I've been sitting in a hotel in WI since the day before yesterday. I had been having a few engine related problems with my truck so I put it in the shop to be checked out.

I wasn't surprised when they told me it had to go down to the engine shop in Milwaukee for some major work. At last check it might be ready sometime tomorrow.

I had grabbed my pipe bag, computer bag, overnight bag with some clothing, and my dop kit containing my grooming supplies. It wasn't until after I had checked in and the truck had gone down to Milwuakee that I realized that I had forgotten my knitting bag.

One night in the hotel is ok. I get to relax and basically do little to nothing. But this will make night number three and I am quite bored. I've never been much for sitting around watching the idiot box. The weather is pretty crappy; chilly and raining.

So i'm basically just sitting around enjoying my pipes and wishing I had something interesting to accupy my time. I've taken to smoking my pipes pretty much full time now as I am trying to get away from cigarettes completely. While it's not the same as quitting smoking entirely, at least one doesn't inhale pipe smoke so it is something of an improvement. Besides, it just tastes better.

One other item I fogot to take out of my truck is the tin of Larson 1868 tobacco that I picked up last week in SC. It was in my knitting bag. It would be a great smoke on a wet, chilly day like today. Ah well, it'll be there when I get my truck back again. In the meantime I have the Uhle's Irish Aromatic to enjoy, and it is a great smoke too.

Tomorrow is my birthday but I have no special plans. With any luck I'll be back in my truck and on my way out with a load. Depending upon what direction I'm headng, I may manage to stop somewhere for a couple of beers to mark the date. If not, it's not that big of a deal to me. My two most recent purchases of good quality pipes, the Savinelli and the Bjarne, were my birthday gifts for myself, and I can enjoy those regardless of where I am tomorrow evening.

Besides, after spending the majority of this week just sitting around, money is an issue and going out to party is hardly within my budget right now.

Except for this current break down related down time,  business has been slowly starting to pick up a bit. It's still not where it needs to be, but I'm seeing some improvements. Hopefully within a few months things may start getting back to something approaching normal levels once again. That would make my wallet happy.

I need to go out shortly to get a bite to eat. The chilly, wet weather has me reticent to go out but one does have to eat and ordering delivery in simply costs too much. I did bring a nice, heavy sweater with me but no coat, which is something else I simply forgot.

I had dinner at Applebee's last night, but they are kind of expensive and I don't want to blow any more cash over there. There are much cheaper places to eat that are close by. I'm thinking perhaps Arby's or KFC for lunch today. Or maybe Pizza Hut as they have a decent lunch pizza buffet at a reasonable price.

Yeah, maybe Pizza Hut will do.

I'm hungry.