Stuck

We delivered in Cedar Falls then came the message for the next load: IBP to San Diego. So we wait. It is not supposed to be ready until 7 AM on the 4th. Jon asked if we could drive to a casino, so we are in the parking lot of Isle Casino in Waterloo,IA. Hopefully he finds something to entertain himself with for a few hours.

Received pay twice this week, one would think I was making real money; however, since it was for two weeks...ouch.

Jon is okay for miles; however, the truck is also supposed to run so many miles or his time on the truck is extended. This is not fair to either one of us. Hope we start driving more quickly!

12/1/09

Did not make it home for Thanksgiving, made it to Las Vegas where we did not get a turkey feast but settled for steak. Jon was kind enough to pay. Paula called the van is being a whole lot more of a problem than planned, BK being held up until we can get $ in, being on the truck does not isolate one from problems. It allows one to brew upon the problem. If the brewing is to long it creates a bitterness for the lack of immediate solution. The isolation in the truck allows the mind to become creative with positive fixes or really play the self pity game.

It is lovely as we drive into Iowa. Hope the morning goes well.

I'll be home...?

Load delivers to CA, but not very close to home. They have lots of business out of CA so they desire everyone to keep moving. If it moves from south to north so I can see family great. Thanksgiving in Las Vegas,NV. At a truck stop. With a trainee. Not to romantic when your anniversary is Friday!

Thin threads

Talked with Jesse today for a little while. We discussed for a few moments the tragic early death of Jonathan. I did not really know the young man; however, Jesse remembers him from the school bus when he was in kindergarten. If only we knew the lives that are touched by our actions.

Instead of spending Thanksgiving with some of the fine citizens of AZ (inmates) I could actually be home, late, but home, before delivering a load further south. I just hope it we weigh over 60000 lbs so the load counts for Jon on his mountains.

St Paul,MN

It has been several days since last post. It has been run like a mad man. We get a load for a short time only to have it taken away because they need a two person team to run the load. So we have been adding up the miles, but being driven crazy at the same time. Jon is a great driver, 12 years on police force certainly help. We have great conversations and sometimes even talk about trucking!

I would like to have thoughtful insight about Chris deciding to move out (forced out in his words), but other than a grieving heart I have none. The haunting prayer of the parent of a wayward child. Coulda woulda shoulda, did I do enough, Lord help direct... It is hard on both parents but so often it seems most on the wife. Thought process and emotions are different. I do not know how to offer words of encouragement or comfort when my own bag is empty.

I was supposed to be home around Thanksgiving. Instead I get to spend Thanksgiving in prison. I thought I had done that before, spending Christmas, Thanksgiving etc. with inmates, but I luck out and get the opportunity once again.

New Student

After aloneness again, at 1:45 PM I am supposed to meet Jonathan Huntley in Council Bluffs,IA. I decided to look up the name in Facebook. One is of a man who is already a truck driver. It will be interesting to see if one of the images is the right one.

Bought some Stonyfield French Vanilla Yogurt at Walmart in Lexington,NE. I have been to Londonderry,NH and brought a load of yogurt to TX. I had not sampled until today. I bought a quart, wish it came in gallons! I like a yogurt with body, not just a liquid sample. This had that plus fantastic texture and flavor. A little more money than some brands, but really really good!

I switched the subscription of a magazine from home delivery to on-line. It was nice to read it for a while tonight. It would really be nice if more would use the same format. I might subscribe to something else.

Tomorrow night off to Walcott,IA: Iowa 80. What a great place.

Push play

Will be traveling the midnight shift for the next two nights; my sleep pattern is all messed up. And then there is depression for lack of better terms. Getting the voices in my head to return to silence, or at least no louder than the sound of the cicada buzzing in my head. My iPod quit working so I will need to plug the computer into the aux port on the stereo in the truck. Several hours of positive input, noise to drown out the voices of depressing self talk.

Did it start when before Halloween while on hold with Stevens I was listening to a very bad rendition of Oh Christmas Tree? No it is my brain unable to find a solution to a problem and then sabotaging the whole experience. Have to spend time preparing iTunes.