I don't want to go to work tomorrow.

[hanks73340]

Did you make with a stop in Ketchikan?

No. We did Sitka, Skagway, Juneau and Victoria BC. Awesome scenery.

 

[old guys rule]

I just told my wife how depressing it was to set the alarm just minutes ago 4:30... I hate early mornings especially when it's freezing outside.

Don't forget to show your car out of the driveway before the plow comes so you can do it again

 

[JDmac72chrgr]

My wife has always been driven to be busy, and her retirement six years ago initially drove her nuts. She finally found her balance, as a part time free lance writer (we both wrote professionally in our early years.) I have never had difficulty being a total slug, even though I often worked 90 hour weeks in my younger days. I think I'm still alive today, because I could totally shut down when I got the opportunity. I had no angst about hanging it up, a year ago this week. After decades of racing against the clock, not having to meet a schedule is all I need to be content.

The biggest challenge was to not be too slothful in plain sight. I save that for when Diane is at the gym, or interviewing another subject for her next article.

Write a book about your life truckin, my pop never got to do his book. ENJOY RETIREMENT, ya wanna be a slug, BE A SLUG (dad's motto) GOOD FOR BOTH of you.
It was great meeting you at Carlisle, DON'T BE A SLUG FOR THAT.

 

[demonram]

I for sure know how to take a break but sometimes it's a bit too long of one....like today lol. This heat is working on this 72-year-old and after spending too much time in it, just have to take that break.

The main thing is to not to hurt yourself, sir! There’s nothing wrong taking a break when it’s needed. It’s better than taking the biggest break! It can sneak up on you and that’s NOT a good thing! Take it easy bud, you don’t have to impress anyone, just be safe! Take care, seriously!

 

[Cranky]

The main thing is to not to hurt yourself, sir! There’s nothing wrong taking a break when it’s needed. It’s better than taking the biggest break! It can sneak up on you and that’s NOT a good thing! Take it easy bud, you don’t have to impress anyone, just be safe! Take care, seriously!

I'm thinking not impressing people is one of my strong points.....

 

[demonram]

I'm thinking not impressing people is one of my strong points.....

Don’t say that sir, you only have to impress yourself! You also have to look out for yourself! Just be yourself, and enjoy life!

 

[Cranky]

Don’t say that sir, you only have to impress yourself! You also have to look out for yourself! Just be yourself, and enjoy life!

I surprise myself quite often.....does that count lol

 

[demonram]

I surprise myself quite often.....does that count lol

You betcha!! If you don’t do that once in awhile, ya get bored.

 

[eldubb440]

I just wrapped up

 

[68BabyBlue]

Write a book about your life truckin, my pop never got to do his book. ENJOY RETIREMENT, ya wanna be a slug, BE A SLUG (dad's motto) GOOD FOR BOTH of you.
It was great meeting you at Carlisle, DON'T BE A SLUG FOR THAT.

I saved all my log books from the 70s and 80s as a reference for a possible book in the future. With the current state of the industry, the thought of reliving the glory days makes me a bit depressed. I frequently share that sentiment with my few buddies who are still in the business. Also, my wife has said there is a strong possibility she would kill me out of jealousy if I got published. I got a taste of this nine years ago, when I sent an unsolicited story about Baby Blue to Mopar Collector's Guide, and Rob Wolfe published it.

Carlisle has always motivated me to put forth peak effort, ever since I attended the first Chrysler Nationals in 1991 (and haven't missed one since.) When I hit my 60s, I was starting to slow down, hanging out by the car rather than circulating, as physical stuff from my past started catching up with me. I made the decision to start using mobility aids last season mainly to remain active on the field, covered five miles a day this year. Wife has always said it's amazing how much energy I can generate when it comes to my stupid cars. But she reaped the benefit of it (I worked as long as I did to finish out the GTX journey), in her comfortable retirement, so it's been tolerated.

I'll look forward to seeing you, and the rest of the FBBO crowd next year.

 

[JDmac72chrgr]

Dad forced retirement in 2000, spinal & head injury on the job: DON'T GET DEPRESSED about industry today, dad saw this 25-30 years ago. Cornflakes, ABF, Carolina, etc...when Yellow bought Roadway, dad said it will be gone in 10-15 years. He hurt and thought of the drivers all the time. When they allow "non-DOT safe trucks" on the road, innocent civilians will die from untended/serviced trucks. Brokers taking more & more of the "pie", no way owner/operators can make it. Glad he didn't buy them Freightliner COEs back in 82!!!
Still finding some of his papers & he past April 2022.

 

[68BabyBlue]

Dad forced retirement in 2000, spinal & head injury on the job: DON'T GET DEPRESSED about industry today, dad saw this 25-30 years ago. Cornflakes, ABF, Carolina, etc...when Yellow bought Roadway, dad said it will be gone in 10-15 years. He hurt and thought of the drivers all the time. When they allow "non-DOT safe trucks" on the road, innocent civilians will die from untended/serviced trucks. Brokers taking more & more of the "pie", no way owner/operators can make it. Glad he didn't buy them Freightliner COEs back in 82!!!
Still finding some of his papers & he past April 2022.

Never was an easy business, but back in the day it was respected. My son in law's father drove 20 years for Roadway, also had forced retirement because of his back. Like your dad, I saw the future, tried to get out when I went back to school, but it wasn't in the cards. Don't regret it, and I consider myself blessed I made it to 69, relatively intact.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

Just back from vacation in Mexico And here's a short Bar story; relaxing having a few, I over heard a group of young people saying. " I'm 25 years old and I'm Brunt out"!! what will I do at 50'......

 

[mopar 3 B]

Still don't know if I am officially retired. The body says so and the doctors say so. But the bank says otherwise. The business sure hasn't made much this year.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Just back from vacation in Mexico And here's a short Bar story; relaxing having a few, I over heard a group of young people saying. " I'm 25 years old and I'm Brunt out"!! what will I do at 50'......

Poor fool. I was burnt out at 21. Changed occupations and never had that problem again till I got foolish and took another salary position.

 

[Kern Dog]

The end of next month will make it one full year that I have been out of the game.
During some slow years in construction, I had some 6 month spans between payroll jobs. I did odd jobs and side projects in between to keep the bills paid. This is the longest time I have been without employment since 1982.
I like it but there are some days where I don't have anything pressing to do.
There is a member on the forum that sold his business and retired but he still shows up here at 4:30 AM. What the heck???
I don't get up before 9:00 unless I have something planned for that early.
I never liked the early schedule of construction but I did it because that was part of the industry....we start work at the half hour closest to sunrise and work the 8 for the day.
Nowadays I live the life that I did when I was in between jobs. I'm up until 2:00 AM almost every night.
The forums I'm on do slow down around 9:00 Pm since many people go to bed early or are on the East coast time.... 3 hours earlier. MY 9:00 is their midnight.

 

[moparwacko]

I'm 2 years retired and still can't change the 430 am wakeup. After 40+ years of the routine it is unshakeable. I am still asleep by 9pm, up early and have most of what I'm going to do for the day finished by noon. Maybe it's an eastern region work ethic thing?
Up early, work done early, in the corner bar for lunch, then home early, work on the Mopar, go to bed early.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
I wish I could stay up to 11pm, at least occasionally.

 

[Kern Dog]

My parents were night owl types. dad started out as a musician, mom stayed up waiting for him to finish and get home. As kids, we all wanted to stay up late on weekends.
I do like the crisp air in the morning. I like watching the sun rise and it is nice being out before the noise levels come up with traffic and other things.
I do not feel any desire to wake up before the sun comes up.

 

[mopar 3 B]

I'm 2 years retired and still can't change the 430 am wakeup. After 40+ years of the routine it is unshakeable. I am still asleep by 9pm, up early and have most of what I'm going to do for the day finished by noon. Maybe it's an eastern region work ethic thing?
Up early, work done early, in the corner bar for lunch, then home early, work on the Mopar, go to bed early.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
I wish I could stay up to 11pm, at least occasionally.

Never had those hours will I was gainfully employed. Work, kids, hobbies, a little time with the wife and back to work. Back then 60 hour work weeks we're normal.
No, don't miss it at all.
I my first year of self employment if found few people wanted me in their homes before 9 am.
So why get up at 3 am to get the wife to work and myself at 6.

I have lived many a 3-4 hour sleep night. So, nope I am retired and will get up as appointments for doctors are required. Or when I darn well feel like it.

 

[moparwacko]

Never had those hours will I was gainfully employed. Work, kids, hobbies, a little time with the wife and back to work. Back then 60 hour work weeks we're normal.
No, don't miss it at all.
I my first year of self employment if found few people wanted me in their homes before 9 am.
So why get up at 3 am to get the wife to work and myself at 6.

I have lived many a 3-4 hour sleep night. So, nope I am retired and will get up as appointments for doctors are required. Or when I darn well feel like it.

Ah, but that was the life a Journeyman Lineman had. Most weeks were 5- 12's, some 6-12's, and even 7-12's, depending on the contract. Regular was 6am to 6 pm and all the OT/Storm duty you could stand. I've had my share of pulling 16- 20hr shifts to last my lifetime. An average Joe works 2080 hrs per year ( not including vacations). There were only 2 years in my career that I was below 3500 hrs. It's a great career for a young man, but a lot of today's guys don't like to work that much.
Retirement is gold!!!
I go where I want, when I want. We just finished a month long RV trip through the south, went home, changed my socks and now in Ohio to be a spectator at Norwalk.
But I still get up at 430am......