I got up at 4:00 am so I could be at my first stop in Staatsburg, NY by 7:30. It was a school campus and as such had very narrow little streets. I managed to wiggle my way around to the back sided of the main building where I was guessing the generator was to be located. The little road that led to the loading dock area (I was correct in my guess) turned right from the street I was on at a very acute angle. It was impossible for me to make that turn in a normal fashion.
As I needed to back in anyway I just drove past the road and then backed up it. From that direction the angle was much better and I back all the way up to where I needed to unload. Naturally the crane wasn't there yet as those guys are never, and I mean never on time.
I looked the job over, decided the most likely place the crane operator would want to set up, wiggled my rig over to make room for him, and about that time he deigned to make an appearance. He set up the crane right where I'd made a spot.
While waiting for him to get set up I called a couple of the workers over, pointed to the two large mufflers that go with the generator, and instructed them to pull them off and set them aside so the crane could do it's thing without having them in the way. One of the guys said something to the extent of "We can't lift those things."
I reached over and with one hand lifted up the end of one of them and said in my best Southern accent "I didn't realize New Yorkers were such pussies." It had the desired effect; a couple of dirty looks and the two guys moving the mufflers off my trailer. I just grinned to myself as I went over to discuss the pick with the crane operator.
My second stop was even a bit worse than the first as far as room goes. It was a fire station located way out a little winding country road where I often had to take up both sides of the road to get around some of the tighter curves. I pissed off several car drivers on my way there.
The turn into the work area, a left this time, was narrow, tight, and at an odd angle. Job sites are always a pain in the ass anyway. I managed to get pulled in, met with the job foreman, and found out he had a wrecker coming to pick the generator off. Well, ok, as long as it's a big wrecker that'll work. Problem was, I was facing the wrong direction. Damn!
I had him and his guys stop traffic for me so I could back out of there, which was a real bitch, and then back into the place which was an even bigger bitch, but I did the whole thing smoothly. When I stepped out of my rig one of the workmen said something to the extent of "I guess this isn't your first day on the job huh?" The foreman came up to me and said he was impressed and that he was sure he would have torn down a lot of stuff trying to do that. I just said something about this not being my first rodeo.
Luckily the wrecker operator, when he finally showed up, knew what he was doing so I didn't have to instruct and babysit him through the lift. He put the workmen to work rigging the generator, lifted it off my deck, and I drove out from under it nice and slick like.
My last stop is in Bridgeport, CT for 9:00 am tomorrow. I am now parked at a truck stop in CT. I've finally had my breakfast and can kick back and relax for a while as I'm only about 45 minutes from Bridgeport discounting traffic.
I am debating on whether to get a shower now or wait until after I unload and reload tomorrow. I'd like to get a shower but the last stop is tarped and I know I'll get all dirty during the unload, and God only knows what I'll get into on the reload. I hate to waste a perfectly good shower although it sure would feel good about now. I think I'll just wash up this evening and get that shower after I get all dirty tomorrow.The stuff I did today was all easy and clean, just pulling off a few chains and straps. That shower will feel even better tomorrow and I'll actually need one then.
There is a barber shop at this truck stop and although I normally don't cut my hair during the Winter months as I need the extra insulation, I am seriously thinking about going ahead and getting it cut while I am here. It's looking pretty shaggy and honestly has been bugging me a bit. It's at that length where it's long enough to be bothersome and unruly, but not long enough to tie back or really do anything with it. I've been considering just letting it grow long enough to tie back like I used to wear it, but at 45 maybe I'm just too old for that look now.
As the barber is open until 10:00 tonight I'll await some feedback from my fellow JUers before making a decision on cutting it or letting it grow, so tell me what ya think. Do I go with a short haircut or do I go the middle aged hippie route? The beard stays either way.