Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Mother Nature Needs A Kick In The Ass

Phoenix, Arizona.  Literally hell on earth.

It was SO hot, that the air conditioning wasn't even cooling down the cab.  And the sleeper was 85 degrees.  It was horrible. 

Please ignore the dust on my dashboard instruments and focus on how in jeopardy my life was at this moment.


Mother nature is an abusive bitch.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: 
A Good Place To Start Praying

2016: Summer's The Best
2015: One, Two, Three, Boom! You're In The Bronx
2014: A Beautiful Time Capsule
2013: I'm Giving Up Trucking And Going Into Clothing Design
2012: Wynning Diamonds
2011: Donuts From Heaven
2010: Captain Of The Most Expensive Fried Seafood This Side Of Arthur Treacher’s
2009: Eddie Acts Like A Monkey Friday
2008: I Might Like It If There Were Some Balling Involved
2007: Very Large Cheek Pouches Come In Handy When Traveling
2006: The French Are So Romance Savvy
2005: Wyoming Clean Air Act 

Monday, July 30, 2018

Really Great Mountains

I'm pretty sure I'm living in the wrong part of the country.  Every time I leave the southern Arizona, where I currently live and head east, my mood improves exponentially.  Last week our run took us through eastern Tennessee, into the Great Smoky Mountains, before crossing into North Carolina.

I love this route.  We don't go through here often and the last time I drove it, it was dark so I couldn't see a thing.  I love the hills, the curves, the mountain views, the lush greenery.  I would move there tomorrow if I could.

I've said it before and I'll say it a million times again, my favorite part of the country is definitely in the eastern half.  From north to south (except for Florida, which I don't like at all), I like it all.  I'm looking forward to next weekend when I'll be in Connecticut. 

Such a pretty time of year to be on the east coast!




~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~2017: Friends In High And Rugged Places
2016: No Middle Ground
2015: Check Out These Links Before The Big One Hits
2014: In Six Months, They'll Know Right Where To Put It
2013: Musical Parking Spots
2012: Me And The Thunder
2011: Her Cup Overfloweth With Idiocy
2010: Dear Arizona,
2009: Come Sit In Our Cab For A Spell And Let Us Take You On The Road!
2008: How Well Do You Know Your Stringed Instruments?
2007: Meat. The Old Fashioned Way.
2006: Kicking The Hell Out Of Texas
2005: Look, Mary!

Sunday, July 29, 2018

What Would The Sioux Think?

This sculpture, on the 24th Street Bridge in Council Bluffs, Iowa, spans Interstate 80. 

Every time I drive through here I think, "What the hell is that??"  I call it "that Edward Scissorhands thing" because that's what it reminds me of.

The Iowa West Foundation paid $3 million for the sculpture.  It's called "The Odyssey" and it's supposed to be a tribute to western Iowa's agricultural history.  Its presence has elicited many reactions, including more than one person getting into an accident because they were distracted by it. 

The artist who created it - Albert Paley - is known for his large-scale works.  "Notable examples of his work are the Portal Gates for the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, the Portal Gates for the New York State Senate Chambers in Albany, and a ceremonial archway in Forest Park for the Saint Louis Zoo. Works by Paley can also be found in the permanent collections of many major museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and others throughout the world."

Paley said of the sculpture:  "Y
ou’re not going to see this anywhere else. It’s a ceremonial gateway, a sense of place and an entrance to Iowa that reflects grandeur and symbolism. It is a  place with an incredible sense of the land and of nature - with the play of sun, wind, and shadows.”
Uh, okay.  Still not gettin' the agriculture connection, though.  




~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: 
360 Degrees Of Blue Sky

2016: Sunlit Trees
2015: Kitchen Troubadour
2014: The Earth Is 75% Water. Grab A Fork.
2013: Reflection On The Island
2012: Sprinkled
2011: Prized Good Luck Piece
2010: Summer In The City
2009: I Should Get A Job Working The Pole At A Boy Scout Camp
2008: The Flavor Of Life
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Again??? But You Just Got Off The Phone With Her!
2005: A Cow’s Opinion

Saturday, July 28, 2018

My New Squeeze

I used garlic a LOT when I cook.  I always have it on hand.  Recently when I was shopping for the truck, instead of buying a bulb of garlic I decided to by this tube of garlic paste from Gourmet Garden.  And I have to tell you, I LOVE it!! 

One of the things I don't like about garlic is peeling the cloves.  And for some reason, in the truck, it just seems like a bigger pain in the ass than at home.  Thin garlic peels flying everywhere, having to wash my cutting board and knife (I like to try to wash as little as possible to save water), and all for a little garlic in whatever dish I'm making.

This was perfect.  Squirted what I needed and the paste easily mixed in.  The flavor was fresh and delicious, and it filled the air with the same amazing smell.  In the grocery store, I've seen the other herbs they have and I'm planning on trying them, too.  They even have recipes on their website.  This product is definitely a keeper!

PS:  Gourmet Garden didn't pay me to praise their product, but if they want to send me more herbs to try, I'm totally game!  


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: 
All Tatted Up

2016: Trapping Tourists Since 1965
2015: Selfie In 53
2014: Storm Warning
2013: Another Home Run By Big Ed
2012: A Window On New Mexico
2011: My Man Makes A Mad Meal
2010: Less Is Not More In All Cases
2009: Grain Gone By
2008: The Absolute Beauty Of It
2007: Not Only Did He Pray, He Posed
2006: Camera Phone Coolness
2005: Life Is A Salt Shaker

Friday, July 27, 2018

Daisy Debut

Introducing Daisy, my mother's new kitten.  She's five weeks old and cute as a button!  Looking forward to our next visit so I can get some sweet kitten cuddles.  Get ready for more gratuitous kitten pictures!



2012: Ladder 11 To The Rescue
2011: It’s Got Lipstick Written All Over It
2010: Liquid Crack
2009: For All The World To See
2008: Studio Blue
2007: Eddie Tests His Spine Friday
2006: Almost Twenty
2005: Thinking

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Checking Every Nook And Cranny

I've been doing a writing assignment this week which includes information about doing a required daily pre-trip inspection on your equipment.  It got me thinking about what I learned in trucking school and how the teacher drilled the information into our heads by using constant repetition.  The more we studied and said the steps in the order they were to be performed, the easier it was to remember how to do the pre-trip.  I passed that exam with flying colors.

This is the document I got when in trucking school.  I still reference it today, keeping it in the binder containing our pertinent daily load information and other documents we need to access quickly.

While doing some Googling, I found some really excellent information about pre-trips on this website.  They even have a complete pre-trip inspection study guide that includes all the steps with accompanying photos.  A great visual for people getting familiar with new equipment. 


If you're a new driver and need pre-trip information, all of these documents will help you get through your tests and provide a good reference for the future. 

Check it out before you start checking things out!



2005: The Cool Mom

Monday, July 23, 2018

Sin In The Distance

A view of the city of Las Vegas from approximately fifteen miles due north of the famous strip.  A bustling party town plunked in the middle of the Nevada desert. 

It's so barren.  So ugly.  And so hot.  Really fucking hot. 

It was 110 degrees today.  The state is under an excessive heat warning - temperatures in some areas ranging from 100 to 125 degrees.

Not really a place to visit in the summer.




~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: 
Often, The Trees Speak To Us
2016: How I'm Feeling Lately
2015: Ed Goes With The Flow
2014: Big Coin Was A Big Hit
2013: Painting The Serengeti
2012: Why Fig Newtons Will Always Be On My Shopping List
2011: Losing The Wallet At Your Convenience
2010: Bridge Over Troubled Roadway
2009: If Only The Streets Were Truly Paved With Gold
2008: She Reigns Supreme
2007: A Match Made In Heaven
2006: Proof
2005: Caped Crusaders

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Welcoming Wyoming Wind Power

A ridge in Wyoming covered with wind turbines.  From a distance, they look like people standing with outstretched arms welcoming you to their wide open home.  


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: 
Not Really A Loop

2016: Food For The Spirit Inside Of You
2015: These Little Piggies Went To Market
2014: Just Another View From The Road
2013: Polly Needs More Than A Cracker. Polly Needs A Roll Cage.
2012: Hats Off To Tits And Ass
2011: Approaching Chi-Town
2010: Paneful Outlook
2009: Gray County Silhouette
2008: This Little Piggy Went To Market
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: The Heat Bog
2005: Five

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Flightless

An ostrich at the roadside petting zoo in Scipio, Utah.
The petting zoo we stopped at in Utah - and only because it's located adjacent to a small truck stop - had peacocks, donkeys, alpaca, ostriches, and even a camel!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: 
Halo Of Color

2016: Western Exposure
2015: Heroes And Legends In South Tucson
2014: A Decade Of Love, Travel, And Monkey Business
2013: Thirty-Thousand Square Feet Of Stuff To Spend Money On
2012: Truckin’ With Ed
2011: Way Better Than Seven Years In Tibet
2010: His Charm And Understated Humor Is Totally Contagious
2009: The Creature Comforts Of Home
2008: Checklist
2007: Happy As A Clam
2006: Two Things
2005: Good For Licking

Friday, July 20, 2018

So You Want To Start A Trucking Company?





Cost of Operations worksheet from a trucking business class we attended.  Enter your own numbers here and see what you come up with!



Many people want to be their own bosses, and I understand why. But it's not as easy as some people make it look. In trucking, you always hear people talking about getting their own authority. That's essentially how they start their "own trucking company". Below are some steps to get you started. There are a lot of resources online so start here and get researching!
10 Things To Know Before Starting A Trucking Company - A Primer
Merriam-Webster defines PRIMER (in this usage, pronounced “primmer”) as a “small book for teaching children to read, a small introductory book on a subject, or a short informative piece of writing”.  This article falls under the last part of the definition - a short informative piece of writing to outline the most basic things to know before starting a trucking company.


When most people in our industry say they’re going to “start a trucking company”, they usually mean they want to become an owner-operator.  An owner-operator is just what it sounds like, a person who owns and operates the truck in their company.  It’s typically a one man operation and that person is considered a self-employed trucking company owner.


As owner-operators driving a custom rig, my husband and I have often been on the receiving end of people asking us how they can get started in trucking and do what we do.  It’s not hard, but it’s not easy either. There’s a lot of research involved and even more questions to ask – of others and yourself.


Since these questions usually come from company drivers wishing to strike out on their own, either by becoming an owner-operator or starting a company themselves to employ other drivers, they typically need to answer the same questions and be given the same general business start-up advice.  For the purpose of this piece, I’m going to assume the reader already possesses a commercial driver’s license (CDL). If you do not have a CDL, you need to research the steps to do that. Start here at the FMCSA’s page answering the question “How do I get a Commercial Driver’s License?”


As with any business, every topic you research will branch off in many directions, with more research needed to gather information and more questions rising up that will need answering.  Just keep going. The more you know, the more prepared you will be. The following is a brief list of questions to get answers to before thinking about starting a trucking business.


1.  First of all, what kind of freight do you want to haul?
Some drivers haul anything and everything that works with their trailer type, while others specialize and do the same freight on a regular run.  You will want to have an idea of what kind of freight you’ll be hauling before you go out and purchase equipment. There are many trailer types to choose from – van, refrigerated, flatbed, RGN (removable gooseneck), step-deck, tanker, etc. – and which one you’ll use will be determined by the type of freight you expect to haul.  There are also many tractor types available, too, so you’ll want to narrow it down to the one that meets the specifications of your operation.
2.   Once you’ve determined the kind of freight you’ll be hauling, you will need to buy the equipment necessary to move that freight.
While in the process of determining your equipment needs, you’ll want to figure out where you’re going to operate because some trucks are better suited for long haul operations than others and because these trucks and trailers are not cheap, you’ll want to get something that will work initially, then take you into the future if you plan to branch out.  Equipment usually means a tractor and trailer. Tractors can range from $30,000 for a used tractor to $250,000 for a custom sleeper truck. Trailers can range from $10,000 to $120,000 depending on what kind of freight you’ll be hauling.

This is where you’ll be doing a bulk of your research. Go online, find some trucking forums, ask questions.  Go to truck stops if you can and talk to drivers you see hauling the kind of freight you’re interested in. Stop by truck and trailer dealerships and find out what they’re offering and pick up spec sheets to become more knowledgeable.  And if you can, hit one of the major truck shows – the MATS or GATS are great places to start – where you’ll find the best gathering of all things related to the industry.  Trust me, you’ll leave with a goodie bag full of information!
3.   What business structure will you have?
The best business structure choice will depend on your personal situation.  Read through the definitions of the available legal business structures, then decide which one is best suited for your business needs.  The simplest, with the least amount of paperwork, is the sole proprietorship, but you will need to do your homework before deciding which works best.  Entrepreneur.com has a great article titled Determining The Best Legal Structure For Your Business to get you started.


4.   How will you handle maintenance and repairs?
Repairs can be one of the biggest money drains on your business.  It’s not difficult to blow through savings if you’re hit with a big repair.  Although your trailer may need an occasional repair, the big money repairs are usually done on the tractor.  Good maintenance is a must when you’re running the show and maintaining your equipment should be a priority. It will cost you money, sure, but in the long run if you keep up with regular maintenance and take care of small issues before they become big, breakdowns and repairs come less frequently.  Truck stops across the nation offer shops to help you keep up along the way, but if you have a local shop you come to trust, even better. If you’re mechanically inclined you can save a lot of money by doing your own maintenance and repair work.


5.   Do you have an accountant?
Whether you decide to file taxes yourself or hire a professional, know that the trucking industry is very similar to other businesses as far as the need to file taxes goes, but we do have some industry-related specifics - per diem, fuel tax, repairs, equipment depreciation, etc. – and as a small business, there are numerous tax deductions you’ll be able to take advantage of.   Running any business takes a lot of work, but preparing your own taxes might be a little over your head. Having a good accountant familiar with tax law, tax codes, and possibly even the trucking industry, will be extremely helpful.


6.   Do you need special clearances or endorsements added to your license?
Many drivers will need a Hazardous Materials (HazMat) endorsement and possibly a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) to transport certain freight or access shipping ports or military installations.  Those are both available through the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to those two credentials, other endorsements may be needed to pull certain trailer types - tankers, doubles and triples, etc. – you can inquire at your local motor vehicle department regarding those.  These all cost money that usually comes out of your own pocket but these special additions are typically good for two to five years depending on your state and the type of endorsement you get, and often provide advantages to you over other drivers when being considered to haul certain kinds of freight.  Although it’s wise to get the manual from your state to study and review, these practice tests are helpful because the operation of the vehicle and the information needed for the endorsements are generally similar.  I’ve used them many times finding the repetition helps to solidify the information in my mind.


7.   What kind of business license, permits, regulatory documentation, insurance, etc. do you need? And what about complying with electronic logging device (ELD) regulations?
Registering your business with your state is one of the first steps you can take in making your company official.  Trucking is a federally regulated industry and whether you’re intrastate or interstate, there are some requirements you’ll have to meet for both.  The links below will allow you to access the information you need to get started in these areas.


Get your USDOT Number and your Motor Carrier (MC) Operating Authority Number through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).




Go to the IRS website to find out about filing your Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) Return.


Check the FMCSA website for Electronic Logging Devices information.


In addition to all of this, you’ll need insurance for your business – liability, bobtail, cargo, etc. – making sure to check minimums and get enough to cover cargo damage.  There are several companies that deal primarily with the trucking industry and they can help you get started with determining what fits your operation.


8.   Do you want to be an independent contractor leased on to a large carrier or do you want to do everything yourself?
Many owner-operators lease on with a large carrier who will handle everything from finding customers, to doing most of what’s listed above in #7.  This leaves you to drive, maintain your vehicle, and prepare and pay your taxes. Leasing your equipment on to a company means they’ll take a small percentage of what the load pays, which is often worth it, especially when you’re first starting out and learning the ropes of being independent.  Other drivers handle everything themselves, using load boards such as GetLoaded or DAT to find loads, which they book themselves and then deal with payment on their own or through a factoring company.  You will need to do your research on this to determine what will be the best path for you.


9.   Do you have money or credit to fund the equipment you’ll need, in addition to a small stas to get you through the first 6 months.
Start-up expenses include equipment purchases, licensing and regulatory fees, insurance, maintenance costs, employee pay, etc.  Start-up and operating expenses are a big concern when creating any business, but in trucking, some of the equipment can cost as much as an average person makes in a year.  Sometimes, even as much as one would pay for a house, so you have to be realistic about what you can afford from the outset and what you can keep going. If you don’t have this kind of money lying around, you’re going to want to look into financing for what you need.  Do this homework early in the process.


10.  Are you a member of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA)?
If not, join today!  The OOIDA is a North American international trade organization dedicated to the interests of truck drivers.  As a member of OOIDA, you will be supporting the only organization that represents the nation’s small business truckers.  OOIDA fights for your rights. They are your voice. They are your advocates. They represent us to the lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and let them know how truckers feel about what’s happening in our industry.  Since 1973, the year OOIDA was founded, they’ve been fighting for the rights of professional truckers and continue their mission to this day. In addition to being on top of policies and regulations that affect our industry, they offer truck insurance, health and life benefits, retirement plans, rebate and discount programs, education and business tools, classes, and more.  It’s a vital part of our industry, and well worth the $45 per year for the membership. They’ll even send you a free monthly magazine!


These ten steps are just a guide to get you started, but they should push you in the right direction.  As with any endeavor, it’s best to gather as much information as you can and move forward with some kind of plan.  If you’re already driving a truck, you have some of that information already, which will make the transition to owning your own business that much easier.


Surf the net, stop at truck stops to pick up industry magazines, and don’t be afraid to send emails to people like me who work in and write about the industry.  What I’ve found being in this business, is that drivers are willing to share information, whether they help you themselves or point you in the direction you need to go to find the answer to your questions.  This is very much within your reach. I wish you the best of luck!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: 
Shores Lined With Fir

2016: #NeverKale
2015: Blue And Yellow Make Green
2014: An Instagram Glimpse Of Interstate 64
2013: More Fun Than Mr. Potato Head
2012: Triage
2011: They Claim To Have The Most Sky
2010: No Escape
2009: Help Wanted. Must Have Own Cassock.
2008: It’s All An Illuuuuusion
2007: Tipping Point
2006: Snap Decision To A Healthier Life
2005: Lazy Hazy Crazy Days Of Summer