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Sunday, December 05, 2004

Sunday, December 5th
Arrgh! Last evening's attempt at checking e-mail (connecting to the Internet wirelessly) was a bust. I called Travel Center's of America's customer support for logging into their Wi-Fi SpeedZone network and found out that it was malfunctioning. The router needed to be rebooted (and perhaps additional technical steps needed to be taken) before the network would work (I was the 2nd person wanting to use their wireless network that evening). So I went in to the Albert Lea Trail's Travel Center and asked to see the manager. Although I didn't see the manager, the helpful person behind the counter make a call and relayed the information that the wireless system has never worked there because all of the equipment was not in place. Hmm...stories aren't matching up. So back I went to my truck and called customer service again. They assured me that the network had been working and just needed some technical steps to be implemented and it would be working once again. By this time I was a bit steamed over my experience. If I would've known that this location's wireless network would be malfunctioning (for whatever reason), I would have gone to another truckstop whose Wi-Fi network would be working (hopefully!). The customer support people were great to deal with and gave me free access to TA's SpeedZone network at any truck stop until the end of December. While that didn't fix the immediate problem, it was a nice gesture on their part and I appreciated that. I'll have to go to Plan B to fill my time as I won't be able to access the Internet this weekend.

This morning I woke and decided to see if this truck stop had chapel (church) services. They did and I got there just before 8:00 AM when the service started. Elden and Liz host the service where we sing a couple of songs and then discuss a Bible passage that Elden has chosen for the morning. Elden led the discussion and the four truck drivers in attendance could chime in when we wanted to. Elden related his trucking experience with the passage he had chosen (Colossians 3.1-4; 16,17). We had a good time of worshipping God. Afterwards, another driver (Donald) and myself sat and shared some more over breakfast (I ate; Donald had already eaten). He and is wife have been driving for about 5-years and are a team operation (one drives while the other sleeps & vice-versa). It was great to discuss various things and have a good time of fellowship with one-another.

I forgot to mention that Elden knows the owner of the truck stop (I related my Wi-Fi fiasco experience of last evening). I good naturely asked Elden to ask Rocky to fix the Wi-Fi. Elden said he make an inquiry for me. It's funny how things work out--I was wanting to talk to the manager of the truck stop about the Wi-Fi problem and here someone who knows the owner will do it for me. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Now I'm back in the truck and writing about the day's events so far. Later on, I'll see if I can catch the Packer's and Eagle's game in the afternoon. The game comes on after the Vikings came so perhaps they'll show it here in the area. Go Pack!

miles driven = 0

PostScript: I watched the 1st half of the game. Oh the horror.... (the Packers got trounced)

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