New truck radio

Tonight, I successfully installed a new radio in my truck. Well, mostly successful… This whole thing has been a test for me, but tonight, I am the victor!

I love my truck. I never in a thousand years thought I would say that. I always drove a four door sedan. Grandpa cars. I loved them. Spacious. Safe. They don’t draw that much attention… Loved the sedan. Then I bought this truck.

The truck is nothing special. No power locks. No power windows. It’s a basic work truck. Low miles and a hell of a purchase price sealed the deal. I Instantly loved it. I immediately turned into “I don’t know how I lived without it” guy.

It was a weird transition going from a sedan to a truck. They way they drive is different. How high they sit up is different. What each can accomplish is different. So having to learn a new way of driving was part of this.

The truck and I have been thru a lot. I had this truck when I was spinning out of control with alcohol. This truck has also been on many “clarity” drives. Many songs sung and tears cried. It made a trek out west with my best friend to go elk hunting.

It’s just a truck. But in recovery you build relationships with many different things. Anything that aids in helping you deal with your demons is a pretty good trade. This truck has oddly helped me in my recovery.

Like I said, it’s a basic work truck. No bells and whistles. Well, last year the radio started acting up. I dealt with it for long enough and finally broke down and bought a “new” radio. I found a fancy brand name radio with the usb port and the blue tooth… All that technology, receives AM and FM signals, answers my phone, even plays my CD’s… And I only paid $18 for it.

Hot dog! What a steal! Well, so I thought. An upgrade module set me back like $150 at Best Buy. Lesson learned there… Technology!!

Feeling a touch defeated, I sulked for a bit and then accepted this odd mobile audio challenge. I would take my time. Install it perfect. A little gift back upgrade to a trusty vehicle as well as to the pilot of the craft.

Took my time. Crimped all the connections. Then delicately taped them all together. Plugged it in and powered it up… Nothing. What the hell?!?! Bad radio? Did my sweet deal just turn into a financial lesson of Caveat Emptor?

Back to Best Buy. They test the radio. Radio powers up. Good news! Now it’s on to get this thing working in my truck.

Recheck all my connections. Everything looks right. Why won’t it power up? Deep breath. Is the upgrade module bad? A quick meter read tells me that the module has got power. What is it? Damn it!

Slow down. I take everything inside. Mix up a fizzy lemonade. What could it be? This cannot be that complicated. As I start to trace down all connections. Not just mine, but the ones from the factory. As I am looking, two wires are cut coming out of a factory connection hidden behind some electrical tape. What? Could that be it?

I carefully cut the wires back. Crimp them together properly. As I head back to the truck I cross my fingers. I hook everything up and turned the key. The $18 radio powered up like brand new!

It’s a simple victory, but I will take it. Truth is, I have a lot of challenges I am dealing with right now. Every victory I can achieve with alcohol removed from the equation I will gladly accept. Some days are so emotional that I question why do this recovery thing? Maybe we are just the way we are and our behaviors are a direct reflection of our true selves.

I really don’t know. I do know this, it is a better life. Recovery is not an easier life, but it is a significantly better life.

Thank you for reading my friend. I will write again soon.