1: Electronic cigarrettes from AZsmokefree.com After getting stuff from truckstops and China on-line, I found a lot of them that didn't work well or consistantly. But the "pen style" vaporizers and batteries I got from this company were the best--at a competitive price.
The ones at Pilot Truckstops also work pretty well, but are a little pricier. If you look around and order from China, they're extremely cheap, but also extremely crappy. After just ordering five or more of everything in order to find one or three units that worked, I got sick of fooling around, and got lucky with AZ Smoke free.
These things vaporize a diluted nicotine solution, and you inhale the steam. It delivers nicotine. I first got one so that I could go to a hotel bar and smoke, but when I tried it, I instantly quit cigarrettes-automaticly.
The ones at the truckstops expect you to buy pre-loaded cartridges for an outrageous price. The cartridge (called "cart" in slang) is the mouthpiece. The vaporizer is the part which contains a heating element, and the cartridge is inserted into it. The end you insert contains padding, which is saturated with the nicotine solution.
You buy your own solution! Less than 20 bucks for 30 ml, which lasts me 6-8 weeks! Then you can just drip some more into the padding and re-use your cartridges. Eventually the cartridges get dirty, and you just replace them. I got a bunch of "blank" cartridges (from China--they're fine).
The tubular, cigarrette-like battery screws into the vaporizer.
The batteries I got from China had some sort of timing program, and they sucked. ALL of them.
I tried other types of electronic cigarrettes. The industrial strength "screwdriver" type worked great, but wore out quickly. On this type, you have to press a button to activate the vaporizer. Predictably, the switch wears out.
Another type has the cartridge and battery in the same piece. I don't like them. Not much vapor, and you get nicotine in your mouth. I always seem to come back to the pen style.
This company sells starter kits, of course. Personally, if I were just starting out, I'd augment these. I'd get extra blank cartridges and batteries, and make sure I got at least two vaporizers (nothing lasts forever). Also, a good supply for "e-liquid" (do a separate search to find the cheapest).
Always charge each battery for a full eight hours before the first use, regardless of what the charger-indicator says. If you don't, it's possible for the battery's "chip" to think it's charged when it's not, and not allow you to get a full charge.
Now, I don't have to clean my windshield weekly, smell like cigarettes, or burn holes in my shirts. Every smoker should do this--I never committed to quitting--just did. (Be real: I'm still addicted to nicotine, but that's not what kills people.)
2: I got a "shake-weight" for men. It's a dumbell-shaped thing that you shake. I hate it. But I hate it because it works. It's really painful--it burns and exhausts your muscles in no time.
You're supposed to do a 6-minute routine daily, but I do it every other day--like with weights. As a real OTR trucker, I can't always shower every day. If you have to shower every day no matter what, you've got OCD or something, and you sure couldn't keep up with me. I do when I can, like now--but I like to deliver early, every single time, and get the most out of my 14 hours.
But I digress: Anyway, doing it every other day lets my muscles recover. I'm trying to regain some of my mass, and after a week think I see a difference.
There is one side-to-side motion you can use to get your abdominals, sort of, but there's just not much help there. This works the upper body, mainly: Delts, traps, triceps, biceps, forearms. I watched the video. I don't do what it did; I sort of circuit-train with it, taking shorter breaks and going from one excercize to another, rather than doing one, resting for 15 seconds, and resuming.
There's a range-of-motion issue here. I just do "stiff" katas--extending the muscles fully and rotating and stuff, while resting between my two circuit-sets and afterward.
Truckers don't have room for home gyms and what-not, and these things are perfect.
3: I'm going to Wal-Mart today and getting one of those abdominizers again. I had one before but never replaced the battery when it wore out, and lost it. This one is better anyway.
But I do have experience, and can tell you: Hell yeah, the electroshocks do work your abs, just like they say!
But you have to be realistic. It will tighten your abs, but won't burn much fat. I'm probably 30 lbs. overweight, but if I can tighten my abs under it and get my upper body back to where it used to be, at least I'll look adequate, I think.
4: I just ordered 30smile.com I currently use a sonic toothbrush and am fighting gingivitis. I use a peroxide-based pre-rinse, the best toothpaste I can get, and ACT mouthwash.
But I saw this thing on the infomercial and instantly wanted it. The brushes automaticly wrap around both your upper and lower teeth, and some of the bristles angle up and down to the gums, both outside and inside. It's just about impossible to consistantly get into all those gaps with any other toothbrush.
Well, now I've got to do the shake-weights (also at Wal-Mart by the way) and pay for another night here.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Recommendations and Stuff.
OK so I'm cool now. Got my Prepass and Bestpass stuff switched over (it's all on the Corp. I hate stopping for every weigh station and toll booth, and messing with reciepts.) Cancelled my old insurance. I'm placarded, IFTA'd, plated and briefed.
Never saw any of the people I deal with. Kristy, who principly handled my application, is a Compliance Officer or Safety Director at the central office in NC. I don't have a printer, so I had to email the hotels I was at, then help them open the files, print them, fill them out, and get them to fax the pages.
The first hotel charged me a buck a page at first, but I somehow made them feel sorry for me, and then acted like I just forgot, and they let me go. After all, they want me to come back and spend more money, and I let it show that I was irked.
Had to dig up some of my own stuff from various government sources on-line, and send them in. Found out I was delinquent on my road use taxes and paid them. It's been a hassle--but boy, it was worth it.
The main company provides authorities to the owner-operators, and assigns them to independant agents. (by the way--everybody including my agents is female. Which I like. I find women generally sharper and more reasonable than men. Generally, okay-so no PC BS. Reality is what it is-get used to it.)
My agents are in MD. I thought I'd have to go there for orientation or some sort of thing, but Courtney (one of the agents) told me no--they'll get me a trailer near where I am, and load me too. That's different...
Landstar has a similar business model, except they have a network of agents and are much larger. This company is, I believe, Texas-and-east regional.
With my former company, I didn't pay trailer rental, but made 3% less (72% of the load vs. 75%). That company owned its' trailers, but this one leases them from trailer companies. They don't have a company logo on them. After I've learned the ropes, I might consider buying my own trailer to save the 120/week, but doubt it.
When you own your own trailer, you have to pay for its' maintenance and insurance. Then, whenever you need to get away from it, you have to find someplace to drop it. Sometimes you have to pay for that--and if you don't, and it's not a well-lit secure location and it's stolen, your insurer won't cover it. You can't drop and hook, either, so it's like an anchor.
They sent me only 50 miles to get a 2007 from a trailer rental place. It had JUST been inspected and tuned up. Sliders slid like butter, too. Rusty, and wood chips inside, but I don't care. It's nice to know that the trailers are well-maintained.
Economic comment: See, the trailer rental companies compete with eachother. They know that if drivers get trailers with problems, they won't come back. They're MOTIVATED to keep them up, plus they're specialists. And why do they do this? To make money. Freedom works, understand?
Anyway, my former freight paid less than 2 bucks; probably 1.50 average going out, with a 1.00 backhaul. That is, until Jim took over the backhauls and dug up a bunch of 1.20-1.50 backhauls.
This company evidently hauls more high-value stuff, since per James, (the other owner-op who first told me about this company) (and who I owe a beer if I ever see him again), these "outbounds" gross between 3 and 4 bucks a mile.
I was told on this particular load that if I need to go back to the area I came from, I'll probably gross 1.00/mile on that.
However, I suspect that the agents haven't beaten the bushes like Jim did, and I know which brokerage he got his higher-paying backhauls from. I also have experience calling brokers and dispatching myself--during a really tough period in the industry. I'm being quiet until I get my feet wet here, but I think I can help them out with the backhauls a little later.
However, James--who is married and needs hometime sometimes, said that (after three weeks with the company), he actually has a sort circular "route" that he runs, with zero backhauls. That's what I'll be working on. Plus, I don't need home time. If not a route, I'll try to just run around and not go to the dead zones.
Backhauls for my former company were just the way they're set up. They only have one yard, and not that many trailers. Many of their loads are outbound, and they have to dig for stuff to bring you back.
I already know from this load that MA, and perhaps the upper northeast, is a dead zone for this company. (Actually it just is--like Texas). You can get a high-paying load there, but there are too many trucks always trying to get back out, and the market prevails.
For now, though, I stupidly told them that I'd deliver this load on tuesday instead of today, which I easily could have. I wanted to stay around Ohio where I was so I could get the rest of the money my former company owed me. The reason that was stupid was because Junior doesn't intend to stiff me at all, and I don't need to be there. He can send me the payments via comcheck.
...which...it's 1530, I just called, they're still in a meeting, it's friday.....
Well I'm not worrying about it. I'll get it eventually.
Anyway, so I just went ahead and took this massive 700 lb. load to this hotel that I'm fond of with a bar in it, and will reside here til monday. I'll be at the recievers at o800 tuesday, and see what I can get next.
This company doesn't use qualcom, which is cool. I opted to scan my bills in--7.50/week is worth it. I found out today that I'm supposed to call in my location each morning by 1100, which doesn't bother me at all. I get to show off for them, since I tend to get way ahead on every load.
That's one of my best motivations, by the way. I allow me to be a child and try to impress everybody. He hopes they hang up the phone and say to somebody else "Damn! He's 150 miles out already!", and that somebody else says "Guess we'd better keep him!"
It's juvenile, but the social instincts we've evolved have real reasons for them. They help you do your best.
Political comment: Our founding fathers (and Adam Smith) also understood this, which is why they designed a free and open economic system while creating the land of opportunity. Which marxism poisons and eventually destroys. GET IT? FREEEEEDOOOMMMM!!!
Anyway, they also didn't need to know the weight, count, who signed, etc. on the load like some other companies do. You know--like when you're trying to fill out the screen or read the bills while the yard dogs are telling you to get the hell out of here? (I wonder how many accidents are caused by red tape.)
I have only two issues remaining, really. First, the money I'm owed, of course. Second, I'll have to renew my PO box next month. I'll really need to move it, since I only chose it because it was near my former company's yard.
For the next few weeks, I'll feel around and determine what to do about that.
THIS time, I can take my time and pick a good spot. Maybe where I can drop a trailer, or near Cleveland (doubtful), or maybe at a place I deliver to or pick up from weekly.
But for now, I'm real happy. Everybody affiliated with my new company seems very nice, I know James told the truth about everything, and that this is the best company I've ever worked for. Now I'll take a shower...I'm going to the hotel bar...
Say.......I really like this hotel, so maybe if...they could take my mail...hmmmmm....
Oh yeah! I got a new bluetooth earpiece and love it. It's a Plantronics discovery 975. There's no loop. It just goes right in (not inside) your ear and sort of magicly sticks firmly (you get three earpieces to choose from). I could take a PUNCH and not lose this thing!
I don't like having my earpiece in all the time, though, but this thing has it's own little charging station. I mean: You charge the charging station, and then it charges your earpiece. It comes with a lanyard. I hook the lanyard to my keychain or my shirt, and put the earpiece in it. It has a quick release thing so you can get it out with one hand and stick it in your ear before the third ring.
Every pro driver should have one.
Okbye.
Never saw any of the people I deal with. Kristy, who principly handled my application, is a Compliance Officer or Safety Director at the central office in NC. I don't have a printer, so I had to email the hotels I was at, then help them open the files, print them, fill them out, and get them to fax the pages.
The first hotel charged me a buck a page at first, but I somehow made them feel sorry for me, and then acted like I just forgot, and they let me go. After all, they want me to come back and spend more money, and I let it show that I was irked.
Had to dig up some of my own stuff from various government sources on-line, and send them in. Found out I was delinquent on my road use taxes and paid them. It's been a hassle--but boy, it was worth it.
The main company provides authorities to the owner-operators, and assigns them to independant agents. (by the way--everybody including my agents is female. Which I like. I find women generally sharper and more reasonable than men. Generally, okay-so no PC BS. Reality is what it is-get used to it.)
My agents are in MD. I thought I'd have to go there for orientation or some sort of thing, but Courtney (one of the agents) told me no--they'll get me a trailer near where I am, and load me too. That's different...
Landstar has a similar business model, except they have a network of agents and are much larger. This company is, I believe, Texas-and-east regional.
With my former company, I didn't pay trailer rental, but made 3% less (72% of the load vs. 75%). That company owned its' trailers, but this one leases them from trailer companies. They don't have a company logo on them. After I've learned the ropes, I might consider buying my own trailer to save the 120/week, but doubt it.
When you own your own trailer, you have to pay for its' maintenance and insurance. Then, whenever you need to get away from it, you have to find someplace to drop it. Sometimes you have to pay for that--and if you don't, and it's not a well-lit secure location and it's stolen, your insurer won't cover it. You can't drop and hook, either, so it's like an anchor.
They sent me only 50 miles to get a 2007 from a trailer rental place. It had JUST been inspected and tuned up. Sliders slid like butter, too. Rusty, and wood chips inside, but I don't care. It's nice to know that the trailers are well-maintained.
Economic comment: See, the trailer rental companies compete with eachother. They know that if drivers get trailers with problems, they won't come back. They're MOTIVATED to keep them up, plus they're specialists. And why do they do this? To make money. Freedom works, understand?
Anyway, my former freight paid less than 2 bucks; probably 1.50 average going out, with a 1.00 backhaul. That is, until Jim took over the backhauls and dug up a bunch of 1.20-1.50 backhauls.
This company evidently hauls more high-value stuff, since per James, (the other owner-op who first told me about this company) (and who I owe a beer if I ever see him again), these "outbounds" gross between 3 and 4 bucks a mile.
I was told on this particular load that if I need to go back to the area I came from, I'll probably gross 1.00/mile on that.
However, I suspect that the agents haven't beaten the bushes like Jim did, and I know which brokerage he got his higher-paying backhauls from. I also have experience calling brokers and dispatching myself--during a really tough period in the industry. I'm being quiet until I get my feet wet here, but I think I can help them out with the backhauls a little later.
However, James--who is married and needs hometime sometimes, said that (after three weeks with the company), he actually has a sort circular "route" that he runs, with zero backhauls. That's what I'll be working on. Plus, I don't need home time. If not a route, I'll try to just run around and not go to the dead zones.
Backhauls for my former company were just the way they're set up. They only have one yard, and not that many trailers. Many of their loads are outbound, and they have to dig for stuff to bring you back.
I already know from this load that MA, and perhaps the upper northeast, is a dead zone for this company. (Actually it just is--like Texas). You can get a high-paying load there, but there are too many trucks always trying to get back out, and the market prevails.
For now, though, I stupidly told them that I'd deliver this load on tuesday instead of today, which I easily could have. I wanted to stay around Ohio where I was so I could get the rest of the money my former company owed me. The reason that was stupid was because Junior doesn't intend to stiff me at all, and I don't need to be there. He can send me the payments via comcheck.
...which...it's 1530, I just called, they're still in a meeting, it's friday.....
Well I'm not worrying about it. I'll get it eventually.
Anyway, so I just went ahead and took this massive 700 lb. load to this hotel that I'm fond of with a bar in it, and will reside here til monday. I'll be at the recievers at o800 tuesday, and see what I can get next.
This company doesn't use qualcom, which is cool. I opted to scan my bills in--7.50/week is worth it. I found out today that I'm supposed to call in my location each morning by 1100, which doesn't bother me at all. I get to show off for them, since I tend to get way ahead on every load.
That's one of my best motivations, by the way. I allow me to be a child and try to impress everybody. He hopes they hang up the phone and say to somebody else "Damn! He's 150 miles out already!", and that somebody else says "Guess we'd better keep him!"
It's juvenile, but the social instincts we've evolved have real reasons for them. They help you do your best.
Political comment: Our founding fathers (and Adam Smith) also understood this, which is why they designed a free and open economic system while creating the land of opportunity. Which marxism poisons and eventually destroys. GET IT? FREEEEEDOOOMMMM!!!
Anyway, they also didn't need to know the weight, count, who signed, etc. on the load like some other companies do. You know--like when you're trying to fill out the screen or read the bills while the yard dogs are telling you to get the hell out of here? (I wonder how many accidents are caused by red tape.)
I have only two issues remaining, really. First, the money I'm owed, of course. Second, I'll have to renew my PO box next month. I'll really need to move it, since I only chose it because it was near my former company's yard.
For the next few weeks, I'll feel around and determine what to do about that.
THIS time, I can take my time and pick a good spot. Maybe where I can drop a trailer, or near Cleveland (doubtful), or maybe at a place I deliver to or pick up from weekly.
But for now, I'm real happy. Everybody affiliated with my new company seems very nice, I know James told the truth about everything, and that this is the best company I've ever worked for. Now I'll take a shower...I'm going to the hotel bar...
Say.......I really like this hotel, so maybe if...they could take my mail...hmmmmm....
Oh yeah! I got a new bluetooth earpiece and love it. It's a Plantronics discovery 975. There's no loop. It just goes right in (not inside) your ear and sort of magicly sticks firmly (you get three earpieces to choose from). I could take a PUNCH and not lose this thing!
I don't like having my earpiece in all the time, though, but this thing has it's own little charging station. I mean: You charge the charging station, and then it charges your earpiece. It comes with a lanyard. I hook the lanyard to my keychain or my shirt, and put the earpiece in it. It has a quick release thing so you can get it out with one hand and stick it in your ear before the third ring.
Every pro driver should have one.
Okbye.
I'm Back
Well, my company started bouncing checks again 12 weeks ago--same two twice. My Business account got restricted even before it shrank to nothing. I went "on strike" and shut myself down. Stayed in hotels while they paid me a little at a time through partial payment company checks and comchecks.
They STILL owe me 2700 bucks.
Your first impulse is to blame everybody, but the situation here is more complicated. Minority owner Junior can't see the books for some reason, and doesn't know where that (from a LOT of freight they moved) went. The woman who does the accounting and payroll came in with the new "money" partner--which is when checks started bouncing.
Junior is reorganizing with Ed and others. They'll form a new company, and Junior will oversee payroll and make damn sure everybody gets paid first.
I believe Junior. The new company will be as solid as he is.
Unfortunately, while I was down I had plenty of time to interrogate other drivers about where they worked, and to send out applications.
I got rejected by Liberty Transportation again, despite the terminal manager's efforts on my behalf. The damage that some scumbag(s) did to my DMVR while running around like maniacs with MY CDL was still there. You can't fix it without an attorney and 8-12 grand.
(By the way, these are the lowest of the low. The very reason they need to destroy other people's driving records is because they are the most reckless, dangerous idiots on the road. THEY are the ones the Safety and Compliance officers are intending to keep away from their loads and equipment. WORSE: Because they screw guys like me up, they're on the road and I'm NOT. Burn in hell!
Only later, I discovered that one of the tickets (which was mine) was the one time in seven years I missed a weigh station. That's not a moving violation, and shouldn't have even been ON my DMVR. A phoney ticket will also drop off my record in 9 days, and another in two months, leasing me almost sparkling clean. I'll only have one legit conviction and one BS one.
SO, 5 weeks after Liberty, I tried a new company that another owner-operator drove for. He told me about it while we were standing around waiting for repairs at T/A.. I applied. They leased me on, and now here I am on my first run. 836 miles, less than 1k, 1600 to the truck!!! Direct deposit--no bounced checks.
I set it up to send 60% to my corp. account, 20% to my SEP IRA, and leave 20% on my Comdata card.
The 20% is paying my ungrateful employee, me. He loaned the corp. over 29k to buy the truck and APU 3 years ago and was never repaid. Up until now, his compensation was peanuts, as a lot went into truck repairs and enhancements, and the business.
However, me the driver got to stay in hotels, use the coprporate internet and laptop to fool around, got all his meals and cash whenever he needed it. All the other drivers make more than he does, however, and I'm sick of his whining.
NOW, he's going to get 20% of the net in addition to his expenses and bennies. However, for his own good, I heve to lock it into his SEP IRA. This of course means that the Corp. earns 20% less, but I have to repay the money I owe me eventually, with interest, and I've decided that half of his 20% will be payments on his original loans. So, as I've already heard from him, he STILL makes less than the other guys. Can't make the guy happy!
Now me still gets his hotel stays and grub and clothes and stuff, plus 20% of the net. He's terribly irresponsible, and putting in into his IRA is for his own good. Me is about to turn...what is it--54--so we gotta get some dough in there ASAP.
For no charge, I am going to manage me's IRA portfolio for him. Me has seen my track history and is screaming about that, but I insist. I promise him I'll be more responsible this time, and take fewer risks than I did as a trader. We're several weeks away from any unconventional moves in that area, and I'll do some more home-work and check out various strategies. I'll keep at least 40% in interest-bearing or high-yield investments, leave the Gold microcaps alone, etc. and only trade in weeks or months to reduce slippage and commissions.
What's screwed up here is that I had to set up a Huntington bank account in Me's name to simplify cashing company checks which might bounce. I needed a brick and mortar bank, and chose the one that my old company used to write their checks on.
E-Trade...wow...
First off, when these checks TO the account bounced, the account was restricted. I mean, I didn't WRITE any bad checks. There was no hint of impropriety. Checks TO the account bounce, and it gets restricted!
In order to lift the restriction, the guy at E-Trade has to get me in a 3-way call with the company that bounced the checks, and they have to say why the checks bounced on a recorded line! Whywhywhy?
After setting up the Huntington account and getting some debt-payments from my lessor into it, I linked the accounts and transferred money to fund my E-Trade Corp. Account. They never acknowleged reciept. It was mailed, so I cancelled those checks and re-submitted another one.
E-trade never acknowleged this either.
THEN, they found out that my restricted account would not let any money IN!!! I told them: "Those checks were cancelled. They're gone. Here's money for the account. Why are you doing this to me? Are you insane?"
Of course, they just work there, and policy is policy, no matter how idiotic. Finally got BJ on the phone (Junior is ALWAYS too busy). She doesn't directly handle payroll, and was naturally not about to get herself in trouble. But I did get her to say that there was a cash-flow problem, and several of us got stiffed. There is was--the reason for the bounce on the recorded line.
Isn't this just freaking...I mean...
So NOW, here comes another E-Trade issue: I and only I own my corporation. MY NAME is on the debit card and checks. So when I set up the SEP IRA for me and tried to move funds into it, I was not allowed to.
Why? Another E-Trade policy...I can't link the accounts. Apparantly they're afraid I'll steal from the other shareholders (myself and I) or something.
So NOW, I will have to transfer the money from the Corp. account to me's Huntington account, and trust that irresponsible bastard to transfer that money into his IRA. It's assenine.
More later.
They STILL owe me 2700 bucks.
Your first impulse is to blame everybody, but the situation here is more complicated. Minority owner Junior can't see the books for some reason, and doesn't know where that (from a LOT of freight they moved) went. The woman who does the accounting and payroll came in with the new "money" partner--which is when checks started bouncing.
Junior is reorganizing with Ed and others. They'll form a new company, and Junior will oversee payroll and make damn sure everybody gets paid first.
I believe Junior. The new company will be as solid as he is.
Unfortunately, while I was down I had plenty of time to interrogate other drivers about where they worked, and to send out applications.
I got rejected by Liberty Transportation again, despite the terminal manager's efforts on my behalf. The damage that some scumbag(s) did to my DMVR while running around like maniacs with MY CDL was still there. You can't fix it without an attorney and 8-12 grand.
(By the way, these are the lowest of the low. The very reason they need to destroy other people's driving records is because they are the most reckless, dangerous idiots on the road. THEY are the ones the Safety and Compliance officers are intending to keep away from their loads and equipment. WORSE: Because they screw guys like me up, they're on the road and I'm NOT. Burn in hell!
Only later, I discovered that one of the tickets (which was mine) was the one time in seven years I missed a weigh station. That's not a moving violation, and shouldn't have even been ON my DMVR. A phoney ticket will also drop off my record in 9 days, and another in two months, leasing me almost sparkling clean. I'll only have one legit conviction and one BS one.
SO, 5 weeks after Liberty, I tried a new company that another owner-operator drove for. He told me about it while we were standing around waiting for repairs at T/A.. I applied. They leased me on, and now here I am on my first run. 836 miles, less than 1k, 1600 to the truck!!! Direct deposit--no bounced checks.
I set it up to send 60% to my corp. account, 20% to my SEP IRA, and leave 20% on my Comdata card.
The 20% is paying my ungrateful employee, me. He loaned the corp. over 29k to buy the truck and APU 3 years ago and was never repaid. Up until now, his compensation was peanuts, as a lot went into truck repairs and enhancements, and the business.
However, me the driver got to stay in hotels, use the coprporate internet and laptop to fool around, got all his meals and cash whenever he needed it. All the other drivers make more than he does, however, and I'm sick of his whining.
NOW, he's going to get 20% of the net in addition to his expenses and bennies. However, for his own good, I heve to lock it into his SEP IRA. This of course means that the Corp. earns 20% less, but I have to repay the money I owe me eventually, with interest, and I've decided that half of his 20% will be payments on his original loans. So, as I've already heard from him, he STILL makes less than the other guys. Can't make the guy happy!
Now me still gets his hotel stays and grub and clothes and stuff, plus 20% of the net. He's terribly irresponsible, and putting in into his IRA is for his own good. Me is about to turn...what is it--54--so we gotta get some dough in there ASAP.
For no charge, I am going to manage me's IRA portfolio for him. Me has seen my track history and is screaming about that, but I insist. I promise him I'll be more responsible this time, and take fewer risks than I did as a trader. We're several weeks away from any unconventional moves in that area, and I'll do some more home-work and check out various strategies. I'll keep at least 40% in interest-bearing or high-yield investments, leave the Gold microcaps alone, etc. and only trade in weeks or months to reduce slippage and commissions.
What's screwed up here is that I had to set up a Huntington bank account in Me's name to simplify cashing company checks which might bounce. I needed a brick and mortar bank, and chose the one that my old company used to write their checks on.
E-Trade...wow...
First off, when these checks TO the account bounced, the account was restricted. I mean, I didn't WRITE any bad checks. There was no hint of impropriety. Checks TO the account bounce, and it gets restricted!
In order to lift the restriction, the guy at E-Trade has to get me in a 3-way call with the company that bounced the checks, and they have to say why the checks bounced on a recorded line! Whywhywhy?
After setting up the Huntington account and getting some debt-payments from my lessor into it, I linked the accounts and transferred money to fund my E-Trade Corp. Account. They never acknowleged reciept. It was mailed, so I cancelled those checks and re-submitted another one.
E-trade never acknowleged this either.
THEN, they found out that my restricted account would not let any money IN!!! I told them: "Those checks were cancelled. They're gone. Here's money for the account. Why are you doing this to me? Are you insane?"
Of course, they just work there, and policy is policy, no matter how idiotic. Finally got BJ on the phone (Junior is ALWAYS too busy). She doesn't directly handle payroll, and was naturally not about to get herself in trouble. But I did get her to say that there was a cash-flow problem, and several of us got stiffed. There is was--the reason for the bounce on the recorded line.
Isn't this just freaking...I mean...
So NOW, here comes another E-Trade issue: I and only I own my corporation. MY NAME is on the debit card and checks. So when I set up the SEP IRA for me and tried to move funds into it, I was not allowed to.
Why? Another E-Trade policy...I can't link the accounts. Apparantly they're afraid I'll steal from the other shareholders (myself and I) or something.
So NOW, I will have to transfer the money from the Corp. account to me's Huntington account, and trust that irresponsible bastard to transfer that money into his IRA. It's assenine.
More later.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Browns Draft Dumb Comment Corrections continued
"The Browns need help at linebacker": I truly wish that those of you who are clueless would quit repeating stuff you heard clueless sportswriters say!
It's like saying "utilize" instead of "use"--it only impresses even dumber people!
And stop throwing out season statistics! NEW coaches, players, and systems!!! What the hell did you expect for the first half of the season? THROW OUT the first eight games, and put the weight on the games they played as the players got used to eachother and their systems, and once rookies caught onto how to compete in the NFL.
If you have the common sense to do that, you see a lot of sacks, much improvement vs. the run, and turnovers.
So ok Wimbley, despite some improvement under Mangini, still isn't the sack machine we thought he'd be. He has quietly turned into an elite all-around linebacker who could start for a lot of 4-3 teams.
Matt Roth IS a sack machine, and will still be here.
Trusnik showed some real emergent ability, and can play inside.
Benard was a rookie phenom who can rush the QB, and will only get better with the experience. HE may be able to play inside as well.
Veikune was a ROOKIE SMALL COLLEGE DEFENSIVE END BEING CONVERTED TO I N S I D E LINEBACKER and it's IDIOTIC to declare him a bust based on his ROOKIE season!! He's as strong as offensive linemen and faster than most tight ends.
D'Qwell Jackson in NOT too small, and has already proven it to any rational person. His tackles are NOT all downfield, but often at or behind the line of scrimmage. He covers a lot in this defense, and does so extremely well--that's valuable!!
Barton is a solid, underrated "hold-the-fort" guy who played out of position. Barton is like Jackson--a WEAK inside linebacker who can tackle and pursue but isn't meant for engaging blockers.
That's why, when David Bowens moved over there, things improved: Bowens can defeat or stifle blockers. Like Veikune and Roth.
Isolate the last six games, and it is OBVIOUS that outside or inside linebacker is NOT a priority need for this team! You got run stopping, pressure, and coverage (except vs. KC--I suppose you want to cherry-pick that game out and disregard the other FIVE?)
"We need a quarterback". that's not dumb, but is presumptive. I thought so too, but recent comments by Holmgren--which admittedly might be deceptions--sound like he's thinking of letting Quinn try again.
I want to disagree. I mean, when you talk about developement, you mostly mean mental developement. Quinn's issues are not in reading coverage or making good decisions. His ONLY issue is accuracy.
Yes, Quinnbots, some passes were dropped--but way too many missed by a mile. STOP RATIONALIZING! They did TOO run the right pattern! Anybody but Quinn, right? He MISSES!!!
And it's not Daboll's fault. And he's not some fragile hothouse flower who wilts because he's not guaranteed anything...uh...I don't think...
I mean, he was never very accurate, but did well enough earlier. I was looking foreward to some footwork tweaking and an improvement in accuracy. But he got WORSE! No, Brady--you're supposed to improve with experience, not get worse!
I didn't think so before, but now I do think that he should cut back on the iron-pumping.
At any rate, if anybody can fix him, it is Mike Holmgren. And if anybody can make that decision, it's Mike. Quinn's contract is team-friendly, and even if he's not the long-term future, if he's okay for a season then he's got some real trade value.
It does also sound like this will be a type of West Coast offense, and Quinn has everything you need there except the accuracy. (He DID complete passes earlier--remember? I mean, sometimes they didn't even have to dive or slow down--HONEST!!!)
However, Mikey might indeed be blowing smoke. Bradford or Clausen could actually be there at number seven. Mikey has never drafted a QB that high, but this does not mean he never will. Do not assume.
But I have heard reports that they've shown extra interest in Tony Pike of Cincinnati, who should be there in the second. He would ideally need a season or so on the bench, but all the scouts insist that he has all the goods.
He was undefeated this season until they hit Tebow's buzz saw in the Orange Bowl (David and Goliath). In that game, vs. that defense, Pike was sacked 4 times, but completed (I believe) 27/45 for three touchdowns in a Bowl game vs. elite competition.
And what if Tebow does somehow slide into the second round? Wyche says his delivery is fixable and he's smart like Montana and Esiason. Might Mikey not love to get his hands on that? Could you blame him?
Anyway, if you think you know more about quarterbacks than Mike Holmgren, and are ready to burn him in effigy if he doesn't do what you want, you are retarded. You shouldn't be allowed to serve on juries, vote, or drive. Maybe you should be institutionalized.
Cleveland is full of NFL talent scouts and GM's. Walk into any bar and you'll find at least a couple. It's a wonder Lerner never toured the bars and interviewed the experts there! Could have got his coordinators and coaches there too!
Anyway in reality the Browns need:
ONE cornerback
1-2 safeties
ONE wide reciever
A right tackle (maybe)
A QB (probably).
That's it.
Oh. Since the Browns will probably use some two-back, I guess a big back would be nice, but actually people forget that Cribbs can play halfback or tailback. I mean, the Broowns a very deep at running back (and Vickers). If you got a Gerhart or some other big guy who can run, it would be better.
Hell, I don't deny that linebacker could be improved, either. EVERY position could be upgraded! I can find ways to upgrade the Colts and the Saints rosters!
But I know what the word "NEED" means. I suggest more of you look it up in your Funk&Wagnalls.
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
It's like saying "utilize" instead of "use"--it only impresses even dumber people!
And stop throwing out season statistics! NEW coaches, players, and systems!!! What the hell did you expect for the first half of the season? THROW OUT the first eight games, and put the weight on the games they played as the players got used to eachother and their systems, and once rookies caught onto how to compete in the NFL.
If you have the common sense to do that, you see a lot of sacks, much improvement vs. the run, and turnovers.
So ok Wimbley, despite some improvement under Mangini, still isn't the sack machine we thought he'd be. He has quietly turned into an elite all-around linebacker who could start for a lot of 4-3 teams.
Matt Roth IS a sack machine, and will still be here.
Trusnik showed some real emergent ability, and can play inside.
Benard was a rookie phenom who can rush the QB, and will only get better with the experience. HE may be able to play inside as well.
Veikune was a ROOKIE SMALL COLLEGE DEFENSIVE END BEING CONVERTED TO I N S I D E LINEBACKER and it's IDIOTIC to declare him a bust based on his ROOKIE season!! He's as strong as offensive linemen and faster than most tight ends.
D'Qwell Jackson in NOT too small, and has already proven it to any rational person. His tackles are NOT all downfield, but often at or behind the line of scrimmage. He covers a lot in this defense, and does so extremely well--that's valuable!!
Barton is a solid, underrated "hold-the-fort" guy who played out of position. Barton is like Jackson--a WEAK inside linebacker who can tackle and pursue but isn't meant for engaging blockers.
That's why, when David Bowens moved over there, things improved: Bowens can defeat or stifle blockers. Like Veikune and Roth.
Isolate the last six games, and it is OBVIOUS that outside or inside linebacker is NOT a priority need for this team! You got run stopping, pressure, and coverage (except vs. KC--I suppose you want to cherry-pick that game out and disregard the other FIVE?)
"We need a quarterback". that's not dumb, but is presumptive. I thought so too, but recent comments by Holmgren--which admittedly might be deceptions--sound like he's thinking of letting Quinn try again.
I want to disagree. I mean, when you talk about developement, you mostly mean mental developement. Quinn's issues are not in reading coverage or making good decisions. His ONLY issue is accuracy.
Yes, Quinnbots, some passes were dropped--but way too many missed by a mile. STOP RATIONALIZING! They did TOO run the right pattern! Anybody but Quinn, right? He MISSES!!!
And it's not Daboll's fault. And he's not some fragile hothouse flower who wilts because he's not guaranteed anything...uh...I don't think...
I mean, he was never very accurate, but did well enough earlier. I was looking foreward to some footwork tweaking and an improvement in accuracy. But he got WORSE! No, Brady--you're supposed to improve with experience, not get worse!
I didn't think so before, but now I do think that he should cut back on the iron-pumping.
At any rate, if anybody can fix him, it is Mike Holmgren. And if anybody can make that decision, it's Mike. Quinn's contract is team-friendly, and even if he's not the long-term future, if he's okay for a season then he's got some real trade value.
It does also sound like this will be a type of West Coast offense, and Quinn has everything you need there except the accuracy. (He DID complete passes earlier--remember? I mean, sometimes they didn't even have to dive or slow down--HONEST!!!)
However, Mikey might indeed be blowing smoke. Bradford or Clausen could actually be there at number seven. Mikey has never drafted a QB that high, but this does not mean he never will. Do not assume.
But I have heard reports that they've shown extra interest in Tony Pike of Cincinnati, who should be there in the second. He would ideally need a season or so on the bench, but all the scouts insist that he has all the goods.
He was undefeated this season until they hit Tebow's buzz saw in the Orange Bowl (David and Goliath). In that game, vs. that defense, Pike was sacked 4 times, but completed (I believe) 27/45 for three touchdowns in a Bowl game vs. elite competition.
And what if Tebow does somehow slide into the second round? Wyche says his delivery is fixable and he's smart like Montana and Esiason. Might Mikey not love to get his hands on that? Could you blame him?
Anyway, if you think you know more about quarterbacks than Mike Holmgren, and are ready to burn him in effigy if he doesn't do what you want, you are retarded. You shouldn't be allowed to serve on juries, vote, or drive. Maybe you should be institutionalized.
Cleveland is full of NFL talent scouts and GM's. Walk into any bar and you'll find at least a couple. It's a wonder Lerner never toured the bars and interviewed the experts there! Could have got his coordinators and coaches there too!
Anyway in reality the Browns need:
ONE cornerback
1-2 safeties
ONE wide reciever
A right tackle (maybe)
A QB (probably).
That's it.
Oh. Since the Browns will probably use some two-back, I guess a big back would be nice, but actually people forget that Cribbs can play halfback or tailback. I mean, the Broowns a very deep at running back (and Vickers). If you got a Gerhart or some other big guy who can run, it would be better.
Hell, I don't deny that linebacker could be improved, either. EVERY position could be upgraded! I can find ways to upgrade the Colts and the Saints rosters!
But I know what the word "NEED" means. I suggest more of you look it up in your Funk&Wagnalls.
YOU STAND CORRECTED.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Rational Thoughts on the Browns Draft
First, the Cleveland Browns don't need either an outside or inside linebacker. Jackson IS a rover, who is all over the field; notably in coverage. Deflections and interceptions, along with tackles both in positive and negative territory, are not a statistical anomoly.
The Browns have "thumper" candidates to help him out in Roth, Trusnik, Bowens, Veikune, and I wouldn't even count out Benard.
Veikune? OF COURSE! If you count on a small college defensive end converting to NFL linebacker before his second season, you are mentally challenged. It's far more likely that this tremendously gifted YOUNG man will challenge for and win a starting role than it is he will not!
Can the unit be upgraded? Always! Sure! Until you have a Pro bowler at every position, every position can always be upgraded! Sure, there are some prospects in this draft you wouldn't kick out of bed for eating crackers, but you DON'T waste a draft pick on a guy who will force you to release a guy who will go somewhere else and maybe START!
And the secondary: Wright is a GOOD starter, Adams is a great backup at three postions, and a nice nickel back, Elam is a solid hold-the-fort guy, Furrey is okay. Sure, they need a starter opposite Wright and another safety, but that's about it. Two players, and the depth is already here.
Coye Francies did nothing as a rookie. Something you need to know about rookies: They don't have any experience. They're often not ready for the NFL. In their second and third seasons, they understand things better and tend to be improved.
Just thought I needed to point that out. I mean, probably over 90% of the league's starters didn't start, or even play much, as rookies. They were not ready. But later on, they were ready DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Francies is going to challenge for a starting role this coming season, and has the talent to win it. Sure, he might crap out, but the most likely scenario is that he turns into a nice backup and nickel or dime guy.
Ignorant people tend to exhaggerate and generalize a lot. They tend to talk about "gaping holes", and call a secondary need at right tackle a need to "replace the right side of the offensive line".
They also tend to utterly ignore every player on the practice squad, assuming they will never be anything more than that. Ignorant people don't comprehend complex stuff like growth, maturity, learning, or improvement.
Last season the Browns grabbed Jason Capizzi from the Steelers, who now has all of three years NFL experience. The Steelers signed him as an undrafted free agent out of the powerhouse called Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Love 'em or hate 'em, they know talent.
I don't know if you know this, but the Steelers are located in Pennsylvania, and so are a lot of their scouts.
Anyway he's 6'9", at least 315, athletic, a bulldozer, and has now had time to acclimate himself to the pro game. He got a lot of positive write-ups in the Steeler press. Entering his fourth season, he could very well take over at right tackle.
Yeah, I said it. A lot of pros think he can play LEFT tackle, he has the wingspan and the feet, so why the hell not? And I seriously doubt that he's only 315 anymore. I'll bet he's at least a 330-lb. mauler who can protect the edge.
I didn't just guarantee that, or say that the Browns should not draft any offensive linemen. I would like to see the entire line look like Mack and Thomas. But in the real world, teams can't afford that.
Also in the real world, you don't draft an offensive tackle seventh overall, pay him MORE THAN Joe Thomas, and use him at right tackle. That is idiotic. A tall athletic guard can play right tackle. A lot of you goobers would have two Joe Thomas's and a Mack and not be able to pay for any wide recievers or quarterbacks. Please stay away from my business and my accountant.
Who runs that draft site that mocks the Browns drafting a 190 lb. waterbug running back atop the second round? Why do we need another Harrison?
And who told Grossi et al that the Browns need a big back? they've got one of the two best fullbacks in the NFL, Chris Jennings showed promise, and James Davis was very effective throughout college in short yardage.
Sure, if that 245-lb. Senior Bowl mutant is there in the third or the fourth--okay. Sure, ideally you got Harrison, Peterson, AND Jim Brown--but it's not a NEED!!!
Harrison is like a legion of short every-down backs who went before him including Kiki Barber, Priest Holmes, Emmit Smith, and a lot of others. He's hard to hit and doesn't take a lot of punishment. These guys outlasted most of their taller contemporaries, who took a whole lot more punishment.
Think I'm wrong? Stay tuned to Adrian Peterson.
Adam Caplan, Moore was not a fluke. He's a fast tight end who gets open and can catch. He's a play-making tight end. The Browns don't NEED a playmaking tight end. For that matter, Moore can do everything Jurevicious did. He's a converted wide reciever with the same speed, height, and hands.
I didn't just say the Browns don't need a wide reciever. They do. Sort of....I'll take this up with my next blog.
The Browns have "thumper" candidates to help him out in Roth, Trusnik, Bowens, Veikune, and I wouldn't even count out Benard.
Veikune? OF COURSE! If you count on a small college defensive end converting to NFL linebacker before his second season, you are mentally challenged. It's far more likely that this tremendously gifted YOUNG man will challenge for and win a starting role than it is he will not!
Can the unit be upgraded? Always! Sure! Until you have a Pro bowler at every position, every position can always be upgraded! Sure, there are some prospects in this draft you wouldn't kick out of bed for eating crackers, but you DON'T waste a draft pick on a guy who will force you to release a guy who will go somewhere else and maybe START!
And the secondary: Wright is a GOOD starter, Adams is a great backup at three postions, and a nice nickel back, Elam is a solid hold-the-fort guy, Furrey is okay. Sure, they need a starter opposite Wright and another safety, but that's about it. Two players, and the depth is already here.
Coye Francies did nothing as a rookie. Something you need to know about rookies: They don't have any experience. They're often not ready for the NFL. In their second and third seasons, they understand things better and tend to be improved.
Just thought I needed to point that out. I mean, probably over 90% of the league's starters didn't start, or even play much, as rookies. They were not ready. But later on, they were ready DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Francies is going to challenge for a starting role this coming season, and has the talent to win it. Sure, he might crap out, but the most likely scenario is that he turns into a nice backup and nickel or dime guy.
Ignorant people tend to exhaggerate and generalize a lot. They tend to talk about "gaping holes", and call a secondary need at right tackle a need to "replace the right side of the offensive line".
They also tend to utterly ignore every player on the practice squad, assuming they will never be anything more than that. Ignorant people don't comprehend complex stuff like growth, maturity, learning, or improvement.
Last season the Browns grabbed Jason Capizzi from the Steelers, who now has all of three years NFL experience. The Steelers signed him as an undrafted free agent out of the powerhouse called Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Love 'em or hate 'em, they know talent.
I don't know if you know this, but the Steelers are located in Pennsylvania, and so are a lot of their scouts.
Anyway he's 6'9", at least 315, athletic, a bulldozer, and has now had time to acclimate himself to the pro game. He got a lot of positive write-ups in the Steeler press. Entering his fourth season, he could very well take over at right tackle.
Yeah, I said it. A lot of pros think he can play LEFT tackle, he has the wingspan and the feet, so why the hell not? And I seriously doubt that he's only 315 anymore. I'll bet he's at least a 330-lb. mauler who can protect the edge.
I didn't just guarantee that, or say that the Browns should not draft any offensive linemen. I would like to see the entire line look like Mack and Thomas. But in the real world, teams can't afford that.
Also in the real world, you don't draft an offensive tackle seventh overall, pay him MORE THAN Joe Thomas, and use him at right tackle. That is idiotic. A tall athletic guard can play right tackle. A lot of you goobers would have two Joe Thomas's and a Mack and not be able to pay for any wide recievers or quarterbacks. Please stay away from my business and my accountant.
Who runs that draft site that mocks the Browns drafting a 190 lb. waterbug running back atop the second round? Why do we need another Harrison?
And who told Grossi et al that the Browns need a big back? they've got one of the two best fullbacks in the NFL, Chris Jennings showed promise, and James Davis was very effective throughout college in short yardage.
Sure, if that 245-lb. Senior Bowl mutant is there in the third or the fourth--okay. Sure, ideally you got Harrison, Peterson, AND Jim Brown--but it's not a NEED!!!
Harrison is like a legion of short every-down backs who went before him including Kiki Barber, Priest Holmes, Emmit Smith, and a lot of others. He's hard to hit and doesn't take a lot of punishment. These guys outlasted most of their taller contemporaries, who took a whole lot more punishment.
Think I'm wrong? Stay tuned to Adrian Peterson.
Adam Caplan, Moore was not a fluke. He's a fast tight end who gets open and can catch. He's a play-making tight end. The Browns don't NEED a playmaking tight end. For that matter, Moore can do everything Jurevicious did. He's a converted wide reciever with the same speed, height, and hands.
I didn't just say the Browns don't need a wide reciever. They do. Sort of....I'll take this up with my next blog.
Friday, January 22, 2010
DIAMOND POWER APU: A MONEY PIT
Eighteen months ago, I bought a Diamond Power APU (Auxillery Power Unit) for my truck. Diamond Power claims that the unit saves owners and fleets money by replacing idling for heating/cooling the driver, keeping batteries charged, etc.
My Diamond Power APU has COST me over 25k, destroyed my reputation, endangered my lease, and undermined my health. If you could design any device specificly to destroy a livelihood and carreer, it would be the Diamond Power APU.
My saga begins the day of installation. It stopped working.
After that repair, it lasted about three days before it broke down again.
Since that time, I believe that the longest my Diamond Power APU has lasted between breakdowns is in the area of 17 days.
Each time it breaks down, I must deadhead, sometimes hundreds of miles, to get it repaired at an authorized service point. I have to take time off, wait to get in the shop, and to get this news: "We have to order the part. Two days. Then we'll try to fit you in."
In eighteen months, I've lost a good three in this way due to this piece of garbage called the Diamond Power APU.
Why didn't I demand a refund, and this piece of crap off my truck? Partly because I kept thinking that the nightmare might finally have ended after the latest repair. I'm an optimist. Can't help it. Besides, what rational person could believe that such a spectacular string of malfunctions could continue?
I also didn't demand a refund because the first unit destroyed itself. metal shavings in the oil. They repaced it. So I kept thinking that the new Diamond Power APU couldn't possibly be the maintenance nightmare that the first one had.
I was wrong. My second Diamond Power APU was even worse than the original! Head gaskets, starters, ac compressors, heating components...
I'm now into the second year of the warrantee. I have run less than three thousand miles in january. I have shelled out over seven hundred bucks in repairs. I've been idling all night for most of the month.
The thing's water pump failed and bled me dry, stranding me. Road service cost 300. Then I had to buy the water pump. Then the starter, even before I could get out of that shop!!! I had to wait for the parts to be shipped.
As I write this, I'm in a hotel room again. That's right: My Diamond Power APU has broken down again. The warrantee covered the injector, but another part will cost me 270 bucks plus labor.
I have asked for a refund, but Diamond Power refuses to do the right thing. That's why I'm posting this blog. I'm going to spread the word. If I cost Diamond Power even one sale, it makes it a dumb move not to just pay me and let me escape from this instrument of torture and destruction they've inflicted on me.
But it's also the moral thing to do: To prevent other drivers and fleets from following into this hell I'm in: DO NOT BUY A DIAMOND POWER APU!!!
I've contacted their Attorney General, and will now look to my Trucker's Association for a referral to an industry lawyer...you don't need to know that.
I repeat: DO NOT BUY A DIAMOND POWER APU. It will cost you at least three times as much as you hope to save.
Hey, Diamond Power: Can I get my money back and this piece of crap off my truck now, or do I need to keep it up?
UPDATE: After one warranteed and one repair at my expense, the thing won't run. The technicians are baffled. I've now been here two full days--this is the third. It's saturday, so the techs won't be able to consult Diamond Power.
I'll probably be here until tuesday. How much freight could I have moved? I think I low-balled the 25k it's cost me. I have trouble grasping the reality of it myself...I might be done for with my company on monday...thanks, Diamond Power! REFUND MY MONEY!
This is typical. It will never end, until they refund my money and take this crap off my truck.
My Diamond Power APU has COST me over 25k, destroyed my reputation, endangered my lease, and undermined my health. If you could design any device specificly to destroy a livelihood and carreer, it would be the Diamond Power APU.
My saga begins the day of installation. It stopped working.
After that repair, it lasted about three days before it broke down again.
Since that time, I believe that the longest my Diamond Power APU has lasted between breakdowns is in the area of 17 days.
Each time it breaks down, I must deadhead, sometimes hundreds of miles, to get it repaired at an authorized service point. I have to take time off, wait to get in the shop, and to get this news: "We have to order the part. Two days. Then we'll try to fit you in."
In eighteen months, I've lost a good three in this way due to this piece of garbage called the Diamond Power APU.
Why didn't I demand a refund, and this piece of crap off my truck? Partly because I kept thinking that the nightmare might finally have ended after the latest repair. I'm an optimist. Can't help it. Besides, what rational person could believe that such a spectacular string of malfunctions could continue?
I also didn't demand a refund because the first unit destroyed itself. metal shavings in the oil. They repaced it. So I kept thinking that the new Diamond Power APU couldn't possibly be the maintenance nightmare that the first one had.
I was wrong. My second Diamond Power APU was even worse than the original! Head gaskets, starters, ac compressors, heating components...
I'm now into the second year of the warrantee. I have run less than three thousand miles in january. I have shelled out over seven hundred bucks in repairs. I've been idling all night for most of the month.
The thing's water pump failed and bled me dry, stranding me. Road service cost 300. Then I had to buy the water pump. Then the starter, even before I could get out of that shop!!! I had to wait for the parts to be shipped.
As I write this, I'm in a hotel room again. That's right: My Diamond Power APU has broken down again. The warrantee covered the injector, but another part will cost me 270 bucks plus labor.
I have asked for a refund, but Diamond Power refuses to do the right thing. That's why I'm posting this blog. I'm going to spread the word. If I cost Diamond Power even one sale, it makes it a dumb move not to just pay me and let me escape from this instrument of torture and destruction they've inflicted on me.
But it's also the moral thing to do: To prevent other drivers and fleets from following into this hell I'm in: DO NOT BUY A DIAMOND POWER APU!!!
I've contacted their Attorney General, and will now look to my Trucker's Association for a referral to an industry lawyer...you don't need to know that.
I repeat: DO NOT BUY A DIAMOND POWER APU. It will cost you at least three times as much as you hope to save.
Hey, Diamond Power: Can I get my money back and this piece of crap off my truck now, or do I need to keep it up?
UPDATE: After one warranteed and one repair at my expense, the thing won't run. The technicians are baffled. I've now been here two full days--this is the third. It's saturday, so the techs won't be able to consult Diamond Power.
I'll probably be here until tuesday. How much freight could I have moved? I think I low-balled the 25k it's cost me. I have trouble grasping the reality of it myself...I might be done for with my company on monday...thanks, Diamond Power! REFUND MY MONEY!
This is typical. It will never end, until they refund my money and take this crap off my truck.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Propaganda
There are five newspapers in a town. One is different.
Here are headlines on an incident from four of those newspapers:
FIREFIGHTERS LATE--THREE DIE.
In two of the newspapers, this appears on the front page:
At 2059 W. 47th, a boarding house owned by John Doe caught fire, apparantly when a tenant fell asleep smoking. At 2:45 am on 10/5, the first of several 911 calls was taken (story continued)
One of the four newspapers reported the rest of the story, on the third to last page. That is, the page that nobody has the time or interest to read.
The fifth newspaper's headline read: "Heroic Rescue of Eight Costs firefighters Their Lives".
ON THAT PAGE, it tells you that the firetruck was stopped cold four blocks away by a traffic jam. That the crew jumped off and hauled what equipment they could carry the rest of the way on foot. That eight people were rescued, and that two firefighters were killed along with the person they were attempting to rescue.
It seems that the Safety Director isn't a favorite of any of the newspapers.
Anyway, a day later a lynch-mob shows up at City Hall demanding the Safety Director's head...and the fire chief's, too.
WHAT WAS THE TRUTH, AND WHO TOLD IT?
OK so why isn't anybody listening?
Because the fifth newspaper was FoxNews...
Which is biased.
Bullshit. Go back and watch some more.
Here are headlines on an incident from four of those newspapers:
FIREFIGHTERS LATE--THREE DIE.
In two of the newspapers, this appears on the front page:
At 2059 W. 47th, a boarding house owned by John Doe caught fire, apparantly when a tenant fell asleep smoking. At 2:45 am on 10/5, the first of several 911 calls was taken (story continued)
One of the four newspapers reported the rest of the story, on the third to last page. That is, the page that nobody has the time or interest to read.
The fifth newspaper's headline read: "Heroic Rescue of Eight Costs firefighters Their Lives".
ON THAT PAGE, it tells you that the firetruck was stopped cold four blocks away by a traffic jam. That the crew jumped off and hauled what equipment they could carry the rest of the way on foot. That eight people were rescued, and that two firefighters were killed along with the person they were attempting to rescue.
It seems that the Safety Director isn't a favorite of any of the newspapers.
Anyway, a day later a lynch-mob shows up at City Hall demanding the Safety Director's head...and the fire chief's, too.
WHAT WAS THE TRUTH, AND WHO TOLD IT?
OK so why isn't anybody listening?
Because the fifth newspaper was FoxNews...
Which is biased.
Bullshit. Go back and watch some more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)