MNDOT - You Got A Lot To Learn

UPDATE 8/16/07

I originally wrote this article on 7/25/07 BEFORE the I-35W bridge collapse. I never finished it because I felt I had more to say than what I wrote. Then the 35w bridge went down, and I remembered this article. Maybe I have some sort of gifted insight, or maybe I'm just a Sherlock Holmes type by nature. But somehow I feel I saw this disaster coming. MN DOT are a bunch of fools.

What follows was written on 7/25/07

I must write about this topic today. Not only am I absolutely qualified to make a comment on it, I'm probably more qualified to do so than MNDOT themselves. (That's the Minnesota Department of Transportation)

First off, I've been a professional truck driver for almost 18 years. If I sat down and calculated all the miles I have ever driven, it would be close to 1 million miles or better. I've been to every State in the lower 48.(Except Rhode Island, Hawaii and Alaska.) Some States I go through so many damn times I can tell you where every bump, crack and cop hiding spot is.

My gripe with MNDOT is simple - you guys got a lot of nerve shutting whole freeway systems down to do your maintenance. Do I really have to post the links to prove your doing this?

Of all the cities I have driven in, been to, or strolled through - I've NEVER seen a city like Minneapolis close a whole freeway so many times in even one months time.

Back to the present.

Now granted, I never mentioned the bridge going down exactly. Thats true. But I did feel there was something SERIOUSLY WRONG with the way MN DOT does road work here in the Minneapolis area. And I still feel that way.

Some people feel that it's being made into big deal. And that in reality, the USA has a great track record of safe bridges. Well that also may be true - but I drive a semi truck for a living and I live in the Minneapolis area. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME ON THAT BRIDGE - MORE SO THAN YOU. So yes, it bothers me very much that this bridge went down.

There is no reason for this bridge to collapse like it did - if the annual inspections were done, and reported. The only way the bridge could have gone done in my experienced opinion is if it was OVERLOADED, had structural defects that were not reported, or someone was getting paid to look the other way.

MN DOT claims they have had NO FUNDING CUTS - in other words - MN DOT had plenty of frog skins to do what ever repair(s) were needed. THEN WHY DIDN'T THEY DO THEM?

MN DOT - you guys are a bunch of fumbling idiots and I hope you guys PAY for this serious mistake!

BASTARDS!

Still Working For My Uncle Sam

I took the photo you see here in this article. It's a photo of my rig, at Homestead Airforce Base in Florida. (As of this Monday I am no longer driving this flat top Freightliner you see here in this photo. I get a new Freightliner Century to play with.) I had the privilege of hauling new F-16 hanger parts - so Uncle Sam could build some new hangers for our fighter jets down there. The point of my article today is that you don't have to be in the military to still help our our soldiers. Not long after this military run - I grabbed another military run from Norfolk Naval Base in Virgina. Then not long after that run, I did another military load from Baltimore Maryland. That load contained our soldier's household goods coming back to the USA.



The point being - I'd bet even at your job - or the company you own and operate - you could help out in some way also. For our men and women who serve in the military. In my opinion, it's your DUTY to do this. Shame and dishonor on those who do not hold this to be true. My "Office" is what you see in this next photo - what a beautiful view I have of this great country of ours. I've seen a hundred sunset's you could only dream of. I've seen a hundred shooting stars, on late night trips across the desert southwest. America is something we must protect - forget politics and parties - what it comes down to is this is our county. And we must get past the politics and remember her first.

Online Dating Blues

I'm a 41 year old man - never been married. I have used the online dating sites now for about 5 years and I'm about ready to call it quits. Why? Well let me tell you why.

The job I currently do I have been doing for almost 20 years. I drive a semi-truck all over the USA. I put in over 70 hours a week, and usually drive over 5000 miles a week. I usually drive for a week out, then come back and take a few days off. Then back out to the road I go once again. I make good money driving that truck. I'm not a big fat ass and I don't wear cowboy boots.

I really don't get to meet women at all. In the trucking industry, there aren't too many women to meet in the first place. (Most of them I wouldn't want to date anyway) When I get home after being out for over a week - going to a bar is not my idea of having fun. That's why I used online dating.

So off I went into the online dating world. I'm not going to list out the sites I used, I'm sure you have heard of them. Slowly, ever so slowly I started to "meet" some women.

First off, the women I seem to attract online are really not the kind of women I have dated in the past without online assistance. I have no idea why I attract these certain kinds of women. What kinds of women you ask? Well how about the gal pictured here in my article?

Freaks! There are some freaky women out there let me tell you. And women who aren't truthful about themselves either. And that's the worst part, finding out you've been lied to.

A girl in Rock Island Illinois hit me up - so I dated her for a while. Only later to find out she was on Social Disability for a MENTAL DISORDER. You fucking bitch! Is that the only way you can get a man, by lying about yourself? Fuck off you cunt.

Believe it or not, when I'm out in public I get looks from women. I see them checking me out, twirling their hair, licking their lips. And that's cool - but that's usually as far as it goes. They never make a move on me. And frankly, I'm a pretty shy guy even though I am also very out going. And these are some real attractive women too.

But online? Hell, I'm embarrassed to even show you some of the pics of these women who want to date me. I mean, they look like my Grandma. Lady, if your 41 years old, what the fuck happened to your face? You look like your 61 years old. Like I can't tell your lying about your age? Sheesh.

And the women who I would like to date seem totally uninterested in me. Why I have no idea. I think the whole online dating scene is so bogus it's not worth the time, effort or money. Because it seems to me women on those sites are usually not truthful about themselves, and they also seem to be looking for a pot of gold that they will NEVER find.

Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I am very smart, very talented, and very good looking. But all of that seems not to matter when you date online. So forget it. I'd rather be by myself, than be with a woman who is a shallow gold digger. I don't know what you women are looking for at the online dating sites - but your never going to find it. And I have now realized that I will never find what I'm looking for either.

Thanks for being a bunch of lying sacks of shit!

Lindsay Lohan - Children of the Grave

Poor little Lindsay Lohan. No really, I mean that with much pity on her. This chick is going to die if she continues living this party lifestyle. She is young, and has a lot to look forward to. But unless she turns from the dark side - she has little to look forward to.

But in her defence, what life has she led to this point? The life of an average child? I think not. She's been in the fast lane since day 1 going 95 mph. What kid lives like that? There are plenty of talented, rich and famous kids in Hollyweird that don't act like Lohan. She has a personality flaw - just like Anna Nicole had. And Ms Spears has the same problem too.

With Lohan it's different - she's really not that hot looking to begin with. And that bar room, cigarette scratchy voice Lohan has? How distracting is that? What a turn off man. Have another smoke Lindsay you piece of white trash. And as a so called "Actress" she really is nothing impressive.

So why all the media coverage? Are all the news companies really that bankrupt of news stories that they have to harass this kid like they do? How about doing a story on a soldier in Iraq for a day? Hell I didn't even see a story like that on Memorial Day! Why not do that instead of harassing Lohan?

Don't get me wrong - if your a Star - I think you should expect some media coverage because that's your job dumb ass. But I also do agree that if reporters and camera men get out of hand, they should get their asses beat on.

But regardless of all the camera men and reporters that cover Lohan, and despite her lack of a real childhood, this chick needs help. Like right now, kind of intense, change your life kind of help. You don't need to be psychic to predict where she's going now do you.

Thank a Veteran

Thank a Veteran this Memorial Day Weekend. You don't have to say much - just something simple like a "Hey, thanks for all you do" kinda thing. You owe them your Freedom - never forget that.

Try going to a Veteran's home - and visiting with some of the old timers there. Talk to them, learn what it was REALLY like to fight a World War.

I created a special Pearl Harbor photo web page. This web page contains photos of the bombing of Pearl Harbor as it's taking place. Never forget Pearl Harbor they used to say. Now I would say, Never forget 9 / 11

Pearl Harbor Photo Page Link.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.

American Idol Fallout

If you don't know already, I've been playing the guitar and other instruments for a long time. I got my first guitar at age 10, and by age 13 I was taking lessons and working my way up the musical ladder. That's 30 years of playing the guitar. (BTW - listen to my guitar music for FREE right here http://www.paulboothjohnson.com)

I have played in Garage bands, High School bands, Jazz bands, Blues Bands, Rock bands, Cover Tune bands, Talent Shows, you name it. I have done gigs all over Minneapolis and the surrounding area. (In other States too) I paid my dues as they say as a musician. Late nights playing clubs, coming home at 4am hauling my equipment back to my apartment. Wondering why in the hell I do this, getting paid very little too. And sometimes no pay at all.

Then in 2002 the show American Idol comes on to the scene. It was a successful show, and still is. People love that show, hell my own sweet dear Mother loves to watch American Idol. And that's great, anything to do with music is tops in my department. But I have to say, it's created a culture of "wanna bes".

By the term "wanna bee" I mean people, mostly kids, who think they have what it takes to be a big time singer - yet have NOT paid their dues as a musician.

I started seeing these "wanna bes" come on to the music scene when I played the Treasure Island Casino Talent Show (Red Wing Mn) in October of 2002. To me, there seemed to be inordinate amount of singers at the audition. Most of these so called "singers" were bad, I mean they sucked down hard. But a couple of them were pretty good too.

That's when I realized, this is fallout from that damned American Idol show. It has spawned a whole new generation of people who think it's so damned easy to sing a song and be somebody. Well I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell all you so called "singers", it ain't that easy ok? Get a clue.

The problem starts at home with Mommy and Daddy. See, Mommy and Daddy don't have the balls to tell their cute little daughter that her singing is terrible. And instead, encourage their little cute daughter to keep pursuing her singing. Even though her singing curdles milk, and makes all the dogs and cats in the neighborhood go wild.

And this phenomenon is not limited to the home, or to singers. That's why I have gotten such a bad rap on the guitar sites that I used to visit. Because I believe in giving an honest assessment of music. See, on music related sites - people post their music for all to hear - and then expect to get comments on their song.

Now I have heard some REALLY bad songs posted by "wanna be" guitar players, and other users posting comments like "Wow, that was really great!" And I'm sitting here scratching my head thinking did this person hear the same song I did or what?

As a quick example, this one fat ass "wanna be" guitar player from New Jersey posted a cover song by Super Tramp. Well I listened to his cover, and the guitar playing wasn't half bad actually - but his singing was absolute garbage. Totally off key in places - it made me cringe when I hear his singing.

So I responded with some comments - I didn't rip the guy a new one, not at all. I tried to be honest about what I heard on his cover song. I commented on his good guitar playing, and added that I just couldn't get past the singing. That's all I said about his terrible singing. So what does he do? He rips ME a new one! Like I did something wrong by basically telling him he needs to work on his singing a little more.

Sorry you jackass - I don't play the "Oh that sounds great even though it doesn't" game. And I expect the same when I post music. It seems people want their ego's stroked more than they want an honest assessment of their talents. This is why I can't stand music websites anymore. It's just a bunch of wanna be musicians getting their ego's stroked so they can feel good about themselves. And when you give them an honest assessment, they jump on my case for telling the truth.

But unlike websites, talent shows are in person and in your face. The judges decide if you "have it" or not. Sort of like American Idol. And at these talent shows I see all the singers. I drop them by the highway with my slide guitar. Drop them like flies, leaving them wondering what just happened and who is that prick playing the guitar who just kicked our asses?

Hey, I have written good guitar songs, and I have written bad guitar songs. And I would hope if you hear a bad sounding guitar song of mine that you would point it out to me. I won't get pissed. That's the breaks man.

There's another talent show coming up that I might audition for. Do I really wanna play the game once again with these little fleebs? These American Idol wanna be singers who now have fully infiltrated the talent show scene? Should I do the show and spank them all with slide guitar song? What the hell huh? Why not.

I would bet a pay check Kelly Clarkson does not know what notes are in a GMaj7th chord, or how to translate it to guitar or even piano. And by the way, Simon CowelFace, and Paula Abdoola don't know crap about music. My left hand has more musical ability than both of them put together.

It's time to whip out killer guitar - and waste the singers once again. Video will be posted of the show coming up in this summer. (If I do the show)

Harry Can't Fight

Will Prince Harry fight in Iraq? I doubt it. It appears to me like the powers that be will no doubt restrict his fighting over in the "Sand Box". And that doesn't make Prince Harry very happy. "There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country," he said in an interview to mark his 21st birthday. "That may sound very patriotic, but it's true."

The kid has spunk, spit and vinegar - everything a soldier needs. Prince Harry sounds very patriotic to me - but does he really expect to be sent to Iraq to fight along side his fellow troops?

Apparently he thought he would be fighting along side his troops - as evidenced by his above comments. Who told him he would be fighting in the Sand Box? Surely there is no way the British Government ever expected to send Prince Harry to war in Iraq.

It's every soldier's goal to prove themselves in war - war is the ultimate test for a soldier. And when a soldier is told they will never be allowed to fight in a war - the game is essentially over.

I don't blame Prince Harry for being upset about his duty status. If he was promised by anyone along his chain of command that he would fight in Iraq, then he should be allowed to go just like everyone else.

But that's the rub isn't it - Prince Harry isn't like everyone else is he. While I feel it's very patriotic of Prince Harry to want to do his duty as a soldier. I also feel he of all people should have known this might creep up. And if he knew it may rear it's ugly head in the future, he should have had a contingency plan already in the works to allow him to serve in Iraq.

I know how things work in the US Army, as I served for 8 years. We sign contracts in the US Army. Don't like something in your contract? Get a JAG lawyer and have it changed. So I really can't comment on how the English Army operates. But from what I have read about Prince Harry, it's the British Defence Ministry that is keeping him out of the battlefield - and chained to a desk job.

I don't think Prince Harry has a chance in hell of serving on the battlefield with such obstacles to over come. And I feel he was either lied to about being able to serve on the battlefield, or he knew it would come up sooner or later - and figured he may be able to work around it. Either way he must have known this would happen.

After thinking about what I wrote here - I guess my point would be this. Something like this would not happen in America. For starters, can you imagine if George Bush had a son who was in the same position? Every Liberal and Democrat in this nation would be calling for Bush's son to fight in the war just like everyone else. There would be no special treatment for a President's son or daughter. I also believe this would happen if a Democrat President's son or daughter was up against the "Sand Box" deployment. Every Republican from coast to coast would be screaming for equal treatment as far as deployment is concerned.