Swift - Starting the New Year training with Swift 1/7/13 - A long read...

haha...good for you for 38 years though.

hahaha...that sounds difficult. Interpreting any woman when she is pissed or at least annoyed can be difficult. Once you figure out she is then usually it is too late.

 

I'm still learning and one thing I'm picking up is...don't try and figure out women. They are too complex. There is too much going on up there and to properly communicate on their level there needs to be a Women's Language Immersion Course. The course would have to involve you living with many women in close quarters for weeks on end. At first the man would need to observe and remain silent. Just observe and maybe quietly take notes. As the weeks progressed he could open his mouth and maybe ask a couple of questions. Eventually, if he hasn't lost his mind at this point in immersion boot camp, then he is allowed his stripes upon passing a written and oral examination.

Men are very simple creatures. I think that's why the dynamic of men in a group of only men is so different. We think something. We maybe say something. And then we do things. Very simple. Nothing to interpret. No drama. Maybe a little chest thumping.

Women, as I have started to finally learn, have the most complex relationships there are. With each additional woman added to this inner circle, the more complex it becomes. The math alone as the circle grows exponentially is overwhelming. Since becoming single I have the privilege of gaining some insight into these secret relationships of the fairer sex. I spend a lot of time on the phone with women that I don't have a face-to-face relationship with. They divulge more information than I care to know but, in return, it gives me a rare insight into their interpersonal relationships with each other. Let me just say, I'm thanking my parents tomorrow for making me male. I couldn't handle those relationships as a woman within the women's circle. There's just way too much going on there. I get lost just hearing the stories.

Even when it comes down to something as innocuous and trivial as clothing or body type, with women it is a complex situation.

Women regarding clothing and body type: "I can't believe she is wearing that! She shouldn't be wearing that there. Oh no".
Men regarding clothing and body type: "That's a nice '69 Chevelle. Wonder if it's got a small block?"


(As a disclaimer: Any woman that reads this post presently or in the future - I am generalizing. As a man, by default, I do not know what I am saying. Forgive me.)

So my new rule is going to be to not think too much about any relationship issues. It's easier that way. Keep my mouth shut more often. Keep the conversation simply and full of flattery. Be happy.

Simple.

 

haha that's a dangerous study

 

Pilot in Stanfield, Oregon.

Mileage for the past 7 days totals 2471. I had one day with only 75.7 miles total that threw my average off. I have about 9 hours on average rolling over for the next 8 days with the exception of one 2 hour day (the 75.7 mile day). Not bad. If I can roll with about 450 miles a day continuously I will be in good shape. I don't want to reset.

Dropped my delivery off down the street at the Walmart DC and hurried 5 miles back to this Pilot to scoop up a prime spot facing the WiFi tower up on the fuel island. Score.

I'm trying to get a load out of here since there is a mini Swift drop yard in the adjacent, attached parking lot with some trailers sitting there. I'm guessing maybe a few of them are loaded but I didn't go over to check. Ideally I would like to keep running through the weekend and I let my DM know that this is what I want. Haven't heard anything about another load just yet though.

I missed this load that was supposed to pick up from this very same lot and deliver at the Georgia Pacific plant over in Toledo, OR on the coast. MOst likely I would have gotten a load out of there going down to California. Although I'm tired of running up and down I-5 I would rather run that then sit here not making money. As it is, I won't be going anywhere tonight as I only have :52 left on my 14. Hope tomorrow brings me something decent.


Trip planning continued...
Armored underwear and no more "Monkey Butt"...

This morning I woke up a little early and I had some time left on my 24 hour block of Pilot Wifi at the other location in Winnemucca, where I had spent last night. I've been debating, researching and reading reviews recently on these specially-made riding shorts - "armored underwear".

A common occurrence when riding a motorcycle for long distances is "monkey butt". It is chafing on the inner thighs and posterior when moisture and friction mix with too much time in the saddle. I haven't had it often but I know from the few times that I got it that it is undesirable. There is special powder actually called "Monkey Butt Powder" that I own that works wonders. But if there is a way to avoid getting the primate-resembling discomfort, I'm all for it.

I have some 600+ mile days I will need to run when I try to make a quick break for the border and again when I make the same trip back up from Mexico. It is 1900 miles, give or take, from where I am leaving in Virginia down to where I need to cross into Mexico. I'm going to try and run as many miles as I can when doing these sections so it is less money spend on U.S. motels and less time seeing places that I get to see in my truck. The only exception is I might stop off in Louisiana on the way up or on the way back. Or maybe both. Otherwise I'm running hard through the U.S. With that in mind, I don't want to get the dreaded Monkeyness.

In my research I came across these special riding shorts that are supposed to reduce the irritation that is caused when moisture in the shorts area is combined with friction from the seat. Never did I think I would consider buying something like this. But I did. They look like bicycle shorts, spandex type material with light padding on the hips and tailbone. Not something I would wear alone anywhere with a tank top or anything. They go under the clothes although I'm not quite sure how yet. Not sure if they go over regular undergarments. Pretty sure they don't go under. Maybe they are worn alone as the only undergarments. Who knows. More research is necessary on this aspect. But I pulled the trigger and $35 lighter in the pocket I have some fancy Monkey Butt killers.
Combined with the "Monkey Butt Powder" I already have, I should be ok.

Being as I was already looking at riding undergarments and reading about long distance riding comfort, I found another clearance item. Riding socks. Probably the ugliest socks ever created but they are practical. They have reinforced sections to keep the feet comfortable and they wick away moisture the same way the riding undergarments do. Plus, if there was a traditional Oktoberfest celebration that just popped up somewhere in Central America I could just wear my new socks, grab some Lederhosen and fit right in.

In 2 weeks from this coming Monday I will be turning my truck in at the Swift terminal in Richmond. I think I'm going to just put in a hometime for that date and turn my self-termination notice in at that time. I was reading another thread about a Swiftie that put his 2 week notice in and that last week they only gave him 400 miles. Not sure if that is going to happen to me but I can't afford it. I need to run pretty hard all the way up to the end. I'm going to find out if I can turn in my rehire application at the time I terminate myself as well so I can get that ball rolling for when I come back. Unfortunately my DOT physical is due in October so I'm going to have to take care of that in those 5 days between termination and leaving on my trip. I'm hoping I can find somewhere to print out my CPAP usage for the DOT physical. Even better if they don't ask me for a printout as I think the mask leaks a little.

Just going to add all that to my ever growing to-do list that I have for prepping for this trip.

 

Haha too true!

 

haha....good story. Happy to hear you married chick #2. Screw the chick #1's out there.


I'm not really the butterfly type although I went through a stage in college and shortly after where I played around a bit. I may have to be the butterfly type for a little while though once again it seems.