The Ohio Driver's Test

More specifically, this is about preparing for the driver's maneuverability test which is the most frequent source of failures for student drivers.

My daughter has failed it twice, and retests in two weeks.

Since there is an 2-4 week wait between tests, and life around the Brangus house would be a lot easier once she passes the bloody thing, I'm determined to have her get it right this time.

Student drivers are not allowed to practice on the course at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Consider that with the long waits, they simply have no time to let the course get clogged with student drivers that are un-prepared to pass. So you have to create your own course some how.

Also, in this post I will describe how to make a set of obstacles for the cost of about $25, and it's recyclable too, so your true cost is lower.

Ok, the course is made up of five cones, four making a rectangle, and one splitting the rectangle a little further on. The student driver is to drive though four cones laid out in a rectangle, pull forward, and park beside the fifth cone, and then drive in reverse though the course. It's to demonstrate the ability to parallel park.

Honestly, I think it is harder than to actually park, but I am comforted that the standards are so high, makes for better drivers in the state.

I've measured the course in Batavia. The dimensions of the Ohio driver maneuverability test are : Four cones laid out in 20 by 9 foot rectangle, The fifth cone is another 20 feet away, and is on the center of the long axis of the rectangle. Here is the diagram of the course.

Building the obstacles:
Save up five milk jugs. Wash them out and let them dry.
With a 50 lb bag of rock salt, you have enough to fill them more than half way. Stick a tomato stake in the center of each jug, and for bonus points, you can buy a can of day glow orange spray paint. Everything is available with one trip to Home Depot, and my receipt reads $22.95.

Best of all, once you're done, you can use the rock salt for its intended purpose which is to melt ice in the Winter.

Best of luck, and we better damn well pass this time!

Quit Second Life

For the present, I have decided to quit Secodn Life, and shut down the radio station. Lord knows when or if I shall return, but for know you won't be seeing me.

Re-engaging Second Life

Call me moody, but for a few months I just wasn't in the mood to do many live appearances in second life. But that's changing as several clubs have come forward and asked me to play the extreemly ecclectic mix of Brangus Weir Radio.

The schedule as it is currently shaping up is Sunday nights from 18:00 to 20:00 at Nicky Tams where I play a show called "Purely Pipes"... Well it's not so pure, the first 90 minutes is all pipe music, which largely centers on the Great Highland Bagpipes, the Scottish Small Pipe, and the Irish Uilleann pipe. The remaing 30 minutes is my typical rock/popular mix.

I am also greatful to Nicky Tams, as they carry BWR by default. That is - whenever there isn't some other live act there, they tune this station in.

Starting this Monday, I will be playing live at The Legion Air , from 12:00 - 14:00 PDT. I haven't seen a party there in full swing yet, hopefully the crowds will be good.

On Fridays, you can catch me at The Pittodrie Bar from 12:00 - 14:00. I've played there a couple of times already, and clearly this time suits the true Scots in Scotland, so it's great too see new people up at this hour.

I am also available for emergencies as well, if your DJ can't make it... just IM me, and I'll let you know if I can fill in.