Visiting The Mothership!

[Jim]

The Second Law of Thermodynamics isn’t just knocking, it’s kicked back at the dinette, wearing my socks and polishing off my last Dr Pepper.

Side note: I met Mr. and Mrs. Squid while wandering aimlessly through the lobby. Apparently, my sleepless eyes and lost expression make me easy to spot. They're full-timers, here for repairs on their beautiful New Aire. Truth be told, they’re technically homeless too, which now makes the competition at the shop’s coffee machine a little stiffer.

That said, Mrs. Squid, "Elizabeth", to those of us in the caffeine underground, took pity on me and brought a replacement for my stolen Dr. Pepper. A rare act of kindness in these mean lobby streets.

Thank you, @MrsSquid !

 

[DennisT]

Side note: I met Mr. and Mrs. Squid while wandering aimlessly through the lobby. Apparently, my sleepless eyes and lost expression make me easy to spot. They're full-timers, here for repairs on their beautiful New Aire. Truth be told, they’re technically homeless too…….

As a fellow full timer we prefer to refer to it as “houseless”

 

[Jim]

Day Four:

Alarm? Let’s not pretend. I woke up when the sun dared peek through the blackout shades, somewhere between the “I’m late” but before the “Oh crap, he’s here” stage. Didn’t have time for a shower, deodorant and optimism are doing the heavy lifting today. Towel from yesterday is still in the corner, gaining character.

Paper plates are gone. I’m now eating directly over the trash can like a wild animal with good manners. Coffee? Discovered the tech lounge has free refills if you keep walking in like you belong. Keurig’s on strike. Might be unionizing.

Coach was sort of aired up, slides mostly in, and I think I disconnected the shore power… or someone did. Either way, the tech showed up, gave me a look that said, “Yep, Day Four,” and went to work without questions.

I nodded. He nodded. We’re past words now. This is what bonding looks like.

 

[Chargerman]

OMG… I’m in tears laughing!!!

I used to own a 24/7 manufacturer and when I did the tours of Newmar and Entegra I was blown away when the factory’s were deserted at 2pm. I just can’t imagine how they can have all of that overhead and shutter it for 16hrs each day. Wouldn’t some of them like to work their farms in the morning and come in to the plant at 1:30 to transition the day shift into second shift? Even if it was a short 4 or 5 hour shift so they could be home for a family dinner

 

[lostinfla]

Jim, I feel your pain. I remember when we were there for the week and it felt like I was released from jail when they finally said they were done with the list and was able to pull away from the parking lot.

 

[Holdmybeer]

OMG… I’m in tears laughing!!!

I used to own a 24/7 manufacturer and when I did the tours of Newmar and Entegra I was blown away when the factory’s were deserted at 2pm. I just can’t imagine how they can have all of that overhead and shutter it for 16hrs each day. Wouldn’t some of them like to work their farms in the morning and come in to the plant at 1:30 to transition the day shift into second shift? Even if it was a short 4 or 5 hour shift so they could be home for a family dinner

I'd run it by them, the Amish have always been receptive to new ideas and changes in routine.
Otherwise, I'd argue the average individual Amish worker's 8 hrs. of productivity is equal to or greater than that of 3 phone swipers in most any other workplace and too, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
.

 

[Jim]

Day Five:
Woke up at some point. Not sure when. The blackout shades are winning now. I think the tech’s been here and gone, or maybe he’s under the coach, hard to tell, and frankly, not my department anymore.

Didn’t shower again, but I found a half-used baby wipe in a drawer and called it "spa day." Clothes are now being selected from a pile I call “lived-in but socially acceptable.” The towel in the corner has become a permanent fixture, I might name it.

Meals have devolved into grazing. I ate half a granola bar and three Tic Tacs I found in the cup holder. Coffee? Still milking the tech lounge, pretending to look at service brochures so they don’t question my sixth refill. The Keurig has officially filed a grievance.

Slides were… somewhere between in and out. Power may or may not have been connected. At this point, I just wave at the tech and hope he takes care of whatever’s humming, blinking, or beeping. He doesn’t even make eye contact now. We communicate through a series of shrugs and knowing sighs.

 

[purring along]

Day Two:
Same 4:30 AM alarm, but the regal discipline from Day One was fading. The towels still made it to the shower door, but more like they were tossed during a hostage negotiation than prepared for inspection. The dishes? They're in the sink, under a cover, so technically invisible.

The Keurig, which yesterday had been stowed beneath the sink, has now claimed a spot on the counter. Bold move, bean boy! And my clothes were thrown into the closet like I was settling a grudge. But I was ready. Slides were in, I was all aired up, and lifelines were off.

My Tech arrived, smiling proudly at me. I could tell though . . . he senses some unraveling beginning.

Day Five:
Woke up at some point. Not sure when. The blackout shades are winning now. I think the tech’s been here and gone, or maybe he’s under the coach, hard to tell, and frankly, not my department anymore.

Didn’t shower again, but I found a half-used baby wipe in a drawer and called it "spa day." Clothes are now being selected from a pile I call “lived-in but socially acceptable.” The towel in the corner has become a permanent fixture, I might name it.

Meals have devolved into grazing. I ate half a granola bar and three Tic Tacs I found in the cup holder. Coffee? Still milking the tech lounge, pretending to look at service brochures so they don’t question my sixth refill. The Keurig has officially filed a grievance.

Slides were… somewhere between in and out. Power may or may not have been connected. At this point, I just wave at the tech and hope he takes care of whatever’s humming, blinking, or beeping. He doesn’t even make eye contact now. We communicate through a series of shrugs and knowing sighs.

Jim your making my sides hurt. Have you considered doing stand up for extra change. I hear there is an opening for a late night host available.

 

[Headhunter]

Jim your making my sides hurt. Have you considered doing stand up for extra change. I hear there is an opening for a late night host available.

Jim you poor baby. Is Trish along with you? It doesn't sound like it....LOL I hope you at least got to go on a plant tour? Do they give you updates in what they accomplished so far?

Hang in there brother you are almost done.... I hope.

HH

 

[lostinfla]

Jim your making my sides hurt. Have you considered doing stand up for extra change. I hear there is an opening for a late night host available.

He should have led with "I'll be here all week"

 

[Jim]

Day Six: The Final Chapter
They told me yesterday that today would be the last day. I of course thought they meant work on the coach. Turns out they meant my freeloading in the lobby. But anyhow, I woke up before the alarm, not from obligated motivation, but because my body no longer remembers how to sleep. Six days of RV service center life will do that to a man.

I shuffled to the front of the coach like a Civil War veteran surveying the aftermath. Coffee? Optional. Dignity? Optional-er. The Keurig glared at me, not with malice, but the wounded silence of a companion scorned. I gave it a respectful nod and moved on toward the tech lounge, not for coffee, but to bid farewell to my new friends that had helped carry me through the darker hours.

At the lounge, I was met by my tech, bill in hand, explanation ready. The coach? Done. Fully serviced. Reborn. Buttons once again button. Slides slide. Lights light. It’s like meeting your coach for the first time, only now it remembers everything you’ve both been through. We’re stronger for it. Somehow changed. Battle-hardened.

The tech gave me a nod, the kind you give a man who’s been to hell, kicked the furnace, and walked back out smirking. Nothing official passed between us, but a silent bond now exists between man, machine, and mechanic.

Tomorrow, I drive. Today, I rest. A tired, withered man whose towel still rests in the corner and whose deodorant supply has been pushed to the brink. But I leave this place a better man.

The coach is complete!

 

[lostinfla]

I'm sure Ryker and possibly Trish will be happy to have you back home.

 

[Neal]

@Jim's new book "A trip to Newmar" is the upcoming best seller on Amazon Kindle. Be sure to pre-order yours today.

 

[Jim]

I'm sure Ryker and possibly Trish will be happy to have you back home.

Ryker definitely, he’s been pacing like he’s waiting on Amazon delivery. Trish? She’ll pretend not to smile for 10 minutes just to keep me humble.

 

[Boat Bum]

I'll miss the daily briefings.

 

[newmarokie]

Boat Bum, that is the problem with becoming a full time creative writer. You no longer get daily short stories.

 

[John&Andrea]

Glad repairs are complete, I will miss the daily updates.

 

[purring along]

Jim you have given me a whole new perspective of mother ship repairs. My two choices now are leaving the coach and heading home, or finding a motel. Thanks for the daily reports, much appreciated.

 

[Chargerman]

Congrats on a successful visit. I too will miss your daily updates. Well done! So funny!

 

[AbdRahim]

Hey Jim you are too used to that gooood living. I don’t know if I have ever been there less than a week, and I have been there every year since my FPU. We’ve got to toughen him up.