Off the road and out of the truck for a few weeks. I feel fortunate to go back to the surgery center.  I also realize that most people including myself have no idea what comprises as a successful move. Traveling across from coast to coast is roughly 2300 miles give or take a few hundred. These roads are not paved smoothly and good help is challenging. I have a feeling the driver has had enough. God bless the shippers and the driver,  he has been doing it for 20 years and I  for only 2 seasons but it’s enough to understand that work needs to have its merits and benefits to off set the drawbacks. So I am  going to start small and take sailing lessons.  I shared with a patient the notion that once you are in this gypsy vagabond lifestyle it is hard to go back and stay put. I realize I am one of those people. I want to thank the driver for showing me the ropes and pointing out all the beauty that surrounds us all.

Delivering household goods to a little city named Las Vegas. So I will play a little sleep a little and enjoy a cocktail or two. I’m lucky to know some of the wonderful and funny gals that serve you and I drinks.  Here’s what they have shared. If someone is not so nice and doesn’t tip that’s okay they understand but every now and then they can’t let it go.  Let’s say you order hot chocolate well they’ll put in the packet add hot water, not stir add whip cream and no straw. Or let’s say you have raised a glass in attempt to get a free drink. These gals know you’ve just pick up someone else glass. “I’ll have another ie: bloody mary. You’ll get a virgin one. Or the fake out. Someone  will look as though they are placing  a dollar in the machine but of course the screen on video poker reads 0.00$. Anything to get  free etoh. “You will drink yourself sober at my station”. Or finally the Rude guy who screams not yells but screams. “Cocktails ”  the gal will fast paced walk around rude guy “mouth the word cocktails” and skip over him. The eye in the sky will use play back and see she has announced but alas his back was turned indicating “No thanks”. I’ll max bet that if you are nice and courteous you’ll be served. Ziajian

Stopping in to see all the Stuff.  Heading West. ZIAJIAN

It’s hot out so looking at these brings a sense of coolness. Ziajian

I found heaven in a cup. Strong and robust this swirling concoction is.  I’m a fan of Cuban coffee but reluctant to try it  or should I say time it,  so I’m stirring when I should be winding down. I used to  say  teasingly  the best way to get my home ready for guests was get an espresso and take a Claritin. Now I can be legit but finding Cuban coffee is not easy if your are mid Florida. MIAMI no problem. I remember an episode of the Kardashians,  Khloe was on a mission to feed her habit. She was bouncing off the walls. They took phen-phen away. Cocaine is definitely out. What’s left. Cuban coffee. Melao.

Being out on the road has its perks. Laundry and showers are a big treat but even better is staying at a hotel. Until they catch you. Checking in a  young good looking chap hands me a card for my free gift. I think it’s  gift bag with sunscreen and visor. It’s a pretty cornflower blue bag made out of paper. The gal who hands me the freebie goes through her spiel and it sounds so good. 90 minute presentation if you not interested you get a hundred bucks. If you are  interested, there is hell to pay. 10 grand gets you one week in Daytona Beach. And the maintenance fee is every month. I declined politely and as any good salesman knows you go through several “No” b4  you get a yes. I said I sold time shares before “oh really where?” ” Waikiki Oahu” thank goodness I was off the hook. But in the morning I got phone call “Are you sure?” Said the Diamond resort rep. “Yes and thank you for calling” . Got ready to hit the resort pool and forgot my suit, I went across the street and they put the merchandise in that pretty cornflower blue bag.

Gotta hand it to you routine bloggers. I have not been keeping up with and ya’ll  know who you are. My hats off to You.  Lots happening so here in Florida.  At Cape Canaveral there are  launches not just the Space X Kind so monday there’s one  and  I am gonna check it out. Florida state tax is 6 something % helps when I make a yacht purchase (just kidding I know Luxury tax). According to a local the Atlantic sea and Gulf of Mexico  weather create conditions that results in rain every day about 4pm during the summer  and sure enough a drop hit me at 4ish. Down time  I went to Costco and  closed my eyes and I knew I was in Florida. Cuban’s Spanish, based on  unique inflection and intonation sounds like speaking into a giant funnel.  The language starts big ends small and fast. My first exposure to Cuban Spanish  happened in grade school. “Myrna are your parents fighting?” “No that’s how we talk”. All around me  I was in the funnel & loved it. Cuban crackers too are quite unique. Large slight concave discs blanched white, like rusk sand dollar in  size. And if I’m not paying attention I can eat a whole bag.  Retention ponds abound. The hotel I’m at allows pets. So far I counted 18 dogs Then I found out there’s dog show here in Orlando.  Got a quick lesson in butterfly management at Cosco too. You can have a butterfly garden so they lay (eggs) and stay. It was a sweet and funny chit chat with an elderly gentleman. I said “pupa before larva” he said “get a book”. Milkweed is the buffet for these creatures. Both him and I agreed the miracle flight the Monarchs take every season. Then I bought the bug spray he was promoting.  Best part is driving around in a big Ford truck. I feel country.

Few days lay over. In my home town Las Vegas. Poker poker poker was on the menu. I arrived at the table and people were saying “ya security is coming”. Listening intently I found  out some guy took a nice lady’s  phone. She had the wherewithal to call her own phone and heard her distinctive ring. “Give me my phone you took”. His upper left chest pocket was buzzing  and the guy gave it back no apologies and continued to play as though nothing happened. So here’s what I observed. Security came and the  2 guards asked him to get up, looked at his ID and  he “smiled ” for the camera as they took his picture.  He was asked never to set foot on the property. He took his money he had  no visible signs of remorse.  You could tell it was a smarmy thing to do. He had about a hundred bucks in front of him. People on and off the table were examining motives as to why. Las Vegas is a rough town and lots of people here are on dope.  I also know Las Vegas is a great town too. Lots of special people and an elderly community that has taught me how to play solid poker. I approached the gal and said I was sorry she had to experience that and  she said she was okay. Lesson learned.

Back in town and I’m at the surgery center to pick up a few shifts.  I realized the signage above in pic is a metaphor of  life. I’m getting better at braking and being neutral.  Even steer cracks me up.  I’m thinking about all the cows out on the road.  I gotta focus on taking the lead and speeding up the learning curve. The driver thinks I should be further along and all along I thought I was.  Moving is more than putting stuff in boxes and writing on outside. It’s  frigging methodology. Imagine packing every glass item in your home light bulb, wine glass,  chandelier. Pictures and mirrors then moving it over 2000 miles of smooth flawless asphalt and concrete. Ya right, the road is so bumpy that I have been in  complete levitation while lying down in the bunk. I’ve had items above (pretzels or DVD’s) come down and hit my head.   I get upset with driver but it’s not his fault. He tries his best to steer clear of road hazards.  The driver and I brake for nourishment or construction  steer away from politics. And remain neutral in the belief there is 2 sides to every trucker story.  We arrive at our destination and not a single piece of glass is broken.  I’m impressed and still impressive with the whole trucker movers kinda of Life.