Not Every Problem Requires A High-Tech Solution

So I thought this was pretty smart.

Yes, it’s a “Smart” car.

But more important is this guy parked his car in a very smart way. 

The spot was too small even for this micro urban car.

So he just parked it sideways–and poof it fits.

Also, look how easy it is for him to drive out of the spot when he’s ready. 

Now, I’m not one to say whether this is legal or not (his rear wheels are on the sidewalk, of course).

Still there is something refreshing about this solution. 

Nothing high-tech about it — he didn’t need to move the cars further apart or shrink his own vehicle, rather just think out of the box. 

Frankly, it works, and I think this guy deserves the parking spot–so right on dude!  😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Electric Cars, Forget About It

With all the talk about electric cars, I think what we’ve forgotten is that they are still just cars and oh-so 20th century. 

What I mean is that they are not transformative. 

You’re still in a car, traveling around 15-60(+) miles per hour, stopping at stop lights/signs, yielding to other cars and pedestrians, driving over potholes, getting stuck in traffic, and having to fill up on “juice” every few hundred miles. 

And with the cost of oil way done (about half from last year), there may be a positive environmental impact, and that’s important, but that’s about it for this invention. 

So if you can get over the range anxiety and fear of running out of electric power and not finding a convenient place to plug into, and you don’t mind waiting an hour or so for the fill up, well then you can drive on batteries–and all the power to you. 

But like the toy cars and trucks that I played with as a child, they too often ran on batteries, and I’d zoom them around on the kitchen and dining room floor with lights and sirens flashings–now that was exciting. 

And yes, a driverless car (like from Google) is a little more of a step forward in terms of really changing how we travel…but then again, maybe it’s like sitting on a bus, metro, cruise ship, or airplane today–read the paper, snooze, listen to music, or watch a video, but you don’t have to do anything to move the vehicle or navigate the terrain. 

In a way, cars are pretty much just fancy horses with wheels–whether powered by hay, gas, or electric–they are terrestrial and sort of boring on the ride–even with the windows down and music playing. 

In my opinion, it is high time for some travel without the crunched seats, traffic jams, no turn lanes, traffic cameras, expensive tickets, looking for parking spaces, pot holes, flat tires, and all the other nuisances of daily car commuting. 

What I like about the picture in this blog though is that it makes me think of a much greater leap when it comes to transportation–whether by transporter, jet pack, pneumatic tubes, or time/space machine–we can get there effortlessly and lippity-snappity quick.

And the car, it can stay in the garage–or find its place in the Museum of History–for all I care. 😉

(Source Photo: Rebecca Blumenthal)

No Parking, Not Even One Minute

This was a hilarious no parking sign

It is leaning up again the wall and not even hung.

There is lots of emotional detail:

– “All area”

– “Even one minute”

– “Even [if] stores closed”

– “Even [if] come to pick up to go – carry out”

– “24 hours 7 days”

– “You will be towed immediately”

– “Fee 50-150” (with the $ at the end…oops)

Then hand drawn is a:

Picture of elephant towing a car away (not sure why the car looks like it’s smiling).

And a tow truck whooshing a car away with a special note reminding you that “Tow truck is hiding around the area”

While not he most eloquent sign, it is definitely expressive, creative, and effective.

No way would I park there! 😉

(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)

Everyone’s A Backseat Driver

Someone put this lovely card on my car recently.

Hey, I know I know I’m not the best driver in the world–

BUT this is insulting. 😦

Plus a little ~~threatening~~

So, if what happens if you park better in the future–do you get a reward card instead?

And then they buff out the scratches they put on your car previously 🙂

Thanks a lot!

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)