The Vent Part Quatre

[Pauley 2]

Re: traffic tickets...

I've been driving actively for 9 years, and have had a total of 2 tickets - one speeding, one running a red light. I was advised on the first one to plead not guilty, and I did the same on the second one. In both cases, the ADA offered the lesser charge "failure to obey a traffic control device," which was a slightly smaller fine and fewer points on my license, resulting in minimal-to-no impact on my insurance. Surcharge still bites you, though...

[Nina~ 431]

Re: traffic tickets...

I've been driving actively for 9 years, and have had a total of 2 tickets - one speeding, one running a red light. I was advised on the first one to plead not guilty, and I did the same on the second one. In both cases, the ADA offered the lesser charge "failure to obey a traffic control device," which was a slightly smaller fine and fewer points on my license, resulting in minimal-to-no impact on my insurance. Surcharge still bites you, though...

Too bad, you don't live in Texas. If you get a traffic ticket, you plead not guilty and request the judge for a jury trial. You and the cop will be summoned for trial and if the cop doesnt show up, which happens about 99% of the time, you win by default. Works like a charm everytime. If he does show up for the trial, you request the judge for an extension and you can do that upto 2 times.. Unless the cop really hates you guts, he is bound to not show up eventually in which case you can get the ticket dismissed.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I got a stopping ticket here a few yrs back! Was late at night, and no other traffic!! And I did stop!! But just my word against his!!

[SupportGeek 21]

Too bad, you don't live in Texas. If you get a traffic ticket, you plead not guilty and request the judge for a jury trial. You and the cop will be summoned for trial and if the cop doesnt show up, which happens about 99% of the time, you win by default. Works like a charm everytime. If he does show up for the trial, you request the judge for an extension and you can do that upto 2 times.. Unless the cop really hates you guts, he is bound to not show up eventually in which case you can get the ticket dismissed.

Jury trial for a speeding ticket??

After seeing this sort of abuse of the court system, I dont know how people wonder why the justice and courts in the US are overloaded and haemorrhaging money like crazy. Thats ridiculous

[Nina~ 431]

Jury trial for a speeding ticket??

After seeing this sort of abuse of the court system, I dont know how people wonder why the justice and courts in the US are overloaded and haemorrhaging money like crazy. Thats ridiculous

Texas does not have state tax. Most cities and counties here make money by handing out tickets. My husband got two tickets in one month from the same cop who routinely sits outside his office to pull people over. He got his first ticket for speeding up a ramp that was joining a freeway. And the second ticket was for going 63mph on a 60mph zone. We were looking for a way to get the tickets dismissed and accidentally found this. I have also gone to court and bargained a $100 parking fine, and ended up paying $30 in the end. The system in Texas is really weird.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Texas does not have state tax. Most cities and counties here make money by handing out tickets. My husband got two tickets in one month from the same cop who routinely sits outside his office to pull people over. He got his first ticket for speeding up a ramp that was joining a freeway. And the second ticket was for going 63mph on a 60mph zone. We were looking for a way to get the tickets dismissed and accidentally found this. I have also gone to court and bargained a $100 parking fine, and ended up paying $30 in the end. The system in Texas is really weird.

Im sure it works that way in Victoria bc and in Virginia! I was told if the cop does not show up to court, the judge can postpone it or just throw it out!!

[Peachey 10]

I failed my driving test in ONtario too. It was a woman as well.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I stapled by thumb at work today. Yeah, that hurts.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

I stapled by thumb at work today. Yeah, that hurts.

not as bad as pulling it out!

[Danu 19]

I stapled by thumb at work today. Yeah, that hurts.

*removes all sharp objects from Huggles desk*

[The_Dude 1,142]

Re: traffic tickets...

I've been driving actively for 9 years, and have had a total of 2 tickets - one speeding, one running a red light. I was advised on the first one to plead not guilty, and I did the same on the second one. In both cases, the ADA offered the lesser charge "failure to obey a traffic control device," which was a slightly smaller fine and fewer points on my license, resulting in minimal-to-no impact on my insurance. Surcharge still bites you, though...

If you ever get a moving violation in California, DO NOT appeal it. Just pay it and say thank you. The court costs alone can turn an innocent ticket into as much or more than the original violation. And if you get found guilty anyways, you will have to pay the ticket, court costs, surcharges, and any PUNITIVE damages the judge sees fit. Some judges have pet peeve violations and will charge you insane amounts. I've seen a $210 ticket for not having proof of insurance turn into a $900 ticket. Crazy.

[Tick Tock 3]

I was trying to maintain high spirits; mental mantra of "things will get better, things will move forward". Got my passport earlier in the week, called the county my marriage certificate was issued in to try and sort out some things, called the IRS and H&R Block to get more information on the ITIN and had even been working on a painting.

Yesterday, my mom calls me to tell me my grandfather is on his deathbed. He's on a breathing machine, they've moved a special bed into his house, people taking care of him. They doubt he'll make it through the weekend. She had came back to her house for a few minutes (living next door to her parents) to call me and update me. She wanted me to call "next door" to speak to my grandmother and maybe grandfather. I wait a few minutes after hanging up the phone, both to give my mom time to get back next door to answer the phone and to work up my will to dial. I call and speak with my grandmother a few minutes. Barely can talk, just trying to make sure she is okay, has people with her, apologizing for not being there, all in tears. Then she puts my grandfather on the line. I don't think he was even holding the phone. I can barely hear him over the breathing machine. All I can do is tell him I love him and I'm sorry I couldn't be there. Eventually, my grandmother gets on the line, asks me if I could hear him, repeats what he had said. She's crying, I tell her I love her, I thought she was going to pass the phone to my mom but instead she hangs up.

My husband is out at the lake with his dad. I don't want to call my MIL because she's sick and I don't want to strain her because I know she'll feel terrible for me. My husband calls later that night and I let him know, he says he's sorry, I just tell him to enjoy the lake.

He also tells me not to be concerned, but he wanted to make sure I had the gun nearby for self defense. Tells me to call his mom tomorrow for the details. Apparently it's nothing too serious (or something). Maybe some druggies are breaking in to peoples' houses again.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Tick Tock))))))))))))))))))))))))))))),

I'm so sorry! How hard that is to be so far away and not able to go. Your grandfather and grandmother know that you love them, though, and even though you can't be there in body you can be there in your heart and soul. I'm sorry you are alone at a time like this as well - that makes it doubly hard. Something I have found that helps is to create your own sort of ritual to help share in the passing, like writing your grandfather a letter telling him all the things you want to say to him in person - and then lighting a candle (outside) and setting the letter on fire. Envision the smoke carrying your words to your grandfather's soul, carrying to him your prayers and your love. Again, I am so sorry for your grief and your loss. (F)

I was trying to maintain high spirits; mental mantra of "things will get better, things will move forward". Got my passport earlier in the week, called the county my marriage certificate was issued in to try and sort out some things, called the IRS and H&R Block to get more information on the ITIN and had even been working on a painting.

Yesterday, my mom calls me to tell me my grandfather is on his deathbed. He's on a breathing machine, they've moved a special bed into his house, people taking care of him. They doubt he'll make it through the weekend. She had came back to her house for a few minutes (living next door to her parents) to call me and update me. She wanted me to call "next door" to speak to my grandmother and maybe grandfather. I wait a few minutes after hanging up the phone, both to give my mom time to get back next door to answer the phone and to work up my will to dial. I call and speak with my grandmother a few minutes. Barely can talk, just trying to make sure she is okay, has people with her, apologizing for not being there, all in tears. Then she puts my grandfather on the line. I don't think he was even holding the phone. I can barely hear him over the breathing machine. All I can do is tell him I love him and I'm sorry I couldn't be there. Eventually, my grandmother gets on the line, asks me if I could hear him, repeats what he had said. She's crying, I tell her I love her, I thought she was going to pass the phone to my mom but instead she hangs up.

My husband is out at the lake with his dad. I don't want to call my MIL because she's sick and I don't want to strain her because I know she'll feel terrible for me. My husband calls later that night and I let him know, he says he's sorry, I just tell him to enjoy the lake.

He also tells me not to be concerned, but he wanted to make sure I had the gun nearby for self defense. Tells me to call his mom tomorrow for the details. Apparently it's nothing too serious (or something). Maybe some druggies are breaking in to peoples' houses again.

[Tick Tock 3]

Thank you, Kathryn.

I had mentioned this subject before and was given several suggestions as to how I could "pay my respects" when he did pass. I was able to see/speak to him when he was hospitalized last month (webcam) and so I had the chance to see him smile and thought that would be a good way to remember him. He actually got to see my husband for the first time ever that day. Barely hearing him over a breathing machine is now the last memory of contact I have of him and if I stop to think and reflect on those few moments, it makes me cry all over again. I hear the machine. I have a mental image of him laying there, suffering, whispering words into a phone. I know I have a happier memory to call upon but the sad one just stays.

I'm feeling very conflicted about the entire situation. I've tried to textually explain my reasons about 4 times now and just keep deleting it all because there's too much, intertwined, to untangle.

I told my mother-in-law today and she came by and took me out along with a relative whom was spending time with her. It's been raining today, but only while I have been at home alone, some sort of pathetic fallacy. I know I'll get another phone call to tell me he's passed. I'll probably be alone again when that call comes too.

My dad's father passed away without me being able to visit or pay respects, however I was not as close with him as my mom's dad. This would be the first relative whose passing will play very heavy on my heart. With my dad's father, I feel sad mainly because I did not get to say goodbye or pay respects - my last memory is of him without suffering. I was closer with my mom's dad; I saw him more often and there was less of a language barrier. This is the first relative whose passing will hit me hard because not only of the guilt, but because I knew him more and have a last memory of him suffering.

At least typing this out is helping me to get this out of my head.

[Tick Tock 3]

I got the call around 2 hours after posting last, here. He passed away the night before, around the time my husband called me on the phone. My mother said he passed very peacefully. At least he's suffering no longer.

I can't for the life of me remember exactly what my mother said to me, but it was along the lines of it being good to hear me react to the news (crying) because although I am far away, "I still care".

Sigh.