Thought I was doing all the good today. And I guess in a way I was... did... whatever.

Periodically, on the way down to Hutto (about eight miles east of Round Rock, 20 miles or so north of Austin) we kept hearing reports of a major accident on 35 that had all southbound shut down and most of northbound. Drivers were warning, "Take the toll road! It's worth it!"

After making my drop in Hutto I checked my next assignment. Just as I figured it would be, East 6th St, Austin. I dreaded this move. I was checking Google maps for an alternate non-toll road and just couldn't find anything that looked suitable. So I went back in to the store and asked some guys working in there. Some repairmen had just come through Austin and reported it clear now. What a relief!

Here's what the damage was in summary: about 1:40 a.m. a pedestrian made the bold attempt to cross the road. A SWIFT driver swerved to dodge the walker. I can't say anything cause maybe I'd react the same way. But rationally thinking, I KNOW if you yank a long object to the side all you accomplish is turning said object into a bowling lane sweeper. And that's exactly what happened; he turned the whole truck sideways and rolled it; effectively smearing the pedestrian and blocking the entire roadway for seven hours.

Here's the Link.

He was carrying empty glass bottles. I've had the pleasure a few times. Makes for a heavy load.


I made it to the next p/u. Coming in we pull right onto scales. The lady asked for my p/u number then said, "Did they tell you to come here today? I show you scheduled for tomorrow."
And I said something like, "Don't effin worry about schedules. Just load the dam truck and lets get some business done!"
No.... wait a minute. Sorry, life is so much different in my head. What I actually said was, "I'm sorry. I'm so used to coming straight here after my last drop I didn't even look. But you are right, it does show a p/u date for tomorrow."
And she says, "I just wanted to make sure because we've had some confusion on this a lot lately. But you're in luck. We already have your product ready. So we can go ahead and load you today."

Now that's what daddy's screamin about!

As I parked in the dock, it was a bit tight. Someone thought it a nice place to leave a support beam. It was tight, but doable. Only real trick was leaving; I had unchain the door to let it free swing so the pole wouldn't rip it off.

I made it all the way back to Dallas; even through a bit of heavy rain.

When I got into the Pilot there came a gal on the CB selling movies from the lot of the Galaxy truck stop across the block. I'd been thinking on getting me some new scenes to watch so I hit her up. Since the airwaves were so busy she gave me her phone number and asked me to call her. Ehh... aiight. I was thinking about walking over there anyway for some different kind of cooking from the same ol-same ol (Dennys, Wendy's, etc...)

So she shows me her stash. Not a large library. But just as well because I don't have a large wallet. She said she sells 8 for $10. Good for her. Fortunately I positioned myself first. "How's business?"
"Awful. Very slow."

Now all I got on me is $5 cash. So I was prepared to haggle a bit, since business is so bad for her and all, ya want another $5 or not? "So will you let me take 2 for $5?"
"Ohh.. I'm not supposed to do that. But I guess I can. Just don't tell no one."
"Ok." And so far I haven't other than my wife. And by golly I don't plan to tell anyone else that she'll cut a deal. I hate the idea that she'd get into trouble with.... whoever it is pulling her strings.

I look at these guys and gals peddling around the parking lots and can't help but wonder what happened in life to lead them before my eyes this day. Knowing that at this moment, as I sit here and write this in the comfort of Schneider's rig, 150 yards to my north is some guy selling drugs and some gal renting out herself.
I know life can change in a heartbeat. But sometimes their story is of a little interest to me, "Why are you here? Do you want out? Would you accept sincere help if it was offered?"
Thank God it aint me.

---

So I get in touch with my DBL to remind him I got a PM scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Would he rather me relay this load or run it down tomorrow and come back; cause since I'm in Dallas with it now I got the hours to make the round trip.
"No," he says. "Sit on it. We'll see how your PM goes. If we have to get you a loaner then we'll do that and you can pick up your truck on your way back through."

This is my load home, so he wants to keep it on me. I get it. But the idea of going through the crap of another loaner? I'd rather not. That means another visit to the OC. That means several more hours wasted.

---

I've been thinking more about this whole "left lane = truck lane" idea. The more I think of it the more I like it. I need to work more on getting the idea into the public forum. Upon further contemplation, I came up with a couple of reasons why the State wouldn't want to do that. (I mean besides the oh so obvious fact that the status quo is vastly safer.) If DOT wants to pull a truck over, he's got to get him all the way across traffic every time.
But also the scales are already in place.And it's far too much money to set up ONE scale house in the dividing part of the highway as opposed to one on each side of the road. Also that whole PrePass thing might be handy, but it also costs money.
So there's that.


Buying DVDs from a truck stop parking lot is like a box of chocolates: ya never know wut yer gonna git.
It was amusing to hear the Chinese people chittering away only to find the subtitles also in Chinese. Just furthered my belief that Chinese really is a made up language with no meaning to it. Chinese people just have no idea how to verbally communicate. All they know is that the guy with the gun means no more babies and make more plastic crap for American pig-dogs.... add lead.

And now, I kill time. Night yall.