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The Line Painter

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June 01, 2007

Exclusive - Results of truck stop survey

Earlier this week I signed books at the 730 Truck Stop just outside of Ottawa and Kingston. I am writing about my adventures for a various publications, so I am going to hold on the specifics. However, I am releasing an exclusive today.

Here are the results of the survey I conducted while being ignored in both truck stops.

Hypothesis: The bigger the belly on a trucker, the bigger the belt buckle
Sample size: 43

My results are as follows (click on the graph to make it bigger):

Belly_buckle_size










My results don't suggest much of anything, other than a slight tendency for guys with flat stomachs to steer clear of the big buckles.

I think I know where I went wrong. I formed my hypothesis after seeing a spectacular example of a big buckle proudly shining out from under a monster belly.

I got carried away with an exception. I bet I'm not the first.

May 28, 2007

Truck stops this week

Today, May 28th, I will be at the 730 Truck Stop in Cardinal (near Ottawa, ON), Exit 730 off Highway 401-Shanly Rd. from 2-4pm

Tomorrow, May 29th, I will be at the Husky Truck Stop in Joyceville (near Kingston ON) Exit 632 off Highway 401 from 2-4pm

Hope to see you there.

May 26, 2007

Report - Husky Truck Stop, Bradford

This is George and Luke.

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I met them at the Husky Truck stop in Bradford, ON on Wednesday, where I had a book signing.

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I admit that George and I staged this next photo. I asked him to look interested in my book and he put his glasses to appear more intellectual. This is typical of the sort of symbiotic relationship I've developed with the truckers.

George













Tally:

- Books sold = 3
- Cokes = 2
- Cuss words learned = 2
- Good conversations = 5

Bradford was the 4th truck stop where I've held a book signing. The previous reports from the Husky Truck  Stops in St. Catharines, Mississauga and Pickering are here.


April 27, 2007

Report - Husky Truck Stop, Pickering

The Pickering Husky was the third stop on my tour.

My book signings always seem to start in a similar way. Here is the scene as it happened in Pickering:

1. The excruciating first half hour
Every woman is an island when she arrives at a truck stop with a pile of books.

Alex, the manager, gives me a weary look and points me over to a table, across from the canteen, to the right of the arcade and to the left of the toilets. I get my books set up. I sit. A few guys are eating, each at their own table. One turns his head slightly, just enough to clock me.

Nothing.

2. The ice breaker
One of the guys takes pity and pulls up a chair. He's from New Brunswick and drives all week, getting home for the weekends. This is considered an easier schedule, one that lets you spend some time with your kids. He owns his truck, but owes a lot. His eye contact is intense and I find myself picking non-existent lint off my jeans, just to break the stare.   

3. The doctor is 'in'
The first guy leaves the chair in front of my table. This seems to leave a cue for the others. Another guy comes over about 5 minutes later and has a seat. He moved to Canada for a woman and broke up with her shortly after. The weather makes his bones ache, but his kids are here.  He talks me through the audio system in his cab. He doesn't think about much when he drives.

Tally:

- Books sold = 3
- Cups of coffee = 1.5 (stomach lining thinner)
- Broken marriages discussed = 3
- Good conversations = 6

The Pickering Husky was a very trucky-truck stop, but they also have a softer side. The third picture down shows the decorative touch in the women's washroom. It smelled good too.

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Thank you to Alex (pictured above) and the crew at the Pickering Husky. I think they weren't too sure of me at first, but really warmed up after a while.

April 24, 2007

Report - Husky Truck Stop, Mississauga

Day 2 of my Truck Stop book signing tour and the footwear patterns have stabilized. The slippers I spotted yesterday were, it seems, an anomaly.

Trucker's choice of footwear can be summarized as follows:

Trucker_footwear_venn












It was a slower day on the sales front, the strong consensus being that my book would be more interesting if it were true.

Tally:

- Books sold = 2
- Cups of coffee = 1
- Times I was called a hustler = 1
- Good conversations = 4 (quality was high)

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A specials thanks to Ron (pictured above) and his crew. There are kind people at the Mississauga Husky.

Next stop is Wednesday, 25 April: Pickering Husky Truck Stop, Hwy 401 & Brock Rd., Exit 5296 from 2-4pm

Report - Husky Truck Stop, St. Catharines

Some truckers read in their downtime. When you are driving all day, it's nice to stop and talk. Choice of footwear is confusing me, truckers seem to wear everything from slippers to sports sandals to hiking boots.

Tally:

- Books sold = 6
- Cups of coffee = 2
- Good conversations = 8

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Thank you to Tracy & Sue Palleschi (pictured above) and their father Ray for having me. And to Mike for the homemade burger.

Today I am going to the Mississauga Husky @ 6625 Kennedy Rd. See you there!