Itchin' to Drive

49 DAYS TO SPRING!
Four break drums. All the front bearings. Install and bleed the brakes.

That's how close we are. And the anticipation grows that much more when the temperature hits the 50's (as the forecast calls for today), providing that little hint of Spring.

I was a passenger many times back in the day, but I have never driven this truck. It will be another momentous day when we can finally take this old thing off the blocks and take it down the road once again. And as you might imagine, I'm already conjuring up production ideas for the video. Meanwhile, the view total on the original video continues to grow. We're up to 200-plus hits almost every day.

Of course, progress on this project depends largely on the job situation, which as of this writing still has not changed. I've been told I'm one of the leading candidates for the radio gig I auditioned for recently, but still waiting for the official word either way. Hopefully soon...

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Ten Thousand Views!

57 DAYS TO SPRING!
We got the truck running on July 9th, 2011 and I posted the Old Truck Runs Again video the next day. I had checked the view total just a couple of times when in early November I was surprised to see it up over 1400, so I decided to start a daily tally. We were getting 80-100 views virtually every day (sometimes more) until last week, when there were a couple of days with over 200. Finally, 251 views over the last 24 hours has put us over the 10,000 mark.

It might still be far less popular than a lot of videos out there, but I think 10,000 views is pretty cool regardless, and I'm very appreciative of all the people who have liked the video enough to share it with others. We do have one “dislike” so far, from Norway. Probably a Ford fan.

I will also be forever appreciative of several people without whom this never would have happened: First of all my brother Peter, who bought the truck, drove it home from Missouri in 1981 and let it sit in his garage without selling it until he needed the space and agreed to sell it to us. And my brother Chris, who appears in the video with his kids (Michael, Kelly and Tim) and was holding the camera when the magic moment happened . Also our life long friend Brian, far more mechanically inclined than I am, who rebuilt the carburetor and got the fuel pump that was giving me fits to go on in about 30 seconds. And of course my good friend Jim, star of the video, an electrical whiz who got us the all important spark we needed, and whose infectious enthusiasm for the project has been a major inspiration.

Finally, I'm quite sure Mom and Dad have been here in spirit the entire time, helping the project along. I know they'll be riding with us when Peter and I finally go for that first drive together, taking this truck down the road for the first time since 1984. Hopefully you'll be watching THAT video sometime this spring!

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Barrett-Jackson Auction: Droolin' & Dreamin'

61 DAYS TO SPRING!
The latest Barrett-Jackson auction is happening this week in Scottsdale, Arizona. I've been watching a lot of it live on Speed Channel, drooling and dreaming the whole time. I've seen some amazing cars and trucks so far, but they always save the really good, top dollar stuff for the last couple of days. If you're a fan of the classics, you should really check it out. Having to listen to the barking auctioneer in the background while the Speed guys talk about the vehicles can get a little tedious, but it's bearable. And if need be, you can just turn down the sound and look.

Of course, marveling at all the perfect looking pieces of automotive yesteryear is the biggest part of the whole thing, but I also marvel at the size of the crowd, and the fact that the people bidding on these classics, who all outwardly appear to be just regular schmoes like you and me, are throwing around tens of thousands of dollars without blinking an eye. Just goes to show that you should be nice to everybody – you never know who's got all the money!

On the job front: I missed the cut on the emergency dispatcher job by less than 4 percentage points. Needed 90% on the written test to be considered, ended up with 86.25%. 173 people applied for the position, and 124 actually showed up for the test. All for ONE position. Don't know how many made the 90%... Still waiting to hear either way about the full time radio gig I auditioned for last week. Judging from the interaction we've had so far, I really don't think they would blow me off without saying anything if I didn't get the job, and I'm pretty sure they haven't hired anyone else yet. Gotta hope there's still a chance.

Stay tuned for next week's post, when we could very well be marking another significant milestone in the ongoing story of John's Old Truck!

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Still Job Huntin'

67 DAYS TO SPRING!
Three strong indications that winter has officially settled in: The weather mavens are calling for low temperatures in the single digits this weekend, we might see some snow, and the winter edition of the LMC Truck catalog has arrived! Those of you familiar with LMC know that you can get a catalog specific to your make and model of truck, and each new issue features a different truck from your category on the cover. This time around it's a very nice '59. Might have to add one of those to my fleet whenever I grow up and make my millions.

Speaking of makin' the millions, I was hoping to have some news on the job front this week but nothing to report yet. Hopefully very soon. Of course in this economy the job market is extremely competitive. I don't know how many have applied for the radio gig I auditioned for on Sunday, or how many are actually in the running, but I'm sure there's plenty of competition there. And on Monday I was one of somewhere around 120-130 people taking the first test for a single emergency dispatcher position. I'd say the chances of getting the radio job are much better, only because they certainly don't have the time to be auditioning 130 people! Still waiting for an answer though, probably because there are several people who have to sign off before the hire, and of course regular business must continue in the meantime.

Some very nice numbers on the Old Truck Runs Again video this week. 191 views over the last 24 hours, 179 yesterday, and we're over the 8,000 mark! Lovin' it!

Until next week...

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Lookin' Up

74 DAYS TO SPRING!
My brother Chris and the kids (all of whom appear in the Old Truck Runs Again video) stopped by on New Year's day. It was pretty mild for the first day of the year, so Michael and I decided pull the cover back just enough to get in and see if the truck would turn over. There was enough juice to move the gas gauge, but that's about it. Certainly not surprising since I hadn't been charging the battery, but it was fun to try anyway.

There are a couple of promising possibilities on the job front (I have been unemployed since early November of 2010), which of course means that moving the truck project along (not to mention catching up on some nagging bills) could soon get quite a bit easier. Funny how the timing works out. One of these possible jobs involves an audition which happens on Sunday, and the other a written test which happens on Monday. My hope is that by this time next week I'll be able to tell you about my new job. Wish me luck! And of course I wish you all the best if you are in a similar situation.

Did I mention there's only 74 days to Spring? Just wanted to make sure you didn't forget!

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