In the beginning...

What do I want to do? Where do I want to go? Life decisions! Change! Need a job! Need a place to live! Need . . . need . . . need! For the moment (days, weeks), my "wants" have very low priority. Currently owning just a few things - 2 suitcases filled with clothes and misc. stuff, a laptop, a computer printer - has its advantages: less stuff to haul around, to be concerned about, to give away or sell one day.

At 59, I've lived a really good life and I'm trying to figure out the best way (for me) to continue to do just that! I believe I have found a way to do all of the "above" and have fun, travel the USA, be employed with benefits, and be physically active.

I hope to become an OTR (Over The Road) truck driver during the next few weeks. Sometime today I should receive a "go/no-go" decision from a truck driving school. If it's a "go" . . . I will start a 3-week training course on September 11th. If it's a "no go" . . . I will continue to look for an OTR opportunity!

Being an OTR truck driver is not a new idea for me. I was in the process of applying to a truck driving school a year ago when I got a chance to travel to Greece and visit a good friend who lives on the island of Crete. Crete was okay and it is REALLY good to be back in the USA.

Driving a vehicle larger than an SUV is not new to me. I drove a school bus during 3 of my high school years. I drove a converted Trailways bus for a couple of years in my early 20s while I pursued a career as a musician (bass guitar) in a rock-n-roll band (mostly Motown, soul, r&b, beach music).

I like to travel, be on the move, visit new places, experience living in different locales. I spent a few weeks last year travelling the USA in a Chevy van which I bought and 'fixed up' for that purpose (I sold the van to pay for travel to/from Greece).

As a first post, perhaps I should tell you that I hope to update this blog as often as possible (once or twice a week) with text, links and photos. Eventually I hope to have a digital camera mounted inside the truck cab and have it set up so that I can concentrate on driving and easily trigger the camera to take a photo of whatever is of interest in front of me. I should be able to use my laptop computer whenever I am within WIFI range at truck stops (and other locations) to post new blogs and photos.

That's the game plan at this point. Hope it all works out . . .AND. . . I hope that God will help me to always drive safely, on schedule, and comply with applicable state, federal, and company rules and regs. I believe in prayer and in keeping a good relationship with God.

Anyone interested in reading about OTR truck driving? Viewing photos of the USA from a truck driver's perspective? Having access to relevant links about OTR, truck driving, sights, highways, towns, cities, truck stops, people I encounter while driving/working? Then sign-up - subscribe - to this "Life OTR" blog! Okay? Thanks! Jim

***** Update @1510, 6sept06 *****

Thanks to 'Driver Solutions', I will begin class at Arkansas State University (ASU) in Newport on September 11th. I will work for USA Trucking - based in Van Buren Arkansas.

I will travel to Newport via Greyhound bus - airfare is too expensive.

Links in the sidebar are to websites for companies, the school and towns mentioned in this blog.

I am EXCITED..!!!

YEAH!!!!!!

Later,

Jim

Technorati Profile