Well, it has been a full day. It is going to be a long lonely weekend.
This is one of the things I hate about trucking. Due to no fault of my own, ok well maybe some, the loads I chose took me to a dead end for 2-3 days. I took what at the time seemed to be the most profitable and would land me in a good spot to roll the weekend. It did not work out that way, so I will sit for 2-3 days. Interesting part about trucking is, if the wheels ain't turnin, you ain't makin no money. If you work at a normal job and there is nothing to do but busy work, at least you still get paid. I don't get paid for sittin, and it costs me money to sit. Just to shower is $10 per day.
The good. I reconnected with an old friend today, someone who can cheer you up just by saying hello. That is always a good thing. I also got to stop and eat at a favorite place today. That is a big positive about my lifestyle is the ability to find and enjoy new places. Today's stop was in Rayne, LA, at a place called the Frog City Travel Plaza. On the menu is some really good cajun food and I make it a point to have gumbo there whenever I can. By now you are wondering, "Frog City"? There is indeed history and a story behind the name. Click here to learn http://www.exploratorium.edu/frogs/rayne/index.html
The other good. I got a text from my daughter in El Paso, TX today. She sent me another cute pic of my grandbaby. So I will share.
In this day and age, when it is all bout me and right now, courtesy has gotten lost. And it is not the men in this case. I hold the door for lots of folks. Twice today I held the door for female truckers, neither of them said thank you. What? Is there an expectation that I should and do not deserve a response? If I say good morning to you, can you at least respond? Tell me to go to hell, I don't care, but try to be friendly if possible. Here is a little tip to make some people feel human, if they are wearing a name tag, call them by name. Instead of just saying thanks when the waitress brings the coffee, take the time to look at her nametag and call her by her name. It almost always gets a smile because you noticed. I have really started practicing this and it makes a difference, whether it be a waitress at a truckstop or the worker at The Home Depot. Instead of just passing by someone and keep on walking, try a good morning or good day, maybe that little bit of attention will make their day because someone they are thinking about is not thinking about them. Courtesy requires very little effort but pays great rewards.
I had the occasion today to pay some more of my clean air tax. What is that you say? You have never heard of it? Well let me share my story with you. You see there are really evil polluters out there that bring you your groceries, your gasoline, your clothes, and anything else you own. Yes we are the evil truckdrivers and we must be made to pay for that privilege. As of the year of 2007 there were some new standards enacted for diesel vehicles, the first was a change in fuel formulation and then the addition of devices to the trucks that would reduce pollution. Here is the cool part, you will pay more for the new fuel, oh and it requires new oils and additives for the engines, oh and there are two new filters that are on the trucks. This first tax amounts to a one time payment in the vicinity of $10k. Then there is the added lifetime tax on the fuel of nearly $100k per truck based on an average lifespan of the truck being 10 years. Oh wait there's more. You see the wonderful Diesel Particulate Filter that is added to the truck also requires maintenance, as it must be cleaned approximately every 2 years, at a minimum cost of $600. But wait, there's more, for only another $450 a year you get to burn 150 gallons of diesel in this DPF, to turn the soot to ash, so that every 2 years you can clean it. Well you say, you deserve to be treated that way since you are such an evil polluter. The thing is we have not seen a raise in the last 3 years since all this was introduced, no one wants to pay more for what they have, but they want to stop global warming, I mean global cooling,, oh hell climate change. This is all for the better they say. But in the mean time, I will spend less, not buy as many big macs, and hold off on that new car purchase. To hell with the economy, we must support the polar bears, the sandhill crane, and Al "looney bin" Gore. I'm just sayin.....
The week has begun.
It is good to be back on the road. Having been off for a month I am again becoming re-acquainted with those that either know traffic laws and choose to avoid them, or are so wrapped up in themselves that they really do not care. A couple of simple things to follow here.
1. Turn Signals. I know these are antiquated devices and serve no real purpose, but lets look at this wonderful invention and how it should be used. When you are on the entrance ramp to the interstate highway, it is the law, that you must use your turn signal. While it is understood that you are entering the interstate, this is also a courtesy that says, "I see you", here I come. If you are using your turn signal, and it is safe for me to move over, I will give you room. On the other hand, if your phone is glued to your ear and you are holding it with your signal hand, and you just come charging out and expect me to move over, then forget it. It is your job to safely and legally merge with traffic. This means set the phone down, or put down the fat pill that you must eat while driving and use your turn signal. As far as I am concerned it is your desire to drive on the shoulder of the road. Also, it takes me a little while to make a turn, when you see my signal on as you approach me head on, and we are both making left turns, then please use your signal so I may begin my turn instead of having to assume that you are going straight. Again, I know, you are on a most important phone call with Publisher's Clearing House, but please use your turn signals!!!!
2. Directions. With all of the technology out there today, there is no excuse for last minute lane changes to catch an exit ramp. I know that I drive slower than you do, however, you can wait the extra 5-7 seconds behind me until it is time for you to safely and LEGALLY exit the highway. It really makes me angry when I see you behind me, you jet out to my left side, then pull a Dale Earnhardt and cut me off not knowing that you are 3 seconds from death. You do not know what is in front of me or what the condition or traffic flow is on the ramp. If you hit your brakes in front of me like that, understand, you have just written your obituary, because I cannot stop 80,000 pounds in 50 feet. If you see that you have missed your ramp, continue forward on the interstate and take the next one and come back. Trust me, unless you are at the end of the highway, there is another ramp ahead.
I am a courteous driver, I expect you to do the same.
Today really gets things started for the new year. I pick up my truck from the shop, make sure all my permits are in order, logbook is ready to go and finish all the laundry. Tomorrow I pack the truck and prepare to roll out on Sunday.
The start of this new year and week will find me picking up a new trailer at the Utility Trailer plant in Paragould, AR and delivering it to a dealer on the east side of Fort Wayne, IN. This is roughly half of what I do, picking up new trailers and delivering to the dealers and customers they were designed for. The other half of what I do is moving trailers for shows such as Cirque Du Soleil, Disney on Ice, Broadway shows, Rock Concerts. Also included in this list of other things would be military simulators, portable equipment, and carnival rides.
