A Moment in Time

It was the best of times and the worst of times. Charles Dickens from A Tale of Two Cities.

Our lives are full of moments. Some “good” and some “bad” whether a moment is good or bad depends a lot on our mind set at that particular time. Sometimes a moment can be brief gone with the snap of your fingers or in the blinking of an eye or it can be extended. You know the “Reason for a Season” philosophy where it seems like it’s never ending like the terminal illness of a loved one seems to go on forever. However both have there peaks and valleys just like life. As a matter of fact life itself is A Moment because at any given time you can be riding a wave or walking through a valley.

Most of the time we do not recognize moments for what they truly are. We simply see the immediate circumstance(s) and react at that time. Never seeing the bigger picture and never understanding that how we move forward from that “moment” will define us and our character.

In a documentary called “Once in a Lifetime” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shares the moment that defined his life. At the age of 14 his mother Ata and he were living in Hawaii while his father Rocky wrestled the independent circuit in the Continental United States. One day his mother and he arrived  home to find an eviction notice on the door of there small apartment. And the rest as they say is history.

As I stated in the second paragraph many (most) times we do not recognize these moments for what they truly are. Dwayne Johnson did! Sometimes they are a a call to action, or a challenge maybe even a test. More often than not however they are a chance to change or to improve. Most people wouldn’t recognize there moment if it spit on there shoes. The reason is actually simple and yet at the same time complicated. We tend to become reactionary in these moments and generally in our everyday lives. Thinking only of how to deal with the current situation. Never stopping to see how a decision made in haste or at the height of emotion can or will affect or lives and the lives of those around and close to us further down the road. No decision or choice ever just affect the person that made it NEVER! What we should in effect do is become responsive instead of reactionary. You may say well there the same thing, Oh no they are not there is a subtle yet crucial difference in the two. A reactionary person will often make a rash decision based upon momentary emotional influx. Or even worse based from the self gratification point of view. Often choosing a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Suicide is a very permanent yet real example of this.

That’s the simple part, here’s where it gets complicated. A responsive person in the same situation may initially react based upon emotion but the difference is they will stop. Take a deep breath maybe even separate themselves (if and when that is possible) for a few minutes, hours possibly even days to consider the situation. Gather data and ask questions so that they can make an informative and responsible decision. Most people don’t do that however. Most people are fueled by and run on emotion and yet they wonder why they usually seem to keep going in circles in there lives.

Those that are responsive often follow the S.T.O.P. Method. 

S=Stop

   T=Think

          O=Observe

P=Plan

I can only imagine Dwayne Johnson’s mental and emotional state during his defining moment.

My defining moment came about a month ago. As many of you know on April 24^th 2008 my oldest son Zachary took his own life. And that for me was the beginning of a downward spiral I did not recognize for what it was. The date was followed by a period of depression of course and then I seemed to be all right. I was not in fact “All Right” as a matter of fact I was far from all right. I simply did not see it. Where I had a life before hand that was comfortable in all ways I began to make decisions that lead me down a road in which I almost lost everything including my family. I made bad decisions relationally, financially and even with the people I associated with as friends. Everything about me had changed I just didn’t know it. But I was not the same man in any way that I had been before my son committed suicide (permanent solution,temporary problem).

And although I now know God had been working behind the scenes in my life I didn’t see that during that four years either. My faith had carried me through so many trials since I became a Christian in November of 2000, but now my faith was shallow and weak I just didn’t know it. I struggled in every possible area of my life. But was blind to any of the things I was doing, yet on many occasions things occurred that should have gotten my attention but I was oblivious. My family and friends the people I had relied upon for so many years to help guide me. They tried to tell me tried to show me what I was not seeing. That I was making bad decisions in EVERY area of my life. Oh yes I’ll admit I had moments where I could see clearly but I rationalized those moments and I internalized them as well. And in truth those moments were few and far between. All that changed about a month ago.

I was standing outside in the driveway of my home in Eastern Tennessee talking with my youngest son Garion and his Grandmother. When my son said suddenly to me “Dad, I want you to know I love you.” My response was the pre programed “I Love you too,Son.” Then he continued “Dad, I want you to know I’m proud of you for everything you’ve accomplished.” I smiled and said “Thank You,son” Yet I could see he was struggling with something and so I asked him what was up his response was like a bucket of Ice Water in my face. “Dad, I’m also really disappointed in you because in the last few years you’ve made a lot of really crappy decisions.” Now understand that my friends and family had said similar things to me previously over the last  3 years  and 10 months. But for some reason my son standing there saying it was a slap in the face unlike anything else I had ever experienced. It was at that moment that I suddenly could see clearly the mess I had made of my life. And how my bad decisions hadn’t just affected me they had affected everyone around me and in my life during the last four years.

That was my defining moment and by the grace of God and the words of a 16 year old. I began making changes in my life. The road since and ahead has not and will not be an easy one but at least now my head is no longer in a fog and I can see clearly not only the road ahead but the light at the end of the tunnel. You see it is not so much how we react to that moment but how we move forward from it that truly defines us and where we will go from there. How we react in that moment shows our character at the time, how we move forward that is what defines us. Good or bad the choice is ours.

Friends that was my moment, what will yours be (it could be something large or small that someone says or does) and will you recognize it for what it is or will you miss it even if it spits on your shoe.

Please feel free to visit my website www.truck-writer.com or email me directly at truckwriter@gmail.com. I love getting your feedback and always look forward to receiving it. Catch up with me on Face-book at www.facebook.com/tobybogard or follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/truck_writer.

This is the Truck-Writer and I am 10-10 on the side!

Road Less Travelled

“Once upon a time,” we’ve all heard or read those words at some some point and historically they are the preamble to a “Fairy Tale” the kind of story we tell our kids to get them to go to sleep at night or just to pass time. The trucking industry has it’s own twist on the fairy tale. It’s a proven fact that if you ever hear the words “You ain’t gonna believe this #&!*” that you are more than likely about to hear a Truck Driver Tale!

The difference between a Fairy tale and a Truck driver tale isn’t in just the beginning. In every case that I’ve had with truck driver tales the ending isn’t usually happy, the guy never gets the girl and more often than not there is an abundance of profanity and even worse the driver telling the Tale is usually the victim of some huge injustice.

Here’s the odd thing about that, it’s a human fallacy to make ourselves out to be the victim in any given situation. It plays on the empathy and sympathy of those listening. However what’s even more intriguing is the fact that in a Truck Driver Tale sometimes it’s a story another driver told and it’s just more interesting to make ourselves the main character because it sounds better in the re-telling.

Isn’t it funny how people tend to make themselves out to be more than they are or represent themselves in a better light than they truly deserve. It’s funny thanks to the power of Social Media and writing two hit books as well as personal appearance’s spokesperson work and radio spots. I have become one of the most recognized driver’s in Trucking. Now many of you may ask why I would include the previous statement in this paragraph. It’s simple because everything I just said is verifiable it can be proven with a little due diligence. I guess the 25 plus pages of search engine results on me do mean something after all. I don’t have to post pictures of myself online and call myself the Boss or put cutesy little hash tags next to my name to get attention. Or even better call myself the next big thing to get people’s attention. I stay inside the industry I love and let my passion for the industry build forward momentum. Here is the truly amusing part to me though. I know people that do just that and they get away with it, however if I did it I’d be crucified in the public eye. People would call me a fake or an attention hog etc..when in fact that’s really the furthest thing from the truth. In my case when people come up to me during shows or appearances and ask for pictures or an autograph(yes it has happened but only a couple times) it’s a humbling experience for me! It reminds me why I do what I do. Here’s a perfect example I’ve been approached a couple of times about being cast in television shows. And although I said okay I didn’t go out and blab about it before the show even went into filming. As a matter of fact I have yet to know for sure whether either show will come through for me. Yet, I know a driver that was approached about being in a television show COMPLETELY unrelated to trucking and the show never made it to formatting. Yet, that same driver that had that happen had the audacity to call themselves a T.V star and actor. I’m sorry did I miss something?

Look I have no problem with people finding personal success but do yourselves a favor and be a good winner and an even better loser. Many of you may think well The Truck-Writer is just jealous well if that’s how you want to view it you’re certainly entitled to that opinion but it is a pretty far leap. I know people that have success related to this industry when in fact they know NOTHING about what it means to be behind the wheel for a living. Or they call themselves the biggest thing in trucking when in fact they have 3 years or less experience behind the wheel. Look people I’ve been driving 12 years plus with over a million safe miles logged in the last 9 with ONE company. Yet, I’m still a rookie I learn something new everyday. And ANY driver worth their salt will tell you that you have to learn something new everyday out here because the day you think you know it all is the day you’ll kill yourselves or somebody else!

Look people this blog nor anything I write isn’t about making people like me or happy. It’s about being truthful with the Industry and myself. I will not deny that I have made some HUGE mistakes in my life and some lousy choices. And ultimately I have paid the price for each of those mistakes and choices. But in the end (even though it may take awhile for me to realize it) I do my best to be a stand up guy and live right. Do I manage that every single day, no not even close. That just shows I’m human and that I make mistakes. But you know what I can ask myself the hard questions and when I’m lucky I can face the even harder answers about myself.

No matter how successful I become inside of or outside of Trucking I will do my utmost best to stay grounded and never let it get the best of me and go to my head. I almost did that these last few years but by the grace of God my feet found there way back to the narrow path. “Two paths diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less traveled by.” Robert Frost

I think however that Winston Churchill said it best. “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”

I want to stand up for this industry and I can’t do it without your help, what are you standing up for. Or is it just easier to hide behind a C.B microphone and gripe? Here’s the deal people if this post hit a nerve with you then I challenge you to share it and pass it on.

Please feel free to comment and send me your feedback I enjoy receiving it. Visit my website www.truck-writer.com or contact me directly via email truckwriter@gmail.com follow me on Face-Book www.facebook.com/tobybogard or catch up with me on Twitter www.twitter.com/truck_writer thanks this is The Truck-Writer and I am 10-10 on the side.

M.A.T.S

Well everyone Mid America Truck Show (M.A.T.S.) is over and I’m home for a few days of R & R with my kids before going back on the road. I had a wonderful time at the show. And would like to thank everyone that came by the Cobra Electronics Booth to say hello. I met some great people and made some new friends.

I had an opportunity to hang out and chat with my good friend American Trucker Television Host Robb Mariani. Robb had a lot going on during the show and still took time to talk with me and his fans and even to sign some autographs for fans of American Trucker there at the Cobra Electronics Booth. You can catch Robb’s show American Trucker on the Speed Network on Thursday Nights. Thanks Robb

Kelvin Locklear even got a chance to stop by the booth. Kelvin has his own show now called Outkast Kustoms. His show will air on Discovery Channel’s Velocity Channel Monday Night March 26th at 9p.m. So thanks to Kelvin and his Wife April for taking time to stop by and say hello to us. I’m looking forward to seeing the the Big Rigs transformed by Kelvin and the K & L Chrome shop. Thank Kelvin and April.

For those of you that were not able to attend the Show was incredible. I believe attendance was well over 50,000 and they say it was the best showing in 15 years. Alot of new products and designs were unveiled. The Navistar booth was absoultely amazing. The new concept trucks from some of the companies were mind blowing. And when I say they were cutting edge they truly were. Some of the custom trucks were just incredible. There’s a lot of time effort, patience and love that go into those show trucks. Not to mention a lot of money and wrench time.

I’ve got a lot going on personally. As the Truck-Writer has become a brand of it’s own and is taking on a life of it’s on. So to all those that came by to meet me or that stopped me in the aisle’s because you recognized me to all of you I say Thank you! It’s a very humbling experience to have someone say they came to the show and were dead set on making sure they got to meet me in person. So to all my fans, I humbly Thank you! It’s you that makes everything I do inside the trucking industry possible and it is you fans that help drive me.

I must say that doing these shows the last couple of years has taught me alot about drivers and their personalities. It is true that for the most part you can’t get two drivers to agree on the time of day even if they are in the same time zone. However these shows will truly open your eyes to who the heart of American Trucking really is. It isn’t just one type of person or one color or one religion. It’s all colors all religions all types of people that make up this industry that drive’s America. Look people sometimes it’s hard for me to be impartial and unbiased in the Blog’s and Articles I write but I do try and maintain a modicum of decorum. However let me say this. I’ve been doing Truck Shows for 3 years now and I can say with confidence that “WE are our own worst enemies!” We need to wake up as an industry and the time is coming soon where we will have no other choice but to wake up and smell the Deisel Fuel or be forced out of the industry.

Well everyone. I’ll post again next week about who knows what will strike me to write about. A lot of time I’ll have something in my head to write about and then I’ll see or hear something and change my mind. I do try hard to make the things I write about positive or to at least have a positive conotation. Anyway I welcome your comments or suggestions, please feel free to email me at Truckwriter@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tobybogard or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/truck_writer.

Until next time this is The Truck-Writer and I am 10-10 on the side!

Back With a Vengance

Hello everyone,I realize it’s been a couple weeks since I last posted & for that I apologize. Due to some electrical issues in my truck & a personal issue that has been going on, Blogging has been difficult. However I’m back and well after you read this maybe you’ll see why it’s with a vengeance.

A few nights ago I had the pleasure to be the guest on HAMMERDOWN radio with Johnny English and Sharkmate. The feed was live through www.wkoalive.com. It’s a great show check out the archives if you get a chance. Now I was a guest on the show because of my books true, however the show brought a lot of points about this industry I love so dearly & that has in certain ways been so good to me & yet has to a point left a bad taste in my mouth.

One of the topics we discussed was the recent Law changes in the trucking industry & the point was made that some change is good but not all. Let me explicate here. As we all know there are several new laws that have either gone into effect already or will be going into effect during this year. And although one of those laws maybe a good thing,I’m referring to the hand-held law that went into effect January this year another may not be so good and in that I’m referring to the new H.O.S rules. Yet with those two changes the real issues are still being ignored. How about some laws that regulate freight rates, or the wages a driver is to be paid based on experience level, or how about laws that facilitate better or more thorough training for new drivers. Hell how about making sure that all the new student drivers coming out of these trucking schools nowadays actually have the same amount & type of training. Or laws that mandate these HUGE trucking companies from driving students into the ground because they can pay them penance and the new driver is to afraid to say anything because of there job.

But no the Federal Government wants to put it’s hands into this industry that is the back bone of this country under the cloak of making the industry more safe. Truth be told follow the money. How about this, these organizations that are supposed to be for the driver by the driver etc…(and every driver on the road today knows who these organizations are)really being either to a point or flat out in bed with the companies doing this garbage.

This industry is full of enough fakes & back stabbers already. Individuals that will say one thing to your face & then turn around & stab you in the back if you don’t say or do what they want. Many people don’t realize how cut throat truckers can be. I’m not sitting here saying we are angels, but I am saying that we’ve spent so much time beating ourselves & each other up that the Government & the Big Companies have stolen OUR industry right out from under our feet.

If you don’t believe that look around in the next truck-stop you stop at. All of it is under the pretense of making the industry better & safer etc…but it’s really about control.

Several years ago certain motorcycle organizations were called “gangs” now they are called clubs & yes in many cases the bikers have changed and in some they haven’t yet they all still got branded with being a gang. I guess that means if I go into a store and buy a scooter(not a motorcycle) but a scooter put on some leathers & a jacket that says “Hells Angels” that I can just stroll into my local HA chapter and be accepted because we have to be so politically correct nowadays. UH,HELL NO I’d get the crap beat outta me or possibly worse and to be quite honest I’d deserve it. Here’s the point just because your being politically correct doesn’t make you right. Just because you ride a Harley doesn’t make you a Hell’s Angel and just because you have a CDL and have been driving 3 months doesn’t make you trucker. YOU have to pay your dues. Just because you labeled an outlaw driver because you drove back in the 70′s & 80′s doesn’t make you a bad person or driver (although you might have been,I don’t know & that’s not really the point here) it just means you remember the freedom & camaraderie of the “old days”. I know a few drivers that fall into this category. Been driving a couple years and thinks they know everything trucking, BULL! Look everybody I’m a million mile driver with a company been with them 9 years. Now that sounds great and to a point it is, because it is a significant accomplishment true. Yet it comparison it pails beneath so many others, I know a driver with the same company I drive for that’s coming up on 4 Million Miles. Now that my friends is a real accomplishment. He’s been driving almost 40 years and my 12 years looks small in comparison. So to that guy out there that’s got almost 3 years and thinks he is THE trucker wake up.

Ladies & gentleman this is an incredible industry filled with wonderful people but the industry is self destructing because of US. I’m not proud to say that but it is the truth. Try as we might to lay the blame on the companies and other drivers, the change must start with us. And it must be positive for the entire industry not just a few drivers. There are over 5 million of us on the road today delivering 69% of the freight that’s moved in this country daily. Truckers are the back bone of this Country we are the last American Cowboys or Cowgirls to be politically correct (sorry couldn’t resist it). It’s time we stopped and took a hard look at ourselves and our fellow driver’s. I’m not saying Big Brother isn’t wrong but I am saying when 5 million plus don’t speak up and then we get screwed we have only ourselves to blame.

 I welcome your feedback please feel free to email me at truckwriter@gmail.com or browse my website www.truck-writer.com follow me on Face-book www.facebook.com/tobybogard or on twitter www.twitter.com/truck_writer the new Truck-Writer website will be up soon. It will be more aggressive and informative. Thanks to all of you out there today please be safe this is The Truck-Writer and I AM 10-10 on the side!

It’s only Trouble if YOU get caught

 

I bet a lot of you have heard that saying in your lifetime’s. Or how about this one “It’s only Funny if you get caught,then it’s hilarious”. Well here’s the thing have any of you got $2750.00 to spare because that penalty amount isn’t funny no matter who you are. That is the fine that is being imposed upon any driver of a Commercial vehicle that get’s caught using a hand held device for any purpose. And I guarantee none of us would think it’s funny if we were the ones paying the fine.

Beginning January 2^nd 2012 the FMCSA put into effect a law that imposes steep fines and/or penalties on both the Driver and the Company, if that driver gets caught using a hand held device. You would think that Driver’s would show good sense and invest in a good Noise Canceling Blue-tooth Headset. Apparently many driver’s feel they are above the law or untouchable.

You will notice that I did not say it’s a fine I said penalty. It’s a penalty because the Law states that you will incur a Lawsuit by the FMCSA for not complying with the law & it will turn into a Fine if appropriate action isn’t taken by the Driver. The appropriate action is paying the penalty within the time period allotted, if not then it becomes a Fine & appropriate action will be taken by organizations such as CSA, FMCSA & possibly points on your license etc…

It’s a simple fix people invest in a Blue-tooth the best one that I’ve ever used is the Blue Tiger Blue-tooth which is available in most T/A & Petro Truck Stops or can be ordered on the web at www.bluetigerusa.com. However there are many different styles available from other companies. It truly depends on whether you prefer an over the head style in the ear style or over the ear. The fact of the matter is simple unless you want to pay $2750.00 use common sense and invest in a Damn Headset. Not a day goes by that I don’t drive down the road and see some Driver holding their phone & trying to drive while steering with half there attention. I won’t even get into texting and driving because we hear enough about that on a daily basis. Statistics prove that for every 6 seconds you are texting & driving 4.5 seconds of that time are not focused on driving. Now ask yourself an honest question if that’s true of texting it can only be worse if your holding your phone & talking.

I will say that I feel that this Law should not apply to just Commercial Vehicles I think it should apply to EVERYONE that drive’s a vehicle of any type. Let me say this if we don’t begin to follow the rules then FMCSA will take even more drastic measures to make sure we do comply. The next step is obvious BANNING use of a wireless device in any shape form or fashion regardless if you have gone Bluetooth or NOT. Think about it people then again it’s common sense and sometimes that isn’t to common. Like it or not none of us are above the law and none of us are untouchable. And unless you’re independently wealthy none of us can afford to give $2750.00 away.

Please feel free to follow me on Facebook www.facebook.com/tobybogard & on Twitter www.twitter.com/truck_writer &Youtube www.youtube.com/user/truckwriter or just drop me an email Truckwriter@gmail.com.

This is The Truck-Writer and I’m 10-10 on the Side!

Wherever you go THERE you are!

     Have you ever heard somebody speak in public and thought jeez how the bleep do they even function daily?Simply because they sound ignorant or out of touch by your standards? We’ve all had that experience driving down the road or walking in public & we see or hear someone talking to themselves & we think they are crazy. Our judgement is based upon our bias & judgement, but who are we to judge anyone? We call people eccentric or crazy or stupid or ignorant based upon OUR standard of judgement yet who gave us the right to judge anyone. Think about it people because  every time you do these things to others the 1 thing we don’t think about is they are more than likely doing it to US also.

     Take a hard look at yourself & the “friends(s)”you associate with & you’ll probably discover something about yourself. The people you associate with more often than not agree with things you say or think very much like you. Many times they are carbon copies of ourselves in one or more ways.

     The problem is actually quite profound yet the solution is literally quite simple. We live in a “ME” or “I” society. Most of us don’t have the courage to face the truth about ourselves so we attack others within the confines of our own minds or in public or inside our little “cliques” & circles to make ourselves feel better because it gives us a sense of power. It’s false power & bravado but let’s face it the truth is way to painful for most of us. We would rather walk in other people’s adulation than face the truth about ourselves. So many times we can be heard repeating the good things others say about us to others simply to re-affirm our own egos. So many people put up false fronts & wear masks that often times they lose track of who they truly are. They get wrapped up in other people’s opinions & cant take criticism so they avoid those people that might actually have something constructive that they need to hear.

     Everyday that we walk upon this Earth we make decisions that not only affect us but others, in many cases we don’t consider the effect our decisions will have on others, because it’s about me,me,me. Statistics prove the most commonly used word in the English language is “I”! We all have sphere of influence, things that concern us & then within in that circle things we can actually do something about! As a society a bubble the problem with this is that living inside the bubble let’s nothing bad out & nothing good in. Does anybody remember the T.V show Married With Children? Well we could all relate to 1 or more characters in that show. See outside the bubble is the real world & the real world involves change & often times pain.  And well let’s face it why should we step outside into the real world when we can live quite happily inside our illusion of the real world.

     The majority of us have watched a “Reality Show” on television but let’s face facts those shows aren’t “real” they are a twisted & convoluted version of reality we see what they want us to see. That’s why they are “edited” for content before they air, it’s also why the are transcribed (meaning filmed an then aired leter) it gives the producers time to make them more entertaining. Why are these shows so popular then? Well that’s simple they help us escape. We can watch one of them & say well “If I were him/her I’d do this or that”. Just like when we watch a sporting event on televisio we sit & say well I could of hit that or caught that etc…well the truth is if we could have we’d be there doing it instead of sitting on the couch griping. Let’s face it we all think hey I could that better but the reality is we can barely do what we do well let alone what somebody else does. We spend way to much time looking at others & criticizing them instead of looking inward & finding how we can better ourselves & help others. We’d rather wallow in our own self pity or mediocrity than admit that we are because of the choices we made! Remember Wherever You Go There You Are! The Challenge I have for you is Where do You go from here? Yesterday is gone, today is almost over, tomorrow never comes because by the time you get there it’s TODAY, so make Today the 1st day of the rest of your life, it’s time to Choose!

     This is The Truck-Writer and I am 10-10 on the side!

 

Body Shredding WORKOUTS done on the #JAC

Body Shredding WORKOUTS done on the #JACKRACK http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL31E22822C7629497 #fb