Shifting Gears… Rolling in a different direction

Posted on February 15, 2014 by tharrisfc

As a Sole Proprietor, I have had to limit my ambitions to assure I meet and satisfy other obligations. My role of Professional Driver is typically geared towards an individual interested in specializing in driving. So, any real ambition to stray from any corporate or company policy is not a possible option…although, I have come close. While in the position of being employed as that OTR driver, my spreadsheets, backups, and anything computer related had to be accomplished in the background. No one hires a computer enthusiast and expects him/her to drive a truck. It takes a computer geek to drive a truck, remembering why he/she is driving the truck. Let’s face it, loads have to go…people are waiting for those deliveries. So, in my defense, all work had to be accomplished first, explaining the many gaps in time for even this blog site.

It was my intention to keep rolling, and limit my responsibilities as a driver, and the best way of controlling my time was to become an owner operator. I was also planning on working with the company I have been so grateful for the years of experience and time (plus that opportunity to gain a truck by earning it). Still, it is a company geared for one thing, focusing on those loads, and the promise of delivery to their customers.Somehow, in this case, I was attempting to have my cake and eat it too. So, it appears I have come to an inevitable “crossroad”. Honestly, why ask a company who has its own reputation to uphold “tailor make” my intentions, when my passion may compliment an individual driver in an unknown future, but not now, when the loads need to be there. I will always be appreciative to have been a part of that business, and in honesty, kept my ambitions at bay, and gave them the best and honest work I could, well, without losing my direction and focus.

So, now it is time to go my own way, and finally bring to purpose a dual website, with the vision to inspire, guide or assist, and be a resource for the individual, getting the most out of computing in the workplace, stressing much for the future professional driver, but hopefully word it all correctly where it can be used in any business setting. I cannot help but remember the names and personalities of all those I have had the opportunity to work with, and not just with this last business. From my School of Smith & Solomon, still located in Dupont, Pennsylvania, to my trainer, Don, who also has a goal to own a truck way back when. There were others for whom I have had less than favored experiences with, yet, there is always a lesson learned if recalled and reflected upon. Seven years in a world that can only be experienced to appreciate the works of so many in the far past, and definitely those in the present, and the unknown and ongoing future. I have questioned and challenged many myself, making some of my own moments less favorable in others eyes as well. No matter, just let it end here where I simply say “Thank You” to so many, and all I have come across. I may not know what the future may pave for me in the future, but I will live knowing the roads I have traveled to get where I am now. And, with that said, time to truly switch gears, and let the truck wait for me…for an undetermined amount of time.

So, now its time to make this worth while. My future goals and ambitions is to get back to the spreadsheet concepts, along with documents, and records building. I plan on always stressing on ideas for backing up records and security, along with developing the individuals own schemes. There has to be time made to challenge others with simple tasks and projects for their own “Down time”, and experiment with photography, videos, and even greeting cards. At the same time, this blog site has some real potential in being a form of business itself; and it will be taken seriously. There is just so many directions to go, to cover making and using forms, distribution of information, and the various forms of communication. It is my goal to inform, inspire, explore various resources, and work on even providing my own version of software and apps in the future.

Keep in mind, I still call myself a Sole Proprietor, and much will be geared towards educating and applying the knowledge in a working atmosphere, but like that role of Over The Road truck driving, where I start can take me in any given direction, and so (in a virtual sense), another adventure begins. I hope I get further from simply presenting concepts, and look forward to replying to comments, and explore the readers struggles, goals, and aspirations. As far as Professional Driving, well, never count me out, the future is uncharted, and anything could happen. For now, yes, I will return someday, after all, I need to put to practice whatever I make, and be able to say, “Yes, it can be done, because, I can do it too.”

Let the unknown adventure begin….uh, Monday! 😉

Posted in Down Time | Leave a comment

The Seven Year Déjà Vu…

Posted on February 15, 2014 by tharrisfc

Ever get the feeling that you could see what was coming? For this to happen in reality, you truly have to have seen or experienced a similar event from the past. I started out through a trucking school, in July of 2006. I had all the help to get a feel of what was required to “get the job done”, like any professional driver. Even my first place of employment enhanced the training with a driver to help guide me through my weak points, to assure I could get the best opportunity to drive solo. I drove with this driver for four months, getting better with shifting (ok, it would take years, but there was training to keep me from grinding gears).  And, together, we experienced many levels of the changing weather…short of winter snow, ice, cold, and other aspects to winter season. I would be assigned a truck, and drive solo, in November 2006.

My experience with winter of 2006, into January 2007, was more then a test….it was out to show me that trucking was not for everybody. For a time there, I thought that included me. I don’t just vaguely remember December 2006…it is burnt into my mind…forever. My OTR driving was a little predictable, from Pennsylvania area to all points west. My first –3° night was experienced in Wyoming, and I was in the Army….just not driving a 40 ton semi-truck. But, that wasn’t the image I was talking about. Picture starting out driving an Interstate, and getting in line with a convoy of trucks…through “white out” snow storm….for 78 miles! This was in the are of mountains, known as “The Sisters”. We made it! 21 truck convoy….what a long day!

My first time experiences varied and at different extremes. to include needing to stop off the highway on the west end on Donner’s Pass, because I heated the truck-trailer brakes. Still, these two experiences were not the last experiences. I would learn that my best tool in starting out was knowing the weather conditions ahead. Icing conditions started to become a daily occurance at that time, and I would try to avoid it at all cost…to include driving south and get under the storm. For a rookie, this was a good plan that kept me from being stuck for days in any given area, but so very exhausting. By the begining of February 2006, I needed to get out of this business and reconsider my place in trucking. I turned everything in to the company, in Nebraska, and rented a car for home.

After getting a rental, the weather caught my attention…another ice storm coming my way. I wasted no time, loaded the car, and drove, and drove, and drove, until I was home. I had raced the storm and had a day and a half before it caught up to me…at home. The storm made it to Scranton area, in time for the Valentines weekend. I awoke the next day, and turned on the weather to see all these vehicles “trapped” on the interstate, because of slippery roads. Cars and trucks stuck there for days…right through valentines day. Wow. I got to keep track of all this, from the comforts of home, and as a “rookie”, I would have it no other way.

So, January 2014 rolled in, and I was now an Independent Contractor, owning a truck and working under a corporations authority. I decided that I wanted the operation to be all my own, and had applied for my own authority. I would still drive with all the other hard working truckers, and roll north, south,  east and west. Days in Indiana would start with heavy snows, and I would safely roll towards my destination. Some mornings in Illinois would start out adding air to truck-trailer tires in -11° weather. Seven years later, it all becomes just part of the job. Then, the weather starts getting extreme. I worked my way south to Atlanta, Georgia, to “thaw out” for the weekend. The weather forcast was for ice and rain…in Atlanta. Time to roll!

Learning how to track the weather had become a practice for the last four years. I could avoid every snow storm and high winds all year of 2013, but January 2014 was extremely hard to predict, and there became no real place to hide from Mother nature. With my contract ending on January 31st, 2014, I wanted to focus on all the forms needed to become an owner operator. But…well, something caught my attention…the weather. Mother nature never does anything the same way, but those ice storms and heavy snows were starting to bring back my memories of Valentine’s 2007. The first week of February brought several States of Emergency, due to snow and ice. All the same, I was out of sorts, and could not get the paperwork submitted for the milestone of owner operator in a timely fashion; there was a feeling that I should just get the truck home, and find a place to get my affairs in order. I got the truck home by the tenth of February, and got out of dodge  by the twelfth. Then it snowed.

Now it really wasn’t exactly like seven years ago, but there were emergency conditions, accidents, and weather warnings….and I so happened trusted my gut, and found myself watching all these events safely in the comforts of my Brother and Sister-In-Laws home. Looking back, for me, yes, I have been here before.

May it be said that making the weather an important resource of information should be a keen interest in all our lives; to be safe, to change plans, and if for no other reason, to be safe at home.

Posted in Down Time, Truck Driving | Leave a comment

Story Telling At Work

Posted on October 4, 2013 by tharrisfc

      All the paperwork that is expected should always link to another part of the work, whether it be Architecture and Finance (or Banking), to landscaping or Trucking and Transportation. Professional Driving can tell its story of a Driver’s day through the mandatory Driver’s Daily Log. And, like any story, the more detailed the work, the more a recipient or reader can comprehend. But the daily log is only one aspect, showing the travels, time down, and breakdowns. Fuel Receipts and other purchases also should have a job number, or any number self created, to link to the original Daily Log. Even if it is hand written, anything that pertains to a certain load, for a varying time and distance should all be linked in one fashion or another. Again, the more detailed, the better understood it is by anyone, for whatever purpose (whether it be for a Safety Manager, Administrator, State, and even Revenue agencies). The developing of a routine and formatting makes it that much easier to get through any given story from beginning to end. Honestly, you wouldn’t want to finish reading page 32 on a book, just to need to now find where page 33 is, would you? It’s not worth reading, and the reviews would not even be mentioned.

      By coming up with an individual routine also helps the individual “Author” (a little credit to us all) be able to recall that days story, and even notice when that page 33 is not there. Sometimes life has a way of asking us to go back in time, and remember what we did; best to have written a story that even you can read back and remember. Details left out make it harder to recall and explain.

 

      When it comes to a story, you either need a plot (for a novel), or a punch line (for that one liner or paragraph tale).  In reality, when it comes to linking any work, you look for two or more “anchors” that will make any document, page or receipt link to that work, project, and task. In Professional Driving, two things remain prominent to a daily job, the date, and the job itself. That statement is not exactly the best example, since as an over the road driver, my load can take me a few days to get done. But the job number or even the “Bill of Lading (Manifest) focuses strongly on just that one particular job. The date is more like a cross reference to that load. In short, the Bill of Lading would be the key reference to that one job, and the date would be a reference to the period of that key. And, you can always build spreadsheets referring to one or the other, as long as both date and Bill of Lading are included.  My spread sheet for the list of jobs starts out with the date, and the next column always has the job number (instead of the Bill of Lading; which another column is made for). I found that since my first line of communication is with my contractor, I would always refer the key anchor to the job number they have assigned. In the future, I am able to make that the rule to my business, even as an owner operator, since I can always carry on making the job numbers in my own fashion.

      Another spreadsheet is strictly for fuel stops, again, the date is the first column, then the time (a landmark period of when I was there), then the job number that refers to the load I am on, then, it have other columns for location, fuel amount, and other columns that detail that one task, fueling. When parts or supplies are purchased, same thing, job number and date, always hand in hand. Basically, what was I doing, and when was I there always remains the two strong anchors to the story to be told. The receipt already has the date on it, so I simply write in the job number, to keep the story detailed. If that receipt ever was found over time, and alone, that job number and date can be tracked to the job, and based on how you record your work, the story comes back to life.

      Making time to include those details are just as important. A fuel receipt is recorded on my spreadsheet on where I fueled, how much I fueled, the price per gallon, the total amount, the fuel surcharge, purchase order number, location number, and so on. The more detailed the spreadsheet, the more understandable the story.

      Why a story? Well, lets think about who might need to read that job. If there is a problem with delivery date the customer and contractor might want to know why it was not delivered in a time set; when it comes to my own taxes, the income, expenses, and loss or profit can be determined by what occurred by the amount of documents included, such as breakdowns and repairs. A spreadsheet can be made to fill in the blanks, with a comments column for including “stuck at a traffic accident”, “It snowed too deep or became icy to get there safely”, “Delay in loading”, and anything else that not only answers the question, but makes the story detailed and complete. So, investing the time to detail the story at work may not be how you get raves and reviews, but if the story is brought up long in the future, the questions and recalling what was involved is all there, for the reviewer and you.

Posted in Spreadsheets & WorkBook, Truck Driving | Tagged | Leave a comment

Ideas In The Makings–Defining The Intranet, An Idea Still To Be Explored

Posted on August 30, 2013 by tharrisfc

One step closer to a project I have always desired to see come to life. It involves one machine, one Router, and themes, article, and products to share. Todays art of advertising floods the Internet, but there are still some untapped ideas in marketing yet to be explored and achieved. One place is in the business vehicles. Sure, I am a truck Driver, but there are truck repairs, known as road service trucks, that hold the place for such a potential, along with any business that also has vehicles, such as the glass (windshield) repair service. Imagine, if you will, the idea that a truck pulls within eyesight, and you are curious of what they do or have to offer. By opening your network connections, you see a Wi-Fi site that has a similar name as that truck. You click on it and have an unsecured connection that also brings up a message box to open your Internet explorer (or it opens it for you), and brings you to a home page, that lists the business, it services, other locations, the mechanics on duty, and hours of operations. It provides you with other businesses, and advertisements, pretty much like you get when connected on the internet. But you’re not on the internet, but simply you along with other interested and curious computer users are simply connected to a truck. Like the bill boards along the highways, it grabbed your attention, and likewise, you had to be there to see it.

Of course, it was not simply for the laptop user, any device that connects to the internet, such as the cell phone and iPhone, will have the same ability to connect, with articles and apps made specific to your device. The concept is possible and the potential is one that needs thinking.  Advertising in a new light to be explored. So, once it does happen with one computer and router. Can it lead to a more practical and affordable device in the future, simply to identify a business, some web links, and advertise? Somebody has to try. I know I can only apply what I know to show the concept, and make it that much more real. All I need now is time, a plan, and a few themes.

I hope I keep your interests, and may it always promote other ideas and possibilities not yet explored!

Posted in Computers and Technology | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Just Another Day In Paradise

Posted on August 30, 2013 by tharrisfc

      A driver plans his day, knowing that the are rules to be followed from start to finish. In my case where I can pick my loads, and the basis of picking loads is to have another preplanned, knowing how work in the timing of delivering one and picking up the next is part of having an edge to more income. But one thing never planned on is the breakdown. I spent the beginning of August 2013 with a ruptured oil line, that if not seen could have caused a fire. While a day and a half lost, I looked over the engine and noticed the belts were worn, and a hose may need replacing. So what caused August to end the way it began, with yet another day and a half breakdown, it wasn’t without knowing its potential. That hose did break, and it also gave me time to notice an air suspension needing replacing on the trailer I was towing (in a sense, it wouldn’t have been noticed right away).  Of course, with a laundry list of repairs at one time, you know those belts are getting replaced too!

      It seems to be a part of life and business, knowing that you should have a plan to put monies aside for truck breakdowns, the planned maintenance, and sometimes the unexpected damage (windshield and alike). In that mix, well, there is money to be made. The truck reaching seven years old, and with +780,000 miles, it still is worthwhile since this is just part of running a big truck across country. It takes time and patience to feel like your not out here doing the loads, just to have money to fix the truck to do more loads. And, at times, and knowing that there is an unplanned time for an engine overhaul, it takes time to pass before you don’t feel like the engine rebuilt is happening on a day to day basis. I start hearing that Johnny Cash song, “One Piece At A Time”. Trucking and the business of trucking always has the sole proprietor thinking. The day you spend or invest in one thing may be the day you could have saved that money for another. It is a high risk, high stakes, and expensive profession. And still, I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else today.

      It seems that the old saying of when it rains it pours always leaves you also wondering if that other shoe would drop. Imagine, I set up my day to roll six and a half hours, and be ready to pick up the next load the next day, four states away. The breakdown not only made me lose the opportunity of a healthy settlement this week, but that rainy day fund (an I/C General Account) is now being used. Twenty cents a mile is placed to the side simply for days like this. The only menacing issue remains the lost income, and the late delivery of the load I currently possess. I do not plan for this, and so remarking August as the hardest month so far is only a short term memory of not remembering the last time it rained. So, why a day and a half? Well, it turned out, I had it happen on the day the parts store would be closed. Not a Sunday, but the first day of Football season, near Columbia, South Carolina, where the USC was playing UNC. They only two things guaranteed was that I would be here over night, and one of the Carolina’s would win the game. Everything else was in the air. Oh, and it so happened, the heat Index was estimated at 104°.  I couldn’t have planned this! Thankfully, I was able to be near a truck stop, a fast food place, and there was ice cream! The night did cool down, after it rained….and it did pour too.

      I awoke this morning, making the best of my time, and the parts finally came, to include those belts. It will still be two to four hours before rolling, but it will roll again. The late load needs to be scheduled, and then, back to the routine, of finding that next preplanned load. Knowing my maintenance, the next interruption should simply be an oil change, and a fuel filter change. Then, comes planning for the winter season…and Fall season hasn’t even arrived.

      I keep trying to remember that this is a lifestyle where anything could happen, and being anywhere may be unplanned. It is supposed to be an adventure. And, since the only way of getting ahead is to keep that truck moving, a rainy day needs to become a day of opportunity and exploration. Of course, my first thought was to go and see the game. Tickets sold out <sigh>. Still, it was a thought. I can still remember when first starting out with a CDL, times like this would be moments of anxiety, and feelings of being marooned was the first real emotions. It took time, and more breakdowns, to get to where I am now. Don’t get me wrong, I do not look forward to being broke down; this costs more money in the end. But, over time, the idea of this being the only way I make time to just explore means I have come a long way, and found the true enjoyment of being in a place not expected or planned. Home is where I hang my hat, for as long as I keep in mind, I am only passing through, and I have no neighbors here. Grant it, there still is some insecurities that still make me numb, but that falls along the lines of this issue being unplanned.

      So, there is always that concept of putting my energies in my other projects, and even that still takes time to make fall into place. And, with a coffee and  a Danish to my side,   I feel so comfortable on an old outdoor picnic bench and focusing on my website. Even feeling comfortable with a computer in public took time, before I was able to just stay focused on my thoughts, and without my surrounds being the distraction to another completed Blog. I am looking at a lost income of roughly $600.00, with about the same in repairs. And still, the thought is now just a part of life, and there was time to write. I still have a long way to go, since this article is about the breakdown, but even if it is a method of release, it is a far cry from the beginnings when I used to sit and simply contemplate the situation I was in.

      So, even when it rains, I think I am one day closer to just knowing that this is life, and it is truly just another day in paradise.

Posted in Truck Driving | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Truck Breakdown – An August Day to Remember

Posted on August 12, 2013 by tharrisfc

      It was a Thursday, and I was arriving to pick up a shipment in Bennington, NH. Everything like clock work. This pickup was more or less a Self explanatory “self serve”, where all I had to do was put my empty trailer in the dock, take time to sweep it out, sign the appropriate paperwork, and find my loaded trailer. I got as far as sweeping out the empty trailer, and ready to unhook from the trailer. That’s when I noticed a puddle and a line of fluid running down the pavement. When I looked into the engine compartment, I found a line running to the Turbo leaking oil down the right side of the Detroit Series 60 engine. To make sure of it, I started the truck, and saw I was not a drip, but a stream coming from one of the two lines that go to the “actuator” (a mechanism that controls the turbo). I also noticed it flying onto the exhaust pipe. Well, I was not going anywhere, let alone pickup a load with an oil leak that would just empty the fluid dry from the engine, and even do worse, cause a fire.

      It was just my luck that when calling for road service the cell connection was terrible. It was a struggle for the other parties to here me. But a mechanic was dispatch to my location. To not express desperation, our meeting started with “small talk”, about the cell phone issue. It is good, after all, mechanics come to do their best to keep you rolling. Why put his experience and meeting with you through misery? The situation not any better. After he looked at it, the lines were Dealer parts (meaning they were not just around the corner at another truck shop). It looked like I was staying overnight. I did give him the option of towing it to his shop, since I knew the appending weather called for rain, and heavy at times. But, he was doing his best to save me a tow charge, and would return in the morning with the parts. Believe it or not, my mind went back to the poor cell signal.

      As he left, I went online, and still had one bar to use with the internet. Slow, but acceptable. And, I went from driver to office work, and submitted the last loads information (this is done by scanning the papers into a computer file, and sending them to a file server. As an Independent Contractor, and a goal to regain establishment of HY Resources, I will never run out of work to be done.

      I awoke the next morning to rain. It first started light, then it went right into being heavy. Time went by, and it was time to see where the mechanic was…of course, I could hear him clearly. Rotten cell signal! I then used his number, and sent him a text message. He was on his way. Turned out his truck had a tire blow out on him. Arrival was just before noon. The good part was the rains turned to a light drizzle. Still, I wished I had a canopy onboard that hovered over the engine. At least it was warm enough.

      I watched him work, and the connections for the lines were in tight areas of the engine compartment. Small talk lead to asking about the oil leak. At the beginning of the summer, a truck driver was on break, when his truck caught fire. The fire burnt the truck to the ground. I always assumed it was an electric short. But after witnessing how my leak sent a stream of oil to the exhaust, it became very possible the early summer truck fire may have suffered it fate from the very same issue. Even my truck was idling and sending oil to the exhaust. Well, the work was completed, leaving only the mess of oil on the engine and ground to clean up. That was my job. The mechanic was covered in dirt and oil too. He had his own mess to clean. We talked about the leak, and he pointed out that the line wear, and should be inspected, and possibly replaced every 400,000 miles. He also pointed out to save money, I should invest money and carry a hose and clamps for another part of the engine, known to go on Freightliners. The mechanic was extremely informative.  Soon, I was ready to roll, but my load was reassigned, and it was back to the internet to find another load.

      Looking back, there were many things that came to mind, such as that early summer truck fire, my supplies (which for now includes an all purpose mat for cover, until I get an ideal canopy), and that weak cell phone signal. I realized that communication existed, but texting had more value. It was something to remember the next time. But the most important thing I will be practicing is checking the truck, trailer, and load when ever I stop, and look for issues “as they happen”. There are many rules to follow, and inspecting these three things before and after a days work is two rules stressed all the time. This experience made me realize that knowing as you go, and looking for issues during the course of any run was just as important, if not more. Typically, if it rolled, you go.  But in this case, that oil leak could have caused a fire, while with a load, and on the secondary roadways of New Hampshire.

      After seven years of driving the lessons are still being learned, and each lesson just as important as the last.

Posted in Truck Driving | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

From Winter to Spring…the weather still a challenge to dodge

Posted on June 8, 2013 by tharrisfc

The Year of 2013 started with final payment and ownership of a 2007 Freightliner. It also started with icy weather in Arkansas. So much has been done to get this far, to include “weathering the storm”, and sitting it out when it was unsafe. But this year, as an Independent Contractor, with the ability to choose my own loads, the idea of avoiding any weather became a challenge from the start. With an alphabet gone through with winter weather, it had a pause before tornadoes became a concern, since much of my time was south and west. My choices in loads did not keep me from working north, and much of my running north was preceding another snow event, only to roll south before its arrival. The process kept me moving, and the challenge of rolling north to south, and back again, was extremely exhausting.

When Moore, Oklahoma was struck, it was still an after thought. But when only eleven days later, and the death toll included some of the most experienced storm chasers, deciding how to work in a different part of the region became the next best option. Now the strategy was to work east to west, and stay north as the spring season matures. The idea is two fold; first, watch the weather, and roll west to meet up with any appending storms, with the challenge to keep ahead of the pace, and head east ahead or behind it (depending on if I took a restart in a safe place, and let it rain). If I were to stay ahead, looking back whenever possible would give me the option of going south or north to be in the least hazards of the appending storm. Its a strategy, nothing more. There will be times where no matter how it is played, the delay in loads, the maintenance of a semi, and the occasional miscalculation, will always lead to being in the path of mother nature.

Keeping with this concept, by Summer, I will again become proficient with the New England area, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Staying in casual weather is more for the truck, trailer, and the loads benefit. Extreme temperatures seem to make for more wear and tear on rubber materials; and so, to get the most out of the miles with the least time for breakdowns,  I started in May, with preventive maintenance and parts replacements to do my best to keep rolling.

I’ll continue to play this strategy. It also allows me to feel comfortable, and enjoy cooler weather. I do need to get back to staying focused on all my other projects though. The Oklahoma City Tornado threw my routine off, as I joined in with the rest to pay attention and pray for those most affected. The thoughts and prayers continue to be expressed.

Posted in Down Time | Leave a comment

Always Advancing My Routine

Posted on April 28, 2013 by tharrisfc

There is always room for improvement, and working on  my many activities is no exception. With a new Dash Camera, I challenged myself to advance on the backups, and DVD creating, with the practice of backing up the video from the Dash Cam being the motivator. It really doesn’t take long to fill the space on a hard drive, and if bigger, the time to burn the video files would also expand, so there is something to say when it comes to smaller hard drive space. Now, the routine needs to be developed; and, it will include backing up my business records in a more timely fashion. The reasoning is to make it an expected routine, rather than time needed to be set aside for such a project (and it becomes a project when you let any work mount to any size).

There is also advancing on the video portion of the many projects, which also means either documenting, or building a database that organizes the files to make it found in a shorter time span. I haven’t started a Blog page on databases, but with the seasonal changes, one Blog page is sure to be created. Like all the Blogs, it will be based on concept, and personal thought or opinion. Still, if it gets your attention, amuses you, or even gives a different focus and approach to understanding, then the future work will always be worth creating. That database project will probably happen real soon, since the library keeps growing with no real reference to where any given file is. See, another concept of why I need to create a database. You didn’t even see that, did you? Actually databases are challenging, amusing, more involving, and offers new learning and exploration. Sometimes the work put into databases are very complex with little to show over time, but they do serve the purpose of spending time on them, especially when putting them to use.

Two major advances, all to occur and improve upon, and be part of the daily routine of running as a professional driver, while creating a “paperless environment”…uh, did you see that concept?

Posted in Computers and Technology, Truck Driving | Leave a comment

Spring Time Rolling

Posted on April 28, 2013 by tharrisfc

There are many challenges during the Spring, even when on a thirty four hour break. For me, it is the time to play “catch up” on old work, consider changes and expanding my routines in the future, and still have time to see the scenery. I have rarely needed much to be entertained. Maybe a new movie or surf the world wide web. If not for driving this truck, I’d be in a home simply enjoying the time down.

During the April weeks, there still were some snowfall up north, and by practicing to stay out of the cold, I even missed the downpours of rains seen in places such a Chicago. As Spring comes into full season, and the trees begin to hide the transparencies of what lies beyond, a different feeling of being consumed by forest and colors begin to add to the pleasant amusement of over the road driving. Of course, no one stops to smell anything anymore, let alone roses. Only from time to time does just knowing they are there is simply enough.

This spring had some rivers swell, and still, by avoiding the rain track, I stayed from harms way. Of course, as April comes to an end, the much needed rains begin to happen more often, and with the environmental changes, so do the tornadoes. They remain the biggest concern, simply because of the possible damages. I guess as long as the success of the “Snowbird” Project worked for the long winter storms, planning around the weather in the spring should wind up along the same lines. Of course, with the plans of now avoiding the extreme heat of the appending Summer season, staying north will limit many concerns.

So, as the laundry finishes in the washer, I get to finally sit and enjoy a few moments write. Still, except for a few downtime Blogs, it is geared to related projects. I did want to let some know it is not all work and no play. I just never needed much to entertain myself, or feel like this downtime needed to exploit blowing off steam. Rest, just simply a slower pace, and rest.

With a freightliner, the “snap on” covers come off, and I sleep up top, with the window and a view (it depends on where I park of course). I start keeping the interior cleaner, and focus on life in what I call “the loft”. Much of the winter clothing gets one last wash, and stored in a carry bag, stuffed in the clothes cabinet, and out of site. The plastic screens allow ventilation through the door windows, and I simply enjoy the unexpected winds and noises that occur, as opposed to the winter long silence of everything shut and covered. Then comes the many ideas and brainstorms of how to use the space (I typically keep everything portable since I am never completely satisfied with anything I have mounted or installed for very long).

As far as outside the truck, I amuse myself with walks around the blocks, and rest areas have plenty of interests to learn from, especially the historic points of interests. I have learned that I was very outgoing in the past, but found a great interest in simply being alone. It is not for everyone, and rarely have I found anyone who can go from one extreme to another. But, yes, I do enjoy not being noticed, and simply noticing everything. I actually get to explore new interests, or recognize some old locations, simply passed by without thought; along the lines of when I am rolling. Sitting here outside a truck stop, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, is an unexpected revelation of being isolated “out in the open”, since for the most part, it is what panhandlers, homeless, and scammers do. So, even with the pedestrian traffic that goes by, I am ignored. Not bad. A compromise of being left alone, for someone who always liked being noticed.

The Sunday sun gets a chance to have my indirect attention, and I get to just watch the world work around me. It won’t last long. I’ll get back to the truck, catch up on more paperwork, or back ups, but if nothing else, as long as the sun shines, I’ll  always make something to do.

Posted in Down Time | Leave a comment

Spreadsheet Functions, and Math

Posted on April 17, 2013 by tharrisfc

Spreadsheets were basically designed as works in progress, where math and other functions can be setup to change the total sum or answer with the changes of the ranges in a given formula.  In short, you can build a template spread sheet where the variables of information can change, and the cell with the given formula or function will change with those variables, where “2 + 2 = 4” the variables are the number two, that can be changed, the addition sign is the math function, and the total sum would be the cell with the formula in it, adding to four in this case. Instead of it looking like this, the chosen cell that will show the results might state, “=SUM(B1:B2)”, and this formula would expect the numbers that can change be in cells B1 and B2 on the spread sheet. In the table below, the math formula would not be seen in cell E3, only the sum of cells B1 and B2. Then, the numbers can always change in B1 and B2, and the sum would automatically change in E3.

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

1

Variable:

2

            

2

Variable:

2

            

3

      

Total:

4

      

4

                

5

                

This allows the spreadsheet to be very diverse in its purpose. And in any version of the spreadsheets, functions are not restricted the spreadsheet it is written in, but the formula can pull numbers from any other spreadsheet, in another workbook, or even off the internet, based on what result you are looking for. So, not all the solutions have to be based on the same spreadsheet as the variables. I keep using the word variables, since the function can do equations based on many forms of changing data entered, whether it be a date or time change, and a given word. It is the function written in the cell that gives the results or math, Finance, Lookup searches, and error types (which is more advancing on how it can be used).

 

Building tables can be done in many other programs, but so far, I have found that like hyperlinks, in the Microsoft Office Excel, for as long as the workbooks are in the same parent folder, the link and path of the functions will stay linked, when moving the parent folder to another location, or backing on DVD. Still, like how I define the spreadsheet as a “work in progress”, like any linked files, always check your work, and the links.

Posted in Spreadsheets & WorkBook | 1 Comment