Another Cellarite fades into the distance

Yes folks. It's that time.

I changed jobs for more money and stability. No more manly dump trucks for me! Now it'll be a big rig like I always wanted! It will be delivered in six weeks.

In the meantime, I'm paired with another driver so the company is sure I won't wreck the thing as soon as I get it. The first six months are the worst time for drivers. If you are deficient at all, that's when it will show up, usually in a wreck.

But never fear, when I can afford a new laptop (with wireless) I shall buy one. And regale you all with tales from the open road. And pictures too since I now have a digital camera. There will also be a blog for those who care to view it.
Yes, I've been warned not to badmouth the company...I know all about that.

In the meantime, there are public access terminals so I will still get email.

Now where is my Smokey and the Bandit soundtrack???

Brian

Congrats, Brian...and good luck to you!

I finally got a regular job this week after spending the last 3 months schlepping pizzas and working temp assignments. I start next Monday, the 10th.

I start grad school on December 1st...and I am finally going to buy that iBook I've had my eye on since the spring.

Good luck, Brian.

Cellar correspondent, Brian R........on assignment. :thumb:
What about the dogs?

[hindi accent] oh, you mother trucker....[/hindi]

Good luck! Don't forget to come back as soon as you get a chance.

Good luck Brian. And if you're reading this in a laptop in a truck somewhere.....


[SIZE=7]Stop reading this post and watch the road![/SIZE] :eek: :D

BrianR wrote:

But never fear, when I can afford a new laptop (with wireless) I shall buy one. And regale you all with tales from the open road. And pictures too since I now have a digital camera...
Brian

That will be very cool.

Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.

Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you 'till we meet again.
Happy trails to you until we meet again.

Come back soon.

Now for a verse of "White Line Fever" by Merle H.
In times gone by, I hauled many loads of chicken to the west coast. Boy what fun, but money. Well we eat lots of chicken and produce.

Followed by, "Weed, Whites,and Wine. I'll be willin..."

Actually, you must buy this CD. I actually got a copy in a bargain bin somewhere.

c'mon brian! ya need to be behind the yoke dude! na, congrats man. i'm not to far away from being a glorified bus driver but it's what i love and you have obviously reached yours! in fact, i'm going to the fridge right now to buy you a beer! :beer:

Congratulations on your good fortune, Brian.

Another song to keep in mind for its lesson in trucking, if not its ending...

Thirty
Thousand
Pounds
Of Bananas

Breaker One-Nine, you got a copy on me Pigpen, come on?

All you really need is a copy of C.W. McCall's Greatest Hits.

Now you need to get a blue merle Australian Shepherd to ride in the cab with you. You can even call him The Bear, seems like half the Aussie owners name theirs "Bear" anyway (after you see one of them from the rear you will know why). Tie a bandana around his neck, encourage him to sing along with the radio (yes, Aussies sing) and you will be the biggest chick-magnet on I-40 ;)

Wolf: Got it already. The 70's trucker music is mostly gone though. There's only a few left in bargain bins as RichLevy said or in used LP stores like Plastic Fantastic in Havertown.

Tonchi: I got a pit bull mongrel and a bandanna. Does that count?

Plthijinx: I wouldn't turn down a flying job. I love flying more than sex! And you know what I mean by that. And I saw a slightly used MiG-21 for sale, low hours and two spare engines for "only" $150,000. Wanna go halves? I could always get my turbine rating (ME too I guess) just for the ability to go Mach 2.3, even if I can't do it over lan d anymore.

Bruce: My dog will be spending the time with a friend in MD. My initial period will be driving teams and my dog won't let the other guy into the truck until he knows him better, which takes at least a day. I will be able to take him along later, after I am cleared to drive solo.

Anyway, I'll miss the witty banter here and will return as often as I can, even while on the road. A laptop is a must-have right after a new CB and a few other little items.

Brian

BrianR wrote:

Yes folks. It's that time.

I changed jobs for more money and stability. No more manly dump trucks for me! Now it'll be a big rig like I always wanted! It will be delivered in six weeks.

In the meantime, I'm paired with another driver so the company is sure I won't wreck the thing as soon as I get it. The first six months are the worst time for drivers. If you are deficient at all, that's when it will show up, usually in a wreck.

But never fear, when I can afford a new laptop (with wireless) I shall buy one. And regale you all with tales from the open road. And pictures too since I now have a digital camera. There will also be a blog for those who care to view it.
Yes, I've been warned not to badmouth the company...I know all about that.

In the meantime, there are public access terminals so I will still get email.

Now where is my Smokey and the Bandit soundtrack???

Brian

Congrats on your new job. I see you're from Hazelton. I live in Plymouth. Howdy neighbor. :D

Howdy-doo!

Okay folks, one last check in. My ride is here and we're loading up the car. See you all in six weeks!

I hope I unplugged the iron...

Brian

Happy trails, stay safe. Get paid.

Alright Brian! take it easy and enjoy the road!
hehe can you imagine this conversation?
me/you: "good afternoon Houston Approach, N12345 with you off of La Porte, flight following to Hazelton, Pa."
Air Traffic Control: "N12345 squawk 0203 and ident"
me/you: "0203 ident"
ATC: "N12345 radar contact say type aircraft"
me/you: "MIG-21"
ATC: "oh, uh. um. say oncourse heading and do not exceed 200kts until clear of my airspace"

IT SOUNDS LIKE FUN. ENJOY IT!

Whoopteedo wrote:

Congrats on your new job. I see you're from Hazelton. I live in Plymouth. Howdy neighbor. :D

Congratulations on the Plymouth...... a lot more room than a Subaru. :lol:

SCHUNE wrote:

IT SOUNDS LIKE FUN. ENJOY IT!

Schune. Please stop screaming. :worried:

Typing in all caps is the net equivalent of shouting.

Good luck.

xoxoxoBruce wrote:

Congratulations on the Plymouth...... a lot more room than a Subaru. :lol:

lol... smart ass. :p

dar512 wrote:

Schune. Please stop screaming. :worried:

Typing in all caps is the net equivalent of shouting.

[Dave Chappelle as Samuel L. Jackson]NO I CAN'T STOP YELLING, BECAUSE THIS IS HOW I TALK![/Dave Chappelle as Samuel L. Jackson]

AIN'T YOU EVER SEEEEN MY MOOOOVIES?

JUICE? THAT WAS A GOOD ONE! DEEP BLUE SEA? THEY ATE ME! A FUCKIN' SHARK ATE ME!

youse guys crack me up...:lol2:

YOU'LL BE FUCKIN' FAT BITCHES IN NO TIME! YOU MIGHT EVEN FIGHT A NIGGA OR TWO! MMMM MMMM, BITCH!

No threadjacking!

Greetings from Billings Montana! What rugged country this is. Chilly too. I just drove my semi six miles at 15 mph over a rutted dirt road and 7000 feet up a mountain (at 5 mph) to deliver a load at a mine. Lost a mudflap somewhere too.

I took pictures but can't share them until I get home. And my laptop died...any suggestions on a new one? I need a decent screen, battery life, DVD player or a combo drive, reasonable HD space, hate clit mice but will deal if I must and at least two USB ports. I will buy it for myself at Xmas.

I miss you all and will check in when I can. Email me if you need me, I check that whenever possible.

Take care y'all!

Brian

I'm departing from here in a few hours to deadhead to Idaho Falls ID, pick up a load of something or other and drive it all the way to Hanover, PA. nearly 2100 miles. Sans mudflap. The local dealership is out of stock and won't get any in for at least a week, and that's IF they order any. Bastards.

Anyway, off to inspect the truck and finish cleaning up my hotel room a bit so the maids don't think I'm a slob. :redface:

I'll try to check in when I arrive and if I'm REALLY lucky, I'll get to run up to my house after to pick up my mail and maybe a different computer. I have a Panasonic that MIGHT be useable on the road. If not, I'll just drop off this dead weight and grab the things I forgot when I left. And food. LOTS of food. It's much cheaper to store food on the truck and eat in than buy out alla time.

See you all soon (I hope)! :cool:

Brian

Brian, you've gotta get yourself a dog. Or a monkey. Yeah, a monkey. Brian and the Bear.

Definitely a monkey.

a large dog a small monkey and a saddle

Sorry, Griff...you're thinking of The Sex Thread. :lol:

Elspode wrote:

Sorry, Griff...you're thinking of The Sex Thread. :lol:

:lol2:

brian needs a beagle named "Fred"

I took a few days off to clear a backlog of paperwork and sleep

I will work on a picture of the truck as soon as I can. It's a 2005 Freightliner Classic XL for those who are interested. I have the inside fitted out pretty well for a company truck. I still lust for Bruce's pictured truck in my personal update thread. :love:

Anyone who knows where to find me is welcome to visit and check it out.

Anyway, in a few more weeks, I will have completed my personal checklist of things to do to get my life back on track. Now I will spend my money on toys and material things that I cannot take with me when I die.

I will be tapping the Cellar knowledge base for technical data and opinions as needed. Next on my list is a new laptop so I can check in more often.

Brian

Hey, welcome home dude. :celebrat:

Don't listen to plthijinx.

Fred is a basset hound, not a beagle.

Sheesh.


[Chapelle] MARS BITCHES! [/Chapelle]

Okay. I took pictures but the snow made them blurry and the inside ones are too dark so....

try here for pics of the same model I have.

the 360 deg view is pretty awesome too. Of course, mine is gray on black and I put my own linens on the bunk but still...

Brian

Set your sights higher. :D

You know, that thing looks a lot like a Weinermobile.

I wounder if that thing goes " Wiki Wiki Wiki , what the Fuck buck !!!!! " when it sees and error , like in the engine ???

Howdy folks! I'm still out here roaming around. I spent a lot of time going back and forth from western PA through Chicago and back again. Damn I got tired of that drive. Finally, they sent me someplace good for a change, Florida! I was there for three loads, then was sent off to Grand Junction Colorado. It's gonna suck hauling 46,000 pounds over the Rockies. I hope I don't need those chains!

Be good, y'all!

Brian

When you hit bad weather, just have the little woman get out and put the chains on. Why did you think those guys bring their wives along, company? :lol:

BrianR wrote:

It's gonna suck hauling 46,000 pounds over the Rockies. I hope I don't need those chains!

Be good, y'all!

Brian

Thanks for the warning! I'll be sure to stay away from I-70 for the next few days! You get to drive over Vail Pass, you lucky boy! Of course you're gonna need those chains! Trucks jack knife on Vail all the time. And watch out for all the elk and deer that like to wander down the road over in western Colorado. Say, did I mention that we're due for a blizzard here ? :elkgrin: :driving: :tux:

Made the Rockies safely. Currently in South Carolina. I gots 45,000 lbs of BEER to deliver tomorrow morning! Might be 44,000 due to "evaporation" or whatever else I can come up with. Harris Teeter sucks dirty ass and I will never haul for them again. Oh, I showed them my appreciation for holding me in a parking lot WITHOUT PAY for twelve hours by leaving them a special delivery of my own to find. HEHEHE :D

If y'all want a phone call as I pass through or want to set up a meeting (if at all possible), email me at [email]newbrianrem2@yahoo.com[/email] and I will see what I can do.

Back to work!

Brian

The Rockies: home of black glare ice this season. Can't expect anything else at five to ten thousand feet altitude.

Detail question: how many of the dormitory-type long-haul cabs include a microwave for cooking your own food?

Stop by a lagre truck stop some time , you can get 12v toaster ovens , coffie pots , refridgeraters , hair dryers , ,,,,, well damn near ANY thing .
I have Never seen a 12v microwave , BUT you can pick up many different power inverters for conversion from 12vdc to 110vac .

Or 24 vdc to 110 vac. ;)

I figured the apparatus would need an inverter. Now about how many cost-saving truckers are eatin' their own cookin'?

Now about how many cost-saving truckers are eatin' their own cookin'?
More than you would think .
The smart truckers have their time and the trucks running time calculated , so they can tell you how much it is costing them for the truck to be running and them to be standing around ( diesel cost , MPG , pay per hour (( though most of these guys are being payed for loads hauled or miles driven )))

Plus, getting a decent meal at a decent price at the right time in their itinerary.
They may not feel like driving another hour or two after supper when the truck stop doesn’t jibe with their log book limit.
They also may have a restricted, by choice or Doc’s orders, diet, that clashes with restaurant chow. They could be kosher, vegan, or cannibals. :ninja:

Johnson's Corner on I-25 between Denver and the Wyo border. Best truck stop in the world, bar none. And it's only 5 minutes from my house, so we eat breakfast there about once a week :D

Have you been?

42 on Johnsons Corner. My favorite T/S is Jubitz in Portland Or. Pricy but worth it, but I will stop at any Petro. Flying J SUX. Real Men Pull Flat Beds. :lol: :lol:

mrnoodle wrote:

Johnson's Corner on I-25 between Denver and the Wyo border. Best truck stop in the world, bar none. And it's only 5 minutes from my house, so we eat breakfast there about once a week :D

Have you been?

Yes. :D

me too. It got a gold star in my truck stop guide.

I make my own food in my truck, but no microwave. I use a toaster oven and crock pot for my cooking needs. I keep plenty of canned foods and a few fresh things in my (tiny) fridge for when I'm stuck without a decent truck stop or restaurant within walking distance. It happens once a week or so. My only gripe is that when sleeping in a parking lot, there's also no bathrooms. You guess what I do in that case. ;)

By the way, I bought a new laptop so I can be online more often now. WinBlows 2000 really sucks...can't wait to convert to Win XP Pro when I get home.

I am currently in Oklahoma City, heading to Pittsburg KS tomorrow morning.

I will try to keep my routing posted and more or less current for those who want to meet me for lunch or dinner. I only post starting and ending points so you will need to check a map to see what highways I will be on. Just use interstates for the route and the shortest way is where I will be. Bear in mind that I cannot stop just anywhere so you will have to come to me. Big trucks don't fit in small parking lots. I can however, travel away from the t/s if you do the driving. Just don't let's take a long time...I gotta turn them wheels. And sleep. Sleep is good.

Brian

I've got friends down Pittsburg way. Email me whenever you come through KC (its gonna happen someday...I35, I29 and I70 all go through here)...I'll buy you breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack, depending on when you're here.

[email]endymion@lunalushede.org[/email] (to save you from having to look it up)

Been there several times, just not to stop, only pass through. Next time I find a place to park. I'll email if I see a route going through there.

Here ya go B, "Pimp my Semi "
http://worksafevideos.com/photos/cars/pimp_my_truck.htm

Simply amazing, the great variety you can get with bad taste and money. :lol:

Still hanging around.

Currently in Texas. Plthijinx, wherefore art thou? I'm in Houston tonight and will be in Austin tomorrow early am.

Darm posting and email is always too slow anyway. I need phone numbers!

Brian

Now on my way to Phoenix. Anyone there I should meet? I will be there with nothing to do for the whole weekend (truck service time again).

Anybody in the Seattle area that I should know about?

I'll be there tomorrow evening or early (very) Thursday morning.

Brian

I am now driving from Minneapolis to Dallas via I35.

Anyone along the way I should know about?

Elspode, I will call you at home after 1200 to see if we can meet up.

Dallas anyone? Anyone?

Brian

I'm meeting Brian at the Flying J near the Missouri River around 9:00 PM tonight. Cowhead? Iggy? Barefoot Serpent? Care to join us?

Change two: meeting has been changed to (maybe) tomorrow morning for brunch, assuming 'spode's health holds out.

I am at the Flying J, I435 exit 57 on the east side of KC if anyone local cares to meet me. Look along the back row of trucks for a blue Werner Freightliner Classic XL, number 42797. Please knock on the door if I am not visible. Chances are I'm in the back on the computer or else I'm inside. I will be wearing my black Cellar Tshirt.

Brian

Holler whence in the VA burbs of DC. Always up for black coffee at a truckstop diner in the middle of the night or day.

As I am awake due to inability to sleep from extreme congestion, it is looking doubtful that I'll be making it for breakfast, damn it. Have just taken yet more cold drugs...

If you don't hear from me by 9:00 AM Brian, assume I've died.

Alas, poor Elspode. I knew him, Horatio!

I'll send flowers sooner or later.

Having just awakened, exuding bloody sinus drainage, I think perhaps it is for the better that I stayed home lest you end up in the same boat. Ick.

okay, Mari....your turn. I'll be passing through Denver tomorrow afternoon-ish.

I think I will stop off at the chain bank even though I technically don't need to. It is on I25, south of town. I will be arriving on US287 to I70, way east of Denver and coming west. I will likely stop at the Flying J in Aurora for food and a break.

Brian

BrianR wrote:

okay, Mari....your turn. I'll be passing through Denver tomorrow afternoon-ish.

I think I will stop off at the chain bank even though I technically don't need to. It is on I25, south of town. I will be arriving on US287 to I70, way east of Denver and coming west. I will likely stop at the Flying J in Aurora for food and a break.

Brian

The forecast is for 3 inches of snow, otherwise I might take you up on your offer, Brian. I-25 in a snowstorm is no picnic and I'm 60 miles to the south of where you'll be which would mean a 120 mile round trip, including crossing the Palmer Divide twice. Tell you what, though. If you ever have occasion to drive 160 over Wolf Creek, I'll be living in Mancos in another 6 weeks and there's a real nice little restaurant where we could do coffee. Let me know. ;)

No problem. I will be through again sometime when it's warm.

BTW, I have to drive I25. In the snow. To GET chains!

Brian the Fearless

BrianR wrote:

No problem. I will be through again sometime when it's warm.

BTW, I have to drive I25. In the snow. To GET chains!

Brian the Fearless

You ARE fearless! First I-25, then Vail Pass. No thanks!

I'm serious though about highway 160. I'll be living a 1/2 mile away from it, so if you ever find yourself on the southern route thru Colorado, let me know, and I'll show you the sights or at least where to go for a good cup of coffee!

- Mari

What bravery? There was no snow and except for Denver, no traffic.

And I will look forward to accepting your invitation someday, only remember that I do not drink the evil brew. I'll have a Coke instead.

Brian

Hey BR---

If you reach the SF Bay Area, I'm here for you, man. I am west of the end of I-80! I can go east to like Oakland or something. Coca Cola is good with me. I'll start following this thread, if you are heading west. Break a leg.....

...RS

Been there, done that. Dropped a load near there and picked up one in, uhmmmm, that town with the think tank....umm, oh yeah! Livermore!

Missed me. Ya gotta pay attention, I move fast!

Mari, you get another chance. I'll be in Pueblo on Saturday.

Also, heading back to Ft Worth, TX. Anyone there?

Brian

Here ya go Brian R , http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=52354

Hell of a truck !!!!!

I saw that. Amazing huh? I had to go take a cold shower!

Brian, if you find your way to St. Louis, holler at me.

Will do. I've been there many times. Keep an eye on this thread for my next route.

Didn't catch your reply about Pueblo until just now, Brian. You may have already gone through, but I'll check back on this thread just in case. I know a couple of decent spots in Pueblo for an ice cold cola!

- Mari

Luck is on your side. Due to logbook issues, I will not be there until tomorrow at the earliest. I am still several hours from Cheyenne. PM me your phone number and I will call with updated arrival information.

BrianR wrote:

Due to logbook issues,

What? You don't keep 2. Or just throw one away and start a new one.:D
Times are a changing.

BrianR wrote:

Luck is on your side. Due to logbook issues, I will not be there until tomorrow at the earliest. I am still several hours from Cheyenne. PM me your phone number and I will call with updated arrival information.

Will do. I have one commitment tomorrow, but lets see if we can work something out. I haven't noticed Perth on the board lately, but Perth if you're still around we can drive down together and make a mini-cellar gathering!

busterb wrote:

What? You don't keep 2. Or just throw one away and start a new one.:D
Times are a changing.

Nope. I can't do that. My company uses electronic logging via QualComm. I can't even fudge it a little. I have identified a few bugs in the programming that sometimes give me a few extra minutes and sometimes not. Big Brother giveth and taketh away I guess.

If I had paper logs, I would have more ontime deliveries and NO logbook violations, as I have several now due to unforeseen complications (no place to stop for 30 minutes etc) which I chalk up to not watching my clock and checking my remaining hours more frequently. I have been making more of an effort to keep track of time lately though.

Brian

as I have several now due to unforeseen complications (no place to stop for 30 minutes etc)

Are they Seriously going to bust your chops over 30 minutes ???

You bet your ass they will. Computers have NO margin for error. The DOT will usually let a few minutes go by if you are trying to get to the nearest safe haven after a long onload but the computers never let you slide at all!

Now I begin to understand why I see truckers ditched in some of the oddest pullouts I've ever driven past. There's an exit off I-70 maybe 20 miles or so over the Colorado border into Utah. There's nothing at that exit except a wide pull around spot, and a dirt road that leads out to the Book Cliffs. I went camping out there once and was puzzled to see 6 or 7 semi's parked along the edges of the pull around. "What on earth?" I wondered. I guess their computers got them and that exit has become known as a good spot to pull your truck off the road for a while.

BTW, my Exploder broke down about 15 miles up that dirt road which has many twists and side trails brancing off it. I had driven up it in the dark, late at night and was exhausted and just crawled into the back of the Explorer in my sleeping bag to get some sleep. In the morning my battery was dead. I didn't have a map on me and I was unsure of how to reconstruct the route I had taken in the dark to get there. I knew that at night I would be able to catch glimpses of light on the distant interstate to help me keep my bearings, so I waited all day until dusk, made myself a thermos of coffee over my campfire, put several candy bars in my pocket, and began the 15 mile walk toward the Interstate to get help. It was late November and very cold. I made the Interstate around 2:00am, but I had arrived at a spot that was east of my original exit, since I was going on foot, cross country.

I must have stood on that freezing cold Interstate for 45 minutes in the dark before , finally, a truck pulled over to the side and stopped. The trucker inside was busily scribbling something in his logbook (I guess he didn't have a computer yet - this was 7 years ago). I ran up and tapped on his window and he glanced at me in surprise and rolled the window down. I told him of my plight and asked for a ride to the next spot where there was something open 24 hours and that had a phone. He told me that he wasn't allowed to take on passengers, and was going to call back to headquarters for permission, and then stopped and said, "Oh, just get on in. The hell with the main office."

He told me that he made a run from Salt Lake to Denver on a regular basis and that his usual habit was to stop at the Green River exit some 40 miles back to go over his paperwork and make sure everything was in order for when he crossed the Colorado State line. He said that that night for some reason, he had forgotten to make his usual stop in Green River and had only remembered when he got to the exit sign that I had been standing next to. He hadn't even seen me in the dark, so he was quite surprised when I tapped on his window.

I told him that the angels must have sent him that night, and he laughed and said, "No, just the Russian government." Turned out he had fled the Soviet regime about 15 years before, been granted entry into the US, learned English, got his CDC and had been driving his truck on I 70 every since. "I love it!" he said. "There's no comparison between my life as it was back home and the way it is now."

He drove me all the way into Grand Junction and let me off at a huge all night truck stop with a warm restaurant and phones. I shook his hand and thanked him and expressed concern that he might get in trouble with the main office for picking up a hitch hiker. He grinned and said, "If I can outwit the communist government, I can outwit headquarters. Don't worry"

Then he drove off into the night and I never even got his name.

I got your message about the weather, Brian. Standing by!

When I crossed the country three years ago I should have gotten gas in Grand Junction. I didn't realize the remote desert I was headed into. I think I was probably somewhere near where Marchiko was when by pure luck I drifted into the only gas statin within a hundred miles. I laughed when I saw the price. If I remember right it was around $2.30? gal. It was at least .50 cents more / gal. than anywhere else. The first time I'd paid more than $2.00. And I was so grateful.

I have swapped trailers with another driver, who wanted to "go home", whatever that means. The upshot of this is that I will NOT be going through Colorado Springs as planned (sorry Mari) but heading to Sacramento. Rock Steady? PM me contact info and let's see what happens. Should be there the day after tomorrow or so. Anyone else?

Sorry, I didn't stick around Sacramento long enough to meet anyone. I needed to get my next load before the place closed and get away before the rush hit or I would have had to sit until after.

Next up, Albe...albuker....the capitol of New Mexico.:right:

I'll be rolling east along I40 if there is anyone in Arizona too.

Brian

Just say the place where Bugs should have taken a left turn. Everybody will know where you mean.

Rancho Cucamonga is in California, Wolf.

BrianR wrote:

I have swapped trailers with another driver, who wanted to "go home", whatever that means. The upshot of this is that I will NOT be going through Colorado Springs as planned (sorry Mari) but heading to Sacramento. Rock Steady? PM me contact info and let's see what happens. Should be there the day after tomorrow or so. Anyone else?

Sorry I missed this earlier. Busy with work, first product release.

I'm also sorry I missed you in Pleasonton, 30 miles away. Sacto is 120 miles and I can't take that kind of time away right now.

Keep on truckin'

how about Houston Brian? you can have a beer or two with me and watch NBN make a freak out of himself. errrrr i mean be himself!:D

Sorry Wolf. I must have been thinking of another episode or something. I'll take the hit for a goof.

Plthijinx, been there, been through there, will be back there. Remain in holding pattern until approach contacts you.

Brian

Interesting thread. could you use those Frappr maps to track your progress?

Perhaps we should contact NORAD to see if they'll do a "NORAD tracks Brian" -far more interesting than that predictable dude in the sleigh they follow at Christmas....

Yeh , I was thinking about a thread called " where in the US is BrianR " he could post a random pic and have us guess .
Sound like fun Brian ??

We could have a weekly sweepstake -pay your money and pick a square on the map. Whoever has where Brian is at midday on Saturday wins. (Cellar would have to take a cut for running costs, of course....)

Has anyone met Brian yet? Does he really exist? Is there a reward for an authentic picture of the B-man? :lol:

/it's been a long, hard week, humour me......

I've been met, yes. Pictures exist, but only because I don't know about them.

Next up: LA.

Any takers for April 3?

Some companies allow tracking of an individual truck via the internet.

This is usually used by spouses that want to keep an eye on their husbands' location. My company is not one of these however. But it may happen one day. Lord knows I'm tracked six ways a week anyway.

BrianR wrote:

I've been met, yes. Pictures exist, but only because I don't know about them.

You know.;)

Brian wrote:

Remain in holding pattern until approach contacts you.
Brian

Roger that. will get an EFC update from you.

Okay, my dispatcher signed his own death warrant and sent me back to the frozen hinterlands (again). Via LA. During rush hour. AGAIN! His ass is MINE, I tell ya!

Anyway, I'm off for Auburn, WA, near Tacoma. Anyone brave enough to venture out to meet me?

He came to his senses. The coward!

Swapped my load and went to Los Lunas NM instead. Never again will I haul to that location. Damn people said it was a drop trailer but really meant I had to unload 42000 pounds by myself, break down the pallets and restack them. All for $20. NOT worth the effort, I assure you. I can't abide liars. Turns out that all drivers to that facility either do their own or use the lumper (professional unloaders) service. Of course, MY company has no such service. So I managed to do it all in 90 minutes. You have NO idea how heavy tomato paste is until you try to drag a pallet of it up a ramp and tear it down into individual boxes and neatly restack it on another pallet.

Anyway, job complete, shit list is now a little longer and I'll be off to El Paso as soon as I feel like getting up, which won't be anytime soon. Dispatch owes me big time.

As usual, if you are in El Paso and want to meet, let me know.

and it looks a lot like California.

Three weeks and I'm still running here. I'm SO SICK of Interstate 5 and CA99 that I could scream!

I thought for sure that I was going to escape this time with a big load out to SLC. Nope! They swapped it on me and sent me right back into the heart of LA! The worst traffic in the entire nation and they send a huge truck into it to deliver cookies of all things! A mere 12,000 pounds of cookies (in two stops yet) that could easily be carried by an LTL truck but NOOOO! *I* gotta do it. And I have to unload it by hand (so as not to crush the delicate cookies) each stop for a miniscule $20 extra.

I'm about to put in for early hometime just to get out of this Godforsaken reject from the Soviet Union cum Mexico.

Anyone want to come help me smash some cookies tomorrow morning?

Anyone? anyone?

Brian

I'll smash some cookies with you in spirit, Brian! I've never wanted to go NEAR southern Cali, myself. Northern was bad enough!

Question: Since you are a pro, maybe you have some ideas? I need to get a small amount of my belongings from Colorado Springs to just west of Durango (I-25 south to Highway 160 West). I doubt if my stuff would even take up 3 feet in the back of a moving van. I am terribly strapped for cash since I've had a number of unexpected financial set backs in the past few weeks. Are there any outfits that might take my small load as a sort of after thought to a regular one for a reasonable price? If so, how do I contact them, etc.?

Are you green with envy?
Do you wish you could climb up into the cab and look down on the world?
When you went to the cowboy movies did you envy the stagecoach driver?

ebay to the rescue!

This is a Golden Opportunity of a lifetime for a lucky bidder to enjoy a fun filled week in an Eighteen Wheeler seeing America the beautiful. You will enjoy the ever changing scenery, heavy traffic, extraordinary conversation, your very own comfortable bed (Truck is equipped with 2), heat / air conditioning, use of my lap top computer to Email friends and family. This rig is fully equipped with a coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator, XM Satellite radio and yes a CB!!

:rolleyes:

Why Oh why didn't *I* think of that?

Brian , I have driven I5 befor and I have NO Idea just how mutch of a Bitch it must be with a big rig , but the scenery ( From Up in the cab ) MUST be COOOOL !!!!
I know I ALWAYS like driveing in the summer !!!!!!

Okay Elspode. I'm here. Back row, near the scale. I strongly recommend that you park in the car area and walk back. Trucks will total your car if you park back here. They turn right in front of me.

I will be here until seven am tomorrow morning, at which time I will roll out for Columbus OH. Gotta be there by seven pm. Gonna be a tight one. Again. As usual.

Brian

I say that Denver is a boring city.

Anyone want to come out here and prove me wrong?

I'm at the Flying J exit 285 of I70

How's Shotgun doing?

pretty good. Eye is clearing up and the UTI is almost gone.

When I get her home again (in a month) she's scheduled for a follow-up and evaluation of her tumour. I'll keep y'all posted!

I'll be in Boise tomorrow morning. Who knows where from there?

Truck got washed today. Boy, it needed a bath! And have I mentioned that I hate it when they try to sell you umteen services in addition to a $36 wash?
I mean, really! I know car washes try to bump up your level of wash but do they offer to polish your chrome, use citrus-y stuff to shine the aluminum (and make the OUTSIDE smell good to boot, natch), wax, hand polish (but not the top!) and much more. THere is a LONG list of extras they can sell you. While I was waiting, I figured out that my basic wash could go up to $79 by adding in the extras. Sheesh! My Scotsmans' thrift was screaming LOUD today!

Brian

But Brian think how long it would take you to get your truck THAT clean !!!

I convinced my CHEAP ass boss that paying me to was our truck was not worth it ,

Okay. On my way to Laredo TX by way of I25 and US287 to I35.

Any takers? Anyone?

I'm getting ripped off big time on this trip too. The computer routed me down a highway that restricts truck length to 48 feet...too short for me. So I rerouted myself up and around, adding a few hundred miles to the trip for which I will NOT be paid! :mad:

And I won't arrive on time, either. They'll get over it. I told dispatch to tell the receiver, "Manana", which is what the Mexicans always tell ME when I try to pin them down to a certain time for pickups or deliveries. It's Mexican for "whenever!".

Brian

Hi BrianR, if you ever come thru the Allegheny mountians, you can look me up...I know I'm a noob here, but I've been lurking for almost a year, so I kinda feel like I know alot of you cellarites, and I promise I'm not a stalker!
*evil grin*

BrianR wrote:

Some companies allow tracking of an individual truck via the internet.

This is usually used by spouses that want to keep an eye on their husbands' location. My company is not one of these however. But it may happen one day. Lord knows I'm tracked six ways a week anyway.

here comes big brother! :yeldead:

Sure. Where in the Alleghenies? I travel I80 a lot.

I will be home for two weeks starting tomorrow.

Make your reservations early!

I will be in Dallas, TX tomorrow and likely through Wednesday due to truck repair issues.

Anyone in Dallas area want to meet up with me?

Guess not. How about El Paso?

I may be in El Paso ina few months installing MANY truck scales at a new plant .

Can't wait that long. Maybe I'll be back in October though.

BrianR wrote:

He came to his senses. The coward!

Swapped my load and went to Los Lunas NM instead. Never again will I haul to that location. Damn people said it was a drop trailer but really meant I had to unload 42000 pounds by myself, break down the pallets and restack them. All for $20. NOT worth the effort, I assure you. I can't abide liars. Turns out that all drivers to that facility either do their own or use the lumper (professional unloaders) service. Of course, MY company has no such service. So I managed to do it all in 90 minutes. You have NO idea how heavy tomato paste is until you try to drag a pallet of it up a ramp and tear it down into individual boxes and neatly restack it on another pallet.

Anyway, job complete, shit list is now a little longer and I'll be off to El Paso as soon as I feel like getting up, which won't be anytime soon. Dispatch owes me big time.

As usual, if you are in El Paso and want to meet, let me know.

Sounds like you could use a trailer with a walking floor.....

Reawakening the thread...

I am currently in Tampa for the night. I know there are Cellarites (Dwellars?) here. Anyone want to come up to San Antonio (FL) for a visit?

Brian

Yes, I will be moving shortly.

Mostly, into a PO box until the house in Texas is ready. El Paso, here I come!

Unless She Who Must Be Obeyed decides elsewhere. But I think she wants to remain close to family and Mexico. She loves visiting that shithole for some reason! We are also considering SE New Mexico as an abode. Her specifications include warm dry weather for her arthritis and all I want is room to park a truck and trailer, with a fenced in yard for the dogs. She is hoping for space for a big hot tub too.

Hot tubbing in 100 deg heat? We'll see. Maybe I'll get in to COOL DOWN? :blush:

Anyway, it seems that the reason I was staying on in Hazleton is about to expire. Those of you who know what I'm talking about will know what I mean...PM me for the latest.

Brian the gypsy

BrianR wrote:

Unless She Who Must Be Obeyed decides elsewhere

Good to hear that YOU make all the decisions there. :)

I'm whipped. I admit it. :)

BrianR wrote:

I'm whipped. I admit it. :)

And you're loving every minute of it.

Maybe. See the Halloween thread for a pic of what She dressed me as.

Might as well cut em off now! ;)