It's Been a While

Hey everyone :) Yeah, it's been awhile! Online-life sometimes has to take a backseat to actual life. I have been extremely busy with work. Holidays were a blur, and it seemed like it was taking forever to get here (October) then it was a rush to get presents bought and mailed (November) and then it was gone before I knew it (January).

Saints lost in their playoff game to the 49ers...they committed 5 turnovers. You cannot win games when you are turning the ball over. I rooted for the Packers - that lasted one day. Now, I guess I will have to pull for a Harbaugh Super Bowl - at which time, I will pull for the Ravens.

I do know one thing...being back in Texas sure has been nice in winter. I sure do miss being able to go to work in winter with my window's down! Its been like a yo-yo lately. We have had some 60's and 70's, and some 30's and 40's. So far, no snow, and I am definitely OK with that! Even when it has been in the 30's and 40's it hasnt been bad! I will take that over -12F anyday!

Work has been super busy. Between the new computer system install, and working with different accounts helping them out, it has definitely been a busy couple of months. Too bad I'm salary so whether I work 40 or 85 hours in a week, it never changes :( Oh well. I am just thankful to have my job. There are so many that dont.

I have been wanting to write more, but most days, dont even have the energy to stay awake when I get home. Had a moment, and shared it with you! Hope everyone is well!

J-Dawg

Photos 04/10/10

Here are some photos I took while I was in Mississippi - I had to take pictures of the road signs to remember where I was LOL

J-Dawg

Paying it Forward

Tuesday night found me sitting in Olney Illinois (at one of our dedicated offsite locations) without a load - no big deal, since I was able to get some paperwork done, and relax a little. Wednesday morning I grabbed the company car, and asked if there was a "Mom and Pop" diner in the area I could go grab breakfast from since I couldnt pick up my next load until after noon. I went down there and it was a really quaint diner. Very nice waitress, and you could tell right away, this was a mom and pop place with the older folks sitting around drinking coffee and talking.

About 20 minutes into breakfast I noticed a couple walk in, and they just had a look about them that said "down on their luck" not to be confused with "havent taken a bath". Soon after they sat down, the guy struck up a conversation with me about the hat I was wearing (my South Carolina Gamecocks hat) and asked if I was from SC. I told them my family lives down there and had just been down there to visit. I listened as they ordered a breakfast they could split. They BOTH looked like they could use a good meal! We talked off and on for another 10 minutes before I had to return with the car. As the waitress brought me my slip (still the old hand-written type!) I took my slip and met her at the register. I asked her if she had written up their order yet, and she had just placed it with the cook. I told her to go make them EACH that meal, and that I was going to pay for it for them. She asked why, and I asked her if she had ever seen the movie "Pay it Forward" and she had...so I told her that they were one of my three random acts of kindness to strangers. I then paid for their meals and mine, and asked her to write on their slip "Merry Christmas to you both. Your meals are on me. From the guy in the SC hat. Pay It Forward". The waitress I thought was going to cry. She said they come in about once a month when they can split a breakfast - its their treat to each other. He lost his job a few months ago and was doing odd jobs to get by.

GIVING -- it makes us all better people. I felt so good about what I had done - so I spent $10 on
breakfast - doesnt sound like much - but its how I felt after I did that that means the world to me. I am not rich, and I am not putting $100 bills in people pockets. It was a random act of kindness - a Pay It Forward act...I hope someday to get back to Olney!

J-Dawg

Thanksgiving Challenge - Part 18

is thankful today that I have arrived SAFELY in Conway SC at the 'rents house for Thanksgiving Festivities! There was only one hangup today - it was only 15 minutes - and for that, I am also grateful!. I hope each of you has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

J-Dawg

Thanksgiving Challenge - Part 17

is thankful that I just received my work assignment to my dad's house for Thanksgiving! Martinsville VA to Jonesville SC. Pickup a trailer, take it to Georgetown, drop it for a customer, and bobtail for TURKEY! YAY!

J-Dawg

Thanksgiving Challenge - Part 7

is thankful for this beautiful weather I am getting to enjoy here in South Texas - 77 degrees and barely a cloud in the sky!! My friends Doug and Tim are in Cheyenne WY - 17 degrees! Let me reiterate how NICE it is to be down here in South Texas!!!! No complaints here :)

J-Dawg

Thanksgiving Challenge - Part 6

is thankful that none of the accidents he saw today included him! The worst was the 5-car in Austin - the 3rd car -- nothing left of the front end! Pushed all the way into the windshield! This was a bad one - it took me over an hour to get through Austin today -- and that was BEFORE rush hour!! I tell ya, if I lived in Austin, I would HAVE to either do mass-transit or 2nd shift LOL They build a loop around Austin and what do they do?? MAKE IT A TOLL ROAD!! Nobody uses it due to the cost! For a semi - its $35 for a 35 mile road. Compare that to the Illinois Tollway around Chicago - 80 miles from the Illinois border with Indiana to the Illinois border with Wisconsin -- $18.40 between 7pm and 7am and $24.50 during the day -- so you can see how the state of Texas just screwed themselves! NOBODY in their right mind would pay $1 per mile! That is outrageous!

J-Dawg

Where Have I Been Part 2

Hey there everyone! I am playing with this program called Picasa - I have never used it before, but in 5 minutes of using it, I already like it! Here are just a couple pictures I have taken on the road this last time out. There were some pretty cool cloud formations, the arch in St Louis, and The Chrome Shop Mafia...Enjoy!

J-Dawg

Where Have I Been?

Hey there :) I'm back home - 3 weeks on the road and I am beat-down tired! I thought today was going to be a relaxing "do nothing" day, until I was awaken at almost 10am by my phone...it was my driver manager calling me to tell me I have a brand new truck waiting for me at my terminal about 5 miles from the house!!!


YES!!!!!

That day was finally here! I finally get my new truck! I have been waiting for this for almost 3 weeks, so it was nice to be able to go over and move stuff into my new truck...man was it fricken HUMID today though! I still have to go back over tonight and wipe down the interior of the old one...someone is getting my old truck tomorrow...they are getting a good truck!

This trip out I went to Mobile, then Meridien MS, to Elwood IL (Chicago), then to Green Bay (first time I have ever gotten a load to WI when I wasnt going home!) with stops in North Vernon IN, Louisville KY, Indianapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Kalamazoo MI, Cedar Rapids IA, Waverly IA, Eden NC, Knoxville TN, (Chicago AGAIN!), Cleveland OH, and now home.

There have been very few photo opportunities this time, been really pushing hard this time out and alot of days, it was park the truck, make a couple laps, grab something to drink, and head to bed...

Hope all is well...will write more later :)

J-Dawg

Where Have I Been

Welcome to Louisiana

Lake Charles LA

Someone having a VERY bad day in Palestine TX










Inpending storm in Corsicana, TX

downtown Nashville TN










Jack Daniels sign on I-65











Bulldozer graveyard on the TN/AL border on I-65:











Somebody getting funky in Chunky (Alabama)? :)











downtown Jackson, MS











Pittsboro IN, the hometown of Jeff Gordon













Willie's Place in Waxahachie TX:











Welcome sign on the north side of Laredo TX on I-35 (in Spanish)











Laredo Operating Center




















Downtown Dallas TX

J-Dawg

The Last 2 Weeks

Internet access apparently is harder to come by than I thought. I got my new truck charger while I was home last time. So when I DO get internet access I will update a little more often.

These first couple of pictures are of a place called "The Caves" in Independence MO -- There are over 75 businesses who have their docks INSIDE a mountain. Here are some of the pictures from inside:
































Then here are a couple from PA ... I just realized that I really didnt take many pictures this time out...will have to do better next time!







Hope you all have a great week - Until next time!

J-Dawg

Where Have I Been?

Yeah, internet access has been scarce the last few days, so I thought I would catch you up on my travels this week.

Tuesday, I was in Omaha NE. I made my delivery there, and got to experience the 2nd of 3 consecutive winter storms I had to deal with this week. First it was Saturday into Sunday with storm#1 and all the wind. Storm #2 was all the wind, and the back side of the storm snow. Then yesterday into today, it was the WIND!!! CAN SOMEONE PLEASE FIND THE OFF SWITCH!! I am sooooo sick of the wind already!

OMAHA NE:






























NEAR DUBUQUE, IA:































MISSISSIPPI RIVER between Dubuque, IA and Wisconsin:































US-151 between Dubuque IA and Madison WI in Wisconsin:















Hope you enjoyed the pictures from this week! Have a great weekend.

J-Dawg

Where am I?

I thought I would try something out, since I am back out on the road driving around the country again. Today, I am in Walcott IA. If you have never heard of Walcott IA, it is just over the border from Illinois on I-80 at mile marker 284. Why is this significant? Because tonight, I am staying at the "World's Largest Truck Stop"...and let me tell you,this place is a CITY all by itself! They have a showroom with 3 full-sized semi's IN THE SHOWROOM!!! Let me put it too you this way - the showroom and store alone are the size of 5 Super-Wal-Mart's!! ADD to that,the restaurant, the barber, chiropractor, dentist, full movie theater...3 stories...it even has a Pooch-o-Mat - a place to wash your dog/car while you are on the road! Over 200 acres of facilities here...UNREAL!

Being back on the road has its good points and bad points. Good points - I am able to just drive and "be" which is nice. Bad points...I miss home..Maybe its because it still new, even though I have done this before but i still miss some of the creature-comforts of home. I miss being able just to turn around and be at my server, or sit on the couch with the laptop..but overall, I am doing just fine. As I get to places with internet, I will upload and do more updating. Will try to get a truck picture tomorrow.

Good night all!

J-Dawg