Vivid Dreams Remembered

I awoke this morning and remembered some dreams that I had. The one is a repeat that I have had many times before and don't know exactly what it means but can probably guess. I am driving my truck without a trailer (called bobtailing) to my Moms house (where I grew up) but when I get to the drive the truck has no brakes and won't stop. So I have to pass it up and I keep pumping the brakes and pressing them as hard as I can to the floor but it doesn't seem to slow the truck down so I pass the house and try to stop as I am going through town but it still won't stop. This time town had new buildings and different things done to it than in the other dreams. My theory is that my life is out of control:))

The next part involved two machines. One somehow drilled and ate it way into the side of a mountain and made a hole about 3 or 4 foot square and would do something with the rock and dirt but leave a line of coal (I guess, maybe gold)that it dug out laying in the path to be picked up later. The other one looked to be 8 feet tall 16 foot long and was sort of like a bush hog on its side. There was a man who stood on the top of it, the whole thing hooked with a chain on each side and suspended from a crane sitting atop a mountain. the guy was standing and holding the chain and making it swing wherever he wanted it to go. It was called a rock facer and he would swing it in to the side of the mountain shaving all of the rough edges off of the mountain side. But it cut and ground through everything like it was grass and weeds. The shavings just fell down the side and gathered at the bottom. Weird!!!!!

Manila, Philippines: Day 10

Another early wake up call but we had to pack as we were checking out of the hotel and going to stay at Ivy's house. Her folks were there at 7:00am so we loaded up the car and were off to Quezon City after a birth certificate. Back to city hall to the registrars office we have our stamp and our ten days will be up on the 14Th but we wont pick it up until Monday the 16Th.

Manila, Philippines: Day 9 Part 2

The seminar was only a half hour or so and we had time to do it that afternoon so we went and got lunch and decided to wait and get it done. We were approached by what is know as a 'fixer' that is someone who can alter documents and speed up the process so you can marry right away and not have the 10 day waiting period. Sounded good until they said they wanted php$18,000 to do that! No way! the seminar was a movie and some discussion I didn't understand as it was voiced it Tagalog. Afterwards we questioned a pastor about preforming the ceremony for us and he said for php$10,000 he could do it right away and we could avoid the 10 day waiting period.

Ivy's Mom followed her Chinese traditions and got us a wedding date of February 18Th as the best day for us to marry. So to honor her wishes we set that as our date. The time factor was because I arrived on a 21 day visa. My flight was scheduled to leave on the 11Th and my 21 days were up on the 16. The 18Th was past both of those so we were thinking if we could get a closer date and speed things up I could still not overstay my visa and have to reschedule my flight. But after some discussion we decided that if we did things other than the right way it would look like an arranged marriage and may affect her getting a visa so we said "NO" to the fixers and did it the way it was supposed to be done. WHEW!!!!! What a busy day!

Manila, Philippines: Day 9 Part 1

With the decision to get married here we have started the ball rolling for a very busy time. We awoke at 5:00am this morning so we could be at the US Embassy early in order to get a 'certificate of capacity'.That is a document issued by the foreigners Embassy that insures they are legally able to marry and is the only document the Philippine government will accept from a foreigner to marry in the Philippines.

WOW! What a crowd at the Embassy so early in the morning. So many people trying to get visa's of all sorts. I understand this is a daily thing here. We waited in line, got admitted, filled out the forms, paid the usd$30.00 fee, waited some more, did my interview where I swore i was legally divorced and able to marry, got my certificate and we were on our way to the Manila City Hall to apply for the license.

City hall didn't go so easy:( We hunted and searched to find the right place get the license and after much searching, waiting and asking for help we found our way to the right desk. Obtaining the correct forms and filling them out we found out there is a 10 day waiting period from the day the license is issued before you can actually marry:((:(( The purpose of that is to hang the license in the city hall public notice area and give time for anyone to contest the legal ability of either one of us to marry. Also we found out that Ivy's birth certificate was not "valid" as it was not new enough=)) Just a money making scheme for the government.

So we had to be off to Quezon City in the morning to get a "new updated certified copy" of her birth certificate. We also found out we had to attend a short marriage counselling seminar. This gets more involved all the time!

Manila, Philippines: Day 8

Day 6 and 7 was pretty much visiting places, eating different foods, talking, planning, and lots of showers and sleeping. We have decided to get married here for a couple of reasons.

First off, my trip here was originally to meet each other, take required pictures to prove we met and had a relationship so that when we were ready I could file for a fiance visa and she could come to the US and we would then have 90 days to marry.

Circumstances being what they are, we decided that we don't want to wait to marry. We want to be husband and wife as soon as we can. Also if we marry in the USA her parents can't attend.

Manila, Philippines: Day 5

Ivy left me last night to go spend the night at home so she could get up early and study for an early class. She left her wallet with her school ID here. I think she did it on purpose:D So somehow things got mysteriously better with her folks and her mom invited me to lunch on Saturday at the house. I left early to take her wallet to her and have lunch with them. We walked around and got some pictures of us before heading off to school. I waited just down from the school at KFC and watched the traffic go by while playing chuzzle.

Manila, Philippines: Day 4

Yesterday was bad, Today was worse!! We got up and left the room around 8:30am, we just got down the stairs when I got a text message from Dena that said call Debby. If Dena couldn't tell me then I knew it had to be bad news from home. I called Debby and she said that my father had just passed away in his sleep 30 minutes previous..............Everyone didn't understand why I would make the trip when dad was sick but here is the story.

Dad has had emphysema for years and only had 23% capacity of his lungs. He was seeing doctors all fall for different things. Finally they told him he had a tumor growing and pressing on his esophagus and if he didn't have chemo he had 3 to 6 months and 2 or 3 years if he did. He decided to have the chemo. I found the good deal on a flight to Manila so I booked it. 2 days later he told me he wasn't doing the chemo, he was too tired to make the trip to town.

I figured he still had 3 to 6 months and I was only going for 2 weeks. It was a non refundable flight and I really could have canceled and forfeited the money but I still had Ivy to think about. She knew I bought the ticket and was as excited to meet me as I was her. If I had cancelled she wouldn't have believed any story I told and would have thought I was just having second thoughts about meeting her and that would have put a strain on our relationship that I didn't want on it. So I chose to follow through with the plan and go meet her. I was too much in love with her already and was sure the time was right to meet her.

My first day here I talked to mom and she said they didn't understand why I went through with the trip when I knew hospice was coming in to see him everyday and he wasn't good. I tried to explain what I wrote above but I still think they feel like I was wrong!!! Anyhow, the next day he fell getting in or out of bed and they had to call the paramedics to come get him back up and then that was when things turned and went quickly downhill from there.

Manila, Philippines: Day 3

Well today was not a good day! It was great as far as Ivy is concerned but the flop was we decided that I should meet the parents. Mother first: We met at the mall and had lunch. Maybe there should be a little background first. Ivy has kept me and our relationship a secret from everyone except a few of her close friends. So you can imagine the mothers surprise when we meet for lunch and she thinks I am a new found friend only to discover that we have been conversing for some months and that I flew half way around the world to meet Ivy and she has been staying at the hotel with me for 2 days and the parents thought she was at a school function.

So I was bombarded with questions of every sort! I was accused of being a thief, murderer, druggie, disease spreader, alcoholic and many other things. I was presumed guilty! It was implied that Ivy was a little girl and incapable of being smart enough to have already asked and verified everything that was brought up. I was very obliging at the start but quickly became aggravated as the questions became accusations. So me being the rebel that I am I clammed up and told Ivy it was time to go.

Manila, Philippines: Day 2

Glad Ivy had he day off from school today. We did a little sight seeing and she showed me around some. Definitely different from anything I ever experienced before, more later.

Manila, Philippines: Day 1

Hello from the Philippines!! I advanced a full day ahead on my trip here so even though the dates and times don't match that of home in the USA it is the day it happened to me here. My flight arrived nearly an hour earlier then scheduled. Good thing it did because I was the first to load in LA and the last to get my bags here:( Was beginning to think they got lost in transit. Customs and Immigration went quick and easy and I was out to look for Ivy. I met a man carrying a sign with my name just like in the movies:)) I told him Ivy said to turn right but he argued and told me left so we went left! Well Ivy met us at the car and gave me hell for not making him turn right and finding her. (what a way to start off???) Rode to the hotel, checked in, got a shower and was off to la la land.

WHOOO HOOOO! THE JOURNEY BEGINS!!!

My ride has just showed up early!! so I am off to start MYPHILIPPINEJOURNEY hahahahah. no time to write. next update is going to be from the Philippines.

The Update Of The CENTURY!!!!!!!

Ok, ok here's the scoop poop!!! A ticket to the Philippines in May will be around $1600 or $1700 dollars, one now is $955.00 round trip. So I bought a ticket now and I am leaving Sunday evening from LAX. (Los Angeles International) The itinerary is; bobtail to Fontana California. Park at a secure facility. Sunday morning take a taxi from there to the train station, @6 miles. Take the train to Union Station in downtown LA. Catch a bus from there to LAX. Wait at the airport until the flight leaves at 8:30 LA time Sunday evening. Arrive in Manila Tuesday morning (local Manila time). From there??? you have to wait for the next update to be posted from the Philippines. See you soon Ivy!!!! I can't wait to see you!!! :-*

Uhhh Ohhh! Broken Trailer:(

Got the news today that my trailer will be down for a few days to have the axle replaced. Soooo, I am going to bobtail (drive with the truck only and no trailer) to California. I will give you the whole scoop next update. Check back soon.

Another Load Delivered And Done.

Got my trailer back from the Mexican forwarder but the axle from my repair is still getting hot so I am taking it to the trailer repair shop. Seen a sign on the way through town. It will neam something to someone special and everyone else......... just El Paso traffic:D

Trailer Dropped,.....Waiting.

Dropped my trailer at the forwarder and now I wait. They say it will be back late tonight or early in the morning.

More Pictures

Looks like a ship in a dry ocean.Just a hole in a rock. Maybe the ship sailed through it:D

Just a few more Utah pictures.

Utah In All Its Glory.

What One Day And A Bad Load Can Do To A Tarp!

$700.00 worth of tarps turned into rags in one day:)) Wasn't a thing I could do to save them. It ate through all of the cardboard padding and tore the tarps to shreds. I will be glad when this load is over.

Road Signs Of The Times

Knob Noster?

Loaded, Tarped And Ready To Roll.

Here's what my load looked like when I got loaded on Thursday.

Finally! Another Good Load. Woo Hooo.

I crossed back and stayed behind walmart in Bellingham. I slept 14 hours only getting up 4 or 5 times to pee. Then, amazingly, I find this good load. Picking up at number 2 in Spokane, WA. going to 3 El Paso, TX.

Looking Forward To Some Much Needed Sleep.

Well, I had to run pretty hard to make delivery today so I could be paid on Thursday. (: I am soooo tired and ready to nap. I got empty, back into the USA, and parked and ready to sleepI-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!! WOOOO HOOOO!!!!

I Should Check The Mail More Often

September was my sixth year anniversary with Landstar and this is what I got out of my mailbox.

Not Much New, Just Driving.

Here is the new route. See the second little moon for the night stop? That one is pretty close to where I have a place I never get too. I will stop and get the mail on this trip since I will be so close.

I'm Stuffed And Sleepy

Loaded this morning and decided to stop and visit Scott and Debby on my way out of Florida. Well let me tell you I sure was glad I did. Not so much happy to see them as I was that I made the offer to by dinner if they would drive. (hehe, sorry deb) They picked me up near the exit and drove me to a Chinese restaurant. (yeah I know my favorite food)

Sorry no pictures, I left the camera in the truck but DAMM I wish I could have shared with you because it was really good. Lots too choose from, seafood, sushi, even crab legs although they were very small and hard to peel, I ate enough to hold me for 3 days! Ok so it just seemed like it at the time:D

I Almost Feel Bad,......Almost:D

This is it!!! They are paying me pretty good money to take this one little piece from Florida to British Columbia. I almost feel bad for them, hahahaha NOT!!!!

Sometimes It Pays To Get Tired!

Well, I guess things happen for a reason. I got so sleepy I pulled into a rest area and slept till noon! Woke up mad at myself for it until I checked the loads before I left and found a good one from Ft Lauderdale, FL. to British Columbia. Was I glad I only got 200 miles away, Had to backtrack those 200 plus another 200 but it was well worth the deadhead!! Woo Hoo!! Finally after weeks of crap a good one pops in. 1 is where I emptied, 2 is the rest area I slept at, 3 is where I loaded.

All Day And No Load

All day of sitting and refreshing loads turns up nothing but cheap freight! Why are Hollywood actors and sports players worth millions to entertain us but its not worth $2.00 a mile to get your food and goods delivered to you?? Things needed to survive versus things to amuse us? Hmm? What the hell do I know? Well looks hopeless sitting here too long so even though I am tired I am going to head to the home 20 and try and get a few things done around there.

Finished, Chandler, Arizona To Lakeland, Florida

There's another load delivered. This picture is a little late, should have been here at the start of the trip but just got everything up and running right.

The Holidays Are Over

The holidays are now but just a memory. The final day before everyone gets back to the same old grind. Me?,...... I never left it. I spent my days sitting and waiting........ wondering if I would get another load,...... but I have to say, this has really been my best -Christmas and New Years holiday ever.

I am not good at saying what I am thinking or feeling but this is as close as I can get. My time was spent away from home, family, friends, even familiar places. But it was not spent alone. Alone in the physical sense, yes, like having someone to touch, hold, kiss. But I was with the one I love almost the entire time. Yes I had to see her on a 15 inch screen, but we ate together, talked, laughed, even slept together. She got to hear me snore in her ear and I got to fall asleep to the sound of her breathing.

My holiday was fantabulous!!! Thank you Ivy for being there for me and not letting me spend it alone. I love you hun, always. Hope next year I can feel your breath and hear it at the same time.

Is There Really A Pot Of Gold?

At the end of a rainbow.

Look close, its there but hard to see in the photo.

Dinner Time At My Place

MMMMMmmmm!!!

All Fixed And Rolling Again

I had a real good road service company come out and get me fixed up and rolling in about 7 hours from the time it happened until I was back on the road. Pretty good time for a repair like that. This is what the repair looks like.

This is the HEAVY load that was being hauled at the time.

What A Way To Start The New Year!

This is what the wheel and tire should look like.This one also.
This is what happens after a fire.
As is this one from a little further away.
Left Tucson this evening headed for Florida. Was listening to them dropping the ball in New York City to ring in the new year when I noticed flames coming from my trailer. This is what I found.