Progressively Yours,

I recently received an email from my Aunt V. which contained the following (I haven't changed any of the text or spacing, but when I copied it here the colors and size of the text didn't transfer). The first line was in big red letters and the rest was written in eye catching colors, some of it highlighted in bright yellow; you know, so you can see the "important" stuff.

THE MUSLIM ON CAPITOL HILL...This is chilling...
=============================================
In 1952 President Truman established one day a year as a "National Day of Prayer."

In 1988 President Reagan designated the First Thursday in May of each year as the National Day of Prayer.

In June 2007 (then) Presidential Candidate Barack Obama declared that the USA Was no longer a Christian nation.

This year President Obama canceled the 21st annual National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House under the ruse Of "not wanting to offend anyone"

On September 25, 2009 from 4 am until 7 pm, a National Day of Prayer for the Muslim religion was Held on Capitol Hill, Beside the White House. There were over 50,000 Muslims that Day in D.C.

HE PRAYS WITH THE MUSLIMS!

I guess it Doesn't matter if "Christians" Are offended by this event - We obviously Don't count as "anyone" Anymore.

The direction this country is headed should strike fear in the heart of every Christian, especially knowing that the Muslim religion believes that if Christians cannot be converted, they should be annihilated.

This is not a Rumor Go to the website To confirm this info: (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/ )

Pay particular attention to the very bottom of the page: "OUR TIME HAS COME"
I hope that this information will stir your spirit.

The words of 2 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, Who are called by my Name,
Will humble themselves And pray,
And seek my face, and Turn from their Wicked ways,
Then will I hear from Heaven
And will forgive their Sin and will heal Their land."

We must pray for Our nation, our communities, Our families, and especially our children. They are the ones who are going to suffer the most.
.
If we don't PRAY May God have Mercy. IN GOD WE TRUST.

Please pass this on Maybe someone, somehow can figure out a way to put America back on the map as it was when we were growing up, a safe place to live, and by The Ten Commandments and Pledge of Allegiance. For Obama to continue as our president is an INSULT TO OUR FOUNDING FATHERS

This kind of email just flat out pisses me off. Yes, I could just delete it and not read it but I usually don't delete without opening if it's from a family member or friend. I DO delete without reading it once I see ONE WORD that implies it's going to be one of "those" emails. Although in this most recent case, I decided to hit "Reply To All", and wrote the following:

First, this is offensive. Our President is not Muslim (not that it would matter if he was) and he did NOT cancel the day of prayer, rather he issued a proclamation to all those wishing to pray.

If you want to see the actual information concerning this false email and the actual source of the photo depicting Barack Obama taking off his shoes, review this link from Snopes.com:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/prayerday.asp

And if that doesn't do it for you, we can go straight to the Bible. Let's not forget these basic little gems:

"Love your neighbor as yourself" - James 2:8

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34

Perhaps these should come to mind before you forward emails that perpetuate fear and spread hate. Last time I checked, it was not very CHRISTIAN to be doing either of those things. It's pretty ironic that a group of Christians, who so publicly proclaim absolute love as its basis should spread such hate for another person. Being a Christian means to be Christ-like.

Try it.

Well, I then received a reply from Joseph “Joe” Pierro who goes by the email of BigBand17@aol.com. This is what he had to say:

Your response to V. should not have been sent to everyone. I find YOUR comments offensive to say the least. OUR president as you describe him no Christian. If you are going to throw scriptural passages at people, try looking up the one where the Lord suffers no fools. Or how about millstone around the neck. "YOUR" president supported partial birth abortion and abortion survival. Get with the program and apologize to V.

Yeah, okay. 'Cause that's ever gonna happen. Of course, I was compelled to reply. Here's my next email to BigBand17:

BigBand17,

I offer no apology. I understand your desire to defend my Aunt V. but I am tired of getting emails from people (friends and family alike) which malign my President by propagating hate. It is MY policy to respond to those emails, TO EVERYONE, in an effort to provide CORRECT information and to STOP the constant flow of hate that so many seem to have towards religious or ethnic groups that they do not "like".

My use of those two scriptures were to illustrate if you ARE a believer, you are not even following the most BASIC of tenets by sending out an email like this. That said, even a NON-believer knows that "love your neighbor as yourself" should be applied to the way you treat humans IN GENERAL. You really shouldn't need a scripture to know that. It's not brain surgery.

An email that begins with "THE MUSLIM ON CAPITOL HILL...This is chilling..." is not only misleading, it's inaccurate. And to include a photo with a caption that reads "Obama prays to Allah" is also misleading and inaccurate. It's divisive by pitting those in one religious group against another. There should be no CHRISTIAN National Day of Prayer at all in my opinion. That said, the President was in favor of keeping the day as one of observance by "acknowledging the role of religion in American life."

I don't care what Aunt V. believes or what you believe but you can damn well be certain that you won't be getting an email from me, forwarded to ALL my friends, without being fact-checked before I send it...ESPECIALLY if I didn't know what your political/religious belief was. To me, people who send out those kinds of emails are the ones who should be offering an apology - for offending ME with unsolicited hate mail.

And of course, as any self-respecting Republican would do, he was incensed by being challenged, so he wrote back again. Oooh, lucky me.

If V. is in fact your aunt, then you should know she meant no harm to anyone. I am quite familiar with this email she sent as I have received it several times. She may not have known to check it on SNOPES; V. only learned to send pictures on the Internet, so perhaps you could cut her some slack there. As for me, I don't think I know you. But that is not important.
I have studied Christian Dogma and Theology over 50 years and have well over 300 credits. I am still learning, but I find Mr Obama totally opposite anything that has value.But I do agree, that he did NOT cancel the prayer day. He has done enough repulsive things without having to make up any fabrications to add to the pile. In any event, don't write back, as it will be deleted without reading. Go make your peace with V., she is worth 1000 Obamas.
BB17

OK, I'll give him that...Aunt V. is a loving, kind person and it's not my intention to hurt her in any way, but I'm not apologizing for what I believe in. Also, I don't care if she just learned how to send photos on the internet, she's old enough to know how to read. And people who know how to READ should review the email before hitting send; take a minute to think about whether or not the people you're sending the email to agree with you. If you don't know, leave them off the list.

As for Joe Pierro, I'd say 50 years of studying Christian Dogma and Theology isn't quite enough. It apparently hasn't taught him a thing because he's clearly not an example of "leading the flock". And since he preaches hate and dissention, having "well over 300 credits" seems pretty useless.

This is EXACTLY why I dislike people who claim to be Christians. He couldn't even be CHRIST-LIKE in his email. He had the perfect opportunity to show himself as one and he didn't. The perfect opportunity to turn the other cheek. The perfect opportunity to do everything he probably preaches (but doesn't practice).

These people stir up and propogate hate. They keep division among people alive. They polarize the country. And they certainly DO NOT live how their God and their Bible requests of them to live. This email from this church-goer/student of religion is a shining example.

He stated Obama is totally opposite anything that has value. I recently read a quote that said, “When we talk about values, I think of rationality in solving problems. That’s something I value. Fairness, kindness, generosity, tolerance. When they (the Republicans, Conservatives, and Christian Right) talk about values, they’re talking about things like going to church, voting for Bush, being loyal to Jesus, praying. These are not values.”

I agree; you don't have to be a Christian and you don't have to even be a believer to be fair, kind, generous, tolerant, honest, faithful, devoted, trustworthy, lovable, noble, loyal, family oriented and any other "valuable" characteristic you can think of. Going to church doesn't make you any of these things. Neither does claiming to be a Christian.

In my opinion, if you DO claim to be a devout church-goer and/or a Christian, you should certainly be held to a higher standard. Yes, everyone is human and makes mistakes, but it's not a mistake when you make a concious decision to send an email or pass on something that keeps hate alive. If some of the Christians in this country would start ACTING like Christians, we'd probably be better off.

As for the Christian nation thing, during his studies, he probably missed Article 11 in the Treaty of Tripoli. The one that clearly states, "...the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion..." He should probably brush up on a few things.

Since he's likely at an advanced age, he'll never see this country become the melting-pot of religion that it's already on its way to being. He probably won't even live to see the day that whites and/or Christians are in the minority. But I will.

So in case you don't get the point of this rant...

DO NOT send me anything that maligns my President.
DO NOT send me anything that is anti-Obama; Barack, Michelle or the girls.
DO NOT send me anything that is anti-Black/African-American
DO NOT send me anything that is anti-Muslim.
DO NOT send me anything that is anti-Mexican.
DO NOT send me anything that is anti-Immigrant.
DO NOT send me anything that is anti-ANY religion, ethnicity or nationality.

I do not find it funny and I will not agree with you. EVER.

For all the people like him and the Tea Baggers who want to "take our country back"...

I'd rather side with the words of a wise man who said, "I want to take our country forward."


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Spill It
2 YEARS AGO: I’ve NEVER Colored Inside The Lines. Why The Surprise?
3 YEARS AGO: I Didn’t Make It, But I Ate It
4 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post for this day.
5 YEARS AGO: Slim Or None? I’ll Take None.

If It's Good Enough For Homeland Security, It's Good Enough For Me

Ed and I recently had to complete a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) Security Training program that we needed in order to haul certain freight.

Part of the training involved reading the materials they provided and then completing an online test. I'd love to tell you what was involved and all that we learned but apparently the information is on a need to know basis and you all don't need to know.

We were warned that if we divulged any of the information to anyone who didn't "need to know" that we would be shot on sight. OK, so they won't shoot us but we'd be in a shit-load of trouble. That's how serious they are about it. So imagine what you will and just remember...unless you're with Homeland Security, I now officially know more than you.

Anyway, we took the tests seperately and were then sent our scores and a certificate of completion, but here's the bitch of the whole thing...

Ed scored 100% and I only scored 91.67%. I scored over what was needed to pass, but I didn't get 100% WTF?? I'll never live this down. And because I'm telling you, it's on the internet forever.

What saves my ego though is the fact that I now know I measure up to government standards...

Less than 100%.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: The Top At Dock
2 YEARS AGO: Night Interrupted
3 YEARS AGO: Just A Train And A Tree
4 YEARS AGO: This Is One Lawn Boy I Have No Desire To See Naked
5 YEARS AGO: Not So Cuddly

It's So Much Prettier

I've been doing a lot of online research for my Italy trip, so it was only a matter of time...Italian spam.

I just got this in my mailbox today:

~~~~

Gentile cliente,
Le inviamo questa e-mail informativa per aggiornarla sulle novità presenti all’interno del nostro sito catalogo www.bayrit.com

Abbiamo inserito nuovi articoli nelle diverse categorie, presenti nel nostro sito. ANELLI IN ARGENTO TURCO BRACCIALI UOMO ORECCHINI DONNA .

Vi ringraziamo per l’attenzione e con l’occasione vi porgiamo i più cordiali Saluti.

Bayrit bijoux bigiotteria.


PRIVACY
Siamo coscienti che e-mail indesiderabili possono diventare un vero disturbo, quindi la preghiamo di accettare le nostre più sincere scuse. Questa comunicazione è una presentazione ed ha carattere informativo e non è da considerare spamming in quanto prevede la possibilità di rispondere e di essere cancellati. I suoi dati sono trattati secondo il D. Lgs. 196 del 30-6-2003 (legge sulla privacy). Tutti i destinatari ricevono i messaggi in copia nascosta. Il suo nominativo è presente nel nostro indirizzario, in quanto ha già avuto contatti con noi e/o ci ha autorizzati all'invio di informazioni, oppure abbiamo reperito il suo indirizzo sulla rete di internet o in liste pubbliche o, ancora, ci è stato fornito da amici, collaboratori, enti pubblici o privati. Comunque sia, le nostre informative hanno carattere saltuario e riguardano esclusivamente inviti o presentazioni artigianali. Nell'ipotesi che l'iniziativa citata in questo messaggio non desti il Vostro interesse, le porgiamo le nostre scuse per il tempo sottratto. Qualora non volesse più ricevere nostre comunicazioni, può risponderci con un messaggio con in oggetto CANCELLAMI a bayrit@bayrit.com e nel corpo del messaggio l'indirizzo o gli indirizzi da cancellare. SARETE RIMOSSI SUBITO DALLA LISTA DI DISTRIBUZIONE. Se ha già fatto richiesta di rimozione dalla nostra lista e riceve ancora messaggi dai nostri recapiti, la preghiamo di scusarci.

Le informazioni contenute nella presente comunicazione e i relativi allegati
possono essere riservate e sono, comunque, destinate esclusivamente allepersone o alla Società sopraindicati. La diffusione, distribuzione e copiatura del documento trasmesso da parte di qualsiasi soggetto diversi daldestinatario è proibita, sia ai sensi dell'art. 616 c.p., che ai sensi del D. Lgs. n. 196/2003. Se avete ricevuto questo messaggio per errore, vipreghiamo di distruggerlo e di informarci immediatamente inviando un messaggio all'indirizzo e-mail: bayrit@bayrit.com

Ti ricordiamo che il tuo indirizzo mail è stato iscritto volonatariamente a questa newsletter,oppure ricavato da elenchi di pubblico dominio, comunque se non ti interessa più riceverequeste mail e manda una mail con oggetto Unsubscribe a bayrit@bayrit.comoppure rispondi semplicemente a questa mail con oggetto Unsubscribe
~~~

From what I can tell, it's for pretty jewelry and not penis enhancing drugs.

Cause I really don't need those.


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1 YEAR AGO: Soap Box Derby – Spavinaw Style
2 YEARS AGO: Eddie’s Independence Friday
3 YEARS AGO: Miss Independent
4 YEARS AGO: Independence Day
5 YEARS AGO: The Mother Road To Independence

The Skies Really Are Friendly, No Matter Who Is Flying In Them

I have the same discussion with my mother every time she decides she "might" want to fly somewhere. I always help her look for good fares and flight times and when I get back to her with the information, our conversations usually go a little something like this:

"I found a great flight into JFK for $100 less than the one you found."
"I don't like JFK."
"Why?"
"I just don't."

This goes back and forth for at least twenty minutes. It could be JFK or LaGuardia, doesn't matter, she just doesn't like them. She wants to fly into Newark in New Jersey or Stewart, which is in upstate New York. I don't really understand why she doesn't like those airports, she's doing the same thing at both of them; getting off the plane and being picked up by a family member. She doesn't have to rent a car, she doesn't have to take a taxi, she doesn't have to get on a bus. Just walk to luggage claim, like you'd be doing for any flight, and the person who picks you up meets you there and whisks you off to vacation land. Easy.

The second discussion she has always involves who the airline is.

"I found a great flight into JFK for $100 less than the one you found."
"What airline is it?"
"What difference does it make?"

I don't know what difference it makes what airline it is. She doesn't fly enough to reap the benefits of any frequent flier program, she's never dated a pilot so it's not like she has an emotional connection to one particular airline, they all offer basically the same fares and the planes are all made my the same three companies. I half expect, when I say "Delta", for her to say, "Oh no, we only fly American/United/Continental/Etc."

It's not like one of the choices is going to be Uncle Jack's Discount Airline where you're not even sure if the guy has a pilot's license. A plane is a plane is a plane. Granted, the little turbo-props are unsettling to some people, but that's not the case here. She'd be flying clear across the country and those flights are typically on your larger aircraft and always on a major carrier.

It makes the already aggravating job of scoring a good airfare even more harrowing. Maybe if I promise to get her a pair of those pin-on wings she'll be a little more excited and a little less worried who is doing the flying or where she's landing.

Because that is really something she has no control over; remember Sully?


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Eddie Beach Feet Friday
2 YEARS AGO: Panoramic
3 YEARS AGO: My New Motto
4 YEARS AGO: Fake It Till You Make It
5 YEARS AGO: Feria Colour Strands

Waiting

Trucks at the Port of Oakland waiting to unload. Oakland, California.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: My Mother The Jihadist
2 YEARS AGO: Perfectly Reasonable Defense
3 YEARS AGO: Provocative
4 YEARS AGO: Sidewalk Sushi
5 YEARS AGO: $4,000 Worth Of Tupperware

Here To Win, Here To Stay

The Oakland, California location of the Western Service Workers Association.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Her Bosom Is Heaving, His Member Is Throbbing
2 YEARS AGO: Worn By The Sea
3 YEARS AGO: Spinning In The Night
4 YEARS AGO: Forget Country Music! We Have Bungalows Full Of Breasts!!
5 YEARS AGO: I Demand An Explanation

All The Live-long Day

I've been working on the railroad
All the live-long day.
I've been working on the railroad
Just to pass the time away.
Don't you hear the whistle blowing,
Rise up so early in the morn;
Don't you hear the captain shouting,
"Dinah, blow your horn!"

Over the years, Ed and I have delivered a lot of stuff to railroad yards. And every time we go, I'm reminded of why they had to work on the railroad all the live-long day.

Because they are SO FREAKIN' SLOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

It takes them forever to do anything. Today we didn't get unloaded because our second stop took so long to unload, we couldn't make it to our final stop before they left. Do you remember on The Flintstones, how when the whistle would blow at the rock quarry and everyone would stop what they were doing and just file out? That's what it's like at the rail yards. They work only the exact amount of time in their shift and not a second more. You can set your watch by the time they leave the building.

And we have often done that; watched them leave the building. At 2:59 pm, they file out; all looking the same in their jeans, flannel shirts, down vests, Carhartt jackets, work boots, hard hats sometimes still on their heads and lunch boxes in their hand.

We've nicknamed them "the turtles". So anytime we see a line of people moving slowly anywhere (and especially at the train yards), we just look at each other, nod and say, "Turtles".

Moseying along....all the live-long day.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: What Every Child Leaves Behind
2 YEARS AGO: What Happened To Being Human?
3 YEARS AGO: I’ve Been Everywhere, Man
4 YEARS AGO: W. The Thief.
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

Who Knew There Were Things To Do Other Than Eating Pie?

In January, I was contacted by Melissa Troyer, an author from Indiana. She had been reading my blog, enjoying all my posts about Shipshewana, and told me that she was writing a book titled 101 Things To Do In Shipshewana, which was to be an insider's guide to the area, pointing people towards the things only a local would know.

She wanted to know if she could use the picture I took, which she had seen in this post, in her book. Of course I said yes. She recently contacted me again to tell me the book was done and wanted my address to send me a copy.

So this week when we stopped at home and picked up my (HUGE) stack of mail, there among the free offers for credit cards I don't want and coupons I can't use (expired, since I'm never home to use them) was the book she sent.

And MY PHOTO WAS IN IT!!! A full page photo right next to "Thing To Do Number 66".

She even included a little note to me on the inside cover that reads:

To Salena,

Probably the most adventurous chick to grace the streets of Shipshewana!
Thanks for the use of the beautiful photo.

Melissa

I couldn't be more excited!! Not only is the first photo of mine ever published in a book in the most gorgeous little book, but it's in a book about a town I LOVE! Frankly, I didn't think there were 101 things to do in Shipshe (as the locals call it) but after flipping through the book, I've learned about a few places I've yet to see and I can't wait to get back there.

Come to think of it, there's really one more thing to do in regards to Shipshewana...

Buy a copy of the book!!

If you aren't able to be part of the million visitors a year that Shipshewana gets, you can purchase your very own copy of the book by clicking HERE, and then just dream of the day you'll be able to visit. It's definitely something to look forward to.

Many thanks to Melissa for sharing her knowledge by writing this book (promoting this beautiful area of our country, which according to her book is "home to the third-largest Amish community in the United States"), sending me a copy of it and best of all, including my photo! I wish you the best of luck in the promotion and sale of it and I hope a good portion of those million visitors picks up a copy.

See you in Shipshe!!


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1 YEAR AGO: 157 Years Of Light
2 YEARS AGO: Call Me. We Have Telephones In Nebraska Now.
3 YEARS AGO: Reach For The Sky
4 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

When You Own, You Owe

My friend Marlaina recently uttered those words. It came in the course of a conversation we were having about being a couple who spends most of their time on the road; she and her husband also do what we do, drive as a team. I completely agree with her.

Shortly after that conversation, I read an article about a couple who started hauling expedited freight and a year later, sold their house, their cars and almost all of their worldly possessions to live on the road. And their story is very similar to ours, minus the selling of the house, cars and worldly possessions. Oh, and the expedited part. Ugh - I would SO not want to be places on a crazy time clock like the expediters do.

We didn't have a house to sell, but we did put all of our possessions in storage and I got rid of my car. We did go house hunting a few years ago but the deal fell through due to our not countering the seller's last offer - he didn't want to fix some of the things we requested, so we decided not to buy the house. After that, Ed and I discussed it and we were actually glad we didn't buy the house. Why pay a $3,000.00 a month for a house we'd never be in? We decided instead to keep our things in storage and rent a room in a family member's home, which works out much better when you're on the road 300 days a year.

Our truck, as many of you know, is like an RV and we have everything we could possibly need inside its "four walls". But sometimes people who have a house take a tone when they say things like, "Don't you wish you had a house?" or "You like being on the road so much?" Hell yeah, we like it. Have you read this blog?? Have you seen all the places we've been?

I hear as much disdain in their voice for our situation as I probably feel for theirs. What I'd like to know is how they can stand being in one place all the time? How they can go to the same job, day after day, commuting sometimes an hour each way, only to wind up with a paycheck that leaves them no extra money to go, do and buy. How they can't even take time off work when they feel like it because they have to "request" it or "put in for" vacation days.

Someday we might buy something when we feel like settling down, but when we do, it won't be anything extravagant. We've been looking at stuff like this and we love it. Being on the road definitely shows you that you don't need much of anything to enjoy life and I've gotten to visit my family and friends much more than I ever did when I had a "regular" job. But I still get the impression from people's comments that they think somehow we are less because we have less. As if their possessions (most of them not even owned outright) define them; that we couldn't possibly enjoy doing this and not having a house like they do.

One line I really liked in the article said, "When you own almost nothing, you can afford the best." That's how I feel. Because we're not funneling my money into a house that we would never be at anyway, we have thousands of dollars a month (but more importantly, we have time) to do with as we wish, and as the article pointed out, "there will always be people who have more than you. If you spend money believing you are what you own, you'll always be less than those who have more."

Possessions really don't mean much to me. I have a few things that I will likely keep for the rest of my life, but on a daily basis, everything I need sits right behind me as I travel down the road. Not that I don't have "wish lists" of things I want, but when I think about most of it, it's usually not stuff I absolutely must have.

Right now I've got Ed by my side, money in my pocket and time on my hands. That'll work for now.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: It’s Not The Nina, Pinta And Santa Maria
2 YEARS AGO: One Word At A Time
3 YEARS AGO: The Only Way It Could Have Been Better Would Be If It Came With A Side Of Fried Rice
4 YEARS AGO: Wanna Sip Of My Jagermeister?
5 YEARS AGO: Playing Favorites

The Key To Being Funny

Ed and I were walking back to the truck after having spent a few hours at Barnes & Noble and going to dinner. Ed was carrying his laptop with two hands, a doggie-bag from the restaurant perched on top.

As we approached the truck, I reached into his pocket to get his keys since I didn't want to dig around in the bottom of my purse for mine.

As I withdrew my hand from his pocket, he said "Why do you always do that??"

"What? I was just getting your keys." I said.

"You always go into my left pocket. I don't keep my keys in that pocket. Geez. For thirty years I've kept my keys in my RIGHT pocket - you think you'd know that by now."

"Thirty years?" I said.

"Yeah."

"So you're telling me that since you were five, you've kept your keys in your right hand pocket?"

"That's right." he said.

"What could you have possibly had keys to when you were five years old?? Your toybox? Your car? Maybe your apartment? Oh, I know...your locker at work." I said.

At that point, we both laughed. And that's why I love my Eddie; he always puts a smile on my face.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Wishes Really Do Come True
2 YEARS AGO: Eddie Plays It Safe Friday
3 YEARS AGO: What Road?
4 YEARS AGO: I’m STILL Looking To Get Me Some Good BBQ
5 YEARS AGO: Say Cheese!!

It Was Clear The Moment You Opened Your Mouth

Ed was standng in line at a Pilot the other day, which he said was long enough to give him plenty of time too look at everyone else who was waiting.

Although normally not one to take note of how someone is dressed, Ed said he noticed a woman in front of him who wasn't particularly womanly. She had super short hair, one of those faces that could go either way (boy or girl), not very busty, t-shirt, khaki's and sandals.

When she reached the counter, merchandise in hand, the clerk looked at her and said, "How may I help you sir?"

She yelled, "Sir??? I'm a god-damned woman. Fuck you!!"

And with that, she threw her merchandise on the counter and walked out. Ed said everyone just sort of looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and moved forward in line.

And I'm sure after that "Fuck You!!", there wasn't a doubt in anyone's mind that she was a lady.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Eddie Captures A Sunset Friday
2 YEARS AGO: Pelicans Enjoying Their Rule Of The Lake
3 YEARS AGO: Bigfoot
4 YEARS AGO: There Is A Reason People Try To Repress Certain Childhood Memories
5 YEARS AGO: Painted Ladies

3000 Miles To Squidland

Well, the trip for the control freak agent is finally done; three thousand and thirty miles in 48 hours. Thank God it's over, because I don't think I could have taken another call from her. She called so often, it felt as if she were on the trip with us. She probably should have come with us but I doubt she'd be able to hack it.

And that's the thing. People who don't know anything about the actual job are often the ones sitting in their office cracking a whip. I've seen it happen in a lot of jobs I've had; for instance, when I was in the hotel business, it was the general manager telling the bellman how to carry luggage. Not that the GM hadn't ever been a bellman at one time, but if he was, he'd forgotten what it was like and was now making unreasonable demands of his employee.

Thing is, I'm not this woman's employee. I don't work for her. Eddie and I are self-employed and really, whatever she says has no bearing on what we actually do for the good of our business. I'm not trying to sound like a big-shot, but her calling us doesn't make us drive any faster. And bothering me while I'm trying to do my job only annoys me.

I get her being concerned about the freight. We were delivering a Rolls-Royce propeller to the Navy for one of the ships coming into the port. They needed it right away and there were people waiting on it. I get it.

But I TOLD her I would call her when we unloaded. Calling me to find out if I unloaded yet aggravates me. If you haven't heard from me, I haven't unloaded yet. Didn't I make that clear when I said, I'LL. CALL. YOU. WHEN. WE'RE. UNLOADED. Seems pretty clear to me.

In fact, the last time she called was at the exact moment I was trying to find the street where were delivering. I was looking at signs, consulting the GPS, navigating traffic. I don't have time to answer your call in the middle of that to be distracted by your bullshit questions. You can wait for my call.

So I made her wait.

When I finally did call, I gave her the basic information about the load and said goodbye. Normally I'd be more chatty but I didn't appreciate the stalking and although I considered giving her a piece of my mind, I figured if she couldn't follow our simple request of "don't call us, we'll call you", I'd be wasting my breath telling her that her actions were more helicopter parent than professional freight agent.

She's now on The List.


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1 YEAR AGO: It Could Be Africa If It Weren’t For The Schlitterbahn
2 YEARS AGO: How To Ace A Job Interview
3 YEARS AGO: Diver Down
4 YEARS AGO: Day Tripping
5 YEARS AGO: Nipple Rock

Joining The Ranks

Well, they've done it!

Michelle, a.k.a. the Plum Trucker...

and her fiance Kendall...

are officially truck drivers!! They have joined the ranks of the rest of us and will soon be traveling right along side us, perhaps even in the other lane! They start their official company training soon which begin with their orientation in Missouri on July 6th.

Talk about a great way to celebrate Independence Day!! Go on over to her blog and offer your congratulations (if you haven't already) and keep them in your thoughts as they take to the highways and bi-ways of our beautiful country. They are in for a fantastic adventure!

I wish them the best and want them to know that the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of truckers are here for them in any way we can be and we embrace them with open arms.

Welcome Friends!!


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1 YEAR AGO: The Daily Rant Goes Farther East Than Ever Before
2 YEARS AGO: What He Does When I’m Sleeping
3 YEARS AGO: Now You Don’t Have To Go To The Ghetto To Get Crack
4 YEARS AGO: Satchel Pitches A Great Question
5 YEARS AGO: A Night In Yakima

Even God Can't Help Men

A trucker was traveling through the beautiful rolling hills of West Virginia when suddenly the sky clouded above his head. In a booming voice, the Lord said, "Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."

The trucker pulled over and said, "I've been all over this great country of ours. Traveled the interstates from coast to coast. I've seen the beautiful Atlantic coast and have been to the beaches of the sunny Pacific coast. I've been from the deltas of the south to the mountains of the Northwest. I've even drivin to the last frontier, Alaska. In addition to every one of our beautiful states, I've been through almost every Province and Territory of Canada, enjoying the country of our friendly northern neighbors. But what I'd really like, my one wish, would be a bridge to Hawaii so I can travel there anytime I want."

The Lord said, "Your request is materialistic. Think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking; the supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific and the concrete and steel it would take! I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind."

The trucker thought about it for a long time.

Finally he said, "Lord, I wish that I, and all men, could understand our wives. I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing is wrong. I want to know how I can make a woman truly happy."

The Lord replied, "You want two lanes on that bridge or four?"


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1 YEAR AGO: My President’s House
2 YEARS AGO: Don’t Give Up Hope If You Just Don’t Know What You Want To Be When You Grow Up. You Have Choices.
3 YEARS AGO: Alright, Mr. DeMille, I’m Ready For My Close-Up
4 YEARS AGO: Stone Magnolia
5 YEARS AGO: Fitty Nine!!!

La Vita è Bella

The research for Italy has been a bit overwhelming. I like to look at everything. I don't want to miss a deal or an exhibit or a village just because I didn't do my homework. I want to cover as much inforation and I can and be prepared when I get there.

I think the biggest challenge has been finding lodging. We really wanted to do a villa in Tuscany because well, that's what you're supposed to do. We have seven people going and we felt it would be not only more economical than getting several rooms, but it would be more fun to have a base camp to explore from.

We are hitting several regions; Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche Lazio, Campania and possibly Liguria (if we go to the Cinque Terre). We want a place to stay in Tuscany, one in Le Marche and one in Campania. This is what I've come up with so far:

For our stay in Le Marche, which I think will be two days, I'm looking at La Tavola Marche:

From their website: La Tavola Marche is hosted by American couple Ashley and Jason Bartner. They live in Italy year round and are proud residents of Sant'Angelo in Vado, Italy. La Tavola Marche is a unique culinary experience where you actively participate in Italian culture through seasonal activities paired with local artisan bakers, farmers, and wine makers while staying in a 300 year-old farmhouse agriturismo.

Then, for the next eight days and the bulk of our stay, Borgo Iesolana seems to be the villa of choice. We have friends who have stayed there and it comes highly recommended:

Located in Tuscany, just outside of Arezzo, in the village of Bucine, it seems centrally located for all the touring we want to do. We'll be renting a van so we can be out an about early each day for cappuccino, picture taking and ancient Estruscan church viewing. I'm getting more excited by the moment.

After Tuscany, we'll be staying in Sorrento (in the region of Campania) for five days and from there will venture to Naples, Pompeii, Capri and the world renowned Amalfi Coast. For our stay there, I've chosen Il Nido.

Located on a hilltop in Sorrento, it has views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius in the distance. It's relatively inexpensive and looks nice, plus it has over five hundred positive reviews. They also have a free shuttle to take you into town for shopping. My cousin, the ultimate shopaholic, is going to love that!

I'm still researching just in case I come up with something that tops this (within our price range,of course, since I've seen MANY villas I'd die to stay in) but I think I'm winding down on the accomodation part and can concentrate more now on the actual itinerary part. Any suggestions from anyone will be more than appreciated.

Ahhh, life is beautiful.

Ciao!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: He Looks Much Better Here Than On The Penny
2 YEARS AGO: One Of The Few Places In Iowa NOT Under Water
3 YEARS AGO: We Need A Manager On Register Three Please!
4 YEARS AGO: Mobile Misses
5 YEARS AGO: Idaho?? YOU Da Ho!!

Maybe You Can Learn A Little Something From A Few Truck Drivers

I'll be the first to admit I'm easily annoyed, but it's usually with good reason. Let me give you an example.

So, we get this hot load going from coast to coast. They need it there yesterday. The agent is chomping at the bit and keeps asking if we're sure we can get it there when they requested. We have two days. We assure her we can do it.

Then she tells us she wants a check call. I hate check calls.

My theory is this - we are leased to a company that is known for their excellent safety record and reliable drivers. We do a lot of sensitive freight. We haul tons of military stuff. We've even had a $4.7 million dollar jet engine on our truck. We're not fuckups.

So when they want a check call to find out where we are and when we'll be there - like I can predict what's going to happen between Massachusetts and California, over 3,000 miles away - it makes me feel like I'm five years old. And what's worse is when they request a certain thing and then can't seem to manage their end with competence.

We were told to call when we had the freight picked up and then to call again the next morning at six a.m. So we called when we picked up the freight and the next morning when I was driving, I called to check in.

At 5:59 a.m.

I got their answering machine. So I left my name, the time and the town I was in. I was annoyed the minute I got the answering machine because the message said they weren't in until six-thirty. Six-thirty? So why ask me to call at six?? Strike one.

THEN...about an hour later Ed comes up front, all groggy with drool hanging off his lip, asking me where we are. When I asked him why, he told me the agent was on the phone and wants a check call. Strike two.

WHAT??!!! I told him (likely loud enough for her to hear) that I had called at six a.m., WHEN THEY REQUESTED I CALL and that I had left a message. I was then told that she "didn't check the messages". Strike three.

Seriously? This is how you run a business? Anyone who has an answering machine or service knows the FIRST thing you do when you get into the office is check the messages. If for nothing else, then to simply avoid something like this.

It's not so much that it's a huge deal, but it's just one more example of incompetence and irresponsibility. I was responsible. I called when asked. I left a message with all the pertinent information. And I am driving your freight three thousand God-damned miles.

So not only did you annoy me, you also woke up my team driver who needs his sleep so he can then drive when it's his turn again. To get your freight the rest of the three thousand miles. Capiche?

WE are professionals. It'd be nice if a little of that would rub off on some other people.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: The Fathers In Our Lives, Our Fathers Who Are In Heaven And The Father Of Our Country
2 YEARS AGO: Who The Hell Left The Pool Float In The Sea Of Tranquility??
3 YEARS AGO: Lure Me In
4 YEARS AGO: Sometimes The Reasons NOT To Have Children Are So Very Clear
5 YEARS AGO: U-Ta-Dah!!

Time Suck

Looking to kill some time? Try out some of the following websites:

One Sentence
One Sentence is an experiment in brevity. Most of the best stories that we tell from our lives have one really, really good part that make the rest of the boring story worth it. This is about that one line. This is about telling the most interesting or poignant story possible in the fewest number of words. This is about small bite-sized pieces of extraordinary lives and ordinary lives alike... the happy, the sad, the funny, the depressing. Go ahead, try it.

One Word
This site is great for when you’re stuck for an idea or you need inspiration. They give you one word on the screen and you have sixty seconds to write about it. They say, “Don’t think. Just write.” Sometimes, that’s the best way.

The Speech Accent Archive
I’ve come across this site before and thought it was pretty cool. You can search for accents from all over the world. Want to really hear how someone from Minnesoooota sounds? Search for it. Want to impress your friends with your best Romanian gypsy accent? Find it on this site. Warning: You will be sucked in for more time than you anticipated spending here.

Make A Flake
Wishing for snow in June? Get close on this site by making a your own snowflake here. Just like when we were kids!

Sporcle
Billed as “mentally stimulating diversions”. Ohhh yeah.

Our Favorites Websites
A conglomeration of lots of stuff. Check it out.


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1 YEAR AGO: The Spirit Of Sharing
2 YEARS AGO: Sailor Boy Friday
3 YEARS AGO: Cozy Dining
4 YEARS AGO: It’s All About Me
5 YEARS AGO: Alien Land

Crafty Little Bugger

Today, since I seem to have so much time on my hands, I decided to make some jewelry. I have a favorite pair of earrings that I bought at a rest area in New Mexico and I wanted to create something similar.

They have a tiny southwestern flair (not too much, because I'm generally not a fan of Southwester-Indian-Cowboy-Turquoise-y jewelry. Mine are about an inch and a half long, made from a group of beads in different shapes that dangle from my lobes in a straight, silver line. The guy I bought them from had a table set up at the rest area, selling everything from necklaces to ankle bracelets. If I remember correctly, his mother was the one making them. She was sitting off to the side creating new ones as fast as he could sell them.

I wanted a similar pair that had a little more shimmer, so I decided to make my own. I wear a lot of silver, so I bought silver earring hooks at silver pins to thread the beads onto. This is the first pair I created:

The small center beads are a cloudy pink and the bigger beads are clear, with a pink tint. I love the way they catch the light.

This is the second pair I made; metal beads with several different colors running through them; copper, silver, bronze.

I like both pairs but I think I'm partial to the pink ones. I have green beads that are similar to the pink ones and that'll be my next project. Those look like peridot and that's one of my faaavvorite gems.

It looks like I've added another way to fill my day. I already complain of having no time to do everything I have to do (partially due to flitting from joyful distraction to joyful distraction); how will I now add a craft??

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Beauty For A Buck
2 YEARS AGO: What My Thoughts Sound Like When Left Uncensored And Ultimately, Formed Into Words
3 YEARS AGO: New York Style
4 YEARS AGO: I.H.O.P.G.
5 YEARS AGO: Sorry, no post on this day.

This Should Be The Next "New Parent" Handbook

A few days ago I purchased this book on my Kindle. I laughed my entire way through it. When I was reading it late at night while lying in bed, Ed yelled at me several times because I was laughing too loudly.

If you're familiar with Justin Halpern, the guy who became wildly famous when he started tweeting his father's priceless quips on Twitter, you'll love this book. And if you don't know who Justin is, I think you'll find it impossible to not fall in love with his dad, Sam Halpern, who is the subject of the book.

Here are just some of the nuggets Sam dispenses:

On Chivalry
"Give your mother the front seat...I don't give a shit if she said you could have it, that's what she's supposed to do, and you're supposed to say, 'No, I insist.' You think Im' gonna drive around with my wife in the backseat and a nine-year-old in the front? You're a crazy son of a bitch."

On Making a Christmas List
"You ranked the twenty-five presents you want, in order of how much you want them? Are you insane? I said tell me what you want for Christmas, not make a fucking college football poll."

School
"Your friends' parents drive like assholes. Tell them it's an elementary school parking lot, not downtown fucking Manhattan."

On Getting a Dog
"Who's going to take care of it? You?...Son, you came in the house yesterday with shit on your hands. Human shit. I don't know how that happened, but if someone has shit on their hands, it's an indicator that maybe the whole responsibility thing isn't for them."

On Sharing
"I'm sorry, but if your brother doesn't want you to play with his shit, then you can't play with it. It's his shit. If he wants to be an asshole and not share, then that's his right. You always have the right to be an asshole - you just shouldn't use that right very often."

On Choosing One's Occupation
"You have to do something you love... Bullshit, you clearly have not heard this speech before, because you're working at Mervyn's."

On Yard Work
"What are you doing with that rake?...No, that is not raking...What? Different styles of raking? No, there's one style, and then there's bullshit. Guess which one you're doing."

I love a parent like this. They love you to death and tell it like it is. They don't let you go out into the world thinking it's going to be easy or that people are going to line up to do you favors. You have to cut through the bullshit and not be an asshole. Not everything is going to go your way. Deal with it.

I know Father's Day is right around the corner and this would be a great gift. There's still time. Perfect for new fathers; maybe it'll give them some insight on how to raise kids that aren't losers. Or even great for old timers; it'll give them the best laugh they've had in a long time.

Now go out and give Justin Halpern some of your money. I could be next you know, with Shit My Mom Says and I'd hope people would do the same for me!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Would You Like A Little Screech To Go With Your Whine?
2 YEARS AGO: Jane’s Anatomy
3 YEARS AGO: Plus People Are Here To Stay
4 YEARS AGO: Baiting The Hook
5 YEARS AGO: Purgatory

Are You Ready For Some Football?!

While hanging out in the hotel room this week, I got to see the movie The Express. It's a story based on the life of Syracuse University football player Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. It was GREAT.

What's funny about this kind of movie is that althought I despise sports of any kind, especially football, I actually really love football movies. Below are my favorite movies involving football. And since most of them aren't really about football (at the core), I suspect that's the reason I like them.

OK, so here are the other football movies on my list, in no particular order:

Brian’s Song
Legendary actors James Caan and Billy Dee Williams give amazing performances inspired by real-life athletes in Brian’s Song. When cancer strikes an unlikely friendship, a bond is formed that surpasses football, race, and adversity. This unforgettable classic makes a positive impact on almost everyone who watches it. Cry fest.

We Are Marshall
Inspired by a true story, this film follows the fatal plane crash which killed members of the Marshall University football game and the aftermath of starting over. Matthew McConaughey stars as new Coach Jack Lengyel who struggles to rebuild the team and honor the memory of the fallen players. Even in those dorky clothes, McConaughey is a hottie.

Remember The Titans
Set in 1971, Coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, is hired as head coach over a newly integrated high school football team. The struggle to build a successful team is intensified by the struggle to surpass racial tensions. The team unifies when the players realize they share a common goal and realize attitude is what separates people and not race. We are all one race; the human race.

Invincible
Coach Vince Papale’s climb from the stands to the football field provides the perfect backdrop for an inspiring story of persistence, passion, and perseverance. Inspired by a true story, this hometown tale of a substitute teacher’s rise to the pros teaches a valuable lesson about what’s important on and off the field. I just love true stories!

The Replacements
When pro football salary negotiations produce a strike, a team of replacement players are given a second chance to play the game they love and earn the respect they’ve sought. Gene Hackman and Keanu Reeves give excellent performances along with the entire cast. The story reminds movie fans and football fans that it’s the heart of the team that brings championships. How cute is Keanu?

Radio
Set in Greenville, South Carolina, this true story of a coach’s commitment to helping an underprivileged, mentally-challenged, young boy enjoy life and realize his potential is simply unforgettable. Radio made his way into the hearts of the football players, the school, and the town and formed an unbreakable bond. The relationship proved the heart of a person is more important than aptitude, intellect, or athletic ability. Unforgettable.

Jerry Maguire
This Tom Cruise / Cuba Gooding, Jr. classic takes a close look at the corporate side of professional football. Personal goals, family, health, and well-being take a backseat to the lucrative opportunities available to professional athletes. Rod Tidwell wants every penny he can make, and it’s Jerry Maguire’s job to get it for him. Show me the what??

Varsity Blues
When a player’s injury brings a halt to a coach’s 23 year championship stint, it’s time for a new coach and a new school of thought. Winning at all costs is replaced with doing your best and enjoying the game. The results are pretty dramatic. Paul Walker looks good in anything...even if he had no lines.

Two For The Money
Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey give strong performances in this movie which takes a look a gambling side of football. When a high-stakes gambling tycoon takes a former athlete with keen instinct under his wing, lots of money is sure to be made. Making money at all costs proves to be a difficult game to play. OK, so it's not actually about the game of football - but Matthew McConaughey has no clothes on. Who needs actual football?

All The Right Moves
This Tom Cruise classic illustrates one of the many reasons he became a movie super star. A small town story about young kids with big dreams is brought to life through heartfelt performance from Lea Thompson, Craig T. Nelson, and Tom Cruise. The struggle to bring dreams to life is well portrayed in this football classic. What girl didn't want to be Lea Thompson?

The Blind Side
Based on the true story of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy who take in a homeless teenage African-American, Michael "Big Mike" Oher. Leigh Anne soon takes charge however, as is her nature, ensuring that the young man has every opportunity to succeed. When he expresses an interest in football, she goes all out to help him. They not only provide him with a loving home, but hire a tutor to help him improve his grades to the point where he would qualify for an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship. Michael Oher was the first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2009 NFL draft. Sandra Bullock = Charming.


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1 YEAR AGO: Hangin’ In The Sea Cave
2 YEARS AGO: Weekend In Wyoming
3 YEARS AGO: Ready For Nautical Knots
4 YEARS AGO: Australia Isn’t Far Enough Away For These Bitches To Hide
5 YEARS AGO: Texas Suicide