A notebook large enough to comfortably dump your thoughts into but small enough to be always near your keyboard is awesome. The notebook helps with procrastination, especially when avoiding some gnarly bit of code you don't know how to write. I just start describing the problem and how I might solve it.
My favorite speeding ticket escape hatch goes something like this:
1. Get pulled over for speeding.
2. Have your windows rolled down when the officer walks up to your car, hands on the wheel, &c.
3. Preemptively, "Hi, officer. I know I was speeding. I'm sorry, but if I don't get home and go to the bathroom right now, I'm going to need a new pair of pants." Delivery matters, obviously, but it's not hard.
4. Get sent on my merry way.
100% success rate, for a far smaller sample size than I should have, given how I tend to drive.
That said, danilocampos' advice holds. In the one instance where I was caught speeding egregiously, playing the situation as described got my ticket reduced below the magic "10 MPH over" threshold, where the violation is typically also reported to your insurance carrier, leaving aside the reduction in ticket cost.
Moreover, that was after he had to chase me for almost half a mile. His car was an unmarked Mustang, with no siren and recessed flashers, so I simply didn't see him until he pulled in behind me and blocked me into my parking spot at the office.
He was obviously expecting a worst-case scenario after a chase like that (hand on his sidearm as he approached my car, &c). My courtesy and honesty helped defray would could've otherwise been a deep pile of suck.
(I also don't speed much on that road any more. Go figure.)
> That said, if you're looking at something worse than a traffic violation--invoke every possible right that you can.
Definitely true – I'm assuming we're talking speeding tickets or missed road sign of some sort. If you're transporting drugs or weapons, or driving under the influence, that's a whole other deal.
Hack:
Don't transport anything illegal, including an inebriated driver.
If you do get a ticket, hire an attorney who just deals with tickets. $400 and it's almost guaranteed to go away, with no impact on your points, insurance, etc. The $400 easily outweighs the NPV of the recurring costs over the next few years.
Surrender completely, be kind, considerate and honest. Haven't gotten a ticket in nine years. More, if you're curious about the step-by-step:
http://blog.danilocampos.com/2010/10/23/how-to-get-away-with...
Having a notebook:
A notebook large enough to comfortably dump your thoughts into but small enough to be always near your keyboard is awesome. The notebook helps with procrastination, especially when avoiding some gnarly bit of code you don't know how to write. I just start describing the problem and how I might solve it.
After awhile, I have:
- An idea of what I need to look up
- A basic list of tasks
- A clearer understanding of what I need to do