Sunday, April 6, 2014

Barn Full of Burning Hay

Every long-timer boat rep I have spoken to says at some point, "I have so much (insert expletive) stuff!". It just accumulates. Reps are outfitters (demo days), salespersons and truck drivers all at once.

Our job is to show and sell the new gear. But, you have to store and transport it. Thus...

4 trucks, 5 trailers, 2 Eddyline fleets, 150 emotion kayaks, 3 warehouses, 1 giant shed, countless sales/demo samples, catalogs, banners, 7 pop up tents...and TIRES!!!

Truck/Van tires in active duty: 18
Snow Tires for these trucks 12
Spare vehicle tires: 4
Trailer tires in active duty: 12
Spare Trailer Tires in motion: 5

I have 51 tires mounted, being mounted or ready to replace a blow-out. All in motion every year.

Remember the tire changing skills of Bo and Luke Duke from the tv show "Dukes of Hazard"? Under 60 seconds. That is just pure pro status. Then back in the General Lee and down the road. The cb radio crackles, "Ya got yur ears on?" People should say that kind of stuff more.

I loved the narrator of that show that would lead them into a commercial break... "The boys found themselves in a hot kettle and the dinner bell is ringin'..."

He pops into my head sometimes when one of my metaphorical "Boss Hogs" has me backed into a burning barn full of hay...

"The picnic is set, but their ain't no bread in the basket" (Demo day with no inventory at the shop)

"There are a few too many cattle around the feeding trough and someones gonna get kicked" (shop with too many lines)

"I reckon this well has run dry but the folks are still thirsty" (this one is for my lovely AP folks)

"Looks like the porch light is on but no-one is in the kitchen" (product clinic...eyes open but brain on stand by)

"This bootleg ain't gonna make it 'fore sundown" (no chance the vendor will send product on time)

"Looks like thIs horse is gonna have to plow the field all by itself" (no help unloading/loading at a demo day)

"Didn't your momma tell you not to call the kettle black" (cause I mess up too)

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Only 1.5 hrs left on this plane ride to Philadelphia. My hotel last night was the backseat of my truck in a hotel parking lot, up at 4am, drive through San Fran nice and early. Plane. Philly. Drive. Crap hotel. Ruby Tuesday. Ying ling beer. Sleep.

Too much stuff...