tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51607727152728473622012-01-25T19:24:55.958-06:00It's a 'truckalogue' instead of a 'catalogue'. It begins <a href="http://amx1047.blogspot.com/2008/12/catching-up.html">12/15/08</a>. To start there, click this link, or look in the sidebar for "Contents". (Those arrows do something.) Under 2008, then under December, click on "From Aurora IL", the first post. From there, if you look under the comments box, there are links that say "Newer Posts", "Home", and "Older Posts". Click one of them depending on which way you want to go.amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comBlogger3121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-66444924484605441082011-12-26T22:38:00.000-06:002011-12-26T22:38:05.783-06:00

It's called My Truckalogue. It's a rework of this one in a new template. The new Blogger templates are much more advanced than this old one - much easier to change the CSS and HTML. Plus, I wanted to go back and make my posts more readable, etc. Someday, My Truckalogue will be as current as AMX1047's Truckalogue :-)

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-72096267007648928872010-11-14T08:57:00.018-06:002011-12-13T09:51:46.928-06:00

In a post dated 6/20/10, Hello From Portland OR, I mentioned that I was teaming with my roommate from CRST orientation. It was great for a couple or three weeks - until Kay and her boyfriend decided to lease a truck from Prime. Things went back to being awful after I lost Kay, and I couldn't tolerate CRST any longer. I had to quit.A couple of weeks ago I had to see Dr. Feelgood to get my

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-34257031177244888412010-09-19T11:47:00.022-05:002010-09-19T15:08:21.777-05:00

This post is about Ed Thomas, who I never met. But this is such a coincidence that I had to write about it.To bring you up to date on who Ed Thomas was, (from Wikipedia) "Ed Thomas (July 17, 1950 – June 24, 2009) was the high school football coach for Aplington-Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, Iowa. On June 24, 2009, Thomas was shot in the football team's weight room. Ed Thomas's killer

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-54277853070195725332010-06-20T15:16:00.002-05:002010-06-20T15:19:30.634-05:00

Hello from Portland OR - I love it up here! New job with CRST sucked at first, but getting better all the time. Started out as a trainer (teaching), but couldn't make any miles. Now my roommate from Orientation is my co-driver. We get along really well, and looks like we'll make some money - finally!Kinda burned out on keeping the blog up to date, but wanted to at least post this much.CRST

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-50382097465681903732010-05-24T18:54:00.007-05:002010-05-24T20:18:49.233-05:00

I was already in bed when my roommate got here about 10:00PM last night. She shared a rental car with somebody from Dallas TX, and was exhausted by the time she got all her stuff to the room. While she's not a student, she is a relatively new driver who's been teaming with her boyfriend for a different company. She's not as familiar with trucking as I am, but I really like her. She about 52;

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-88934727911218318662010-05-23T10:13:00.020-05:002010-05-23T13:12:43.852-05:00

This must be what a Vacation is like. I'm sitting at a little table in my almost shabby motel room in OKC with the window open to a strong, cool breeze from outside. I feel better and more relaxed than I have in months. Flying out here went off without a hitch, and while both planes were small and crowded, I was lucky enough to find seats to myself. It was good to see buildings, roads, farms,

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-88581944525412035622010-05-21T15:31:00.016-05:002010-05-23T10:12:26.782-05:00

The CRST recruiter called me yesterday morning about my travel plans to orientation and my new job in Oklahoma City. She started the conversation with information about a bus ticket. (I'd already told her I wasn't riding a bus that far.)I said, "Wait a minute. I thought there'd be a rental car." She said, "There aren't any other recruits from your area to share it with." I said, "I'll fly then."

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-80475356289516582192010-05-17T11:43:00.006-05:002010-05-23T10:11:49.479-05:00

This morning's email:Excellent! So it looks like I'll begin to get back to work next Monday. I won't start making any money until the wheels start turning....I have a lot of stuff to do.

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-77938430831214601792010-05-16T20:34:00.015-05:002010-05-23T10:09:54.398-05:00

There's a trucking company that's been around since 1955 - their logo looks like this:While the legal name of the company is "CRST", it originally stood for "Cedar Rapids Steel Transport", based out of Cedar Rapids IA. The CRST timeline is here if you're interested in how it grew into the huge company it is today. At some point in it's history (around 2007 I think), CRST Van Expedited went from

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-8636546448114346342010-05-03T04:52:00.003-05:002010-05-03T05:00:38.695-05:00

One of my Facebook friends posted this video on Facebook. It made such an impression on me that I had to preserve it here.Go HERE to read more about this video

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-51708298069694091582010-05-01T08:07:00.042-05:002011-12-13T08:01:12.446-06:00

I didn't hear from Marslover last Wednesday, and when I woke up Thursday morning, I had real misgivings about this particular job. I had decided I wouldn't spend $25 in gas to drive to (one way) Dothan until I got some more answers, but Mother (bless her heart) thought I'd be making a mistake if I didn't.Here's another word about my Mother: Even though I'm 49 years old, she can still browbeat me

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-46667372185544944032010-04-28T10:25:00.007-05:002010-05-01T08:25:25.586-05:00

It's been a while since I posted anything here, but there hasn't been much going on. I got a letter from the FMCSA (posted below) saying there was a backlog, and they didn't know when they'd get my information to me. My car started running real bad, and I had to have it fixed. The total bill was $1683.00+ (posted below).All my family members know about the "rent" crisis. I won't go into the

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-10885961288755513872010-04-28T09:00:00.005-05:002010-04-28T09:28:44.775-05:00

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-4693045961816819472010-04-28T08:53:00.008-05:002010-04-28T09:21:15.139-05:00

Just wanted to post this letter from the FMCSA FOI department. I guess there are LOTS of drivers wanting to know what the federal government has on them.Let me add that I requested and received a copy of my DAC report, which I won't repost here because I don't have time to scan and edit all the pages. To the tune of Johnny Cash's song - "I've WORKED everywhere man, I've worked everywhere...."

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-69544082487009693572010-04-12T13:44:00.006-05:002010-04-12T14:03:18.579-05:00

This is a follow-up to CSA 2010 - How Drivers Can Obtain Their FMCSA Data. Just wanted to post this email response from the FMCSA about the information in their databases about me:So I just now printed the waiver, signed it, and faxed it back. It really works!So far anyway.

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-41272276270368302532010-04-11T17:50:00.011-05:002010-04-11T19:01:07.221-05:00

Truck drivers are very familiar with the term "DAC Report", but for the benfit of those who don't know.... First of all, DAC has nothing to do with CSA 2010, nor is it associated with any government agency. It is a "Consumer Reporting Agency located in Tulsa, OK that supplies reports about prospective drivers to it's subscribers."I found an excellent description of what DAC is at

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-1175715660889677802010-04-09T17:47:00.028-05:002010-04-09T21:02:16.555-05:00

(I used this picture in Overzealous Windshield Wipers)CSA 2010 won't be fully implemented until 2011, according to a NOTICE issued by the FMCSA on April 9, 2010:"FMCSA had originally planned to roll out CSA 2010 beginning in the summer of 2010. However, the Agency has received valuable feedback ... also gained valuable knowledge from its operational model test, involving nine States, which began

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-55486167406363783102010-04-08T09:10:00.043-05:002010-04-08T12:14:25.882-05:00

More from the FMCSA's FAQs:"18. Can you describe the process carriers or drivers use to contest any potentially erroneous or improper violations on their record?The DataQs program (https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/) allows carriers and drivers to challenge information that resides in FMCSA databases...."The FMCSA did not make the url to the DataQs a link, but I did. (It's almost as if the FMCSA hoped

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-31702432981602032182010-04-07T17:46:00.028-05:002010-04-08T10:31:33.049-05:00

One of the FAQs at the FMSCA's website is:"5. Will CSA 2010 assign safety ratings to individual CMV drivers? I heard that CSA 2010 is designed to rate CMV drivers and to put many of them out of work this summer."The answer is:"No. Under CSA 2010, individual CMV drivers will not be assigned safety ratings or Safety Fitness Determinations (SFDs)... CSA 2010 will provide enhanced tools for Safety

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-19787046616208071722010-04-06T10:40:00.023-05:002010-04-08T10:32:49.701-05:00

Just for the record, Disabro experienced chest pain and shortness of breath around 11:30 last night. After 2 nitro pills, a Xanax, and 2 muscle relaxers, he came into the living room and got on Mother's oxygen machine. The oxygen didn't help, and around midnight he told me we'd better go to the VA emergency room in B'ham. He got to feeling better on the way up there, but I encouraged him to go on

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-41255003942780468812010-04-05T15:40:00.022-05:002010-04-05T17:31:40.565-05:00

I found this wonderful picture by doing a simple Google Image search. I couldn't resist using it for this post. It comes from HERE.An Anonymous reader asked this question in response to my last post: Anonymous said, "If the new law is retro, then why don't the seatbelt violations show here. If it's not retro, which is what I thought, then why are your seatbelt violations causing the problem?"My

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-59540774234135164412010-03-29T14:45:00.013-05:002010-03-29T17:18:07.334-05:00

I went to the Dep't of Public Safety this morning for a copy of my MVR. Most job applications, if you're applying for a driving position, will ask for your moving violations in the last three (or sometimes five) years; and I just list what's on the MVR. Coincidentally, I think most state MVRs only go back three years - as is the case in Alabama.It used to be that you could have no more than three

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-61646221698737438132010-03-28T17:43:00.030-05:002010-03-28T20:46:14.678-05:00

...CSA 2010 is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce commercial motor vehicle (CMV)-related crashes, injuries and fatalities. It introduces a new enforcement and compliance model that allows FMCSA and its State partners to contact a larger number of carriers earlier in order to address safety problems before

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-79621754390339922162010-03-26T01:37:00.002-05:002010-03-26T02:02:18.925-05:00

Mother asked some good questions today, about the history of Israel, that prompted me to do some research. I stumbled across this wonderful story at ZioNation - Progressive Zionism and Israel Web Log:Who were the Ten Booms and how are they relevant today?The Ten Booms were a family of devout Christians living in Holland during World War II. When the Germans occupied their city and began rounding

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-79114159915761710802010-03-22T16:41:00.007-05:002010-03-22T17:14:15.896-05:00

___As Mother was telling me what to (and what not to) say, I talked to Whatagreatguy on the phone this morning. It was a good conversation, but it angers me that my overbearing Mother ruined any good feeling I might have come away with, and I can't 'roll around in' any joy I might have felt from the prospects of going back to work for the company I love. Anyway, here is the follow-up email I

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-5345118462612189942010-03-22T09:49:00.002-05:002010-03-22T09:52:35.176-05:00

I have nothing to report except what I just posted on my Facebook:I just responded to a personal message about Obama and his socialistic takeover of America: "It just makes me sick - and scared. But, in the back of my mind, lingers the thought that maybe it's God's will - maybe God is bringing the nation down in preparation for the "end days". Whatever the case, I know God will take care of all

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-13094330224784550732010-03-01T14:16:00.003-06:002010-03-01T14:24:26.326-06:00

Email between Whatagreatguy and myself:This is the most excited I've been in a long time! I've got a call in to Dr. Goodheart - don't know whether he'll want to see me again or simply send me another letter. At any rate, this sounds so promising....

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-37911462173814655752010-02-25T06:52:00.008-06:002010-02-25T08:41:30.850-06:00

From my Facebook posts:February 19 at 3:26pm - Update on work situation: I talked with a guy in Operations this am, and he said to keep checking back - it's just that nobody's quitting right now .... See, until somebody quits or gets fired, there's no equipment for me to use. Makes me feel better to know it's not me personally. Unemployment runs out in June. Gonna try to hang on....(Lots of

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-53908844500009119082010-02-18T07:23:00.003-06:002010-02-18T08:02:22.639-06:00

This is the email Whatagreatguy and I exchanged yesterday:It looks like I'm going to have to find a new job. I hate going through that process so bad - having to account for every minute of the last 10 years of your life, and coming up with reasons for everything. (It's a Federal law that truck drivers have to be researched for the last ten years, and the paperwork has to be in a file available

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-6338394108930244762010-02-08T07:23:00.020-06:002010-02-12T05:35:30.201-06:00

Time lapse video of the Feruary 5-6 snowfall in DC:The following is from Donna Butland's Facebook (photos), on Febuary 6, 2010:Well, it is still snowing..just creepy.. we had a lot of downed branches but we still have electricity but, Yikes the satellite when down...there are so many branches down behind our house too...hope none of these tree topple!Donna lives in the Washington DC area, as do

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-87917232302381768112010-02-08T07:22:00.022-06:002010-02-12T02:47:41.712-06:00

____________Last night my dear friend, Donna Butland, posted this on Facebook : I think they should have kept the Who at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum where they belong...no offense but it was bad lol!Then I said: As bad as The Who was, it must'ave been just what New Orleans needed to hear ....Final Score: New Orleans 31, Indianapolis 17. The game was played in Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens,

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-4979542572148776282010-02-06T07:57:00.003-06:002010-02-06T08:17:33.722-06:00

This post is just for reference - so I could show one of my Facebook Friends what the new homepage looks like. Click on the picture for a larger view.And while you're here, please click the ad link that interests you the most. This blogging service, the one I do my blog on, is a free Google service. AdSense, the Google Ads that appear on my blog, is also a free service; it allows people/

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-50502070429245448522010-02-05T08:37:00.012-06:002010-02-05T11:37:39.942-06:00

And sometimes even that doesn't work:TOTUS = Teleprompter of the United States (coined by Rush Limbaugh). It'd be a joke if it weren't so serious. Michelle Obama said she was never proud of her country until now; and I say this is the first time I've ever been ashamed of it. Can't you just see the rest of the world laughing? Our Commander-In-Chief for God's sake!One of the comments at YouTube

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-56069513110932593022010-01-31T17:27:00.027-06:002010-01-31T22:37:16.487-06:00

I've been fooling around with computers (off and on) for the last 19 or 20 years. I remember buying one of these, a TRS-80, from a Radio Shack in Wichita Falls TX back in the early '80s:There were no such things (as we know them today) as Microsoft, "Windows", or the Internet. What you could do however, was write your own programs using what Wikipedia calls a "...family of high-level programming

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-44801541958674595502010-01-29T14:56:00.006-06:002010-01-29T15:22:10.222-06:00

Remember Vernon, the 6-year-old German Shepherd mix rescued by Los Angeles firefighters on January 22nd? (See Shepard Smith And The Outstanding Rescue Of "Vernon" )Turns out, Vernon's name is really Spikey, and he's owned by an elderly woman who lives in Maywood. According to the family friend who went to claim him Tuesday, the dog's owner speaks only Spanish and, since the rescue didn't receive

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-64096094917058332522010-01-26T08:27:00.011-06:002010-01-26T10:45:49.091-06:00

Last March, I began building a small chainlink fence for Buddy because "...I'm gonna have to ride a bus down to Dothan, and I won't be able to take Buddy with me ... so Buddy will be in the not so capable hands of Mother." (Source) (The next day my chest started hurting, and voila! I'm suddenly a heart patient. But that's a different story.) I tried to build the chainlink by the directions

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-29027279685866697222010-01-23T20:40:00.032-06:002010-01-24T09:12:56.386-06:00

To see just how beautiful and gentle Vernon (the 6-year-old German shepherd mix rescued by Los Angeles firefighters yesterday) really is, you need to watch this video and this video. The latter also shows the firefighter, Joe St. Georges, in a much more candid environment, saying he lost his thumbnail. (Sadly, I couldn't find a way to embed the video.)Shep Smith is my all time favorite news

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-60273743683491233892010-01-21T15:24:00.012-06:002010-01-21T17:31:15.875-06:00

The Republican, Scott Brown, did win the special election in Massachusetts to fill the Senate seat of the late Edward M. Kennedy. This is what I stated in my Facebook status that night: (Tue at 9:02pm) "WooHoo!! WooHoo!! If I had some fireworks I'd go outside and light up the sky. Yea Massachusetts!!!!!!!!""Coming on the eve of the first anniversary of Obama's historic inauguration, the stunning

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-44000923048488401052010-01-19T11:07:00.010-06:002010-01-19T12:32:18.807-06:00

It seems like ages since I made a post here. I've been doing so much farming on Facebook's Farmville - it literally takes hours to visit all my neighbors, fertilize their crops, feed their chickens, give gifts, etc. But I love the game, and it keeps me entertained in the absence of a TV in my room.Here is the latest email between Whatagreatguy and myself - the most encouraging news I've heard yet

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-77209813143673944502010-01-16T05:23:00.014-06:002010-01-16T07:46:08.738-06:00

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the stimulus package or stimulus bill, was signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009 in Denver CO. According to Wikipedia, the full title of the ARRA is An act making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-85181623318432288662010-01-15T07:30:00.006-06:002010-01-15T08:41:07.706-06:00

My unemployment compensation kicked in yesterday______________________________________________________(From USATODAY.com)"A huge earthquake rocked the impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010. Thousands are feared dead. The greatest death toll from an earthquake in the last century came on July 27, 1976, in Tangshan, China. The official casualty figure is 255,000. The Dec.

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-82704776816034481362010-01-13T06:48:00.007-06:002010-01-13T19:46:48.155-06:00

Ever been so worried, depressed, or anxious that you couldn't do anything at all? That's the way I've been for the last several days. Oh, I've been physically sick too.... I've had a stomach ache ever since Mother and I got into a screaming match about what I posted/deleted on Another Dog Attack In My Neighborhood. It wasn't enough that I deleted it; she had to come into my room and give me a

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-740549165705874942010-01-08T10:04:00.022-06:002010-01-08T11:20:05.100-06:00

___________________I first read about this in the ad section of Facebook. I don't usually take part in petition signing of any sort, but this is something I truly believe in - a petition to allow C-SPAN to televise and film the congressional debate on health care reform. You, and everyone you know, can sign the petition here: Let The Cameras In The petition says: "President Obama and

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-32770260791412831052010-01-02T16:39:00.018-06:002010-01-07T10:07:03.652-06:00

Four dogs jumped on my neighbor's Boxer with the intent to kill. The Boxer was inside his fence in his own territory. Luckily my neighbor was home and was able to stop the fight. For now I'm just posting the pictures, but I'll have more to say later on. This happened 3 or 4 hours ago: (Ear)(Front shoulder side)(Back, between shoulders)(Back, hind end)THE REST OF THIS WAS DELETED ON ACCOUNT

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-62917275961108249552009-12-30T13:49:00.008-06:002010-01-04T11:18:25.143-06:00

This is an effort to understand how Unemployment Compensation works in my state. I filed for UC online, just after Whatagreatguy said I could collect it last Monday. Once I finished the claim, I elected to read the HANDBOOK FOR ALABAMA UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION CLAIMANTS online instead of having one mailed to me. The information for this post is from that handbook.Unemployment compensation is

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-923636409796757572009-12-29T08:04:00.009-06:002009-12-29T09:49:08.081-06:00

We had a very heavy frost last night. When I walked Buddy early this morning I saw this:EF Hutton gives each of his two shop cats a can of tuna every other day. Buddy's big thrill when visiting the shop is searching for the empty tuna cans - she totes them outside and licks them clean. I pick them up and set them on a 55gal drum outside the shop, where they collect rain water. I saw these

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-16984389166306252392009-12-28T06:11:00.029-06:002009-12-29T05:54:36.344-06:00

___________(For the record - Arrow drivers were treated like stray dogs on December 22, 2009)From Tulsa's NewsOn6.comAnd there's this from ABC News (By LAURENT BELSIE Dec. 25, 2009):"Layoffs are a fact of life in this economy, but there are humane ways to do it. Then there's the Arrow Trucking method. The Tulsa, Okla., trucking company stopped payment on the gas cards of its drivers, leaving

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-41039329529941210262009-12-25T09:45:00.015-06:002009-12-25T11:22:18.200-06:00

_________________Merry Christmas Everyone!This has been one of the best Christmases I've had in a long time It's been quiet and peaceful, and there's a special aura around here that I haven't felt in years.As silly as it sounds, it probably started for me yesterday morning when we were finally able to open the gifts in our trees at Farmville:Without going too deep into the game, this is how

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-17124676394785260602009-12-20T07:45:00.024-06:002009-12-20T09:50:49.204-06:00

The United States Of America, as we know it, is dying a slow and morally torturous death. I suppose it's been happening on a small scale for quite some time now. Little things like gay marriage rights, etc., happening here and there across the country are nothing new. But with the deals made in the Senate's version of the healthcare bill yesterday, it became even more obvious to me that Barack

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-38087419848741909652009-12-18T08:58:00.005-06:002009-12-18T09:10:47.787-06:00

(from The Weather Channel)As another gust of cold, damp wind blusters in through the window a/c unit in my bedroom, I'm glad I'm not travelling up the east coast today.

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-11986713686135326942009-12-18T02:55:00.008-06:002009-12-18T04:44:58.112-06:00

I contacted Whatagreatguy again on the 14th, last Monday, and the story is the same - no trucks available at the moment. But I suspect there will be an opening or two after the holidays. Drivers with families are working harder at this time of year, but some of them are probably slacking off on their paperwork.Log book and other related violations are a big deal at AMX because they affect the

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-16664270632843420722009-12-12T05:34:00.020-06:002009-12-12T08:36:32.918-06:00

_________I got a letter from BCBS yesterday saying my COBRA premium will increase to $400/month beginning in January. I have been paying $319. The reason for the increase?Short story long(From the American Cancer Society)COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) became law in 1986. It gives you the right to temporarily keep the health insurance you had at work whether you reduce your

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-30202004735092948952009-12-08T10:56:00.015-06:002009-12-08T16:10:42.490-06:00

_____(I'm riding the bus because Mother needs my car up here, remember?)I'm ready to go, except for some last minute things I'll need to pack, but I'm not anxious enough to put Whatagreatguy on the spot. My money is dwindling down, but I'm still ok for the time being. When I run out is when I'll put him on the spot I'm glad I'm not on the road today because:(From The Weather Channel)We got to

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-27767229200599286022009-12-06T23:31:00.008-06:002009-12-07T00:21:12.389-06:00

I didn't expect to hear back from Whatagreatguy last week, and I didn't contact him again either. It's so nice being home that I'm thinking about putting work off until after Christmas. But then my conscience bothers me, because I've got to work.... As I said before, it depends on when a truck's open, but I could be a little more proactive about it. I'll probably send Whatagreatguy another

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-5118749258168962342009-12-01T22:38:00.004-06:002009-12-01T23:02:19.631-06:00

I think White House dinner crashers Michaele and Tareq Salahi are just pawns in a much bigger plot. I think the Secret Service, et al. is paving the way for someone to get close enough to Obama to assassinate him. A couple of months from now somebody else will mysteriously slip though the cracks, and precedent will be established. People can say, "Hey, it's not easy to guard the president."

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-28910130913385365612009-12-01T05:37:00.012-06:002009-12-01T08:04:56.779-06:00

Remember when I posted The Beginning Of The End - Spot Is Dying last February? Spot wasn't dying exactly; he was just losing his thermocouple. Last Sunday we had the same problem with the pilot light, but this time, it simply wouldn't work. So I called a heating/air man we've used in the past, and he came out yesterday.What great service! Aside from replacing the thermocouple, AK took the guts

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-7892988411162819362009-11-28T08:51:00.005-06:002009-11-28T11:29:34.716-06:00

About the ENT visit: When Dr. Gilliland realized I was using a lot of nasal spray he gave me this to read: He also gave me a sample of Omnaris along with a prescription for the stuff "if it works for you"And finally, the nurse gave me a shot of something with cortizone in it that began to help almost immediately. I've been using the Omnaris along with my other morning prescriptions, and I

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-83515216163918858882009-11-27T06:57:00.014-06:002009-11-27T09:02:08.478-06:00

It's a day late butFirst of all I wound up staying home for Thanksgiving. Like I said before, I don't like family get togethers. Doesn't mean I don't love each and every one of them, because I certainly do. I guess I'm just not very social, or whatever. In the second place, I just didn't have the energy to drive to Porter's; Porter has always called me "Harry" after Harry Orwell. Porter's

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-37537547901848270952009-11-24T22:14:00.002-06:002009-11-24T22:26:40.426-06:00

What a hoot!

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-15953466457689406702009-11-22T03:41:00.017-06:002009-11-22T13:05:58.206-06:00

For a few years now I've half-speculated I have a growth in my head that sort-of hangs at the end of my nostrils, blocking one or the other passage off. Sometimes both nostrils are totally blocked. Blowing my nose doesn't solve the problem, so I use a lot of nasal spray. I use it more often when I'm on the road - usually before I lay down to sleep. It lets me breathe enough to rest a while. (Must

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-25273170398207039892009-11-21T09:51:00.002-06:002009-11-21T09:55:02.728-06:00

This is my copy of the letter Dr. Gooheart mailed directly to Dr. Flagman on my behalf:

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-57004976038424912472009-11-21T05:38:00.010-06:002009-11-21T06:58:52.215-06:00

Some of you may already know Whatagreatguy is the Safety Director at work. I've tried to keep in contact with him since I've been home - to show my interest in my job and coming back to work. These are emails we've exchanged over the last few days:What I didn't mention in the above email was that I called Dr Flagman's [Dr Banner's]office when I couldn't get an answer at Dr. Misra's. The girl

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-47776188693906746982009-11-20T22:29:00.033-06:002009-11-21T09:50:32.825-06:00

To refresh your memory, Dr. Goodheart is my new cardiologist at UAB - he was recommended to me by Dr. Flagman. Dr. Flagman is the Medical Examiner for AMX, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O.You may recall that Dr. Flagman wouldn't renew my medical certification until he had a letter from a cardiologist stating that it was ok for me to drive a truck. Dr. Goodheart's letter is the second one

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-15471288456447403062009-11-16T07:46:00.009-06:002009-11-16T09:00:56.551-06:00

Last paragraph, last post was: Even more comforting was that he was saying "we" a lot. "We'll come up with the pole," etc. However, E.F. told me to make all the arrangements. Bobolink was contributing positively to the conversation, which was also very comforting. The problem here is this: As long as they're alive and able, my dealings about this place will be with E.F. Hutton and Abbie. They

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-27151806132376117982009-11-15T20:00:00.007-06:002009-11-16T08:59:46.486-06:00

I've had a cold/flu/something, but last Saturday I felt good enough to take Buddy for a walk. It was kinda late for E.F. Hutton to be in his shop, but thankfully he was - along with Cousin Bobolink and his girlfriend. I don't personally know the girlfriend, but my impression of her isn't a good one. This woman, who is probably close to my and Bobolink's age (late 40s) was sitting in a chair

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-3803074875231319342009-11-14T08:18:00.014-06:002009-11-14T18:33:00.318-06:00

I've already talked about how much I like Facebook and the three games I play there - YoVille, Farmville, and Farm Town. One of the objects of these games is to have a lot of 'neighbors'. The more neighbors you have, the more you can do in the games.For instance, in Farmville you can't buy certain seeds, etc. until you 'level up' (move up to the next level in the game); and part of the criteria

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-40888381715258429382009-11-13T17:48:00.011-06:002009-11-13T19:16:37.294-06:00

I'm becoming more and more anxious/nervous/whatever about making these improvements. I feel as if I'm standing still on something urgent. Maybe I've just been home too long and need to get my mind on something else. I didn't get anything from Dr. Goodheart today, and I'm beginning to wonder if he sent the letter I need (to get my job back) directly to Dr. Flagman in Dothan. Back to home

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-70870539147268793062009-11-12T03:09:00.027-06:002009-11-12T05:55:59.552-06:00

(Part Two will follow as things progress.)I've already mentioned the shed I want to put over the trailer. Just for the record, here are more details on that subject. To find people to call for an estimate, I just searched the internet. Several places do commercial work, but few are interested in a project this small. Anyway, one of the places gave me a number for a guy that does a lot of

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-10320927186537113902009-11-09T06:39:00.039-06:002009-11-09T10:06:06.985-06:00

*******Stockholm Syndrome defined: A psychological response sometimes seen in abducted hostages, in which the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker, regardless of the danger or risk in which they have been placed. ... the victims became emotionally attached to their captors, and even defended them ....Last Thursday, 11/05/09, a US Army major stationed at Ft. Hood TX walked into a

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-72414301073045246792009-11-07T04:02:00.010-06:002009-11-07T06:13:04.307-06:00

When I'm on the road I usually put my load info on a graphic then add it into the blog post as a picture - so Mother can easily print it. Example. She could click on the info, it would open up in a new window, and then all she had to do was click the 'print' button. (She's not very computer savvy.)But the printer that was attached to the desktop was a PIA. It was/is an old Dell AIO 962 that

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-22208812040055414752009-11-04T17:57:00.021-06:002009-11-05T04:34:06.991-06:00

My new cardiologist's real name is Dr. Vijay Misra. I first nicknamed him Dr. DJ Misery, but today I changed it to Dr. Goodheart. He's wonderful! Getting to Kirklin Clinic, parking, and finding the Cardiology Department was super easy this morning. Somebody totally had the patients in mind when they designed the place. The architecture is both beautiful and 'user friendly', and I'm so proud

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-71406709028120895922009-11-03T05:11:00.020-06:002009-11-03T07:06:42.819-06:00

It seems like forever since I've made a post here.... I've been playing A LOT of the Facebook games Farmville, YoVille, and Farm Town. Ingenious and intricate games that simulate real life - sort of. I showed Mother how they work, but she didn't quite grasp the concept. She said, "Well, when does the game end?" I told her they don't end. In the farm games, you plow, plant, harvest, and sell

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-28437965877393078822009-10-31T15:32:00.003-05:002009-10-31T15:50:18.901-05:00

Lately I've been trying to connect with more people on Facebook. This is the personal message (or one similar to it) I'm sending along with my friend requests:I'm a 48 yr old female truck driver who's been driving for 12+ years now - mostly OTR in the US. I keep a little blog that feeds to my "Wall" and "Notes" pages here at Facebook. Quite frankly, I'm looking for people to follow the links to

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-70034543341815693692009-10-27T03:02:00.042-05:002009-11-02T19:12:05.811-06:00

Disabro and I went to Simmons Sporting Goods (Bessemer, AL) yesterday and bought a Remington Model 870 Express Compact 20 GA Shotgun for the house. We looked at bigger models, but "This affordable pump-action combo is a perfect fit for the smaller shooter. ...this quick-pointing 20-gauge provides rifle-like accuracy...." It's light and short enough for Mother to fire if she has to. She can't

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-2659156171025704752009-10-25T08:43:00.034-05:002009-10-25T14:25:23.345-05:00

Subtitle: Someday The Delinquent Will Be Old Enough For Prison (then we won't have to worry about him for a while.)Last night between 10:30 and 11:00pm, someone threw something against the side of the house. It made a very loud noise, startling Mother and myself. Mother was still up, and I had just gone to bed. Mother called down the hall, "Honey?" I said, "What was that!?" Mother said, "I don't

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-9310501641729524442009-10-22T06:25:00.020-05:002009-11-04T17:50:50.443-06:00

This morning I'm writing a letter/fax to my new Cardiologist,Dr.Goodheart, explaining the events which lead to my making an appointment to see him on November 4th - 14 days from now.As I was copying the words of Dr. Feelgood's letter to "provide documentation regarding [my] medical condition for purposes of resuming [my] work as a truck driver," I came across this phrase:She underwent cardiac

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-83473902396025813402009-10-21T15:01:00.006-05:002009-11-03T05:36:39.984-06:00

Not much has happened since the last time I posted. Mother's shoulders have been hurting her real bad for the last few days. Unrelated to her shoulders, I took her to her doctor's office this morning to give another blood sample. They took blood (for a detailed analysis) the last time she went to the doctor, oh, I guess 2 or 3 weeks ago. The results of that workup aren't back yet, so I'm not

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-24078183960642791812009-10-18T15:37:00.015-05:002009-10-18T18:52:04.456-05:00

If you're a regular reader, you know BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama recently reimbursed me $2075.00 (one big, fat check!) for their part of my prescription drugs thus far in 2009. That's just this year.However, I can file up to 2 years worth of claims; so yesterday I picked up a prescription history (from CVS) for 2008. According to that report I spent $2971.82 last year. If BCBS pays 80% on all

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-91327178050516491762009-10-16T07:03:00.010-05:002009-10-18T18:33:27.952-05:00

I feel sorry for these kids.These videos say it all:Watch the faces of the other two kids in the one below:Everybody knows by now, but just for the blog record (From Entertainment Weekly online, EW.com): "Perhaps it’s a coincidence that the Heenes, who previously caught a whiff of fame as a Wife Swap family, happened to find themselves wrapped up in this huge media spectacle. And perhaps it’s

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-65213074919329837232009-10-15T08:34:00.016-05:002009-10-15T10:37:19.635-05:00

Aside from getting my car up here for Mother, I've been able to get some other stuff done around here during this break from work. Yesterday an electrician came out and fixed the light on the back porch and put up the new smoke detectors. The light was a dusk-to-dawn type fixture and the photocell had gone bad. No one knew it was supposed to tell daylight from dark, and I had no idea why it

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-15225804185520820112009-10-13T17:19:00.021-05:002009-10-13T19:32:19.588-05:00

This post is especially for my terminally ill sister, nicknamed Molly McGee. No one knows when she will pass on. I believe one doctor told her, "I wouldn't be surprised to hear it next week, and I wouldn't be surprised to hear it two years from now." She is in pain most of the time. I tried to explain some of her illness here, but got a lot of it wrong.Anyway, in her comment on my last post she

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-7751869697823635732009-10-13T17:00:00.008-05:002009-10-14T05:33:14.689-05:00

Our power went out around 2:30PM yesterday, and AL Power didn't get it back on until 5:30AM this morning. It took much longer than it should have. I plan to add more to this post later, but for now I just wanted to get the pics up.A big hardwood tree had fallen on the line:Addendum: For years all of Lindsey Loop (to Shades Creek - about 1 mile) has periodically experienced power outages due to

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-43209804934569419892009-10-12T08:49:00.006-05:002009-10-12T09:22:18.926-05:00

Whatagreatguy couldn't find a way to keep me in AMX's computer system as an active employee because this isn't a medical issue. It's a paperwork issue. That means I'll be classified as a 'rehire' when I go back to work, and I won't be eligible for company paid insurance for 90 days. I'm going to have to pay for my own insurance, through COBRA, beginning 11/1/09. It's going to cost $324.00 per

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-82299781050893699672009-10-11T09:10:00.008-05:002009-10-11T13:57:36.672-05:00

Preface: I nicknamed Harmlessette's son, a US Marine, after the most decorated Marine to date, Chesty Puller. Right now, 'our' Chesty is serving in Washington DC as part of the "Marine Barracks Washington, also known as "8th & I," ... the oldest active post in the Marine Corps." But Chesty only has 4 more days to serve in Washington; then he'll be coming home for a few weeks; then to Camp

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-12142428336491783002009-10-09T22:39:00.007-05:002009-10-10T18:14:30.053-05:00

UPDATE: Here's the written story on Sonny Radio. I've been reading Sony ....One of my friends on Facebook posted this on her wall. It happened in Santiago Chile 12/04/08. I cried.The narrator says the dog lived, but my research says the dog was dead by the time workers got there. The hero dog ran away and couldn't be found.

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-13554234806092490692009-10-08T06:33:00.089-05:002009-10-09T22:31:04.538-05:00

I will be off work at home (I'm here now) until after 11/04/09 because, in a nutshell, the AMX company doctor, Dr. Flagman, wouldn't renew my medical certificate until I see a cardiologist. I have an appointment with a UAB cardiologist that Dr. Flagman knows on Nov 4th.This is a blessing in disguise for me because:I needed to get my Neon up here to Mother. This was a biggie for me. See Neon

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-34160678669933054212009-10-07T04:59:00.007-05:002009-10-08T08:41:47.926-05:00

TheFreeDictionary article on Qualcomm: "Qualcomm was founded in 1985 ... Qualcomm's first products and services included the OmniTRACS satellite locating and messaging service, used by long-haul trucking companies ...." You can think of Qualcomm messagaes as email (or instant messaging) between a driver and his/her company.The following is a QualComm exchange between myself and Fillinguy, who was

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-13626490925047567492009-10-06T07:49:00.012-05:002009-11-04T17:54:40.166-06:00

Email conversation with Whatagreatguy:Me:It's me again, Margaret....As I mentioned on your voice mail yesterday, I have an appointment with Dr. Goodheart, Cardiologist at UAB (Kirkland Clinic), on Nov 4th. (Really cool that the woman I talked to there ... her husband is a driver, and understood exactly where I was coming from.) I spent part of the day yesterday going around signing releases for

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-26970674058242334472009-10-05T23:59:00.001-05:002009-11-04T17:56:48.252-06:00

Conscientious: 1. painstaking or thorough in one's work; 2. governed by conscience Contentious: 1. causing disagreement; 2. tending to quarrelThis email to Whatagreatguy explains it all:"To refresh your memory, my medical certificate expires next Monday/Tuesday/whenever, 10/13/09. Your dad [Dr. Flagman] wants another letter (from a doctor familiar with my medical history) before he'll renew

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-46706227690918601882009-10-04T19:29:00.005-05:002009-10-06T07:28:22.664-05:00

This is a continuation of Brad Pittrose And The Neon. It's been a week since Brad Pitt-rose said he'd go get my car in Dothan/Ashford and bring it back. Today I called him. He's having trouble finding somebody to go with him - nobody wants to ride that far only to turn around and drive back.I don't know how it'll turn out, but it's possible that maybe he could ride down with me in the truck.

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-45395836310683454402009-10-04T18:26:00.005-05:002009-10-04T19:40:27.739-05:00

I recently submitted around 37 prescription drug claims to BCBS of AL (online) because I didn't know I had to file my own claims. I've spent $3,046.25 on prescriptions thus far in 2009. Take a look at this: I don't know for sure, but it looks to me like I'll be getting back $2075.19 (total) from BCBS. Can you imagine!? Heck, I was happy to know my insurance would cover my prescriptions from

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-87688319586501580182009-10-03T17:01:00.000-05:002009-10-05T04:42:15.036-05:00

I took my load of Air Force lockers to AMX and dropped them on the yard at 8:30AM on 10/1 - Thursday. I went inside to take the bills (of lading) to 007 like she asked me to, and passed the Safety counter on the way. It was good to see Delta Dawn back at her desk. She'd been off for a while - some kind of surgery, I think. Anyway, she checked my permit book while I was there, to be sure the truck

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-17198291718793065732009-10-03T17:00:00.011-05:002009-10-05T04:49:47.812-05:00

Please note: The following isn't as localized as it appears, and isn't meant to be demeaning, derogatory, etc, etc. This is just the way it is in the trucking industry, no matter who the driver or dispatcher is. Until they come up with a way to move trucks by remote control, or find a way to turn us into robots, it'll always be this way. And it's important to note that most of my trips are event

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-72035869589226054302009-09-29T16:09:00.013-05:002009-09-29T17:28:46.156-05:00

Before I left the house last Sunday I made arrangements for Brad Pittrose and his other son, Texrose, to go down to AMX and bring my Neon back up to Mother. Well, actually, Mother called E.F. Hutton and asked if he thought Brad Pittrose would be interested in doing it - for pay, of course. E.F. Hutton talked to Brad Pittrose who said he would be glad to do it. Mother really needs my little car at

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-60865958812819602782009-09-27T07:55:00.003-05:002009-09-27T08:58:28.698-05:00

Remember when I said, "I learned how to file drug claims on BCBS's website, but I don't have the required authorization numbers ....CVS [will] give me a printout of all that stuff, ... So, I'll have to wait until I get home ...." in From Wildwood FL?I got the 3 page printout Friday afternoon. The print was tiny and confusing so I spent an hour with a ruler marking off and separating the

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-24445878179817251602009-09-25T10:30:00.008-05:002009-09-27T07:26:17.884-05:00

Continuing from I've Been Rejected! - Our shop fixed my trailer in 15 minutes; I went back over to GA Pacific; the guard shack told me to come on down; and I was filling out the form (mentioned in the last post) where I was sitting according to the following diagram:2 docks were open, and as soon as I finished filling out the form for the lift driver, I was going to back into one of them. My

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-39968605128074225592009-09-24T23:13:00.024-05:002009-09-27T05:56:32.232-05:00

The Qualcomm beeped on the way up from Wildwood. I'd been dispatched on this load:It was a Georgia Pacific paper load. More of those huge rolls of paper we haul so many of. They're called "Roll Stock" within the industry.Anyway, I made my way up to Cedar Springs GA (it's only about 18 miles from the terminal) and checked in. Checking in and loading at this place means: a.) parking in the "

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-82214868504818169432009-09-24T07:24:00.002-05:002009-09-24T07:31:30.948-05:00

Just got the message (via Qualcomm) to "start heading up". That means no freight in the area, so start heading towards the terminal in Ashford (Dothan) AL. So....Just a quick note: My little AdSense account is up to $3.79 now. Thanks so much to everybody who's checked out the Truckalogue and found an ad or two that interested you.

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-75010301803220937222009-09-23T19:55:00.008-05:002009-09-23T21:21:30.537-05:00

007 didn't have a load for me after I got rid of the Hazmat stuff in Ocoee FL this afternoon, so I drove to the TA in Wildwood FL to spend the night.I learned how to file drug claims on BCBS's website, but I don't have the required authorization numbers issued by the CVS. I called CVS just now; they'll give me a printout of all that stuff, but there's no way to get the information online. So,

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5160772715272847362.post-58490506487540376932009-09-22T09:36:00.006-05:002009-09-22T20:27:28.827-05:00

I finally called the number on the back of my Blue Cross insurance card to see why my insurance didn't cover more of my prescriptions. I have a $500 yearly deductible and 80% coverage of approved prescriptions, BUT, I have to file the claims myself! I can't believe it! I'm so stupid! AND the absolutely fantastic news is that I can retro file, online if I want to, for up to 2 years. I can't

amx1047http://www.blogger.com/profile/12088257413568302625noreply@blogger.com