A Time and a Place

 People do the most unusual things in the oddest places. We have expectations when we visit a fast food restaurant. We expect fast service, a convenient drive-through window, and an adequate parking lot. This past week, I saw all of that and more. During the dinner hour, in thirty-degree weather, someone decided to wash their vehicle—wiping down the sides and shaking out the floor mats—it was a full-blown effort. Why would someone choose a frigid day in a restaurant parking lot to wash a car? Maybe an emergency event popped up, maybe the driver got bored waiting for his not-so-fast-food. Maybe the driver was related to these guys:   

                                         https://youtu.be/Ul26r2rbhE4

There’s a time and place for everything and when we’re caught off guard by extinct creatures hounding us, the results speak for themselves. Life’s full of surprises and humor. I love the combination of little people legs and the great growl. It’s nothing we’d expect to see on a normal work day. Let’s say today’s the day and you’re in the right place. Before the moment passes, what important action do you need to take?

Blindfolds Off

The views from our windows impact our perspective. My new sunglasses offer an ultra-clear view of the world, all while blocking out harmful rays. From inside my car, the bright afternoon sun and a catchy tune on the radio made me appreciate the few peaceful moments of clarity, but there’s an unusual trend taking place. For some reason, blindfolds have escaped the confines of kids’ parties. Watch this:  

                                     https://youtu.be/NC0VgwfBEek  

Nothing good comes from wearing a blindfold except when it’s worn prior to revealing a present. Checking in on the social scene, you’ll see some people believe otherwise. Blindfold challenges are the new no-no. People are injuring themselves and their loved ones by walking around blindfolded. Maybe the trend is a metaphor for how we’re feeling about our lives or the world. What’s a better way to block glaring, distracting issues and manage our lives with our eyes wide open?       

Crying for Attention

Creaks and cries are calls for attention. When my vehicle began creaking, the mechanic said it needed a new boot. When my cat looks up and meows, she wants food or a head rub. When babies cry, they want something—food, comfort, a diaper change—and it’s the guardian’s responsibility to understand what they need and how to fulfill it. See if you can identify the cry here:

                                         https://youtu.be/kNGi50MaiMA

The cry sounds something like this: Look at me! Look at me! Yes, it’s a cry for attention. It comes in all forms. Not all are loud, but whatever way they come, they cause us to stop and stare, capturing our attention for a moment or more. What’s the best vehicle for capturing someone’s attention when you need help?      

In the Headlights

How often do we ask ourselves that age-old question: How common is common sense? I believe that it’s not as common as you might think. Granted, a driver’s level of patience is tested when another driver is in the left lane and going the speed limit. But when a turning lane lies ahead speedy drivers should exercise patience.

I’m still trying to understand why, while driving in the left lane, I saw the windshield of the car behind me, but no headlights. I bet you’re wondering what happened to the headlights. Oh, the car had headlights, but the driver tailgated so close that I couldn’t see them. Talk about a lack of common sense. Who drives like that? It’s probably the same type of person who does this:

                                         https://youtu.be/ZN1jUXMHo5U

In most cases, tailgaters don’t drive like maniacs because they’re heading to the emergency room. The top two tailgating excuses are probably, “I was going out for coffee” and “I don’t know.” It’s helpful, but not pleasant, for someone to tell us we’re not being sensible. It’s better when we discover it in ourselves. What situations have you discovered in yourself?   

Practicing Fobulous Habits

Our mechanic recently installed a new battery in my vehicle’s key fob, so why does it take  about five clicks to unlock the door?  I click and click until I’m standing alongside my vehicle, waiting to get in. Opening a car door with a faulty key fob is frustrating. I stopped using the key a few years ago and I guess I forgot that the key still works!

Habits develop faster than we realize, but they can take a long time to break. Nearly everything we do on a frequent basis could evolve into a habit. I wonder how long it took to form these tendencies:  

                                              https://youtu.be/heJBXz0kNDM

If we believe our performances hinge on how we put on socks or the number of times we tap  the ground, we’ve crossed over into the realm of ritualistic habits. They’re entertaining and raise our comfort levels, but I’m not sure they’re dependable. What habits give you confidence to do your best? 

What's the App for That?

We’re at that time of the year. The countdown has begun. Tick tock, tick tock! That’s the sound of time ticking away as you sit helplessly in holiday traffic. If you want to use the time wisely, you could make out Christmas lists in your head, listen to music and books on tape, or watch how other drivers entertain themselves. One day you might look over and see this:

                                         http://youtu.be/CqSDWoAhvLU  

How safe is it to ride in a vehicle that lacks a steering wheel and partly operates by GPS? Think back to the weird places GPS has led you. This car might take you to the river and refuse to budge. Or worse yet, imagine that it’s several days before Christmas, you’ve finished your shopping and want to go home, but the car keeps circling the mall, pausing at random entrances. Feels like a  nightmare, doesn't it?  

The car’s designers did say that the guidance system uses GPS, along with other factors to locate correct destinations. For now, they say the project is a work-in-progress. Still, I’m going to need a lot more confidence in the technology before I hand over control of the steering wheel.

If you had to give up the steering wheel of your life, to whom would you give it?   

     

Not A Bad Thing

Last week’s bird collision seemed like a fluke, but after this week’s incident I’m beginning to wonder if our wildlife is suffering from navigational issues. While cruising along the road, a beautiful, black butterfly flew across our windshield. Unfortunately it wasn’t quick enough to avoid hitting the left corner of our car. In the rear view mirror we could see the butterfly, somewhat dazed and confused, fluttering on the road behind us. I hope it crawled to safety before the next car rumbled by.

Last week a bird got sucked into my car’s bottom vent and Les Brown offered us advice about aiming high. This week the butterfly flew higher than the bird, yet it still ended up on the ground. Here’s the take-a-way for this week:

                                       http://youtu.be/NfAV3BGXF7c

If you’re floundering, rather than staying down, consider changing the path you’re taking. As the video implies, a failure can be the beginning of a successful, new direction. Everyone has failed at something. Following a failure, what course correction will you or have you made?          

The Best Wash

Raise your hand if you need a car wash. It’s one of my least favorite ways to spend money. Oh sure, I could hand wash my vehicle, but car washes are so darn relaxing. Swish, swish, swish, I can hear it now. There’s something soothing about the big brushes and spongy flaps sliding across the windshield, and who doesn’t enjoy the few moments of peace and relative quiet. Too bad it only lasts about five minutes. Somebody should design a car wash that, once you reach the end, goes in reverse to prolong the experience. Watch how this business takes car washes to a different level:  

                                             http://youtu.be/JSAzhHJWiC4

There’s nothing relaxing about that—unless you’re hypnotized by lasers. Well, we’ve discussed the car’s exterior. What about the inside? Take a look at your car’s floor, backseats, and dashboard, and don’t forget the trunk—who knows what’s lurking in there (last week I found a tiny container of old blueberries in mine). I find it much easier to clean up a vehicle’s outside than its inside, and the same holds true for us. Spring’s not far off. Soon we’ll be focused on our appearance in beach attire, but what about our insides? What’s the best internal change you’ll tackle to create a new you?

Deal of the Month

I might buy a house with coupons—okay, not really, but this is the season for coupon overflow. During the last month, I probably received fifty to one hundred coupons via email, not to mention the onslaught that weighed down the daily newspaper. A few weeks ago I’m convinced there were more coupons than news. Oh, I’m not complaining. I love coupons! Here’s one of my great deals: I found a nice, winter jacket for twelve dollars that retailed for ten times that price. Can a good car coupon be far behind? Retailers, keep the deals coming so we can enjoy the after Christmas sales. Check out other shoppers who appreciate a good buy:

                                              http://youtu.be/vfhVnyz0dPo

I doubt we’ll see a web shutdown for anything other than electronics in this country, but stranger things have happened. I bet you’ve found a few spectacular offers over the past several weeks, so what is this season’s best deal?

  

Beyond the Essential Budget

What’s necessary and what’s not? Years ago I faced that question when I purchased my first car. I responded with my purse by skipping the fancy schmancy power windows option. Boy, was that a mistake! I spent the next several years exercising my left bicep. Uh no! Here comes a toll. Roll down the window. Roll up the window. Fast food drive-thru? Roll down the window, roll up the window. You get the picture. We’ll be frugal initially, but then pesky inconveniences force us to consider paying for improvements and upgrades. 

Here’s where we could go on a lengthy tirade about the government shutdown situation, but I think we’re on the same page—we don’t like it!  Unless we campaign for political office, what’s a citizen to do? Three things: complain, contact our representatives, and control our own household spending. See if this in your budget:             

                                         http://youtu.be/RTvu1gySObU

Can humans eat gold? My brief research indicated that pure gold is safe for human consumption. Next question: Why would anyone want to eat gold?  Answer: For the thrill of it. Every day we hear a news story about someone taking a risk for a thrill. What gives you a thrill and what’s the cost?