A bunch of useless crap
Published on November 2, 2011 By MasonM In Blogging

I am spending a couple of days laid over in North Carolina, in the Greensboro/Winston Salem area. The final stop on this last load was a small excavator. I delivered it on Tuesday and now have to wait around until Thursday to pick it up again and take it back to the factory in Wisconsin.

As I have had a terrible backache for the past week this layover is a welcome chance to rest and try and get my back to ease up a bit before I have to hit the road again. I have had to use my cane the past couple of days, and that always makes me a bit grumpy.

Oh well, that's the way it is sometimes.

I had done laundry a few days ago, but the clothes came out of the dryer wrinkled. Carrying a bulky iron and ironing board in the truck is impractical. I had hoped this motel room would have an iron and board, but alas it doesn't. I visited the local Walmart this morning and picked up an inexpensive hand-held garment steamer.

I tried it out back here in my room and have to say it was twenty bucks well spent. As the clothes can be steamed right on the hangar it is far easier than ironing, and the wrinkles and creases just fall away. I really wasn't expecting much from the thing and so was quite impressed by how well it worked. No more wrinkled clothes for me.

I also grudgingly picked up a new cane at Walmart. I didn't really want to, but my old one was cracked and I was concerned it might snap under my weight. The new one is aluminum, adjustable, and has a padded handle which is far more comfortable to the hand. I hate using a cane, but if I have to it may as well be a comfortable one.

I have been putting off doing my paperwork all morning but I guess I really should get it done and scanned in to the office if I want to get paid next week. I hate doing paperwork but it must be done.


Comments
on Nov 02, 2011

Must be the onset of the cold weather.  Surprisingly early this year (we had our first frost Sunday night).  Hope this cold blows over and we get back to some more of the temperate weather.  might help your back.

Good luck with your back on the return trip.

on Nov 02, 2011

Dr Guy
Must be the onset of the cold weather.  Surprisingly early this year (we had our first frost Sunday night).  Hope this cold blows over and we get back to some more of the temperate weather.  might help your back.

Good luck with your back on the return trip.

You're quite right, and thanks. The cold snap started the pain. Such is the nature of getting old and having led a less than sedentary life. All those old injuries come back to haunt.

Ah, the fickle nature of trucking. I just received a call letting me know that the excavator I was supposed to load tomorrow was sold at the trade show and they don't need me to pick it up after all.

Naturally this has our dispatch office upset. Me? I needed the down time anyway, I just hope they can find me something else tomorrow. I let them know I would remain in the motel until tomorrow as I need the break and the room is already paid. Such is trucking.

on Nov 08, 2011

Well, since your last post was from Indiana, I guess they found the load.  And like I thought, the temperatures have moderated quite nicely. 70s this week!  So hopefully you will not have to pay too high a price for your active youth!

on Nov 14, 2011
Thanks, Guy. Yep, got loaded, ran up to Wisconsin, and am now down in south Texas. The back is feeling a bit better but still bothering me a little. I managed to twist my right ankle while securing and tarping my load on Friday so now I have that giving me hell. Sometimes ya just can't win But it could always be worse.