I got a call from dispatch shortly after I posted my previous article. They had an oversized load for me picking up in Salem, SD heading back to WI. Cool. I really like the big loads because they pay better. It couldn't pick up until the following morning, "8:00 am SHARP" according to the old fart at the farm implement place, so I headed on down to Sioux Falls and back to the Red Eye Saloon for a second night. That put me just about 45 minutes from Salem.

I had a pretty good time but again called it a night fairly early, partly because I needed to get up and get to work and partly to save my cash. I got a good night's sleep and arrived at the pick up at a quarter to 8. I don't do "sharp".

Naturally the damn thing wasn't ready to load and I sat around for a couple hours while the yokels removed the tongue from the plow so it would reasonably sit on my trailer. Once it was all done the thing was just about 11' 3" wide instead of the 12' I had been told. Had they left on the tongue it would have been about 15' wide and I would have refused to move it.

The place in WI stops received around 4:30 (I've been there before) so I knew there was no point in getting in too big a hurry. I could deliver it Friday morning with no problem. I took my time across MN and finally wound up in Mauston, WI where I spent the night. Of course there is a llittle sports bar across from the truck stop there so I wandered in for a really good burger, a couple of brews, and some knitting.

Turned out there was a Chamber of Commerce "After 5" meeting in there and I sat and watched the show. It was some schmuck from the power company giving the locals a presentation on saving energy. The only thing I could say was that the guy really needed to improve his presentation skills. Between his stammering, "uh"s, and losing his place, the guy was intolerable.

I've given a lot of presentations over the years and could have easily done a better job of it just using his slides and knowing nothng at all about the prepared presentation. He really sucked moose teet. Maybe I should apply for his job.

This morning I delivered the plow to the implement dealer in WI. It was a pretty quick and simple affair. I then went up to Oshkosh and picked up a snow removal truck headed for LaGuardia airport, NYC. I assumed I would be hauling it there.

When I talked to "R" in dispatch he asked if I wanted to go there or UT. Naturally I asked which paid better. UT does so that's what I chose.

I put my truck into the shop for scheduled servicing and some minor repairs, and asked for the van so I could check into the hotel without waiting around for them to get finished with the truck.

"R" said that I could have the van but to not take it to the bar. Huh? Why the hell would I take a van with our company name plastered all over it to a damn bar? He said a couple of weeks ago some idiot they had hired did exactly that. What a moron.

He knew I wouldn't do it but I guess he just wanted to tell me about the aforementioned idiot who no longer works here.

I checked into the hotel (I just love the fact that the desk clerk knows and greets me by name when I walk in) and went over to Applebee's for dinner and drinks. I was swarmed with hugs and kisses, as well as handshakes, when I got there. I guess it has been a while since I've been in there. One server, one of my favorites, was just leaving when I came in but stopped to give me a big hug and asked me to call next time I was coming in and she would be sure to be there even if she wasn't woriking. She's a real sweety and knows how to make an old fart feel good.

The one manager who I got into hot water a while back by emailing Applebee's about some remarks he had made was all smiles and friendly and shit. He even gave me a card for 10% off next time I stop in. Ok, I know they probably told him that I regularly email them reports about their stores all over the country (both good and bad), and he's hoping that I'll email in a good report about him, but good grief!

The incident happened months and months ago. At what point does he man up and stop sucking up? While I am not above enjoying being treated like a VIP or something, I really don't respect sucking up. It's just too damn phony.The guy needs to let it go, be a man, and move on.

Honestly I'd respect him more if he'd just act pissed off at me and ignore me. At least that would be honest. I got the guy in trouble so I know he must dislike me.

Ah well. I enjoyed myself at Applebee's even if I did forget my knitting pack in the truck. Several people even asked why I wasn't knitting tonight. Just a simple oversight caused by not expecting my truck to be in the shop over night. I did feel a tad out of place not having it to work on though.

I did have my laptop with me and spent some time configuring a Linux kernel recompile I plan to do soon. I'm configuring the kernal to streamline it and make it smaller and faster. What can I say, I am a "tweaker" and am always looking to make my system run just a litte bit faster. I have literally done hundreds of kernel compiles over the years and if done correctly they never fail to speed up the system.

Of course if done wrong the system won't run at all LOL.

I am now comfortably back in the hotel. The tv has no sound, something I found out right after checking in, but I don't care. I told the desk clerk about it and she offered to move me to another room but I declined as I just don't care about it. The room is comfy and I don't care all that much about tv anyway.

I am going to get some sleep so I am rested and ready to roll to UT tomorrow. I don't have to be there until Tuesday, but unless I hit some sort of delay I plan on delivering there on Monday instead. It's only a 21 or 22 hour drive so I can easily leave here in the morning and be there on Monday. That's how the money is made ya know.