A sobering moment ...

My travels the past couple of days took me in and out of New Mexico ... I was treated to Indian Culture (something I enjoyed) and exposed to the power of a semi (something I wish I did not experience) ... I witnessed two accidents both involving semi trucks and SUVs ... the SUVs suffered a lot of damage and one was rolled (I would be surprised if the driver survived) ... it re-enforced the respect I have for these large trucks.

Beautiful Big Sky Country

New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona have loads of beauty but dam it gets hot during the day. Who knew? With that said it is a treat to sit back at night and star gaze ... maybe a white water camping trip is in the near future?

Life is good

I am enjoying my current career choice ... it does have it cons tho. Can't wait until I own my own truck and select my loads. I love this country and most likely relocate to a northern state with mountains.

What I live by

A few things I live by ...

• You Have to Know BAD to Know Good. Some people can't appreciate Good until they experience Bad ... at the very least experiencing Bad helps you put Good into proper perspective. I usually smile at a person that tries to give me grief, they help me appreciate the good people in my life.
  
• If Someone Throws You a Ball You don't Have to Catch It. I try not to adopt other people's problems.
  
• Say It Out Loud. If it sounds like a great idea out loud then do it ... if it sounds stupid when you say it out loud then don't. For example, My team won lets celebrate!!! (Good) My team won lets celebrate by burning cars and throwing rocks. (Stupid)
  
• If It Does Not Matter 5 Years From Now it Does Not Matter. If it does not matter to me five years from now then I let it go ... if it does matter I fight.
  
• Know Your Strengths and Weakness ... Others Do.
  
• Surround Yourself with Good People. Good things happen when you are with good people ... bad things happen when you are with bad people.
• You Are 100% Responsible for Every Relationship You Are In.
• Respect Others ... even if they don't deserve it.

Ther are a few more but I can't remember them now.

Typical day for an OTR Driver

Because I know my mommy reads this ...

Here is a typical day for an OTR (Over The Road) Driver:

• Deliver load early ... you want to arrive as early as possible to make yourself available for the next load ... others like to take their time and experience more down time or less miles on their checks.
• Peaches for breakfast ... most mornings it is peaches for breakfast ... but a couple of times a week I will sneak in Steak and Eggs.
• Manage your time ... You want to be at certain places in certain times ... for example arriving at a truck stop (or a pickle park) after 19:00 is a bad idea ... spots fill up quickly so the later you arrive the less spots that are available.
• Networking ... I must receive 5-6 calls a day from friends and family ... friends (fellow truck drivers) want to share experiences or discuss issues and possible solutions.
• Free Food ... most truck stops have reward programs ... this morning I had steak and eggs and shower for free ... had to pay for my laundry.
• Con Artists ... always someone out here selling video cameras or cds.

Doms is going to Hawaii

And I am a little jealous. She travels a lot better then I do!

Swept Away

Friday night I shut it down early and watched the weather turn bad ... they were expecting hail, high winds and tornadoes ... scary when the truck and trailer bounce around sitting stay, did not want to run down the road in that weather.

Shuffled through KC

I run through KC this weekend ... that was great since it was Father's Day weekend. Got god food with good people ... and no Staci I do not expect certain dishes when I stop by but I do appreciate when you make them!

I am not a regular Dad ... I am a Cooool Dad!

Proud of my girl but she did remind me that she is a teenager and I am a dad ... point taken.

It is a small world after all

Traveling allows the mind to wonder ... some thoughts go to good people you called old friends. I found a few of them on Facebook ... who knew? It is a small world after all!!! Looking forward to reconnecting with them.

Proud Pappa

Proud of my girl. The little things add a smile to my face ... she has grown into a responsible young lady ... I like that! No matter where I go is she home to me.

Life is good

Miles are back ... my driver manager was busy the last two weeks covering more then one fleet ... now that he is back running one fleet I am seeing more miles!!!! He is a good project manager (trust me I know what bad managers look like) so it is nice to have him focused on one fleet again ... life is good!

I am running out of hours ... it is forcing me into a 34 hour restart ... this is a good thing. Going back to Colorado ... might do a 34 hour restart there ... I could pick worse places.

Skin and Bones

I am losing weight. I noticed my pants were a little loose but then I noticed my belt could not tighten anymore I got curious ... jumped on a scale to see, I lost a few pounds ... go figure. I try to watch what I eat ... and I don't eat a lot when I drive ... who knew canned peaches reduced one's waist?