I'm baaaaaack!!!!!!!!

I'm not a huge fan of drama, although I have to accept a certain amount that comes with making somewhat of an open book of your life (or part of it). I think for the most part people are trying to be helpful, although there are certainly some who are instigators or trolls and choose to cause confrontation where none is necessary. Stupid, but a part of life.

I basically wanted a creative outlet to document my experiences both good and bad in my trucking career. It so happens that I decided to do this at an unusually tumultuous time in my life, so there is an inordinate amount of the aforementioned drama. Whatever. It makes for more interesting reading than "Drove. Ate. Crapped. Drove some more. Killed the goat. Delivered load." The time will come soon enough that many of you will become bored and wander off in search of more goats.

As for the input I've received thus far--it means people are reading, and I appreciate that, even when they don't agree with me, or I with them. It creates a conflict of ideas, which invites dialogue (between rational adults), which promotes an exchange of ideas, which begins the process of critical thinking (a vital but rapidly vanishing skill).

The trolls feed on bickering and are usually easy to identify. If you don't feed them they get bored and wander off. If they try too hard to cause trouble there are system admins who will collar them and lead them away.

Folks who may come across as telling me how to live my life I don't view as trolls as I believe most of them are motivated by a genuine desire to help someone they see as being in trouble, or headed for some. How can I think poorly of someone who is trying to help? That's a person with a good heart, not a troll. Someone can be wrong or not have all the information and still have their heart in the right place.

Victor's posts might come across as mildly offensive to some, but I don't see them that way. Although I might not always agree with him, I am able to have an exchange of ideas with him as a civilized debate rather than a bashing session. I'm impressed by the general quality of readership on this thread as largely rational adults and not the name calling hordes found elsewhere on this forum, and I appreciate all of you and hope you will all continue reading and participating in this thread as I work to get my (admittedly currently rather screwed up) life back on a stable track.

I'd gladly sit and enjoy a steak dinner and pleasant conversation with (most of) you any time.

Now, what the heck AM I going to do with my goat??

 

OK OK that one got a laugh out of me and the Hot Chick both. The goat wasn't amused.

 

Goooooaaaaat....

 

Thanks man, it's good to hear some support. I hate bailing so early in the game; I hate it more than I can express here. It's frustrating because I just left Celadon. Like I've said, though, it wasn't my original choice. I let somebody else change my decision. That's a bad move no matter how important they are to you. She and I both realize that now.

I gotta disagree with you about the real drivers don't work for Gordon comment; I've met plenty of fine drivers who are thriving here.

I do agree 100% that a smaller company is a much better environment for me. I get the feeling Gordon is trying to act like a small company, but they're not. There are advantages to being a large carrier. They should embrace their characteristics and do what big companies do well, especially since the Heartland buyout. Trying to be a small family company when you're a mega carrier leaves a lot of drivers frustrated because you can't deliver on those promises.

Tune to get out of the bed, change my Fruit of the Looms, and get this day started.

Packing. I hate that part.