Beliefs

So, what do you believe in? Interesting question. I've been hanging out a lot in trucker's forums lately, and boy, are they upset! Mostly over the cost of fuel - I can't blame them there. What I've noticed a lot of is an attitude of anger, mistrust (in the government, big oil, the media, you name it) and real bitterness. I realize it's their (our) livelihood we're talking about, but, man, have a little hope people! This "The world's against us" mentality is not going to make the situation better, in my view anyway. Activism is all well and good, and I've stated my support for the "cause" in my postings over there, but I honestly don't believe a shutdown, boycott or slowdown is going to do much good. The reason being is that not everyone can get on the same page, as they seem to have done in Europe. I don't know about over there, but here there are too many factions within the trucking industry. A shutdown means more business for the cheapshit carriers (I won't mention any names) who won't support a strike. What are we doing to help the victims of this flooding? Where's FEMA? People are asking for donations for the earthquake victims in China, but what about our own people?

I dunno, it just seems like it's every man for himself (sorry ladies). Instead of whining and bitching all the time, people should get off their arses and do something about it. Try other things. There is a freakin' WORLD of opportunity right in front of your faces (here, on the internet). You just have to open your eyes to the possibilities, that's all. Look, I'm not lashing out at any one group of truckers or people. I know the drivers that post on that forum all seem reasonably intelligent, and care about the crisis that's going on. It just seems there's a lot (too much) of negativity in the whole discussion.

I've been reading "The Secret" lately, and wow, are my eyes opened now. I've always believed that I would have abundance (wealth, etc.) in my life; I've just been too stubborn or negative to allow it to happen. Now, that is all going to change, and it can change for everybody, if they really want and expect it. My message here is one of hope. My life is about to change dramatically for the better, with or without the trucking industry, and I want that for all my fellow trucker brothers and sisters out there. It may sound corny, or hokey, but that's where I'm at right now, so deal with it. I wish all of you peace and prosperity, health and happiness in your lives, and most of all, love.


More soon,


Steve

Sticking Out

Yeah, so the company has these new decals they're putting on the trailers - hideous things!
I don't know how much money it's going to cost them, but...Hey, I don't give a rat's ass what they put on there, as long as the trailer's functional, and the reefer works, I'll pull the damn thing. Advertising, without spending money on traditional advertising, is the motivation. We
look like giant pumpkins rolling down the road; as long as I'm not confused with Schneider...lol
Since we don't use CBs (at least I don't), I'm sure I'll be getting more waves and "blow your horn" gestures from kids.
The past couple weeks (chit, the whole month of May) have been crazy: first, I get hit by a
speeding idiot while sitting at a light, south side of Chicago, at one in the morning. I was not a happy camper. The guy took out my left front quarter-panel, fucked up the front wheel. Had to wait 2 hours for a replacement unit (a daycab, which meant a motel room). They fixed the truck within about 10 days, and she rolls good as new. I tell ya, me and that Freightliner have been to
hell & back together. Anyway, the next thing that happened was I stabbed myself in the face with a knife. No kidding. I was cutting through some cardboard, then punched the cardboard, knife still in hand, bam! Right in the nose! Real smart, eh? And I bitch to my bosses about their
compromising on safety! Sheesh! After bleeding like a stuck pig for 10 minutes or so, I called my
dispatcher, told him what happened, and came on back. It's fine now, docs patched me up.
The knife thing was about 10 days ago. Last week, my lead driver took a key that I needed
off my keychain, so I couldn't deliver to my last store; I had to go pick up 14 (instead of the usual
20) pallets of cheese, put the customer's product on the ass end, then double back & do the delivery. After I was done, I had a little over 3 hours left. This was in West Bend, WI and I have
to get to the south 'burbs of Chicago. In 3 hours? Are you shittin' me? I mean, Milwaukee traffic's bad enough, but then you have the nightmare that is 94/294. So I found a truckstop and did my 10 hrs, then took off.
I've been taking alternate routes (mainly 90 thru Madison, Rockford) to stay away from that 294 mess. But, it turns out another driver needed the keys I did have and he was delivering in Milwaukee, so I found yet another truckstop, waited for him, handed off the keys, and came back via, you guessed it, 294. Actually, it's not too bad at midnight, mostly fast-drivin' trucks.
Again, not a happy camper.
Then, I'm heading up to Madison, and I find out the franchisee up there wants to see the new decals. So I go to the TA and find a spot on the end, so he can stop by any old time and check it out. All's I ask is he don't bug me when I'm trying to sleep (without A/C by the way - another story for another day). He never showed, so I go over to the store at closing time, and he's out there in the parking lot, creamin' his jeans over this new decal. He's like "Hey, that would be great advertising for our dinner rush!" So, basically he wants me up there every Friday, parked in his lot, so people driving by can see the trailer. Oh, JOY!
Let's see what they come up with this week - and give me something else to whine about.

More soon,


Steve