Story Time.
This is a true story. (about being fat)
The year 2000 *sigh* what a year that was. My weight ?? not sure but it was up there - mmmmm maybe 350 or so.
I just came off a 3 year hiatus from smoking (which absolutely vaulted me into obesity) I had been off all year settling my divorce and generally hiding from the world and 'doing whatever I please'.
Late October my house sold, ironically we closed on the same day my divorce papers arrived. Several trips to the bank and lawyers later, I found myself with 1200.00 in cash, a 1986 Ford Crown with 210,000 miles on it, all my clothes and a box of pictures in the trunk of my car. Everything I owned all contained within 16 feet of steel, rubber and vinyl.
I went to my brother's house to sort life out and look for another trucking job. No worries here, I'm just days away from starting 'life' over again, I got my license, CB and Rand McNally not to mention my experience. I remember a guy I use to run with from Myton Utah and after a couple days of tracking him down, we finally hook up on the landline and put together a strategy. It pretty much comes down to "get here and the truck will be sitting here with your name on it".
Damn good deal. I'm moving to Utah !! weeeeeeeee !! just 2000 miles to drive and I'm starting over !! Hey, I'm good to go. Hammerdown westbound !! I calculate my expenses to be in the 300 to 400 dollar range if I eat smart (that means lotsa fast food of course

) and the obligatory finger-crossing that the ol' Ford can make the trip.
I'm doing fine, the car is purring along, I'm taking my time. For the first time in a 1000 coast to coast trips, I'm taking in the scenery, no stress with the 'deathgrip' and one-breath-per-minute ratio one acquires driving a bigrig.
Ooops. What's that ?? steam ?? DAMMIT !! and I'm halfway to nowhere in Illinois, luckily I have my CB wired up and I get a ride to fetch a tow truck. 3 days and $450.00 (all told) later me and my new radiator get back on the Interstate. Ouch !! well hey, I got a JOB waiting for me when I get there and I got enough money to finish the trip easily.
Welcome to UTAH !!! I called the trucking company and told them I would be there very shortly. I arrive to the company and walk in and we proceed with the usual bs. At some point I noticed there was only one truck in the yard and I thought to myself 'hmmmm that truck is a piece of dog poop and I know that model (of truck) is not a walk-thru bunk or tilt steering wheel'. This means nothing to you and how could it unless you know trucks and weigh 350 lbs. We continued on with all the required paperwork.
Well my initial fears are now being confirmed. The dog do truck was MY truck. Before we walked over to it, I said 'I won't be able to fit in that truck'. They said 'nah, c'mon that's ridiculous, never heard such a thing'. I said 'I'll tell you right now I'll never fit behind the wheel of that model'. Well let's give it the ol' college try. Sure enough, yep, you guessed it. It just wasn't possible unless someone gave me a magic pill that could shed 50 lbs off me in, oh about 1 hour.
The manager said 'I'm sorry but that's the only truck we have right now and we can't really hire you'.
I wonder what I looked like at that moment ?? (other than fat and stupid)
The end of Part 1.
I'll save the trip home back to Pennsylvania story for another time. What a messed up story that is too.