The Happy News thread

[Aquarius]

^ That's a great idea!

[justTripn]

So, after much effort (and some annoying questions with answers that didn't make any sense), I have finally, finally gotten my CDL permit. Which means I can now drive 18wheelers on the road... so be afraid. Be very afraid...

But no, this is a good thing, and I can now move the trucks straight without problem and can, usually, back them up in 30 degree angles... so, hopefully, in two or three weeks I'll have my proper licsence and a job...

I am very, very impressed.

[aadarshinah]

I'll let you guys know how it goes. Thanks for the support!

[Alelou]

I think it's really neat, but good God, be careful in those truck stops. Maybe you should also get some training to carry a gun while you're at it.

[aadarshinah]

A gun? I dunno. Some of these placesdo look a little shady, but there are killer laws about guns in comercial vechicles... One step at a time I guess.

But I managed to shift the first 5 gears today and do some "advanced' backing, so go me. I'm taking my successes everywhere I can get them with these things (though I did end up watching an episode of DS9 during my lunch break on my iPod )...

[Aquarius]

Go you, for sure!

[Alelou]

I think it's an exciting job ... I just think women traveling alone in some parts of this country are very much at risk. There are other things you can have to protect yourself -- you just need to think about how to protect yourself.

[Elessar]

A gun? I dunno. Some of these placesdo look a little shady, but there are killer laws about guns in comercial vechicles... One step at a time I guess.

But I managed to shift the first 5 gears today and do some "advanced' backing, so go me. I'm taking my successes everywhere I can get them with these things (though I did end up watching an episode of DS9 during my lunch break on my iPod )...

If you do decide to, you're right, I have no doubt there are lots of laws about interstate trafficking that come into play there. Many states only allow you to carry a weapon in your car/vehicle if it's unloaded or "rendered a nonworking condition" (bolt removed, pistol lock in place, something like that depending on the type).

My recommendation for cost, legality and effectiveness would be something similar to what I just bought for home defense: a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 shotgun in the short version. Even though a shotgun is more deadly than a pistol, because a pistol can be more easily concealed, shotguns are actually less restricted nationwide, so you wouldn't have to worry about how, in some states carrying a pistol in the glove compartment is considered "on your property" whereas in others it's considered "on your person", if the weapon just laid in the back or under the seat or on the top of the cab in a rack or w/e.

I'd second the recommendation, though. It's an extremely machismo-infested industry, so, never know what you could run into. Maybe even just take some martial arts classes or something though.

[Aikiweezie]

Maybe even just take some martial arts classes or something though.

That would be my suggestion.

[Grrr]

Maybe you could get a dog. Then you would have company and protection.


Grrr

[aadarshinah]

I'm thinking a nice baseball bat myself... legal and painful....

Anyway, I finally took one of the 18wheelers on the road yesterday... drove down the highway and took every exit for 50 miles to practice upshifting and downshifting - hard when there are 10 gears to consider! And then we turned around and did the same thing back, until the instructor decided to have me drive up the backroads home. And today we did pretty much the same, and some city driving. Apparently, against all odds, I'm actually quite good for a beginner... But that's not the exciting news.

I got prehired by Werner Enterprises,

Which basically means that, once I get my licsene and take a couple more drug tests, I have a job! At last! It's only taken 19 months, but still. I'm estatic.

[Asso]

[honeybee]

Hooray! Jobs are great things!

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

Good for you, aadarshinah! Congratulations!

[Alelou]

Yay. Now I just hope you have time to write (but not while driving). And are good with a bat.