http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPxs212oAyU

Baker Street reached No.2 in the USA in 1978. I loved this song when it came out, and always jammed to it when it came on.

Indeed, Rafferty's musical persona fostered that sense of easy-going nonchalance. "Baker Street," culled from his first post-Stealers Wheel solo album, City to City, exuded that unassuming persona in its nostalgic narrative about a Londoner's fondness for his hometown environs. The searing solo from saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft elevated the melody with a rock steady riff and gave the song an instant infectiousness that ultimately took it to the top of the charts, selling millions of records and dominating the airwaves for much of 1978. A follow-up effort, Night Owl, rode on its successor's momentum, but while Rafferty continued to record well into the '90s, his later efforts brought diminished returns.

From Wiki: After the disputes were resolved in 1978, he recorded his second solo album, City to City, which included the song with which he remains most identified, "Baker Street". The single reached No. 3 in the UK and No. 2 in the U.S. The album sold over 5.5 million copies, toppling the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in the U.S. on 8 July 1978. "Baker Street" featured a very distinctive saxophone solo by Raphael Ravenscroft which remains a mainstay of soft-rock radio airplay. In October 2010 the song was recognised by the BMI for surpassing 5 million plays worldwide. "Stuck in the Middle With You" has received over 4 million plays worldwide, and "Right Down The Line" has had over 3 million plays.

Nevertheless, that folk finesse remained intact, and those wistful vocals still entice. Ultimately, Rafferty's legacy will likely always be confined to that sole solo hit, aided and abetted by the fact that it remains a staple on oldies radio and the odd commercial and film soundtrack (It appeared prominently in Quentin Tarrentino's Reservoir Dogs). He met a sad and ignominious demise after falling prey to an ongoing struggle with alcoholism, a battle that also cost him his marriage some 20 years ago.

I mentioned this to my wife Alisa. "Guess who died today?" I inquired, curious if she'd get the connection.

"Who?" "Gerry Rafferty. Ever hear of him?"

"Oh sure. The guy who did that song 'Baker Street.' What did he die of?"

"Alcoholism. A bad liver."

"That's a shame," she replied. "Great song though."

I suppose that's it then. One great song is all that's needed to create a brilliant epitaph. And in Gerry Rafferty's case, it served him well.

At 11:11:11

I always LOVE seeing dates and times like this...

^^

Kimmyskunk

To all my friends, watchers, cohorts in art, artists, writers, musicians, and anyone else that has a pulse...

Have a Merry Murry Christmas... hope ya all stuff your muzzles full of pie and unwrap not LOTS, but quality things you need and want.

Bless ya...
Kimmyskunk

If someone can somehow unravel me from these ribbons and Snuggies, i'd appreciate it.

^^

Found a new avatar, and wished to quiz my friends here.
If you can name who she is, and the story about her, I'll draw your avatar for you in pencil if you are the first correct entry.

Please note, I do not have a scanner yet, and I draw in pencils, but you will get a free sketch only if you answer correctly right.

have fun...

Kimmyskunk

PS. a small hint, shes from an TV anime series and movie series.
I'll upload a better pic of her, but sadly one that isn't a full body one.
Submitted a better pic... ^^

 snowkatt has a journal where you look through their pics and show them here.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3287276/ Like the choice of weapon. The sketch itself is very good and not out of proportion at all. WELL DONE.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4675448 The forearms and hands are excellent, and her pants are well drawn.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4617254 Great action pic



Kimmyskunk

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/.....DHERE%5Burl%5D

Seems  YamatoIouko is running a free art contest in his journal.
Go Comment and make him feel all warm and happy inside.

Kimmyskunk

I'm sorry for not letting everyone know for a few days.
Bunny is fine, she had a reaction to some congestion meds that she took.
Her breathing was so labored that she was unable to sleep at all the previous night due to her sinuses nearly swelling shut.

Only thing we had to make sure was any meds she took, wasn't penicilian, or any of the cilian group, as she is extremely allergic to them.

Bunny has a doc med, with Sudafed and Clairitin D, and within 24-36 hours, Bunny was back to normal.

Thank you for all the well wishes... we need them.

Kimmyskunk

Bunny and I have been battling some kind of infection / chest cold for the past two - three weeks. All the rain we had, and Rachael going to kindergarden, she may have brought home a bug or something.

Rachael was sick first, but was better after 2 days. I had a cough and sneeze fest for a week, and better overall, but Bunny has suffered over 2 solid weeks of stuffed head and bad congestion and pain.

After trying nose and cold remedies, things got bad last night when her sinuses closed up on her almost completely, and the nose sprays were not helping any, and she was unable to sleep at all. We even tried the medicated nose strips with menthol, but it had no effect.

So after Rachael goes off to school, i'm taking bunny to her health doc, located at a local hospital. Not the one that's closest one to us, but one that accepts the state issued insurance.

It's not quite 911 emergency yet, but I am quite worried.

I'll let you all know whats going on when we get back.

Kimmyskunk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdhViRtjdgw&feature=related

It was 20 years ago today that this LEGEND SRV passed from this world, The ABSOLUTE Best guitarist that ever lived. No comparison at all. No metal head, thrasher, or rock guitarist can even hold Stevie's guitar pic for him, but what shown through more than his playing, was SRV's absolute Humility.

All through the Austin City Limits concert on DVD, you see Stevie having fun with the crowd, by mugging huge grins at them, or just hitting some chords with a small smile that only he knows, before exploding into the next song.

At the end of Austin City limits Superstition, he tells the crowd "Thank you much kindly"
with the smile that is genuine.

And the final song, Riveria Paradise, is just jaw dropping.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h50f8yEExe8

Thank you Stevie, you are STILL sadly Missed.
R.I.P. 20 years my friend

Kimmyskunk

How do you get your car to go 562,000 miles? Just ask Rachel Veitch, a 91-year-old great-great-grandmother who is still driving a 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente her husband purchased for her brand new.

WWLP News in Milwaukee interviewed Veitch, who showed them all the service reports and her lifetime guarantees on shocks, batteries and mufflers. She bought a lifetime guarantee on a battery from JC Penney, and so she's gotten 18 free batteries from the company.

Although it's a fabulous story, it also illustrates part of why Mercury is dying. The brand lost its individuality over the years, and many of its fans were older folks. Mercury is expected to end production in November.

Still, Vietch's Comet is pretty cool. She claims she drove it once at 120 mph "just for a mile", and had to have cruise control installed because she kept getting speeding tickets.

-- Sharon Silke Carty/Drive On

And another old driver story...

The driver of the highest mileage vehicle on the road turns 70 years old today (it's longevity day here on Drive On, if you haven't noticed) and Volvo is helping him celebrate.

Irv Gordon's red 1966 Volvo P1800 has 2.8 million miles on it, and the septuaganarian says he wants to reach 3 million miles by his 73rd birthday.

"Three million miles is an iron clad number that I'd like to think sits right up there with DiMaggio's consecutive game hitting streak," Gordon said. "Who's going to beat that? No one."

Back in 1966, Gordon, a retired science teacher from East Patchogue, N.Y., drove 1,500 miles in the first 48 hours of owning his Volvo. He made the Guinness Book of World Records in 1998 when he hit 1.69 million miles, Volvo said in a congratulatory press release today.

Gordon says he's not sure what he'll do once he hits 3 million miles, but he'd considering selling it for $1 for every mile on the odometer.

"I used to think I'd park it in a museum where people will get to enjoy seeing the car that beat the odds - all with the same engine, same radio, same axles, same transmission and of course the same driver," Gordon said. "Now I think, 'no way.' I'll either keep driving it or sell it for $3 million."

-- Sharon Silke Carty/Drive On

I was offered another job, pays better in some ways but in others its a bit more of a struggle.

The job was found in Craigslist. It took 1 phone call on Saturday, and 2 today, to lock down the job for me, in an phone interview.

After the phone interview, the boss was excited to meet me tomorrow, and I will probably start tomorrow.

Good points are...
1.) I am using their vehicles.
2.) They are paying the gas and tolls. (YAY)
3.) I'll be making $10.00 an hour, not including any delivery bonuses. There was one trip, from NJ to West Virginia that would've paid me $300.00 for that single delivery.
4.) Thankfully I am not putting gas in my own tank to make deliveries.
5.) And they also have class B trucks available, which when needed, I can make bigger deliveries for more pay.

Only bad point is the job is an hour away.

But it seems good, so i'm grabbing it.

Will let y'all know how it goes...
Kimmyskunk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5WISUquers

A clip from the Nicholas cage movie... Knowing...

The clip he is watching is of an oil rig fire in the Gulf...

Hollywood symbolism was more widely known after the symbolical use of 9/11 was discovered in movies, that had been released before the actual event on 9/11.

The 2009 movie, "Knowing" directed by Alex Proyas, was released on March 20, 2009.

Exactly 13 month before the oil rig explosion.

Again, the oil rig explosion happened on April 20, 2010.

That is also exactly 36 x 11 = 396 days after the release of the movie.

In the movie, the main character is sitting on his couch in front of his TV and is listening to some news about the economy. Before the camera catches the TV, a clock is showing the time 11:59. As it flips over to midnight a news report of a rig explosion in the gulf of Mexico is shown on the TV, the burning rig is shown at midnight or the dark "high noon".

There was 396 days between the release of the movie and the explosion.
The cross root of 396 is:

(I do enjoy reading conspiracy theorys, for shits and giggles... but this was kinda weird, even for me...)

Now I gotta go rent this movie, or watch it on youtube... ^^

Kimmyskunk

I was following up with a local dealer about purchasing a used 2002 PT Cruiser, which needed some work. Sounded like a good deal until I mentioned concerns with the timing belt and water pump needing replacing since the PT was at 108,000 miles.

(Thank you everyone here that warned me to look for and ask about the timing belt and water pump being replaced at 100,000 miles. )
The dealer did offer a warranty, and said last Saturday the PT would be ready by Wednesday at most since it needed an inspection, tires, a rear fender, taillights, and other suspension parts to pass PA Inspection.

Me, wife and 5 year old daughter seen the car last Saturday, and initially agreed on a handshake and my word that we will pick up the PT when the needed repairs were finished, and trade my 1991 Explorer as a down payment.
(They offered me $1000 initially, but I replaced the alternator and battery only yesterday, so that might get me a few hundred more. ^^)

The dealer seemed to stand behind their word. I wanted to drop a bombshell on them as they were working on the PT to see how good their word was for a pending sale, and how good the warranty was.

I was pleasantly surprised when the dealer agreed to check to see if the timing belt and water pump was replaced, and if not, they would replace both before the sale.

This was agreed to on Tuesday as I talked to the salesman. It's now Thursday evening, and the salesman called me today, saying they are having a small bit of trouble getting the repairs finished. He was worried he was gonna lose the sale because of the delays.

I told him that since they are fixing the PT, and doing it right before the sale, I told them to take their time, and just finish the PT when they could, I had no need to rush them at all.

Can you believe a used car dealer standing by their word,
even after tackling a difficult job like this?
They could have easily said everything was already replaced without turning a wrench just for a quick sale.

I will let them call me when they are finished, they always called and notified me of the status of the PT.

And I'll let everyone know when I pick up the PT, and i'll have my own mechanic check to see if all the work was done.

Hopefully optimistic...
Kimmyskunk

Dennis Hopper, the Easy Rider director best remembered for playing whacked-out characters during an acting career that spanned six decades, died after a long bout with prostate cancer. He was 74.

Hopper died Saturday morning, the office of his agent, Liz Dalling, told TVGuide.com. No immediate details were released.

See other celebrities who died this year

Critics and fans often said no one did crazy roles better than Hopper. For a long time, those roles reflected how he was living.

The Dodge City, Kan., native was a bit of prodigy, appearing in feature films such as Rebel Without a Cause, Giant and Gunfight at the O.K. Corral by the time he was 21.

After making Rebel and Giant together, James Dean and Hopper became fast friends. When Dean was killed in his Porsche in September 1955, Hopper was devastated.

Much of the work he did in the '60s was generally undistinguished — until he directed 1969's low-budget Easy Rider, in which he co-starred with Peter Fonda and a still upcoming Jack Nicholson. It was a huge success — both at the box office and as a talisman for the turbulent times, leading to other anti-war, anti-establishment films. The movie was nominated for the top honor at the Cannes Film Festival, (where it won "best first work") and Hopper received an Academy Award nomination for original screenplay.

Hopper's next directing effort, however, 1971's The Last Movie, bombed.

See photos of Dennis Hopper through the years

Hopper then went on a colossal bender that he subsequently wasn't shy about discussing.

In 2001, the actor/filmmaker/artist talked about being sober for 18 years — and not only from booze. He did various hallucinogens and narcotics. "I only used to do cocaine so I could sober up and drink more. My last five years of drinking was a nightmare. I was drinking a half-gallon of rum with a fifth of rum on the side, in case I ran out, 28 beers a day, and three grams of cocaine just to keep me moving around. And I thought I was doing fine because I wasn't crawling around drunk on the floor."

In the wake of that, he was quoted as saying: "I should have been dead 10 times over. I've thought about that a lot. I believe in miracles. It's an absolute miracle that I'm still around."

Before he kicked his habits, Hopper offered a memorable performance as a nutty photographer in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now.

The 1980s saw a comeback by a clean and sober Hopper — culminating with David Lynch's Blue Velvet, in which he played an off-the-deep-end criminal. In 1986, he played a sad alcoholic in Hoosiers, offering a performance that brought him an Oscar nomination for supporting actor.

Dennis Hopper starts experimental treatment for prostate cancer

In his limited TV work, Hopper received an Emmy nomination for the 1991 HBO film Paris Trout, an adaptation of a Pete Dexter novel. More recently, he played a drug-addled music producer in the Starz premium channel's spinoff of the Oscar-winning movie Crash.

Hopper also made a name for himself as a photographer and artist, and his works were exhibited around the world.

Dennis Hopper's wife wants full custody of daughter

Married five times, he recently filed for divorce from his wife of nearly 14 years, Victoria, with whom he had a 7-year-old daughter, Galen. He had three grown children from his previous marriages. One of those marriages, to Michelle Phillips, lasted eight days.

Thank you Dennis for some INCREDIBLE movies...

Kimmyskunk

Conservatives Cheer as Gov. Chris Christie Puts Reporter in His Place
May 14, 2010

http://tribeca.vidavee.com/advance/doc/9FEA67B9DD20334EECCF9D7FDFA38E69;jsessionid=2E5DA75C33FC3AC716EC7462D16A6EBF.node1?AF_deliveryChannel=play

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT
RUSH: I had it yesterday in the audio sound bite roster, and I am so ticked off that I didn't see it. I am so ticked off that I missed it. Now the whole thing has gone viral. I had it yesterday! Of course it doesn't really make news until I did it anyway even if I am late to it, but it still makes me mad. I had the Chris Christie video. I had it in the stack yesterday, and I missed it! (groans) Ah, what the hell?

I have no excuse for it. I had not heard that the video existed, and the way it was slugged... (stammering) It's my fault. (sighs) It's my fault. We've got it now if you haven't heard it. (interruption) Well, it's embarrassing! This is broadcast excellence. We're on the cutting edge of societal evolution and I missed it! I had it and I missed it.

It's a conflict. Everything crashes here at 12 noon. Between 12 noon and 12:05, that's when everything floods in. It's a reverse vacuum cleaner. Everything just spits out right on my computer screen, and sometimes it's tough to sort it all through. So anyway, here it is. If you haven't heard this or seen it, it has gone viral, and the reason it has gone viral is because conservatives across this country have been starving for genuine, elected leadership. We've had all of these advisors (I'm not going to mention any names) who say, "The Republicans need to be more moderate in their tone. Republicans need to moderate their tone, because we can't appear to be critical of Obama. We've gotta moderate our tone to make sure that we don't fulfill this false impression that's been made of us that we are extremist kooks and so forth."
So Governor Christie was doing a press conference, and he nails -- he destroys -- a reporter, here. He is one of the few leaders in America who is willing to follow the will of the people, and the State-Controlled Media doesn't get it. He's saying it plain. "Look, yeah, my poll numbers are going to go down. All of our poll numbers are going to go down. Mine are going down, but I don't care. The alternative is worse." He's got to fix the state. So I got a question. The Newark Star-Ledger columnist Tom Moran said (New Castrati impression), "Governor, do you think this sort of confrontational tone can increase your odds in getting this through the legislature?" That's the voice of the New Castrati. "Governor, do you think this sort of confrontational tone," that you're taking, "can increase your odds in getting this through the legislature?"

CHRISTIE: You must be the thinnest skinned guy in America, 'cause you think that's a confrontational tone, you should really see me when I'm pissed.

PEOPLE: (laughing)

CHRISTIE: I love when people say they don't want to have argument. That's what we were sent here for. Here it is (holding up paper): Bigger government, higher taxes, more spending. I believe in less government, lower taxes, and in empowering local officials who are elected by their citizens to be able to fix their problems. Now, I could say it really nicely. I could say it in the way that you all might be more comfortable with. Maybe we could go back to the last administration where I could say it in a way you wouldn't even understand it, okay?

PEOPLE: (laughing)

RUSH: (laughing) "I could even go back and say it in a way you wouldn't even understand it." He wasn't finished.
CHRISTIE: This is who I am. Like it or not, you guys are stuck with me for four years and I'm going to say things directly. When you ask me questions, I'm going to answer them directly, straightly, bluntly, and nobody in New Jersey is going to have to wonder where I am on an issue -- and I think they've had enough of politicians who make them wonder. I came here to govern, not to worry about reelection. I came here to do what people sent me here to do, and so "blunt," "direct"? Maybe you might say "honest and refreshing." Maybe we could see that in your paper tomorrow

PEOPLE: (laughing)

RUSH: Fat chance. Again, the reporter's question was "Governor, do you think this sort of confrontational tone," that you're taking, "can increase your odds in getting this through the legislature?" which is a typical pat, formulaic question from the media to a Republican. "Confrontational tone." So Christie just handed him his lunch. As I say, this video has gone -- and when you watch the video. There is a guy in the upper left-hand corner of the screen, one of Christie's staff, just laughing himself silly, silently, because everybody's happy to hear this -- and again, it is because people on our side of the aisle are hungry for elected conservative leadership, not wishy-washy Republican leadership. (interruption)

Snerdley is attempting to suck up to the host, shouting at me saying, "Finally we have an elected official acting like" me. Look, Chris Christie is who he is. I've never spoken to him. He's an independent guy, but he is right on the money. I mean, he was elected to do what he's doing and he's going to tell people who he is. He's not going to have any doubt about it. There's a teachable moment here for every Republican who's running for office and every Republican who is in office and wants to hold it. Chris Christie is your model. Not only is he talking the game, he's getting it done. He's actually going to pare down the budget. He's taken on all of these liberal special interests. He's taking them on without any fear of reelection. He doesn't care. He loves the state.
BREAK TRANSCRIPT

RUSH: Chris Christie again last Monday proposing an amendment to cap New Jersey property taxes. Here, listen to this.

CHRISTIE: I have instructed my chief counsel Jeff Chiesa to deliver to Senator Sweeney and Senator Kean, Speaker Oliver and Minority Leader DeCroce, that stack of bills to finally get New Jersey on the rack towards real and lasting property tax reform. The elements of it are already well known to you, and I will just hit some of the highlights. A constitutional amendment to be placed on the ballot this November, to cap property taxes at no greater than a 2.5% increase without voter approval. We would also ask that constitutional amendment to include a 2.5% cap on spending for state government operations.

RUSH: Wow. He's proposing an amendment to cap New Jersey property taxes at 2.5%. Meanwhile, across the river in Philadelphia: Higher property taxes. The mayor's $3.9 billion budget means "a 9.9% temporary property tax increase." It's 10%! A 10% property tax increase in Philadelphia supposedly just for two years, and after two years they'll get rid of it. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Wanna bet? So 2.5% max in New Jersey, that's what Governor Christie is going to propose.

BREAK TRANSCRIPT

RUSH: Here's the second Chris Christie bite about capping property taxes in New Jersey.

CHRISTIE: [W]e are going to focused over the next 51 days on accomplishing real reform which will finally bring an end to increase property taxes in this state at a break neck rate. ... Take it out of the hands of the politicians, take it out of the hands of the judges, and put it in the hands of the people who pay the bills.

RUSH: So maximum 2.5% annual increase. Anything more than that the people have to approve. Right on, right on, right on!
END TRANSCRIPT

Local areas are calling for TORNADOES here, until 6:40 PM.

Tornadoes are RARE here in SE Pennsylvania.

Will let ya know what happens...

Kimmyskunk

Heyas all,
It's a weird thing, but things happen in 3's it seems.

Jobwise, things have been hell-in-a-handbasket-stuck-in-NewJersey as of late.

I thought I scored a good job doing courier work for Lasership, but instead of me being paid per book delivered, I was paid barely $2.00 a stop. After delivering 145 books in 2 days, and a harrowing night of friday-night pet samples being delivered, 37 stops in 4 hours into NewJersey, I was barely paid $243.00 not including my gas.

So, I think I lost out about $700.00 in 2 weeks.

(Does this seem like a revolving door, jobwise or what?)

After pissing off my landlord for the late rent, (We are 10 days and $550.00 behind, so we are selling our wedding bands. I sold my Cintiq last month for $750.00 to get rent paid because of the Truck Mover's fiasco that put us in the hole.)

But, some good news. I have gotten an OLD job back, before I started my trucking training I was delivering car parts for a place called World Pac. Not huge pay, but it is steady, and guaranteed $105.00 a day, and with me working 6 days, I will be making about $1200.00 every two weeks. Only down side is I pay for gas. But, even with the gas, I will still likely make $350.00 more per paycheque than I did at Neumann College driving the shuttles.

And Don't worry, this company offers benefits with OT. I WILL be staying here for the long haul... years if need be.

Sorry about all the job changes, I lost about $3000 dollars in these jobs trying to make things easier, instead I made things a LOT worse.

All I have to do is somehow get the back rent paid, and ill be on my feet till the 10th of next month.

My apologies everyone, for seeming everything was ok on the job front, before I knew I would lose so much within 2 months.
Humble Bows

Kimmyskunk

On March 31st... When I was working for TruckMovers, I had to rent a car from Enterprise Reat-a-Car, to go one way to Binghamton, NY to pick up a truck to transport back to Philadelphia.

When I had returned the car to Vestal, NY (this was the closest branch to Binghamton, NY)
I got the paperwork finalized and upon leaving their office, I tripped and fell HARD, landing on my right knee, and then flat on my face. There were other people entering the office that I had walked around to leave the office.

I had tripped on a tall advertisement banner that had 4 extended tubes as legs, about 1-2 feet in length, about 6 inches high outward from each corner. I had thought the banner had a flat plastic base, like the top portion, and I wouldn't have tripped. I couldn't catch myself from falling, as I had a rather large duffel bag I had brought with me for the truck I was to deliver, while in the other hand, I had a small canvas draw string bag that was held over my opposite shoulder. So I was unable to see how far the sign extended. I fell with such force, the small draw string bag flew out my hand and landed outside the door.

The other people helped me up as the manager came in to see what happened. As I got to my feet, the manager asked what happened. As I told him my knee was hurt, he told his sales associate that 'it would be a good idea to get rid of that sign.' The banner was positioned, that when you entered the front door to their office, you had to walk to the left side of the banner to get to the desks for the sales associates, the right side of the banner was closest to the right interior wall. So as I walked out past the people entering, I came too close to the banner and tripped.

If the banner was any closer to the door, I would possibly had fallen and put my face through the front door glass.

No accident report, nothing.

A week later, I went back to my family doctor, and had my knee examined, and X-Rays done. (And yes, this is the same knee I fractured back in March 2006. But my doc had cleared me for work in 2007.) He said it wasn't broken, but there was contusions and bone bruises again, along with probable ligament damage.

I had since followed my doc's orders and watched my knee for healing, but seen there was no improvement. I was referred to a new attorney,who had a Private Investigator/Paralegal come to the house, and interviewed me, and he took down ALL the info on Enterprise, the notes from my personal doctor, and referred me to go to this 2nd doc that my attorney works with.

The new doctor said my knee has gotten significantly worse, and weaker than my left knee, and asked me to get an MRI and Physical Therapy done as soon as possible. I lined up an appointment tomorrow for an MRI at 2:00pm, and Therapy started on Thursday morning at 08:30 AM. The 2nd Doc will get the X-Rays from my 1st doc and compare notes, and see what can be done to salvage my knee, and move forward with a 'Slip-and-fall' case against Enterprise. Even tho it wasn't a slip, it was a fall and injury.

I noticed at the local Enterprise, who I dealt with previously, had the same style banner advertisement at that office, so if the banner is missing at the Vestal office, it is at other branches.

I shall let everyone know what happens next.

bows and hobbles,
Kimmyskunk

Heyas all,
Just a short message but a good one.

Today is my wife's birthday, we celebrated 9 of them since I met her in rl in 2001.

We just had cake and ice cream.

Do leave a note here and wish her a Happy Furday, since she is a Bunny after all.

Cake anyone?

Kimmyskunk

I had left that Truckmovers job a month ago, and was wondering how I could find another job before rent is due. After looking at ads in Craigslist and hoping someone would call me back, I wondered if I could turn the tables?

Instead of me looking for jobs among the lists... rather me post my qualifications, and have the posters looking for workers, call me back.

I can say, within 2 weeks, I have had 6 people call me back, between driving full semis for a furniture company, to tri-axle dump driver jobs at night, to one company I worked for, asking me to apply again. And one from left field I did not expect... which I ended up taking.

(The parameters were, I would be home every night, (2 jobs eliminated no benefits, 3 eliminated not enough driving experience, last one remaining, leaving me with... )

Lasership, in Philadelphia I signed on with. A courier company outside Center City, that hired me on the spot, seeing my driver record. I went in for the interview, and told Brian, the manager, (I met a different one at the same office almost 2 years ago, but due to some shady dealing on his part, he is headed to jail, and another, far better manager took his place.^^) about some other companies that I worked for who promised that I would be paid nearly $700 for delivering goods.

Brian responded that he pays his drivers 75% of all they deliver, and he backed it up in writing and paystubs he shown me, nothing to hide and it looked legit.

Lasership does deliveries, from Office Depot products (starting this week coming up) to vet lab samples from different offices, to be shipped out. To lawyer directories (looks like phone books)

He said the easiest thing for me to start with, was delivering Legal Directories to local attorney offices in 1 of the 5 counties surrounding Philadelphia. And since I cover such a large area, I can deliver a lot of books in my Explorer.

One VERY Good thing, is I can work at my own pace, deliver as many as I want, or take breaks. I'm not pushed to deliver fast, as Brian stresses safety above anything else.

Its all day work, during business hours, M-F. No on call or weekend work, unless I ask for it, which will pay a LOT more.
I will do that after I get going for a few weeks.

He agreed to pay me 75% S&H for each delivered book.
For example, if each book cost $45.00, there's a charge of $5.00 for S&H to deliver the book that is on the bill already paid by the attorney. So roughly, I get paid $3.75 per book I deliver, using the $5.00 example given above.

(For some reasons, some offices were charged more for S&H and others not as much, I didn't complain tho.)

One good thing, is if they order more books, I get paid the same 75% for each book, so if I deliver 10 books to the same address, I get paid $37.50 to deliver the 10 books to that stop.

I started yesterday, after filling out paperwork, signing contracts, and upping my insurance to do deliveries in my Explorer.

I was left starting with 130 books to deliver, and only 3 hours till everyone closed for the weekend. I was told to come back after the books were delivered, and to continue on Monday with what I couldn't finish. No pressure at all.

I knocked out 28 books in 3 1/2 hours in afternoon traffic, and I made $124.95 gross, and since I am a contractor, I get that, minus a small blackberry type phone I can use to get new book deliveries on the fly, along with occupational insurance, like umm... $2.95 a week I think. I would have delivered 35 books, but one office was closed, due to remodeling, so I will return there Monday morning, when I can start my deliveries at 8:00am instead of 1:00pm. If I can cram 100 books delivered, in 9 hours, I will be making GOOD money.

(I will figure out what I will make, after I check the rest of the receipts, I will post the totals of all 130 books delivered. One office is getting 15 books with a S&H fee of $89.25, another place is getting 22 books paying $130.90, and last large office is getting 29 books paying $172.55. Total is $392.70. Now multiply that .75 to see what I get paid to deliver and WOW. For those 3 big deliveries, I will make $294.48.)

EDIT: Just checked all the remaining receipts for all books delivered.
28 books @$124.95 gross done in deliveries April 23, 2010
102 books @$583.10 gross done in deliveries April 26, 2010
$708.05 gross total deliveries for all 130 books.
$531.03 bring home pay for 130 books delivered. (multiply.75 from $708.05 gross for my pay).

Not bad for 2 days work... ^^

I think I LIKE this job.

Kimmyskunk

Time to pick up a small hand truck. ^^

Ok I am back from delivering my first 4 trucks with Truckmovers, and I am a bit disappointed, but hopeful everything will turn around.

First 2 trucks were International ProStars with sleepers, and automatics. Deliver these 2 repo's from Erie to Philadelphia. on March 26th weekend. Picked up one on Friday, and other on Sunday.

Drove 372 miles each, paid at .80 cpm (increased from .70 to pay for the tolls...) for $597.20 for both trucks.

Had to use 135 gallons of fuel to get the trucks to delivery. (about $212.00 used for fuel). First truck averaged 7-8 miles a gallon, as the 2nd one, ran absolutely horrible and averaged a dismal 4mpg in the driving rain.

Now this is where it gets confusing for me.

I had to pay $405 for 175 gallons between both trucks to get them both delivered, as one truck was left with 1/8 a tank of fuel, as the other was left bone dry. Now I thought I was going to get trucks with fuel in tanks, boy was I wrong. TM pays you per gallon you use, (thats the surcharge, I think this week it was $1.53 a gallon, paying me back $267.75. I still lost roughly $130 bucks total, due to a screwup on my part, where I did not get the right receipt for additional fuel I needed to deliver the 2nd truck.

Now how I was paid, was an 'advance' on my Comdata card.

However TM did an additional advance of $334 because I used EVERYTHING for fuel on the Comdata card to deliver the 2nd truck to delivery, (Roughly 100 gallons at only 4 MPG because the truck ran so horrible.) So I basically drove for free I think. I even tried to stick the tanks to measure the gallons in tank, but they had these strainer things on the necks, so that made accurate measures impossible.

Any advances for fuel, or Loads I signed for, or Truckmovers puts on my card, gets removed from my settlement. And deductions, like Occupational Accident ins, at $80.00 a month, and $52.00 for a statement deposit. This is where I screwed myself.

Besides, the guy TM had me ride with, was an absolute Bonehead of a driver. He had a junker minivan with a tow-dolly. A frankenstein'ed tow-bar setup that took him 7 HOURS Friday, and 6 HOURS on Sunday to set up properly. He INSISTED on driving back BOTH trucks together, therefor forcing me to wait LONGER, as he was my ride back to Erie from Philadelphia. I think in total I wasted nearly 15 hours waiting and waiting for him to get his minivan setup as a toad.

And for the other thing, this other driver almost had his truck, mini-van, along with me in my semi, creamed along 2 lanes of I-80 when he turned off an exit lane, then changed his mind and re-merged onto the highway and STOPPED in the slow lane, causing me to stop as well. Behind me, was 2 other loaded semi's, one had to do an emergency lane change within 150 feet, or he would've killed us both, as I was unable to go around Mr Numb-nuts without cutting the other 2 semi's off in the passing lanes.

Lets just say it took a VERY harsh talking to Mr Numbnuts about his horrible driving at the next gas stop, to finally get me calmed down. I pointed out to him that he was VERY mistaken in stopping on the highway, in the driving rain, and that had almost got me killed. I asked him, if he did get me killed in that accident, if he would have been able to call my wife and tell her what happened. He of course, had nothing to say.

He even did not realize he had done anything wrong. All he said was he stopped on the side of the highway, but I told him, 'You should NEVER STOP in the slow lane on the highway, blocking the lane with his Toad Minivan blocking the lane.

I just hope the next pay for my next 2 trucks go better.

The next 2 trucks were from Penske, (that I had to find my own way to each shop, and adding to my persoanal expenses.) One was from Binghamton, NY to Philadelphia, and the other was Farmington, NY to Linden, NJ. First was a International day-cab box-truck, with a standard 6 speed synchro'ed trans, two 50 gallon tanks, and 1/8 of fuel. 165 miles to dropoff, so I added 20 gallons to see how well the truck drove.

The second was an International day-cab with a wood flat-bed, same setup with the 6 speed, but this one came with FULL Tanks. Woo-Hoo. 200 Miles to Linden, NJ.

Nothing at all happened during the drives, logged my logbook correctly, and delivered both on time.

Returned home last friday from a greyhound bus from Linden NJ to King of Prussia, PA, and then local bus to 1 mile from my home.

I spent weekend recooping my mind from the trips, took family to Hershey park, (Great time with family, no coasters for me, but wife loved the 4 she was on, and won her and daughter 2 stuffed animals on the games.)

I then departed Monday evening in my Explorer, to Ohio to pick up my towbar, and truck hitch so I can get my explorer setup done. Chuck paid for the Tow bars and truck hitch, (which looked like a huge lego set, with the #8 bolts of different lenths, to somehow get this concoction together.) I still have to buy the tow cables, the lightbar, and the wrenches to get everything together. I still also need the drive shaft disconnect from Remco, that's another $1000 I gotta pay.

I met the guy at White Mule towing when he opened on tuesday morning April 6th, and picked up the equipment, and headed back home, arriving 8 hours later.

My Sincere Apologies on the HUGE post, but I needed to tell everyone what happened.

Still waiting on the pay from the 2 trucks from NY, will post the monies, or lack thereof.

Kimmyskunk

Heyas all, sorry for the non-postings, But I have been busy with my new job this week.
However, my boss is sending me to Marion, Ohio to pick up some parts for my Explorer Tuesday morning.
This is where you come in...
Is anyone able to offer me a sofa or a spare bedroom for Monday night? As motels are prohibitively expensive, and I don't know the area that well.
I will offer and pay for a free pizza, with drinks (no alcohol for me, i'm allergic)
And i'll also include mebee a free sketch or 2, and perhaps some cash to pay for the night, (About $20-40 would be good?)
I will provide my own Pillow and Blanket, and my laptop and cables for some surfings before bed.

I am housebroken, and very clean, no need to follow me with a pooper scooper.

Anywhere in areas between Pittsburg, Columbus, to Marion Ohio would be preferrable.

Please reply and if serious, I will include my cell ## to call me on the road there.

I am addicted to this show, I dunno why I missed seeing this.
This clip features a hand puppet frog named Java.
From 3:30 onward is ...
pure...
stomach and face cramping...
HILARITY...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LP9igxU24M

What makes it funniest to me, is when I hear the host laughing out loud, almost exasperated, loosing air.

Watch at your own risk, you'll thank me later...

Kimmyskunk

And post this to your own journals.... spread the laughter...

Hellos all, (bows and sitkneels)
(Also posted in Livejournal Fursuit Auctions)
I was wondering if I might ask questions about getting ideas for a fursuit quote.
This is still in the planning stages BTW, so no need to hammer plans down yet, and I will give PLENTY of notice when the finances straighten out so I can commission one.

My character will be of my Yasha character, shes a reverse colored skunkette.
White long square edged hair, green eyes, but more almond shaped than round.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2451878/


I am thinking of asking for a more realistic fursuit head, than a cartoony one.
Like in Qarrezel style, but having the eyes with the green mostly covering the eye area.
As Urds face is here, is close to Yasha's shape and layout of her face, head, hair, and eyes.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped.....DVD_Vol_10.png
(Urd is wearing the purple dress and gloves btw...)

I will probably ask for a partial suit for now, head arms, and footpaws, and then maybe a full body later that the arms and legs can attach to.

Yasha will be dressed in mainly kimonos, but not certain on digi or plantigrade feet. And the wrists would have tufts of white fur as well.

Any questions, tips to help get this idea started?
Quotes, complexity?

Thank you all,
Kimmyskunk

Heyas everyone.
I wanted to let everyone know that Truckmovers has called me back and agreed to hire after submitting my application, and they needed me to send a new I-9, as I goofed on the first.

All through the application process, Chuck, Mary and the others were very professional and answered any questions I had. They in turn had a few questions which I was honest with, mainly a knee injury I had back in 2006, but also sent them my long physical form (original) also stating I was cleared to drive.
(Altho I do wear a knee brace on my right knee, it does not impede my driving at all. Now if it was my left knee that affected my clutch, I'd REALLY be upset. ^^)

They arranged to have my drug test done on Friday, (Concentra labs have some GREAT doctors and nurses there.) and on the way there, Chuck called and asked if he can make a change to my application, to where I can be dispatched to Philadelphia instead of Macungie, Pa. He said that he has a LOT of trucks in Philly that he needed moving, and wanted someone reliable, that he can get customers lined up for me in the long run instead of Macungie. He said the Mack plant in Macungie wasn't very steady with driveaway work nowadays. (I think that's where Iron Tiger is located IIRC.) I replied that was fine as I am a bit closer to Philly, as I am smack dab in between Philly and Reading. I told him that I can usually cover the eastern region for him, as long as I can return home every 2 days, because my wife does not work, due to health reasons.

Now that I agreed to work with Chuck, he had to ask what I was gonna drive as my Toad, as I told him I sold my Astro. I had gotten my 1991 Explorer 4wd with a 5 speed, which was easier to tow with all 4 on the road than my Astro. He suggested that he can get my Exp set up at a shop in Ohio, using a package from a dealer and welding-fabrication shop he uses regularly. The base plate, tow bars, all the angle irons, chains, safety cables, tools, new LED light bar, and the saddle (I think that was what it was called, that I would use to hook the tractor to my toad, along with different Ubolts and hardware to use with different width frames, like Volvos) This would be a complete package, and this would finally get me up and driving for him. I asked about a setup that would hook up to the fifth wheel, but he said the standard one was better, that I could use my Exp to hook up to buses, RVs, boom trucks, dumps, (including repos and abandoned trucks etc) and not be confined to doing only semis.

He is sending me a package that will have all my DOT forms, stickers for the trucks, license plate, log book, and all the extras to bring with me when I get my Exp set up in Ohio and call him to see if he can line me up with my first run from the fab shop when done.

Im sorry for the long post, but i'm happy to start work especially in this economy.

And before I forget, I was offered .70 a mile, with a fuel surcharge on every trip. I will hammer down everything Truckmovers pays and post it here. I hope that is a good going rate.

Basically what the .70 a mile means I will make (for example)
for every 100 miles I drive, I make 70 dollars, and I am paid when I deliver the truck. The fuel surcharge is, when I buy diesel at 3.00 a gallon, my company helps pay maybe a dollar a gallon as well, so I will be only charged 2.00 a gallon. So my profits will not be eaten by fuel costs. (Just an example again)
And what is better is usually the trucks I deliver, will have their tanks full at pickup, so if I don't need to stop and refuel, then I will make almost 1.70 a mile, which is OUTSTANDING.

What my job will have me do, is I will drive to a truck dealer, or factory, or repair shop, and hook up my Explorer to the back of the truck semi, (with no need for a trailer.) And deliver the truck where it needs to go. Could be 100 miles all the wat to mebee 600 miles a day. And upon delivering the truck to the customer, I fax the paperwork to the main office and I am paid immediately on the spot electronically. I then drive my Explorer home to rest and relax before my next outing.

So if I deliver a truck say... 500 miles away, I pick upa Mack Semi in Philly, hook my Exp to the back with full tanks, and drive to Cincinatti. I will have just enough fuel to make the trip to arrive without refueling. I hand the keys to the customer, and they fax the papers to my office and I just make $850 for that trip. (.70 a mile plus my 1.00 fuel surcharge I did not use.) I now return home and rest up the next day and get dispatched again.

Yay

Kimmyskunk