Please, finish the job...

Israel is bombing Hamas. I want the U.S. to just shut up for once and let Israel finish the job. Hamas is not just a terrorist neighbor, it is a cancer. When fighting cancer, you don't stop without aggressively getting all of it. Maybe when Obama takes office, he'll fly over there, meet with both sides, and they'll all lay down their weapons and live happily ever after. Right. But until then, Bush is still President. And I believe, that he believes, that Israel should just finish the job. Not just Israel, but the entire world will be far better off. I might also add that I have no confidence in the future Secretary of State - Hillary Clinton - to make any difference in the hatred and stupidity in the Mid East. The U.S. of course, like always, will stand by and say, please both of you - stop and talk - while hoping that Israel blows them to smithereens.

The photo credit is: http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2006/05/israel_again_vi.php

80 degrees…everyday…awesome…

This is what delivering in Florida is all about – sugar sand. And if you‘re delivering a load to clueless morons like the HVAC folks who couldn’t manage to clear a solid surface from the main road to the hospital construction site and directed me and 2 other flatbeds right into the sugar sand, then you’re pretty much SOL. From this fiasco in Port St. Joe, it’s down US19 home until this Monday 12/29. Other than a few hours of rain, the sky here is clear sunny and the temps are in the low 80’s. It’s just freak’n beautiful and I just don’t really care what the weather is like elsewhere. If you’re alone out on the road this week driving around in the snow, read the post at http://lifeontheroad.com.

The photo credit is V. Grumpy

Obama Mistake #1

He’s not even in office yet and President-elect Obama has managed to tick me off. I don’t like Rick Warren. His views on gay marriage - plain and simply ignorant. I wrote about him before in “the Flush” – go to the search feature on the top left to read more. Why in the hell is Obama picking this loon (I once called him a “domestic terrorist”) to deliver the invocation at his inauguration?

Obama has a lousy record of choosing pastors and this is clearly no exception. We all recall the (Rev.) Jeremiah Wright. Obama says he chose Warren for reasons of inclusion. Inclusion? It’s more like discrimination to me. With “friends” like Warren, you sure as hell don’t need enemies. Besides, Obama is playing at both ends – one minute, in one of his “feel good” speeches, he includes gays as one of the “gang”, then he turns around and disrespects them by choosing Warren. So here we go. I was going (trying I should say) to wait until after Obama gets in office to get involved, but I just can’t sit by and not comment on this mistake.

And why, again, do I support gays? Because you, we – whatever – CANNOT – discriminate against anyone in this country by making it "illegal" for one individual (man or women) to marry another person (man or women). It's prejudice. It's just not right. I’ve said many times - I’ve been married 30 years, and a gay couple that wishes to get married presents NO threat to me, my wife or the “institution” of marriage. I also firmly believe that since Jesus was an iconoclast (look it up) he wouldn’t have a problem with it either. Besides, who the hell is Warren? Why would anyone listen to him? This totally mystifies me. Watch this CNN debate on the issue:

 

Technorati Tags: Technorati Tags: Rick Warren,Barack Obama,Inauguration of Obama,Trucking Blogs,Truck driving blogs,CNN,opinion and commentary,news opinion,Jesus,iconoclast,marriage,gay,lesbian,homosexual,gay marriage,straight couple comments on gay marriage,institution of marriage

Lot lizards and beggars, a plenty…

but why bother truckers, we have NO money. I stopped at the T/A off I-65 in dreary Montgomery AL yesterday and the lot lizards were working the place – and it was 1:30pm. Forget the DOW (as in Jones), when the lot lizards are out in the afternoon, you know times are tough. A few minutes ago, here at the T/A, in Marianna FL, some fat dude, I could barely understand, was asking for food money. Hey, sorry, my well is dry – go ask the RV’ers – they obviously have the capital to hit the road in style. I’m a work’n man with barely enough to cover the mortgage.

The lot lizards back in Montgomery were, frankly, nasty. One of them was crossing the road and just at the last minute saw me moving forward to merge into traffic. I looked right at her. She looked like a smiling zombie, probably completely coked out. And she looked like she hadn’t slept in days, nor bathed. The other one looked emaciated and wired. Probably also on drugs. Both of them don’t need to be arrested, they need to be hospitalized in rehab and fed a decent meal. Obviously their pimps have them working overtime.

I pity them and any driver that would pay for their services. I know there is a lot of anger and frustration out there, but to do something stupid and deal with these women in any fashion is downright irresponsible. Even with “protection” you are subjecting yourself to a host of other potential problems beyond STD’s – sexually transmitted diseases. Besides, despite the Montgomery cops seemingly looking the other way, it is illegal. I would hope you plan to fumigate the interior of your truck (and yourself) after one of these “girls” had been inside.

Unfortunately, giving lot lizards and- or beggars money is not the answer. If you had a spare $20 and wanted to help one of these girls out, there is usually some low life driving around in a big white or black late model sedan with spinning shiny wheels that speeds by to get the money.  Most of them will refuse to have to you accompany them into the truck stop restaurant to buy them a meal, because it is not what they want. Meaning it’s not drugs or alcohol. The same goes for the beggars. I recommend you just say NO and go on your way.

The lot lizard sticker is from: http://sharonb.hypermart.net/trucks3.htm

Technorati Tags: Lot lizards,truck stops,trucking blogs,truck drivers,prostitution,beggars,truck driving blogs,trucking,Montgomery,Alabama,Truck Stops of America,T/A,trucking commentary,trucking opinion

(2) Blog Post Recommendations…

As I mentioned, I try to “make the rounds” and check into the many trucking related blogs on the net. When I find something interesting, I will bring it to your attention. Take a sec and follow this link and see what Sean Kilcarr says in this piece entitled “Fair” - http://blog.fleetowner.com/trucks_at_work/ and as I “refuse” to drive in snow and inclement weather, go to http://shantztravels.blogspot.com/ and read their “Adventurous Journey” and “30 Inches in 24 Hours” posts. I have to hand it to driver "Craig” - I wouldn’t do that kind of driving under any circumstances.

Technorati Tags: Technorati Tags: Sean Kilcarr,Trucking blogs,truck driver blogs,driving in snow,trucks driving in snow with chains,driving a truck at night,Heads California Tails Carolina blog,second careers

Mexicans have fewer germs…

apparently so, because Mexican and Mexican-American men are always shaking hands. They do it, I’m told, as a sign of respect. It’s done in social situations, conducting business and as a “expected” greeting when saying hello. 

My father always taught me that the sign of a man with character is a strong handshake. I’ve always found that true. A wimpy handshake, almost always, means a weak man is in front of you. My son, when shaking hands, could, if he wanted to, tear your hand off. He hates weak handshakes too. My brother has always a strong virile handshake. And most women, I find, have stronger handshakes than most men. I’m not surprised.

Radio personality Howard Stern, billionaire Donald Trump and game show host Howie Mandel don’t like shaking hands. I find that strange. They, it would seem, would rather not shake hands so as not to have to wash their hands. I have been shaking hands for many years – at times not washing afterwards – and gee golly wiz, I’m still here. If I was doing business with Trump, and he didn't shake my hand, I would go elsewhere. 

When I’m in Mexico or Laredo, where there are (obviously) a lot of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, I like and appreciate the whole handshaking thing. I feel it’s what "real" men should do. It makes me feel more “connected” to whomever I’m talking to. Now in Italy, men kiss each cheek and in Saudi Arabia they hold hands. I’m not ready for that, but handshaking remains at the top of my list.

Photo credit is: http://www.midmarketmaven.com/2007/02/hand_shake_please.html

Technorati Tags: Trucking,Trucking blogs,Truck driver blogs,Mexicans,Mexican customs,Shaking hands,Mexican-Americans,Mexican trucking,Laredo,Howard Stern,Donald Trump,Howie Mandell,handshaking

This is just not right…

I try to spend time "exploring" the web reading the many other “trucking” blogs to see what’s on their minds. Which is what OOIDA, the ATA, the FMSCA and the DOT should do more of. But, more to the point, this one blog http://gypsytrucker.blogspot.com/ and her last two entries really touched me. I would like you to take a few moments and read them. And if you would, please, send her an e-mail, and give her some encouragement to try it again, this time with anybody else other than a truly dreadful company like Werner.

“I've lost count of how many times I've started this post and deleted it. Writing it has been much harder than actually walking away from the world of truck driving. This is the new battle, the recounting and the making sense of everything that happened. 

I have not been behind the wheel of a big rig since turning in my keys to Werner, retreating back to civilian life in Portland, then going home to lick my wounds. I will probably never again get behind the wheel. But I will also never forget all these experiences, and have continued to write about them. This was the original goal, anyway - to write about life on the road. 

Initially I thought this would take the shape of a journalistic project, but that goal has morphed into something else. I'm not sure what yet, but I am slowly but surely writing and figuring it out. The trucking life was not for me, but the taste of it that I did get gave me a profound respect for the men and women on the highways who are moving this country around day in and day out. You are all my heroes. I am especially grateful to those whose advice and encouragement kept me hanging on during the toughest times.

I've had so many crises of faith, so many emotional/mental/psychological blocks throughout the last few months. But what pushed me over the edge and made me turn my truck in and finally quit Werner was a physical issue.

Thursday morning I got an assignment to pick up a trailer full of scrap, mostly old pallets, and take it to a waste management facility 20 miles away. I groaned at the shortness of the run, but whatever. Go pick up the trailer, take it where it's supposed to go. Which turns out to be the city dump. The city dump does not usually get semi trucks, and they're not sure what to do with me, and they're not even sure they can take the specific kind of checks that trucking companies use to pay for services (in this case, the fees for dumping stuff into the landfill). So I sit at the dump for about four hours while they decide what to do with the checks, until they finally decide that yes, they'll take it. And they send me up.

Mind you, I'm at the city dump. There are no docks, no forklifts, no one to help me unload the stuff. I mean, I'm at THE DUMP, where garbage truck drivers back up to the edge and tip their trucks up so all the junk just falls out. I don't have that kind of mechanism on a dry van trailer. My dispatcher confirms that yes, I am supposed to unload it. Open up the trailer door and find that most of the pallets are oversized ones, huge and heavy. And there's a big steel platform in there, and I can't even lift one edge of it by myself. I drag one pallet out, and call my dispatcher to tell him that I am physically incapable of doing this work, and whoever heard of a long-haul driver being sent to the city dump to hand-unload a trailer full of trash, anyway?

His first question: "What, are you real small? You can't lift pallets?" It's not a question of my size, idiot, it's a question of this kind of work being completely beyond my job description, as well as a question of the trailer contents being too heavy to lift for any one person, no matter how big and buff. In a fit of rage, I shoved two more pallets off the trailer after getting off the phone, then went back into the cab and started making panicked phone calls to non-idiots, like my old trainer Dana, who suggested I call my dispatcher's supervisor, who in turn gave the same bullshit that my dispatcher did - sometimes these loads are necessary, I guess we'll have to send a guy on this load instead.

I didn't get to leave the dump until about 4pm, after spending about seven hours there. I wanted to drive straight to the terminal and turn in my truck, but thought I'd sleep on it first. I did. Then drove to the terminal first thing in the morning and turned it in. The response from the guys at the terminal: this is a ridiculous ordeal, why didn't Werner just contract a waste disposal company to do this? Because drivers, especially rookie drivers who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, are so much cheaper. I mean, I made about $40 that day, all in all. This shit is not worth it.

I'm spending the weekend with my Portland friends, who were thankfully willing to pick me up from the terminal and put me up for a few days. Then I will take the bus back to Cali and try to get my head together, figure out what I'm doing next. Maybe another trucking company, maybe not. Right now, there's a cup of sludge-thick Pacific NW coffee calling my name somewhere around here, and it holds more promise than anything that's happened over the past week.”

The photo credit is: http://www.harrycutting.com/photos_people

Technorati Tags: Women truckers,women in trucking,bad trucking companies for women,trucking blogs,trucking,truck driving blogs,discrimination,truckers,truck driving,unfair labor practices by Werner Enterprises,Werner Trucking

Snow in Vegas...Baby....

Yes, it did snow in Vegas - about 3 inches or so. Speaking of the white stuff, I5 was shut down over the Tejon Pass in CA and up in Spokane WA about 8 inches fell with more on the way.That's only some of where the snow is interfering with traffic on the West coast.

The only way I'll ever like snow is when I'm sitting in a big leather chair, smoking a Cuban, in my little log cabin, with a fire going and the snow falling and I DON'T HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE. Otherwise, as all drivers know, it's a pain the butt.

I was just saying to Mrs. Grumpy that if I could just stay down "here" and and run back and forth between FL and TX, I would be a happy camper. Most of the times I've been in Vegas, it's been 100+ and dry heat or not it was unbearable.

Last night I drove the 600 or so miles from Laredo to Grosse Tete LA on I10. The weather was terrible - light crappy rain and fog. At two places, I10 was shut down and traffic diverted because of an accident and construction. I would have stopped earlier, but THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PARK! Just how in the hell do you build a rest area with 10 truck spaces? Did you hear that Louisiana? You morons.

The load I'm under is going to Port St. Joe FL. So why am I sitting in the Birmingham terminal? Good question. BECAUSE THE LOAD DOESN'T DELIVER UNTIL JAN. 1 - that's next freak'n year! Mrs. Grumpy wants me to go to a Christmas show at her church this Sunday. What can I say. I might just have to dead head down South tomorrow. I'll see in the morning.

I'm going to be off until after New Year's - ad they know that. Sooo why not let me just take the load home and I'll deliver it on Jan. 1. Well, apparently that's just too much for "them" to think about - so I'm here in B'Ham chill'n until the morning.

The photo credit is: Associated Press - AP - at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

Sirius Review – Whatever…

OK, let me say right off that I had no idea what the hell a “pharmacologist” was until I listened to this show. This show is “Whatever” on Sirius 112 and XM 157, 2-7pm Monday through Friday. “Whatever” is hosted by Alexis, the daughter of Martha Stewart and Jennifer K. Hutt, the daughter of Charles Koppleman, the chairman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

I’m sure that both women got this “gig” clearly as a result of nepotism, but that’s where any “connection” ends as far as mother Martha or dad Charles. Alexis and Jennifer are VERY talented. In fact, they are radio naturals. More entertaining than Howard Stern, Jay Thomas or most anything else that Fox, Sirius or XM offers, it is a great way to spend two hours at the end of your day. I’ve been a fan ever since day #1.

Jennifer is a non-practicing lawyer, married and mother of two.  If you listen long enough, it’s becomes clear that she has decided not to grow up. She is going to remain a child, just like Peter Pan. And she would probably be happier being the voice of a character on the Muppets or Simpson’s. And this is what makes her so much fun to listen to. I wish she were my mother, because she is bubbly, fun, creative, vulnerable, quick and smart. She has that NY wit without that horrible Nu-Yorka accent.

The thing is – Jennifer (to the rest of the world) is kind of transparent. As any one would be sitting next to Alexis Stewart. It’s not that Alexis is more talented, or more attractive or a better radio personality. It’s just that the media and the star obsessed public wants to know more about Martha Stewart’s personal business through her daughter. Jennifer, in time, will come out from the Alexis shadow and shine all on her own. But despite that, she very much holds her own as the strong and very opinionated no B.S. co-host (co-star). She unexpectedly and quite frequently comes out with stuff that just might make you drive off the road laughing.

And if you want to learn more about Martha, Alexis is certainly not the best source. Alexis is very much her own person. She is tough, intelligent, rich, easily bored, demanding and anything but the bitch that is the rap that tags her. I think it was Howard Stern that referred to her as “cunty.” And that “handle” she and her fans should consider a compliment. She is a “broad” as Maureen O’Hara and Katherine Hepburn were. You might despise her at first, but in time, you will come to really respect what she is all about. I did. And despite her famous mother, she will succeed at anything she sets her mind to, in the entertainment arena or elsewhere.

So put these two together. This is very much a case of opposites attracting. The show has no guests. Oh, they did have a parrot on the other day and Rude Jude, a wigger DJ on another Sirius channel stops by once in a while, but a guest would only detract from what the show is all about. That being the world according to Jennifer and Alexis. And that encompasses, going to the bathroom, doctors, cleaning, farting, eating, dieting, holiday’s, tampons, pantyhose, relationships, headaches, cancer, baking, cooking, death, pregnancy, sex – lot’s of it, one night stands, dildos, penis’s, vaginas, giving presents, clothes and sooo much more. And of course, Jennifer’s hair, which has a “personality” unto itself. And when Alexis does talk about her mother, it is only that much more interesting than hearing from someone else, because it is true – and usually funny.

To say the show is spontaneous is an understatement. This is radio on the fly, done unscripted with no rules. There is cursing, but it is limited, because, after all, they are on Martha’s channel. There are callers – lot’s of them. Some men, but mostly women who need, like all women, to add their two cents to whatever Jennifer and Alexis are talking about. They do have a “cheesy” contest for a “Whatever” mug (one time you could win Alexis’ old I-Phone) Thursday afternoon in the last hour.

The two women also have a website/joint blog and a TV show aptly named “Whatever Martha” on the Fine Living Network. Jennifer’s blog would make an interesting book someday. Alexis’s blog – with photos of her late night baking - just makes me hungry. I have e-mailed them thoughts and suggestions about their show and have actually received “real” responses back from both ladies. Since their "production “staff” comprises only two people – right now Pauli and Chrissy – there is no hiding behind anyone when it comes to contact with their audience.

Check it out. Whether you a trucker, salesperson or whatever driving around with Sirius/XM, you’ll enjoy their shtick. For more information go here: http://www.whateverradio.com/website/home.php

Technorati Tags: Whatever with Alexis and Jennifer,Sirius Satellite Radio,XM Radio,Sirius/XM Merger,Whatever Martha,Martha Stewart,Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia,Charles Koppelman,Alexis Stewart,Jennifer Koppelman Hutt,Truck driver blogs,trucking,trucking blogs,entertainment,satellite radio,radio talk

The Nutcracker or Hitler?

When I was a “tot”, my mother took me, during the Christmas holiday, to see the Nutcracker. I actually wasn’t a tot, a bit older perhaps, and I didn’t give a wazoo about the Nutcracker, but did enjoy seeing the ballerinas prance around in their white tutus and tights. It was just something “we” did for Christmas.

And we went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral (NYC) to hear the choir, light a candle or two and then walked (despite the freezing temperatures) over to Radio City Music Hall to see a double feature. I think one of the movies was Disney’s “Son of Flubber” starring Fred MacMurry.

It always seemed to snow back then. I would go skating with other holiday revelers at Wolman Rink in Central Park. I drank hot chocolate. It was a wonderful, magical time. It just never occurred to me or any of my family or friends to go see a movie about Adolf Hitler. Besides my father would have killed me.

Ok, so call me crazy. What are you and your kids going to do this Christmas? So maybe the Nutcracker is a bit dated and somewhat irrelevant in this day and age. But Hitler? Out just in time for Christmas, “heart throb” Tom (there is no such thing as post partum depression) Cruise offers his fans not one tutu and no jet fighters being catapulted off a carrier, but “Valkyrie.” It’s all about the bungled plot to assassinated Hitler toward the end of World War II. It’s the “true” story of one Colonel von Stauffenberg. That’s a picture of him on the left. On the right is (I’m going to jump up and down like a loon on Oprah’s couch) Cruise.

Could this be the latest Scientology way to celebrate Christmas? After all, Tom Cruise, the star of this new movie, is a big-wig (a "OT VII") in the Church of Scientology. But Hitler? His last movie “Lions for Lambs” was a bomb, despite having Robert Redford and Meryl Streep in it. With all due respect to Scientology, I think even L. Ron Hubbard would rather go see the Nutcracker than a Hitler flick.

So, will I go and check it out on my home time? No. Absolutely not. I’m sure it’s just a wonderful movie. But Hitler? Colonel von Stauffenberg? Who cares? I don’t. Especially not at Christmas time. Can you say DVD? Mrs. Grumpy and I will probably watch “Home Alone 1” while enjoying our traditional Chinese food Christmas dinner. 

stuff about the movie - http://valkyrie.unitedartists.com/ and http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809913399/info about Stauffenberg - http://poopdeck90210.com/ww2his/stauffenberg.htm about the Nutcracker ballet - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nutcracker and http://www.balletmet.org/Notes/NutHist.html

The photo credit is: http://poopdeck90210.com/ww2his/stauffenberg.htm

Technorati Tags: Tom Cruise,Valkyrie,The Nutcracker,Christmas,Radio City Music Hall,St. Patrick's Cathedal,Trucking,Trucking News and commentary,Colonel Von Stauffenberg,Oprah,Trucking blogs,truck drivers

Laredo and a Shameless Plug…

If you've never been to Laredo, and have no plans to go, then this post will be meaningless to you. I suggest you go over to http://lifeontheroad.com/ where there's a bunch of great stuff that I know you'll find interesting. 

So Laredo - typically the temperature is well into the 100's when I'm here - and the sun blares down on you like you’re a french fry waiting to be served at a fast food restaurant. Today, with a steady wind, the temperature was 42 degrees. And it was raining - and dark. The locals were wrapped up like we were in the middle of a blizzard. And I hear that up in NYC it was in the 70's. Crazy.

Now I love Laredo - the people, the feel and despite today's temperature, the weather. If I didn't live in Florida, I would probably live here. But there is one major drawback that drives me nuts. It's not just a problem here locally, but all around Texas. That would be the design (and endless construction) of the highways.

The prime example of the stupidity in Laredo is exit 13 on I35. Go South and you get off at exit 13 for easy access to the Flying J, T/A and the Pilot. There are also hundreds of brokers here. And there is a very busy Union Pacific rail line on the East side. When a freight train comes through, especially at "rush hour", traffic is backed up. I mean really backed up.

The planners at the Texas DOT seemed to have given little or no serious thought to coming up with a better design of the intersecting roads at this exit. If you're going North from Mexico or downtown Laredo, exit 13 does not exist. Your GPS will tell you there is, but there isn't. And the signs for the truck stops don't inform you otherwise.

You need to get off at exit 12B. One can only wonder why the DOT couldn't have built a "typical" somewhat efficient exit where exit 13 should be. And, at what should be exit 13, which exists Southbound, but not Northbound, right next to the busy rail line, the road is terrible. A GM test track for Hummers is less rough. There is just no excuse for this. Especially since millions were spend "improving" I35 and "creating" a better exit 13.

Now Laredo is most definitely a truck town. So you would think that everything possible would have been done to improve the flow of traffic, especially at it pertains to trucks. But it wasn't. Again, millions of tax payer money was used to "improve" I35 through Laredo. And from what I've seen, for both cars and trucks, the efficient "flow" of traffic has gotten rapidly worse, with the new construction and redesign having no positive at all.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. I'm a part-time blogger and full-time OTR trucker, not an investigative newspaper reporter. I don't have the time or resources to pursue this further. But someone should. The highway improvements done in Laredo are shameful. The millions were not well spent. As the area grows and more and more freight moves though there, traffic will get worse. The roads weren't designed for the future, they reflect requirements of the past. There is time to correct this mess. Will they? I don't know. And for a place I love, it is a real disappointment. 

The photo credit is: http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=25614

 

Technorati Tags: Laredo,Texas highways,Interstate 35,trucking,truck drivers,trucks blogs,truck stops,trucking blogs,trucking news and commentary

Quick reaction by Bush in Iraq...

Headed to Laredo…

Are you bored with reading where I'm going? Too bad. I'm taking a break from politics - and thus not writing too much about it - until after Obama takes office, that is. The election just did me in. I'm just not going to give a "hoot" for a few more weeks. I even stopped listening to Howard Stern, Bill O'Reilly and Lou Dobbs. Sinatra baby - that's what I'm listening too right now.

So boring or not - this is the view from the truck looking West on I10 in Louisiana at sunset, of course. After days of light traffic volume, things definitely changed today. Seems everybody has realized that Christmas is right around the corner and is out shopping. It also means every moron is out there driving around look for the damn mall.

I drove about 610 miles today, which is definitely more than I’ve done in while. My butt is sore, despite my putting a pillow under it. I’m about 490 miles from Laredo. Typically I would be home on vacation right now, but "we" took time off for the cruise. As soon as I MT in Laredo, I’ll ask dispatch for a load to South Florida so I can check on my mother who just had surgery to repair her shoulder. From there I’ll head home for Christmas/New Year.

Before I close, I just wanted to say that I was reading (yet) another (boring) trucking blog that “trashed” California. That’s all well and good, but the blogger (writer) is Canadian. That, I have a problem with. If you're American and want to trash California, fine. But a Canadian? Nope. Sorry, love it or leave it. An American trucker will be glad to pick up the freight and deliver here in the US. You can keep your truck up there in Canada. Ey!

Photo by V. Grumpy.

Full moon…

In fact the largest of the year. Hey! Today I got some great news. No, I didn’t get a publisher for my book. No, I didn’t sell my magazine articles. That’ll come. No, this news is even better. And when I heard it, well, it just made my day. I’ve been in a great mood ever since.

I’ll make it short and sweet. There “was” this log/safety guy I despised. Like everyone that works in a safety department, he was a useless, arrogant, smartass piece of garbage. At times, he made my life miserable. Other drivers quit the company after run-ins with him. He knew how to get right under your skin.

So, I got the call today that yesterday he was “released” – fired, terminated, canned, kicked to the curb, took a long walk on a short pier – and I was overjoyed. It was the best Christmas present ever. And just let say that I worked damn hard to see that his "release" happened. Took a while, but it worked. I'm sure there were many others "behind the scene" complaining about him as well.

To top off the great news, after sitting around for a day or so, I’m headed with a “hot” high value load to Laredo. I really need the miles! From there I’ll get something going back to Florida for Christmas and the New Year.

The photo credit is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uglybugga/480656999/ and I modified it a bit using Windows Life Writer Beta.

Doing nothing right now?

Take about 20 minutes and fill out this survey. I read it about it on the OOIDA site. No, you will not get a lollipop or keychain or anything else. But give these folks a piece of your mind. It easy, just point and click. Here’s the link: http://www.unf.edu/~david.cantor/EOBR.htm

The photo credit is: http://www.ram-mount.com/reviews/big_rig_truck_laptop_mount.htm

A girl’s gotta make a living?

Finally got to sleep last night. Heavy rain outside. I had my Truman biography next to my face. I heard a kind of tap. Then another, a bit harder. Where the hell was I? VA where the cops love to harass parking trucks? Was I in a rest area? Was I loaded? This all started to race through my mind. Tap, tap – harder, kind of a 1/2 a bang. I went to turn on the bunk light. I fell asleep with it on. I got up and put on my pants.

I “peered” out of from the curtain. There was small woman (girl?) standing there in the pouring rain looking up at me. I knew what she wanted. And I got really ticked. I screamed: “What are you doing, go away!” and slammed the curtain shut. Actually since you can’t slam a curtain shut, I kinda “shoved” it shut. It took me 2 hours to get back to sleep.

9am. Operations calls me. The trip from Huger SC to OH cancelled yesterday is not back on. I make a fast cup of coffee and throw on my sweats and jump in the front seat. Release the brakes. Move forward. Beep. The Qualcom. The trip has been cancelled again.

Times are tough. Stupid me. If I was driving a RV or one of those million dollar star busses, I would tell this woman to come in out of the rain. I’d give her a hot meal and send her to bed. In the morning I’d give her $50 and call for a cab to take her somewhere. Sad though. This is not a scene out of “Pretty Woman.” I don’t know if she is an alcoholic or drug addict and if she gives all of her money to some pimp or abusive parent. And most likely, despite my helping her, she’d most likely be right here, in this little Shell truck stop right off I85 trying to sell herself in the rain.

The photo credit is: http://www.ddonovan.net/05-05-29si/05-05-29sw-woman-in-rain-jenni-.htm David Donovan is an incredible photographer out of Dallas TX – his website is: http://ddonovan.net/

Technorati Tags: truckstops,trucking blogs,truck driver blogs,lot lizards,trucking,economic comment

FL AG PASS RIP OFF

AGPass Plan 1 - $3.99 per truck per month with $50 enrollment fee per truck (non-refundable)
AGPass Plan 2 - $4.99 per truck per month
AGPass Plan 3 - $5.99 per truck per month, No contract or credit required

“The mission of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is to safeguard the public and support Florida's agricultural economy by:

- Ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of food and other consumer products through inspection and testing programs;

- Protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices and providing consumer information;

- Assisting Florida's farmers and agricultural industries with the production and promotion of agricultural products; and

- Conserving and protecting the state's agricultural and natural resources by reducing wildfires, promoting environmentally safe agricultural practices, and managing public lands.”

So where does it say that “they” can set up outposts on I-75 and I-10 and “order” trucks in to ask drivers what their cargo is. If you want your Prepass transponder to receive a green light to avoid this BS, you have to pay the above fees. That’s after filling out a 3 page application which takes 2-3 months to get approved. And there’s no assurance you’ll get it approved.

I drive a flatbed. I never carry anything that has to do with the FL Dept. of Agriculture or Consumer Services. I never load anything that is agriculture, horticulture or “aqua-culture.” related. Why should I have to pay anything?

Meanwhile any car or RV can roll by with drugs, weapons or even a small nuclear device without having to stop. This is absurd. OOIDA will not help! One million trucks pass through these ridiculous stations each year.

Technorati Tags: truck driver blogs,trucking,Prepass,Florida Ag Pass,OOIDA,Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association,Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,trucking blogs

We’re still strong…

Sunday morning. 3 days ago. A Qualcom from the CEO of my company. He says: "Times are tough. Hiring freeze. No new drivers. We hired too many.We have too many trucks. Recruiters will now do sales to get more business. Equipment orders cancelled. No new trucks. We'll spend next year trying to pay down our debt. But we're still strong." OK. I asked another company driver the next morning what he thought of the message. "What message?", he said.  

I've been on the road - post vacation, 8 days now. Just took a load of steel from TN down to the Port of Ft. Lauderdale. 1/4 mile into the port I had to show my drivers license 4 times. It took 4 hours to unload the stuff. A security guard in a golf cart had to be there "monitoring" at all times. Why? Absurd and unnecessary. Is a terrorist going to jump out from the load and demand something? Hijack the load of steel? I don't think so.

The steel was loaded on a ship flatbed "container" (see photo) and should be in the Cayman Islands by the end of the week. Hurricane relief. Rebuilding a government building over there. I have to make sure to visit my contribution some day with Mrs. Grumpy. Maybe next cruise.

From the port I shot up I95 to Yamato Rd. in Delray Beach to visit my 80 year old mother. She was going into surgery for a broken shoulder. I might have stayed, but I haven't seen a good paycheck in about a month. My brother and his wife will (thank goodness) take care of things. There's a pre-load of great smelling Canadian wood going from Lake City to Anderson SC – a 650 mile trip from Lauderdale which I delivered this morning to 84 Lumber.

And so here I sit - waiting. It’s been raining all day. An Arrow truck that delivered before me this morning to the same place already was re-dispatched somewhere on a load. I guess their still strong too. Later operations asked me if I have 5 hours left. I said sure do. Ok, dead head 250+ miles to Huger, SC and load a "hot" coil to Springfield OH. About 900 total miles.

I just released the brakes when the Qualcom beeps. The final doesn't want the "hot" coil until after the 1st of the year. That ain't "hot." I re-applied the brakes and here I sit, most likely until tomorrow or Friday. My paycheck this week was under $500.

The photo credit is V Grumpy on Flikr.

Technorati Tags: Canadian trucking,Canadian wood logistics,Ft. Lauderdale trucking,trucking blogs,truck driving blogs,Arrow trucking

Blagojevitch is going down…

I've done numerous posts on this pinhead, primarily because he has been the driving force in Illinois for the 55 mph speed limit for trucks. Well, as usual, I was right. Not only is he a pinhead, he is corrupt and a crooked pinhead. He was arrested today on charges of corruption and bribery.

According to Monica Davey of The New York Times: "The governor is accused of racing to solicit millions of dollars in donations from people with state business before an ethics law bars such behavior in January, threatening to rescind state funds this fall from businesses whose executives refused to give him money, and pressuring The Chicago Tribune to fire members of its editorial board who had criticized him. 'The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave', Pat Fitzgerald, the United States attorney for the northern district of Illinois, said in announcing the arrest of Mr. Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris."

The link to the Times story is: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/us/politics/10Illinois.html?_r=1&hp

Technorati Tags: 55 mile per hour speed limit for trucks,dual speeds,Illinois dual speeds for cars and trucks,trucking blogs,truck driver blogs,trucking news and commentary,Illinois Governor

The photo credit is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70875173@N00/2547573605/

$15 Billion? Turn off the damn lights!

Especially since you're not selling any cars. I don't know how many car dealerships there are in the US, but they're everywhere. And from what I can see their lots are jammed full of expensive shiny new vehicles with lousy gas mileage. Those annoying salespeople aren't standing around outside anymore waiting to jump all over you. Why? Because they've moved on to other promising careers - like driving a truck.

Last week I was in the middle of nowhere. Actually somewhere on the border of Virginia and West Virginia. It sure seemed like nowhere.  I was parked right off a US highway. There was little or no traffic. The nearest "big" city was hundreds of miles away. And right next to the little truck stop where I was parked, was a car dealership. Lot full. Nobody was there doing anything. But hundred of lights were blaring in the night - all night. What a complete waste of good electricity.

I was told that, perhaps, these dealerships need to leave all these lights on all night for security reasons. And that "they" get some kind of "special" discount from the utility company. Well, despite all the lights, that night, in the middle of what seemed like nowhere, I could have easily stolen any of the vehicles on the lot. And a price break on the power bill? I don't care. Turn them all off. You can most likely see these dealerships from Mars or Venus. Maybe up there “they” have the money to buy one of these overprices gas guzzlers.

We're about to "give" these folks $15 billion dollars to "rescue" the mismanaged auto industry. The least they can do is park the corporate aircraft, lower the bloated fat-cat executive salaries and turn off the damn lights!

The photo credit is: Bizerk-Landmark Ford-Lights

Technorati Tags: trucking,truck driving,economic comment,bailout comment,trucking blogs,trucking driving blogs,auto industry commentary,car dealerships,auto industry rescue plan commentary

The man’s a dummy!

Technorati Tags: oj simpson,oj,trucking blogs,truck drivers,trucking news,trucking commentary,truck driver news,mike tyson,ron goldman,fred goldman

There’s just no doubt about it. After some weird attempt at apologizing to the judge he was sentenced to (up to) 9 years in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping. His maximum incarceration could be 33 years.

He will serve his sentence somewhere in Nevada. The man reminds me of the boxer, Mike Tyson. Both great athletes, but major morons when it came to living as law abiding citizens.

My only hope is one day, OJ will come clean about his murdering Ron Goldman and Nicole Simpson. He still owes the Goldman family $33.5 million dollars won against him in a civil suit.

At least we don’t have to see him flying around and smiling going from restaurant to golf course to hotel to wherever, all mysteriously paid for by money from somewhere.

The credit for the photo is: www.kotaku.com.au

Horny Henderson…

Technorati Tags: Road King,Nancy Henderson,Travel Centers of America,TA,Trace Atkins,Truck Driving,Truckers,Dave Kolman,trucking blogs,truck driving blogs

that's right, Nancy Henderson, editor of the bi-monthly T/A rag "Road King" must have been horny as hell when she selected this photo of Trace Atkins for the cover. She probably has it posted next to her bed.

The last time I saw 'ole Trace he was a bit heavier, and older. Henderson writes about Atkins: "he brings (that) real world experience to all of his songs. And with his 10th album, X, coming in time for the holidays, he made a perfect cover subject for Road King, whose readers understand forging ahead when times are tough."

Can you say stretch?

She continues: "Speaking of hard work, Senior Technical Editor Paul Abelson reviews the new Nightshift mid-sized sleeper in the issue, finding that it's a solid vehicle for getting the job done."

Anyone have a barf bag around?

I'm sure OTR drivers who stop at T/A (dba) pot-hole central will enjoy reading about all this nonsense while taking a well-earned dump after eating at the buffet.

About the only thing 1/2 worthwhile is a piece by Senior Editor, Dave Kolman - is everyone at “Road King” a senior editor? - called "This Officer Was No Gentleman." This is Kolman's stab at a blog. He talks about a "negative" encounter with law enforcement.“ What else is new? But unfortunately does not give details - names and locations, etc. And so, he fails in his attempt to impress me.

Pick up your copy of Road King on the floor of any T/A men's room.

We now have African-Americans, Women, Jews

and just about "everyone" else headed to Washington, DC to represent "us" when Obama takes office this January. But it seems that there's only 6 white middle-aged men "running" for the five open alternate seats for the Board of Directors over there at OOIDA. And they're all owner-operators, which is 6 more reasons for company drivers to avoid OOIDA, take that $45 membership fee and buy their dispatcher a Christmas present. Two of the"candidates" are wearing their beige OOIDA-PAC biege golf shirts. How cute. PAC, is, by the way, a "political action committee." OOIDA's PAC war-chest isn't much since they could apparently only afford to send Todd Spencer to meet with Obama's "transportation" transition team. Just who exactly is on that "transportation" transition team? Anyway, OOIDA still can't figure out how to put the current copyright year on that Special Report. 

Boy, does this suck...not a good sign...

First, let me say that if you haven't read my post on depression, it's right below this entry. This is a real tough time of year for a lot of folks, made only worse by how bad the economy is. So, please, I encourage you to keep a watch out for the signs of depression and seek professional help if you or someone you know might need it. 

Ok, what sucks? Well, it was about a week ago that I was e-mailing Wayne Weisser of LifeontheRoad.com and Adventures in Trucking.com about my (gloating) being in 70 degree weather on vacation and him sitting MT in snowy PA waiting to start driving for Clark Transfer.

So, now here I am, sitting MT somewhere in northwestern Virginia - I think it's called Tazewell - it's dark, cold, wet and yucky. I'm at the "Happy Mart" truck stop and there is space for 1 more truck - that being a total of 4 available spaces, 3 already filled, 1 by yours truly. I toasted a bagel and opened a can of ravioli for dinner. Cinnamon raisin bagel, cream cheese with chives and Chef somebody ravioli - what a combo! Now that's mighty fine dining!

I came out of the house 48 hours ago. I was deadheaded at 3pm from FL 500 miles to Darlington NC to pick up a load of re bar going 300 miles close to where I am right now. I had plenty of time while waiting to get loaded to read one of the many stupid signs on the property - see the photo. Flatbed freight is dead and my company is limiting sending Qualcom messages to cut down on expenses. That is never a good sign. 

In these 48 hours, I could have easily parked the truck, gone back on vacation or just plain have chosen to do something else - Peace Corps.? I was quickly reminded of two of my biggest OTR stresses. One - the lack of available parking early in the evening - especially in horrible NC - and second - drivers "shopping" while parked in front of me on the fuel island. Not a good sign.

And in those 48 hours, I've already passed and saw, since it was very dark outside, two box trucks, going slower than normal, watching DVD's (movies) on a player sitting to their right on top of the dash. One screen was large enough so that I could tell one of the flicks was "True Lies." Watching movies while driving a big truck on a cold dark night? Definitely not a good sign. 

If I'm not reloaded tomorrow with a trip for the weekend, I will have 800 miles for the week. And boy, does that suck. And that's damn sure not a good sign. I just looked at the temperature and it's dropped from 42 to 34 degrees. I won't be surprised if, when I wake up in the morning, that everything around me will be be white. I have enough to eat and drink on board for another day. I didn't do my usual $125 "I'm leaving" Wal-Mart order. But then the "Happy Mart" is within 50 yards of the truck. I've seen nobody go inside for food or go through the "Jarrod's" drive-thru for a burger, fries and shake. And neighbors, that is not a good sign. Later.

Photo credit is V. Grumpy. 

Depression

I had originally researched this piece back on May 28th ‘07. This is the holiday season – Christmas is right around the corner. I know a lot of people out of work and hurting right now. Please read this article and pass along the information to anyone who you feel might need it.

Academy Award winning actress Cher, in the movie "Moonstruck", slaps Nicolas Cage and says "snap out of it!" She was referring to love, but many people believe that by simply saying "snap out of it" someone will "get out" of their depression. It doesn't happen that way.

Depression is a subject that, until very recently, was not openly discussed. There are lots of topics bandied about by truckers, but depression is not one them. There are no available statistics regarding how many truckers suffer or are being treated for depression. Many are unsure of what depression actually is, some are uncomfortable dealing with the realities of the disease and most are afraid of losing their job if someone finds out.

Untreated depression is costly. A RAND Corporation study found that people with depression symptoms spend more days in bed than those with diabetes, arthritis, back afflictions, lung problems or gastrointestinal disorders. Approximately $65 billion is lost to industry each year because of depression. $15 billion of that is lost to absenteeism. Additional loss results if a drivers untreated depression contributes to alcoholism or drug abuse.

Examples of work problems stemming from depression are (careless) on the job injuries, accidents, fights, tired unmotivated workers and bad customer service. And equally affected are the innocent victims that have to suffer as well. In the workplace there are your colleagues. At home, your wife or husband, children, relatives and parents. Depression does not discriminate. Both you and everyone around you hurt.

Kathleen Cronkite (daughter of the famous newsman Walter Cronkite) in her book "On The Edge of Darkness" says that depression "can happen to anyone, at any time and takes many forms. It may be a lifelong problem."

Depression affects about 16 million Americans every year. It is not event driven or temporary. You cannot simply change your environment or the events around you and the depression will go away. It is not a "temporary" situation. You can be rich or poor. It is both biological, physical and painful. It negatively impacts your relationships, work, sleep, appetite and your entire life.

Technorati Tags: depression,trucking,truck drivers,transportation,truck stops,sadness,trucking health,truck driver health,truck driver depression

If you are having any of the following or similar symptoms, discuss them with a doctor.

-loss of energy, feeling run-down despite your activity level

-a change in appetite along with significant weight gain or loss

-sleeping too much or too little

-constant feelings of sadness, tension, stress or uneasiness

-marked decreased ability to concentrate or make decisions

-decreased interest in your usual daily activities, hobbies or people

-feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt

-thoughts of suicide or death

Sitting down with a professional can be cathartic. There is no need for embarrassment. If you can't call for an appointment yourself, ask someone you trust to make it for you. For many, especially men, seeking assistance is difficult. Both men and women should try and understand that depression is not a personal weakness. It is not a character or personality flaw or lack of willpower. You do not have to be ashamed, uncomfortable and afraid.

Depression is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, along with other factors. It is a disease and is very treatable. Many report that after obtaining help the feeling is comparable to coming out of a dark tunnel. Information and education is power. You can go online to numerous sources and support organizations to learn more about depression. The more you know about the causes, symptoms and treatments, the better empowered you are to deal with the disease. Some facts and terms you should be aware of include:

-SAD or seasonal affective disorder or winter depression. Typical with people who live and work in areas with constant dark, cloudy and dreary days with little sunshine.

-PPD or postpartum depression. Affects about 10% of women. Caused by fluctuating hormones in about half of new mothers. It can happen within a few months after delivery or within the first year after giving birth. It can interfere with the mother's ability to bond with her newborn. It is different from "baby blues" which tends to occur within a few days after delivery.

-PMDD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Most women experience some premenstrual symptoms of irritability or depressed mood. About 5% of women who have PMDD have severe irritability and/or depression for a week or two prior to or during menstruation.

-Clinical depression is the "umbrella" term for any depression that requires treatment.

-Dysthymia or "mood disorder" is the lack of experiencing any pleasure in everyday life and continues for two or more years. It differs from clinical depression in the severity of the symptoms.

-OCD is obsessive compulsive disorder. The brain gets "stuck" on a particular thought, action, urge or purpose and "won't let go."

-GAD or general anxiety disorder is excessive and chronic anxiety which interferes with normal daily functioning.

-Atypical depression affects women and is characterized by periods of depression that seems to get better then worse. Panic or anxiety attacks, overeating, hypersensitivity and oversleeping are symptoms.

-Bipolar or manic is marked by extreme high and low "episodes."

-PSTD or post traumatic stress disorder is extreme fear and anxiety caused by an horrific intensely upsetting event.

-SSRI's or selective serotonin re uptake inhibitors are antidepressants prescribed by doctors in the treatment of depression.

Like any serious medical condition, depression needs to be treated. You can't "go it alone." Untreated depression is the #1 cause of suicide. Find out if your employer has an EAP or employee assistance program. This will enable you to seek professional assistance without anyone on the job knowing.

If you know someone who you believe is suffering from depression, encourage them to seek help. Support them and and help them stick with therapy and take their prescribed medication. Understand that depression cannot be treated overnight and that you need patience. Recovery takes time. Just taking that small step to seek help may make all the difference.

RESOURCES:

http://stress-anxiety-depression.org

http://depression.com

http://dbsalliance.org

http://anxietycoping.com

http://depressiononpsychiatry24x7.com

http://menanddepression.himh.hih.gov

http://ocfoundation.org

http://ndmda.org

http://nami.org

http://depressionchat.com

http://depression.org

http://4therapy.com

http://rand.org

http://nimh.nih.gov

DEPRESSION CARE GIVER SUPPORT:

http://members.tripod.com/garyicare

http://nwrwca.org
http://depressionresources.webmd.com

http://directory.google.com/top/health/mental/health/disorders.mood/depression/

http://freedomfromfear.com.mssgboard.asp

http://supportpath.com

http://4women.gov/faq/depress.htm

http://hopeline.com

DRUGS* YOU SHOULD LEARN MORE ABOUT:

*many drug manufacturers have their own web sites - do a Google search

Lexapro

Effexor

Prozac

Zoloft

Paxil

Wellbutrin

Celexa

Cymbalta

** The photos used in this special report are from the University of Michigan School of Mental Health web site - the words are by William Styron - please go to their web site for more information:http://sph.umich.edu/.../images/depression.jpg