I headed up to the yard this morning once I got to #2 on the board. I loaded up my weights and bench, then kicked back and started a movie. It wasn't long before I got a load assignment, but it seems to be a pretty typical deal leaving here lately. Pick up at 9pm and run overnight. After my movie, I went back home to try and get some rest. In theory they let me know about my schedule early enough to let me take a nice nap. In reality I can't sleep on command. So, I guess I'll be feeling pretty tired once I get done with my 500 mile shift. Whatever dude, I need to get some bucks on the paycheck before this month runs out. 500 miles for my first shift is A-OK.
I'm picking up at the logistics place on Ecorse Road in Belleville. I've been there a few times and they're usually more than happy to get started early if they have an open dock. That being the case, I'll top off the tanks here in just a minute and head over there. I am set to relay the load at our yard in Pocahontas, Illinois tomorrow morning. The challenge, aside from the driving, is going to be reminding myself to work out after my break starts. The old trousers are getting a little snug for my liking and, since the ladies aren't exactly banging down my door these days, I gotta do what I gotta do. This getting old shit is for the birds. In my head I'm more like 21 but the dude in the mirror passed 30 last year and didn't look back.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
9/25/07
When I was in school, I had a habit of going out drinking at night and then jamming out my assignments a few minutes before they were due. Sadly, some things we don't outgrow. I had good intentions to tie up all my loose ends early this morning and then get on the board in time to catch a load out of here some time today. Instead, I woke up with a hangover and went back to bed. Then, by the time I did everything I needed to to, it was evening. I got on the board at #5 and the dispatcher in Taylor let me know it would be morning before they had anything for me. So, I'm still home.
The day wasn't a total loss though. I drove out to Farmington Hills and got my fingerprints done for the TSA background check. This means that I can take the tests and get my hazmat endorsement the next time I'm in town. I'll most likely just add the tanker and double/triple endorsements while I'm at it. Occasionally I'll see a posting for a job that piques my interest, but it requires the extra endorsements that I don't presently have. Also, with CFI being pulled into more and more of the internal ConWay freight, having the hazmat probably won't hurt in terms of keeping my miles up. I'd been reluctant to shell out the $94 for the fingerprints, but certain events on the nation's football fields over the past couple of weeks have left me with a few extra bucks, so what the hell.
I got my laundry done, washed my car, paid a few bills, and then lounged the night away on the couch. It was good to see the Tigers win in convincing fashion. For all intents and purposes, they're eliminated from the playoffs, but they still gave a solid effort for the home fans tonight. It would have been nice to see that kind of performance last night, while I was actually at the game, but that's the way it goes I guess.
Counting tomorrow, I'll have five days of work left in the current pay period. Since a bunch of reimbursements for tolls on the last few trips have caught up with me, the paycheck should be okay. I'd like to knock out around 2,500 more miles by the end of the month, but I won't hold my breath. A lot of people have been saying their miles are down this month so I'll expect the worst and maybe I'll end up pleasantly surprised. My safety bonus check should hit my bank account any day now and take some of the financial sting out of my time off.
For now, I'll start up my Vongo and let it grab me a few movies while I sleep, then it's back to the grind tomorrow morning. Cheers.
The day wasn't a total loss though. I drove out to Farmington Hills and got my fingerprints done for the TSA background check. This means that I can take the tests and get my hazmat endorsement the next time I'm in town. I'll most likely just add the tanker and double/triple endorsements while I'm at it. Occasionally I'll see a posting for a job that piques my interest, but it requires the extra endorsements that I don't presently have. Also, with CFI being pulled into more and more of the internal ConWay freight, having the hazmat probably won't hurt in terms of keeping my miles up. I'd been reluctant to shell out the $94 for the fingerprints, but certain events on the nation's football fields over the past couple of weeks have left me with a few extra bucks, so what the hell.
I got my laundry done, washed my car, paid a few bills, and then lounged the night away on the couch. It was good to see the Tigers win in convincing fashion. For all intents and purposes, they're eliminated from the playoffs, but they still gave a solid effort for the home fans tonight. It would have been nice to see that kind of performance last night, while I was actually at the game, but that's the way it goes I guess.
Counting tomorrow, I'll have five days of work left in the current pay period. Since a bunch of reimbursements for tolls on the last few trips have caught up with me, the paycheck should be okay. I'd like to knock out around 2,500 more miles by the end of the month, but I won't hold my breath. A lot of people have been saying their miles are down this month so I'll expect the worst and maybe I'll end up pleasantly surprised. My safety bonus check should hit my bank account any day now and take some of the financial sting out of my time off.
For now, I'll start up my Vongo and let it grab me a few movies while I sleep, then it's back to the grind tomorrow morning. Cheers.
Monday, September 24, 2007
9/24/07
Ahhhhh... sleeping in with no deadlines. I woke up late today, but there was no reason for anyone to give a shit. About all I had to do was get my plates renewed. Done. An hour waiting in line, but done.
The next thing on the agenda was to touch base with an old friend of mine, Ty Stone. I saw that Ty was going to be doing a concert on the 22nd, pretty close to home. I was going to be at Notre Dame on the 22nd, so I let him know I would be around town this week. Ty said he thought he would be around, so I planned on catching him for a beer this afternoon. Alas, today we weren't on the same timeline. Bummer.
Then I stopped by another friend's house to give him a hat and program that I picked up on campus this weekend. He's not able to leave town on account of his elderly parents, so he showed me a couple of things he wanted to get from Notre Dame. I was happy to help out. When I stopped by today, he wasn't home. Bummer.
I then headed to my brother's house to meet up before tonight's baseball game. We parked by the condos in the 'hood and walked over to the game, which the Tigers proceeded to lose. Bummer.
Then, after a few pops at a local watering hole, it was about time to get some grub. In Lincoln Park, there's only one place to feed a good buzz late at night - Dix Coney Island. When I was a kid, I made the mistake of referring to the (Macedonian) owner's son as a Greek. A little slugging match ensued but no major harm was done. Anyhow, these guys are always good for a tasty meal at 2am. As I came out of the pisser and made my way to the cashier, I ran into my little brother's ex-girlfriend. Ay! Caramba, was she ever looking good. Apparently, based on our brief conversation, she was more of a fan of mine than I might have thought. Oh, to be ten years younger, Madon!
Then back home, more brewskis to round out the night and now I'm in preparation mode. Time off will have to transition into time at work. I'll most likely head out of town tomorrow. From there, we'll see.
The next thing on the agenda was to touch base with an old friend of mine, Ty Stone. I saw that Ty was going to be doing a concert on the 22nd, pretty close to home. I was going to be at Notre Dame on the 22nd, so I let him know I would be around town this week. Ty said he thought he would be around, so I planned on catching him for a beer this afternoon. Alas, today we weren't on the same timeline. Bummer.
Then I stopped by another friend's house to give him a hat and program that I picked up on campus this weekend. He's not able to leave town on account of his elderly parents, so he showed me a couple of things he wanted to get from Notre Dame. I was happy to help out. When I stopped by today, he wasn't home. Bummer.
I then headed to my brother's house to meet up before tonight's baseball game. We parked by the condos in the 'hood and walked over to the game, which the Tigers proceeded to lose. Bummer.
Then, after a few pops at a local watering hole, it was about time to get some grub. In Lincoln Park, there's only one place to feed a good buzz late at night - Dix Coney Island. When I was a kid, I made the mistake of referring to the (Macedonian) owner's son as a Greek. A little slugging match ensued but no major harm was done. Anyhow, these guys are always good for a tasty meal at 2am. As I came out of the pisser and made my way to the cashier, I ran into my little brother's ex-girlfriend. Ay! Caramba, was she ever looking good. Apparently, based on our brief conversation, she was more of a fan of mine than I might have thought. Oh, to be ten years younger, Madon!
Then back home, more brewskis to round out the night and now I'm in preparation mode. Time off will have to transition into time at work. I'll most likely head out of town tomorrow. From there, we'll see.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
9/23/07
Well, I woke up this morning with a little less anger, frustration, and disappointment than I felt last night. In reflection it was a pretty great weekend, the game itself notwithstanding. The beer was cold, the coals were hot, the weather was beautiful, the skirts were short, and the atmosphere was electric.
Remembering the tailgating festivities, I think the best part of the day was when a group of kids stopped by. Yours truly had just assumed the title of King Of The Hill in the round-robin of Rattle Rail Toss. I knocked off Jake, who had knocked off Brian, before the little ones showed up. They asked what the game was and we invited them to give it a go. Sitting back and enjoying some cold ones, it was refreshing to watch the kids play. They don't worry about scores or who wins and loses, they just have fun playing. Somewhere along the way we lose that.
After a long game last night, we drank some beers and played some poker until we were ready for sleep.
Today was a completely relaxing day, free of any timelines or obligations. We headed to Bob Evans for some breakfast. There was a 45 minute wait for a table, so we scooted over to Denny's. As we waited for our food, and waited, and waited, my buddy asked what I thought was the problem. Without hesitation and with 100% certainty, I told him that a cook had obviously called off and they hadn't staffed enough servers for a game weekend. The fact that I knew this without even thinking about it tells me that I spent too many years running restaurants. Luckily for me, I only deal with one truck hauling one load on any given day now. It's nice to be a grunt and leave the responsibility for someone else.
I got back home and worked on the remaining beers from the weekend. They didn't last long, but a quick trip to the corner store has me prepared to finish the night of football watching and relaxation.
Oh, I might not have mentioned... I met Joe Theisman yesterday. I told him I had always been a big fan. He replied, "You look pretty young to be a fan of mine." So there, Joe Theisman doesn't think I'm old. Sweet.
Remembering the tailgating festivities, I think the best part of the day was when a group of kids stopped by. Yours truly had just assumed the title of King Of The Hill in the round-robin of Rattle Rail Toss. I knocked off Jake, who had knocked off Brian, before the little ones showed up. They asked what the game was and we invited them to give it a go. Sitting back and enjoying some cold ones, it was refreshing to watch the kids play. They don't worry about scores or who wins and loses, they just have fun playing. Somewhere along the way we lose that.
After a long game last night, we drank some beers and played some poker until we were ready for sleep.
Today was a completely relaxing day, free of any timelines or obligations. We headed to Bob Evans for some breakfast. There was a 45 minute wait for a table, so we scooted over to Denny's. As we waited for our food, and waited, and waited, my buddy asked what I thought was the problem. Without hesitation and with 100% certainty, I told him that a cook had obviously called off and they hadn't staffed enough servers for a game weekend. The fact that I knew this without even thinking about it tells me that I spent too many years running restaurants. Luckily for me, I only deal with one truck hauling one load on any given day now. It's nice to be a grunt and leave the responsibility for someone else.
I got back home and worked on the remaining beers from the weekend. They didn't last long, but a quick trip to the corner store has me prepared to finish the night of football watching and relaxation.
Oh, I might not have mentioned... I met Joe Theisman yesterday. I told him I had always been a big fan. He replied, "You look pretty young to be a fan of mine." So there, Joe Theisman doesn't think I'm old. Sweet.
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