Student in Wisconsin

At the advice of my e-mail 4 days ago decided on the last day of my "free" life to write a bit about myself and why I joined the forum. First of all, I want to say that I found a great deal of valued information mixed with other tidbits of salt grains by the forum members. Still hearing or rather seeing both sides of the coin is refreshing no matter the shine or lack of it.
I grew up around trucking, having a number of Uncles and even a mother all 10 year plus veterans of the black ribbon and white line. Now I wont bore ya with details of how or why, less to say I fell IN LOVE with the road many years ago on a four day dedicated route with one of my Uncles somewhere on I-40 westbound between Nashville and Memphis riding shotgun in a pretty looking red Peterbilt.
I'm attending a private driving school, some I THINK call them the CDL MILLS and that's fine, that's the business they are in. Classes at school start this next Monday 8am and I'm looking forward to the day the instructor asks me if I've ever driven before. Technically, nothing that would constitute "Driving", a few runs with an O/O in a 2006 Pete learning to shift on an 18 Eaton under my CDL Permit (expires in December). The reason I can't wait for him/her to ask this question is I can HONESTLY say no. Then, wait for him/her to ask the next logical question... Are you SURE you've never driven? That should bring a smile to me at least.

My son is young, less than 2 years old and many people ask me. Are you SURE you want to drive? To them it's unheard of a new father actually WANTING to miss out on baseball games, birthdays and of course Annuals, first day of school, the list is endless. TO them I tell them they are right, it's not an easy thing for any person to spend so much time away however, it is the life I can hope to provide them and doing it now is easier to live with than if I wait until my boy is 6 years old and is so used to having dad around that he doesn't understand WHY dad is going away.

I know this is long winded, but Trucking is not a JOB, it's not a hobby, I don't think it's really a choice to be made. It is a lifestyle and it's a dream at least it's a dream to me. Romanced or not, I want to do it, not until something better comes along, not until I have "enough" money to do something else. Lets face it, we NEVER have enough of that. So here I am, a student driver looking for a new life to provide a better life for my family. (Pondering) I wonder just now, what the heck am I going to use as a CB Handle? Anyway, that's my long winded Meet and Greet Post.

Seven and Threes and all those Good Numbers to ya.