Mistaken Identity

HA ha ha.....

Last week, I found myself in a situation that has not happened to me in a decade, and one that continues to confuse me.

You have seen pictures of me, and if you watch any of my videos, I typically have a hooded sweat shirt and jeans on while working in the winter months. So, you tell me, how does this happen?

I was taking a break in Jackson, Mississippi after unloading five stops of cabinetry. Yes, I am back to stick hauling again. It was early yet, and my next stop was Metairie, Louisiana. I could not make the next delivery until 6am the next morning, and not knowing how safe I would be in Metairie, I decided to camp out in Jackson for the night. Not to mention, I was in desperate need of a shower and some down time. I was exhausted!!  

I crashed pretty early with the intentions of getting a jump on the day and making the 3 hour drive in the dusky hours of the morning. I awoke at 3am and headed into the truck stop for a cup of joe before meandering down the Super Slab.  

When I entered the store, I made my way to the coffee pots. While doctoring up my brew, I noticed a security guard watching me. He made his way towards me and attempted to engage me in conversation.

Where ya going?

Metairie, Louisiana.

What for?

To deliver my load.

Oh, so you drive a truck?

Yes Sir!  all the while smiling sweetly and stirring my java

So, you are going to Baton Rouge to load, huh?

No, Metairie to unload.

Oh, yeah, you are going to Metairie to get loaded?

No sir, I am going to empty my trailer. I have two stops left. One in Metairie and one in Houma. Then I will drive my Big Truck back to Alabama, because I will not have to reload, and then I will be at home for the weekend before I head back to Georgia in my Big Truck.

So, how long you been driving?

I have been asleep...Now I am starting my day, that is why I am getting coffee.  ( I had to have a little fun with him) I then walked to the counter to pay, and he continued to ask redundant questions, altering the wording as if to confuse me.

If you have not figure it out by now, it was 3 am and he was a bombarding me with questions in order to find out my intentions because he suspected , perhaps that I was a Lady Of The Night. I mean, sure, why else would a woman be walking around the truck stop parking lot in the wee hours of the morning. Except to get coffee before driving off in her Big Truck to make her delivery in Metairie, Louisiana.

When I left the store, I noticed he was watching me...He even stepped outside so his view could follow me all the way to the truck...

As, I drove away, he was still staring intently, so I waved and tooted my horn.

It has been at least a decade since some figure of authority has confused my identity. The last time was in Oklahoma City, in broad daylight.....but that is another story.

R I P ~ Maggie

And this time I mean it.

As you may, or may not know..... Maggie is the name of my Big Truck....Er...Um  WAS the name of my Big Truck.

Maggie and I have a history together. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. She had less than a hundred miles on her when we began our relationship. But our relationship has been a rocky one right from the start. Leaks, computer issues, suspension problems, more leaks. Something seemed to go wrong every single trip. We parted ways, due to an exhaust leak that left me too disoriented to recognize my own neighborhood. After 6 weeks, we gave it another try, because hers' was the only seat that did not cut into my short legs and cut off my circulation. 

But now....I am finished with her for good.

Last week, as has become the norm, I wrote up several issues on  my inspection report. When I returned to work 3 days later, the repairs that were supposedly made did not correct the problems. Two of our drivers have recently been terminated, so I asked if I could borrow one of the newly empty trucks to give it a test drive to Miami. After loading only the required gear, I set off  with high expectations.

This borrowed truck has now become my own. The front end did not shake, rattle or weave. The suspension did not jump erratically, and best of all....The exhaust fumes only exited through the exhaust pipe. Maggie's exhaust actually was coming into the cab of the truck through the air condition vents. So, after cranking up the borrowed truck, I turned on the air and stuck my nose deep into her ducts....NO FUMES!  That alone was reason enough to make the swap.

I am so frustrated by the experiences I have lived through in my relationship with Maggie, that I no longer care about these stupid trucks. Yes, I will clean this one up and take good care of it. 

But really, I am so over it...

This week.....The engine fault light has been coming on, and the ABS does not work properly....on the newly acquired rig....I think I will just drive this one into the ground...I cannot bear to go through this again....

Other than that...this truck seems to do okay....And I still think that not having exhaust coming through the dash is enough to make me grateful. Even if I do not sound that way, I really am!!

Stick Hauler Extraordinaire

Last week, after finishing up my dedicated route for the week, I was heading home when I received a phone call from the BossMan. There had been a request for a driver to assist in the delivery of another dedicated account, and because I lived so close to the facility, the option was mine for the choosing.

I made the decision, after all, when is extra income not appreciated. So, I grabbed my truck and took off on my new mission. Originally, the information that was related to me included the knowledge that I would be hauling a load of cabinets to several locations in the Carolinas. However, by the time I reached the Dedicated Facility, the load had changed dramatically. 

The new assignment was to deliver a trailer load of inexpensive bedroom furniture to several locations in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Very small discount furniture stores, where the product had to be delivered to the front door.

Initially I had extreme reservations about completing this task. The first being that I am a petite female, and the load required that the driver tailgate the entire load... (Tailgating is the expression used when a driver has to physically move all items to the rear opening of the trailer, then to be unloaded by the customer)   Tailgating is not so bad, but bedroom furniture !!!  We are talking dressers and chests and entertainment cabinets, along with many smaller items.  Items stacked well over my head. Bulky items with a substantial amount of bulky weight....ME....a little bitty girl.......and a trailer load of furniture.  

But, oh, how I love a challenge..

 The second issue that left me cringing was the fact that it was to be delivered in Illinois.

Now, I do not have a tremendous problem with the thought of traveling through the Land Of Lincoln (the speed restrictions are frustrating) but the real concern is that when someone mentions Illinois, I automatically think of Chicago.   I know, I run New York City with an absolute fierce loyalty. So, why should Chicago be so intimidating to me. Well, to answer your question, I have spent my fair share of time in the Windy City, and just have no desire to go back. The last time I made that trip, I saw a horrible fatality happen in my immediate proximity...Watched it happen...and well, I just do not think I could revisit the scene without reliving the emotions of that.

Because I had already obligated myself to this run, I pressed on.  Whew!!  Lucky for me, Chicago was not on the route!!

I had several stops in each state, and quickly discovered that being a Stick Hauler was not so bad....Yes....I am SERIOUS.  You see, I like to work!!  I detest driving for two days to sit at a dock for hours before driving 2 more days to sit at a dock...I need activity..One of the reasons, I love my job....I have been known to tell people that I work in NYC, and I just have a really long commute to get to work.   So, you see, I really did enjoy this!  I made several stops and quickly learned the most efficient method to remove the items.  By the time it was over, I had hand delivered over 200 pieces of furniture...

Hopefully this little jewel will fall into my lap again. I told the manager of the account to give me a call anytime he had a load he needed to cover. He just happened to call back this week, while I was  in Miami, so I was unable to help.  But at least he thought of me.. He also told me that by the time I had finished delivering the load, he had already received a call asking if I could be permanently placed on this account because I was the most awesome stick hauler they had ever met..Okay, maybe that is a little extreme, but I was given recognition for a job very well done! Funny thing though, I was not looking to get recognition, I just wanted to get home, and well, I do enjoy working hard, so that made is easier for me!

I am the most awesome Stick Hauler ever!!!!

Down Under

I just felt the need to share....

 

Absolutely Breathtaking!!

The Dawning of a New Day!!

These photographs were taken by a friend, specifically for me!!  Thanks so much!!!  Maybe I will one day be able to behold the prodigious performance that Mother Nature puts on in the land of Oz!!  It IS stunning, isn't it...

There IS a First Time For Everything

I can honesty say that in all of my years of Trucking, the following story has never happened to me before now..This is truly a first time experience, and therefore, I knew I had to share it with you.

Last week, after finishing up my weekly routine with the Aluminum Company, I was loaned out to  another company to help out with an extra run. I agreed to do it because it got me and the truck home, eliminating my commute in the Pony Car.

What I didn't consider was the fact that I had obligated myself to quite a hefty haul, but that is another post. So after working overtime, I made it home for a 48 hour break, completely exhausted. On Sunday, several extraordinary events occurred, leaving me a little bumfuzzled. For example, I had several long time acquaintances, er, um, somewhat declare their more than passing adoration for me. Okay, 2 fellows asked me out, and a third just mentioned he was hooked!!

Also, one of our long term drivers was fired, leaving the rest of us to only speculate why. 

I attribute all of these events to be the cause of what happened next.

I was told my route would start in Goodwater, Alabama.  I asked another driver which exit I needed to find the customer, as I can never remember the exit number. He looked at me funny when I told him what route I was planning to take, but he never said a word. I set forth on my journey, Goodwater on the brain, along with professions of love, aching muscles, and a fear of losing my job.

A few hours later, I arrived at the customer, preparing for a peaceful nights sleep, when it suddenly dawned on me, that I was not in Goodwater. You see, we have a customer in Alabama who has several different locations. I was at the right customer, just the wrong town.  So, I set forth again, heading to the real Goodwater...

I have never in my life, driven to the wrong location.

The next morning, I got unloaded and before heading out to stop number two, I was groped by an 83 year old fork lift driver......Niiiiicccceeeeeeeee!!

Oh well, all is well that ends well, and although I added an additional hour to my trip, the feeble fingers coping a feel of me arse, made it all worth while , don't ya think!!

What a minute, that is two FIRST's...........

Natural Disasters

Wow!  I had an incredibly busy week... Travelling through multiple states, pulling multiple loads, I am exhausted. 

But during the course of this week's adventures, I stumbled upon a few natural disasters. I know that we respond to these events and comfort and care for those who have been affected, but I cant help but think that this is all part of the plan...You know, Mother Natures way of spring cleaning.

First, I witnessed another brush fire in Southern Florida. The odd part was, as I was heading south towards Medley, there was no indication of anything awry, but less than 2 hours later, heading back northbound, I noticed the billowing smoke clouds.  This makes the third wildfire I have seen in Florida in 2 weeks.

Later, on Friday, while heading home from an additional route, I traversed down the Pennyrile Parkway in Kentucky, and witnessed first hand the destruction left behind from the ice storms.  

Too Close To Home

By now, I am sure most of you have read or heard of the terrible tragedy that occurred in Geneva County , Alabama this week..

I received a phone call, the morning after. The first tidbits of information started to trickle through the drivers phone calls....At first , not much was clear on the exact details, except that something had happened at Reliable, one of our biggest Alabama customers.  Through the next several hours, I went through a wide  range of emotions. Fearing the worst...Dreading the news  that my friends and customers were on the victims list. The killer's name was so familiar....As the details started pouring in, I soon realized that none of the people I know had been attacked, but rather innocent bystanders and the killer's own family. His name......I know that name.

One of our drivers had just delivered at that plant....I was grateful to see the Receiver standing on the dock in the television news coverage.....My thoughts were very random as well as my emotions.... I could not comprehend... This is just way to close to home.....

The Things We Do For Love

During the course of the past several weeks, I have been able to remain at home until Sunday before heading out on each week's new journey. These new routes have suited me well! But, with living in such close proximity to my niece, I am also required to make sure and tell her GoodBye before I leave town.

Last week, her tender little heart was broken! When she had awoken that morning, a tiny amount of snow had blanketed the ground.. You should be aware that this is only the third time in her life she has ever witnessed snow first hand. Wanting to experience the fluffy white goodness for herself, she begged to be able to miss Church, this one time... Her requests denied.....

When she arrived home a mere 3 hours later, the ground was no longer fluffy or white. Needless to say, she shed quite a few tears that day.

2 hours later!!

This morning, I received a phone call from her asking if I could possibly wait for her to get home before I headed out...My intentions were to leave while she was gone. But I could hear the first sniffles and imminent heart break in her voice, so I sit here waiting for my best friend to come home...A hug is all she needs and then she will send me on my way... Yes, I will see her again within a 4 day period, but I seem to remember a time in my life when I would also cry over a departure, even though I knew that person would be back soon!  Who knows.....she may outgrow me one day, so I gotta get all the loving while I can!!

Min Min Lights

Owyagoinmate?    HA HA....

Recently, while having a chat with a new friend of mine, we got caught up in telling Old Trucker Stories...First I must caution you to be very careful what you believe when it comes to a Trucker telling you a story, they have been known to embellish a few details.

Anyways, he delighted me with a tale regarding the Australian Min Min Lights, and a ruse he had used to , shall we say, errrrr, motivate another driver!!

During his charismatic presentation of the aboriginal myth used in his harmless little prank, I realized that I HAVE SEEN these lights...Okay, so maybe not in OZ ( Australia), but I was in Kansas, and isn't that where Dorothy was from before she encountered the Wizard (of OZ).... And maybe these were not the actual Min Min Lights....But I did witness this very same phenomenon...And I must say, it scared the poo out of me.

Here is my tale, as best remembered from approximately 9 years ago...

I was traveling south on US 183 through Kansas, heading towards the Interstate... It was late into the night and traffic was light. Approximately 15 miles from the Big Road, I began to notice this strange occurrence in the heavens...I slowed, naturally , to get a better glimpse.  I had not seen any traffic for awhile, but as I crept further south, gazing into the night sky, I came upon 5 cars stopped in the middle of the highway.  Hey, if you cant beat em, join em... So, I stopped too, which allowed me to get an even better look. 

What I witnessed was truly mystifying. Terrifying even!!

There seemed to be a flock of lights....These lights were hovering in the air about 50 feet due east, and no more than 40 feet off the ground. The lights themselves were orb shaped with a brilliant beam shining forward into their trajectory. I say "flock" because their movement resembled that of a flock of geese...There was one brilliant illumination followed by 20-25 smaller orbs in a typical flock pattern.  The beam projected from a glowing sphere... Once the lights had passed, you could no longer see the glowing orbs, just the beam of light that extended forward. They moved in unison, much like birds, moderately changing elevation, but enough to know this was not a simple refraction of headlights on another road. These lights were moving on their own....At one point, the largest orb stopped, and its glowing beacon scanned an area of 180 degrees, before continuing north. That is when we all decided to get a move on!!!

Before stumbling upon this strange phenomenon, I had been very tired and in earnest pursuit of a place to bed down for the night.  Remarkably, however, when it had passed, I had absolutely no intention of stopping my truck and going to sleep any where in the entire state...

Often, I had wondered what exactly I had seen.. In telling this story to others, I often remarked that it was light seeing a flock of radio active ducks, with flashlights tape to their bills, except there were no ducks.....Just hovering flashlights.......

But now, thanks to the Man Of The Hour, I no longer have to fear aliens trying to track me down. Seriously, that whole probing thing sort of scares me!!!!

Can NO ONE Get it RIGHT??

I will try to keep this one short and sweet.....Just like me!!!  

Last week my laptop's power cord failed... The model I needed was not in stock.

I ordered one on line and paid extra to have it shipped Next Day!!

I received it 2 days later (YAY)...

This is what I got....

This is a two piece unit sold together as a single item, but for some strange reason, the two pieces are not compatible.....

Enough Said....I feel a few four letter expletives coming........

I hope you are all having a wonderful week!!