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

Friday Fill-in

I saw this on several blogs I visit regularly, and figured I would give it a try:


1. I'm unemployed, I'm looking for a job every day, I am grateful for any help anyone offers.

2. Why do I have goate and not a mustache.

3. How does this CSS web design stuff work, anyway?

4. Every morning, I put milk on my cereal.

5. I consider myself lucky because I have a great network of family and friends who are helping me thru the latest life challenge .

6. One day we’ll see God's great plan.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to spending time with the kids, tomorrow my plans include doing follow-up calls on jobs applications and Sunday, I want to RELAX!

J-Dawg

Winter Storm #843 this year

We have been inundated with storms this year...this is what 6" of snow in a little over 2 hours looks like:





0 visibility and 35MPH winds --- YUMMY!!!!

J-Dawg

Day 7 / Thursday 13

Good morning -- Thursday morning here in the Frozen Tundra - somewhere between lunchtime and dinnertime it will begin to refreeze with ANOTHER winter storm. Got a couple more resumes out in the last 24 hours. We'll see what happens. I will tie in today's activities with a Thursday 13 - been awhile since I have done one. Today, 13 random thoughts:

1. Its been a week since my job was eliminated.
2. 13 years since I started with the company. That is a huge part of someone's life to give up.
3. Today, I am not dealing with it all right now...yesterday I was doing just fine...today, not so much.
4. Last night I had dinner with a friend of mine. It was nice not sitting at home alone.
5. I am hopeful to find a new job soon. My dad said he had a good feeling something bigger and better is on my horizon.
6. 39 days to OPENING DAY for the Orioles! YAY!
7. I am really liking the new song "Dead and Gone" from T.I. with Justin Timberlake. It just has an infectious grove...
8. Scott Boras needs to go away - he is destroying everything he touches by his greed.
9. I always wanted to go paint-balling...dont know why, just always wanted to do it.
10. Its nice having people out there willing to help with what I am dealing with.
11. I have a feeling of disappointment today.
12. I am ready for spring.
13. I am glad to be back with TT13, even if it is just in a new location.

Have a great week everyone!

J-Dawg

Day 5 of the New Chapter

Good morning everyone
Today is Day 5 of the new chapter in my life. I am doing pretty good today. Have another meeting with the people who are helping me find a new job. They are great to work with so far. Been working on my resume. Should be done today so I can get that out. I have had offers from several people I know to get my resume to other people they know to help with the process. The extending of hands from all directions sure is uplifting!
Hope your day is well

J-Dawg

The "Dawn" of a new day

This week has been a tough week, but I am trying as hard as I can to keep a positive spin on it. I have a great support system, with my family and friends. Within 30 minutes of me being separated from my company, I had no less than 20 calls and 15 texts from people offering their support. That tells me that I made an impact in everything that I did. This is just giving me the motivation to go do something bigger and better with my life.

I figured with my new job prospects, I would take an hour or two and just design a new template for the blog. Actually, I cannot take credit for it. My friend over at Thoughts from Along the Broken Road helped me design it. 2+ hours of back and forth emails, and we figured out that I am HTML and XML illiterate LOL. But with her patience, we got it done...then I played with layout today. Still not totally the way I want it but I am right there close :)

So, Thanks Dawn! I appreciate your help and patience last night getting this new design done and published. And if any of you know of a headhunter, let me know!

J-Dawg

20 Questions: 02/15/09

My friend Dawn over at Thoughts from the Broken Road does these all the time, and a couple of questions just looked interesting, so I am giving it a shot.

1. What’s something in your life that’s pretty much been used up and needs replacing?
my self esteem…

2. What is older than you?
My dad, my company, my two best friends Rick and Bill LOL

3. Where do you belong?
Its funny, I ask myself that same question every day.

4. Who is no longer a stranger to you?
My friend Melissa

5. What's your favorite accent?
Tony Soproano - fuggetaboutit

6. Do you like apples?
Do you like Apples?? DO YOU like Apples – I got her number – how you like DEM APPLES!!! (Good Will Hunting reference…love that movie! LOVE that line!)

7. Do you play baseball?
Long time ago – seems like a lifetime ago

8. Do you enjoy starting drama?
Absolutely not.

9. Can you run fast?
Not these days

10. Do you believe in magic?
No.

11. What was the first conscious thought you had this morning?
Oh god its way too early (rolled over and went back to sleep)

12. When you get online, what do you do first?
Email first…

13. What is the slowest realization you've ever come to?
That my Dad and my sister are always right…

14. What name would you want have if you were the opposite sex?
No thanks…..

15. What is a song that you love to hate?
“Stay” ~ Sugarland…brings up a lot of emotions…some which have yet to be dealt with.

16. What's in your pockets?
a whole lotta nada

17. Who can you talk with for hours?
Doug…like a couple of old hens when we start talking….

18. What sounds great today?
hitting the lotto.

19. What is the best example of "perfection" that you can think of?
Being at the final game at Memorial Stadium and watching the helicopter fly the home plate from Memorial Stadium to the Orioles new home at Camden Yards.

20. Do good things come to those who wait?
If they do, then I need something for my aching feet…been standing here a LONG time! LOL

Have a great week
J