A bunch of useless crap
Published on February 23, 2007 By MasonM In Blogging
Late this morning I went back to the same place I delivered to last night. I was to pick up some pieces going to a sand blasting company in Oak Creek, WI (just South of Milwaukee). When I got there I found out that the large piece was 12 feet wide. Over sized load.

I called the dispatcher to find out if he knew it was a wide load as he had failed to mention that fact earlier. It turns out the customer hadn't told him. I told him if he wanted me to haul it he would have to call and get more money for it as the rate for over sized loads is much higher than the standard rate. He agreed.

One of the managers at the place came out to speak with me, and told me that "A" had called and it had been an honest oversight on their part and of course they would pay the over size rate. Cool. Load it up.

After loading, securing, and putting on all of my oversized load signs and flags, I called the sand blasting place for directions and to let them know I was on my way. It was now 1:30 and they were a good 90 minutes away. She said they stopped receiving at 3:00 and if I didn't make it before then they wouldn't unload it.

The hell you say! I called "A" and relayed this to him. He said to start heading that way and he would make a call. A few minutes later he called me back and said that they will indeed take it when I get there as they didn't want to pay our outrageous storage fees for the weekend. Cool.

I got there and got unloaded. The guys didn't seem really happy about it but they were smart enough to not say so to my face.

I now have to pick up a crate in Milwaukee and take it back to the yard with me. As it's now rush hour I am sitting in the truck stop having some dinner, surfing the net, and, once I have finished eating, doing a bit of knitting. I figure if I hang around here until 6:00 traffic will have time to thin out a bit and I won't have such a difficult drive in there.

I figure I'll get back to the yard around 8:00 or so. Kind of late, but no biggie as I don't plan to do a damn thing after that but relax.


Comments
on Feb 23, 2007
Don't it feel good to relax?! I tell you, just to have the time for yourself to do what you want is priceless!


BTW....I thought you won the lottery or something!!
on Feb 23, 2007
BTW....I thought you won the lottery or something!


Don't I wish!

Yeah, some relaxation time keeps us same. I've been sitting here in my truck watching a movie and knitting on a sock.
on Feb 23, 2007
I've been sitting here in my truck watching a movie and knitting on a sock.


I still haven't gotten the art of knitting! I'm trying though, but it's hard! All I can do so far is chain knit! I find the crocheting easier, possibly because of the hook on the needle! I've checked out the website, knithelp.com, not as helpful to a greenhorn like myself!
on Feb 23, 2007
I still haven't gotten the art of knitting! I'm trying though, but it's hard! All I can do so far is chain knit! I find the crocheting easier, possibly because of the hook on the needle! I've checked out the website, knithelp.com, not as helpful to a greenhorn like myself!


Watch Amy's videos on the basics. They can help a lot.

Just keep practicing, it'll get easier. Start a project like a scarf. I find it much easier to actually be working on something than simply doing busy work to practice. Remember, it probably won't be perfect to start out but will get better as you go along. A scarf is a nice way to actually see your progress as you go.

A simple scarf to do is a 2x2 ribbing. It let's you practice knit and purl stitches. You just knit 2, purl 2 across. Then on the next row you purl 2 knit 2 so that you're purling what you knitted and knitting what you purled on the previous row. It alternates all the way through.

Row 1 : ,p2 - repeat across row.
Row 2 : p2, - repeat across row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have a scarf of the desired length.
on Feb 24, 2007
A simple scarf to do is a 2x2 ribbing. It let's you practice knit and purl stitches. You just knit 2, purl 2 across. Then on the next row you purl 2 knit 2 so that you're purling what you knitted and knitting what you purled on the previous row. It alternates all the way through.

Row 1 : ,p2 - repeat across row.
Row 2 : p2, - repeat across row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have a scarf of the desired length.


Greek, it's all Greek to me! I'll practice til I get it! Thx!
on Feb 24, 2007
Reply By: foreverserenity


First thing? Don't start on socks. They're a real bitch for a beginner. Try a scarf. Not very practical this late, but good for practice, and you can save 'em up for Christmas presents or something. It's a good way to practice your basic stitches without major hassles, and try the harder stuff later.

Also, the Idiot's Guide books (the for Dummies knock offs) have a pretty good one on knitting and crocheting for about 15 bucks.
on Feb 24, 2007
Greek, it's all Greek to me! I'll practice til I get it! Thx!


You're welcome. The first thing to do in learning anything new is to learn the terminology. It really takes a lot of the confusion out of things.

First thing? Don't start on socks. They're a real bitch for a beginner. Try a scarf.


I agree 100% there. I jumped into socks as a second project simply because I'm a glutton for punishment.

A scarf really is a great first project as it's basically just a long rectangle.

I haven't seen the Idiots or Dummies books for knitting, but I bought the one at Wal Mart called Teach Yourself To Knit and it was very good for explaining the basics and the terminology, abbreviations (shouldn't that be a much shorter word?), and how to decipher patterns.
on Feb 24, 2007
You lead a charmed life Mason.
on Feb 24, 2007

You lead a charmed life Mason.


Cursed would be closer to the truth
on Feb 24, 2007
Thx you two! I will follow your advice!
on Feb 24, 2007

Thx you two! I will follow your advice!


You're welcome. I'm looking forward to seeing your first finished project.
on Feb 25, 2007
You're welcome. I'm looking forward to seeing your first finished project.


Oh God, pressure, pressure!!!! LOL!