By Eugene Mulero

Chief PodWheels Correspondent

MINNEAPOLIS – Have you heard of Nora Ephron? The writer. Good if you did. Bad if you haven’t. Ephron is famous for delivering the words to great films, such as “When Harry Met Sally.” She also was a brilliant essayist. In fact, she is this writer’s favorite non-fiction chronicler. 

Ephron, in one of her many testimonials, wrote about Aruba. Her point being she loved Aruba, as the actual physical space. And she recommended we all, as a species, find our own Aruba. And yes, it can be the real Aruba. So her Aruba was Aruba. I’ve been to Aruba, so I understand why her Aruba was Aruba. 

My Aruba is probably Rincon, Puerto Rico; but I digress. 

For lots of you, your Aruba is this thing, the National Truck Driving Championships. On the second day of competition at this 88th version of the super bowl of safety, I can honestly say, you love this stuff. 

Just look at the volunteers, which by definition means they’re not being paid. So, for free, these women and men are here in the North Star State toiling to totally (note: alliteration) deliver a wonderful experience for everyone. Tony Spero, for instance, a superstar NTDC driver from Connecticut, retired from competition and now he’s here, again, volunteering on the course. Uhm, sounds like NTDC is Tony’s Aruba. 

Bob Dolan, NTDC’s grand champion in 1990, is a volunteer fixture on the course. Aruba much?

And, David Sharp from Nevada, who is a newbie to the volunteer bloc, is out here busting away in volunteer-land. Why? Because NTDC is his – say it with me – Aruba. 

Aruba – NTDC is your Aruba, if you’re reading this blog post. 

Also, don’t pretend to be the cool guy who loves NTDC but doesn’t want to show it. This is a safe place. I love NTDC – can’t explain why – but I do. And most of yous do so as well. 

Did you see how I spelled “yous” – that’s Jersey for you; I’m from New Jersey. And that’s how we say “you all” (“yous”).

Editor’s note: My podcast producer, Greg, told me to be myself on/in this blog, and, so, here it is. I’m from New Jersey and I’m bringing that Garden State swag up in here. (Say what?)

Anywho, excuse my stream of consciousness. Today I caught up with David Wiechers, NTDC volunteer of the year last year. He’s pretty much everything you’d like to see in a volunteer–somebody who would give his life to the task in front of him. 

“A lot of the drivers thank the volunteers for all that we do and help them get this ready for them,” he told me just today. 

My point being, if you’re reading this and you’re not here. GET OFF THE COUCH. Don’t be lazy. Volunteer. 

I had a coach in high school who would tell us that 99% in life is showing up. Get it. The most important thing ever is to just be present at a task. To volunteer is to be present. And to be present is to be alive. My track coach, Matawan, N.J.’s Sam Turner, was correct. 

Be a volunteer. Your Aruba is waiting.

Eugenio “Eugene” Mulero is a Virginia-based writer who teaches journalism at George Mason University. He holds the 800 meter sophomore record (1:59.98) at Matawan Region High School in New Jersey.