Sunday, October 19, 2008

And they're off!!!

Well sadly I have not been able to keep this blog up to date and although the map has not changed i have actually done some work.

After leaving Lethbridge on a trip from hell....in my mind anyhooo. I was off to LA for a couple of days in the sun playing with traffic. Just like i remembered it.....20% boredom, 20% sheer anxiety and 60% in the zone.....loving it.

I am amazed how life has changed on the road with the use of GPS, Microsoft Maps etc.....this is almost Al proof.

Signing off for now but will try and post some pics later this week.

Later

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Well then, where to begin.

Today was a pretty action packed day in Lethbridge.

It all started Monday in White rock with a bit of a wake up call from my recruiter. I suppose he is a bit GPS challenged and arrived to pick me up about 45 minutes early. It actually paid off as he got lost picking up the last fellow in Abbottsford. So after a 14 hour or so scenic tour across #3 HWY to Lethbridge it was an early night for the old guy.

Met some pretty cool folks at orientation Tuesday and had no idea how many Europeans are making Canada their new home. Many have been driving for years in the UK, and all over Europe and the Middle East. Some as team drivers with their spouses and some single. All in all it was pretty cool to start getting to know these guys.

As for orientation, well, Actually it was a lot of information to take in. Then at the end of the day I did my road test. No pressure of course although I have already left my other job. Got to do it in a FL Cascadia which was a pretty decent truck. I can learn to love the automatic transmission me thinks.

First thing I learned is that Freightliner grab handles are in the inside of the vehicle not the outside like I am used to. Needless to say my first exit from the truck was less than pretty as I landed in the dirt and trying to keep my composure immediately snapped to attention like nothing had happened. Nice way to start the test.

All in all Day on was great.....had mind numbing info sessions and a decent road test.

Later

Friday, October 3, 2008

Wow that was a tough day!!!!

You know, no matter how unhappy or unfulfilled you feel you are there are things you need to look at to put it all in perspective.

Look around you .....for the most part life can suck but there are so many that are so worse off than we. I have been unhappy for a while now, but you know what I was well employed; many are not. I was unhappy with some of my colleagues but you know what I had some wicked colleagues; others never get to experience that.

I have been preaching that you need to find your zen, your happy spot, your spot that blows your hair back for a number of weeks to the staff at CTC. I have found that spot and I am so massively fortunate to be able to have done that....many cannot find that spot and are never happy and therefore stuck.

So my rants sum up as follows: Keep life in perspective and find your zen spot. It is not easy ...it took me 50 years. Rant done.

Later