Rookie Solo Adventure, Thoughts, Questions, Vent, And Ramble.

Interesting I was just on the Kitsap Peninsula this last week. Beautiful place, but has some tight spots. Sounds like you did a great job. You have a great attitude for this, and if you are willing to grind through the rough times and endure, I think you will be very happy with your decision.

Have you had any further issues with the fifth wheel?

We were told at our last safety meeting that a build up of old grease was causing locking issues.

Have you had any further issues with the fifth wheel?

We were told at our last safety meeting that a build up of old grease was causing locking issues.

No additional problems, knock on wood (knuckles rap head). Good to know!

Cheers,

G

Well, I'm back in the shop again for Qualcomm problems. No one seems to be able to fix it. It froze again yesterday for the umpteenth time. But maybe I'm hopeful for a good outcome at West Valley.

Raptor

Boy do I feel you on this one. My Qualcomm has been replaced 3 times in 4 months. First one the screen was off and wouldnt realign. Next one kept losing gps location. Next one stopped pinging randomly sometimes taking a day or so to ping and no messages in or out until it started pinging again. Fuel would set me up to fuel at flying J in Ohio when I was sitting in Virginia. When I called fuel (no messages in or out) he would tell me just to fuel at the flying J I am at and I would have to tell him I was there the day before, now I'm in Virginia. It also reset itself over a dozen times a day, driving sitting still, didnt matter. Current one, once I park and it turns off...it doesn't come back on. I have to pull and reinstall the fuse to turn it back on but I've decided just to deal with it since everything else on it works!! Better than chancing another one.

Welp the wait is real...

The customer was out of or low on bags for the order. My pick up was scheduled for 0700, I’m still waiting. I can feel when they are in the trailer.

I suppose many would be frustrated with a wait like this. My dispatcher loosely suggested that we look for another load. I’m not sure what to do other than keep replying “still waiting” to the message on the Qualcomm.

I ordered some food and took a nap.

Detention pay isn’t fantastic and I would rather be moving, but usually a delay like this happens for a reason (yes, mumbo jumbo). Many years ago I decided to embrace change like this rather than spending energy on being mad about it. This approach often yields seriously interesting situations that would be overlooked by getting angry and trying to force a change.

The balance is between being punctual on my side and patient on theirs. My three and a half sense (inflation).

Cheers,

G

I'm glad you like writing because I enjoy reading it! Quality content here, Spoonerist. Your attitude is definitely great as well. I like to abide by the following "If there's something that can be done, then why worry? If nothing can be done, why worry?"

I like to abide by the following "If there's something that can be done, then why worry? If nothing can be done, why worry?"

This reminds me of Alfred E Newman (Mad Magazine) What me worry?

Thank you very much for the feedback!

And now into a ramble...

For the last several years I’ve been writing a book (actually several books, but that seems redundant at this point). [My use of punctuation gets a touch weird. Think of the parentheses and brackets as linear head/footnotes. This form of writing is considered a nonlinear narrative (by the learned people that have been coaching me. It’s just how I write, so there it is.) Ok, enough about how it is...

{Moderators, if this content is too strange please let me know. It is not my intent to create conflict.}

The main crux of my study of late is the nexus of philosophy, physics, psychology, and spirituality (entirely too many “ologies”). Loosely where dimensional reality can be used to define/understand/grok (see Heinlein) the overlap in perceptional bias and spiritual (for lack of a better word) development.

So why share it here? No idea, this is the medium I’m currently writing in. When I embarked on this adventure I came equipped with a notepad to write all the notes on. I promptly misplaced it...

The fear of writing the piece that came to mind (and is preventing me from sleeping) is strong. This (fear) usually indicates that content is spot-on. (I’m wondering if I need to write more context?)

Deep breaths... the fourth chapter of my book is about time and love. I’m not sure why they are entwined. It dawned on me a bit ago while realizing that my internal clock is on Central and my home clock is Pacific that I am living in nonlinear time. (All OTR truckers are.) This is significant because this perspective will be quite useful for developing the nonlinear aspects of philosophy needed to define/write about/channel (bare with me) how time and love interact.

That’s enough of that!

Back to your regularly “scheduled” discussion of my adventure.

My load was finally done around 1530 yesterday. I headed to a scale and precious coffee. My weight came back perfectly around 38 tons and well balanced. Flour headed to Mountain Top, PA.

This is the furthest East I’ve driven by myself! I’m having a great time! I tapped out near Lexington, NB. I’m planning to stop for fuel (and coffee!) in Council Bluff. Then Gary, IN to check permits and shower.

The daunting task of learning all the trucking stuff is diminishing with the longer hauls. I recommend to all starting out if your intent is OTR try to mentor in OTR. The pace is much more relaxed than local/regional heavy haul.

I’m going back to sleep. Take care and drive safe.

Cheers,

G

Spoonerist reveals:

For the last several years I’ve been writing a book (actually several books, but that seems redundant at this point).

Kearsey has written several books.

I have written one book and have several more in the works and/or concept ideas. After reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, I came up with the idea of "Zen and the Flatbed Trucker," which I have begun to write the first chapter that ends the day I arrive at orientation. My plan is to keep a very detailed training diary and then incorporate that into Zen and the Flatbed Trucker, in the spirit of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance. A travel/ spiritual musings book.

I expect my first year of trucking will provide entertaining reading for most people.

Let me know how well you are able to write as a solo driver.

Good afternoon all,

I just rolled into Gary, IN. I’m at the terminal for a reset and permits. This is my first OTR reset, all of my previous ones were close enough to home that I did that.

I’m in need of a shower and laundry. I’m considering renting a car to poke around in Chicago or I’ll do the Uber thing. At this point I’m going to take a nap.

Take care and drive safe.

Cheers,

G

You could go to a Cubs game!

(In a few more months).