Where Did This Technology Come From?

Have you ever wondered what you have missed while on the road? Besides missing family and friends while driving our nations highways, we get passed by things such as technology. Oh sure, we have our cell phones, computers and TomToms, but do we really know the full capability of those gizmo's and gadgets?

I recently decided to take a break from driving, hopefully permanently, and I noticed a few things that have changed during the 11 years or so I've been on the road. I moved into a new apartment and found out really quickly that deposits, set-up fees and other necessities can drain the bank account very quickly. Between cable deposits, phone deposits, electricity deposits and the apartment deposit, I spent quite a bit of money.

The cable guy came out and hooked up the cable to my television and the first thing that I noticed is that I had to pay for HD service! When I was on the truck, I bought a digital converter box that allowed me to tune in local television stations better than if I had cable. I called the local cable company and they told me that I had to pay an extra $6.95 a month to receive the same signal I could get for free with a cable box! Is that the price we pay for this technological world?

After a few days, my displeasure with the local cable company wore off and I started enjoying the crisp, clear reality of digital HD television! I guess I was really caught off guard when I noticed a commercial for Domino's Pizza during a Seattle Mariner game on MLB Extra Innings. Did you know that digital HD cable boxes have TIVO built in? It was news to me and I found out that I could ORDER a Domino's Pizza through my cable box and save the transaction on TIVO for future orders! Wow, now that's technology!

Passings.......

Mr. Harvey, "GOOD DAY"! Sept. 4, 1918 ~ Feb. 28, 2009

Did you know.........

Did you know that in Stockton, California, Hammer Lane is not a truck route?

America's Song

HAPPY

NEW

YEAR!

A Truckers "MUST HAVE" for Christmas

Over a week ago, I decided to purchase an HDTV Converter Box for the truck. I don't have a satellite dish on the truck and obviously can't have cable, so instead of purchasing an expensive HDTV for several hundred dollars, I spent less than $50. bucks for a converter box. I have been on the waiting list for a Converter Box coupon from the government, but three months is a little bit excessive time to wait.

I followed all of the instructions, plugged in the box to my inverter, plugged in two tv cable wires and I was all set. The first channel search revealed at least 14 channels that were in clear, HD! The picture was better than cable or satellite in my opinion. At each city I visited, I did a channel search to see how many channels were available. In Salt Lake City, there were more than 23 HD channels available. In Stockton, California, the results were similar, over 24 channels in crisp, clear HD. I am anxious to get to LA to see how many stations are available in that media rich market. I did a search in analog in both these areas and received only a fraction of those stations available in HD. The picture in analog was still fuzzy and had the usual interferance normally seen on a regular tv in a truck.

So do you have to pay $300 or $400 dollars for a new HDTV for the truck? ABSOLUTELY NOT! You don't even need a special antenna to pick up the HD signal. The onboard tv antenna in most trucks is all you need to pick up the HD signal. Although, a nice external antenna is optional for optimum signal strength and a greater variety of channels. If you weren't sure, many traditional analog stations now have the capability of sending HD signals that include more than one channel for that station. I've noticed several local stations have regular programming, maybe a channel for weather and usually another channel for alternative broadcasting. In my opinion, instead of purchasing several hundred dollars in TV's, satellite dishes and antennas, spend about $50. bucks and get a great selection of entertainment when your are taking a break. Oh, did I mention that programming is free and there is no subscription fee for HDTV transmissions.

Below I have listed a link to eBay for your convenience. Check out the latest listings for HD Television Converter Boxes. Good Luck!

Recession Proof Career?

Well, you've heard me complain about the trucking industry, long hours, low pay and the stigmatism of being a professional truck driver. But is a career in trucking recession proof? With the recent drastic drop in fuel prices, trucking on the west coast seems to be getting stronger on a daily basis. The company for which I work for just took delivery on a dozen or so brand new Pete's with all of the bells and whistles. Someone must think that this economy isn't so bad.

I can remember some advise my father gave me about 30 years ago. He said if I wanted a steady career, and a job that withstood hard economic times, go to work for a grocery store. No matter how bad things get, you still have to put food on the table for your family. You can bypass purchasing that new car or upgrading to a bigger house, but you can't go too long without food. If it gets so bad that you can't afford food, the government will step in and provide you with a food "credit" card.

Hence, here I am, delivering juice like it was going out of style and hauling potatoes, (Tater Freighter), to fast food warehouses like potatoes were the last staple left on earth. I am beginning to figure out the fact that when people get depressed, they tend to eat, eat and did I mention eat.

I feel for the people who are in the automotive industry, or just lost their jobs because of the economic downturn. Trucking is the only industry besides healthcare that has a severe shortage of qualified workers. The days of being gone or away from home are rapidly going be the wayside. With the increasing demand for qualified drivers, most drivers with any type of experience are able to write their own ticket. I've found out recently that I don't have to worry about working harder, because if I don't get treated fairly at my current job, there are at least 1,000 other trucking jobs within 350 miles of my house that need qualified drivers.

Not only are their openings for drivers, but support staff, dispatchers, load planners, brokers, shipping agents, customs brokers, etc., are all in short supply. For anyone graduating college this year or anyone looking to change careers, give the shipping and transportation industry a try. You can check out a web site of mine that allows you to do a simple search for available trucking and transportation jobs at OTRJobs.net. Good luck, the trucking industry just may be recession proof.