Day 318 (Farewell, Oregon)

Doyle and I made our two drops in Portland, OR this morning, then finished out this load in Eugene. While we made our way there (we were actually just a few miles north of Eugene), we were pre-planned on our next load. This load will have be a good run (a.k.a. good miles).We will pick up tomorrow by 1200 (MT) in Jerome, ID - about 500 miles from Eugene - then we will deliver it, probably on Monday, in Lebanon, TN. The weather in Oregon has been pretty mild, a bit rainy, and crisp, cool temperatures.

When we got into Eugene, we actually missed our turn (6th Ave.), so I had Doyle go one block, to 7th Ave, to make our turnaround. As we made our way around the block, we passed a park that appeared to be more of a campsite. It didn't take us long to figure out that the park was the "tent city" for the "Occupy Eugene" protesters. One thing I've noticed about these protesters of the "Occupy" movement, is they don't seem to want a hand up, but a hand out. The same people who are unemployed, yet if the manager of a fast food joint walked up to them and offered them a job that they could start the next day, would probably expect a starting wage of $15 an hour. In these economic times, you have to start at the bottom and work your way up.

For example, when I first began driving a truck (in the mid to late 90's). my starting pay was 25 cents/mile. That may not sound like much, but when you consider that a truck driver covers several hundred miles per day, it adds up. I did my job the best way I knew how. But - as I tell my students today - whether you were with a trainer for 3 weeks or 3 months, you could never cover every possible scenario you may encounter out on the road... NEVER. However, if you persevere - and work hard - your pay will increase. As of right now, when I'm not training a student, I make 40 cents/mile... with a student: 44 cents/mile - for ALL miles covered. 25 cents to 40 cents is a nice jump. The thing is I worked hard over the years: making pick ups & deliveries on time, being professional and courteous... even looking professional. I may not be wealthy, but I am blessed to have a job, and able to pay the bills. I haven't asked for a handout, and I don't expect to get something for nothing. I am driven by excellence. I've applied myself to provide for my family.

It's time for these protesters to wake up, smell the coffee, and realize that those organizations that are "donating" to their "cause" see those protesters as nothing more than useful idiots... dread-headed, mindless fiddles being played by socialist orchestrators who could even care less if a protester dies from pneumonia brought on by living in a tent at a park - as long as their ideologies have the fodder for which they can gain further political posturing. {*deep breath*}