from the plant and was built sometime in the 1860's.

The whole facility is "meshed" in with the surrounding residential neighborhood. No gates, no security shack and no signs to do this or do that. Everything is low-key. No attitude here. Every bit of space in the plant is used for something. Most of the employees I saw were middle-aged, mostly white, men, almost all in uniform. There were NO (illegal)Mexicans. All the labels and signs inside the plant were in English only.

I did not sense the presence of a union. The general feeling I did get was that the workers actually seemed happy to be there. I've been in enough plants to clearly know the difference. I was there almost four hours. The three men loading my trailer were extremely professional, knew what they were doing and took the time to cover the entire load with heavy duty plastic. The load was well balanced, everything was weighed and put on straight.

Every question I asked was answered. I was even given a parking permit to put on my windshield so the locals would not give me a ticket for parking in the street. The (former) parking lot was crushed by that collapsed I35 bridge. Spending my Friday morning at this shipper was just like a blast from the past. The shipment is headed down TO Mexico. Something made here by white men going to Mexico? Awesome!

The photo is a 1950's Steak and Shake taken by: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTefaSQS5IahYACNGjzbkF/SIG=128dv8c4p/EXP=1211077394/**http%3A//www.flickr.com/photos/78469770@N00/415190562/

Are you taking care of a parent?

If you read this blog, you know that one of my areas of great interest, or shall we say great "concern", is the lack of data about just how many OTR drivers are coping with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and depression. Something else I'm very concerned with is how many drivers are faced with the "challenges" of taking care of one or both parents, because of age, health reasons - Alzheimer's, cancer, etc or finances.

How are these drivers dealing with his? How do "they" stay on the road - away from home? And, how does the rest of the family manage the "dual" problem of having a parent to take care of while the son or daughter is OTR? Do the companies we work for provide any support for their drivers? What resources are out there for us drivers to better cope? This is large subject to try and tackle. I have given serious thought about creating an entirely separate blog site to open a forum dealing with this. If only I had the time.

As a writer, you have to, too many times, attempt to force a wedge between the more popular interest in NASCAR, tires, shiny new trucks, the latest buffet menu and other "fluff" to try to open up an intelligent discussion on issues like depression and less popular subjects like - taking care of parents.

This is personal for me. A number of years ago, Mrs. Grumpy and I (and son) put everything down and moved up to NJ. We didn't sell our home in FL, we just shut it down. We quit our jobs and our son switched schools. My wife's parents were old, frail and needed help. Both had been in and out of the hospital. Her mother was in worst shape. She was in a local nursing home and could barely remember who we were. Right after we arrived, an attendant spilled hot coffee on her, and within a day or two, we brought her home. We had to a convert a bedroom to a hospital room.

As you can imagine, even after the years have passed, this is very emotional for me. What struck a nerve, is a conversation I had with my mother, this past Mother's Day. She also lives in FL. The only way she can afford to remain in her apartment for another year, is if the owners agreed to decrease the rent about $300 a month. Because the market is way down and the prospects of re-renting the place are so poor if she moved out, they agreed. But, that's only one more year - 12 more months. After that she needs to move into some type of assisted living facility (ALF). She is almost 80.

I have never heard my mother talk like this. She has always been fiercely independent both emotionally and financially. She has NEVER asked for my help. She is not now. But when she said she would have to move - I have trouble even writing it - into an ALF - I had to pause, and became very sad.

At 53, I am an OTR driver. I only wish I had the resources to do more, back then with my wife parents, who both passed with a few days of each other, and now with my mother. I don't want any regrets. I want to do the right thing.

More later...

as a start please visit this site: http://takingcareofyourparents.com/ and the photo is from: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTb_2OfixIIbwAmhyjzbkF/SIG=11rkpmesf/EXP=1210961934/**http%3A//caregivingadvice.com/signup.html

The Lockridge Report/Sirius - Follow-Up

Last we checked in with Lockridge, he was having some trouble remembering what station he was on. Maybe he was having a bad day. So , I decided to check on him - again. That's Sirius "Road Dog Trucking" channel 147 at 2pm.

The day I tuned in, again, it seems he got completely lost, poor fella. At the start of his show he was nowhere to be found. Listeners had to suffer through (an additional) 20 (long) minutes, listening to the retarded Chris T." Do you feel comfortable taking that much weight (68,000 lbs.) over the bridge?" Huh? This clown must have something over the program director to have finagled a job. Or, whoever put together the "talent" figured, well, he's big, dumb and ugly - just like 'em ah-ta (that's "other" NYC style) truckers. Who cares if he knows zilch, nada, zippo about trucking. He'll be fun. And nobody else wants the job- right? Right.

The first caller on the "Lockridge Report", hosted by "Chris T", was "Hot Tater", a Canadian, who claims he has been trying to call "into" the show for 2 months. Now either he was bribed to say that ( offered a discontinued NASCAR hat 1/2 price?) or he confused Lockridge with the Playboy channel or Road Dog needs to install a 4th phone line. Would you trust any human being that refers to himself as "Hot Tater." No.

Finally at about 2:21 or so, Lockridge finds the studio, or his ISDB line or whatever and comes on air. He tells us that on today's show, already in "progress", will be a lobbyist (Lockridge doesn't call him this) for the ATA - American Trucking Association (Lockridge doesn't say this either). That would be one Brian Worth. Also, Jeff Farmer, a ("head") organizer for the Teamsters, will be the "other" guest.

This Worth fella is an interesting character. The only bio info I could find on him was at the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) trade association web site. He was Assistant Administrator of Congressional and Legislative Affairs in the Small Business Administration. That only means he "was" a budget pencil pusher. Before that he was a Legislative Assistant in Congressman Dave Hobson's (R-OH) office. That's a Congressman's gofer. Nothing outstanding in terms of education or accomplishments, but he obviously he's got mid-level Bush (Republican) connections and a good recruiter.

Now I judge a interview by what questions are NOT asked. And after hearing about what we already know about Overnite, UPS and DHL, my interest in the "discussion" ended there. What Lockridge needed to ask and didn't - what would have gotten Lockridge some "press" is this: (1) what's going on with unionizing all FEDEX drivers? (2) What are the Teamsters organizing plans concerning OTR company drivers? That would be "us", all those not with Fedex, UPS, Roadway, etc. (3) What is the position of the IEC, MyPrivateBallot and the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace on Wal-Mart and others using (allegedly) undocumented "illegal" Mexican workers at its job sites? I have a whole list of questions, but that's Lockridge's job, not mine.

Recently, Worth was on the (Republican mouthpiece) Dennis Miller show. If you Google Worth CDW, the top "hits" are all about him on Miller. I briefly listened to the Podcast of that interview, but it was no better than what Lockridge did.

Ok, so what do we have here, bottom line? Well, I like this Evan Lockridge character. He's got a lot of potential. He's trying to play it safe - be good to both sides of the fence. But that the problem. He safe, not controversial, and therefore, boring. I understand safe, it gets you a paycheck. And nobody gets rich in trucking, unless your a lobbyist, a CEO or use trucking as a springboard into something else that pays better. If Lockridge was more "controversial" could he cross-over, out of trucking to more mainstream broadcasting for more money - YES.

He's probably producing his own show. I'd like to see him get some help and some more time. Most of the callers into the show want him to get more time. ARE YOU LISTENING SIRIUS? As I said in an earlier posting, he's up against some heavy hitters like Jay Thomas, Bubba and Stern reruns. He's got a MySpace page which is childish - it gives him a few "friends", but does little or nothing for his attempt to try and be a "serious" broadcaster. If he can manage to take this Sirius (serious) opportunity and ratchet it up a bit, that will be to his, and our, benefit.

And a PS/perhaps Lockridge can get someone at Sirius to change the info on their Road Dog site and delete that crap about truckers striking. None of my big company "compadres" ever contemplated a strike. The rest of it is, as another Sirius personality likes to say: "bullcrappy."

"Independent owner/operators and some of their big company compadres are shutting off their engines to protest the high cost of fuel, among other things making it impossible to earn a living as a truck driver. Road Dog is taking it to the streets, with programs that give these men and women who keep America rolling a voice, and breaking news around the clock and around the nation. "

Cheeezy broccoli...

I think I've found my true calling. National recruiter for Hooters. Yes, as the kids say in the Oscar Meyer commercial: "that is what I truly want to be - e - e." I'm here at the Rogers, MN T/A recovering from one of the worst colds I've had in years. Mrs. Grumpy is a forceful woman. It doesn't matter where I am. Even over the phone her female power can just get me to do things I just don't want to. So, as sick as a dog as I am, she said to get my butt out of the truck and get some "real" food. So with cold whatevers going up and down my spine, sore throat, puffy burning eyes, swollen tongue - sitting at a table away from everyone else as not to infect them - I had dinner. I made very sure, the nice guy I am, to wash my hands before touching the ketchup, etc. My server for this meal is the smokin' hot Kate. What is this girl doing at a T/A for goodness sakes? I'll answer that question later. "What would you like to drink?", she asks. "Water with lemon", I reply in my deep Darth Vader (causa da cold!) voice. "Sorry, we have no lemons", she replies. HAVE NO LEMONS!!! There is a Target super land or super expectations or whatever across the street and about 500 other stores within a 15 mile radius of here, and YOU HAVE NO LEMONS!!! How lame is T/A, that someone, anyone, even the moron manager couldn't have taken 10 freakin' minutes and gone across the street and bought some damn lemons!! Of course I didn't say that to hot Kate, because just looking at her all I could think was: why is this girl working at this lemon less shit hole and not at Hooters. I bet Hooters has plenty of lemons! "Oh no big deal", I lie, and say "just bring me plain ice water." She smiles. What a wuss I am. If Kate was fat, old and ugly and not a Hooters candidate, like the whiny "hag" the drivers at the counter had to suffer with, I would have given her a hard time. As sick as I was, in the mood I am in, I just would have walked across the street and bought the idiots here some damn lemons - no charge! Now when a driver gets a hot waitress at a T/A or FJ or wherever, words mysteriously gets out (I won't tell you what the antenna is - use your imagination). Before I took my first bite hot Kate had about 7 more tables to take care of vs. when I sat down. I gave up trying to spread my germs. One driver with several double chins asked: "what is the soup?". Kate replied: "cheeezy broccoli" in such a sexy way that all of us in her "serving sphere" just stopped whatever we were doing and paused with, how do I describe it, yes, delight. "Holy shit" I thought I said to myself, I've gotta hear that again." "Damn straight", the driver in the table in front of me said. Soon, and I kid you not, every driver began asking hot Kate what the soup was - "cheeezy broccoli". Hot Kate swung by and asked if I, I mean me, I mean "everything" was ok, and I wanted soo badly to ask "what the soup was?". What a wuss! I guess what I ate, whatever it was, was ok. I lost interest right after I ordered it. And, of course, hot Kate is not responsible for the lack of lemons. I've gotta go now. Oh yeah, if you ask a hot girl like Kate why she doesn't work at a place like Hooters, she, 99% of the time, will say: "I'm too fat to wear that outfit." Yeah right. And, I think the old "hag" behind the counter her mother. Shit. The photo credit for Jessica Simpson (pretending to be a hot waitress) is: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTefPujytIN7QApN2jzbkF/SIG=12n53c53a/EXP=1210900846/**http%3A//www.allmegastar.com/photo/2005_the_dukes_of_hazzard_024.html

Rejected by eHarmony...Unable

to match you at this time. I'm a good person, aren't I? I drive a truck. I'm gone 4-6 weeks at a time. I snore. I'm overweight. I wear EEE sized shoes. I love to watch sumo wrestling. I'm thinking about getting a tatoo and a motorcycle. I spend a lot of my free time writing a blog about an industry nobody likes and get paid nothing to do it. I eat really bad fatty foods. My government classifies me as unskilled labor. I sometime pee in Gatorade jars. I drink JuMex drinks. Sometimes I'm too tired to shower. I buy all my clothes at Wal-Mart and a truck stop called Flying J. I work many hours, but never get overtime. I drive lots of miles, but only get paid for some of them. I flirt sometimes with really ugly women. Most of the people I associate with make $25K a year or less. Some of them don't even speak English. The company I work for doesn't care what I have to say. I have to track every minute of my life in a "log" or "comic" book. My truck was designed by a soccer mom. My boss and the politicians who represent me make 10 times what I make. I can't afford a new car. When I get a haircut on the road, no matter what, I end up looking like Drew Carey. Oh, and did I mention I'm married? Photo credit is: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9G_bHNERCtI0GMB0sSjzbkF/SIG=11su55hm0/EXP=1210881476/**http%3A//www.nndb.com/people/581/000025506

Trucking/Sick in Minnesota

Delivered my "chiller" this morning just north of Minneapolis. Right after I headed (pronto) to the T/A north on I94. The town is Rogers, MN. 36 hours ago in Laredo it was 116 degrees. Right now it's 49 degrees. And, I have one whopper of a cold. Actually the worst of my cold seems over, it's the sore throat that's "killin" me. I've spent about $35 for aspirin, cough syrup, etc. As any OTR driver knows, you're not making money sleeping in the bunk, but the way I feel, it's just not safe to drive. I don't know who the guy sleeping is, but that's just how I feel. His site is: http://www.symzer.com/hey/images/sep05/phil.jpg

Special Order 40...

OTR drivers, do you know what this is? Do you know who is unloading your truck? I became interested when, about three weeks ago, I was in North Carolina delivering roofing material. Other than the foreman and crane operator, who was White, the rest of crew was Mexican. None of them spoke English. All of them came packed in one van. The foreman told me that these "workers" got paid 1/2 that of "typical" roofers. "I hate this, but the boss has to make money too", he said. These workers, who did not want to be photographed, were illegals. After that, I began hearing on NPR and reading online about this Special Order 40.

(Wikipedia) "It is a police mandate implemented back in 1979 by the Los Angeles City Council and Police Chief Daryl Gates preventing LAPD officers from obtaining immigration status from detained suspects. The mandate was passed in an effort to encourage residents who are in the country illegally to report crimes without intimidation." More specifically, it reads:

LAPD Manual Section 264.50 - ENFORCEMENT OF UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION LAWS. Officers shall not initiate police action where the objective is to discover the alien status of a person. Officers shall neither arrest nor book persons for violation of Title 8, Section 1325 of the United States Immigration Code (Illegal Entry).

LAPD Manual Section 675.35 - PLACEMENT AND DISPOSITION OF ILLEGAL ENTRY HOLDS. Supplemental holds charging illegal entry against persons in the custody of this Department for an unrelated criminal offense shall only be authorized by officers of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Arrestees against whom the INS has placed a hold shall be released to the custody of INS within 24 hours after: All local charges are dismissed; or bail is deposited on the local charges; or the arrestee is determined to be eligible for release on his/her own recognizance on the local charges.

LAPD Manual Section 390 - Undocumented alien status in itself is not a matter for police action. It is, therefore, incumbent upon all employees of this Department to make a personal commitment to equal enforcement of the law and service to the public regardless of alien status. In addition, the Department will provide special assistance to persons, groups, communities and businesses who, by the nature of the crimes being committed upon them, require individualized services. Since undocumented aliens, because of their status, are often more vulnerable to victimization, crime prevention assistance will be offered to assist them in safeguarding their property and to lessen their potential to be crime victims.

There are similar "mandates" affecting how other major cities law enforcement officers do their jobs. Los Angeles is known as a "sanctuary" city, along with 32 others, like Detroit, Houston and New York. More on this topic in future posts. In the interim, I invite you to read more here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312897,00.html and http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/10/04/sanctuary/ and http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oew-40on40,0,1095713,full.story and http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2008/04/finding-the-rea.html The photo is by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericasimone/302300458/

Let's check in with the ATA...

I actually spent some time reading the material on the ATA website. As with most pinheads representing "our" industry most of what they say is corporate double speak using funny numbers. Their CEO Bill Graves, a former Governor of Kansas appears unimpressive to me. They do seem to hold a lot of meetings in places with great weather and golf. The suits in trucking seem to function better when they think less about drivers and more about golf or NASCAR. The following is the "something" you might be interested in. Typical of the ATA and its members (ie: Conway) it lacks substance. The italics are mine.
Washington, D.C. May 8, 2008—The American Trucking Associations today launched a far-reaching program of initiatives to set the industry on the road toward a more sustainable future under the banner Trucks Deliver a Cleaner Tomorrow. ATA President and CEO Bill Graves* praised the program as a landmark effort that will join all trucking industry stakeholders to work together on these issues. The recommendations are displayed on a new Web site http://www.trucksdeliver.org/ together with full details of the trucking industry’s new commitments on sustainability:
• Set governors on new trucks to limit speeds to no more than 68 mph and reduce the national speed limit to 65 mph for all vehicles.
• Reduce engine idling.
• Increase fuel efficiency by encouraging participation in the U.S. EPA SmartWay SM Transport Partnership Program.
• Reduce congestion by improving highways, if necessary by raising the fuels tax.
• Use more productive truck combinations.
• Support national fuel economy standards for trucks.
* The "Honorable" Bill Graves - according to his bio on the ATA web site: "Under his leadership, the ATA is advancing several safety initiatives. ATA has proposed requiring that all new heavy trucks be equipped with speed limiters and supports a government proposal to test the use of onboard recorders. In addition to his duties at ATA, Gov. Graves serves on the board of the International Speedway Corporation, the leading promoter of motor sport racing in America."

Hey OOIDA...

#1 - I'm looking for you folks to do a piece on which candidate would be best for trucking and of course, truck drivers. Not just owner operators, but all truck drivers, including company drivers. I'm pretty sure that the "mainstream" media won't do this. I'm also pretty sure the pinheads over at the ATA are going to support McCain. Who is OOIDA going to support?
#2 - Ya'll claim to have 16, 998 members in Texas. According to your breakdown, you have 7,629 in PA, 5,655 in CA and 3,655 in NY. What's going on? Why so few in such large states? Could it something to do with your stodgy, pedestrian, unimaginative approach to marketing your organization? It doesn't take a lot of money to sound interesting. How long do you intend to remain "static" with 162,248 members? Your membership numbers in these big states should be triple+ what they are now. If you want me to remain a member - I could use the money to join AARP - let's try to get out of second gear.
** the photo is of old rusty farm equipment stuck in gear - another talented Flickr artist - the link is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellmutt/1574474808/

FJ - two meals, two experiences...

A few posts ago, I told you I had an unexpected delicious meal at the FJ location down in Laredo. Well, now let's talk about the FJ in Waco, TX. The "meal" I'm evaluating here is the "new" Steak Benedict. Again, terrific in Laredo - in Waco - weak to poor. First of all, the basic cost was $7.59 in Laredo. Somehow it went up in Waco costing $8.79 plus $1.59 for toast. The toast was free and came with the meal in Laredo. The Waco dish had 1/2 the amount of home fries - in fact, the portion they gave me was positively skimpy. It was a kid's serving. The steak consisted of two small 2 inch pieces of under-cooked meat. At both places I wanted it cooked "medium" - Laredo was perfect, Waco was rare. I rarely send anything back, I thought about it, but ate it anyway. I like my eggs over easy - Laredo, yes you guessed right - was perfect, Waco needed another 15 or so seconds. They were too watery and warm. Laredo had that great white peppery sauce - Waco had no sauce. Lastly, Laredo toasted the english muffin - Waco didn't bother and they tasted like dough. I'm glad there was toast, because I chose not to eat the untoasted muffins. A small thing perhaps, but Laredo gave me the toast with the butter on the side - Waco - and I did not ask for buttered toast - smothered it with gobs (way too much) of what tasted like margarine. Lastly, Laredo offered me dessert, with Waco it was hit and run. Deliver the meal and leave the bill. Of no concern to Flying J, the server in Laredo was hot, Waco was not. I give Laredo 5 flushes, Waco 2. In Laredo, the Steak Benedict looked better than the picture, in Waco the meal didn't look anything like the photo. And, since I know FJ does read these reviews - its invoice #60895588 5/8 19:22 Cynthia for Laredo, and invoice #46141405 5/9 18:08 Tina for Waco. I would really like if FJ could be more consistent with their quality. At least give us OTR drivers more home fries and not give us kids portion. What I order MUST be equal to or better than the picture.

Why I'm HATE the suits...

try and wrap your arms around this "we really want to sound intellegent" mumbo jumbo from Con-Way: This initiative provides expanded career opportunities for drivers, leverages synergies from post-acquisition collaboration. Con-way's driver career choice program provides an important benefit to drivers, allowing them to investigate a different career path while remaining with an enterprise whose operating companies share the same culture, values, employee empowerment and focus on superior customer service. The organization benefits through increased retention and reduced recruiting and hiring costs, enabling its existing pool of professional drivers to be considered as a first alternative for new-hire positions before they are shared with the open market. This program gives Con-way Freight more flexibility to address its new-hire needs through ready access to an experienced driver workforce that already shares the Con-way culture and values. It's a cost-effective recruiting platform and, for Con-way Freight driver sales representatives, it provides the opportunity, if they choose, to investigate a different career experience on the open road without having to leave the familiarity of the larger Con-way enterprise." Wow, you're really trying too hard folks. Please come to earth with the rest of us.

I'm in rare form this...

Saturday morning. I'm in a I wish I were single, thin, have no mortgage, I'm gonna do what I want when I want, little or no responsibilities, I wanna be completely free - kind of mood. I've probably been on the road, again, too long and I have some time on my hands. I watched a show on Alaska and right now, in this mood I'm in, that seems like just the right place for me. Me and the bears, and the bald eagles, and the salmon fishing, and the no traffic or people, and the cool weather, bla bla bla. I need a boat with a very large Mercury engine on the back. I'll come off the road and go to my small log cabin by a stream. Just me. Quiet. No calls about money, credit problems, fixing up the house - nothing. I'll worry about getting more wood for the fire. I'll be James Bond without all the danger. Excuse me, some nut is knocking at my truck door interrupting my fantasy.

Waco, TX...what a lovely...

spot to spend the day...I guess. Last night I was up past 1am watching tapes Mrs. Grumpy made for me of Walker Texas Ranger reruns. If law enforcement really operated like he did (on the show) crime would be way down. Actually, there might not be any crime. He beats up and shoots everyone without any consequence never filling out any paperwork - just like the cops in NYC and Philadelphia. That's a joke. And that prosecutor girl friend of his has great legs. I never watched the show when it was on, but it's good late night bunk tv.

Prejudice in Texas...HEB...

When I first visited Texas many years ago, it was unique. Dallas was uncrowded and clean. Men were men and women were women. Most were White. There was a Jew here and there, but far and few between. Until recently, I really never paid attention to a place called HEB. I call it "heeeb". Mrs. Grumpy said: "they really have a place called heeeb? - that's terrible" They refer to themselves as H. - eeee -Bee or "Here Everything's Better." I thought it was some leftover "slur" started long ago by good 'ole christian cowboys, who disliked Jews. Perhaps, I also thought, it was just more convenient to say "Here Everything's Better" than change the HEB. But you really don't know it's "Here Everything's Better" until you go inside and ask or read the receipt. Not long ago, I decided to venture into a HEB. For those of you more familiar with Shop Rite, Publix, Albertson's and Wal-Mart, HEB is a large supermarket chain in Texas and Mexico. The origin of HEB was Howard E. Butts back 'round 1919. Yes, Butts. This is NOT an advertisement, but the place is great, and it's better than any other supermarket I've ever been to. Whenever I'm in Laredo (bobtailing), I shop at H.E.B. And I'm sure they employ Jews. If you're curious or want info go to: http://www.heb.com/welcome/index.jsp. And I also forgive them for carrying on of my favorite drinks - JuMex or Jew Mex. LOL. Try it, you'll like it, even if, like me, you're not a Jew. Their web site is at: http://jumex.com/

I'm already tired...

of this campaign. It's gone on too long. I am completely unimpressed with the whiny and childish media talking ad nausium about every other than the "real" issues. This is not America at its best, it is America at its worst. I both like and dislike each of these 3 politicians. I don't feel secure about any of them. None of them give me "warm fuzzies." I do wish the election was 90 days from now, so all the nonsense could stop and we can move forward solving problems. I don't think one or the other would be better for OTR truckers. What I am sure of is the sooner Bush leaves office, the better we will all be. Deep down I think I wanted Hillary as President and Obama as Vice-President, but it doesn't look that that's going to happen, unfortunately. Of course, we have no idea yet who McCain's running mate will be, but I can predict that I will not like him. I would be amazed if it's a woman.

Crotch rockers - rockets...

I'm sure the young man that took this photo is a responsible safe driver that "plays" well with big rigs on the interstate. BUT, all the other assholes that buy crotch rockets (rockers) aka sport bikes - are crazy. Law enforcement should spend a lot more time catching these morons and getting them off the road. There are too many DOT officers sitting in weigh stations (harassing truckers) that should be on the road on the alert for unsafe sport bikes. If you want to own a crotch rocker, go 110 miles an hour and do wheelies, go to a track! Stay off the interstate and far out of my way. Photo by: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0S020n.9CRIZUoADLujzbkF/SIG=1257s0hlh/EXP=1210467966/**http%3A//www.flickr.com/photos/robinthom/275857946/

This could only happen to me...

Yesterday, I reported to you that the air conditioning unit you see pictured here, decided, independently of a human being, to start up, then died. It actually let out a big sigh like a beached whale. I was about to leave the terminal in Laredo bound for Minnesota. A call was placed to the shipper. Fast forward about 16 hours later. I was still sitting at the terminal in Laredo. The shipper said to offload the "defective" unit by crane. There was no crane available. I have delivered many of these units and (almost) always they are taken off by forklift. Finally, the shipper agrees to have us take it off by forklift and transfer it to another flatbed headed back to Mexico. I now have one unit on my trailer weighing 7500 lbs. to be delivered 1250 miles - 4 days from now on Tuesday morning. I called the job site and asked if they could accept it a day early. No. So, once again, I have some time on my hands the next four days. I asked for detention. I will ask for layover. "They" will let me know. Photo by V. Grumpy.

Nuts in Laredo...

absolutely positively nuts at exit #13 off I35. This exit has three big truck stops and is also one the main access roads to hundreds of freight brokers. At the end of the 2-3 mile backup of mostly big rigs is a couple of Laredo locals attempting to "control" traffic. There is also a very active Union Pacific rail crossing on the Pilot side of the exit. This mess is another fine example of bureaucratic stupidity by the Texas DOT.

Study finds Texas drivers retarded...

my study that is. I just don't know what to make of it. Texas is the new California. I35, as just one example, a road that long ago should have been widened, is clearly unsafe. Then add to the "mix" all the retarded Texas drivers. Cars, trucks and pick-ups with Texas plates drive too fast, cut you off, shift 3-4 lanes at the last minute to exit, have no clue how to get on the interstate, talk incessantly on cell phone and don't care about anything or anyone around them, don't know how to deal with big trucks, etc., etc. - they are the worst drivers in the country. Today, traffic was backed for miles because a trooper (pulled over) was assisting a woman changing a tire. What is do freak'n interesting about that? Nothing is the answer. It doesn't matter if your Mexican, African-American, White, Chinese or whatever, if you have a Texas license, you're retarded. You could double the amount of Texas troopers and there still wouldn't be enough law enforcement to "control" all the retarded drivers. Bottom line, Texas' unsafe roads and loony drivers are a national disgrace. Photo by V. Grumpy.

I must have heat stroke...

because I just had the most amazing meal AT A FLYING J! I'm testing my will power by not having the buffet and ordering off the menu. I wanted a BLT with fries. My server was a really hot Latina named Cynthia. Watching her was a whole lot more appealing than Bill O'Reilly interviewing (on Fox)John McCain, who by the way, looks damn good for 70+ years of age. Cynthia even made the drab FJ uniform look good. She chose to wear tight stretch pants to work - I give her an extra $1 (tip) just for that decision. Anyway, Cynthia told me about 6 new "dishes" (unfortunately she was not one of them) on the FJ menu. One of them was eggs Benedict, char-broiled steak on an English muffin soaked with steak juice, hash browns all smothered with a white (ish) creamy pepper sauce. Holy shit, this was goood!!! Totally uncharacteristic of a FJ. I savored every damn bite. When my soda was 1/2 down, my Latina princess quickly delivered another icy glass to my table. Cynthia's boss tried to sell me on a large slice of apple pie a la mode. But then that would have spoiled everything. I want this taste to stay in my mouth, so I'm just not going to eat anything else for a few days. And the best part is, I just sat there while Cynthia attended to (almost all)my needs, while I watched all the "fatties" helping themselves to second and third helpings of all the crap on the buffet. I love Laredo. I'd be crazy enough to have the same damn thing for breakfast, but if I'm to stay on track, it's back to a nice hot bowl of oatmeal and a cup of Java in the AM.

Stuck in Laredo...

It's way past my bed time here in Laredo. I had a load - 2 stopper - way up to Minnesota. Two large commercial HVAC units. I secured them and was about to leave the terminal, when the one on the rear decided to start! The unit, manufactured only a few days ago across the border in Mexico, seemed to be determined not to wait to be installed, and turned itself on. I'm not kidding. I was just talking to our safety guru and just after waving me goodbye, the unit started up. "I've never seen anything like it", he said. "This could only happen to you, Grumpy!", he also said. I backed into the same space I had just vacated, while the "logistics" folks called down to Mexico to find out what they want to do. This was about 3pm. The temperature was 116 degrees! At 5pm the word came down that the unit is to be offloaded from my trailer, returned to Mexico, then I can proceed up North. That is (proceed) in the AM. 5pm in Laredo - everybody is going home - so the off loading can wait until about 0800 tomorrow. I put in for the big $25 layover. I decided to shoot up to the FJ at exit 13 - the locals were directing traffic - to have dinner and get on line.

What do drivers think about...

all day? Winning the lottery of course! Every driver has a plan as to how he/she is going to "use" (spend) the money. Almost all will opt for a one lump sum payout. One driver I spoke to will buy a yacht and dock it in Corpus Christi, TX. He also will buy 100 acres of land and put a house right in the middle. No one I spoke to plans to remain in trucking. Nobody wants to buy a trucking company. For many, $1 million just won't do - it has to be the "power ball" biggie lottery or anything that pays upwards of $150 million. Winning $100,000 just simply will not do. A $10,000 prize is "chump-change." One driver wants to go out and buy a rocking chair, sit on the front porch and just think about all his winnings in the bank. Of course, all the rest of the time, he just wants to fish. In his new boat, of course.

Back in Laredo...

and if you take a close look at the bottom of the tach, you will see the outside temp. is 116 degrees. Toward the mid-afternoon, after working outside all day securing and tarping, you're wasted. Forget eating, you must stay hydrated with any liquid available. After having to put up with the ridiculous traffic through Austin, I spent the rest of the day at the broker. Before going over to "our" Laredo "facility" I had to "terminalize" my truck. That means making sure there is nothing the safety pinheads can spot , waste my time and "page" me in for a "little" talk. So my camera, laptop, GPS, Sirius radio and a bunch of other stuff is stripped down and put in the bunk with curtains closed. Tarps in the side box, ladder secured with a 2" ratchet strap, lumber secured, etc. Tomorrow when I get another load, I will stop at the Love's up the road and put everything back so I can do my job. In order words, I will "determinalize" the truck. I hate terminals. I loath the people that work there. Top on the list of the people I despise work in safety and maintenance. I know most company drivers agree with me.

The Lockridge Report/Sirius

Around 1:15pm today, I was channel surfing on my Sirius radio and landed on the Lockridge Report. That would be channel 147 - The Road Dog. The guest was John Gallagher, who I never heard of, but apparently is an (associate) editor of Traffic World. This interview was painful to listen to. Lockridge is still getting his feet wet as a radio interviewer/talk show host. He (unprofessionally) forgets where he is at times and messes up the Sirius channel ID. He says annoying things like "truly greatly." He spends too much time talking about what his wife (an editor elsewhere) is doing. I hope he has time to get better before the XM/Sirius merger (hopefully) goes through and this channel is eliminated. My "inside" sources tell me that there are approximately 25-50 listeners (at one time) who "visit" this Road Dog channel. At the same time, most truckers, having the choice of Stern reruns, Bubba, Jay Thomas and a host of other more entertaining options, are elsewhere. But on to Gallagher, who made me nervous just to listen to. What is with his constant hesitating, hemming and hawing? I couldn't work with someone like that. I twice shouted at the radio for Gallagher to answer the damn question already. Trouble is, he is not a trucker, he is a boring magazine writer, who Lockridge thought had some personality and would be interesting. Wrong. The more he said, when he finally got around to saying anything, you could sense his lack of knowledge a mile away. He was, as we say, winging it. A caller made reference to something like "crazy z" or something, talking about Swift, which neither Gallagher or Lockridge knew about. That's acceptable, because I didn't know what the caller was talking about either. Kudos to Gallagher for trying, but I suggest he stay at the keyboard and far away from the mic. Lockridge, if he can't find someone better, and we all know that 99% of non-drivers in the trucking industry are "stiffs", then he should present a topic and just take calls. He has, at minimum, enough talent to handle that.

Delicious...hold the pickles...

My idle time is high. My company wants me to keep the truck off. I've played this game for over four years. I do not have an APU. I need one. I have a studio sleeper and run a lot of stuff. Keep the truck off for more than a few hours and the low voltage warning buzzer reminds you to turn the truck on. Last night I decided to be a company man - a suit without a suit. It was humid, but a nice mild Louisiana night, here at the I-20 "Welcome" rest area. Other than the cooler, I shut everything else off. I rolled the windows down a bit. It felt strange without the engine on. I did not have the usual "breeze" of air from the fan and ac that runs, even in winter. I tossed and turned a while, even after taking an Advil which usually settles me down. I fall asleep. 3am the voltage buzzer goes off. I knew it wasn't the alarm. I couldn't open my eyes. They were "stuck" together. I managed to open the bunk curtains, reach forward through the steering wheel, and key the engine. I turned on the ac and the fan. I fell back asleep. I woke up about 7:50am extremely itchy. I'm always itchy, but this was extreme. It seems during the night the local mosquito's decided to make me the featured item on their dinner menu. I must have been delicious. I intend to spend most of my day driving and itching. Tonight the truck stays on. The picture is by: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTbx9AaSBIX9UAQr.jzbkF/SIG=12j2e8em7/EXP=1210170048/**http%3A//www.ncl.ac.uk/nsci/about/schools/demo-lecture/page5B.htm

More running hard...

It's almost 10pm. I'm sitting in my truck at the Louisiana Welcome Center off I20. I waited 5 hours back in Vickburg, MS for a load of 5 coils headed down to Laredo, TX. The final destination is Apodaka, MX (Mexico) and it's too late for me to look up where that is. Frankly I don't really care. I am hot, dirty and could really use a shower. This late, I don't want to deal with finding a parking spot in a truck stop further west in Tallulah. I'll try and grab a shower tomorrow, but realistically it's going to be another "cat" bath with a 1/2 box of baby wipes. Freight last week was "spotty" and I have less than a week to pack in the miles until the next paycheck. In better times I could have finagled a load out of Laredo to Redmond, WA but not anymore. My 14 hours are up and I'm not going leave here until around 8am. Thanks to my weekend Wal-Mart shopping trip I am self-contained - there is plenty of food and drink on board. I don't know how, but there is internet service where I am. It should be available free at every rest area. I've only said that a million times. I'm fading fast. I watched Juno the other night - great movie! No one can understand how I feel right now except another OTR trucker. I'm going to make a PB&J and try to go to bed. The credit for the photo goes to: http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Cats/Sink.htm

Running hard...

as Bubba (as in Love Sponge) says. I'm exhausted. Right now I'm at the T/A in Mt. Vernon, IL headed to McGehee, AR. A load that I waited over 11 hours for! I drove a whopping 98.5 miles yesterday, stopped here at the T/A, and fell asleep until about 8pm. I had a PB&J, 5 mini sugar donuts, a swig of Gatorade to wash down my pills and then slept all night. I think I've almost recovered from the last week, just in time for another week of fun, games and stupidity. The best part of the week was shopping at Wal-Mart for a bunch of "stuff" I need - mostly food - and the total was $54.95! I've had my problems with Wal-Mart, but I think I would had spent $15/or more at Target. I'm headed out soon - I'm scheduled to deliver my load of 2 silo roofs tomorrow morning in the middle of nowhere at 8am. It's a tarped load because the shipper doesn't want the roofs to get wet ??? Be safe out there. I'll give the photo credit later.

Man, are the days flying by...

last I looked it was Monday, now it's Thursday night. Damn. I've spent most of today in St. Louis. MO. Without looking at my log book, I don't recall where I've been since Monday. I do know that I "had" to drive about 860 miles "last night" on a "JIT" load. JIT my ass. I sat around all day (with 4 others trucks) waiting to be unloaded by Local 306 of the Iron Workers Union. It was a popcorn, yes I said popcorn, factory. Business must be good, because they're expanding. Every twenty or so minutes the air was thick with the smell of cooked popcorn. Love popcorn, hate the smell. I then had to deal with the miserable St. Louis traffic and drive 50 miles west before every truck stop parking space in the area was filled. I ended up at the T/A Foristell, MO. Because of the unloading delay, I lost my 560 mile overnight preplan. I didn't really have the hours to do it anyway. The photo by V. Grumpy was taken at the intersection of I270 and I70 west of St. Louis. 6 lanes were "narrowed" to 1. The MO DOT needed 5 lanes to deal with 1 car running off the road. It's 8:37pm and I can't keep my eyes open. I overate at the buffet after not eating all day. Tomorrow is another day.