what to do when "calming down" doesn't work?

Good advice to live by. I'm of a similar mindset out there most of the time..."be my guest" and "after you" and such. I'm not doing anything that important anyway...not painting the Sistine Chapel or defending the POTUS or anything.

The DMV really tests my "cool customer" skills though. Talk about feeling helpless and being at the mercy of idiots...

 

On the bucket list is a trip to Sturgis for the rally. (And to finally get around to owning one. Truck first though...toys later.)

 

thank you, very inspirational on for my bike trip to alaska.

 

scream curse throw tools on the roof just a big hissie fit then all is better and back to regular programming

 

not to take away from the op's topic. for those out there that read triplesix's post. if you want a motorcycle or want to start riding. 95% of all newbie bikers make this simple mistake. they buy a big and very nice bike. and there too afraid to ride it. worried about dropping,scratching, and wrecking it. my advice is: buy an old used bike to learn on. your not going to be afraid to bang it up. $1000 to $1800 will get you a decent rider.

 

How long have you been driving?It will never get any better as youre finding out and changing companies won't make youre stress and the stupidity go away.Trucking companies is like truckstops,you seen one you seen them all.Youll find stupidity everywhere,the drivers at your company and on the road.I quit driving quite some time ago because mainly got bored.I quit OTR yrs ago to help dad care for mom.But back then the stupidity was nothing like it is today and the motor carriers wasn't nearly as bad.I don't miss driving trk.For some it's in their blood,they take a brk from driving then go back.But I'm starting to question that.Its probably a small number that goes back compared to yrs ago.I read articles about what an idiot driver did read many posts like yours that's about at the end of their rope with driving truck and it makes me dislike it even more.But I do very much enjoy this forum and like givng advice to ppl that listens and tries to understand what trucking is all about.You can either stop driving or take a month off and try it again.That might be all you need.

 

Something very scary that I've seen way too many times. Guy hits middle age, "male menopause" kicks in. He remember back when he was in high school, and maybe college, he had that really cool little scooter. He loved it. The girls certainly loved it.
So, being the typical yuppie that has more money than sense, (where have we seen that before...) he goes out and buys the biggest most powerful scooter he can find. He ignores the opportunity to take a motorcycle safety course, because he has "BTDT" and knows everything he needs to know.
Takes it out on his first road trip, kills himself, and more than likely his wife/gf/whatever. Because he just got in over his head. I've lost count of the number of times I have either seen this in person, as a responder, or heard about it on a local news cast.
I loved motorcycles. I rode them from the time I was 14, until I was a bit over 60. Some of the most enjoyable vacations I've ever taken, have been just me, and my ride.
But I knew when it was time to hang it up. As the vision deteriorated, as well as reaction time, etc etc etc, it just wasn't worth it anymore. No, I didn't have anything happen that gave me a "Come To Jesus" moment. I could just see what I needed to do.
I envy you guys who are still able to ride! And yet, I don't have any interest in it anymore. And it would have ALWAYS been a cold day in hell, when you would find me on the passenger pillion. Two up was fine, as long as I was in control.

 

Sheesh, sorry for the above hyjack.....

 

Never read it. Sounds like a great book though.

A few years back, on a wind farm, a bunch of drivers were talking about meeting up and riding out to the Grand Canyon and Vegas. I wanted to go. Wasn't a big fan of Harleys. Was actually looking at a Yamaha Warrior (the muscle cruiser is my style of bike) but found an 03 VRod. Road it loved it bought it for $2k. All silver and chrome. I wanted a blacked out bike and so I bought a Night Rod Special. I actually found out what the big draw was about Harley Davidson...you can buy a bike right off the showroom floor and never see that exact identical bike again. As different as DNA. Throw in the available aftermarket and you can have a unique, one of a kind horse.

We were all supposed to meet up in Dallas, run up 287 to Witchita Falls, cut through the woods to Lubbock, hit Ft Sumner, cut over to Flagstaff, and hit the northern side of the Canyon, then ride to Vegas. 30 drivers. I was nervous, hoping that I could actually ride in the saddle and keep up. But I took off work, serviced the bike, and was packed and ready to go. Would you believe that everyone backed out but me and a friend of mine in Laredo? I guess I wasn't the only one that was scared.

What the heck is so scary? Being in the saddle all day. Every new day is an unknown. A breakdown means you're part of the food chain. What about bad weather?

I had decided to go on the trip... Thought about every bad thing that could possibly happen. And I did it. I talked myself out of it. Again.

No! Not the ManCard! I've worked on that for nearly 5 decades! I will not give up my ManCard so easily!

Once you lose your ManCard, you never get it back. You're a #######. Everyone knows it. Women have sympathy for you because you're about as useless as a woman with a pickle. They will have nice word to say to cheer you up and all, but deep down, you know. EVERYONE KNOWS. Know the difference between a bull and a steer? Yeah, a steer is a #######.

A Man does not live in fear.