The Disaster March

After you pass your written test, learn how to drive an eighty thousand pound vehicle, get your Class A license, go through orientation, map out a bunch of hypothetical trips, play nice at the hotel and blow all of your money on McDonald's and Del Taco your next step is to go out on the road for four or five weeks (two hundred driving hours required) with a trainer. After you get back you get your own truck and ta-da; you're a truck driver. This has been the part of the process that I've been looking forward to the very least... being out on the road with a complete stranger at arm's length telling you about how the truck is "his house". I'm trying to keep a positive attitude about it, because really this whole process is a keep-your-head-down-and-get-through-it type deal, but this phase just gives me the creeps. I don't think I could sit in that small of a space with my best friends. 

Today I found out who my trainer is and when I'm leaving which is late Thursday night or early Friday morning. They gave me my trainer's number and told me to call him so that we have each other in our phones and he can let me know when he'll be picking me up. It felt like being drafted. No one knew where they were going, you can only hope for the best and to not end up in Cleveland. Looking at the dude's area code, it looks like he is from Northern California, which would be RAD if he was anywhere near Fresno and if he could drop me off on our days off. Not trying to get too high on the idea though. For all I know he may just want me to put the lotion on my skin. 

After I got out of orientation today I went to get some dinner and sat in the restaurant for a pretty long time. I am not second guessing myself or the decisions I've made to get here, but I am incredibly nervous of failing. That's probably why I took so long to tell people about the job and adventure. God, I hope I like this. If not I am so incredibly out of ideas about what to do. The trainers keep saying that it's the raddest job ever because "your truck is your office with a window view that changes every day". That's all well and fine. Let's cross our fingers I see it that way and not a death trap. ANYWAYS... Remaining positive is the only thing I can crutch on. So send them vibes my way. 

Another sentiment I've gotten a few times is the "you better visit me when you're in town". As much as I would love to see all of my friends in different parts of the country, and that really is the truth, I unfortunately do not have much control of where I'm going or how long I will be there. Although there are ways to stay in one spot for a lunch if it is pre-planned. I am VERY much so looking forward to seeing some faces I haven't seen in a long minute, especially considering that the bulk of my friends are spread out through California and random ass parts of this great country and I will do my best to hit you cats up before I roll through. I sincerely hope we can meet up, if only for a handshake, hug or cup of coffee. At some point being alone on a truck is going to make me crazy and a bear like me should never be left to my own devices. Also, please feel free to text me whenever you're bored, as desperate as that sounds. Although I won't be able to respond right away ALL of the time (the fine for having a Class A and being on the phone while you're driving is $2750 rupees, and I ain't got a big Goron wallet yet) I would really enjoy knowing that I'm in my friend's and family's thoughts. 

I should get a dog. I miss my guitar. How many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is too many?

Bear out.