Think About It

One of the shows we've started watching is "Shipping Wars".  Have you seen it?  Did you know that there's a website where you can 'post' jobs of things you need moved from one place to another and transporters (or logistics experts) bid on the jobs.  The lowest bid 'wins' and then has to go pick up the items and successfully transport it per the terms of the agreement.  Some are time sensitive.  Many are one of a kind items.  Some are living - farm animals, pet parrots, etc.  Some are iconic pieces for restaurants or other public events.

Watching this show has given me new respect for truckers - those in 16 wheel semis transporting food, etc. for all of us.  I've always felt truckers are (for the most part) exceedingly careful and very aware that their vehicle is HUGE (compared to the average passenger vehicle) and not capable of stopping on a dime.  They are cautious (again, for the most part - like you've, I've encountered my fair share of jerks behind the wheel but I think those are the exception not the rule) and polite.  Not that I'd hitch a ride with one (I wouldn't ever hitch a ride with anyone and once stopped speaking to a friend who picked up a hitchhiker when I was with her - we both survived but it really pissed me off)....but I think many are good, hard-working folks who happen to drive for a living.  I admire them.

"Shipping Wars" highlights individuals who can transport ANYTHING in ANYTHING - meaning:  they can use a van; a truck with a trailer (open or closed); an 18 wheeler....whatever they drive.  And most of them don't know what they're doing.  They're tying down things and figuring out 'weight' and load without actually having a lot of formal training about doing those things.

So now, when I'm on the road - and I've been on the road a fair amount this week, using a full tank of gas this week compared to a tank usually lasting me a month - I am acutely aware that the huge trailer full of 'metal awnings' - dozens of them just stacked up and secured with 'tie downs' - might have been loaded by a yahoo who's watched the show and decided THIS is their new career.  Holy Crap!  I am more nervous than ever on the road - and stay clear as much as possible.

We successfully cleaned out 'Hazardous Waste' from the garage and the storage shed this morning and J. took it to the event at the airport.  We've identified more Goodwill items and are making serious progress on reorganizing the garage.  We've decided not buy any new shelves for now - we're just loading stuff up in the rafter shelves (which we cleaned a lot out from when we did the garage sale).

I drove to Lodi today to lunch with a friend - haven't seen her in over a year (hence my 'road trip' story) and as always, we pick up where we left off and talk non-stop for two plus hours.  Her son is newly married - and he and his new wife are living with her.  They are both teachers - and there are no jobs - though they are subbing for their district.  Pics and stories of the wedding were a lot of fun.  It was a great afternoon.  Ran errands on the way home (pet food and a quick Target run for violet nail polish 'cuz I need a little 'pizzazz' to get me psyched up for the week).

Now it's dinner and TV - Pawn Stars.  That's another great show.  A lady comes in with a necklace she was given by Elvis.  Has pictures of him with her and the necklace to 'prove' he gave it to her.  No reason to doubt it.  She said she was once offered $400K for it and she turned it down.  And now she's in a PAWN STORE trying to sell it 'for at least $250K'.  The owner of the store basically says 'why didn't you take the $400K' - she felt it was worth more.  He offers her $20K for it.  He's a pawn broker.  If it's worth any kind of $, take it to an auction house and auction it off.  People are stupid...