The End.... a recap

I've been debating with myself as whether to post this or not; I guess one half of me won.......

My experience at Cartersville and lessons learned.......

1. You are being brought there to learn how to drive. Greg and the other dude (can't remember his name) are there to teach you. There's no need for trepidation or worry that you will fail...... if you put any effort into it, you will not. The training is difficult but it is in no way impossible. Show up every day with a positive attitude and a belief in yourself and 3 short weeks later, you'll be done......simple as that.

2. You will screw up.....get used to the idea early and you will hate yourself less often. Look, almost eveyone is new to the game and for most people, it's their first time in a big truck. Allow youself the fact that you are new and don't beat yourself up because you can't down shift double clutch a 10 speed right out of the blocks...... guess what.... no one can.....it's really, really hard and it's the reason you're in school to begin with.

3. Show some respect..... I can't tell you how many times Greg asked folks to put away their cell phones and Droids...... this is unecessary and disrespectful to a guy that's trying to teach you something. In my day the instuctor would have pulled it out of your hands and crushed it under his heel. Well, as Bob Dylan says, 'these times are a changin' so I guess we can't do that anymore but still, you can show that you're a man by showing your respect. I left my phone in my car most days and I recommend you do the same.

4. Wear tennis shoes...... I took the route of buying 'big trucker dude' boots before the class started and as a result, struggled with the clutch and acelerator from day one. Since I had kinda shot my foootwear budget on the front end, there was no choice 'B' for me. Best advice.... get your most comfortable tennis shoes or whatever and wear them..... you'll do a lot better.

5. Ancillary (look it up, ######!!) stuff......... yard is as dusty as it gets. If you have allerygy problems, sort it out before you get there. The Holiday Inn in Cartersville is pretty ok, no complaints. The up side is that happy hour is from 5-7 every day with $1 drafts and the bar help is about as friendly as they can be. The down side is that by day 3 you will either be so tired or so frustrated that you won't give a dang. Breakfast isn't the greatest, but it's better than a day old honey bun and bad coffee (read, it will definately get you by with no problem).

6. Have fun and believe in yourself. Many people come to this program after recently having their balls crushed by some arse that they didn't like or respect in the first place........ it's not like that. This is the freindliest, most welcoming place I've ever been and I'm 51. They are not here to crush your balls....... they're here to teach you how to drive well enough so as not to be a danger to the motoring public when you go out with your trainer..... that's all. If you need more time, they'll give you more time. If you don't understand, ask.

That's it..... I'm headed out with my trainer probably Thursday. A shout out to those who helped me get this far..........
L.B.
Bear
Baritone
Spanky
Rubber Ducky
Mojo
and a cast of a thousand that will remain nameless primarily because I forgot their names. You are all really, really good guys and you've helped a lot more people than you'll ever know. Thank you.

And finally and big hug and thanks to Greg...... you da man, thank you a hundred times. Know that you have also shaped and improved many, many lives.

Hidey Ho, boys!!

P.S. Do not fug with the CB......it makes Greg testy...... fair warning.

 

Nope, no they don't .....and that's the point and the difference......

Best wishes to you and your man

 

Will do, LB......thanks again.