BrashMonkey

     It's pretty easy to notice the supply chain issues that are creating problems across the country and world. Everyone is feeling the effects of limited items on grocery store shelves, delays in getting electronic goods to market, new car shortages, hard-to-find parts for repairs, and a low supply of raw material that are slowing building projects. It's been two years of uncertainty and confusion in politics, a stop-start and stall economy, consumer confidence lulls, and then there is the understaffed job market brought on by the Great Resignation. The Great Resignation and the Great Reassessment, has hit the world of foodservice workers, customer service industries, and the grand cubical world, like a ton of bricks. Each sector is having staffing shortages but there is an even greater resentment growing from gear shifters. The feeling of abandonment by the general public has left truckers on the roadside to rot and rust. The trucking industry is at a tipping point… an...

During Dani's pregnancy it didn't quite feel real. I was slightly detached as many dad's must feel during the process. We don't have the same connection, physiological changes, and emotional connection as momma. I was supportive but I was also a bit reserved. Part of that may have been because of going through a previous pregnancy, the newness of the experience was not present. Maybe our age and worrying about the viability of the pregnancy had me slightly removed. Whatever the case was I know that I wasn't nearly as empathic, present, and connected as I should have been. And then it happened... My wife called me at work to let me know she was getting close. I sped home. Seriously! Flew home, even got the speeding (warning) ticket to prove it. I ran in the door to check on Dani. Finding out she was ok and we had some time I began walking through the house loading up the last few things for the hospital, constantly circling back to my wife to make sure she was ok....

Kellen, I just want to take the opportunity to tell you how much Papa loves you. You are the shining light in my world. Everyday you learn so much, you inspire me so greatly, and amaze me so often. The thought of you makes me smile, and the sight of you makes me glow. You are my little buddy. You are my unwavering motivation. You are my greatest accomplishment. Through you I’ve learned so much about myself, what’s important, and what is not so important. I know life is not as easy as we had hoped, but as long as we are together, nothing could bring us down. From the day I met you, I knew you were perfect. As you grow and experience, I hope that I can continue to be a positive influence on your life. As long as I am breathing I will do everything in my power to help you not make the same mistakes that I have made in my life, and push you to become a greater man than I could ever dream of for myself. Through your failures you will learn to press on. Through your heartache you w...

There's been so much excitement I almost forgot to blog. Got rolling this morning and they were turning people away on the highway to go chain up. Me and another driver decided to wait it out a bit. We stopped at a diner called the Pollard Flat. It is a small fuel stop and diner off of I-5 exit 712. If you ever passing through you must must stop here. Amazing atmosphere, Great food, good prices and hosts that will have you cracking up! This is a true American gem for diners. Well with all the allure of the diner, we apparently waited too long because they closed down I-5 northbound. So we sat tight hoping maybe they would reopen it. They finally did go by the that time, I had run out of driving hours. I'm currently sitting watching people chain up their tires and make fools of themselves. It's pure entertainment for hours. I finally became a man today, putting on chains myself... As long as I've been driving I've never needed to chain up. Let me tell you putting the...

Bam Bam… What a crapolistic day, not really because I’m doing something that I enjoy, but scheduling wise and logistically speaking, today was a crapfest. No blame game, just sucky situations. Skipped three stops because I ran out of time and will now have to backtrack to them. Oh well from what I’m hearing I need to stall out a little bit longer to miss the tail end of the snow storm that hit Oregon. So sunny days and truck stop living… Lets do it: Three (3) things I Learned Today (Tuesday 12.18.2012 yes periods are better than dashes) 1) You can really get another trucker butt hurt by taking the last two apple fritters in the case. I didn’t mean to do this, but this guy was getting his coffee, not for me straight dew dude here, and I slipped in and snagged some donuts. One for the morning and one for mid day when I need a little spike of sugarmania. Well when he went over to get a donut, he realized that there was nothing left but maple bars. The look on his face was PRICELESS. I...

Monday, the adventurous first day of the week where you magically learn at 8am how wonderfully jacked your week is or is not going to be! Fortunately for me, My week should be decent. Smooth exit from the warehouse, mid day nap, and walked away from the casino up 10 bucks! Remember, it's the small things that count. Well I'm up too late as usually so lets rip this out... The Three (3) Things I Learned Today (Monday 12.17.2012) 1) It's inevitable that if you put up a sign to not do something, people will naturally want to do it. Take this for instance: at many points on the highway there comes a point where the lanes narrow. The DOT decided it would be wise to post signs telling motorists that for the next X miles lane changes are prohibited. Only problem with that is, it seems to be an invitation for yahoos to change lanes like 42  and a half times. They should just post a sign that says: "Change lanes as many times as you want. You are t...