Watkins Shepard, Here I Come

Didn't make it into Starbucks this morning for my tea and free wifi, so I'll have to do a two-day update tonight. Long posts on my phone are blech. But I'm still alive, kicking, and hating L.A. trafffic (SoCal traffic).

 

Okay, huge amount of updating to do.

Yesterday we started out with the "required" recruitment videos. I bit my tongue pretty good and just let them run until one of the other students went on about how great e-Logs are. Actually, he may need a place that does e-Logs, so I corrected myself today, but yesterday I went into a list of what makes e-Logs less than wonderful. Wasn't trying to be THAT student, but the teacher is required to show these things, so someone had to at least make the guy aware.

After the videos we went onto combinations and air brakes. I finally missed two questions; again, I'm not that student, but I've been studying this stuff for a while now (thanks, Lady K and Klingon for those links!) and hearing Joe talk about it for years.

After lunch, back to pre-trip. I'm starting to get the wording memorized, but can't wait until we see the real thing on a truck. I was also very floored that neither of the two guys in my class (there are only three of us) knew anything about changing a tire or how your brakes work. The parts that should have been easy with any vehicle knowledge at all totally stymied them (valve stem, seriously?). I called my mom right after school and asked her to tell my dad thank you for teaching all his girls to change a tire and change the oil.

When class was over, I went to a nearby "Anytime Fitness". I'd downloaded a free 7-day pass from the internet and was going to try to get a run in and *happyhappyjoyjoy* get a shower. I was upfront and told them I was only going to be in town for a month and they actually told me I could get a month membership for $25. Really?? That's 2.5 showers (not that you can take half a shower). I signed up immediately and went and ran 1.5 miles, which made me feel better after all the sitting. Only then did I notice that *cough* the shower had no curtain or anything to block it from direct view of the door. Whoops! When I asked about it, I was told that it was being installed (new facility). From now on, I'll just go in late at night and shower, just in case.

Since I was already sweaty and stinky (I know, you needed that information), I did pay for a T/A shower. Ahhhh bliss! I have to say, too, the wait was very short, the shower was clean, I had two fairly large towels that didn't rip the skin off my body when I dried, and the water was hot and had good pressure.

Happy and clean, I went into the fast food seating and started my studying. We have three chapters of the school's book to read every night, on top of me wanting to review whatever we've gone over in class that day. I have to say, I've had college classes that were easier. I got done with all my reading a little after midnight and crawled into my bedding for some sleep.

I have a minivan. I really miss my full-size van conversion. Even in that I had to curl up a little bit on my side, but it had a nice cushy seat and was made to be a bed. My minivan... well, I'm 5'9" and it's not. I'm staying warm, thanks to my Buffalo Bills (hush, Joe) stadium blanket and camping sleeping bag, but I wake up a few times each night to uncramp my legs.

I woke up at 5:30, ran in to use the bathroom and do my morning stuff, then was on the road by 5:45 in drizzly rain. ARGH! Southern Californians do not know how to drive in rain! I missed one freeway turnoff and passed a total of five accidents. I got to school at 7:45... two hours later. It should be no more than a 30 minute drive. More rain projected for the next ten days, so this should be fun! (not)

Today we did a video on staying with your starter company for 2-3 years, then went through doubles/triples and tankers. Then the other two had to go over the tests they failed yesterday while I read a book. After lunch, back to pre-trip. I think I'm getting it... I just want a real truck to touch and see and... Joe, get your backside to Ontario! lol

I've already been warned that tomorrow is HazMat (which I'm not doing because I can't afford the extra fee and Joe doesn't have it either) and Passenger endorsement for the one guy who is paying for it, so I'll be booooooored in the morning. I'm going to review what I need to and then read some more. I need a new book soon.

Tonight, Joe invested his Roadking miles to buy me internet. Woot! No more coffee shops. Thanks, Joe. *blows a kiss* I'm off to study for as long as it takes to get through three more chapters, then off to bed again.

I haven't had to use my bat on anyone yet. Jarhead, wish I had that "extra protection". Heh. And thanks for the offer... I do have enough for showers now and then, I was just trying to spread them out to last a little longer.

Going to catch up now in between reading chapters.

 

Oh... school is four weeks. I go through 3/12 and start orientation on 3/21 with Watkins (long as my evil twin hasn't messed up my record).

 

I take the 60 now and it works fine... just the road construction in Riverside is throwing me off now. But I never refuse directions from people who know an area better than I do.