Stating the Obvious

One of my biggest annoyances is trying to get through a Weigh Station. There are several that I pass by that seem to have a rhythm of their own. For instance, traveling south in Virginia, the traffic ALWAYS slows to below 55mph while approaching the Winchester Scale House. Doesn't matter what time of day it is, or what vehicle in is front of me. It always slows to 55mph.... It is a 65 mph zone!!

Speaking of which, the speed zone while traveling through the scale is 40 mph. Yeah, that doesn't happen either. Usually runs around 25mph, and once again, it doesn't matter what time of day or how many trucks are in line. Somebody is going to get anxious and try to creep through unnoticed. I sincerely wished DOT would pull these idiots around to the back just simply for being a dumbass.

My greatest annoyance occurs in North Carolina. On I-77 and south of Charlotte on I-85. These scale house have a platform with a light tree located at the end. The light stays a continuous green unless they want to check you more closely. If it flashes to red, then and only then is one expected to actually stop on the platform. It seems about 25% percent of the drivers will stop on the green and wait....  I have no idea what they are waiting for.

In the past month, North Carolina has taken into consideration that perhaps the red and green lights do not specifically indicate whether a driver should stop or go, so they added a sign with beneficial information for those who might be confused.

In Remembrance... Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Fowlkes

I am at a loss for words as how to go about writing this post. I am very patriotic and emotional when it comes to our Country, our Freedoms, and the men and women who willingly give their lives to protect us. Not since Vietnam has there been a draft. This means every soldier has willingly volunteered to give their life.

On Wednesday, a young Marine was brought home after being killed in Afghanistan. The entire South Carolina Upstate turned out to pay respects to this young man. The overpasses and service roads were lined with men and women bearing flags and flowers. It was a very emotional experience for me. Fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, and ordinary citizens. I was touched!

He was to be flown into Greenville, South Carolina, and then transported back to his hometown of Gaffney. I just happened to be driving south towards Greenville, when I noticed the procession heading towards me. It was amazing. There had to be over a hundred law enforcement vehicles alone, much less, all the others involved. I wanted to pull over to the shoulder and say a prayer and offer my gratitude to this man. I am forever indebted.

I noticed the cars on either side of me wanting to stop as well. So that is when we made a unanimous unspoken decision to do what is right. The five cars surrounding me, as well as myself slow to a stop with headlights on, and waited for the procession to pass. Me, with tears in my eyes!! This man gave his life for ME.. My freedoms, and did not even know me. He gave his life for everyone of us, regardless of our beliefs concerning this war! He is my hero!!

I felt so proud to be a part of this, to be able to say a silent Thank You! I know there are many others who have given their lives and I wish to Thank each and every family who supported the decision of a loved one, to fight for this Country.

However, I am also angry. I am very angry and outraged even at the attitudes of some of those around me. Truck drivers, in particular!! Over the airwaves, the CB radio came alive with complaints of traffic delays. Arguing and cursing. It was just unreal. What is wrong with these people. When we stopped traffic, the drivers around me were screaming obscenities and blowing the horn. The lady in the Schneider truck beside me was actually shooting me the bird and yelling at me to move!! I have never wanted to slap someone so hard in my life.

So yes, I am very proud to have shut down the interstate. You idiots will give me my moment to say Thanks... I know, every thing is about you, but this man gave his life for you, TOO. The least you could have done was give him less than a minute of your time without complaining..I don't understand what is wrong with people today.

Grrrrrrrr.........

I have got umpteen posts to present to you , my friends and followers. But unfortunately, I just do not have the time to write them.

As of Thursday (when I was so rudely called back into duty) I now have over 3000 miles under my tires and still have 2 days left before I head home. Um, yeah, I have been a busy Little Trucker. Atlanta to Miami to Atlanta to Nashville to Atlanta to Baltimore to Charlotte.......Well, not exactly those cities. But that is the general route. Hope fully, tomorrow I will get a chance to toss out a few words.

Until then, here is the short list.

1) Para~sailing hijinx

2) Lower Body Pain and the Doctor

3) Shellfish

4) Frankentruck, Maggie and Mister T

5) Runner's Remorse

6) Towanda!! and The Cruise

By now you are probably scratching your head wondering what all of this means, but this is just a reminder to myself to salvage these specific posts for your reading pleasure. You see, if I don't type them up pretty quick, I lose them. You have no idea how many have already slipped out of my noggin.....

Yikes!! Time for bed....Talk at ya soon!!

Investments

I left Bama this evening, making my way back to the Peach State. I have not been here since December 23rd. Most of that was vacation to the House of Mouse, but I am forced now to return to work. I had counted on a full 3 weeks off, but that did not happen. 

My main intention when pulling out of the drive was to stop at Exit 310 and fuel up Sally. I always fuel at Exit 310. For some reason, when I reached Exit 325, I whipped off the interstate and pulled into a gas station. Not my normal stop. I was not critically low, and McDonalds was not calling my name, but yet, 325 is where I stopped. While pumping high octane into the Pony Cars belly, I noticed a man who seemed to be at wits end. Turns out, his daughter had just delivered his first grandchild in Auburn, Al and he was on his way back to Nashville after a very long night. She delivered at 3 am, so he looked wore out. Excited, but fatigued, he managed to leave his wallet and cell phone in Auburn. Sitting at the pumps, he counted out lost change he had scrounged to find under his seats. I noticed all the activity, and that is when I asked if everything was okay. He never once asked for money. Instead, he told me his story and asked if I knew if there was a Catholic Church nearby. Not that familiar with the area, I told him I did not.

I finished pumping my gas, and as I made my way in to pay for it, I instructed the clerk to put $11.00 on his pump. That was all the cash I had left.  While I was using the restroom, she obviously had told him what I had done and he thanked me profusely. He then asked for my address, so he could send me the money when he got home. I politely told him that would not be necessary. It was an investment.  

You see, I believe that if we do what we can to help someone when they are in need, then we will be repaid in our own time of crisis.....  

Come to think of it, maybe this is why I am never in a situation where I would require assistance from a complete stranger.

Don't ya just love these "feel good" moments.  I know I do.

Now, That Makes Me Feel OLD...

I was out on the town today running a few errands, and there was this gift card burning a hole in my pocket. The card is from a store that I never shop in and I have had the gift card for months.

So, before I forgot I even had the thing, I thought I should use it up.

I stumbled around for what seemed like hours searching desperately for just one item that I would be willing to cart home with me when out of nowhere, there stood this display before me. And upon this display.......

Vintage Rock-n-Roll T-Shirts.

Most of them I would have truly considered to be vintage Rock-n-Rollers, mostly bands from the 70's. But there were a few that I did not think belonged in the vintage category. But hey, could just be me, right?

So, I picked up my found treasure and ventured towards the register. When the darling little cashier rang up my purchase, she exclaimed, " Wow, that is a cool T-Shirt". To which I replied, "And a great concert, too" Then she just looked at me.

That is when I realized that the concert I had attended probably occurred before her birth, and the original T-shirt worn out before her first steps were taken....

Damn, I feel old!!

Forgotten Posts

I have been so stretched to beyond capacity lately... I just want a day off from everything....

I should be on cloud nine right now, for tomorrow morning I am heading to Dallas to visit some long lost school friends..... I am sure I will have a blast, but tonight..... I am stressed.

I have a buzillion unposted posts.... (Oh yeah, did I mention I feel a bit silly right now too).

I got home from work at 6pm.... I need to pack....... but I am too tired...

I have also neglected some very dear friends.... I need to contact them!! I miss you, Mischka. It feels like we have not talked in forever.

I just feel like I am so far behind on ????? everything....

So, this is a post to remind me of things to post....

Birmingham

Double Standards

Blow Job.... no, not what you are thinking but it was a catchy title.....

Perry Tech......

medications..

okay, that should do it for now.. I know this post makes no sense to the rest of you, but my brother puts hidden messages in his posts and if I hide my reminders , then what good would it do to post it....

I hope everyone is doing well.... Toodles