Got done in Memphis without a hitch and they gave me the option to go to Evansville, IN. and part way there they gave me the option to "relocate" to Elk Grove Village, IL. which the same as Chicago so thats were I'm headed should be there sometime before noon and praying I get a load to Mich.

Well got a load that picked up today near Atlanta and delivers in the morning in Memphis, TN. I am parked about 8 miles from the consignee and will get up and be there about 45 minutes before the appointment time, after that I don't know where they will send me but I do know that I got to do some laundry because the only clean "shorts" I have are the ones I'm wearing. (not so clean anymore..haha)

Well ran a little run Friday from Conley, GA to McDonogh, GA about 23 miles apart and then went back to the truck stop in Conley. I got a dispatch last night that was to pick up in Maxton, NC. on Sunday morn and deliver to Huntington, WV. that night, but as I got up this morning I was informed that it had been canceled due to a "misunderstanding" as to when the delivery was. So I still in Atlanta/Conley just had an offer to go to Indiantown, FL. which I turned down. So I'm just waiting for a movie to down load and hoping to go north soon.

So I was sitting in Nashville and got a phone call from dispatch wanting me to take a load to GA. I told them I wanted to go north not south but they begged saying "I was the only truck in the area and they really needed to ...bla bla" so as a "favor" I took it, then they wanted me to do it again the next day and I said no. So now I'm in Atlanta waiting to run a load this afternoon that is a total of 50 miles and will be right back to were I'm sitting now.Funny thing is that I was offered a load going back to Nashville twice accepted twice and both times it was given to another truck. So as of right now it appears that I will get to spent some time in Atlanta this weekend I just hope the "lot lizards" leave me alone, had two of them last night ask to "service" me and also got my windows cleaned. Well thats all for now. Peace

Just in case some one does here it goes, the Pittsburgh loads went OK if you count getting lost on the second one due to the state changed the highway numbers on me and there is a LOT of construction going on in that city, and the third one I pulled into the wrong driveway and once in back of the building could not get out, had to drive across a lawn but other than those two "minor" problems I still managed to get all three delivered early. And the I got to go to Canton, OH. as my next dispatch point. After sitting for two or three hours I was offered to relocate to Gary, IN. and I jumped on that thinking I would get a load to MI. in a day or two. Wrong! I got offered a load that picked up in Henderson, KY and delivered in Humbolt, TN. Now I had just learned how to ask for more money for a load and seeing as I didn't really want this load I asked for an increase of pay, thinking that they would not give it to me and I was wrong. So that is the run I made this morning and then headed towards Nashville, TN. a few miles down the road I got offered this same run for tomorrow but turned down stating that I needed to get the truck home for service, which partly true. So that is where I'm at right now. As a side note there has been lots of chit going on back home that has had my mind a spinning and still don't know what to do or if there is anything that can be done to help the problems but this is not the place nor do I have the energy to chat about it now. Still hoping to be home soon but even that is not under my control.

I go back to Jamesburg, NJ. in the morning to pick up a load for Monday delivery, 3 different stops all in Pittsburgh, PA.

To start the double run on Monday went fine till I got to the consignee the second time, where the first time there I was off loaded in 45 minutes the second time they took 1hr and 45 minutes plus let me set for another 20 minutes before telling me I was done (this is done releasing the dock lock). To add to my frustration I had another run lined up for the next morning and with all the time wasted I had to drive past my 14 hour clock just get get close to the next shipper. (please don't tell anyone). So on to Tuesday, it started OK till I came out to pull away from the dock after being loaded and I found that I had pushed the front bumper in while backing into the dock, I had felt a "slight" bump but didn't look at the time. So I called the boss and told her, the tire was rubbing a little but only when making a left turn so I headed to the delivery checking the tire for wear every 45 minutes or so got there without a hitch except that I got there 2 hours before my appointment time so I had to wait and come back then (2:30 pm) it then took them almost 2 1/2 hours to unload due to the fact that I was an "afternoon shift truck" and it was still day shift when I got there. I then went to get the bumper fixed of course the repair shop was busy so I again waited around an hour and a half but good news was that they got it pulled out in just a few minutes and did not charge my anything for it. The service writer said that it would take more time to write up then it took to fix but if I wanted to tip the serviceman I could but he said he didn't want anything either because it got him out in the fresh air for about a half hour so to have a nice day. Now when was that last time you got repair work done for free? OK lets see where am I? Oh OK Wednesday is next I picked that afternoon spent the night in Perryville, MD and delivered this morning in Sterling, VA. and am right now back in Winchester, VA. waiting for the next big fun time. Sorry I tell ya all the towns names but after a while they all get blurry and I don't feel like getting my notebook out needless to say they were all in either PA. or VA. with the exception of Wednesday's pick up was in NJ. So now you're as up to date as I am.....Peace

The trailer swap went fine once the other driver got there, he was only a half hour late but I still made delivery an hour early. Then came the bad news, I was doing my normal walk around before heading to Syracuse, NY. (my layover spot) and found not 1 or 2 bald tires on the trailer but SIX and I don't mean close to bald but damn near to the point that belts would start to show very soon.So I informed the trailer maintenance department and they sent me to a place in Rome, NY. that was kind of on my way after getting there I find out that they only have 4 tires in stock so I had them change the 4 worst and once again informed trlr. maint. that I still needed two tires they found a place in Syracuse that had them so off I went, come to find out this is the place that supply's the first place and would have been cheaper to just come here first. But it was too late by then so they changed the last two tires and I went to the truck stop I had picked out earlier in the day.I had forgotten to mention the good thing in this trailer swap was that this trailer has "FedEx Custom Critical" on the side instead of the plain white ones I had before. Also as part of the swap I had given the other truck two of my "load bars" used to secure frieght and latter find out that those belong to the owner of the truck not FedEx so now I have to contact the other driver and have him ship them back to Flint. As for the rest of the weekend I was offered to relocate to Trenton, NJ. Friday afternoon but told them that I would prefer someplace more west and they said that they would try to find me something Sunday morning so I thought I would be here till then, but this afternoon I got offered a load that picks up in Fairfield,PA and delivers in Westminster,MD both on Monday morning the two are only some 25 miles apart so I took it hoping that they would give it to someone else.( I have to accept offers then wait then accept the dispatch) But I got the load and to my surprise I also get to do the same run latter that afternoon which should be good for the old pocketbook because each load pays around $350 to the truck and that means double pay for one day. So I am going to spend the night here in Syracuse and head down to Carlisle,PA tomorrow which is close to the pick up. And now its time for another movie....Peace

After a couple of offers that I couldn't take because of lack of hours I am waiting for another truck yo show up here in Harrisburg,PA. to swap trailers and then head to Utica, NY. for a 8am delivery. And then who knows but I'm starting to wonder how does anything make it to the mid west? Because it seems to me (that is in my world) I take a load from the mid west to the east coast and then nothing ever gets shipped after that except for "up and down" the eastern half of the country.But then I am often told that all I see is the negative so maybe it is just me after all and if that is the case could someone please shoot me and put me out of this misery?....please

Just drove from Maine to Virgina empty because they say that there is more work here and my first load is pick up in Berryville, VA this am at 1:30 and deliver to Hanover, PA at 6:30am. I don't mind a run or two had night but would really like to stay on the day shift. Ran into a guy today that got robbed (or so he says) and is stuck at this truck stop trying to get enough money to catch the bus home I only had $4 bucks I could spare so I gave it to him and wished him luck. ( I'm a sucker I know) Then went to bed for a nap so I could drive tonight and when I got up he was still here I felt like doing a "good turn" so I bought him dinner he hadn't eaten all day he said so I figured it was the right thing to do. Sorry I couldn't help any more but he did seem truly thankful. So thats all for now just hoping I get a good load for the weekend. Peace

I did find a nice truck stop and it even gets shade before sun down, been here since Saturday afternoon and its been very peaceful for the most part at least till today. It has been filling up with trucks all day and even had a small fire at one of the gas pumps (for cars) this early afternoon, no one hurt I think I didn't get out of the truck and go watch but when I went and looked just a little while ago I didn't see much in the way of damage just one pump shut down. It is in a small town of Kittery, ME. about 3 miles inside the state line from NH.The weather has been good too clear sky's mid to upper 60's for the highs and almost cold at night with lows in the lower 50's. And even with all this going on I have been stuck in a funk for most of the weekend just felling sorry for myself and being lonely I guess but I'm coming around and trying to see the "bright side of life" it has helped that I can make jokes of other peoples comments on Fasebook nothing mean just trying to bring some humor to the world. So it's almost dinner time and then to the showers and maybe a quick movie then bed, my delivery is set for 7am but it is only about 30 miles away, hoping that getting back to work will finish off this funk.

Well the Vermont run went without a hitch got to pass by the retail store for OCC in NY and the factor for Vermont Teddy Bears the only thing that I did pass that would of been great to stop and see was the town of Woodstock, NY. I would have loved to at least gone to the museum there. But on to work I am headed back to Jamesburg, NJ. for a load that goes to Westbrook, Me. and with it being a holiday weekend I don't have to deliver till Tuesday morning so I have the whole 3 days to kill and only some 300 miles to drive. Hope I can find a nice truck stop to spend the weekend in not to hot and with a nice shady spot to park please. I'm sure I'll update more as the weekend passes by so till then Peace ans stay cool

To start I now know the name of the town where my last pick up was, not in OH. But Berrysville, VA. just wanted to let you know for those of you who are mapping my loads. And I know that is most of you...LOL. Anyway everything went fine on both loads that I've ran since my last update with the exemption of a bad tire on the trailer. It did not go flat just that I found a large gash in it after my last delivery so I got a new one now the world is good. Now I am headed to Jamesburg, NJ. for a pick up that will take me to Colchester, VT.( a suburb of Bulington) for a morning delivery on 9/3. This is good because VT. is one of the few states that I have not been to till now but it also means that I will most likly spend most of my time out on the east coast and that means toll roads. So thats it for now more later as it comes in. Peace and stay cool.

So I "went back on duty" Thursday morning but did not get a load to pick up till Monday morning at 1am and that will be in Mt. Clemens, MI. and it delivers in Marysville, OH. at 6am. And as I was sitting at home doing some updates on my laptop I got a call from dispatch and now I have a second load lined up. This one picks up at 2am Tuesday in (I don't remember), OH. and goes to Carlisle. PA. latter on Tuesday. So it looks like I will be busy and back on the night shift for at least a few days. I hope to keep you up to date in the next month as I will be "out" for 4 weeks this time. (not my choice but dispatch said that they would be very busy and asked nicely) More latter as the news comes in till then Peace and stay cool.

After making the Hebron, KY. delivery they gave the choice of Cincinnati or Toledo and I picked Toledo. Drove all the way there and as soon as I crossed city limits I got an offer to pick up there in Toledo and head back into PA.and it turned to be about 30 miles from Philly to boot. I turned it down and the had to turn away my first "lot lizard" there was 3 of them working a truck stop that could only hold 60 or so trucks and it was 3 in the afternoon, only in Toledo I guess. Anyway I then got my load home, pick up in Oscoda at 7:30 and deliver in Pontiac by noon and after that to Flint to drop the truck off. With any luck I'll be home for dinner.

Well lets see now. I'm sitting at a "service center" on the PA. Tnpk. (Turnpike) just east of Pittsburgh going to make my Monday morning delivery on the west side of Pittsburgh and then I got a load to pick up in Blacklick, OH. which a suburb of Columbus Monday afternoon and the take it to Hebron, KY. (and for those that don't know that is a suburb of Cincinnati) on Tuesday morning. So it looks like dispatch is trying to get me home it is just in a funny way. I just added up my toll receipts for this trip out and they are over $400.00 so far with just the one to get my off the Penn. Tnpk to go and that should be about $40.00. Glad they only charge for the distance you drive and not the time your on it, seeing as I've spent the entire weekend here. So thats all I have for now with any luck my next post will be either to till ya when I'll be home or from home. So for now Peace and stay coll

So I did the little run yesterday that they gave me, almost got lost in New Brunswick, NJ but made it. Then after ignoring 4 or 5 load offers I got one that was for over the weekend and delivered in Pittsburgh, PA. on Monday morning ans seeing as thats the farthest west I've been in nearly 2 weeks I took it. Now maybe they can find me something that will get me home next week. Plus as an added (or curse) bonus I get to drive the turnpike all the way there making it 3 out of 3 of the states that have a turnpike going all the way across themself's that I have now driven. The three being OH, NJ, and PA.

OK I got a load last night that picked up in Sanford, ME and had to be in Pocono Summit, PA asap because it was being transfered to another truck that would take it to Flint, MI for delivery today. I drove all night without any sleep and got it there an hour and half early. I then went a truck stop to get some sleep, dispatch started making "offers" at 8 am and I started turning them down because I couldn't drive till this afternoon and wanting to be going home. I turned down around 7 or 8 loads before calling my boss and asking her what to do. She told me to tell them that the truck needed a PM and thats why I needed to come home, this seemed to work for about 4 more offers then an offer came that was followed be a note stating that I could not keep turning down loads just because I wanted to go home and that if I was not willing to go in ant direction then they would take my truck "out of service" and I would not receive any offers. So I once again called the boss and told her after excepting the last load and she called me back and said that dispatch had told her that they were just to busy right now and that they needed every truck that they could get. So now I don't know when I get my time off but I'm sure that all those dispatchers are getting there time off and most likly will get the weekend off too. Must be nice!

To start the Westbrook, ME. delivery went fine except for the fact that dispatch tried to get me to leave the truck stop at 2am and I had to tell them " Why leave 5 hours before delivery time when I'm only 40 miles away?" after that it was fine. On the way back to the truck stop I got a load to pick up in Tewksbury, MA. and take it to Northborogh, MA. which is like 35 miles away so I said that I would do it. I had a bit of a problem finding the shipper due to there sign being hidden behind trees and then it tells me that I have to use a road 2 blocks behind me to get in. (It is fun blocking traffic by trying to back a truck back into the road) Anyway I got to the consignee without much hassle till they informed me that the load was suppose to go to there plant in Providence, RI. so I called dispatch ans 1 1/2 hours latter it was figured out that I now had to get to Providence. This turned out to be easier said than done due to bridge repairs being done on over half the bridges I had to cross. Well needless to say I did make it but I had to put my mapping software to the limit and it did work. (thx microsoft) The next dilemma was where to park for the night, I was given the choice of Boston, Providence, or NH. well believe it or not there is no place to park trucks any were near either Boston or Providence so I picked NH. the trouble now was could I get there before my 14 hour clock was up....and the answer was no. I had to drive a 1/2 hour past my limit and that got me to a rest area at the NH. border and then this morning I drove to the nearest truck stop and am waiting for a load. I have had an offer that I turned down because it would have been driving back to Jamesburg, NJ. and then right back up here and I want to go west so as to get home and besides that trip would have been another 100 dollars in tolls and I'm starting to run low on cash. So now you know all that I know as far as my loads go, so till the next load arrives....Peace and stay cool.

About an hour after coming back on duty I got a load to pick up the next morning in Plantsville, CT. and dilvered it this morning in Pottstown, PA. I thought this was a step in the right direction seeing as I want to be home on the 13th. But I am now picking up in Jamesburg, NJ. again and headed for Westbrook ME. for a Monday morning deliver. The run pays well but I really wanted to head back west but hey making money does come first. On the other hand I seem to be coming down with a cold, I know it's summer but please tell the germs not me. And al though I've been called a pig more than once I don't think it's the "swine" flu either. Just a stuffy head and that "run down" felling.