Total Disaster

from JoeUser Forums

I am on a trip to CA to deliver to two military bases. I had planned on making the deliveries on Tuesday (yesterday) but the trip has been a total disaster. I ran into an ice storm in IL that delayed me. I blew a tire in OK that cost me time. Then the serpentine belt that drives pretty much everything under the hood broke in NM and I had to get that repaired. I also ran into quite a snow storm in NM too which pretty well clinched it as far as not making delivery before the bases shut down for the holiday.

So now I am just sitting around losing money until I can make delivery next week. Total bummer to be losing a whole week's pay, and pretty much ensures that there is no way in hell I'll be able to pay my bills both past due and current. Guess I'll be losing my home.

Not much I can do about it at this point. I'll just sit around here at the truckstop in Kingman until Sunday when I'll go on into CA and park close to my first stop for Monday morning. They're expecting another snowstorm to move in tonight but I don't think it will affect the Kingman area much if at all. I haven't checked the weather maps yet but am sure the worst of it will be East of here in the higher elevations like Flagstaff.

My APU had stopped running night before last so I've had to idle the truck at night to keep warm. Now that I am no longer in a hurry I took the time this morning to troubleshoot the thing and figure out why it refused to run. When I pulled the fuel filter I found that it had collapsed and was preventing the fuel from flowing. Easy enough to replace that and now at least I have my APU running once again.

Not much to do here as the truckstop is pretty much the only thing at this exit. I haven't tried yet but hopefully I can pick up a few tv stations so I can at least watch tv. If not I can always re-watch some of my DVDs.

This is a nice area, I really like the scenery here. I honestly wouldn't mind living around here except for the fact that it's just too close to CA for my liking.

Ah well I guess I'll wander into the truckstop and get a hot cup of coffee.

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2,406 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

I have to say Mason, you do have a wonderful mentality about life to find a small silver lining in this disaster of a week for you. I don't know whether to feel good or bad that I am not the only one who seems to be moments away from falling off the tallest building in the world. If you don't mind, I will say a prayer for you in the hopes it can help save this Christmas (and everyday life for that matter) for you and everyone else. Good luck my friend.

:beer: v_v

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Happy Chanukah and/or Merry Christmas MM. 

I watch the national weather pretty closely as it has an affect on our stores.  I can't imagine with all these storms having to deal with ALL of them.  I hope you don't lose your house.  That would just suck with all that you've been dealing with.

 

Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting CharlesCS, reply 1
I have to say Mason, you do have a wonderful mentality about life to find a small silver lining in this disaster of a week for you. I don't know whether to feel good or bad that I am not the only one who seems to be moments away from falling off the tallest building in the world. If you don't mind, I will say a prayer for you in the hopes it can help save this Christmas (and everyday life for that matter) for you and everyone else. Good luck my friend.

End of CharlesCS's quote

Thanks. It is what it is.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Adventure-Dude, reply 2
Happy Chanukah and/or Merry Christmas MM. 

I watch the national weather pretty closely as it has an affect on our stores.  I can't imagine with all these storms having to deal with ALL of them.  I hope you don't lose your house.  That would just suck with all that you've been dealing with.

 
End of Adventure-Dude's quote

Thanks. I try to keep an eye on the weather reports as it does affect my work. If I hadn't been delayed I would have missed the worst of it but shit happens.

As for the house, I am hoping for some miracle but short of that it's a pretty sure thing I'm going to lose it.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting little-whip, reply 3
You've just described reason #1 why trucking was the worst job I ever had.

Reason #2 was enduring a trip from hell like this, only to be delayed again at the recieving end for some dumb reason, like they weren't prepared to accept the load, have no room for it, or are 'short handed' when you arrive.

I remember the Kingman Truckstop well.  Be aware of snakes, bro.  Big rattlers. They come out and lay on the warm pavement after sundown.

 
End of little-whip's quote

Strangely enough, even with all of the negatives that happen, I still love trucking. Glutten for punishment perhaps.

I've seen some of the rattlers they have around here, and wouldn't mind skinning a couple for a nice belt or hat band, but right now I think it's a bit too cold for them to be out.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

So much for fixing my APU, the damn thing has died again. I have no idea what's wrong with it. I had thought about maybe heading on into CA today but now that my APU has died and CA has strict no idling laws (they couldn't care less if a driver freezes or roasts to death in his truck) I'll just stay in AZ until Sunday.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting little-whip, reply 8
Maybe G-d is tellin' you something, Mason.  Like..you need some rest maybe?
End of little-whip's quote

Or maybe He just really, really dislikes me :LOL:


btw--send me a PM regarding your house payment, how much do ya need to see you over the hump?
End of quote

I know you two have been struggling too, and what I need right now is far more than you could possibly spare right now I'm sure. Thanks anyway.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting little-whip, reply 10
Never underestimate the power (or the generosity) of the JU grapevine, Mason.
End of little-whip's quote

Oh I understand completely. Such things are just...difficult for me.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting little-whip, reply 12

Such things are just...difficult for me
Of course they are.  But why deny those who care about you the opportunity to help a friend?
End of little-whip's quote

I really hadn't thought about it that way.