Sorry for the lapse. ISP issues.

Every since we returned home we have had periodic episodes where the internet service just went away. All of the sudden we would get an error message, "Page cannot be displayed", or "server not found". Over the weekend, it quit. I messed with it and no matter what it said to do, nothing worked. Yesterday I was home during a good time to call tech support.

Krl called them initially and we talked with a local techie. We did a little backtracking (and a whole lot of stuff we had already tried, but what the heck). How many lights are .....? Let's reboot. Unplug the modem. Are you using a wireless router? (No, but give me some time). It didn't take too long before the "local" tech support put me on hold. It was very evident when "Eddie" came on the line we had moved to a different zone. Of course we did many of the same things (again). He visited with me about a wide array of subjects. When I asked him where he was located, he responded Virginia. It seems our ISP has two level two or senior tech supports, one in Virginia, one in California. After an extended try, Eddie informed me that he was going to have to send a hardware guy out to check cables. I told him I had extra cables, some travel with my laptops, others had just accumulated over the years. He told me I might swap cables out but for some reason we weren't getting enough signal to hold it. "Hardware techie" is supposed to be here between two-thirty and four-thirty. When Eddie and I terminated our conversation I took our computer down and unplugged the modem.

I began to think about what "might" be the problem. Since the office was moved, lines outside had to be moved as well. I went outside and began to disconnect lines, found a suspect splitter, and made a made dash to Lowes. Several years ago we had "gone" digital, but this one splitter didn't proclaim it's digitalness. After replacing it I went in and booted up. Walla, internet. No new cables. Just a splitter. Did Eddie or the local guys find something during the mean time? Was there in fact a problem in signal strength? Did the prolonged absence of power to the modem "clear it's circuits"? I don't know. I feel like we are chasing gremlins. My big question is why did it work O.K. for a while and then develop problems. We may never know.

I have hit a threshold. I have completed all the work I am equipped to do on the trucks in the bull pen. Part of my day yesterday was spent at the body shop (where both are headed for repairs) and at the engine shop where "Black Sheep 2" is headed as well. As luck would have it, while I have had these trucks "out of commission", numerous opportunities have surfaced. This will give me good excuse to bring the last company truck to Abilene. Last week, I made the trip two different days to pick up the remaining truck but with no result. The closest I came was on my way back to Abilene I met it on the road pulling a fertilizer tanker. I was not a happy camper. I had received a call from "Trick" last week inquiring about license tags at which time I told him I had the tags for it in Abilene and inquired as to "why" they might need tags for it. I went on to tell "Trick" that his inquiry only fueled my speculation that some improprieties were going on. Over the last three months it would appear that this has been a repeated process and Black Sheep has never been compensated for the use of it's trucks. I had even told Fred that Black Sheep would entertain a flat rate lease (instead of a percentage) for power units if he was short. Now it would appear this is a conspiracy that extends beyond Fred and the mechanic into the office and even into payroll and payables.

Anyhow, the owners of Black Sheep are wanting to report the final truck as "missing", and I can't blame them. My only argument is that the only person who will be inconvenienced is the elderly gentleman who I saw driving it. He will be the one wearing the stainless steel bracelets.

The biggest problem I have with this is that Fred had three trucks sitting the very day I saw them running the last Black Sheep truck. I'm not being difficult but you can't run these trucks up and down the road for nothing. Wear and tear, tires, maintenance. It all costs.

The company travel trailer comes out of the shop today. K.O. and I made a trek out there yesterday. In fact, they told me to show up mid afternoon to pick it up. Once again I am feeling like Earl. Getting things done! I am arguing with myself if it was the right call. When this trailer was originally leased it was leased knowing there were some issues. One had to be corrected within a week, the other major issue was at the head of this repair trip. After the purchase option was exercised, I had talked with the O.M. and the "CO" about whether it was best to repair or trade the trailer. I had located a newer used travel trailer while we were on the job, in fact it was four feet larger with one additional slide out. This doesn't sound like much but it would be an increase of about 10% of existing trailer space. Ultimately I didn't have to worry about it, but it didn't bother me. The environment on the jobsite is so harsh I have a real problem taking something nice out there, I don't know if I would be able to take something new. Man, they have some really nice trailers on the market.

I am beginning to get antsy. I need a little more purpose in my daily routine. I guess I am needing more structure. I am not sure what the future holds. My job of last summer is coming open in less than thirty days. Situations have changed, the closing of the can manufacturer has changed the complexion of what my job was, changes within the core customer have magnified the alterations in what my job would be. I do know that later in the summer if things continue to progress I should have the opportunity to put together a "new" program again. It seems this is much of what I have done the past two years. I have also been told that if I want to go to South Texas the opportunity is there through one of the other contractors at the Fall jobsite. I just don't know if I am ready to "go" again.

I am hoping to do some fence repair today. In our absence the house sitter was paid twice for securing lawn services. Upon her termination (because of non-performance) we contracted with a service to scalp the lawn, trim the hedges, trim the trees, clean flower beds, and take soil samples for analysis. The biggest requirement by Krl was that they had to bag the grass. Late last week Krl had seen the service down the street and told them how disappointed she was in their work. The following day she and a neighbor were on the back porch when they heard a loud noise and then a man with a mower came into view. Just as he ran over a water hose Krl shut him down. Of course he had a mulching mower with no bag and he confessed they had not caught the clipping when they were there earlier either. Turns out, when they wanted in the back yard they just rammed the gate, breaking eight fence palings. Krl terminated them on the spot even though the back yard man's accomplice was half done mowing the front yard. These men were only employees of the service. TRC's cell phone is the contact number the lawn service has and the owner has called her wanting the job back but he hasn't had the guts to come by the house. This could be interesting. My money is on Krl.

Deal or no deal?

Be the real deal.

FATHER, be a part of my day.