I'm Saying it AGAIN!

I really do want to be more consistent with my posts here.  As much as I may WANT to though, it just seems so difficult to actually make it happen.  Perhaps that is just a microcosm of life; so often the reality falls short of our vision.  So maybe I should change my vision?

This blog began as a way for me to share my adventures as I traveled the USA as a truck driver.  When I got my own federal Motor Carrier Authority (permission from the feds to do this as my own boss), I soon realized that I could make money finding loads for other drivers operating with my name on their door.  But I could not do BOTH drive and dispatch.  Over time, I opted for the less demanding work of dispatch.   If you haven't driven PROFESSIONALLY - you don't get it.  OTR truck driving is a lifestyle; not just a job.  It takes a special personality.  There is a lot more to it than just holding the steering wheel for 10 hours a day.

Now, as 'Office Boy', I do not have the input of new adventures to write about.  Or do I?  I do not want this blog to be about me.  Facebook is about the world knowing every nuance of your personal life.  I have too many skeletons for that.  I would rather tell stories, preferably true, or at least mostly.  I want to entertain with words.  So I need a new vision of what this blog is about.

Rather than my travels, which are limited, I am expanding my topics to include current events.  Don't worry.  This is not a news source.  I will be too opinionated for that. 

So, I apologize for not providing new content here for almost six months.  And I make a promise (again) to be more consistent.  This is a start.

STS Hot Shots Grows in a New Direction

Despite my best intentions, I just seem to have trouble updating this with any regularity.  As I mentioned before, this blog began as a story of my travels around the US.  But as my business has grown and evolved, I am doing LESS traveling.  It is just very difficult to drive a truck AND do the other back-office duties required, especially when I have other drivers operating under my Authority.  So, in the words of my best friend, I am now "Office Boy."  Which - you would think - leaves me the time necessary to update my blog daily.  But it isn't the lack of time that is my problem.  It's subject matter.

Before last week, I was leasing on other Owner/Operators to run under my federal Motor Carrier Authority.  With winter moving across the US, I tend to 'hunker-down' in Florida.  I hate the ice and cold!!  But I don't make money when my truck is just sitting.  In fact it costs me money for it to sit.

Now I have my FIRST company driver.  My truck, my trailer, my freight, my expenses and his labor provides income for both of us.  Win/win.  Except for the part where my only transportation is my motorcycle, it's all good.  And that's only a problem when it rains.  I guess I need to buy another vehicle.  Perhaps another truck?  Then put it to work also?  Then another.  And another.

So last week was Thanksgiving.  My most favorite of all the holidays.  Food, Football and family -- what more can you ask for.  I went back to Illinois where mom cooked at my middle brothers house.  It was as good as usual. 

It was last year at this time that my dad really turned for the worse.  He wasn't feeling so good at Thanksgiving and then went into the hospital for a prolonged stay on Dec 9.  It amazes me how his passing has so impacted my life.  We were never really that close until the last couple of years.  And now so many of my everyday actions spark a memory involving him, somehow.  I see TV shows, or news events or even sitting at the bar last Sunday watching the Rams lose yet again -- and think of dad.  He sat with me last year in that very same barstool watching the Rams lose, yet again. 

I know these feelings will mellow with time, as his Yahrzeit approaches (1 year anniversary).  Much of my life is rooted in some very basic principles summed up in a single sentence.  For example, GETTING old is required; ACTING old is optional.  Or, "Dream as if you will live forever.  Live as if you may die tomorrow."  At this moment I am remembering that we frequently miss people the most when they are gone and it's too late.

Top 5: Most Powerful Nights of My Life!

But a little background first. 

My father passed away 9 months ago.  He was almost 90 and lived a long and wonderful life with relatively few regrets. 

He was a fighter pilot (P-51s and P-38s) during WWII and had renewed friendships with members of his old squadron – The 364^th Fighter Group – and their families over the last 15 years or so.  Every year they held a reunion in various parts of the country over four or five days for camaraderie and fun. 

Because of the decreasing number of survivors – the war was 65+ years ago – 2011 was going to be the last Reunion.  (footnote:  The Associates of the 364^th  - mostly younger family members – have decided to continue the effort on a smaller scale) 

This past Saturday was the final banquet dinner for this group of heroes.  There were six pilots and two crew members present.  My father was very into his military service, the war in particular, and this group of men had been a significant part of his life.

My mother and two brothers decided earlier this year that we would attend in his memory.  We also took his burial flag.  (footnote #2:  The case the flag is housed in was handcrafted by Jim Lance of Lance Cabinets.)  I was excited all week leading up to Saturdays banquet but the emotion that overcame me that evening is indescribable.

The host of this years reunion suprised us when, just after the benediction and before the meal was served, he requested that I bring the flag up and the group would give the Pledge of Allegiance.  It brings tears to my eyes even now just writing about it.  At that moment, I was overwhelmed.

But there's more.

I think there were about 100 people at the dinner arranged at round tables seating 10 people each.  It was open seating so when the doors opened it was a bit of a mad dash as people found a table.  Because there were 9 in our party, I took the first table we came too.

The centerpiece on each table was a 1/2 gallon mason jar -- like you might use to can fruit or preserves -- with holes cut in the metal lid.  Because we were in the Cotton Belt, and it was harvest time, there were cotton bolls (not balls) still on the limbs of the plant stuck thru the lid.  Inside the glass jar, pictures from WWII faced out and some colored stars (like on our flag) hung from the branches.  These centerpieces were later given to 'winners' at the table.

About 20 minutes into our meal, my brother Gary says, "This looks like dad" as he was pointing to one of the pictures.  And it was him.  From 1944.  He had given an autographed copy of this picture to the historian for the Reunion committee years ago.  I asked Cheely (the historian) if all the centerpieces had the same photo.  They did not!  Of all the tables for us to sit at -- dad was already there!

This was one of the best days of my life.  Thanks dad!

Back on the Roaaaad Againnnnn....

Yep, September has already been a busy month of driving for me.  We are not even half way thru it and I have more miles logged this month than any other month I have driven in more than a year.  And ya know why?  Because I don't have any other drivers to deal with.  My time is MY time.  I schedule it how I please.  Add in the good paying freight out-bound from the St. Louis area and I have opted to go down the road.

I am sitting in a motel in Pine Bluff, AR as I work my way back to the STL area.  I went about as far south as you can go in Texas - Edinburg; about 110 miles south of Corpus Christi.  I delivered this sign pole pipe to a popular hamburger chain.

I thought this was a pretty kool picture, if I may say so myself.

As I came out of the area, I had to go thru a Border Patrol checkpoint.  I always wondered, what good does it have to set-up a stationary checkpoint that the bad guys will just go around.  But what do I know.  They probably have patrols out there too.

I found a military trailer coming out of San Antonio that moved me north into Arkansas.  Tomorrow I will load a wrecked 2010 truck going to within 120 miles of Belleville -- close enuf!

I really like driving.  It is a sense of accomplishment when you make a delivery; a kind of gratification; not to mention the financial part.  Then there is the bonus of getting to your destination.  I go to parts of the country that I have never been to before.  That is way kool!  Even going to places I have been before but at a different time of year. 

Perhaps for my retirement -- or more likely IN my retirement -- I'll write a book entitled "Get OFF the Interstate!"  That is where the real beauty of our country is, OFF the interstate.  Of course having an interstate nearby is very handy for getting there efficiently.

The bad news is that I took my bike with me this trip and never took it off the trailer.  The really bad news is that it rained the first day out and it got trashed from the start.  And then got worse!  I gotta get these tie down installed correctly so I can have a tarp made for this.

LOMBARDO TRAILER (now located in O'Fallon, IL) ---I'm coming in tomorrow!!

I'm off to Ozark Bikefest in Osage Beach, MO on Thursday.  I'm meeting up with a small group, grabbing breakfast and then a 3 hour or so ride into the Lake Ozark area of central Missouri.  I think I saw a cold front dipping into the central US tomorrow.  YIKES!  Weather Channel is saying 48 degrees Thursday morning.  Hmmmmmm.

STSHOTSHOTS.COM .... It's Up and Running

It has been a vision in my mind for a long time -- years even, in one form or another. Today, it is real and alive!! Woo-Hoo! Another milestone in my life.

I designed this website myself, I am proud to say. If there is one shortfall, it is that my dad didn't get to see it. I thought of him most as I was trying to find all my typos. That was always his job.

And now that it is up and running, I have also begun a marketing campaign utilizing Google. Advertising ain't cheap. Especially with Google. But my thinking is; go with the #1 search engine and use their extensive resources to monitor and diagnose the results. Now, if I just don't run out of money first, we'll see if I can get some hits to my website and ultimately phone calls or email contacts to generate some business.

So here is a link to the website. I am open to input and thoughts. The image I am trying to create is a small, family owned business focused on quality relationships rather than quantity of freight. you know the cliche; we don't want to be the biggest, just the best.

STSHOTSHOTS.COM

(right click and 'open in a new tab' to NOT leave this page)

Unexpected Pleasure -- as usual

One of my most favorite things in the world is to sit at my kitchen table very early in the morning; drinking my coffee; and gaze out my second floor window watching the day dawn. As the sky lightens overhead, the waters of the gulf keep their darker hue of blue and the waves roll onto the sand beach. We don't get much in the way of waves around here, only a couple of feet at best, unless it's storming. Then add into this scene the birds and palm trees and beach cottages, yada, yada, yada.

I checked my blood pressure just for giggles today. 116/76 and a pulse of 62. I'd say I'm pretty chill. And that's with NO MEDS!

It is unexpectedly clear and beautiful today, if a bit breezy. This storm over between Mexico and Cuba seems to be going, as expected, toward southern Texas. That's good for just about everybody. And we get a spectacular day -- low 90s, blue skies and strong breeze out of the south. Sounds like a beach day to me. Unexpected pleasures.

So, the plan stays the same. Hang here until Tuesday or Wednesday and find a load to move me back into the Midwest -- and reality. But for now, it's vacation time.

"Do Not TODAY what you can PUT OFF till TOMORROW!"

It's Been a Long Time (again)

I really don't know why. But again it has been more than 2 months since I last posted, as more than one of you has mentioned to me personally! Thank you. I assure you, my intent is to be more consistent. But this year has not had much stability or consistency for me. As much as a 'free spirit' some people think I may be, I like a certain amount on 'routine' in my life.

Today I am sitting in the open-garage of my place in FL -- Paradise. It's not easy living in the middle of 'Vacation Land.' EVERY day can be a holiday here if you want it to be. But these days it is a bit easier since both of my Over The Road drivers are no longer with me. And the one I thought was coming on -- No Showed, No Call! So it's just me right now. And I'm sitting on my butt on the beach in FL.

No problem now. I have income from the work we did a month ago which is just now coming 'payable.' But there will be major CFI (cash-flow interuptus) if I sit here too long. The dollars hitting my checking account today were earned 30-45 days ago.

But I have been working. Driving even. Alot. I like it when the weather is good and the roads are nice; besides the construction, that is. But it has been based out of Illinois. It's the crossroads of America, centrally located that you can go any direction from easily. It's just easier getting freight in and out of STL. And I will head back there next week sometime, early. But I HAD to get back here. I needed my fix.

There is a Tropical Depression forming in the Gulf between Cuba and Mexico. The predicted path, at this time, is towards Texas, who could seriously use some rain in the northwest. This is Hurricane Season, where these 'pulses' off the African coast glide across the Atlantic occasionally forming into monsters, like Katrina. So we watch the weather around here on the beach. Mother Nature has been known to fool us.

It has been very rainy for the last two days, except at my house; until this afternoon. Finally we got a light shower that, at least, wet the ground real well. It has also made for some spectacular sunsets, one of my Top 5 Favorite Things To Do in FL.

That was two nights ago looking west across the Gulf from the top of the drawbridge going across John's Pass. Pretty kewl stuff, if I may say so myself.

So I'm here for a week or so to refuel my 'Happy Tank' and then get on to STL. My priorities are the same as ever ... get this website developed and try to add on another driver (or two, actually) that wanna make some money.

But right now ...... I'm pretending to be on vacation.