I guess it was about two weeks ago when I got my truck out of the shop. While I was there I was able to help Russell do the work needed to replace my bull gear and front cover. I really enjoyed that time for one reason; I was able to spend some time out of the truck with some awesome people I had just met. Another reason was all the exercise I was able to get while doing major repairs to my truck. I learned a lot that week about my engine. The most important thing I got though was exercise. For about a week I worked in that shop doing a normal persons job. Turning wrenches and washing parts. You know, being Russell's lackey. But that was awesome. A little secrete some may not know. Truck drivers spend thousands of hours sitting on their butt basically doing nothing until they have to get up and have to do everything.
That's how I ended up going through two back surgeries. Letting my body become so lose in its muscle tone and then finding myself on someone's dock having to un-load their freight after getting stiff from an all nighter. After years on end, this can really take a physical toll on a body. And as years go by, one finds out that it's not only your back that is not so young any more. Blood pressure and Diabetes sets in. Now all those hours sitting behind the wheel delivering goods across America really start taking their toll.
So the last two weeks have been wide open for me. Barely a chance to stop. All my healthy food ran out and I've been eating out of truck stops again. I've made way to many soda pops and donuts into meals and I'm really starting to feel it. Luckily for me I'm a Owner Operator. That means I can do what I just did without any hassle. Plan four days off to take care of myself. Company drivers unfortunately do not have this option. They will have to wait until some dispatcher somewhere thinks it's time to take a little me time to take care of themselves. I doubt this industry will ever come to the point whereas the driver is more important than the load.
But I've learned over the years, you have to take care of yourself. No one else will. Doctors, God bless them all but twice; mistakes made by them have come close to killing me. That’s why I love so much the fact the FMSCA makes us go to them for physicals. But that’s for another day. SO that leaves only me, or you to take our own health into our own hands. You have to know your limits and when to say enough is enough. As one gets older, that seems to come a little earlier.
So for me the next four days will be spent between Hesperia, CA and Las Vegas, NV where I have scheduled my next pick up. I plan on a trip to Wally World to replenish my healthy food supply and a stop at Whiskey Pete's for a couple of hikes out into the desert. I will fill this time with as many odd jobs and activities as I can to keep me out of this truck and motivating. All this because of the one thing I've learned over the years in this industry. Only you can take care of you. Sure as heck isn't anyone else going to do it for you, is there? Live long and prosper I say. Oh Lord…. What a nerd I am.
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