Way back in the summer of 2001, as a new truck driver, Joe said those words to me.
Did I believe him? Heck yes I did! I was scared of everything and anything. Scared I would wreck. Scared I would do damage to one of the trucks. Scared I would embarrass myself forever by doing anything that would cause the company I contracted with to fire my butt.
I was so scared and intimidated by this job that I had a death grip on the steering wheel with my left hand. Both hands in fact. My right one was less tight because I had to shift the transmission and needed that hand to keep me moving forward in a losing battle to keep up with Joe on the road in front of me.
Being so scared and hyper vigilant a small thing, like turn off a right or left turn signal, was not in my main focus of attention. Staying in my lane and not causing an accident trumped a flashing turn signal.
The first time Joe told me I was losing blinker fluid I panicked! For about 30 seconds I racked my brain trying to remember if the fluid came in a bottle or a can. I even wondered if I had ever remembered seeing the fluid before. In the midst of my angst it finally occurred to me that the blinkers were fueled by electricity and not a fluid. I’m sure you can imagine the deer in headlights look I had going on during that wild moment.
15 years later I frequently call Joe on the cell phone to let him know he is leaving a blinker fluid slick in his wake. What a difference time and experience makes.
This rainy and overcast day I am a passenger on the way to Houston, Texas to deliver Friday morning. So I can be a nuisance. Verbally assault him with “turn your blinker off” or “I seriously hope you are NOT thinking about going through the median to the traffic on the other side” or “there is nothing but a rock wall (or plowed field) you seem to be indicating going through”.
Just for the sheer devil of it….next time you are riding with someone that has a problem leaving their turn signal on – be sure to tell them they are losing blinker fluid. See how long it takes for them to realize the problem. That is if you can keep from laughing. LOL
Leslie
Foolishness and Mayhem 
April 6th, 2016 at 1:14 pm
Too funny! He is able to accomplish so much teaching with his humor! I wish there was some way we could figure out how to get him in a classroom. He’s one of the smartest guys I know, and he would be an amazing teacher!
April 7th, 2016 at 6:56 pm
What a funny trick to play on you. I am sure I’d be very nervous being in control of such a large vehicle. Brian once told me dragonflies were poison and if they stung you you’d be very sick so imagine my reaction when one almost landed on me. I as running around like a crazy fool while he had a good laugh. I think I was about 16 at the time so I’ve learned better now. 🙂 lol
Hugs to you,
Shelly