Bah! Humbug! Harrumph, harrumph! It is pretty bad when you sell YOURSELF some swampland! While expectations have been high, the days have left much to be desired!

It has not been easy lately. I made some changes in the "team" and it improved dramatically, but I still had one "bad seed". No more! It all came to a head and we may be short handed at the moment but at least we can depend on the group that is left. I sent one on his way and put another on probation for the remainder of the year. I honestly think that they felt I was not in a position to do anything. Talk about believers! And the congregation said "Amen!".

This one guy, I have known for quite some time. He used to be a war horse and had worked with me before. Initially I was glad he had signed on. The glee was short lived however. From the get go he was a distraction. He was a detriment to morale and his work ethic left a lot to be desired. His command of four letter words was astounding! I do not believe I have ever had to interact with a person as vulgar as he is.

From the beginning he was constantly questioning management decisions made by me and failing to maintain the status quo with his co-workers. The final straw came late Wednesday. He had made a delivery to Lubbock and was en route to reload at our location. During the previous night he had dropped his trailer and picked up another trailer that one of my other trucks had left. I don't like anyone making changes without my approval, usually the overall combination and weight of a "rig" has been taken into account in matching trucks and trailers. There was also the distinct probability of an altercation between the two truckers vying for the same trailer. I made mention to one of they guys who had inquired about the equipment change that I didn't appreciate the problem driver taking it upon himself to make changes without asking and I figured when the first trucker returned to get his trailer I would draw a circle on the ground and let them duke it out! By the time the "problem" got back to the plant he had blown this thing sky high in his mind. I had only recently been made aware that this man had committed himself to a substance abuse clinic prior to coming to our jobsite. He is currently medicated, floundering through anger management, and has totally lucid conversations with himself. When this person arrived back at the plant he stormed to my trailer and banged on the door. I opened the door and he told me he wanted me in the General Managers office "now" because he wanted the GM to witness what he was fixing to tell me. I informed him I was in the middle of an employee insurance roster reporting form that had to go out and when it was convenient I would come to the office. He immediately started shouting that he said "now" and that is what he meant. I told him that one thing he hadn't figured out was that he was not running the show. I returned to my trailer and finished the report and headed to the office to fax it. When I walked in he jumped up and got in my face and stated his name, saying he was required by law to inform me that he was registered with the United States Government, the CIA, the military, and the Navy Seals. He went on to tell me that he had been trained in the martial arts and his hands were registered weapons and that any aggressive behavior on my part whether vocal or physical would be met with what ever means and what ever intensity he deemed necessary to immobilize me! I could not help but laugh! I turned to the GM and apologized and turned back to this individual and asked if he was through. He replied he was. I told him O.K., get your crap out of the truck, "you are terminated". (I will admit I was more explicit in this directive). This caught him off guard and he informed me that the truck was assigned to him and would not abandon it. I told him he could abide by my decision or deal with the law when I reported it stolen. Ultimately I agreed to let him take the truck to the shop in Roscoe. Shortly afterward, I shook his hand and told him I was sorry things didn't work out, that I couldn't work with some people and some people could not work for me. I also urged him to see his therapist to have his medications adjusted. He responded by telling me how tickled he was to be leaving and that he wanted to tell me to my face how big an "asshole" I was. I responded by telling him I would truly have to reflect on his statement because I felt he was a person who was well versed in assholes. Immediately after his departure I went into the GM's office to apologize once again for the behavior of one of my crew. Surprisingly, he was laughing his head off and told me that he couldn't remember when he had had such an entertaining afternoon! In the course of the conversation he revealed his hope that I would terminate this employee earlier. Later, the Plant Supervisor told me he had heard the problem employee on the phone a few days ago telling the person on the other end that he couldn't talk because the line was not secure! My personal feeling are that when he made his spiel about being registered and all, he should have included that he is certifiably nutz! It is amazing how relieved and refreshed everyone is since the person parted our company. All is well that ends well. I feel for this individual but until he wants help, he is not going to get better. He can whip himself in a frenzy immediately over the most trivial thing and when he is told something he can expand on the subject until it does not even resemble what he was initially told! I guess GOD needed a little quality control for many of us!

It was not a good day in many ways. One truck had problems with his trailer. Another truck had a recurring problem with his flywheel. Another, pulling a specialty trailer hung a warehouse door so I spent time making this high dollar trailer operational once again.

I have Medley Material Handling coming this morning to install solid rubber tires on forklift number three. Earlier this week I had secured solid tires for number four. The comfort zone afforded by these tires is worth the price. No more flats!

FATHER, I have much to thank YOU for and I have much to ask YOUR help with. Bless those that are dealing with illness, heal them comfort them. Bless those who are ailing spiritually. Fill and inspire them. Praise to YOU from whom all blessings flow!