Longhaul

I put mine around a 6.5 because of all the downs and ups that have occurred and are about to occur.

I don't go all out like I used to do, mainly because it's just me and there's no reason for the hassle. What I used to do in past dinners was make a maple-mustard glazed pork roast with homemade bread stuffing on the side, along with mashed potatoes and gravy.

New game controller for my computer.

Basically, if I were able to afford to hire someone to come in and help tidy up now and then, I'd do so because it's getting tougher for me to do it all on my own. An extra set of hands is always welcome.

I'm thinking that this long weekend won't last nearly long enough but I'm going to enjoy it while it does.

I'm very friendly. I don't see any reason to be otherwise.

Decent people, mostly, although there have been exceptions. Those tend to weed themselves out quickly, though.

I'd love to have one now, never mind if I were rich.

I'm tired, my legs hurt, and I'm exhausted from work today.

Holidays, so we have been told, are joyous times for young and old. Families gather, traveling many miles and greet each other with welcoming smiles and tales of what went on in their life, mostly pleasant, with occasional strife. Eventually, to maintain the mood, they will be presented with holiday food. They will eat, and reminisce, and talk of the past, and things they miss, but not with sadness; rather, with joy -- a favorite game or long-lost toy, a long-ago trip or other event, or how family time was often spent. Eventually, it will be time to part and do so with a heavy heart until the next time the holidays appear and fill the world with seasonal cheer. Scenes like this might be true for some, but for those like me, we just become numb. We have no family or friends to spend the time with. It often ends with being in a melancholy state, trapped with thoughts that aren’t so great. Sometimes we seek out others like us to commiserate, and often thus the pain of loneliness fades for a while, and we can manage even a fraction of a smile. We remember how things were, and used to be, the sounds, the smells, what we used to see on that ever-so-happy holiday… but thinking of how things turned out the way they did puts a damper on the day and reminds us how things really are, and how those good times seem so far in the past. So to you, my friends, I hope the good time never ends. For you, my thoughts are nothing but the best, and I wish good tidings to you and the rest of your family. So be of good cheer, and keep good thoughts for the coming year. How to end this I do not know, so I will say, “Happy Holidays,” and now I will go.

Yeah, ages ago. It's all downhill from here.

My Southern Card. I got it back in 2018.

Given the state of the traffic around here when there isn't anything apocalyptic going on, I'd most likely shelter in place and take my chances. If I make it, great; if not, well, no big loss.

I was working dispatch one night, it was fairly busy, and I got a call from one of our shippers complaining that the truck hadn't arrived yet to pick up their shipment. I explained to them very calmly what the situation was and told them we'd have a truck out to them as soon as we could. They them played the 'well, then I guess I should take my business elsewhere' card, to which I replied, in as calm a voice as I could muster: "Well sir, that is the benefit of living in a free-choice society." The guy FLIPPED. I re-stated that a truck would be out there as soon as we could and ended the call. A few minutes later I got a call from the salesman for the account, and I explained the situation to him. Final result was salesman was satisfied, the customer shut their trap, their freight got picked up, and life went on. I have no regrets, and I'd most likely do it again. Given what I wanted to say to the person, I think I was downright pleasant about it.

Throw me into the oven, bake until dusty, then throw me in the dumpster.

My last photo is of a truck's broken bumper, so I'm at work and someone hit something.

Longhaul, in your next life, you will be reborn in the lawless town of Deadwood. Ninja Warrior: In ancient Japan, you'll be reborn as a skilled ninja warrior, mastering martial arts and protecting your clan.

Silverchair - Anthem for the Year 2000

I feel like I got quite a bit done and I also feel a bit relaxed.

I did dishes, did an online training thing for work, folded and put away laundry, updated my laptop, and played games and watched YouTube videos.

For TV specials, I liked A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. For movies, I liked Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.