Had a really good weekend. And it was one of those rare times when I didn't feel like it was simply too short... as if I had to spend my entire time home just doing things to prepare for my next couple of weeks on the road. The only down-side to it all is that I've spent a ton of money in the last few days. Lots of pricey eating out, a handful of bicycle gear that I needed (some for my current mountain bike and some in anticipation of my forthcoming delivery of the folding bicycle), and then of course the usual bit of supplies for the next couple weeks on the road.
Saturday morning was one of my half-sister's wedding. It was okay. Nice but really nothing at all out of the ordinary. Hopefully it was a good day for her because that's really all that counts. To be selfish, the nicest part of it for me was simply getting to spend a little bit of time with the twins. My sisters Katherine and Becky (fraternal twins -- same parents as me). (There are also two half-sisters... one from my mother, one from my father). Anyhow, it is ridiculously rare for the three of us to ever get together at the same time so that was pretty nice.
Had dinner at Paragon on Thayer Street on Saturday night. That was good, but I picked up the bulk of the expense and it was significant. Then hit WaterFire on Saturday night.
Sunday began with breakfast at the Modern Diner in Pawtucket. Then Becky rented a bike from East Providence cycle and we did about 23 miles of the East Bay Bike Path. This is actually the most exercise I've gotten in the last few years... a fact I am not particularly proud of, but am determined to change. I purchased a couple slicks (tires) for my mountain bike which makes the pavement roll by a lot smoother. I'm still sore from the ride (my legs but also my ass due to a small and uncomfortable seat on my mountain bike). But its a "good" sore in the sense that I'm now really longing for that folding bike to show up. I think having it along in the truck and occasionally having the option of getting some rides in out on the road will be fantastic. And I surely need the exercise as well.
So back to work tomorrow. Tonight I'm just taking it easy and watching Ice Road Truckers. ANY kind of trucking is hard work. But this shit is just insane -- certainly more risk than I am willing to accept. Fascinating show though.
That's all I can remember at the moment so I'll conclude here.
Saturday morning was one of my half-sister's wedding. It was okay. Nice but really nothing at all out of the ordinary. Hopefully it was a good day for her because that's really all that counts. To be selfish, the nicest part of it for me was simply getting to spend a little bit of time with the twins. My sisters Katherine and Becky (fraternal twins -- same parents as me). (There are also two half-sisters... one from my mother, one from my father). Anyhow, it is ridiculously rare for the three of us to ever get together at the same time so that was pretty nice.
Had dinner at Paragon on Thayer Street on Saturday night. That was good, but I picked up the bulk of the expense and it was significant. Then hit WaterFire on Saturday night.
Sunday began with breakfast at the Modern Diner in Pawtucket. Then Becky rented a bike from East Providence cycle and we did about 23 miles of the East Bay Bike Path. This is actually the most exercise I've gotten in the last few years... a fact I am not particularly proud of, but am determined to change. I purchased a couple slicks (tires) for my mountain bike which makes the pavement roll by a lot smoother. I'm still sore from the ride (my legs but also my ass due to a small and uncomfortable seat on my mountain bike). But its a "good" sore in the sense that I'm now really longing for that folding bike to show up. I think having it along in the truck and occasionally having the option of getting some rides in out on the road will be fantastic. And I surely need the exercise as well.
So back to work tomorrow. Tonight I'm just taking it easy and watching Ice Road Truckers. ANY kind of trucking is hard work. But this shit is just insane -- certainly more risk than I am willing to accept. Fascinating show though.
That's all I can remember at the moment so I'll conclude here.
Werner seems to have this weird idea that loads should be passed from driver to driver like a baton in a relay race. It doesn't seem to make that much sense if the guy who picks it up has enough time to deliver by the due date by himself.
Did not have a smooth day. I thought my truck had brake problems and got myself stuck by not realizing that the trolley brake was patiall engaged. I haven't even seen a trolley brake since I was in school. Then i had to pick up trailer that the yard guy had left the landing gear a fucking foot high on. I cranked it down but not far enough and I hit the landing gear assembly with the tail end of the tractor and broke a mud flap off. And the fifth wheel went under the kingpin and i got stuck, and had to crank the trailer up again and deflate my suspension to get back out. Yeah I'm just so fucking smooth. You'd think I'd be at least a little smooth with seven months experience.