I received a speeding ticket a month ago. I was caught going 60mph in a 45mph zone. That sounds bad, but honestly, that's how traffic is down here. I VERY rarely see people going the speed limit, or even close to it. That applies not only to the interstates and highways, but also in the residential areas. It's only by the grace of God that we don't hear of more children being ran over. So, in accordance with the rules and regulations that the State of Texas has in place for various traffic/speeding violations, I have the ability to take a "defensive driving" course to remove the speeding ticket from my license (able to take it once a year to remove one violation), and also to get a discount from my car insurance company (thank you State Farm!).
There are many places to take the defensive driving course down here. So much so, that you have to wonder if the police really do have some sort of quota worth of tickets to hand out. And if so, is it to benefit the state with "ticket fine income" (mine was $160!!!), or to also benefit local businesses ($50 total to "rent" this video at Blockbuster...half goes to them, half to the state; there are other numerous businesses like Hooters that offer a free lunch if you come take the class at their restaurant). You see the signs everywhere that advertise to "take the class here and get (insert meal/etc) for free!" It's actually pretty sad, but oh well.
I was browsing around on our Time Warner "Video On Demand" features, looking for a movie for me and the fam one day, and was looking at the "free" section. They have a bunch of moderately new (released a year or two ago) movies, as well as some sitcoms and other random shows that aren't on a station, but that they feel would be of interest to SOMEONE out there. Well lo and behold, I ran across the option where they offer the defensive driving course on their "On Demand" service. I read up on it, took their quick informational tour, and found out that I can take it in the comforts of my own home, take as long as I needed to view all SIX HOURS of the course (has to be completed within 90 days), and then can take the mini-tests (after each of the SIX courses) online, thus making it that much more convenient for a family man to be able to take it and get credit.
The course started out as being promoted as "much more up to date, current, flashy, better put together, etc" than the other defensive driving courses out there, and after the intro began, you could tell they were telling the truth. The "Wheels In Motion" course (as it's called), definitely seems way more up to date than the junk we watched in drivers education in high school. You can tell that the hosts, though, were picked because they didn't charge much to do the role, or are trying to really act in these bit parts to hopefully parlay it into something more. I can just see it now:
Actor: "Yeah, you need to check me out in Section 4 of the "Wheels In Motion" defensive driving course for the state of Texas. I really NAILED that hydroplaining out of control and into a railing part! It's like you're there with me, and that we're really about to fall to our death even though you can tell by the back window that we're not moving. Man, that was such a riveting role."
Anyway, as I said, it's a SIX HOUR course. It has six courses that compile it, and after each one I complete, I have to wait 12 minutes (for a break), then can go online to a website and complete a mini-test. I can't get onto the test section before the 12 mins is up, which is retarded, but after just taking the third section, I can see why. You really do need to take a break and wake up. While it is better than I would think for something like this, it's still boring to sit and watch, because if you ever took any sort of driving education class or read the book to take the test, it's all common driving knowledge questions so far. The only question that has thrown me off was one where they asked the scientific term of where if you're going at a fast speed and suddenly stop, but everything around you in the car goes flying around you. "Inertia" is the correct answer if you didn't know.
I started at 9pm, and it's now 12:30am. I was going to take the fourth course, but I think I'll hold off and take the second half of it all tomorrow. Just like section two says...the only way you can wake up if you're truly tired, is to take a nap. There is no other way. So, I'm just following their advice! I don't want to fail this class (although I've gotten 30 out of 30 correct in their mini-tests).
This week I've got to catch up on my podcasts, magazine reading, order some pc's and servers for work, run some network cables, patch some network jacks that burned out, figure out some classes/certifications I want to take (I'm looking at Exchange, and MCSE 2003 right now), and then praying for a slow week so I CAN do all that.
Went to church this morning, and just wasn't in the mood for church. It was a week where I just felt I'd get more out of reading the Word, rather than going and listening to a preacher. Nothing against my preacher, because I love his sermons when I am in the mood, but if you're not in the mood to listen, it's hard to actually listen and let it sink in. You can't say that you just have to turn it on, because like I said, if you aren't in the mood, it just doesn't happen. I've been getting more and more into reading the Word lately. I'm not reading every day, but I'd say more often than not I'm getting into it most days. I'm still reading from cover to cover, and so I'm still in Genesis. What's taking me so long is that I'm reading the chapters, then reading the notes, then reading the character sheets they have of certain people they're talking about at the time. It's a lot of info, and I don't just want to blow through it.
I've gotten some great feedback on the video I worked on. It's such an amazing feeling to know that people have enjoyed something that I worked and toiled on for a little over a week. To know that 14,000 people were going nuts at a concert, and that the Newsboys want to put it on their site, has me gleeming from ear to ear. I had a blast with it!
Saw the Cubs won today. With the Brewers tanking lately, and the Cubs keeping the hotness going, they're up to a 1/2 game behind the Brewcrew! COME ON CUBBIES!!! They're going up against the Phillies (Tim - the president of my company's favorite team) for three games. They won the last series meeting I think 2 out of 3, so here's praying for a sweep of the Phils! Next Monday (the 4th, I believe), me, the fam, mom and Steve, are going to the Cubs/Astros game at Minute Maid. I pray Zambrano is pitching since we couldn't pick a game we'd like to go to. Next time they come in September, I want to go when/if Zambrano is pitching if we can.
Well, it's 12:36am. It's time for this halfway learned, newly almost reformed, defensive driver, to hit the sack. Gnight all. Have a wonderful week!
Don't forget to floss!
E
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