Mnemonics

Main Entry: mne·mon·ics

Pronunciation: \ni-ˈmä-niks\

Function: noun plural but singular in construction

Date: circa 1721

: a technique of improving the memory

I have used mnemonics for years as my memory is not always at it's best.

Over the years I have used it to remember everything from IEEE 802.xx standards to the OSI model for protocol stacks to the order you should circle check your vehicle. What ever. I came up with a new one this week. BRAG...

I have a habit of blaming when something goes wrong. Even if it is my fault I always have assigned blame to someone other than me. It is comforting to know that even at the age of 52 I am still growing personally.

This week I hooked a load in Calgary, did a proper check of the trailer and headed to the Road Ranger truck stop for a cup of coffee. When I arrived back at my truck I could hear an air leak...yes again....an air leak. I did a quick check and noted the that airbag for my cab suspension had a small hole worn in the side of it.

I proceeded back to the yard and dropped my trailer and headed to Penske for repair. Lost only and hour or so but it was snowing bad so headed to bed. When I awoke I headed over to grab my load...hooked and off I went. It wasn't until 500 miles later that I realized I had the wrong trailer.....doh!!!

I had grabbed an empty trailer by accident....my load was also very light so I did not notice the difference. I proceeded, once I spoke to dispatch, to lay blame on everything from night time to snowy to sore back to tired. It cost me my trip pay but could have been much worse.

So BRAG, Blame whatever or whoever, Reassess the situation, Accept it is YOU that messed up and Get on with your day. I was very upset and unloaded on dispatch....why I don't know but by end of day I was able to joke about it. I guess my reasoning skills are slow to develop.

All in all it was a decent week. Weather was great, good moon, dry roads...I am easy to please believe me.

So now the joke is that all trailers in the Calgary yard must be washed so I can see the number....ha ha, also that Penske trucks as so low powered that we are only assigned empties....ha ha they are endless. I guess my point to all this rant is that look in the mirror before you lay blame...odds are if you step back and look...you are the culprit.

Later

Bless me Father......

It has been two weeks since my last blog entry.

Kidding aside there is not much to report other than Snow. Not complaining, snow has it's place....just somewhere else.

I have been driving semi off and on since about 1978 and every year it is like being a rookie when the snow arrives. They always say adjust for the conditions but until you scare yourself a couple of times you really brush it off.

I had a couple of instances this year that really makes you stop and wonder why you never listen to "They" who ever that is. For me the worst fear is traction breaks. Whether it is climbing to a peak or rounding a corner it is always a bad feeling for me when the tandems begin to spin or slide out from under you.

A couple of times this year that feeling of impending doom has begun to creep in and you just hold on, no throttle, no brakes.....just keep it steady and wish you had listened to "They". Then once you have gotten below the snow line and are feeling fat you dismiss what "They" said and thank Christ you are a wicked driver.

I actually never think that and continue to respect the rocks for all their splendor and treachery.

This week we got over 40 cm of snow over the Coquihalla and at that elevation it tends to build on the road. For the most part all went well but I have added more grey to my poor balding head (already bald). It is not so much that I am not careful, it is that sometimes others spin out ahead of you or worse opt to stop in your lane.....some things are just out of your control.

I have added some pics as sometimes you feel like the tail and others the dog. Although the elements ultimately rule, at times, you get to enjoy them...all in all if you are still able to dump in your blog....you have had a decent week.

Only had one breakdown in the last two weeks and after moaning and groaning about how bad I have it you reassess and realize that items that fail are often items that are time expired. For example:

Driver who read this: Always do your brake/air checks especially in BC. If I did not subscribe to this rule my week may have been much worse.

I found a small hole in my rear left brake pod (maxi), the hole was large enough to lose air but small enough to keep the spring brake from engaging. If I had not found this and in the rocks my spring brake engaged on that wheel it may have been enough of an incident to kick my back end out from under me.

So again.....do the brake checks and listen often. Perhaps now I am one of "They".

So off for the weekend and back out on Sunday.

Later

Decent Week

After a few weeks of pain, last week renewed my passion for the rocks. Great roads, great full moon and a tractor that was humming along as good as it ever has.

Did my 2500 miles and home in no time. The moon was so bright that I was able to snap a couple of pics passing through Rogers Pass with my phone at night....a bit blurry but I thought it was cool.

Although beautiful the passes can bite you pretty quick if not careful....the cold comes on quick and can make the roads pretty slick. Fog begins to ice quickly as a one driver found out this week. When I passed the scene his trailer was keeping him from going down a steep cliff by one axle....not fun in my books.

What I do enjoy is coming home to this every week. Even after a decent week in the rocks. Simple pleasure like feeding the ducks on the bay....although overtaken by seagulls was great therapy.

We also took the time to get some pumpkin carving done....somewhat less that other years but Jess, our daughter, keeps the spirit alive and well.

Even ran with a couple of Brits this week one I had never met and one that was an old acquaintance. Had great discussion with both and started to gain a bit of an understanding where some of the other blogs are speaking from. I can't relate to the issues and will leave it at that.

So not much to report. Off again tomorrow probably Red Deer AB.

Later.

Rough week in the wild.

Well that was a rough week for poor 3122. Actually it has been a rough 3 weeks for my tractor.

It all started out with a Check Engine light, which turned out to be the Jake wiring harness, the following week the Jake didn't work quite right. ( would not disengage properly), mechanics found a couple of actuator springs broken so had that fixed.

Went on my merry way last Sunday and noticed I could not hear my turbo like I normally do. This was intermittent and I started to question if I was imagining this. Up the big hills I went only to find that at Box Canyon had no turbo and next to no power. Thankfully I was light and was able to pull the hill. Poor old truck didn't like me to much nor did the environment. ( much white smoke ).

FYI: There are three major climbs ( for most trucks ) on the Coquihalla. All are about 2-3 KM long and vary from 5-6 % grade at the west end to about 6-8 % leading to the summit. Must have power to get over big hill.

So got pulled over at the old toll booths and waited a couple of hours for a mechanic to be dispatched only to have him say it is the air filter.....what? Then he changed the fuel filter, again, I am no mechanic but.....what? Waited another couple of hours for a tow into Kamloops where the problem was found and after 10 hours down I was back and on my way.

It turned out to be a device that controls how much air the turbo is feeding the engine. If all air is being bled power is nil. So all week ran about 12 hours behind schedule. You can never get that time back no matter how hard you try. Believe me I tried. One thing I can say about having and HR Penske truck, Penske has unbelievable on road service.

Then the winter conditions kicked in....nothing major but as luck would have it my being late allowed me to miss some awful weather....I guess things happen for a reason. Last run home was brutal as I have only 2000 lbs in the box and lots of snow all the way home. Oh well.

It is easy to get pissed when things aren't going your way. I continue to learn to keep perspective on all things. When I was having a rough week others where upside down in ditches, laying against rock cuts, really bad days. So all in all it was a rough week but home makes it all go away....I am off again tomorrow....a better week ahead.

Later.

A Low Profile

Not much to report this week. I started a new run between Vancouver and Calgary, same firm but on different days. I go out Sunday evenings and home Thursday mornings. Pretty decent run, 2500 miles in four days with 6 drops. It is a tad tiring but I like the long weekends at home.

While on the road I spend a great deal of time on the radio chatting with drivers who are with HR and many who are not. Always the same theme becomes prevalent. I find I am stuck between new drivers pissed because they "didn't think trucking would be like this" and old drivers who are pissed because " it is just like they knew it would be" .

So that said, I am learning to keep a low profile on the road (and also my blog) and have learned to pick my topics of discussion. Once they get negative my radio loses it's ability to receive well. I suppose as I go I am still strongly believe that life is short and if you are not happy move on for Christ sake.

Well the weekend is all but over. Weather in White Rock was awesome. Not much else to contribute this week.....back out tomorrow. Please no snow....

Later

Autumn has arrived in the Rocks.

Well this is it. Fall is here....rainy on the coast, cold in the prairies and the tourists have left the mountains to me, fellow truckers and the animals that now come back down from the mountain tops. No complaints here. After a quiet September on the road October has begun to provide some excitement. Be it snow or animals I seen it so far in October.

Notice: This Blog is for my friends, family and colleagues on the road. That said, some of my explanations my be somewhat lame to all of the professional drivers out there.

The first snow is always the worst as the road has not begun to get cold enough for it not to stick. (OK that is a bad sentence, snow is currently sticking to road....road gets colder snow does not stick as much) Also the snow is so heavy at times and there are not much snow banks to judge where you are on the road.

That is right for non drivers, you may think this is silly but we depend on snow banks to keep you safe. Well I do anyhow. Keep one on the left and one on the right and stay in the middle.

Where it becomes scary is during the first couple of snow falls there are none so you have little to judge on. Also there are not many guard rails on the Coquilhalla Hwy. You go to close to the edge it will be a very bumpy ride down.

So had a couple of radio off, both hands on wheel, focus and cross your fingers kind of nights. Fog is probably the worst condition for me anyhow. At times so thick you just want to stop get out and try and touch something to get your bearings.

So that is the worst part. It is soon forgotten when you see the animals back and the new vistas ahead....that is right I always talk of the vistas....in my mind you cannot see the Rockies enough...each day an new look and challenge.

Going through the Banff East gate the largest Elk I have ever seen stood as if to welcome you to his home...the word majestic comes to mind but I am not that eloquent. Massive rack, steam from his nostrils and a wisp of snow on his back. Cool. Further along a family of Mountain goats that I have been watching all summer. Early just the mom, then June two babies, now mom, two teens it seems...coat not quite white yet. Near to Golden the Mountain sheep are back with their young as well.

With the snow comes the scenery. The mountains are wondrous during the summer but the winter is like mountains in uber HD. The snow really gives more texture to what you are seeing. The snow caps in the sun are almost blinding.

So you got me.....I complain about winter but gush about the benefits....I am hard to peg I suppose. Work is fine.

I have a love hate relationship with H and R but who doesn't. We have good days and bad but mostly good. I can easily put off bad days if I step back and take a look at the big picture. I suppose as I get older I have developed that trait a bit. I blow up, then assess, lay blame, reassess, understand better, feel bad and get on with my day. It is not all cherries but show me a job that is.

So that is it for this week. Schedule has changed a bit so I am off again into the wild tomorrow.

Later

Life goes on!!

My god I am a boring blogger.

There is absolutely nothing new at my end. Life goes on at HR and I have to say I have had very few bumps in my first year with the company.

I do read other blogs and am surprised by the negative comments but it is what it is. I have been treated well during my time at H and R and although I have bounced from fleet to fleet I must say that the transition has gone very well.

It appears that Vancouver has started to become a black hole for freight. It happens from time to time that a district becomes more consumer than producer. Nice to have a balance but you cant always get equal loads out for loads in. I am guessing that as the Winder Olympics approach it will get worse then get back to normal.

In a way it is like New York City. Lots of loads in....good luck getting a load out. So here I sit in White Rock....no complaints as the weather is awesome.

Summer was great. I am currently running the rocks 4 times a week and believe me it is great that the tourists have gone back to their lives. I run mostly at night and other that construction the roads are all ours.

Not many pics to post as my shots have become redundant. So on that note I will post my only pic taken during my day off on my dog walk this AM.

Later.

Brutal week....update will be short.

Into everyone's life a little rain must fall.

My first week back after holidays was pretty brutal. Not sure if it is due to the fact I was in post holiday distress or it just sucked.

So rather than ranting and bitching about things it is best to move on and work towards a better week this week.

This week I am back to my regular run and on the home front take delivery of our new Subaru, can't wait. BTW last week I forgot to mention we came across a mother and two grizzly cubs last week. Very very cool.

Later

Ah the Holidaze!!!

Since I have gone back on the road I do not enjoy the benefits of a government job any longer.....one such benefit is the ample supply of off time I used to get. To over come this I ran and extra trip two weeks ago to allow me to take a trip off last week and will run an extra this week to cover the one I bailed on this week.....all in all I was able to wrangle a full week off.

Starting last Thursday the family and I dropped the hound at the kennel and off we went to the interior (Schuswap) to be exact. This was merely a stop over point for one night to give us a bit of a break.

The following morning we set out to Calgary with a bit of a detour. My daughter had never been east of the Schuswap before and I had never been to the Columbia Ice Fields since 1967 (shut up). Our first stop was near Craigellachie which is the location of where the eastern met the western legs of the national railway.....quite the project I would say.

From there the trek through Rogers pass, lots of rock and ice but not many animules. After a brief stop in Golden BC we started east again and then north to the Ice fields. Outstanding, awesome, amazing.....you get it. From the second we crossed the gate onto the parkway the scenery was at a whole new level. I am huge on the ocean, love the mountains but the parkway is an astounding drive.

From the emerald water of Lake Hector to the hiking paths near the Bow, From the view of the Crowfoot Glacier (missing a toe) to the climb to immense Athabasca Glacier our drive was one jaw dropper after another. Sadly the climate is slowly eating away at the Glaciers and one day they will be gone. I am thankful we were able to make the trek.

I was at the Ice Fields in 1967.....again (shut up) and since then the glacier has moved (shrunk) about 1500 meters. It was quite a climb to get there from the terminal moraine (the original starting point) about 2000 meter on a 15 or so degree climb. Mrs, even with the arthritis and cane found it in herself to get all the way up and touch the glacier. We even went beyond the safety line to touch it.....I mean all that work....you have to touch it. On the way down we grabbed a water bottle and enjoyed a drink of the glaciers run off. Unbelievably tasty.

So back down we went....we only had time to see half the parkway as our main focus of the trip was to get to Calgary for my nephews wedding reception. Next year we will work from the top down as I still have fond memories of Jasper and south to Angel Glacier.

Off to the city of cows we went. Visited for an hour or two and were bagged to off to bed we went. Saturday morning went to the Calgary zoo and then to my nephew's for a bbq. Great party, lots of good food, drink and company.

Sunday back to the Schuswap we went for another family gathering. I actually had time to play on the jet ski....crazy thing does 105 k/hour with me on it....it is insane. First time out this year so needless to say my docking skills were not up to par and I let the dock win this one.

Then to home....boring drive through the Coq with only water bombers to keep us company. We noticed a new fire burning just south of Merritt and it looked fairly small at the time....it is now over 2000 hectares. Sad really.

So that is it....some business today and back to work tomorrow. Oh well....time to begin planning the next adventure.

Pictures are here.

Later

Life's a Beach

All week I like all of you work my ass off. I am very fortunate to be able to come home to what I think is probably one of the greatest places to live. White Rock BC. I really feel that you cannot beat the smell and feel of the ocean. I know it is a matter of opinion but what ev.

Even my dog is chillin'

After a decent week this week I came home to Tour de White Rock. For those who don't know what that is, it is a three day bike race and each stage exercises different skills. Friday is the hill climb, we have lots of those, Saturday is the Criterion and Sunday is the road race.

It is a chance to not only enjoy the
race but to visit with the

neighbours. I mean I walk out my door and into hay bales set up to save the racers from themselves.

This week was great, only did two rounders to Calgary and my pace was a bit slower than usual. The worst part of the week was when my Tripak Air Conditioner packed it in. For those that don't know what that it is, it is a small engine that provides AC power, circulates engine fluid in the winter time and runs an air conditioner. With this we ( the company ) save cash by not idling the tractor engine but the greater benefit is the fact we decrease the carbon foot print.

Needless to say with the temp up in the 80-90 range I did not get much sleep without the air running. Think of sleeping in a big metal box under direct sun.....not fun. Anyhow had that fixed and now life is a dream....

Fast forward one week.

Worked my butt off in order to earn a week of holiday. Ran 4000 miles this week from Monday evening to Sunday AM. So all in all a bit bagged but the effort will pay off.

I think what killed me this week is running the rocks and seeing and smelling the smoke from the fires. It makes for great photos but what kills me is that people seem to think it is ok to throw cigarette butts out the window of the vehicle.

So home for a couple of days and off I go for one rounder to Calgary then off for a week....will update on my return.

Check out the latest set of pics from July.

Am I crazy?

So for a living I drive....back and forth in the Rockies....we all know that.

I have rambled of how the Vistas can continually change blah blah blah....

I look at myself as being a semi retired Air Force/Government geek with a hobby that pays well.

So why am I looking to by an RV. You would think I would have had enough of the road but no.....

Here is the issue though...I am certain there are many pro's and con's to the purchase of a unit but I have no idea where to start. We used to do a CBA, Cost Benefit Analysis to determine if a venture or project would be cost effective and give the desired result.

This applies to all things in life but not sure where to start....so if there are any readers that have some thoughts comment away.

Last week was decent but I felt behind the eight ball for much of it. Our yard is located on River Road which is accessible from the North and South. My wife took me to the truck at about 1500 and as luck would have it the road was closed in both directions so back home I went for about 3 hours....finally got to the yard, got the beast and off to the client I went. All in all I started my run a total of 5 hours late which in itself is not terrible but the kicker is that I had not slept during the day....stupid.

Anyway the run that I am on does not leave much time to adjust through the week so that late start haunted me throughout the week.....wha....

Very few animal sightings this week...I suppose as the summer progresses the animals stay on higher ground. Probably cooler. Well that my theory anyway.

I did see a black bear walking on an access road by the Coquihalla near some campers. What makes people want to be so close to bears is beyond me. I will take the RV :)

Encountered a number of slow moving tourists this week....it seems as the weeks move on the tourists get stupider if that is a word. They have a tendency to blow by me as I climb some serious grades pulling 56,000 lbs of Chicken McNuggets and then as I come down the other side they slow to 80 K or so.....They don't realize that I am slow on the up hill but can go like a SOB on the down side. Damn RV ers....can't wait to get one and piss of the truckers hee hee.

So I am home for a couple of days then off again Tuesday....just two runs then home again....gotta love this run. Off I go to research RV's

Later.

Update

Although it may appear that I have stopped blogging, the fact is that I find I am not that interesting of a read.

I am feeling like a bad Catholic that has not been to confession in some time. So here goes.

Bless me readers as it has been 3 months since my last blog entry. During that time I have......

-started a dedicated run between Richmond BC and Calgary AB, and on occasion Red Deer, AB. Although it is not glamorous it serves my family and I well. I run twice weekly and alternate between a Monday Wednesday run and a Tuesday Thursday run.

I think what I like best is that it is predictable and allows me to have a two day weekend one week and a four day weekend the next. I run about 2500 miles per week and work four days a week to get it. Sounds like a cake walk but you max out your hours pretty quick as each load eastbound has 2-3 drops per load.

I have to say that HR has treated my family and I very well in that when I need to alter my running pattern they did their best to accommodate. Of course this may not always the run I am on but for now I will enjoy it and stick to the Rockies.

The Rockies always throws you a new view each trip whether it is wildlife or moon phase or lighting and valley mist you are never bored. In fact I think it really allows you to focus on just how awesome Mother Nature is and how lucky we are to be able to enjoy it.

Just last trip eastbound I was able to see two huge elk with racks 3-4 feet across easily and a rare sighting of two grizzly bears in Banff. It was if they were posing for photos. On the way back west more bear and deer.

As usual there is the usual suspects at Golden and the sheep hang out on the roadside. Another sight to see is the mountain goats, all white and long hair....only at night so far so pics where not possible. I like them and the elk because they are not skittish like the deer. Deer will bolt out without warning whereas the others could care less about you and your truck.

All this gets old to the reader I had assumed but I had a great surprise two weeks ago. A reader had asked if this was the Al Urquhart that truly understood what MCSE stood for. And I of course said Must Consult Someone Else. It was his way of confirming my identity and getting me to think whom I was talking with.

As it turns out after many email exchanges it was a former student from Iceland who had commented he had seen the blog and figured I was doing alright.....that got me thinking I should update as there are people actually reading this dribble.

I saw a comment today that asked....did you stop blogging? So here I sit blogging.....not the most interesting but whatever. I had originally started this so people could see the transition from a project manager stressed beyond belief back to a trucker. I guess the transition never really ends.....

Next week I will try and provide some interesting photos from my adventure....yes it is still and adventure.

Later

Howdy

Well it has been a month since my last post and I must say I am finally hitting my groove with the new job and couldn't be happier.

I run pretty well all Vancouver-Calgary twice a week and so far so good. I just wish the snow would stop in the Rockies.

I am starting to make some friends on the road that I run with and that is a huge help.

So as I go into the summer I will try and post some pics of my travels

Later

Feb 28, 2009, some changes afoot.

Had a great week, ten days and ran close to 5800 miles..  Three Delta-Calgary's, San Bernadino, LA, Malibu/Santa Barbara back to Cal then off to Delta.  It has taken it's toll however and I have made some changes in my working arrangement with HR.  Again, they continue to see that I am taken care of.

Beginning next week I will take on a London Drugs run that bounces between Calgary and Vancouver twice a week.  This will net me about 10,000 miles per month and have me home 2-3 days per week. ( only if all falls into place. ) This will be good for the family for sure and puts me home in the summer.

So all in all it seems like it will be pretty decent.  All this said, my blog will become quite boring unless I come across some interesting tidbits along the way.

Take it easy,

Later

February 12

Well I am in the middle of my trip and had some time on my hands so thought I would post.

This is actually one of my longer trips out with HR and really not by choice.  I still like to reset back home in White Rock every 8 days but was too late booking it off.  No biggy I will be home Sat or Sun then off for a couple of days.

I started my blog for my friends and family to have some understanding of what I was up too and to see some of the road through my eyes.  I have been becoming concerned that as I read other blogs that some are misconstrued as slamming HR or the industry in general.  I at times complain about wait times etc but some are my own doing.

My message is plain and simple: If you do not like where you are employed, move on, life is too short to be miserable.  

I have chosen HR and really can't say much bad about them.  I have day to day issues but who doesn't (refer to my plain message).

So, enough said.  Here I sit and wait for my load in Schuyler Nebraska.  This wait is probably more my fault than anyone else.  I am not a good tourist and being from this side of the pond one corn field looks just like the other one.  

When I have miles to run I bust my ass to get there, even if it is early.  This week I pay the price as I am early for my reload.  This is my MO in this industry and perhaps I need to relax but I probably won't.

My load is ready but the vets need to sign off that the poor bovine died with dignity.  Gross but whatever.  Then it is across NE, WY, MT, WA up to Delta.  

Well will post more later.

Blog still not quite right.

I still am having a tough time with the Blog. If you wish try using FireFox.

Al

Jan 26, pleeeeaaasssee no more mountains.....or snow.

Well good week, no real news. I spent it bouncing back and forth from Vancouver to Calgary, Edmonton and back to the tune of 4 time through the mountains in four days. Mountain vistas can be equally therapeutic, awe inspiring while scaring the crap out of you within seconds of having a zen moment.

I had one of those weeks. I chose to stay close to home this week and was not able to run south. Hence, spent the week in the hills. Almost jackknifed twice (rookie) you see these trucks have so much power that when you are running light you need to be careful how much throttle you apply. The back end with little weight can break traction fairly easily. Saw a herd of big horn sheep in a parking lot (cool) and ran down hills that had me biting the nails off me little sausage fingers.

I survived but after only 2400 miles chose to shut it down and put the truck in for repair. Needs windshield, tires etc. Anyway boring post but that is the week that was.

Later

January 19th, decent week.

This was by far the best week I have had back on the road.

Primarily because I ran direct south out of Vancouver to Tracy, California. ( about 60 miles outside San Fransisco. I got off loaded on time and without having to sit around for ever was directed to head towards LA.

On the way I was told to head to Port Hueneme. This is located between Malibu and Santa Barbara CA south of Oxnard CA. The drive there is out standing on the Ventura Highway, apricots out and oranges on trees.

I jokingly put on my blog that it was 21 when I loaded but a cool 21. The weather gods got me back though. I left the port at dinner time Wednesday and by the time I had hit Idaho Falls, ID it was full on snow and friggen cold...who was laughing now.

By the time I hit Calgary on Friday evening it was -25, yuk. That is ok it was not snowing. Then i was off to Vancouver Saturday noon and home by midnight. All in all it was decent weather wise, load wise and the fact there was no waiting anywhere....well except Calgary.

Not exciting to most but a good week on the road is not something that happens every week. 6 days out 3200 miles logged.

Later.

Crazy week, things happen for a reason?

Well what started out to be a decent week came to a grinding halt before I got out of Vancouver. Damn weather. My normal route to Calgary was closed due to avalanches and all other viable options were closed for the same reason. So I got to stay 36 hours at a truck stop in Kamloops…..whooooo hooooo.

Made Calgary and was pretty slow getting out of there to pick up my new load to Cali. I waited 6 hours for them to find me an empty trailer to bring to the customer and when I arrived my load was not legal to bring to California due to weight. So another wait until they shifted the load around.

Ok so finally on my way and drove like a idiot to Sacramento for drop 1 then Tracy for drop 2 and finally Oakland Navy docks for drop 3. That is where the shit hit the fan and my week took a turn.

While backing in I rubbed another truck mirror….so lightly I didn’t even wake the driver up. So not prob, pride hurt, minor damage and I apologize like a good little Canadian and exchange my info.

When this driver left he all but took my front right fender off while he turned. Here is the kicker….he kept going…in fact he may not of even know he had hit me. So lesson learned…trust no one. What is cool is I took damage pics with my new phone…..haha got him.

I have just learned that I am inept at using my new phone and have no pics. Oh well. All week I kept telling myself that all things happen for a reason. My wife had me convinced of that.

I have learned that you never trust anyone to be as stand up as you, never attempt to use fine motor skills when in a hurry and fatigued and that things don’t happen for a reason….they happen to piss you off.

Would post pics this week but………… shut up.

Later

Beware of the MSN messenger malware spamming

This is just a heads up that I have been infected or exposed to this malware via messenger.

Here is the scoop. A couple of nights ago one of my msn contacts sent me a link referencing some new years pics. Seemed innocent enough. The link took me to a page and asked me to log in using my msn credentials. I did and the second I hit enter msn showed my contact offline.

Too late as my credentials had been scooped and my account was used to spam others. So beware....and btw, I almost never send unsolicited links.

Later